Mike' Make Over Madness!

[Mykelogan]

OOohhh dinner was nice tonight! hehe
Definitely one for the low carbers but maybe not the low fatters but it could be adapted. I basically combined two recipes and added my own tweaks... started with a TBSP of EVOO in my big saute pan, with three cloves of sliced garlic, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. How amazing does that smell when heating! No wonder my cat came running! hehe (He loves EVOO, it drives him wild when I let him lick a bit off of my fingers, he will usually start rolling around on the floor hugging one of my sneakers, seriously! hehe)

Ok, next I added about a cup and a half of fresh spinach and a huge diced portabella mushroom. When that mixture was wilting nicely, I added a diced roasted red pepper to heat it through. Once most of the liquid given off was evaporated, I removed the mixture to a side bowl and added a smidge more EVOO to the pan. When well heated I tossed in a cubed chicken breast season with sea salt, pepper, and onion powder. (I got a spice delivery today and one of the items I ordered was fresh white onion powder. Unlike most onion powder it is not toasted so it has a strong fresh onion flavor.) I brown the cubes and removed them from the pan also. The chicken is not fully cooked yet, just thoroughly browned. I then added a splash of vinegar to the pan to deglaze it. When reduced by half I added a 1/4cup of heavy cream and a few spoons of parm cheese. After stirring to combine I added back the chicken and veggies with all of the juices that formed as they sat. Next I brought it back up to a neat boil and cooked it until the chicken was done & the sauce was nice and thick.

I had this as is and it was delish! (I saved my carby portion for some post main course ice cream! so good too! hehe!) This could also be served over pasta, rice, potatoes, steamed green beans. Any components could be increased or decreased to your liking. I loved the strong spice it had from the garlic and red pepper, others may not. If you wanted a lower fat sub for the cream you could do a few things, like: 1) Use chicken broth to make the sauce and cook the chicken, adding a splash of cream at the end, 2) Used milk and add a thickener like a slurry of cornstarch and milk (be sure to bring to a boil, slurries and rouxs need that to achieve their thick potential), or 3) Use condensed skim milk (not to be confused with sweetened condensed milk! hehe). Heck, even a splash of wine to deglaze the cooked bits in the pan and no other sauce could be great! A different cheese could be used too!

Not sure how this became a cooking lesson but it flowed out of me so I typed it! Off to visit the "300+lb Club!" , come on over and check it out! All are welcome!

Have a good one all! One more pound to a new clippie! I can't wait! hehe!

 

[Mykelogan]

Hey Mike, You are doing great. I am always so excited to visit because I know I am going to learn something new or laugh my butt off. Just dropping in to see how work is going and how you are doing. Talk to you tomarrow and keep up the great work. kardiebelle

Thanks Kardiebelle!!! We were in here at the same time! hehe

 

[kardiebelle]

Hey mike your dinner sounds wonderful. You cat is the strangest cat I ever kne. Another recipie for chicken is to always add lime. I love the way it gives the chicken favor. I use it to make fajitas. You cat might like it too.
You need to try it.

Buy chicken breast cut in strips
Grab a plastic bag that you get in the fresh fruits and veggies section
Place the chicken in the bag add cumin, 2 TBSP cilantro, 2 TBSP diced garlic, 1/4 cup EVOO, 1/4 cup Fresh lime juice, and 1/4 cup water
Let marinate for as long as you wish I do it all day long but 2 hours would do just fine.
EVOO in pan add onion and red and green peppers cover on med till peppers soften remove from pan and cook the chicken. After chicken is cooked then add the peppers again and place lid for a couple of min. with 2 TBSP of cilantro thrown on top.
Serve with flour Tortillas and all the other toppings you like. Enjoy
Kardiebelle

 

[Mykelogan]

Thanks again Kardiebelle! Sounds like a great marinade!!! I will have to try it out soon!! I do have some low carb tortillas and everything else I'd need. Just need to add some limes to this weeks shopping list!

 

[Lesli54]

You sure do enjoy cooking. That is really good, especially when losing weight. It is amazing how wonderful REAL food can taste when you take the time to make it and get away from the quick fixes.

Do you order your spices from Penzey's? I do and love them. Everything has a better flavor than the store bought spices. I cringe every time I run out and have to get a spice from the store. In all my baked goods, I use double strength Madagascar vanilla (never cut the strength) and the Cassia cinnamon from China. Absolutely the best. Then there is the Turkish Oregano and the Hungarian Sweet Paprika and........I could go on. One of my fav's lately is their Chicago Steak seasoning. It gives the steak a great pepper and smoky flavor and the smell reminds me of the Yachtman's Steak House at YC. So good. One day, maybe I can afford to go to Yachtman's.

