Friday, January 30, 2009

Chicken Taco Pie

I seriously don't know why this recipe is called Chicken Taco Pie. It is not made in a pie pan nor does it resemble a pie. This is just what I know it as. This is a hit with my family except child number three who thinks everything I put in front of him lately is "YUCK." He did used to eat it and want more but for some reason he has decided he doesn't like anything right now. Anyway, here is the recipe along with some pictures that may help or hinder the process.

Chicken Taco Pie

4-6 Flour Taco Shells
1 1/2 - 2 pounds of Chicken Breasts (Boiled in water and cut up into pieces)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
3/4 - 1 cup salsa (to your liking)
1 - 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Boil the chicken on medium for about an hour or until well cooked. Rinse off, cut up, and set aside. In a bowl mix in the cans of Cream of Mushroom soup, sour cream, and salsa. I also mix in a bit of the cheddar cheese just for fun. Once that is all mixed up add the chicken and mix in. Spray a 9x13 pan with PAM or whatever you use. Tear up your flour taco shells and layer on the bottom. It usually takes about two shells or more to cover the bottom. Next, take half the chicken mixture and spread over the first layer of shells. Then shred about two more taco shells over chicken layer. After that add the remaining chicken mixture and spread until even. Sprinkle top with cheese. Cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

If the instructions confused you a bit here are pictures in the order of how the layers should be.



THE FINAL PRODUCT

Thursday, January 15, 2009

WARNING!!! HEALTH TIPS!

Now remember, I warned you.

I told you when I started this it wasn't going to be all about recipes. I'm doing this to serve you up some of my favorite things.

Anyway, a few years ago I lost 40 pounds. This was back in 2004. I had a couple different work out videos that I would do on occasion but nothing really would work. Of couse I was very impatient, as I am now. I wanted results and I wanted them NOW! There was a certain talk show host that was concentrating on weight loss that year. He, I mean this host, had books out and plans. Well, I did get a book or two of this particular host. I hate fish and a lot of diet plans have this so I just stuck to what I eat on a regular basis but on a smaller scale. Basically, it came down to eat what you want but in smaller portions. I really liked the fact the we were allowed to have chocolate too. I started watching my portion sizes but allowed myself the sweet stuff too. On top of all this I decided to try out a new work out video. What could it hurt? The only problem was it was just the bar and videos it included. It was a step aerobics program. Here is their FREE advertisement.

THE FIRM is what I decided to start doing. I had to adjust a bit. I didn't have the steps. So, I used my stools that I had in my house. Probably not the smartest thing to do and I am not recommending it so don't hold me responsible if you decide to do something so irresponsible. One or two of the videos I had to use a chair to support myself when doing weights. They use the "Fanny lifter" for these routines. The stool was too low so I had to once again improvise. All I can say is that I am a HUGE believer in THE FIRM. I am doing it all again now. The only difference is that I have the actual steps a.k.a Fanny Lifter. This definitely is one of my favorite things.


Now, I know you all have your favorite work out routines, videos, or whatever. JUST....STICK...TO IT!!!! I will be the first to admit that I am extremely frustrated right now. I just have to tell myself that I am building muscle and the weight will start coming off. It happened five years ago. Since then I had two more kids and now I am working at getting all that weight off again. It will take time. DON'T....GIVE...UP!!! Once the weather is nice I will be going out for my walks again as well. Keep it going even if you don't see results. Something is happening but it might not show it on the scales just yet. These things do take time. I will be reading this over and over to remind myself of that. Good Luck to any of you who chose to be healthier as one of your New Years Resolution. I started this off before the New Year but I plan to stick to it. I will report back every so often. Maybe this will motivate me. My goal, if my body will allow it, is to lose 50 pounds by the end of the year. I'll be fine with 40 but it really would be nice to lose that extra 10.