Mango Chicken Recipe

Last night I tried something new...I am calling this Mango Chicken...it definitely had a mustard like taste to it, but it was good for a change up!

Recipe:

2-4 pounds of Chicken (I use breasts)

2 Honey Mangos (you could use a variety of fruit...apricots is what the original recipe calls for)

1/2 cup of Water

1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1/4 cup Olive Oil

2 T fresh Rosemary

2 Garlic Cloves (I use minced garlic)

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Blend all ingredients (except chicken) together with a food processor or smoothie bullet.  Put chicken in skillet and pour in the mango mixture.  Cook chicken on high for 2-3 minutes browning the chicken on one side.  Then flip the chicken.  Put a lid on the skillet and cook on medium to low heat for 10 minutes.  Next, turn the stove top off.  Allow the pan to sit for another ten minutes before taking off the lid.  Once it's done, stir the sauce.  This is your "gravy" for your chicken.  Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

 

Served with steamed sugar snap peas and oven roasted potatoes

Chicken Salad Lunch

Because lunch really is this delicious on Whole30

Chicken Salad served on Butter Lettuce with Mandarin Slices

20% off at Tessemae's

If you are thinking about buying any Tessemae (http://www.tessemaes.com/) products, use this code to receive 20% off your order...http://tessemaes.refr.cc/NRTMVXV

Whole30 Chicken Salad Recipe

Now that the weather is warming up, I am definitely craving some of my fav Southern Summer meals.  This Chicken Salad recipe hit the spot for me for lunches this week.

Recipe: 

3 cups of cooked cubed chicken breasts (I boiled mine then cut into cubes)

Red Onion 1/4 cup chopped

Celery 1/4 cup chopped

Red Grapes halved 1 cup

Pecan 1/4 cup chopped (I used almonds because it's what I had in my house)

Whole30 Mayo 1/4-1/2 cup amount depending on the consistency you like (I use Tessemae's)

Salt and Pepper to taste

I plan to serve on in Butter Lettuce to make wraps with a side of watermelon.

My Sister Completed Whole30

I am so excited to share that my sister completed the 30 day challenge.  She did not cheat a single bite!  She is going to have a splurge weekend, and then get back to it Monday (mainly following the 80/20 lifestyle).  Her results...25 pounds of weight loss!!!!  I am beyond excited and proud of her!  She did this with zero exercise (which I am hoping to get her into exercising soon...baby steps, right?!?!?).  She is down a pant size and is feeling better than she has in years.  And, it put it in perspective...hold a 25 pound weight plate.  Think...this is how much she lost.  AMAZING!!!   

Sheet Pan Fajitas

These are LEGIT!  We ate them plain, but you could do lettuce wraps, salad, etc.  DELISH!  Note: I added an extra bell pepper (orange) and I added extra onion (red onion).  

Recipe is here: http://laughingspatula.com/sheet-pan-fajitas/

Fresh Eggs...Makes ALL the Difference

I have only had fresh eggs once, and I loved them then.  I had an awesome co worker bring me a huge carton this week...OH MY GOODNESS!!!  The eggs are the BEST I have ever had...EVER!  If you are able to buy fresh eggs or are lucky enough for someone to give you their extras, take full advantage.  They are amazing!!!

2 Fried Eggs served with leftover Beef Slaw (recipe in a previous post)

Whole30 Dinner

Here are a couple of dinners from this week...

First: Ginger Chicken (we love it so much that we have it weekly...recipe on previous post) served with Roasted Asparagus and a Sweet Potato

Second: Chili Powder and Cumin Chicken Beasts with Garlicky Green Beans (both of these recipes are on Official Whole30 Recipes Instagram...if you do not follow them, go click follow now!) and Fresh Watermelon

Food Prep Sunday

Food prepping is the easiest way to stay the Whole30 course.  And, it makes the week SO EASY!!!  Here are my next few lunches...Beef Slaw and Roasted Asparagus.  I put some mango slices in a ziploc baggie and am officially ready for the next couple of days. 

 

Veggie Time

My sister sent me this pic... A little veggie action pre roasting.   And while I'm blogging,  I have to brag on my sister and share her results thus far... In her first 21 days on Whole30,  she lost 20 pounds.   This is simply incredible.   She has been so disciplined and stays true to the Whole30 style.   I am beyond proud of her!!!   

Roasting Vegetables:
Cut Veggies (all about the same size for even roasting)

Put in big ziplock bag

Add Whole30 approved oil of choice and any other spices (salt, pepper, fresh or minced garlic, etc)

Line on cookie sheet (I cover mine with foil to make for easy clean up)

Bake in oven on 425 for 45 mins (more or less time depending on how you prefer your veggies)

Stir veggies every 15 mins

Recipe Inspiration

If you need some recipe ideas, you MUST follow @Whole30Recipes on Instagram!
Each week a new "poster" takes over the account and posts amazing recipes.  Remember, you can always change up the meat/veggie they are using to fit your taste buds. 

Other sites I have pulled from include...
http://www.thekitchn.com/12-of-my-favorite-whole30-recipes-227028
http://www.primallyinspired.com/whole-30-dinner-recipes-quick-easy/
http://www.theroastedroot.net/whole-30-dinner-recipes/
http://goodcheapeats.com/2015/10/quick-whole-30-dinner-ideas/
http://hollywouldifshecould.net/2012/08/a-month-of-whole-30-dinner-ideas/
http://lifemadefull.com/40-simple-whole30-recipes/

And, I have not used it yet, but I hear that Pinterest is a great source too. 

Happy Reciping!!! 

Beef Slaw

I made Beef Slaw yesterday...this time I used Broccoli Slaw instead of the regular slaw...I think I prefer the regular slaw, but this was still yummy!

Recipe is here:

http://maryellenswhole30quest.blogspot.com/2016/03/dinner-time.html

Snack Time

Whole30 does NOT encourage snacking...however, I eat breakfast at 6 AM and don't have my lunch break until 1:15...so a mid day snack is needed.  This is what stays on my desk at all times...

Water, Bare Almond Butter, a piece of fruit (today is a Clementine), Almonds, and a Larabar.  Keeping Whole30 snacks around helps to ensure you stay the course.  If you are going to snack, snack smart! 

And just to verify...I keep a variety on my desk so I can choose what I eat...I would not sit down and eat ALL of these items.  I generally will pick Almond Butter OR Almonds and a piece of fruit.  The Larabar would be my choice if ONLY eating that.   

Chops with Snap Peas & Mushrooms

Recipe:
Pork Chops: I use the thin cut
Minced Garlic: 2 tablespoons
Coconut Aminos: 3 tablespoons
Lemon: Juice of half of the lemon
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
Snap Peas: One package
Baby Bella Mushrooms:  1 package sliced
Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
Pepper: 1/8 teaspoon
Cilantro or Parsley: 1 tablespoon chopped

Heat oil in a large pan.  Brown the chops on both sides over medium heat.  Add garlic, lemon, and coconut aminos, and cover tightly.  Cook for about 20 minutes over medium heat or until cooked through turning occasionally.  Uncover and add the mushrooms and snap peas, and cook together for the last five minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with cilantro or parsley. 

NOTE: The original recipe calls for 6 drumsticks.  You could also use chicken breasts.