Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken with "Fried" Rice

My husband and I LOVE Chinese food.. mmmm! But I do NOT love the calories that generally come with Chinese food. 

So after browsing Pinterest, I found a recipe worth trying and boy was it worth it!

This picture is actually of two servings. I had a lot of extra points left for the day (how in the heck does that happen?) & I had ran twice that day, so I was hungry!

 

I found this recipe from this blog.

Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken: (7 WW+)

Chicken Coating:

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks

1 cup cornstarch (I didn't even use it all, so I'd start with 1/2cup and add more if needed)

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup canola oil

Sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup sugar

4 tbs ketchup

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1 tbs soy sauce

I added a couple squirts of hot sauce because I looooove me some spiciness ;)

Preheat your oven to 325 Degrees.

Dip chicken into cornstarch and then eggs.  

Heat the oil in a saucepan and lightly brown the chicken breasts, not cooking all of the way.

Place lightly browned chicken into 9X13 baking dish.

Mix all of the sweet & sour sauce ingredients in a bowl & pour over the chicken.

Bake the chicken for one hour, turning every 15 minutes. 

SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

My husband made the rice because I was tired of cooking after the tedious chicken steps (even though it's worth it). 

"Fried" Rice 

3 cups brown rice 

3 tbs olive oil

1 cup frozen peas (thawed)

1 onion, chopped

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup soy sauce (I used low sodium)

Garlic (as much as you want- we like a lot)

On medium high heat, heat the oil in a wok.  Add the peas, onion and garlic. Cook until tender. 

Lower the heat to medium low and push the mixture off to one side, then pour your eggs on the other side of skillet and cook until scrambled.

 Add the rice and soy sauce and blend all together well. 

Cook until thoroughly heated.

Enjoy!

What are your favorite Chinese recipes?

New Years Goal- UPDATE!!!!

Yesterday my board read this:

And tonight my board reads this:

Yes, it says 0 miles left!!!!!!!!

After really putting things into perspective (both the nutrition and exercising aspects) yesterday, I am bound and determined to staying healthy and not letting me slip back into my old habits.

So today I accurately tracked EVERYTHING that I ate and I hit the gym TWICE!

The first time I ran 3 miles on the treadmill, did 5 minutes on the stair climber, and did a few arm weight machines.

My husband started the C25K running program this week, so I wanted to be there for him while he did his second run and so I ran another two miles and walked on an incline the rest of the time! It's so nice to have my husband trying to run with me since I love it so much! He is a bigger football guy and isn't too big on running (he'd rather do the elliptical), but he knows how much it would mean to me to have him run with me, so he's trying the program that I started with! Awe, gag me, I know. :)

Since I finished my new years goal a month and a half EARLY, what should I do now?!?!

I am trying to think about my new years goal for 2013. I want to set a goal in relation to me wanting to run a half marathon this summer, but I like goals in which I can track little by little. Hence, 365 miles in 365 days. 

How would you challenge yourself in that aspect? Suggestions?

Catching Myself

Weight loss & maintenance is HARD WORK. It seems to simple to most... calories in to calories out.

To a girl who loves food, it's a lot harder than it is "simply" put.

Although loosing my weight was anything but easy, it was a heck of a lot easier loosing it than maintaing it. My diet has slipped since May(ish). I see myself starting to slip back into old habits. It's hard to admit, but easier than heck to do. But the positive thing is that I'M CATCHING MYSELF!

I have put on about 20lbs since then, keeping my weight loss at about 66lbs. That is still great, I know, but I am bound and determined to get those 20lbs that I gained back off & them some! 

Don't get me wrong, I still have a healthy diet, BUT I have been slipping. My husband and I will have a "candy bar" after a healthy home cooked meal, or we will go out to eat on Saturday and I'll have a hamburger. Why do that to myself? It's..... just.... FOOD! Does it mean that much to me? Does it taste that good? (maybe) NO!
That is when I need to put things into perspective. I love love love my blogging world & friends whom I have made. My blog & you friends whom I have made keep me in check. THANK YOU!

Unfortunately, for the past couple of months (since Mayish) I have been dealing with my husbands health (he is all better now- see my previous posts) so I have been crazy busy, stressed, and scared and really have been slacking. I know, it's not an excuse! I should not use that as an excuse..... and I won't! However, I am coming clean with myself and all of you... So PLEASE... hold me accountable!!!!!! I am determined to continue to live a healthy lifestyle and continue to become a lean, mean, fighting machine!

