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Good Morning Everyone!
Happy Thursday! The weekend is almost here! My sister, Laura is visiting this weekend.
She will be here tonight and is staying until Sunday!
We have a few activities planned:
- Costco Trip!
- Christmas shopping for the parentals!
- Hiking at the cottage!
It will be a busy weekend but I’m looking so forward to it!
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Ok, enough rambling and onto the real reason for this post…
Bruschetta Chicken Bake
I got this recipe in one of the many issues of What’s Cooking I clipped recipes from not long ago.
Click on the image to link directly to the Recipe on Kraft Foods!
What You Need!
1 Can (19fl oz/540ml) Stewed tomatoes, undrained – I used a big can of diced tomatoes
1 Pkg. (120g) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1tsp. dried basil leaves
1 cup KRAFT Mozzarella Shredded Cheese - I used cheese that was on sale and shredded it myself
Make It!
MIX tomatoes, stuffing mix and garlic just until stuffing mix is moistened
LAYER chicken, basil and cheese in a 3L or 13×9 – inch baking dish.
COVER with stuffing, Bake 30min or until chicken is done.
The best thing about this recipe is that it really is super, super easy!
However, I personally didn’t really enjoy this meal. The boyfriend LOVED it though. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be posting it today.
I probably should have known this wouldn’t be a favourite of mine, since I’m not really a huge fan of stuffing. Also, the can of tomatoes I used was way too big, making the stuffing a bit more soggy than I would have liked.
I decided to give this recipe a second chance and heated up the leftovers the next day in the oven.
This was so much better the day after!
The boyfriend thought so too!
This would be a great meal to prepare ahead of time for nights that you’re just too rushed to put something fresh together.
If you test it out let me know what you think!
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Hey Everyone!
I hope you all enjoyed your weekends!
Yesterday I met a friend for coffee and then I tagged along with her to her gym.
Although I’ve always considered myself a home body when it comes to working out, I had a really good time.
I think it was more the company than the environment.
We spent an hour on the treadmill. The time flew by and before I knew it I had blasted through 500 calories! We hit the weight machines for a few minutes (until I got bored) and then headed home.
I’m thinking of joining now. Here is the dilemma though. I was also considering getting a treadmill for at home.
Do I spend the money on a monthly gym membership or use it to purchase my own treadmill?
The gym offers so much more variety but isn’t nearly as convenient and will cost MUCH more long-term.
The treadmill would be much more convenient and cost less long-term, but is only a treadmill. Know what I mean?
What to do?
Decisions, decisions.
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Hey Everyone!
I hope you’re all enjoying your weekend!
I was looking through my posts over the past few days and realized that I haven’t mentioned EXERCISE at all!? I started this site to talk about food and fitness so here ya go!
I don’t know about you guys, but my exercise cravings, much like my food cravings change with the seasons.
In the Spring, when it is dull and wet outside, my elliptical calls my name. It’ warm and dry – less mud!
In the summer I want to be outside - running, rollerblading, swimming or playing tennis.
When fall rolls around there is nothing better than going for a brisk hike with the bf and puppy!
And when the dreaded winter gets here, I again look forward to hopping on my elliptical in front of the television.
The Office is my show of choice right now!
Thanks Google for the image!
However, if you remember back when I first started the blog I resolved to run the RESOLUTION RUN here in Ottawa on New Year’s Eve!
Wow – that’s only 47 days away! Where did this year go?
Although the elliptical allows me to maintain my cardiovascular health during ”yucky” times of the year, it really isn’t a substitute for running. I need to be outside, training in the conditions that I will be racing in.
So here it goes….I’m going make a pledge to get outside and workout at least twice a week between now and December 31st!
I know that Angela challenged her readers to do the same as a part of Project Snow.
I accept the challenge!
Buy you should all know that, I’m dreaming of a GREEN CHRISTMAS!
I never thought I would say that.
Any ideas on staying motivated to get outside?
Do you guys enjoy exercise outdoors in cooler temperatures?
- diana
Evening All!
It’s official. Winter must be here because I’m no longer craving salads and bbq but have moved on to Stews, Soups and Chilis.
There is something so comforting about curling up with a big bowl of hot and SPICY stew!
Last night was the perfect opportunity to test out one of the many recipes I clipped out of Women’s Health.
