One of my favorite yummies for dinner!
Serves 4, Cooker time: 6 hours, Hands on Prep: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
4-5oz boneless chicken breasts
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp fresh lime juice, divided
1 tbsp low sodium tamari sauce (or amino acids)
2 tbsp all natural PB
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp red curry paste
1 1/2 tbsp coconut flour
1 roma tomato, seeded & chopped
1 cucumber, seeded & chopped
1/2 cup red onion chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1tbsp natural rice wine vinegar
2 cups shredded cabbage
8- 6 in tortillas
1. chicken in slow cooker. In blender combine broth, garlic, 1 tbsp lime juice, peanut butter, tamari sauce, ginger, curry paste blend until smooth and pour over chicken. Cook & cover on low 6-7 hours.
2. stir and increase heat to high. Remove chicken and transfer to cutting board, set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove 1/2cup mixture from slow cooker and transfer to a small bowl. Add coconut flour to bowl and stir to form a smooth paste. Return broth-flour mix to slow cooker and whisk until smooth- cover.
3. over 350 degree F, tortillas in two stacks, cover with foil. Transfer to baking sheet - bake 15-20 minutes
4. Using fork, shred chicken and return to slow cooker, stir to coat. cook 10 minutes until heated through.
5. meanwhile in med. bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion and mint. Add vinegar, remaining 1 tbsp lime juice. mix thoroughly. To assemble spoon cabbage, chicken and tomato, cucumber, mixture into center of each tortilla, divide evenly.
Calories: 397, Fat: 8g, Carbs 39g, Fiber 7g, Sugars 4g, Protein 42g
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Quick Wedding Recap- Life is a wonderful, exhausting, experience!
Let me start with Happy St. Patrick's Day! Daniel and I sit here quietly at a coffee shop enjoying watching the festivities outside!
Has spring sprung? This entire week we've been in the 60s, the countdown to summer is on, the sun is shining, and my eyes are itchy, burning, red followed with a stuffy/runny nose and people asking me if I have pink eye or am sick. My body is adjusting to running in warm weather and I am longing for my bike.... Yep, sounds like spring! Who is excited? I am!
This past month has been full of exciting events and challenges. I married my best friend on February 24th! Needless to say, if you haven't heard the wedding story-its a bit of organized chaos! I had everything in boxes, everything set up, ppt with pictures made....I was determined this was going to go as smooth as possible. Lesson learned: weddings don't usually go as planned or "smooth" in that manner. However, they somehow have a way of turning out just perfect :) Daniel's mom called him almost everyday the week prior to the wedding, worrying about the weather-- no big deal! As the day grew closer, I was more and more confident everything was going to go "just as planned." Family started arriving on Wed. The weather was perfect. I got the phone call stating everyone was in Denver--whew they made it and I was asking myself "why the heck am I at work?" I get to work my whole life and my family is in the state. I proceeded to go into the next meeting without my phone as I was starting to throw a little pitty party for myself and torn between the "good employee" and the "I want my life to be filled with time around my loved ones and people that care about me." Then....My beloved grandmother fell upon her arrival at DIA: broken hip.... I rushed home from work in an attempt to get to the hospital that evening....heck all I had wanted was both my grandmothers to be there. I picked up my dress early, I text the flower lady to see if I come get the flowers early cause I wanted to get to denver.... I had all the boxes labeled, I was sure Daniel could pack up and get all the stuff needed. The "flower lady" called:
"Your wedding is on the 24...!!??"
Me: "We are in the mountains you stated you'd deliver on the 22nd."
Flower Lady: "I haven't even started your order!"
Me: "I'm at the bank, trying to get to Denver...I'll call you later." As I started to chuckle (a creepy, hysterical one)... Deep breaths...bank, home, talk with Daniel, get to Denver.
7:00pm- guests arrive at our house, I'm less than welcoming.. I've been crying about my grandmother for an hour... and asking "why?" I didn't want her to miss it!
7:30pm- High wind advisories- I'm driving Daniel's truck.. No Denver
we'll just jump to Thursday morning (one day before the wedding).
5am- Daniel and I are up, sleepy eyed and brewing coffee
6am- truck packed and we are on the road- almost all schools in the area are closed. Snow is coming down in buckets, wet snow, highway is a mess.
12:00 NOON- we arrive in Denver. Yes, 4 hours! But I get to see my grandma just before she enters surgery- thank God!
Pass over Berthoud Closed....shortly after that I-70 west of Denver, guess? CLOSED! Our guest that have flown in are stuck in Denver. Everyone heads to Colorado Mills Mall and waits. Daniel, my mom and stay at hospital- roads closed are a silent blessing - I didn't want to leave the hospital until Grandma was out of surgery and with all the roads closed- it made that a very easy and comfortable decision!!! Thank God!
At this point, wedding rehearsal is canceled, dinner moved back 2 hours..... Weather is cold, blowing wind/snow, cold, grey sky, did I mention, COLD?... And really I'm not stressing about it.
