Happy birthday to Todd! | 05.24.13

How convenient is it that Todd’s birthday has fallen on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend… ;-)

So for this first afternoon, on this absolutely glorious sunny, warm, and breezy day at our favorite neighborhood taqueria, Verde’…we are just getting started with some margaritas, Tecate’, salsa, guac, chips, and tacos…and we are really looking forward to much more to come on this super-fun long birthday weekend!

Cheers!!

Todd bday 1 052413 Todd bday 0512413 2

Stephanie’s sloppy joes

Once again I found an amazing-looking recipe on Pinterest and finally decided to make sloppy joes tonight. This is one of Todd’s favorite meals, and I loved the idea because I knew it was a great opportunity to get a boatload of vegetables in to our meal.

We served them with parmesan roasted squash and broccoli and it was a very easy, healthy, and super-delicious meal!

I am thinking this will be making its way in to our somewhat regular meal rotation. :-)

Stephanie's sloppy joes
Serves 10
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
243 calories
6 g
70 g
15 g
21 g
6 g
153 g
114 g
4 g
1 g
6 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
153g
Servings
10
Amount Per Serving
Calories 243
Calories from Fat 132
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g
23%
Saturated Fat 6g
30%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 70mg
23%
Sodium 114mg
5%
Total Carbohydrates 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 1g
5%
Sugars 4g
Protein 21g
Vitamin A
12%
Vitamin C
88%
Calcium
4%
Iron
13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 T minced garlic
2 T coconut oil
4 stalks organic celery, sliced thin
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
2 pounds organic, grass fed ground beef (90/10)
1 can organic tomato sauce
1 can organic diced tomatoes, drained
3 T light brown sugar
1/4 cup organic tomato paste
2 T cider vinegar
1 T djion mustard
sea salt + cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Chop the onion and deseed and chop the bell peppers. Heat the coconut oil in a large, very deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, diced onion, bell peppers, and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, tomato paste, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil then simmer for 20 minutes. To serve, divide sloppy joe mixture evenly among over toasted bread, rolls, or rice - or just serve right on the plate alongside your favorite vegetables like we do. :-)
beta
calories
243
fat
15g
protein
21g
carbs
6g
more
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/

 sloppy joes 052113

sloppy goes 052113 2

Stephanie’s lemon thyme chicken

When I was a child we went to another family’s house for dinner one night and they served lemon chicken. I have never forgotten that dinner I loved it so much! 

As an adult I tried to remember how it looked and tasted so I could recreate it, and this is what I’ve come up with. It’s super easy and absolutely delicious! Serve it with a vegetable or two and you have a light and very healthy and satisfying meal.

Lemon thyme chicken
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
166 calories
4 g
73 g
4 g
27 g
1 g
130 g
103 g
1 g
0 g
3 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
130g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
Calories from Fat 39
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g
7%
Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 73mg
24%
Sodium 103mg
4%
Total Carbohydrates 4g
1%
Dietary Fiber 1g
5%
Sugars 1g
Protein 27g
Vitamin A
1%
Vitamin C
38%
Calcium
3%
Iron
7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
4 organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 organic lemons
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T chopped fresh or dried thyme
sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Drizzle a baking dish with olive oil and place chicken breasts in a single layer. Cut one lemon in two and squeeze the juice over the chicken breasts.
Sprinkle with thyme and your salt and pepper.
Slice the remaining lemon and place on top of chicken breasts. Bake for 25-30 minutes; just until chicken is cooked through but still tender and juicy.
beta
calories
166
fat
4g
protein
27g
carbs
4g
more
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/
lemon chicken 1

going in to the oven…

dinner is served!

Slow-cooking cilantro lime chicken

cilantro lime chicken 051513

I found this recipe on Pinterest originally, and for once in my life I followed the recipe word-for-word.

I served it over rice with a dollop of organic sour cream on top, and while we definitely liked it, I felt it was a bit dry and overdone. I think the chicken cooked too long (about 7 hours) and I also felt that it needed more “sauce.”

So, below is how we’ll be making it going forward!

