Healthy Nutty Brown Rice...A Must Try!

If you have been reading any of my Chantix Diary, you'll already know that I'm on a mission to get myself and my family healthier.  I have been looking for new and appealing recipes that I can make for my family that will go over well.  Tonight I had a real winner that you have GOT to try!  Unfortunately, I didn't write down the website I found the original recipe on, but I'm going to give you my modifications anyways.

First, for the protein, though I simply made lemon pepper chicken.  I put some olive oil in a bowl with a few shakes of garlic powder and a fair amount of Mrs. Dash salt-free lemon pepper blend seasoning.  I cut the chicken breasts into pieces about 2 - 2.5 inches, put it in the bowl and stirred it all around to coat it with the oil and seasoning.  Then I just threw it in a pan and baked it at 375 for about 40 minutes.  That's it.  Easy Peasy.

Then, for the rice.  This was the really good part.  I bought a bag of broccoli slaw from the section of the grocery store that sells pre-made/pre-cut bags of salad.  It has (obviously) broccoli, carrots and purple cabbage nicely shredded.  I did give it a quick rough chop to make the pieces a little smaller.  btw, I'm going to tell you the amounts I used to feed my family of 5, but it will actually feed 6.  You can adjust from there.  I put just a couple tablespoons of olive oil in the pot and threw in 2 one-handed handfuls of broccoli slaw (maybe 2 cups?).  I cooked it on medium high heat for about 2 minutes.  Then I put in a couple shakes of red pepper flakes (but it could have used more...maybe 1 teaspoon or so).  I added 3-4 tablespoons each of almond slivers and sunflower seeds.  I cooked it for another 2 minutes or so to give the almonds a little color.  But the vegetables still were a little crunchy...don't overcook them.  Put this mixture in a bowl and set aside.

Then I followed the directions on the box of 10 minute instant brown rice.  I used 2.25 cups of chicken broth, and got that boiling and I added a couple more shakes of red pepper flakes.  But I have to tell you that I barely noticed any kick at all, so it could have used more.  I added 3 cups of dry brown rice and covered and simmered for 5 minutes.  Then I stirred in the vegetables and seeds mixture, covered it back up, took it off the heat and let it steam for another 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork and serve.

I have to tell you it was absolutely delicious!  My husband and kids ate it right up and told me again (they tell me on a regular basis :) that I should be on "Chopped".  It has a wonderful crunchy texture and nutty flavor.  It's so good.  Try it!  I bet your family likes it as much as mine!

Healthy and nutty brown rice with veggies...yum!

As for my quit smoking journey, I am doing great.  Now that I think about it I hardly thought about smoking at all today.  It's getting easier and easier every day.  My attitude has become positive, my motivation to be healthy is high, my energy is returning.  It's all great!  And still no bad side effects from the Chantix.  It is now 1 week and 2 days smoke free!