Blackened Chicken

My sister has this recipe on her blog and we absolutely love it. I added cumin to the mix and it was fabulous.

3 pts for one 4-4 1/2oz chicken breast

2 1/2 Tbs Paprika
2 Tbs Garlic Powder
1 Tbs Salt
1 Tbs Black Pepper
1 Tbs Thyme
1 Tbs Cayenne
1 Tbs Onion Powder
1 Tbs Cumin

Mix in an airtight container or zip lock baggie. This makes a lot so you can use it for future use.
Rise off chicken. If chicken is extremely thick you may pound it out to your desired thickness. Use the mixture of spices and rub it on both sides of the chicken (I coat my chicken generously). Spray non-stick pan with cooking spray. Cook chicken on both sides about 7 min or until chicken is cooked through. Serve on a bed of lettuce with your favorite low fat dressing or with Alfredo pasta.
Points are calculated for the chicken only.

Bread and Butter Pickles

This recipe puts store bought pickles to shame!!! I got this recipe after sharing a wonderful afternoon bottling pickles with Grandma Roach and Amberly. Little Maddox loves these pickles and even eats the onion and peppers. Maddox and I snacked on the pickles all day and were both sad when we realized that together we had eaten them all.


Bread & Butter Pickles
Shelf life 2-3 yrs

5 qrts sliced cucumbers (smaller is better and cut a bit chunky)
4 yellow onions sliced (I slice them into strips)
4-6 green peppers (I use 4)
5 C sugar
1 qt vinegar (white)
1 pt water
3 tsp turmeric
1 tsp celery seed
3 tsp mustard seed
1 pinch ground cloves

Boil 15 min

Sterilize bottles. Cut up Veggies and soak for 1 hr in salt water (1 C salt). Just enough water to cover the veggies. Drain veggies and transfer them to a pot. Mix all ingredients together and boil. Put in jars leaving ½” head space and make sure lids seal.

Salsa

This recipe is delicious and a must for summer canning!!!
0 pts for 1/2 Cup or 1 pt for 1 Cup

7 Quarts peeled, cored and chopped paste tomatoes (Roma's).
4 seeded long green chilies, chopped
5 C shopped onion
½ to 1 1/2 C finely seeded jalapeno peppers (1/2 makes mild)
3 T oregano
2 C bottled lemon juice
6 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 T salt (unidolized)
2 T ground cumin

Combine all ingredients except cumin and oregano. Bring to boil stirring frequently. Reduce heat simmer 10 min. Add spices, simmer another 20 min. Stir occasionally. Ladle into jars leaving ½” head space. Put on lids, process 20 min.

Update

Things have been crazy at my house this summer. We had a great vacation and while on vacation I didn't gain. That is great news right?

Unfortunately, I fell off track after our vacation. I am back to my starting weight and now have to loose it all over again. However, this is not something I will allow myself to get down about.

For all of you who are trying to improve their eating habits, loose a little weight, or feel discouraged when you falter, know that you are not alone. If you fall get up and try again and whatever you do don't give up!!! Find the inspiration or determination to continue in your goals. Most importantly set realistic goals. Set a goal that doesn't seem to hard to achieve, yet challenging. Once you reach that goal reward yourself with a movie or something you have wanted to get for some time. Go out with your girlfriends, buy that new shirt or my favorite...put on those skinny jeans and strut around for a while. (I usually do this in front of Brooks...and boy doesn't it make me feel good!!!) Your next step should be to set a new goal. If you have already reached your goal weight challenge yourself to maintain that weight or find new ways to stay fit.
My challenge for this week is to not only keep trying to reach my goals, but to learn to love and accept myself a little more each day.