Slow-cooking cilantro lime chicken
Serves 8
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
6 hr
Total Time
6 hr 15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
6 hr
Total Time
6 hr 15 min
249 calories
9 g
101 g
9 g
34 g
2 g
212 g
966 g
4 g
0 g
5 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
212g
Servings
8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249
Calories from Fat 77
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g
13%
Saturated Fat 2g
12%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 101mg
34%
Sodium 966mg
40%
Total Carbohydrates 9g
3%
Dietary Fiber 2g
10%
Sugars 4g
Protein 34g
Vitamin A
15%
Vitamin C
10%
Calcium
4%
Iron
12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
24 oz organic salsa or pico de gallo
1.25 ounce dry taco seasoning mix
1 lime, juiced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast cut in thick strips or tenders
Instructions
Place the chicken, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and cilantro into your slow cooker. Cover, set to low, and cook until the chicken is very tender; about 6 hours. Shred chicken with 2 forks to serve.
Notes
I served over rice and topped with a dollop of organic sour cream and it was delish!
beta
calories
249
fat
9g
protein
34g
carbs
9g
more
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/

cilantro lime chicken 051513 2

 

 

Mother’s Day Mexican feast

Todd’s parents are in town visiting us for a few days, and while they’re here we’re celebrating Mother’s Day (today) as well as their 50th wedding anniversary (tomorrow).

Today’s been a tough day for me…so many reminders that Addison is not here with us. She’d be about 15 months old by now. So hard to believe. So, it’s been really helpful that Todd’s parents came in town. Lots of fun time with them to distract me from the sadness.

Tonight Todd and I made a slightly modified version of Gwyneth Paltrow’s fajitas, roasted tomato + chipotle salsa, and guacamole (Todd has recently mastered the art of making the perfect guac!)

When we had the fajitas for the first time a couple of weeks ago they were really messy, so tonight we served the fajita mixture over rice instead of in tortillas.  It was not only much less messy, but really good!

mother's day fajitas 2013 3

Chicken fajitas over rice
Serves 4
A delicious chicken and vegetable fajita mixture served over rice.
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
230 calories
6 g
73 g
10 g
28 g
2 g
164 g
138 g
2 g
0 g
8 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
164g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 230
Calories from Fat 91
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g
16%
Saturated Fat 2g
9%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 73mg
24%
Sodium 138mg
6%
Total Carbohydrates 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 2g
8%
Sugars 2g
Protein 28g
Vitamin A
15%
Vitamin C
45%
Calcium
3%
Iron
8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
Coarse sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 green bell pepper, stem and seeds discarded, thinly sliced
1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
Your favorite rice, cooked
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the chicken with large pinch of salt, the black pepper, the chili powder and the cumin. Set the chicken aside while you get your vegetables started.
Heat the olive oil over high heat in the largest nonstick skillet you’ve got. Add the peppers and onion, and cook, stirring now and then, until they’re beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook on medium heat, stirring now and then, until the chicken and vegetables are cooked though and nicely browned, 15 minutes,
Meanwhile, cook the rice.
Serve topped with the chicken and vegetable mixture, and all the toppings (we served with salsa, guac, and organic sour cream) and let everyone mix and match.
beta
calories
230
fat
10g
protein
28g
carbs
6g
more
Adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Good
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/
Fresh + easy guacamole
Serves 6
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
116 calories
8 g
0 g
10 g
2 g
1 g
103 g
32 g
1 g
0 g
8 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
103g
Servings
6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 116
Calories from Fat 83
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g
15%
Saturated Fat 1g
7%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 32mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 8g
3%
Dietary Fiber 5g
20%
Sugars 1g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A
6%
Vitamin C
22%
Calcium
1%
Iron
3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons diced white onion
3 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro
1 lime
1 vine tomato with seeds removed, diced
Coarse sea salt
Instructions
Cut each avocado in half, remove and discard the pits, and score the flesh inside the shells. Scoop the avocado into a mixing bowl and mash gently with a fork - you don’t want it to be completely smooth. Stir in the onion, tomato, and cilantro. Cut the lime in half and squeeze in the juice, cut side up so as to prevent any seeds from falling in. Season the guacamole to taste with salt, and serve!
beta
calories
116
fat
10g
protein
2g
carbs
8g
more
Adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Good
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/
Gwyneth Paltrow's roasted tomato + chipotle salsa
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
62 calories
7 g
0 g
4 g
1 g
1 g
156 g
47 g
4 g
0 g
3 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
156g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 62
Calories from Fat 32
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g
6%
Saturated Fat 1g
3%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 47mg
2%
Total Carbohydrates 7g
2%
Dietary Fiber 2g
8%
Sugars 4g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A
22%
Vitamin C
38%
Calcium
2%
Iron
2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
4 vine ripe tomatoes, cores removed and roughly chopped
1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 chipotle pepper (or more or less, depending on your heat tolerance - a whole pepper makes this salsa quite hot!) from a can of chipotles packed in adobo sauce
3 tablespoons cilantro
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Coarse sea salt
Instructions
Preheat the broiler to high, placing the rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and toss, directly on the sheet, the tomatoes and onion with the olive oil. Broil, stirring now and then, until the tomatoes have collapsed and the onions have softened a bit and everything is slightly charred, about 10 minutes. Place the tomatoes and onions in a food processor with the chipotle, cilantro and lime juice, and blitz until everything is puréed. Remove the salsa to a bowl and season to taste with salt.
Adapted from It's All Good
beta
calories
62
fat
4g
protein
1g
carbs
7g
more
Adapted from It's All Good
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/

