The First 43: My Life Now

BBQ Chicken Chili A friend of mine recommended this recipe so, I decided to give it a shot. I adjusted it ever so slightly from the original skinnytaste recipe only because I can only handle so much spice and well, I was warned it was spicy. I was really impressed with this. I always make chili with extra lean ground beef so, using lean ground chicken was new to me but, worked just as well and was just as tasty. I did change it substantially enough that I am going to write out what I used. For example, I didn't buy chicken breasts and shred them, I used ground chicken. I used more beans, I roasted my own peppers, etc. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cup white onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 500g lean ground chicken, cooked 2 red peppers, roasted and chopped (not from the jar, it avoids the extra oil.) 1 can of c...

The summer months didn't prove to be great for exercise for me. I got a couple runs in and maybe a handful of trips to the gym. Most of my exercise came from walking and making sure that I walked more than normal. I was starting to feel a little "soft" and I didn't want to go back to where I was. I had those pesky two pounds to lose. They just keep coming on and off. I've decided it's just got to be a day to day variance and I can't stress over it. The one thing I have learned about maintaining my weight is how deep my fear is of gaining it all back or slipping back into old habits. I'm 18 months past my 56lb loss and I've stuck to it but that fear always lives within you. It's not like I think about it everyday, not at all. Every once in awhile though, it creeps on it.  For example,  when I ordered pants online this week and hoped that I still fit into the same size I did last time I bought skinny jeans. This is what got me thinking about al...

After what we can call a... relaxed summer... I am back at trying new recipes, focusing on my calories, cutting back on my favourite beverage (wine!) and getting myself back into regular scheduled life programming. So, with that, trying some new recipes to mix things up in our day to day. Since the weather has been unseasonably cool the last couple weeks, this was my first try at Irish Potato Soup!  Ingredients: - 4 large white potatoes, quartered - One medium sized white onion - Enough water to just cover the potatoes and onion - 1 cup of (Epicure) Chicken Bouillon (you can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth) - 3 TBPS (Epicure) 3 Onion Mix (you can sub in Lipton Dry Onion Soup, not prepared) - Black pepper and salt to taste. Directions: Quarter potatoes, chop onion.  Place in pot with just enough water to cover the ingredients.  Let boil until potatoes are soft.  Once cooked through, place the contents of the pot (including water) into a food pro...