And the journey continues...

The New Year isn't a do-over; it's an opportunity to take your next big step. 

As I read that in Whole Living Magazine (http://www.wholeliving.com/) today it really made me stop and think.  I truly love New Years, I always have.  I've never been one to set 'resolutions' so to speak instead opting  to take stock in my life and set the groundwork for goals that I want to achieve in the coming year.

This year is no exception. I have the goals that I've decided on to help me continue on the path I'm taking all mapped out.  They are pretty much off springs of goals from this year, I'm just Amping things up a notch, taking 'that next big step'.

I eat pretty well but I could use a little boost, switch some things up a little and one thing I've wanted to do is a detox plan.  I've done mini ones here and there over the years but I never really gave 100% in following one until now.

This plan focuses on getting back to basics and giving your body a break by taking out the things that slow you down and make your body work harder like dairy, gluten, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods.  It says in the article that by week three clean eating will be more like a lifestyle and less like a challenge as some things are reintroduced. 

I found the New Year New You plan from again Whole Living Magazine and I'm going to do it and keep track of my progress here on my blog.  Now just in case someone is actually reading, I want to say as much as I love this magazine I have NO affiliation with the magazine, website, company whatsoever!!  I am not trying to promote anything.  I am not a professional in the food, nutrition or writing arena.  I am simply using my personal blog as a journal to document for myself and anyone that may be interested in reading. 

I will be officially starting this New Years day.

Now the plan advises before the challenge to  do a few things to aid in success.  The first thing is to write down five things that this detox means to you and what you hope to achieve so here we go.

1.  Up my intake of fresh fruit daily.
2.  Up my intake of fresh veggies daily.
3.  Increase my energy and stamina.
4.  Clear my head.
5.  Over all health.

Next it advises you to prepare the people in your life especially anyone that shares meals with you so that they know what you are doing and how important it is to you.  Check.

Invite a friend to join you.  Check.  When I told my husband that I was going to do this he said he wanted to do it with me.  I'm all for him joining me in this. We'll see how that all goes.

Drink plenty of water.  Check.  That is one good habit that I already have. 

Space out your meals by eating every three to five hours (including snacks) rather than non stop nibbling to keep your metabolism even.  Check. I already do this also.  YAY...maybe I'm a tiny bit ahead of the game.

Keep a food journal.  Track what, when, where you eat as well as your feelings before, during and after.  I have a new little notebook to do this in plus I will be keeping track here on my blog.

Stick to each week's menu. The different phases of the cleanse offer different foods for a reason so don't jump ahead.  OK, I will remind myself of that.  Probably often.  I know this won't be easy but I'm going to give it a shot.

This week I'm going to be going over the menu and recipes to get prepared for New Years Day.  I'm not usually very good at following a strict eating plan so sending some positive vibes in my direction would be helpful.

Hope anyone that made it through this is enjoying the holiday season and taking some time out to reflect.

One of my favorite Fall traditions...

http://www.delspopcorn.com/

It's Caramel Apple season at Dell's!! 

Fall is knocking on our door...

Well Southern Illinois is cooling off.  Yesterday the high was 93 degrees.  Today the high was 63 and the low tonight is predicted to be in the 40's....YES, I think FALL has arrived.
Since it was cool and rainy, something hot was necessary for dinner.

3 cups of diced cooked chicken  (this time I sauteed 3 boneless breasts and cubed them)
3 cups of chicken broth/stock
4 cups of Great Northern Beans (canned and rinsed or dried and soaked)
1 onion diced
2-3 cloves of garlic diced
1/4 cup green chilies (canned works fine, throw in juice also)
paprika, cumin, salt, pepper (to taste)
1 diced jalapeno


Combine all ingredients. Cook in crock pot on low for 5 or 6 hours. Or cook on stove top for 2 or 3 hours on low.
ENJOY!!

A great Sunday dessert...Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple upside down cake has always been one of my favorites.  It was one of the first cakes I made  from scratch many many years ago.  lol  I have no idea where the recipe came from but this is the only one I use now.

Basic Yellow Cake

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sift together into a small bowl.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 1 1/4 cup sugar
Mix in 2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix all together well.

Add in sifted ingredients and mix well.

Topping

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can pineapple cubes/crushed/rings...I used cubes

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Put one stick of unsalted butter in 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. 
Put skillet in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes to fully melt the butter.
Remove skillet from oven and pour in brown sugar, mixing with the butter to make a 'carmel type' of sauce that coats the bottom of the skillet evenly.
Place pineapple in the pan.
Carefully pour in cake batter.
Bake for 30 minutes.  Cake will be golden.  Let cool about 5  minutes and then flip onto serving plate.

ENJOY!!

The Seasons are changing and an Onion Ring Recipe

Happy Labor Day to all of those that celebrate.  True to being the unofficial end of Summer, the weather dropping 30 degrees in two days had made it actually feel like Fall is here. 
I love all of the seasons I really do.  Each has their own joys, treats and beauty.  Fall is my favorite though.  I LOVE FALL!!  Followed closely by Winter. 

For me September is my month to get organized and to purge myself of all the things that no longer should have a spot in my home and my life.   I don't know exactly why I feel this way every September but I do.  I go through everything, every closet, every drawer, every cabinet.  I think since Fall and Winter symbolize for a me a time of cocooning, spending time with friends/family and Lot's of holidays and entertaining I like to be prepared and I like things to be pulled together.

Since I've been so busy today with projects around the house I wanted to keep dinner simple.  Bacon Cheeseburgers and Onion Rings.  This recipe for the Onion Rings is delish.  Even though I haven't made them it years it's quick, easy and delish!!


Batter
1 1/2 cups flour

3 tablespoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients together well.
Dip sliced onions in better, drip off excess, dredge through all purpose flour.
Fry them up either in fryer or cast iron/heavy skillet in about an inch of oil.
Lay on paper towel and sprinkle with salt while still hot.

ENJOY!!

Peppers are popping out like CrAzy...YAY

Practicing my appetizers

  You know I was thinking today, I don't know about you but we eat a lot of appetizers between the months of September and January.  I guess it's just the perfect food for football, festivals, Halloween, holiday parties. 

This is the third or fourth variation I've made with this fabulous ingredient.   But first I need to give kudos out to one of my friends http://www.richfletchersgoodfoodrevolution.blogspot.com/

Rich was one of my first food buddies when I set up my page on facebook.  He also is the one that introduced me to the versatility of Won Ton Wrappers.  So again thanks Rich.

Tonight to go along with some REALLY spicy chili I wanted something a little different. 

 Just take a little olive oil rubbed on wrappers and put in a small muffin tin and bake in a 350  over for about 5 minutes.  Then take cream cheese, diced garlic, diced green onions, salt, pepper and a little extra garlic powder. Mix all of this together and then fill semi baked won ton wrappers.  Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

When done, top with a dollop of jalapeno jelly and serve immediately.

Enjoy!!