I love how fitness and being healthy brings people together... it is truly amazing.

I entered my weight loss story to a local gym (Fit Club) & radio station (99.7KISSFM) and they chose me as one top 10 semi-finalist for a 12 week weight loss competition. The three semi finalists who get the most "LIKES" of their picture on my gyms facebook page get to compete in this challenge  The challenge package includes a gym membership, personal training, & a nutritionists. Out of those three contestants who compete who looses the most weight loss percentage wins a makeover from a local salon (BJ Grand Spa) and an all expense paid vacation to MEXICO!!! 

I can currently in second place, but it's a super close match and people can get 50 votes within minutes! So my goal is to try to get ahead by a lot. The voting goes on until Dec 17th so I have three more weeks. If you have facebook, PLEASE follow this link, CLICK on this picture, & then LIKE it!!! Please get your loved ones to vote, too! I am begging :)

I have come so far & I still have a ways to go. I want to get to my leanest & best body weight before I start having children & I want to learn how to MAINTAIN my weight.

Thanks to all of my lovely followers- love you all!!!!



Here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151186481348423&set=a.10151186481318423.465739.310314028422&type=3&theater

New Year's Goal- Update!

Yep, you read that correct! I only have FIVE... MILES... LEFT!!!

As most of you readers know, my goal as of January 1, 2012 was to run 365 miles in 365 days. When the new year started, I was NOT a runner. I had lost my weight by then (mostly by diet--- abs are made in the gym ;) & had just started to incorporate cardio into my routine after most of my weight was already shed. 

When you're heavier, everything is harder, especially CARDIO! It sucks to run while you feel yourself jiggling around... it's flat out DISCOURAGING!!!! But, you need to keep your eye on the prize and focus on the POSITIVE, which is YOU DOING CARDIO! Who cares if you think the skinny ultra ripped woman next to you is thinking "what in the heck is this girl doing?" More than likely she probably hasn't even noticed you, or if she has, she's probably thinking "you go girl!" Maybe she was in your shoes at one time?

I began my journey with running by using the Couch to 5K program. I absolutely LOVE and SWEAR by it!!!

It eases you into running and really makes it do-able. I'm serious, anyone can do this, you just have to stick with the routine. Even when it seems easy, keep on the regimen, they know what they are doing and it's for a reason... to train you!

So this year I have gone through my struggles with running.... Around March I was fighting shin splints REALLY bad. They got so bad that I could barley walk during the day. I think I just pushed myself to far & fast early. Sure enough, I worked through them. If I try to go too fast for too long, my shin splints still bug me. So my moto for myself---- SLOW & STEADY WINS THE PACE!! :)

My goal is to run a 1/2 marathon with my dad this summer & I definitely think I can do it! That's going to be my 2013 New Years Goal. 

It feels so nice to actually set fitness goals that I am able to attain!

I used to always set goals like "no chocolate" or something that is never...going...to...happen. Now I am achieving my dreams!

What are your goals?

You think I can achieve my 2013 goal? :)

Running- New years goal update!

My original new years goal was to run 365 miles in 365 days... 

Guess where I'm at?

Yep, you read it right. 22 miless!!!
It's only November 4th and I only have 22 miles to go. SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!!!!

My moto:

I giggled when I saw this!

& if you're struggling with your diet/fitness today (which is easy to do) then read this--- so true:

When you're more fit you feel better-- so get moving!! :)

Skinny potato soup

My soup is adapted from http://www.theyummylife.com/baked_potato_soup_recipe

• 6 baking potatoes -- cooked & mashed
• 2/3 cup flour (I used wheat)
• 6 cups 1 % skim milk
• 1 cup fat-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup fat free greek yogurt

• Directions

Add flour to large pot. Slowly whisk milk into the flour--keep stirring until it's blended. 

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to thicken (8-10 minutes). 

Add the mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
Stir in the greek yogurt.

Enjoy!!!

Fall & Christmas Door Decorations

Here's a few of my latest fall and Christmas door decorations! This year I have a fascination with burlap! Let me know if you like :)


Deco mesh pumpkin that I made for a friend:

Ryan & I's fall pumpkin:

A burlap pumpkin I made for another friend:

A leopard santa hat embellished with beads that I made:

A burlap ornament that I made:

I opened an etsy account, but don't have much inventory. Let me know if you'd like a door hanger and I can work with you regarding a style and price. I really enjoy creating them!

Still Alive!!!!

