Monthly Archives: September 2011

This week’s recipe: Al’s chicken tortellini soup

Posted on by
1

I almost forgot to post my recipe this week. Shame on me!

As many of you know, my husband, Al, loves to cook. This soup is one of his favorites to make this time of year. And let me tell you, it was DELICIOUS! And for me to say this, it means it was pretty darn good. I am not the biggest soup lover, but this one ranked pretty high in my list of Top Ten favorite soups.

Yep, it was that good. Here is the recipe for you to try and hopefully enjoy as much as I did:

Al's chicken tortellini soup

tortellini soup

Click on the above link to see the recipe. If it doesn’t work, send me an email and I can send you the recipe. My email is celbeam@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

And always, remember you can find my blog on Facebook, too. Click here to become a fan of my Confessions of a [former] Fat Girl Facebook page!

A little apprehensive

Posted on by
3

This coming weekend, my hubby and I have a 10K race. I am feeling a little – okay, maybe a lot – anxious about it and for a few different reasons. Reasons, to some, that may sound weird or maybe even, do I dare say, childish?

First off, it is a race we have done before – it is for the Lakes Area Humane Society in Alexandria. However, the last couple of years, we have only done the 5K. For some reason, which now escapes me, we decided to sign up for the 10K. Why, oh why, did we do this?

Yes, I know, I have already completed a 10K so it’s not the distance that is necessarily scaring me. It’s the thought that there won’t be very many people participating in the 10K, which may mean I could come in last. Yep, that’s where the childish-ness may come in. I know that I am not the fastest runner and I am okay with that. I am just darn happy I can finish. However, finishing last in the town where I live when so many people might be watching, that’s another whole thing. I wouldn’t care if I came in last in our upcoming race in Fargo on October 8. It’s in Fargo. Nobody knows me. AND…..there are thousands of participants.

This is in Alexandria. People know me. There may be a hundred people running. UGH! That’s what’s freaking me out. I am almost regretting signing up for the 10K. I wish I would have just signed up for the 5K.

I know what you are probably thinking. “WHO CARES?” I know, right? But I can’t help it. It’s who I am. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. I have been trying to talk myself out of feeling this way for the last two weeks, but as the race gets closer and closer, it’s just not helping.

I know, I am going to be just fine. And who really gives two hoots if I come in last. I am going to be okay. I CAN DO THIS. I know I can.  Right? My goal is to run the whole thing. And as far as my time, I just want to finish in less than one hour and 12 minutes. That is my goal. I CAN DO THIS!

I’ll let you all know what happens after the race on Saturday! Until then, send me some good vibes that the race will go just fine. I would surely appreciate it!

Remember, you can always feel free to email me at celbeam@gmail.com and don’t forget, you can always check on my Facebook page. You can do so by clicking here.

Weekly recipe – BBQ chicken tenders!

Posted on by
2

Last Saturday night, we had our good friends, Brad and Linda, over for a meal. We try to get together with them at least once a month. We always have so much fun! Well, this time, it was going to be “Wing Night,” as in chicken wings and drummies. I am so not a fan of either. I don’t like any meat with skin or bones. YUK!

Because of this, my dear husband, who you all know LOVES to cook, wanted to find a recipe for boneless, skinless chicken “wings” so I could have something to eat. He found a recipe on the Eating Well website called BBQ chicken tenders.

Here is the recipe, as well as a photo! They were SO delicious.

BBQ chicken tenders

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup K.C. Masterpiece classic blend BBQ sauce

2 tbsp honey Dijon mustard

2 tbsp honey

½ cup flour

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

2 large eggs

1 ½ cup Dynasty panko breadcrumbs

Cooking spray

1. Combine BBQ sauce, mustard and honey in a large bowl. Set aside ½ cup of the sauce in a small bowl. Cut chicken into strips, about 24 total, and then add all the strips to the large bowl with the remaining sauce; stir to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. Coat each chicken strip in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess. Place strips on the baking sheet. Generously coat both sides of each strip with cooking spray.

4. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn each tender over and continue baking until the outside is crisp and the strips are cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Serve with the reserved BBQ sauce.

Makes: 24 strips

Serves: 6

Serving size: 4 strips

Weight Watcher PointsPlus value per serving: 7

And just for fun, here are a couple of photos from the “real” wings my husband made.

These were some kind of orange wings or something like that.

This was the bowl of bones from all the wings and drummies my husband, along with Brad and Linda ate!

I think my mojo is back (maybe!)

Posted on by
2

I think I am back on track. The last couple of weeks have gone much better. I am eating better, I am exercising and I think my head is on straight again. Well, as straight as it can be.

Not sure what happened to me, but I must have been in some kind of funk. Whatever it was, I think it is gone. For now.

I have been back running again. More than I have in the past few weeks and it feels soooooo good. I have also been moving and grooving to Jillian Michaels DVDs. And, for the most part, I have been loving it.

I do have one thing I have to share. I love being a leader for Weight Watchers. My members are so awesome. All of them. I wish, however, that I could spend one-on-one time with some of them. I wish I could give them more attention some time and more information and tips and whatever else it is they need. I know so many people struggle with weight issues and it is so hard. I try to encourage them the best I can.

Sometimes, however, they actually encourage me and I don’t even think they know it. Sometimes, a member can say something to me and to them, it is probably nothing, but to me, it means so much. I appreciate their little words of encouragement; their little nods of understanding; their laughter when I TRY to be funny; their clapping after a meeting (although most of the time this doesn’t happen, but I have to admit it’s kind of cool when it does); their thank you’s; their smiles; their words of wisdom; their words of encouragement to other members; and their tips and tricks they often share.

I lead 13 meetings per week and each one is unique. I travel to different towns and encounter so many truly wonderful people. I am grateful for the job I have and the opportunity to try and help people. It is truly an inspiring job. Yes, as I said before, I do actually miss attending meetings, but I finally realized that I can still be a part of them. I know, it sounds weird, right? But I still get to listen to the members share and that is one of the BEST parts of my job.

At any rate, I am feeling much better and I think things are back on track. Actually, I know they are. For now, anyway, and that’s all I need. Thanks to my family for their support and to each and every single one of my members. You all mean so much to me.

Take care everyone and don’t forget to check out my Confessions of  a [former] Fat Girl Facebook page. You can get to it by clicking here. Also, don’t forget you can always leave a comment or feel free to send me an email – celbeam@gmail.com.

Recipe of the week

Posted on by
Reply

Here is my recipe of the week – Artichoke Tarts. I found the recipe on the Weight Watchers website.

Sometimes, my husband and I will just have appetizers for supper and last Friday, this is what we did. This was one of the appetizers we had and it was so yummy! I highly suggest using Nasoya brand for the wonton wrappers. I have found they are the best. I have tried Melissa’s brand and I have found them to be a little to floury.

Happy Appetizering!

Artichoke Tarts

Cooking spray

16 wonton wrappers

1/4 cup low-fat or fat-free shredded cheddar cheese

4 tbsp fat-free cream cheese, softened

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp sweet red peppers, chopped

7 oz canned artichoke hearts, without oil, drained and chopped

1/4 cup parsley, fresh

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Coat a 16-hole miniature muffin pan with cooking spray. Gently press 1 wonton wrapper into each muffin hole, allowing ends to extend above cups. Coat edges of wrappers with cooking spray and set aside.

3. Combine cheeses, cayenne pepper and mustard in a medium bowl; mix well. Stir in red pepper and artichoke hearts; spoon about 1 teaspoon of cheese mixture into each muffin cup.

4. Bake until cheese mixture is set and edges of wrappers are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Yields 2 tarts per serving.

Makes: 16 wontons

PointsPlus value: 2 (2 wontons)