Cashew Butter Chicken Stew
2 Cups One Large Chopped Red Onion
1 Red Pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 tsp ground black pepper, divided
3 Cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
1/4 cup fresh curly parsley, chopped
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cored and cubed
1 cup frozen lima beans
1/4 tsp kosher a couple dashes salt
1/4 tsp a few dashes here and there cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cashew butter
1. In a large non-stick pan, saute onions, pepper and 1.4 teaspoon black pepper for 4 minutes. Add broth, chicken breast and parsley. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until chicken is cook through and remove from pot.
2. Add apple, lima beans, salt, cayenne pepper and remaining black pepper to the broth. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover and whisk in cashew butter until well blended. Return chicken to pot.
Note: I never removed the chicken and instead chucked everything in the wok and let it bubble and boil until it started thickening up.
Click images to super size them!
Although I found the instructions for this recipe to be rather vague, I still managed to pull it off.
It turned out beautifully!
I think the apple chunks really made this recipe for me. It was like a little slice of apple pie every time I got one on my spoon!
And the best part is that it’s a healthy alternative to the traditional heavy stew.
I think the bf found it a bit spicy. I thought it was just right.
In an effort to make everyone happy, next time I will actually measure the Cayenne Pepper.
I think I will be making variations of this recipe quite often this winter. I’m thinking of tackling it in the slow cooker next time.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
If you’re looking for a great meal to curl up with after a long day on the slopes – this is it!
I’m off to gobble up the leftovers!
Good Night!
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My New Best Friend….
One of the things keeping me busy while I was on blogiatus (hiatus from the blog – lame I know) was my new camera!
I have noticed many of us in blogland are making the change to DSLR cameras and I couldn’t be happier with mine.
At this point I still have A TON to learn about the camera, its capabilites and photography in general but I’m having a blast taking pictures of everything I see! Including some very annoyed family members!
I thought I would do a fun picture post of some of my “work”. haha. I’m such an amateur but here goes it….
Click on the images to see them up close and personal!
I’ve been trying to find a photography tutorial online but I’m finding it really difficult. I don’t have time to go to a night course so I’d like to learn the theory part at home. Do any of you have any suggestions or sites that you find useful?
I hope you’re all having wonderful days!
- diana
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Do you subscribe to any magazines or have you crossed over to reading your faves online?
I currently subscribe to Runner’s World and Women’s Health! I love my magazines!
Browsing websites just isn’t the same for me. Probably because I, like many of you, spend 8 – 10 hours in front of the computer 5 days a week.
Plus, when browsing magazines online, the information comes out later than the issue and often times you don’t get to read everything that was included in the magazine.
For these reasons, plus the fact that I like to be able to curl up under a blanket and flip pages, I will always receive my magazines in the mail.
There is one downfall though. They take up so much space! Every month I struggle to fit another issue on my book shelf.
This month it dawned on me. There are only ever a few articles or recipes I return to after I have finished flipping, so what am I keeping all of these for?
So I grabbed the scissors, my stack of mags and began clipping! How old school of me!
Wouldn’t you know – I took on average one article and one recipe from each issue! I now have these organized in a manner that makes it quick and easy for me to reference when I need to.
A binder! How SIMPLE!
And I am now only dedicating 2 inches of space to my magazine addiction!
And while we’re on the subject -
What are your favourite magazines?
I’m thinking of making a change.
Any suggestions?
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Hey Everyone!
Hope you’re all having wonderful days! It’s FRIDAY! And I”m off until Tuesday! 3 glorious days of rest, relaxation, laundry and exercise ahead!
I thought I would pop on and share a quick and easy recipe we tested out last night.
I didn’t have all of the ingredients required and really wasn’t in the mood to stop at the store so I made a few substitutions.
What You Need:
1 Tbsp. oil
4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb./500 g)
1-1/2 cups water
HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 min. on each side or until cooked through (170°F). Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings in skillet; cover chicken to keep warm.
ADD water, vegetables and salsa to drippings in skillet; stir. Bring to boil.
STIR in rice. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 5 min. Top with the chicken; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; cook 5 min. or until cheese is melted.
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A few pictures of our trip up to Whistler B.C in September!
What a beautiful spot!
Click on images for larger view!
Enjoy!
P.S. It’s SNOWING here! Blech!
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A few shots of …..
Classical Chinese Garden – Vancouver