Stephanie’s no-mayo chicken salad

chicken salad 051013

No-mayo chicken salad
Serves 4
A light, healthy, and delicious chicken salad made without mayo!
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Total Time
10 min
224 calories
4 g
95 g
8 g
32 g
2 g
183 g
184 g
2 g
0 g
5 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
183g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224
Calories from Fat 76
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8g
13%
Saturated Fat 2g
12%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 95mg
32%
Sodium 184mg
8%
Total Carbohydrates 4g
1%
Dietary Fiber 1g
5%
Sugars 2g
Protein 32g
Vitamin A
5%
Vitamin C
21%
Calcium
6%
Iron
8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
3 cups shredded chicken, cooked (you can use leftover rotisserie or other chicken)
the juice of one lemon
1 T organic dijon mustard
1/4 C plain greek yogurt
1/2 C organic Vegenaise
1 t onion powder
4 celery stalks, chopped
Salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and enjoy!
beta
calories
224
fat
8g
protein
32g
carbs
4g
more
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/

Balsamic chicken + asparagus

So this was tonight’s glorious dinner…

balsamic chicken and asparagus 050613This is one of the easiest and most delicious meals we have made in quite a while, and honestly, I really didn’t change up the recipe much at all. 

I will tell you, though, as I was shopping for groceries today I kept thinking that fresh goat cheese might be better in this recipe than the mozzarella. BUT, uncharacteristically, I stuck to the recipe and bought fresh mozzarella.

Next time, I’m going with either goat cheese or feta . ;-)

Balsamic chicken + asparagus
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
35 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
35 min
489 calories
21 g
107 g
27 g
41 g
8 g
491 g
353 g
14 g
0 g
17 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
491g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 489
Calories from Fat 235
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g
41%
Saturated Fat 8g
42%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 14g
Cholesterol 107mg
36%
Sodium 353mg
15%
Total Carbohydrates 21g
7%
Dietary Fiber 5g
20%
Sugars 14g
Protein 41g
Vitamin A
55%
Vitamin C
53%
Calcium
29%
Iron
26%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bunch asparagus
6 tomatoes on the vine, sliced thick then quartered
6 oz fresh mozzarella
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoon garlic powder
S + P to taste
Instructions
Combine balsamic, olive oil, garlic powder and pepper in a ziploc bag. Add in raw chicken breasts and marinate anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight.
After marinating, grill chicken. [I did it on our grill pan - preheated to medium heat and then about 5 minutes per side. Perfect!]
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut off the end of asparagus (bend asparagus until it breaks, this is where you should be cutting off the ends). Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and spray lightly with cooking spray. Arrange asparagus in one layer on the cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Place on top rack of oven for 8-9 minutes.
In a skillet preheated to low-medium heat, place cut tomatoes in a little olive oil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Cook for 5-6 minutes until tomatoes start to soften slightly.
Plate chicken and asparagus, and top with tomatoes and mozzarella. Drizzle with extra balsamic mixture from the tomatoes.
Adapted from Maggie's Bites
beta
calories
489
fat
27g
protein
41g
carbs
21g
more
Adapted from Maggie's Bites
Only the Good Notes http://www.onlythegoodnotes.com/