Moroccan Lemon Chicken

When I was younger, about high school age, I used to love having snow days or other days off from school because it meant that I would have time to bake. I loved baking and I still do, I just can't right now because it doesn't fit with my lifestyle. I loved going through those old cookbooks trying to find the best recipe. And I always knew which cookbook was the best because of how dirty it was; for my family it was a 1972 Betty Crocker's Cookbook for holiday times. The book is literally falling apart because it's been used so much! Flipping through the pages of that book, I knew which recipes were the best because of how many dried splatters they had on their pages. Well, I am proud to say that yesterday, my healthy cookbook became sullied with it's first spots. At first I was sad that my new book was no longer neat and clean, but as I looked at those spots I became proud of myself and the kind of new legacy I was starting with my son. Yes, eventually I will make allowances for the old favorite recipes, but my life will no longer be controlled by those unwanted and uncontrollable urges to have "comfort" food. A new wave of comfort food is upon me, such as last night's dinner!

Moroccan Lemon Chicken with Summer Squash and Green Olives:

This meal explodes with 8 different spices of flavor; cumin, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, allspice, salt, cayenne, and lemon zest and juice all combined with olive oil to make a wet rub to put on both sides of the chicken which then becomes blackened in the skillet.

I am not a fan of green olives, but this meal would have only been at about 68% of it's potential without them. They added so much different flavor that was both unexpected and delightful at the same time.

I've always liked summer squash but for the first time in my life I noticed how wonderfully sweet it is. I guess that's what happens after two weeks when a sugar-a-holic quits cold turkey.

Yes, those are onions, and yes, I did eat them. Although not happily...

My one problem with the meal was the cayenne pepper. I currently do not have 1/8 teaspoon and had to guess on the measurement and I definitely went overboard! Next time I make it (1/8 tsp included) it will not be so hot that I can't enjoy the full flavor!

Let's Play Catch-Up!

Here are some pictures of meals I've made within the last 10 days. I first made "Chock Full of Veggies Chili" and a Shepard's Pie. All these recipes are from the South Beach Diet. So obviously the Shepard's Pie did not have potatoes on top, it was actually cauliflower mixed to be like mashed potatoes.

This is a turkey burger with melted mozzarella, a slice of tomato and mushrooms. The meal also included green beans with turkey bacon, which is a great alternative for those who can't give up bacon but are trying to be healthier!

So far I've only done one breakfast recipe which was a spinach and jack cheese quiche, and yes, it does have onions. I am making healthy changes, and onions are healthy, so I must have them even though I mostly detest them!

Grilled salmon with tomatoes, spinach, and capers (and notice the onions).

Lunch was a fresh crab and shrimp salad which wasn't anything more than lettuce, sliced tomatoes, crab, shrimp, and two teaspoons of dressing. Such a tasty and filling lunch.

This is a dinner for those of you who don't want to feel like you are missing out on a "regular" meal. The main course is a ginger-dijon glazed pork tenderloin, brussel sprouts with grated cheese and nope, those aren't mashed potatoes! Those are South Beach Diet surprise mashed "potatoes".

Hope you enjoyed some of these ideas!

The First One

Originally, my intent for this blog was to be solely about food and how yummy healthy food can be. However, being true to my nature, I didn't like the idea of being boxed in by only one subject. So I started thinking about the word delicious and how it can apply to other aspects of my life. The Latin origin of the word delicious means 'delight', or 'pleasure'. This excites me because now a whole new world of blogging subjects has been opened to me! My son is the delight of my life; music, nature, awesome pictures, and even my day dreams can be delightful. 

My son Devon, and I, enjoying some garden time with the chickens.

My journey for healthy cooking/eating started 10 days ago. Before that, I found delight in delicious food that did absolutely nothing for my body, brain, or long-term happiness. 10 days ago I decided it was time to grow up and get control over my weight and determination, but it all started with my New Year's Resolution. I vowed I would not have soda of any kind for the next year, and yes, I am still holding strong to that! I had to know if I had any self-control left, and after half a month I found that I did. Then January 20th came and I decided right then and there things would change. This then is really about my journey to becoming healthy in body, mind, soul, and heart.