Paleo Pilaf

Hey anyone (or two) people who might actually read this. Tonight I made cauliflower rice pilaf. It turned out very delicious. Not so pretty to look at but I'm getting back on track. That's what matters.

I'm back! Phase 1 here i am.

So I realize that no one reads this but it helps me stay on track to post my progress. I'm back on South Beach phase one. Its really hard for me so I hope this helps me eat right. Today I spent a good part of the day trying to prep some lunches for this week. I made curried chicken salad , a lemon tuna bean salad, and some phase one cookies. I toasted some chickpeas yesterday for a snack so I feel pretty prepared to start the week, and the diet. Here goes!

Leftover Turkey salad

I made this with some of my leftover turkey. You should do it too. It's preeetty yummy. It's good plain, or I'm planning to toss it with some romaine lettuce for more of a salady salad. It would also make a pretty rad burrito. Here is the link for the recipe - I love this website, it is a fantastic resource for south beach diet recipes. Chicken Black Bean And Red Pepper Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

The main TKO

This Turkey will knock you out.....with flavor! ( & tryptophan ). I make this every year for the last few years now. The secret is herb butter inserted in between the skin and the meat. Herb butter :
1 lb of butter slightly softened
1 package fresh thyme
1 package fresh sage
1 large bunch fresh parsley
2 or 3 long sprigs of rosemary

Remove herbs from stems, chop stems from parsley & grind in a small food processer. ( I use the handy magic bullet ). The fresh herbs become a fine powder that you whirl in the quisinart with the softened butter. Do this a couple of days in advance so the herbs have a chance to infuse into the butter. When you go to cook the turkey, let the butter soften a bit ( not too much, detach the skin from the breast a bit by sliding a knife carefully to create a space between the breast & skin. You can now slide your hand in there, and place the butter all over the bird.

Nutty green beans

For Green beans, this recipe is not as healthy as it could be, but it is tasty. Steam green beans & toss with melted butter & fresh lemon juice. Toss with a handful of finely chopped candied pecans.

Roasted butternut squash

Mmm. Roast butternut squash with 2 tblsp olive oil, one tblsp balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary (powdered or finely chopped). 400 degrees for 45 - 60 minutes. Leftovers go well in beef stew or puree for butternut squash soup.

Couscous!

Bought some couscous blend at Costco. Grilled Chicken, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, cucumbers, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. I know it's been awhile since I've posted, and I'll try to get back into the swing of things. Peace.

Moroccan Chicken Salad

First I have to say, this week sucks. And it's only Monday. I have been sick all weekend with a nasty cold. So much that I am working from home today so I don't get others sick. Yes I'm still working, since it's a payroll day. Then about noon, my dog goes crazy and barks like a nut. Great my landlady is here. Surprise! This chicken salad WILL make up for some of this. Roasted butternut squash, canned julienned beets, one hard boiled egg, half an avocado, a sprinkle of almond slivers, and bajarat chicken tossed with Romaine & TJs champagne dressing. my friend Jen shared this recipe with me. She is the bomb.com.  She is responsible for this blog being started & for pushing me to eat healthy. Thanks Jen! You have changed my life for the better.

Lentil Salad two ways

I made this Lentil Salad last night, it was a cinch to whip up. My friend Jen recommended I try this lentil salad recipe & I am glad I did! Easy!  She also recommended topping with hard boiled eggs (one way) and I also tossed it into my green salad with tomato & cucumber (two ways) Here is the link to the recipe if you want to try it!

http://en.rafed.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=951:lentil-salad-&catid=148:salads-recipes&Itemid=1003

Chicken Bean Bean

This recipe was a bit more pretty than it was tasty. Next time I might experiment with a little more Seasoning. Start with 1 lb Chicken rub with 1 tblsp olive oil with 1 1/2 tsps poultry seasoning (which I didn't have so I made it up with sage, tarragon, garlic powder, salt,pepper,and thyme) bake 450 for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile steam 8 oz. grean beans. Drain and rinse one can of white beans. Toss together with 2/3 cup buttermilk.

Ohh fancy salad face !

Sometimes I get fancy with my salad. Herb salad mix with shaved parm, kalamata olives, marinated artichokes, tomato & cucumber. What kind of fancy are you?

