Little Things....

So I think most parents try to make their kids happy right?  Seems like the littlest things can make them happy..... 

Turkey Taco Salad

What you need:

1 lb ground turkey breast (cooked and seasoned with your favorite taco seasoning) I use about 1/4-1/2 cup on the salad.
2 cups romaine lettuce
1/4 cup super sweet corn
1/4 cup black beans
1/4 cup colby jack cheese
2 tbls chopped sweet onion
2 tbls black bean corn salsa
1 tbls sour cream
1 tbls chopped cilantro

Combine on a salad plate, mix and enjoy!  OH SO YUMMY!

Going Public

Okay, action time! I decided to post my blog url on Facebook today. I need somewhere to go and post all the cool things and experiences I come across and a blog is the perfect fit.

Forgive my spelling, grammar and punctuation errors as you will probably find many. Hey, I am not an English buff okay, plus when you are trying to type down your whole life while your newborn sleeps (crossing fingers) and your toddler watches anything you can find on t.v. (yes I am a bad mom, after all who doesn't want some peace and quiet lol) then spelling and grammar are the last thing on my mind. For those parents out there with grey hairs you know what I am talking about.

I plan to add lots of things on my blog, but right now I am focusing on recipes. I am trying to stick to a low carb diet with no grains, flour, pasta's potatoes....you know all the good things. I am surprised I have found some very tasty things though and it is working. Sometime with in the next year I will hopefully post my before and after pictures, but I am not brave enough to post my before picture until I have an after if you know what I mean. My goal is to lose 70 lbs within the next year. It is definitely doable.

I have been walking at least one mile a day. Here is one of the hills I go up. Yeah, think it doesn't look bad? Try it with a double stroller and a toddler in it.

Here is a view of the hill we went down to get to the park.  Going down is much easier than up :)

I will be working my way into the gym and getting my butt onto that elliptical and strength training machine when I get back home.

So our daily walk drifted us in the direction of the neighborhood playground...funny how that works when you have kids.  Just kidding.  We knew we were going to the park and Mackenzie had tons of fun.

Well here you have it ladies and gentlemen, my current goals with my weight loss.  I hope to add lots of goodies in this blog.  For now, I better go write my turkey taco salad recipe NOM NOM!

Buffalo Cilantro Shrimp with Lime

What you need:

10 Large shrimp raw

1-2 tbls fresh cilantro

1-2 lime wedges

1/4 cup Texas Pete Buffalo Sauce ( DO NOT ADD BUTTER! it is already in there.....Did I just say that)

Preheat oven to 350.

Put shrimp on baking sheet and brush on buffalo sauce.

Chop cilantro and sprinkle onto shrimp.

Place in oven for approx 10 minutes. Once finished squeeze lime over shrimp and serve!

Honey Club Salad

What you need:

1 cup spinach leaves

1 chopped hearts of romaine

fat free cheddar cheese

1 hard boiled egg

cucumbers chopped

2 slices crumbled turkey bacon

1 slice honey ham chopped

1 slice honey turkey chopped

1 tbls onions chopped

2 mushrooms finely sliced

3 twists of fresh ground pepper

Mix and serve with balsamic vinegar! ENJOY!

Deviled Eggs

What you need:

6 Hard boiled eggs

1 tbls cottage cheese

3 tbls plain fat free yogurt

1 tsp of honey dijon mustard

1 teaspoon of organic brown sugar

1-2 tbls fresh chopped chives

salt and pepper to taste

sprinkle with paprika and chives

Slice eggs in half length wise.

Put yolks in bowl and mash with cottage cheese, yogurt, mustard, brown sugar, chives, and salt and pepper. You want a creamy texture.

Next, spoon mixture into a ziploc bag and cut a small hole in corner. Squeeze filling into eggs.

Finally, sprinkle with paprika and top with chives! YUMMY!

Asian Lettuce Wraps

What you need:

1 Head of lettuce

3-4 fresh chicken breast

4-6 white mushrooms diced

3 cloves of fresh garlic grated

1/4 cup red onion or shallots minced

1/4 cup bean sprouts

3 tbls Hoisin sauce divided (save one tbls for the end)

1 tbls sweet cooking wine

1 tbls sweet chili sauce

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup shaved carrots

1 lime

Sauces:

First, dice up all the chicken very small. I find it works easier if the chicken is partially frozen, but be prepared for your hands to go numb. Just make sure you don't cut your fingers off.

In a frying pan combine, chicken, onions, mushrooms, garlic, soy sauce, cooking wine, hoisin sauce, and sweet chili sauce. Saute until chicken is fully cooked. Once chicken is fully cooked add the remaining 1 tbls hoisin sauce and mix fast and remove from heat.

Serve chicken with lettuce, bean sprouts, green onions, shaved carrots and sweet chili sauce.

I usually add some chicken mixture to my lettuce cup with some bean sprouts, green onions and carrots and a little spoon full of chili sauce. I roll the lettuce and devour the wrap! YUMMY!