Healthy Chicks

As I mentioned on Friday, things are looking up for this here Healthy Chick. I’m making it a point this week to give myself a break, be a little easier on myself, and have a little more faith in all things in life: my relationships, my job outlook, my future writing career, myself. Yesterday’s 75 minute yoga class definitely helped me get to a place of calm…a place of belief. I’ve decided I’m going to make practicing yoga a regular part of my life again…I’ve missed the way it makes me feel. It’s an indescribable feeling of being on top of the world, like the entire world is at your finger tips for you to control.

Anyway, when things got a little sour last week, I decided to make the best of the situation and make lemonade for the boy and I. Yes, homemade lemonade (I actually squeezed all the lemons myself…what a workout!) Then I created a delicious Mango & Black Bean salsa to pair with our lemonade for a little outdoor picnic of sorts. It was much needed, and we both agreed I nailed the two recipes:

When Life Gives You Lemons Lemonade

–3/4 c. organic sugar … Read More!

It’s no doubt carbs make you happy. That’s probably why my two years spent on the South Beach Diet led to many mood swings and blah days. No carbs = less smiles. The scientific reasoning behind it is that carbohydrates raise our serotonin levels (something women are lacking anyway) and in turn makes us feel good, less irritable and of course less moody.

So when I woke up this morning feeling a little poopy, I knew it was going to be a carby breakfast. Not just any carby breakfast though. No. It had to be my ALL TIME favorite carby breakfast, and that my friends is good ol’ fashioned pancakes.

I made gluten free pancakes due to my wheat sensitivity from Cherrybrook Kitchen boxed mix. The first time I whipped up these babies, I was a bit hesitant. Can gluten free pancakes really be that good? Well, I must say that they were just as good if not better, and my family couldn’t agree more! I then changed up the recipe a tad…

For 7 pancakes (3 for now, 4 for later):

-1 c. pancake mix

-about 2 tsp. canola oil or equivalent in applesauce

-3/4 c. vanilla almond … Read More!

mmm…what’s poppin’?

Why hello all. How’s it going? Or shall I say what’s poppin’? This year I’m happy to be competing in Popchips Munch Madness 2011, a Boston blogger recipe challenge. As all you sports fans know, March Madness is coming up before we know it! And since I grew up in a household with a sports fanatic father, I have accepted my role as the family chef. Hey, at least when I cook mouthwatering, delicious snacks I’m allowed in the room without being shouted at, “Down in front woman!”

Well, this recipe has a little catch: it must include popchips as a key ingredient. Easy, I thought. I love popchips (and they are gluten free!), so that shouldn’t be a problem. I put my thinking cap on and came up with the perfect game day recipe. Make this on Game Day ladies, and you’ll surely be a crowd favorite in no time.

Poppin’ Game Day Chicken Fingers with Hot & Sweet Dill Sauce

Serves 4 to 6 sports fanatics

For the Chicken:

-1 package all natural boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders

-2 small bags original potato popchips

-1 TB parmesan cheese

-2 TB rosemary, dried

-1 … Read More!

This was my dinner last night:

It was heaven.

What ya need:

*This recipe serves 2

-1 large package pre-cut butternut squash (seriously, these babies are a pain in the butt to cut yourself)*

-handful fresh parsley, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, crushed

-1 c. baby spinach

-1/2 c. baby portobello mushrooms

-1 orange pepper, diced

-salt & pepper to taste

-olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat butternut squash in olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Bake for about 30 minutes.

2. In the meantime, chop your veggies and sauté in olive oil on medium-low heat, careful not to overcook. Reduce heat to low, add in the garlic and let simmer.

3. Remove squash from the oven, and assemble on a large plate with veggies. Serve with a sliced whole wheat baguette and butter. YUM.… Read More!