Mickey Mouse eggs.

I love these Thomas Bagel Thins, whole wheat. Quick breakfast with 2 fried eggs.

White turkey chili , yum to the yummy!

One big sweet onion chopped and 1 big tbsp of minced garlic sauteed in 2 TBSP of oil 4 to 5 minutes. Push aside and add 3/4 lb ground turkey 1 tbslp taco seasoning & 4 tsp cumin. Cook over medium about 10 min. Add 3 cups white beans 2 cups chicken stock and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for 10 minutes. Add puree of 1 cup chicken stock & left over beans ( almost a cup) & 1/2 cup half and half and heat. Add salt & shredded cheese to taste ( I used 1/2 cup cheese ). Yum.

F you cabbage.

I was really excited to try out this recipe. I was even more pissed when I ended up chopping my hand instead. I'm fine, just annoyed. So to get back at this cabbage, I chopped it into a coleslaw. 4 cups cabbage, a few teaspoons sesame oil & red wine vinegar plus an ample tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. It's a good side dish for teriyaki chicken. Not worth losing a finger over ( which I didn't ).

Edamame Salad peanutty dressing

Basically, this is super delicious. You should fall in love with it. I did. Put water and 3 eggs in a saucepan. Bring to a boil remove from heat and let soak in hot water for 15 minutes. While it's soaking boil 1 & a half cups shelled edmame for 3 minutes then rinse in cold water to stop cooking. Salad assembly : 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped. 3 sliced tomatoes. Peeled sliced hard boiled eggs & edamame. Peanut dressing = 3 tsps peanut butter, 2 tblsps mirin, 2 tblsp water 1 tsp splenda. Blend well (really it takes a minute to fully combine.) Drizzle over salad. Enjoy!

Tawnya & Tanya - It's Trouble.

Went on a really awesome Hike. Cursing my Friend Tanya at 7 am for making me wake up early, but I was so happy when we finally ate lunch down at the whale rock. Hike was about 6 miles total, Lime Kiln in Granite Falls. Beautiful Day, Beautiful friend, and yummy food.  

Lunch was some homemade tabouli & dipper chips ( I know! Cheater! ) but very delish! 

Tabouli - Soak 1 Cup Bulgar Wheat in 1 Cup Water for about an hour. Add finely chopped cucumber (1 whole) 2 Medium tomatoes, one whole head finely chopped parsley, 3 Tbsp Olive Oil & 3 Tblsp Freshly squeezed Lemon juice (the juice of a medium sized lemon). Add some salt & pepper to taste. Serve as a side salad, or with Dipping chips like Tostitos scoops. Yum. Whale rock, I love you. 

Teriyaki Ahi

Summertime grilling is so wonderful, I never want summer to end. Teriyaki Marinade is :
1/2 cup sugar free pancake syrup
4 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp Mirin
Juice of 1 lime
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced ginger

I know the pancake syrup thing sounds weird, but trust me it works really well. I marinate the Ahi for only about 30 minutes, then grill, transfer the sauce to a little pan and simmer up a little until it thickens, then drizzle back onto the grilled fish. Served with steamed broccoli & salad.

Eda who hey?

No . Edamame. This is my south beach teriyaki chicken ,
Teriyaki Sauce = juice of 1 small lime, 1 TBSP minced garlic, 2 inch piece ginger peeled & minced, 4 TBSP Mirin, 5 TBSP Soy Sauce, 1/2 cup sugar free pancake syrup. Amounts are approx, I didn't measure out too well. Marinated chicken for 20-30 minutes then grilled. Last 5 minutes grilled 5 plums (halved). Serve with TJs Edamame and leftover teriyaki drizzled over all.

Blueberry Wheat Germ Muffin ?

Soooo much tastier than it sounds I am pleased to report! New recipe from new SB cookbook. I bought the whole wheat pastry flour & wheat germ @ Fred Meyer, Bulk Section. I also added pure almond extract. Yum. & Healthy? How is this happening? I don't know, but I love it.

Wine & cheese

Because we can't be too healthy! And didn't I mention mom's here? Crackers are Kashi honey sesame so at least not super bad for me. Weekend cheers to you!