Enough about food, time to get going. Hope your day is good tomorrow.

 

[lillygator]

What a great meal!! Any leftovers to send over??
Almost to the next clippie - how awesome!! You can do it!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Mike! I was away yesterday so I didn't get to check in. And the thunder & lightening storms were so bad last night that we shut down the computer immediately, just before seeing the power flicker off and on over the course of an hour or two.

WOW! Three pounds in one week! That is sooo awesome. I LOVE that you are doing so well while still eating real food. Do you know just how remarkable that is? You are the perfect example of how we can lose weight even while eating well, rather than living on salads.

Your dinner sounds amazing. I don't remember your kitty's name, but he sounds sooo full of personality -- I love your descriptions of him laying on your arms when you are typing on the computer. My furbaby (18 pound cairn terrier who just turned 5) was so scared last night that DH had to hold her on his lap and soothe her. Interestingly, she seemed so much more calm and literally not scared when we put her in her crate and latched the door. She definitely feels that is her "safe place".

BTW, we have done the DCL 7 day 3 times --once on the Eastern with our kids and our friends and their kids, once on the western with 5 other couples and no kids, and the western again with our kids and and friends and their kids. We have never done the 3 or 4 day, but can tell you so much about the ship and the restaurants, etc., as I understand they are the same on the Magic and the Wonder. And yes, the color show at Animator's Palette is truly wonderful!

Congratulations again and have a wonderful day!

 

[pearlieq]

Oh my goodness, Mike! I'm going to have to give up a few nights of dinner at Christin's and come over to your place! The Austin-Rhode Island commute isn't bad, is it?

That sounds incredible! What a yummy dinner! I need to jump on the spice bandwagon too--I have a cabinet full of rapidly disintegrating McCormick stuff--what can I say, I was raised a good Midwestern girl! There were only a handful of spices--vanilla, cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and maybe a little paprika if you wanted to be "exotic"! We were something straight out of Lileks Gallery of Regrettable Food (If you haven't checked out www.lileks.com you must! Go there and then click on the link for the Institute of Official Cheer. You'll laugh your socks off!)

I hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[Cruise04]

Sorry, no comment on Animator's Palate - it would ruin the fun!!!!!!

 

[Mykelogan]

You sure do enjoy cooking. That is really good, especially when losing weight. It is amazing how wonderful REAL food can taste when you take the time to make it and get away from the quick fixes.

Do you order your spices from Penzey's? I do and love them. Everything has a better flavor than the store bought spices. I cringe every time I run out and have to get a spice from the store. In all my baked goods, I use double strength Madagascar vanilla (never cut the strength) and the Cassia cinnamon from China. Absolutely the best. Then there is the Turkish Oregano and the Hungarian Sweet Paprika and........I could go on. One of my fav's lately is their Chicago Steak seasoning. It gives the steak a great pepper and smoky flavor and the smell reminds me of the Yachtman's Steak House at YC. So good. One day, maybe I can afford to go to Yachtman's.

Enough about food, time to get going. Hope your day is good tomorrow.

I do loooove cooking! hehe Is it that obvious? It is such a zen thing for me!

I also do indeed use Penzey's and love them!!! The spices are sooo amazingly fresh and flavorful. Reminds of a place I used to buy my spices at in VT where you were able to buy spices from bulk bins. Buying for one person it was sooo cheap! hehe Penzey's has great prices too I think. One of my new discoveries is the grey sea salt. Such a unique taste/essence. I also love Penzey's new BBQ rub. It has spice and heat, and then a lingering flavor of cinnamon which sounds weird but is truly wonderful on chicken. I just got their southwestern spice mix, smells great and I can't wait to try it... maybe tonight with Kardibelle's marinade... hmmm... we will see! haha

Can you tell I haven't had lunch yet??!!??

 

[Mykelogan]

What a great meal!! Any leftovers to send over??
Almost to the next clippie - how awesome!! You can do it!

Thanks lillygator! Sadly no leftovers last night! hehe Good idea for next time though. I bet the flavors would just deepen immensely if left overnight.

On to the clippie! Maybe this weekend when I weigh in for the 5 for July Challenge for the last time?? hmm....

