Fitness 2010

If I haven’t already told you, I’ve decided that I’m getting in shape this year. Yeah, yeah, I know…I pretty much say that every year. But, somehow, its a little different this year. The whole thyroid problem was diagnosed just over a year ago now, then I started law school madness, planned a wedding, and tried to lose weight and succeeded a little. Who says you can’t do it all!?! Pshhh (by, the way, have you noticed that I like these little asides? And yes, I just used an aside to tell you how much I like asides. I’m special.). Anyway, this year, its just about being fit; not thin in a wedding dress, but just about feeling as good as possible in my own skin without going to crazy extremes. Just being the best version of myself! So, every once in a while, you’re going to get little updates on here. It’ll keep me accountable, and I can share healthy recipes! Its a win-win.

Current workout plan: I started P90X yesterday. Is it weird that I already feel like my arms are more toned? Yeah, I thought to too. I push-upped and chin-upped myself into a coma yesterday. Then, I did the plyometrics DVD today and pretty much did jump squats, jump lunges, jump whatever forever. Note to Tony Horton: I am not an effing rabbit. Ok? Thanks. While if definitely got my heart rate into the 170s and I burned over 400 calories, I wasn’t drained the rest of the day and the weather was just so absolutely beautiful that I couldn’t help but want to go running. When the weather is like this, its just so mind-clearing and enjoyable; especially after the first 20 minutes or so. I feel like I just kinda forget that I’m running and putting my body throught hell, and just focus on the music and start thinking about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness (oh…oops, that was the Declaration of Independence). But, it was a great 3.3 mile run so the goal is to slowly increase the distance. And frankly, I feel like running is just soooo good for my legs! They do start looking better when I run on a regular basis; sorry, to be so frank, but hey, the goal of working out is to feel better about myself, so I might as well take note of it!

Now, on to the healthy cooking portion of our programming.  I’ve decided to pick one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner and one snack to cook every week. I’ll pick the weekly fave and share! Most serve four, which is nice, becuase I can eat on them all week but still take my friends up on dinner nights, etc. This weeks featured healthy recipe: “Souffle Stuffed Chicken” mmmmmm. Yum-O!

Ingredients:

• 1 package (12 ounces) Stouffer’s frozen spinach souffle, not thawed
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4″ thickness
• 2 tablespoons EVOO
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• optional garnishes include: 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, Lemon slices, parsley sprigs

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cut the spinach souffle into 4 equal pieces.
2. Top half of each whole chicken breast with one piece of souffle. Fold half of the chicken over the filling and fasten the edges with wooden picks.
3. Then, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic adn cook for 3 minutes, or until golden. Discard the garlic. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 7 minutes per side, or until well-browned on both sides.
4. Remove the chicken breasts and place in an oven-proof dish. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest portion registers to 170 degrees and the juices run clear.
5. While the chicken is baking, add the broth, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper to the large skillet. Heat to boiling. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced about 1/2.
6. To serve, remove and discard the wooden picks. Arrange the chicken on a warm serving platter, and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Garnish. (I just poured the sauce into the baking dish, that way, all I had to do was cover the dish with foil or a lid to store in the fridge!)

Hope you enjoy it!