Keeping Track

Over the past few days I have been trying to keep track of what I eat by keeping a food journal. It's one of the tasks I'd be asking my clients (as a personal trainer) so I can monitor what they are eating. I'm personally trying to find the key reason for my lack of definition. Whether it may be genes or diet, at least this way I will find out.

I am just sharing with you what I have been up too and perhaps giving you an idea of how to keep track of your eating habits. Give it a try!

Paintball

Hi guys,


Yes... it's been awhile since I've put up a post on my blog but it's been super crazy! However, I am here now and ready to blog. Today I went out with my friends in the freezing cold to celebrate my birthday. Paintballing is definitely a sport that will keep you moving and will definitely keep you on your toes. Especially when you so desperately want to avoid getting shot from one of the high speed paintballs that usually hit their mark.

Today I found myself with a couple of battle wounds, one of which lying between my butt cheeks! Boy did that hurt!

If you're looking for something to do and willing to spend a little more than usual, head to Flagraiders in Kitchener/Waterloo. It's less expensive if you've got your own equipment, but even renting a gun isn't so bad. Once in awhile, it's an activity worth doing!

Chicken Pepperonata

This is another great recipe that I pulled out of the "Easy Chicken" cookbook. With chicken that melts in your mouth, I recommend it to anybody who may be entertaining! I am sure your guests will just love it!

This is what you will need and it serves 4:

8 skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, sliced thinly

1 garlic clove, crushed
1 each large red, yellow, and green bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
14 oz/ 400 g canned chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, plus extra to garnish
salt and pepper
crusty whole wheat b read to serve

Once you get all your ingredients together, you will need too: Toss chicken thighs in the flour, shaking off the excess.

Heat the oil in a wide skillet and cook the chicken quickly until sealed and lightly browned, then remove from pan.

Add the onion to the pan and cook gently until soft. Add the garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, and oregano, then bring it to a boil, stirring.

Arrange the chicken over the vegetables, season well with salt and pepper, then cover the pan tightly and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken it completely cooked and tender.

Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary, garnish with oregano and serve with crusty whole wheat bread.

Mediterranean Chicken Parcels

Now this is a recipe I grabbed from a book I bought from Chapters the other day. The same day that I bought "Food Rules". I figured since I was in a food mood I'd buy a new cook book too. Best part was, it was on sale!

Now this recipe serves 6 and you can adjust it to your liking. We also got stuck using chicken thighs, but it works just as well! Mix as many veggies as you want and make it to any persons liking in their own tin foil pouch.

Ingredients:

1tbsp olive oil

6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 cups mozzarella cheese, slices

31/2 cups sliced zucchini

6 large tomatoes, sliced

Pepper

1 small bunch of fresh basil leaves, torn

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.

Cut 6 piece of foil each about 10-inches/25cm square. Brush the foil squares lightly with oil and set aside until required.

With a sharp knife, slash each chicken breast at intervals and place the mozzarella between the cuts in the chicken.

Divide the zucchini and tomatoes between the pieces of foil, and season with pepper to taste. Scatter the basil over the vegetables in each package. (Remember, you can use any veggies you prefer! If you have a picky eater in the family then only put in the vegetables that they like! Get creative!).

Place the chicken on top of each pile of vegetables, then wrap in the foil to enclose the chicken and vegetables, tucking in the ends.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the preheated over about 30 minutes.

Unwrap each foil package and serve!

Remember, any slight changes you need to make then feel free! We had to make our own tonight but kept it along the guide lines of the recipe! Either way it will taste great!

Reference:
Easy Chicken cook book.

"Food Rules - an eaters manual" by Michael Pollan

Over the course of the last two to three months I have been trying to encourage better eating in my household. It's slowly coming along, but with only myself on board it is really difficult to turn it into a habit when every other day the family goes back to watching television during dinner or piling their plate when they should think with their stomach and not with their eyes.

Yesterday, I wandered through the cook book section at Chapters thinking about how much fun it would be to get some new ideas instead of thinking of my own. (You've got to do your research). And how I came across this book I can't even remember. But I picked it up and began reading random pages and it was an answer to my prayers. I finished it last night and it has given me the motivation to continue with my work and to encourage people to become conscious with how they are eating.

(Starting with my family of course)

Michael Pollan simplifies how we should eat. In fact, he's trying to remind us how we used to eat through the centuries. Today people are given these complicated terms like "Carbohydrates", "Omega-6", and so on and begin to look through the food.

Eating shouldn't be complicated and definitely shouldn't be a chore. We should enjoy eating together and savor what goes in to our mouths. If you want to learn how to do it, then I recommend reading this book. It's definitely an eye opener and will certainly make you more conscious during your meals.

Where I'm Hiding

I know I promised to post new recipes as often as I can to make things a little different for you readers out there. However, I have been really busy with trying to bring my family on board with the whole project. While working in the evening's, it makes it very hard to manage dinner. It's also really hard when your dad is very stubborn and has an English way of cooking and a mother who looks to you for guidance.

I promise that I will continue to post up new blogs as I work on my family and their way of eating. I have recently picked up a new book that has so far drawn me in and I can't wait to pick it up after posting this!

I will fill you in on the details once I am finished as well as new recipes from a cook book I picked up from Chapters!

Make it different out there!

Stuffed Peppers

This is a recipe I found on the internet on http://southernfood.about.com/od/stuffedpepperrecipes/r/bl30118p.htm

It is a new favourite of mine because it combines all the things I love and it's very easy to do. Makes a perfect side to any meal you're preparing for dinner!

Ingredients:

• 4 large red bell peppers
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup water
• 8 ounces shredded mild Cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Preparation:

Cut peppers lengthwise into halves and remove seeds and membranes. Place peppers in a large saucepan of boiling water; cook for about 5 minutes. Drain, reserve liquid. Cook rice according to package directions. In a skillet, cook onions in butter. Add water and cheese; stir until melted and blended. Stir in rice; season with salt and pepper to taste. Add parsley. Fill pepper halves. Put on a rack in skillet or large kettle with about 1 1/2 cups of cooking liquid in the bottom of the pan. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Recipe for stuffed red peppers serves 4.

Easter Dinner

I only hope that everyone had an amazing Easter Dinner and have leftovers to look forward to tomorrow. I'd have posted a meal for you try, however everyone has their own secret way to cook a turkey or if not their own kind of Easter feast.

As for my next post I shall recommend stuffed peppers which I had a couple weeks ago. They were superb and I only wish to share them with you!

Happy Easter!