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Cam,

Sorry that the storm scared your poor kitty so much!! My cat's name is Logan (after Wolverine from the X-men Comic books and movies, Logan is wolverine's real name. And when I was a kid I said that when I got my first pet living on my own I would name it Logan. It stuck! hehe)

Thanks for the "WOW!" I great appreciate your support! I am amazed myself that I can lose weight while eating something "naughty" here and there. I am sure that is equal parts my program's philosophy and how I have a long way to go so I can lose weight eating more calories than someone 10lbs overweight. hehe. I will take it however it comes! I live craving free now and it is an awesome feeling!

Ooh! Another cruiser! Very cool!

Have a good one! I will be over by your journal later! hehe

Hi, Mike! I was away yesterday so I didn't get to check in. And the thunder & lightening storms were so bad last night that we shut down the computer immediately, just before seeing the power flicker off and on over the course of an hour or two.

WOW! Three pounds in one week! That is sooo awesome. I LOVE that you are doing so well while still eating real food. Do you know just how remarkable that is? You are the perfect example of how we can lose weight even while eating well, rather than living on salads.

Your dinner sounds amazing. I don't remember your kitty's name, but he sounds sooo full of personality -- I love your descriptions of him laying on your arms when you are typing on the computer. My furbaby (18 pound cairn terrier who just turned 5) was so scared last night that DH had to hold her on his lap and soothe her. Interestingly, she seemed so much more calm and literally not scared when we put her in her crate and latched the door. She definitely feels that is her "safe place".

BTW, we have done the DCL 7 day 3 times --once on the Eastern with our kids and our friends and their kids, once on the western with 5 other couples and no kids, and the western again with our kids and and friends and their kids. We have never done the 3 or 4 day, but can tell you so much about the ship and the restaurants, etc., as I understand they are the same on the Magic and the Wonder. And yes, the color show at Animator's Palette is truly wonderful!

Congratulations again and have a wonderful day!

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Pearlieq!

hehehe! The communte is not too bad as long as you beat the rush hour traffic! It was a great dinner, I outdid myself if it is ok to say so. hehe!
I will definitely check out that link later, I can use a good laugh today! I am not quite sure how I developed my taste for spicy food because most of my family makes the blandest food on the planet. The only person who ever liked spicy food, especially his own marinara, was my deceased grandfather (my dad's dad.) He loved to add crushed red pepper to everything! hehe. I am not quite that daring all the time but I love deep flavor.

Have a good day!

Oh my goodness, Mike! I'm going to have to give up a few nights of dinner at Christin's and come over to your place! The Austin-Rhode Island commute isn't bad, is it?

That sounds incredible! What a yummy dinner! I need to jump on the spice bandwagon too--I have a cabinet full of rapidly disintegrating McCormick stuff--what can I say, I was raised a good Midwestern girl! There were only a handful of spices--vanilla, cinnamon, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and maybe a little paprika if you wanted to be "exotic"! We were something straight out of Lileks Gallery of Regrettable Food (If you haven't checked out www.lileks.com you must! Go there and then click on the link for the Institute of Official Cheer. You'll laugh your socks off!)

I hope you have a wonderful day!

 

[Mykelogan]

Sorry, no comment on Animator's Palate - it would ruin the fun!!!!!!

Hahahaha! Awww, c'mon!!!!
(I understand, I would just experience it anyway! hehe)

 

[Cruise04]

All I'm gonna say is

 

[Mykelogan]

Hehehe! Ok Chris, I will not go to plan 2 yet!! So if two burly men in sunglasses and black t-shirts show up at your door, tell them I postponed the torturing!

I had a total wack-a-doo stressful day!!! I am down to the nitty gritty with placement and I am discovering all the errors in the materials handed to me to use in doing the placement. My now exiting boss did not proof read and in some cases update the rosters/student info she gave me. I love her but her lack of attention to detail is killing me! As it sits now, I have 19 first year women with no where to live and about 5 days to find a solution... wish me luck!! I am soo not getting paid enough extra for all of this work!!! Grrr!!! (Remember this will get you closer to WDW again Mike... remember!!!)

Oh, there was a bright spot today!! I pulled aside the co-worker involved with the Coolatta event of a few days back (she was out yesterday!) to say again I was sorry and appreciated the gesture knowing money was tight. She was of course understanding and then said, "I've noticed you drinking just water in here lately, I should have realized." And I told her it was ok because we hadn't had a chance to talk about it, so she said it was cool, and I could have stopped there... but I didn't! hehe! I then added, I actually haven't had a coke or any soda in about 5 weeks. She was impressed and excited for me so I kept going and said, "Actually, I've lost almost 40lbs so far this summer." She said, "WOw! That is so awesome..." and then she asked some questions like why now, etc. So we talked for a bit and it was cool. So that went well!! I even said, "I was planning to talk to all of you eventually as I may eat something different then everyone else at meals during RA training depending on what we plan." She just said "that's cool, of course we of all people will understand!" (referring to her and the gym girls! hehe) So that was easier than it seemed it would be!

