Saturday, August 2, 2014

Chicken Fried Rice

Okay. Whoever thought it couldn't be done... I just proved them wrong! No MSG, no preservatives, chemicals, high sodium but with all the flavor of regular  fried rice! Super yummy! I used  mainly all organic foods except for the rice and peas. The 4 most important ingredients to buy organic if  you can (a little extra but so worth it) are: corn, soy sauce, chicken and eggs. Most of  these foods  (especially the corn and soy) are genetically engineered and harmful to your health.

Notes:
-Cook the rice the night before making dish and refrigerate for best results!
-Cut the chicken into small cubes the night before too for quicker prep time the day of.
-This recipe makes approximately 10 (1 cup servings) and  requires a large pan.
Feel free to cut the  recipe in half if  you don't want that much or don't have a very large pan.

 
Chicken Fried Rice
 
Ingredients:
-2 organic boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
-2 cups brown rice (dry) (cook night before)
-4 whole eggs (beaten)
-1 cup organic frozen corn kernels (steamed)
-1.5 cups organic frozen petite peas (steamed)
-1-2 cups organic sliced  baby carrots (steamed)
-1/3 cup coconut oil & 1/4  cup coconut oil
-2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
-21 seasoning salute *salt free* (Trader Joe's)
- OR original Mrs. Dash  *salt free* seasoning
- red pepper flakes (optional)
 
Utensils:
-large pan
-large glass pyrex dish with lid
-steaming pot with lid
-cutting  board & sharp knife
-measuring cups
-spatula

 
Directions:
Start by steaming all the veggies until cooked and still bright in color (about 7-8min). Preheat a very large pan on medium heat, cube chicken into small diced sized cubes, add 1/4 cup coconut oil and  1/3 cup soy sauce to pan right before adding chicken, generously sprinkle seasoning and red pepper flakes (optional) while mixing and cooking chicken. Once chicken is cooked and no longer pink, set aside in a dish. (keep a timer on the veggies, don't over steam the nutrients out) add a little coconut oil to the pan and scramble cook the eggs into small pieces (set aside). Turn the heat up to high, add  remaining  1/3 cup  coconut oil  and 2/3 cup  soy sauce  followed by the cooked rice. Cook/fry the rice really good then add in  the veggies. Turn the heat off, add in the remaining ingredients and mix well. Note: (If the pan is not big enough) I got a huge glass container and poured half of the rice, veggie mixture in then half of the chicken and eggs and mixed it in the dish (repeat with  remaining).

 


Sunday, July 27, 2014

It's All Mental!

This is proof that achieving a small goal (even though it may not seem small  at the time) like getting through a workout when you're completely exhausted and lacking motivation is all in  your mindset. This is what my mind got me through tonight as I prepared to go to the gym. The only  thing that got me there, got me going, kept me going and made me complete my entire workout were my  thoughts!

I was at home and waited all day until I finally decided I needed to head to the gym. I was tired, my body was sore and aching from yesterdays  workout  and  I  told  myself  if  I  went  to  the gym I  could  at least stretch first and  if  I felt good  enough I  could  workout. When I  got there I decided  that  I would  do at least one  of  four rounds  of  my CrossFit style workout.  After I completed  the first round  I  convinced myself  I could  go for at least one  more.  I  beat my previous round time on  my  second round so I told myself I would  do  just one  more  round.  After I  did  the third round  I told myself  I could  at least  finish  the fourth round  even if  it  was  slow,  as  long as  I finished  it. I  knew  I  also  had  a  1.5 mile run  planned  out after these  4 rounds  (which I  was  planning  I would  just skip  if  I did  the  4  rounds).  After finishing  all rounds  with  dramatically improved  timing  from  this  same  workout  last week  I decided I would  at least walk  1.5  miles.
I  got on  the treadmill  and  walked  a quarter  mile.  I  told  myself I  could  run  at least a  half  a mile.  I  wanted to  give  up  so  bad  throughout  my entire  workout  but  I  didn't once I ran  a  half  a  mile  I  decided to slow  the speed  and  at least  run  another quarter mile.  Once I  got to  a  three  quarters of a mile I knew I was halfway. I saw  America's  Next  Ninja  on  TV and  this  girl  was competing. Watching her kick ass and  do  her best made me feel  like I  could  definitely  push  through this  short  run  of  another three quarters  of  a mile. I  watched  her dominate the obstacle course and the last half  of my run  felt like  nothing  and  it was  over before  I knew it.
This  all  may sound  so  repetitive  and silly but  honestly  it's  the only way  I  got  through my workout.  Had I not talked and walked myself  through  it with thoughts and  words  I  would  have  easily just given up. What I felt my  body couldn't do  tonight  was  all  in  my head.  I  also  feel way better now  than I did  before I got to the gym!
I'm proud of  myself and  I feel accomplished. This will be a reminder to me for days in the future  when I am feeling like this  again!

Last week total round  time  = 23min:53sec
Tonight total round time  = 17min:54sec
Difference  =  5min:59sec

For my run, last week I did the elliptical  and  1.5 miles took  me 26min:10sec
Tonight I ran on the treadmill and  1.5 miles  took  me 17min:30sec

Be consistent, believe in  yourself, keep progressing and getting faster and stronger!