Cali Chicken

Today is day 24 of the "All In AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge".  Since January 7th, Pop and I have been eating clean.   Tomorrow will be our day of reckoning - we will be weighing and measuring.  We already know that we feel great!  We are anxious to find out how many pounds and inches we lost.

During the Challenge, we've tried quite a few new recipes. The one I tried tonight is a definite keeper. Too much of my time is spent on Pinterest, but when I find amazing things it makes it worth it.  This pin was for "The Very Best Chopped Chicken (for Soups, Salads, Casseroles)".  Can I tell you that this might be The Very Best Chicken Period?!  While browsing Pinterest, I also found a picture for chicken topped with tomato, avocado and cheese.  That "pin" didn't lead me anywhere so I knew I was on my own.  I combined the chicken recipe with the picture ingredients and came up with "Cali Chicken".  

The Very Best Chopped Chicken

2 lbs Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

1/2 tsp Garlic powder

1/4 tsp Onion powder

1/2 tsp Thyme, dried

1/4 tsp Paprika

1/4 tsp Pepper

1/2 tsp Salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking pan with foil and lightly rub with olive oil.  Mix spices in a small bowl.  Lay chicken breasts on pan and sprinkle

seasoning mix on one side of each breast.  Turn chicken over and sprinkle remaining spices on other side.

Put pan in oven and bake chicken for 15 minutes.  Turn chicken over and bake for 15-20 minutes more until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 degrees.

After the chicken was done, I topped it with a slice of tomato, some onion, avocado and a slice of provolone cheese. I put it back in the oven for about 5 minutes - long enough for the cheese to melt.  Then I drizzled a little of the pan juices over each piece of chicken before serving. 

Ah-Ma-Zing!!

2014 is Almost Over

This might be a strange post for New Year's Eve, but I actually have a little time to myself to blog tonight.  No big plans here as 2015 arrives.  Just thankful for all the blessings that we received in the midst of this crazy year!

Time to myself hasn't happened much lately.  I am hoping to do better at blogging in 2015.  My sweet friend Rosie had a talk with me yesterday and told me that we need to make time for and take care of ourselves better.  We are always worrying about and doing for others.  Sometimes it's important to make time for ourselves.

Something I tried this year and really, really love is kale.  It might be my new favorite veggie.  I've baked it in the oven as crunchy chips, sauteed it in olive oil with garlic, salt and pepper for a quick side, and added it to soup. My daughter Dana made this kale salad on Christmas Day and I thought it was amazing.  This is actually the second time I've made it within the past week.  Aren't the colors beautiful?

Kale Salad with Cranberries & Almonds

1 bunch kale, rinsed and thinly sliced
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 shallot, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dried cranberries
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tsp. honey
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Rinse kale well.  Remove from stems and thinly slice.

 I put the sliced kale in a gallon zip-style bag and add 1 Tbsp of olive oil.  Zip the bag up and "massage" the oil into the kale for a few minutes.  You will see the color of the kale get darker.
Set kale aside.

Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in pan over medium high heat.  Add sliced shallot.  Saute for
4-5 minutes watching closely.  Add garlic and saute for another minute.

Turn heat to low and add cranberries, vinegar, honey and lemon juice.  Stir to combine.  (I thought I took a picture of this step but can't find it now.)  Season with salt and pepper.  Once it's combined, turn the heat off and let this mixture sit in the pan for a few minutes.  The "craisins" will plump up from the heat and liquid.

Put the kale in a serving bowl.  Pour cranberry mixture over the kale.  Sprinkle sliced
almonds on top.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Enjoy!!

Wishing you a very blessed 2015 filled with health and happiness.

Lollie