Friday...Wedding Day.... Went Great! Several things didn't go great, but honestly, Grandma was out of surgery, all went well and it put it all into perspective. Daniel and I would get married, no matter all the challenges! The skies cleared, blue, fairly warm and we went to the top!
Awwhhh.. See it was beautiful! Still wish Grandma could have joined us but her health is most important by far!
Then my birthday! Being treated with a honeymoon to Antigua!
We'll get to the job next! Future is bright and I am happy! Enough for tonight though, I'm exhausted and it is way past my bedtime. Good Night! Not to mention, there are some really entertaining people watching to wrap this evening- Happy St. Patty's Day!
Has spring sprung? This entire week we've been in the 60s, the countdown to summer is on, the sun is shining, and my eyes are itchy, burning, red followed with a stuffy/runny nose and people asking me if I have pink eye or am sick. My body is adjusting to running in warm weather and I am longing for my bike.... Yep, sounds like spring! Who is excited? I am!
This past month has been full of exciting events and challenges. I married my best friend on February 24th! Needless to say, if you haven't heard the wedding story-its a bit of organized chaos! I had everything in boxes, everything set up, ppt with pictures made....I was determined this was going to go as smooth as possible. Lesson learned: weddings don't usually go as planned or "smooth" in that manner. However, they somehow have a way of turning out just perfect :) Daniel's mom called him almost everyday the week prior to the wedding, worrying about the weather-- no big deal! As the day grew closer, I was more and more confident everything was going to go "just as planned." Family started arriving on Wed. The weather was perfect. I got the phone call stating everyone was in Denver--whew they made it and I was asking myself "why the heck am I at work?" I get to work my whole life and my family is in the state. I proceeded to go into the next meeting without my phone as I was starting to throw a little pitty party for myself and torn between the "good employee" and the "I want my life to be filled with time around my loved ones and people that care about me." Then....My beloved grandmother fell upon her arrival at DIA: broken hip.... I rushed home from work in an attempt to get to the hospital that evening....heck all I had wanted was both my grandmothers to be there. I picked up my dress early, I text the flower lady to see if I come get the flowers early cause I wanted to get to denver.... I had all the boxes labeled, I was sure Daniel could pack up and get all the stuff needed. The "flower lady" called:
"Your wedding is on the 24...!!??"
Me: "We are in the mountains you stated you'd deliver on the 22nd."
Flower Lady: "I haven't even started your order!"
Me: "I'm at the bank, trying to get to Denver...I'll call you later." As I started to chuckle (a creepy, hysterical one)... Deep breaths...bank, home, talk with Daniel, get to Denver.
7:00pm- guests arrive at our house, I'm less than welcoming.. I've been crying about my grandmother for an hour... and asking "why?" I didn't want her to miss it!
7:30pm- High wind advisories- I'm driving Daniel's truck.. No Denver
we'll just jump to Thursday morning (one day before the wedding).
5am- Daniel and I are up, sleepy eyed and brewing coffee
6am- truck packed and we are on the road- almost all schools in the area are closed. Snow is coming down in buckets, wet snow, highway is a mess.
12:00 NOON- we arrive in Denver. Yes, 4 hours! But I get to see my grandma just before she enters surgery- thank God!
Pass over Berthoud Closed....shortly after that I-70 west of Denver, guess? CLOSED! Our guest that have flown in are stuck in Denver. Everyone heads to Colorado Mills Mall and waits. Daniel, my mom and stay at hospital- roads closed are a silent blessing - I didn't want to leave the hospital until Grandma was out of surgery and with all the roads closed- it made that a very easy and comfortable decision!!! Thank God!
At this point, wedding rehearsal is canceled, dinner moved back 2 hours..... Weather is cold, blowing wind/snow, cold, grey sky, did I mention, COLD?... And really I'm not stressing about it.
Friday...Wedding Day.... Went Great! Several things didn't go great, but honestly, Grandma was out of surgery, all went well and it put it all into perspective. Daniel and I would get married, no matter all the challenges! The skies cleared, blue, fairly warm and we went to the top!
Then my birthday! Being treated with a honeymoon to Antigua!
Monday, March 05, 2012
Allergy/Asthma Natural Remedy
Not sure if the warm weather has brought itchy, puffy, red burning eyes to anyone else yet this season but it kicked off for me this morning with a bang! I have to admit each year I've watched (felt) my allergies become a bit worse and a bit worse...but today has topped them all so I looked up some natural remedies. Hope this can help you as well!
Asthma
Studies on herbs in asthma have shown benefit when compared to placebo, although many studies are poorly designed. Helpful herbs in asthma include Chinese herb mixes, Tylophora indica (Indian ipecac), and to a lesser degree, Boswellia serrata, butterbur and saiboku-to (TJ96). On the other hand, Picrorrhiza kurroa has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of asthma. Despite some promising results with use of the above herbs, a careful review of these studies shows no convincing evidence that herbs are helpful in the treatment of asthma.
