March 2nd Update....February go the best of me but I'm back on track. However, I made some awesome cakes (Andy's b'day cake is the pic today.) went on a great mini-vacation with the BF and ate EVERYTHING! I'm starting to feel much better today so I'm here for an update at the end of month 2. The BF is very supportive and we're trying to support each other. My resolutions 1-3 line up with stuff he wants to accomplish as well so it's nice to have a partner. Maybe it's time to share this blog with more people...
1. Lose 20 lbs
I'm still at 6 down...14 to go. I started back at the gym today after a week's break.
2. Cook 20 new recipes, 10 of them must be healthy.
So far I've cooked 6 new recipes, the icing for class is definitely NOT healthy, but it's useful. The brussel sprouts, beef burguignone (sp??) chicken spinach wraps and
3. Run a 10k in under 1:03
I've had pneumonia the last week or so. I got back to the gym today and have started strength training on top of cardio. I'm hoping that will help me in the big picture but I HATE it right now!
4. Read 20 books that qualify as literature, not brain candy.
"Gung Ho!", "The Spanish Bride", "The House of the Seven Sisters", "The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry" I'm also trying to start a book club which will help in this endeavor. Next up...The Winter Prince. I've actually been trying to get through it for a few weeks but reading for grad class and life overall gets in the way.
5. Try 10 new classes at the gym or workouts
Starting some strength training....
6 Complete 20 credits towards my 2nd masters degree
I am in the middle of my first 3 credit class and registered for the next. I'm hoping to take 3 more classes over the summer to get myself to 15 credits by the time school starts in the fall!
7. Be able to play at least 10 chords on guitar
Oh lord....so totally haven't started on this one!
8. Give away at least 10 bags of stuff to charities
I've given away 1, started a 2nd bag which I'm hoping to give away soon.
9. Try 10 new restaurants
Very behind on this one...mostly because of resolution 10!
10. Spend 10-20 minutes every week working on budgeting in an effort to save more and spend less.
I'm doing pretty well on this one! I still look upside down because of the classes I paid for so far but I'm planning to be better about saving and have opened a 2nd savings account to help me organize my $ better. I'm feeling better about my finances even though they don't show improvement quite yet.
If I can make some recommendations about cooking new things, master the making of chicken cutlets. Once you start there, you can branch that off into at least five different recipes, depending on how you want to spin the sauce.
ReplyDeleteCut a chicken breast width-wise, to make two thinner pieces. Pound both those sides out with a tenderizer so that they are thinner. This will allow the chicken to cook faster without it burning or drying out (always an issue with me and chicken). Salt and pepper and dredge in all purpose flour.
In a skillet or fry pan, combine one tablespoon of butter with one tablespoon about olive oil (I use extra virgin, but use what you got. Olive oil tends to be healthier and tastier, but has a lower smoke point. The butter helps with that). When it starts to foam, add the chicken. Cook one on side for about five minutes, flip, and cook on the other side for three minutes. Or there about. Only flip one. Since we pounded the chicken out, we should be good. Remove the chicken and cover with tin foil.
From here, you can make any sauce your brain wants. I tend to add some white wine, lemon juice, capers, and shallots. Reduce down and add the chicken back. Coat chicken. Remove everything and serve.
Or add olives. Or do a cream sauce with parmaggiano cheese.
Start with the chicken, though. And then play.