Tips for this week!

Just keep going!  Most of us have not kept one New Years Resolution, I don’t even make them anymore because I know they too, shall pass.  Each new day is a chance to begin a new healthy journey. You must be determined!

I would like to add here that on November 29 I did what I though was a months full of grocery shopping!!  Cost was $325.  The only thing I needed to go back for was eggs, milk and a few fresh fruits and veggies for sides and salads which ended up being one trip and $86 more dollars to the food budget.  BUT THE GOOD NEWS WAS…………I did not have to go back until January 13th, which means that I made it a good six weeks and a few days.  So figure that out, $411 for 6 weeks makes my food budget about $60 per week!!!  For the 2 and sometimes 3 of us if my son happens to be around, but I’ll say 2 of us it was $30 per person per week.  My son eats the leftovers, which is fine.  His work schedule usually has him getting home around 9:30 or 10 in the evening, often he goes to bed shortly after that.  So he doesn’t eat at home much.

My shopping last week on the 13th I bought a bit more hoping I don’t run out and have to return even once, but I am sure I will not be able to do that since fresh fruits and veggies, milk and eggs are a must in our house and I know I will have to venture out at least once.  Meal prepping and shopping with a list is the way to go people, I bought mostly ORGANIC at Whole Foods and spent $345 this time.  I’ll let you know how long this trip lasts me.

SPICY ORANGE PEEL CHICKEN

Cook some rice or this is perfect to have with left over rice you may have.

1 Chicken breast(per every 2 people) cut into bite sized pcs

Orange Peel (Fresh or my Honey Orange Peel Candy recipe is here)

1-2 Tbl cornstarch

1-2 Tbl cooking oil

1-2 tsp red pepper flakes to taste

1-2 Tbl honey

OPT:  you may add fresh chopped garlic to your chicken when frying

Watch my video here as I show you how easy it is

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES with CHICKEN

I can’t take credit for this, truthfully I came across this video on FB from Tip Hero.  My spin on the whole this is to quickly cook up some chicken to go with this and a huge side of celery sticks!!

1-2 lbs chicken

1 head of cauliflower

1 stalk of celery cleaned and chopped into sticks

Ranch or Bleu Cheese dressing

Buffalo Sauce (Make double so you can have some for the chicken)

1/2 cup hot sauce
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp garlic powder

DIRECTIONS for the CAULIFLOWER

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450F.
2. Mix the hot sauce, butter and garlic powder together.
3. Coat the cauliflower with the sauce.
4. Pour the cauliflower onto a small parchment or foil-lined baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and starting to brown on the edges.
5. Serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing.

Cut the chicken into strips and quick fry or coat and bake.  I would use the extra sauce to dip and eat it with ranch or bleu cheese dressing! ENJOY

CROCK POT BBQ BEEF RIBS

1 package of beef ribs (approx 10-12)
1/4 cup prepared mustard
1 can spicy tomato sauce
3/4 cup coconut palm sugar                                                                                           1/2 cup honey
1/8 cup white vinegar (helps with tenderizing)
3/4 cup of your favorite, or homemade BBQ sauce
1/4 cup Spicy V8 juice

Cut ribs off rack and place in crockpot, mix all other ingredients in a bowl until mixed and simply pour over ribs.

Cook on the lowest setting for approximately 6 hours. The meat will simply fall off the bone.

BAKED AVOCADO ROLLS and FISH

I LOVE Tip Hero, here’s another one I couldn’t resist posting!!  There is a video for this one as well if you click the link below.

Watch the video here!

Ingredients:
3 medium avocados, diced
½ Cup red onion, diced
½ Cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
3 Tbs cilantro, chopped
½ tsp kosher salt
½ lime, juiced
8-10 egg roll wrappers

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl combine the avocado, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, cilantro, kosher salt, and lime juice. Toss gently to combine.

Position egg roll wrapper so that the corner is pointing toward you. Add roughly 2 Tbs of avocado filling to the center of the wrapper. Fold the bottom corner up, ¼ of the way, over the filling.

Fold both sides in toward the center. Brush the top corner edges with water then roll the egg roll closed.

Placed finished egg rolls on a sheet pan, spray both sides with cooking spray and bake for 30-40 minutes. Flipping halfway once the bottoms have browned.

I suggest eating these along side your favorite baked fish, REMEMBER to get WILD CAUGHT!

2 lbs fresh white fish

Bake with a bit of lemon and seasoning

You might like to add this Cilantro Lime Brown Rice as a side dish

SPAGHETTI SQUASH ENCHILADA BOATS

This week might as well be dedicated to Tip Hero, they have so many great recipes and ideas!  This is the last  one for this week, ENJOY!

Click here for a video