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!

Ma's Diner

I feel like my best contribution to my family is the food I feed them.  Since going on disability and my slow recovery from terrible agoraphobia, my main goal is to remain stable mentally.  My main jobs are to do the grocery shopping, cook dinners, make home made lunches for the kids to take to school, and playing taxi driver.  It doesn't seem like much, I know.  But you have to understand that my agoraphobia first started with an anxiety attack in a trip to the grocery store.  So that has always been the hardest place for me to go since then. 

My family loves my cooking, and it's so important to me that they enjoy their food.  They say that a lot of it looks like cat puke, but it sure does taste good.  And Matthew (11) says all the time that I would win if I were on the Food Network's "Chopped".  He says I just need to add a leaf to finish off my dishes.  lol

BUT

I am sooooooooo sick of my overly done menu.  I'm so over everything on it.  I have a list printed out with the main meat categories of chicken, beef, pork and "other stuff" (like breakfast for dinner).  Then I list the meals that I make with each of those meats.  THEN instead of me going crazy trying to figure out what to buy each week I take the list around and tell everyone to pick something off the list.  Mexican chicken is one that everyone picks, so that has to stay on my list.

What I need are some new and fresh ideas.  I sure would like some input from you out there on your favorite go-to meal.  I have been searching the internet for new ideas and found a Tex-Mex Chicken & Rice casserole that was a hit that I'll do again.  And last night I did a Mexican Minestrone (vegetarian) that my vegetarian daughter didn't touch and I think what made it a hit with the other 3 was that I served it with my famous guacamole and some tortilla chips.  I don't think I'll add that one to my cookbook or my list.  Do you have a recipe that you have served in your house for your family or for guests that is always a hit?  Please tell me!!!!! 

I also have to make 2 separate dinners every night.  I make the original recipe for 4 of us and then a vegetarian version of that recipe for my non-meat eater.  At first that was such a hassle, but I continued because I love and now it's just second nature.  The only problem is this...I have 1 skillet, one pot and 1 little saucepan.  And a couple mixing bowls.  I have plenty of casserole dishes in several sizes and I have a big crockpot.  Is there anything you can contribute to the cause?  I'd love to hear from you! 

Tonight's dinner was a family classic.  Bean slop.  Sounds yummy doesn't it?  Not! lol  But it's ok.  All it is, is 1 pound of ground beef browned, add brown sugar (maybe 1/2 Cup) to the beef and stir it up so the meat is coated in carmelized sugar, and then add a large can of baked beans.  For Sami I use Quorn brand "beef" crumbles, brown sugar and vegetarian baked beans.  Then when it's bubbly you serve it open-faced on hamburger buns and eat with a fork.  It's one of Sara's favorites.  But I'm tired of it and didn't eat dinner. 

I need help!  Please share your recipes!  But NO FISH!!!!  eegads I don't like fish.  Or innards.  I don't think I could make liver or anything like that.  ick.  We eat mostly chicken, pork and sometimes beef.  And the one thing I have no idea on how to cook is steak.  I'll try making what you share, take pics and post on it.  :)  And I'll share some of my family's favorites with you too.