Hi All!
Sorry I haven't posted in SEVERAL months! I had a very busy summer consisting of working and doctor visits. My husband had been having "throat issues" for the past year or so, and to make a long story short, we have been going in circles.... until this summer and then we hit the ground running. Our primary care physician treated him with anti- acid medications, which didn't work, so he sent him to an ENT who had no idea what in the heck she was doing. Then he started having a hard time breathing and there was an extremely loud stridor sound(WHEEZING) whenever he would inhale. We were then sent to a respiratory specialists who performed a bronchoscopy and found out that he had tracheal stenosis. We were then sent to a thoracic surgeon, who actually ended up being a friends dad of mine, Dr. Hazelrigg. He then performed a tracheal dilatation on Ryan, which was an outpatient surgery and went just fine. He said Ryan's trachea was the size of a pencil head where it should be the size of a quarter or so. During the dilatation, Ryan's throat started bleeding a little, so he stopped in hopes of not creating a bronchospasm (which would cut off his breathing supply). We then scheduled his second dilatation a month later, and it worked out great, creating an airway the size of a quarter again! The dilatation's were both outpatient surgeries, so he was able to come home and recover. Dr. Hazelrigg's first goal was to solve the problem at hand (Ryan's breathing issue). His next goal was to find out what was causing the stenosis of his trachea. After several tests, another bronchoscopy and a 24 hour PH study, the conclusion was severe GERD (acid reflux). It was a very scary time for us, there was a possible complication of a tracheostomy if surgery didn't go as planned and also the scare of a possible tumor causing the stenosis. THANKFULLY the stenosis was just caused from inherited congenital GERD. Usually people can control the symptoms of GERD by diet and medications, but Dr. Hazelrigg was concerned because it had caused so much issues with his throat. Considering Ryan is only 25 years old, it is obvious that it is genetic, and it is serious. Dr Hazelrigg then discussed the surgery that he suggested for Ryan, a Nissen Fundoplication. The nissen fundoplication is performed laparoscopically with five small incision sites. Essentially, he wraps the upper portion of the stomach (the fundus) around the esophagus and sewn into place. The goal of this surgery is to strengthen the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to prevent acid from regurgitating back into the throat which causes breakdown of his throat tissue/ stenosis of his trachea. To make another story short, Ryan had the nissen fundoplication surgery done FRIDAY and is recovering so well! As far as post op goes, he can't lift weights and has to have a soft diet for 3-4 weeks until the post op appointment. The reason for the soft diet is to prevent any foods to get stuck in the wrap that he created (you can get a full of partial wrap and he created a full wrap for Ryan to prevent further complications down the road since he's so young). So I went out shopping for groceries for Ryan and I have also been researching ( thank you pinterest ) and cooking homemade "meals" for him. He is recovering so well! He is in minimal pain (thank you to high pain tolerance as well as pain medication) and he is in great spirits. My husband is such a great man and he is SO STRONG! He had an overnight stay for the nissen fundoplication surgery and he made sure to ensure that I had a pull out bed and that he thanked me 100000 times. I definitely am lucky and married the right guy! Not that he isn't SUPER lucky to have me ;) Ryan also got a new pair of Ariat cowboy boots. He's super pumped!


Thanks for listening to the long post- that is my "excuse" as to why I have not posted in several months. I know, it's horrible! I am still living a healthy lifestyle. I am cooking healthy and running daily. LOVE IT!!!
Cheers to happiness :)

Here's some pictures of our months (& months) journey to answers & health!

#1: Before Ryan's second bronchoscopy

#2: Before Ryan's first tracheal dilatation. "Keep calm and chive on!"

#3: On the way into the hospital-- Ryan's second tracheal dilatation. He's wearing his DAR tee shirt "Daily afternoon randomness." How handsome is he?! #lucky :)

#4: Before his BIG surgery-- the nissen fundoplication

#5: Same day--- he's a "chiver"  :)

#6: first day post op---- & he gets a surprise present from me!

#7: 5 small incision sites. He's in minimal pain, but it's easily controlled with PO Norco... He's such a trooper!

#8: His new Ariat cowboy boots. Happy hubby!

#9: Soft food diet for a month = THIS

#10: Thank goodness for my parents taking Bella boo for the night while we were in the hospital. This is a pic of her when we came home and gave her a new bone to chew. She thinks she's the queen of the house- she brings such happiness to us!

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers! Ryan totally kicked this surgery's butt and I am so happy and proud for him! God bless and thank you to all of our friends & family for everything :)