Allergic Rhinitis
Studies on herbs in allergic rhinitis have been the more promising, with at least two studies on the use of butterbur in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. One well-designed study showed that butterbur was equivalent to cetirizine (Zyrtec®), while another showed that butterbur was equivalent to fexofenadine (Allegra®). Another well-controlled study on perennial allergic rhinitis showed that biminne was effective for allergic rhinitis symptoms compared to placebo. Finally, a well-designed study showed that a Chinese herb mix was more effective on allergic rhinitis symptoms than placebo.
However, other studies using butterbur show no difference over placebo in treating symptoms in people with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Grapeseed extract was also not found to be helpful in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
While herbal supplements do show promise in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis, there are some clear drawbacks. Herbs are not without side effects (some extremely dangerous), and have known interactions with many prescription medications. Herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the same manner as prescription medications, so purity is not guaranteed. Therefore, it makes little sense to take herbal supplements because they are safer than prescription medications.
Asthma
Studies on herbs in asthma have shown benefit when compared to placebo, although many studies are poorly designed. Helpful herbs in asthma include Chinese herb mixes, Tylophora indica (Indian ipecac), and to a lesser degree, Boswellia serrata, butterbur and saiboku-to (TJ96). On the other hand, Picrorrhiza kurroa has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of asthma. Despite some promising results with use of the above herbs, a careful review of these studies shows no convincing evidence that herbs are helpful in the treatment of asthma.
Allergic Rhinitis
Studies on herbs in allergic rhinitis have been the more promising, with at least two studies on the use of butterbur in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. One well-designed study showed that butterbur was equivalent to cetirizine (Zyrtec®), while another showed that butterbur was equivalent to fexofenadine (Allegra®). Another well-controlled study on perennial allergic rhinitis showed that biminne was effective for allergic rhinitis symptoms compared to placebo. Finally, a well-designed study showed that a Chinese herb mix was more effective on allergic rhinitis symptoms than placebo.
However, other studies using butterbur show no difference over placebo in treating symptoms in people with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Grapeseed extract was also not found to be helpful in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
While herbal supplements do show promise in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis, there are some clear drawbacks. Herbs are not without side effects (some extremely dangerous), and have known interactions with many prescription medications. Herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the same manner as prescription medications, so purity is not guaranteed. Therefore, it makes little sense to take herbal supplements because they are safer than prescription medications.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tools to Combat the Flu
So, 10 days and counting and of course I've come down with the flu. Congestion & fever are just a few of the symptoms worth noting. In an effort to kick this sooner than later I am utilizing some over-the-counter medicine among several natural remedies. I'm not promoting over the counter use- actually I usually almost always try to steer clear of them, but like I said I need to kick this sooner than later.
However, I will advertise and promote the natural remedies:
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup (no cream, instead and avocado based cream)
Rooibos Tea (a South African gem)
Berries (cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry)
Apples (red delicious, granny smith & gala)
Plums (black plum, regular plum)
Beans (red kidney bean, pinto bean, black bean)
Supplements:
Emergen-C
Vitamin D (beware this is a lipid soluble vitamin- means you can take too much)
Calcium
Omega 3 Fish Oil
Lets see how quickly I can kick this thing in the rear. I'm oh so excited (not to be sick) but this is the first time this school year I've been down for the count. I've had a few slight colds here and there and have been able to fight them off quickly and without missing work.
However, I will advertise and promote the natural remedies:
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup (no cream, instead and avocado based cream)
Rooibos Tea (a South African gem)
Berries (cranberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry)
Apples (red delicious, granny smith & gala)
Plums (black plum, regular plum)
Beans (red kidney bean, pinto bean, black bean)
Supplements:
Emergen-C
Vitamin D (beware this is a lipid soluble vitamin- means you can take too much)
Calcium
Omega 3 Fish Oil
Friday, February 10, 2012
Two Weeks and Counting...I'll be getting hitched!
I thought it was an appropriate time to blog! It has been so long, I just don't seem to find the enter button these days.
Life is moving at mock speed and I just can't seem to slow it down but we are in the final stretch. Feels like yesterday and oh so long ago all at the same time when Daniel and I were sitting in our living room and he proposed after dinner out one night. Wala, and just like that the planning started and went and went some more.
I'd say it (the planning) was pretty uneventful (meant in the best way possible)! Uneventful in this sense that months ticked away and we checked to dos off our list, working on it only when we wanted to. We stayed ahead of schedule and had the ball rolling the whole time. I had a goal and that was to enjoy the process and enjoy we did! Take a look at some of our engagement photos at:
Allison Easterling
and
Tim Bresnahan
I was so very happy with both photographers. Both have a very different style and were able to capture some great unique photos of Daniel and I just the way we are!
So..in two weeks I'm hitched! I can't believe it, it will be such a beautiful day getting to spend it with our closest friends and family! : ) I can't wait to enjoy the day! I'm getting so excited but like everything its a balancing act for me. Trying hard not to get sick and to stay focused on work, training, eating right, the dog, and the wedding is a bit challenging but well worth it! He's a great guy and I'm lucky... stay tuned to see pics from the wedding!
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