Tomorrow needs to be very productive!!! I want to take at least Saturday off to do nothing but fun stuff... like finally use a gift card I got for Christmas and see a movie or two...probably Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and maybe Sky High! hehe SO I have to get a lot done.

Tonight I look forward to Big Brother!!! I cannot wait to see what happens during the Live Eviction!!! Dinner is still undetermined. I think for veggies I will be making braised cabbage or sauteed cabbage, probably grilled chicken for my protein and I think maybe another little cereal box for something carby...mmm I am thinking Apple Jacks or Cocoa Krispies! hehe!

Have a great night all! I am off to visit your journals!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad things went well with explaining things to the co-worker. It always makes things easier when people understand. I for one would like to have my best friend up here mention something about my loss, but I am assuming that maybe she feels uncomfortable since we both used to talk about needing to lose weight and I have, but she hasn't. Oh well.

What is with the boucing Maleficent?

On another note, I am glad to see that your 300+ Club is taking off. It is great to see that there are people who truly understand all the issues that you face at the higher weights. That ought to give quite a few people the kind of support that they might have been missing on these boards.

Have a great day tomorrow.

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Lesli!!

I am not sure what is up with her, but I love her!!! haha!


I definitely empathize with what you said about your friend not saying anything. I know people have to have noticed my loss a bit as I feel the loss in my face is visible but no one has said anything. On level I was a little bummed about this and then I realized that for many years I have tried to get the people around me to see that they don't always need to comment on a person's weight as it usually can come off judgemental and unwanted... so I think maybe I was successful! haha! Which is good, but I would like someone to notice... of course, when cut a teeny slice off of a mountain, you still see the mountain!

I am glad the 300+lb Club is picking up steam! We will see where it goes. I have good feelings about it.

Oh, before I forget, be sure to pop in the "5 for August" challenge everyone, I am taking the baton pass from Lesli and keeping the race going!
(Thanks Lesli!!)

Have a great night all!
Mike

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Mike!

So, what did you end up having for dinner last night? I had pizza, chicken wings, and Dairy Queen Blizzard cake for dessert. I am NOT stepping on the scale this morning! I shouldn't worry though because I have heard that when you are eating at a birthday party, everything is calorie-free, carb-free, and fat-free. So, I should be good to go!

I'm sorry to hear about the situation with the freshmen placements. I commuted to college (Kent State University) because it was cheaper so I never had to live in a dorm room. I hope you are able to place the 19 freshmen.

Have a great day today!

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Tracy!

You are right! At a birthday party those things do not count. Besides the only time cake calories count is when you eat the whole cake, other times you would have cut the cake and we do know that when you cut something the calories all leak out! hehe!

As for my dinner, I went in a completely different direction than I planned and filled a small baking dish with large dice green pepper, radishes, garlic cloves, onion and tomato (light on the last two!) tossed in a little EVOO & spices (crushed red pepper, basil, oregano, salt & pepper). Then I put two hot italian sausages on top and popped the whole thing in the oven to roast. Removed the sausages after about 45 min and let them rest, then cranked the oven up to 450 from 375, and really roasted the heck out of the veggies for 10min. Sliced up the sausage, tossed it with the veggies, sprinkled on a TBSP of parm cheese and enjoyed! I had that with my mandatory salad and it was like a nice rustic Italian dinner with such great flavor I didn't miss the pasta or sugary jarred sauce I would previously have added. I wanted a cereal box with a 1/2 cup of milk for my treat but my milk went all clump in a matter of days so that plan ended... hehe! Instead I remember I had wrapped up a soft chocolate chip cookie at work earlier to bring home for dinner so I had that and 1/2 of a Klondike bar. Made me long for being in WDW having a Tollhouse Ice Cream Sandwich from a snack cart! LOL

While you felt like avoiding your scale this morning, I decided to check mine out this morning. Figured why not weigh in again to get a more accurate end of July reading before starting the August challenge and I may be out & about all weekend so I will not be near my scale on the 31st. I am down 2 more pounds! Time for a new clippie!! hehe I am going to add that now! hehe And I have a few more peeps to add to the August Challenge!

When will I get work done today???!!! hehe!!

And for everyone now, I present Mike's Magical Mischievous Maleficients!!

(Love this bouncy!!!)

Have a good one all!
Mike