Baked Chicken Fingers & "Fries"

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Who doesn't like chicken fingers with honey mustard dipping sauce? Classic pub food bringing flavor and happiness to bars since 1971 (just an educated guess, but, I think I'm close to right after a couple google searches).

As previously mentioned... I've been so bored with chicken lately unless it's covered in panko and/or buffalo sauce. Tonight, I decided to take a break from buffalo and give you the classic chicken finger sans fried fats and grease. Sound good? Ok good.

This meal is EASY and QUICK to prepare and I think we all need that desperately this time of year.  And so, I bring you comfort food turned healthy.

Need: Organic Chicken Tenderloins, Panko, Potatoes, 1 egg, Mustard, Organic Mayo, Honey, tbs or so of Herbs de Provence, 1/2 tsp or so of cayenne pepper, salt, rosemary, extra virgin o/o, and asparagus. (measurements listed serve 1 and I don't actually measure - just eyeball - but they are about right :)

First, cut up the potatoes into bite-size cubes, toss with extra virgin o/o, salt, and rosemary and throw in a 425 degree oven.

Second, toss together some panko/herbs de provence/cayenne/salt and set aside. Then, whisk up the egg and dip the chicken tenderloins in it and then in the panko mixture.

Take your time so that the potatoes have about 5-10 minutes to themselves in the oven.  Then...third, flip around the potatoes on the pan and add the chicken and asparagus (tossed with evoo & salt) in the oven for another 15 minutes.

Fourth, Mix up two parts mustard, 1 part mayo, 1 part honey & a pinch of salt to make the honey mustard.

Plate & serve, my friends... plate & servvveeee.

Here's how this meal stacks up besides its overall yumminess (feel free to eat this with organic ketchup in addition or in place of honey mustard - it works!):

Asparagus: Vitamins K, A, B1 & C, folate and has anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
Organic Chicken: Protein, B3, B6, Selenium
Potatoes: C, B6, Potassium,Tryptophan, Fiber

Make it a GREAT Wednesday! Two weeks 'til Christmas fa la la la la!!!!

Peter Welch's Gym

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I talk a lot about Peter Welch's Gym on here, but, I haven't given you all an update on these workouts in over a year. Shame on me. Where do I begin? 

Almost two years ago, I tore my hamstring. At that point in my life, I considered myself a 'runner'.  I had run two half marathons and a number of shorter races. I ran 4-5 days a week and alternated in regular gym workouts and weights. On my 28th birthday in November, I tore my hamstring. Surprise! (caution: don't get in a split contest with your friends at 1am.................)

Earlier that day, I had ran 9 miles and was considering my next race, maybe even a marathon. Well, if you've never torn a hamstring, let me just tell you... the healing process is not pretty. For the next 4-5 months, I iced, stretched a lot and had to deal with the elliptical (god I hate the elliptical), weights, and core work for my workouts. BO-RING.

As the Spring rolled around, I tried running but could honestly only get up to about 3 miles until the striking pain would set in. I was so frustrated and knew I needed to start doing something new. My current gym didn't offer any classes and I hadn't taught in years due to a busier work schedule. My hair dresser had been telling me for YEARSSSS to go to Peter Welch's... I always wanted to try it, but, not sure what the hesitation was.

Finally, Kim and I went.  She likes to say that I immediately turned into a super-member.  She's right, I was hooked after the first class. I nursed the hamstring and took it easy on sprints and eventually got stronger and healed completely.

I didn't know this picture was being taken! That's me on the right with the purple pants getting down into a squat.

So how do these classes go? Something like this.... 

Start with 4 minutes of jumping rope. 

Next 4 minutes shadow boxing, calisthenics, plyo jumping, etc.  

Heavy bag work

Weights

Heavy bag work

Body weight moves

Heavy bag work

Suicides sprints until you can't breathe

Body weight work

That's Peter!

How has the workout changed me? 

For me, my greatest achievement has been how fast I've become. I was a "sprinter" in high school track. I am so much faster than I was when I was 16, it's not even funny. Not. Even. Funny.

I can eat so much more... and you know I love to eat. 

I rarely ever complain about how I look. This isn't just because I do feel and look better, but, because I work so freaking hard... there's nothing to complain about. I always give 100%.

I've found that my reaction time has become crazy quick. I know that sounds odd, but I kind of move with reckless abandon, especially when I cook,... now I catch things when I go to knock them off my counter. It's kind of funny. 

I ran a half marathon this year and took FOUR MINUTES off my PR. Yeah. Really. 

What you'll see when you first walk in?

  A gym made for kicking ass.  A professional boxing ring smack dab in the middle of the gym, an old-school weight room upstairs, rubber floors, close to 40 heavy bags, free weights, medicine balls, jump ropes & resistance bands. 

Scary? No. You'll also see and meet the most friendly people in Southie. I know a place like this can sound intimidating, but, it really isn't. Everyone is there to work hard and will help someone who is new. Promise. 

What you won't see? 

Meatheads.

What you will see? 

Skilled super-athletes

Beginners

Former college athletes

Men

Women

All shapes and sizes 

So, what is my point with all of this? 

I found a workout that I love. For me, it is fun. My point is that when you find a workout that you love doing, whether it be running, dance, lifting, playing soccer, or taking classes..it makes that whole 'working out' thing a whole lot easier. Remember, your body is the only thing in the whole wide world that you have all of the control over. Find what you love and you'll never go back. And if you're in the area - check out Peter Welch's... first class is free! :) 

Have a great week! xo

Janet and I doing mitt work in the bottom right corner (pink shirt/blue shirt) in Chris' class.

Best Hummus Ever.

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Lately, I feel like I have SO MUCH to blog about (meals I've made, articles I've read, I have a Peter Welch's Gym post that's been sitting in my queue for over a month now... it's written, all it needs is pictures (sorry guys!).  This recipe is the absolute BEST hummus recipe out there. And, it is SO healthy. In fact, I've made it twice in the past two weeks and forgot to take appropriate pictures both times so I had to piece them together. Anyway, my point is... I'll try to be a better blogger.  More than one post per week - ok? Ok.

 

Moving on... my mom (nickname Bambi) has been making this hummus recipe for yearssss. She sent it to me via snail mail a few years back so that I would start using the food processor she and my dad got me for Christmas. 

Simple stuff. Gather ingredients, throw into food processor and you're done! If you're like me - you probably go through vats of hummus a week... Why not just make it? Save a little dinero.

The lemon to hummus flavor ratio is perfection. 

We always drizzle it with extra virgin. Serve with pitas, carrots, bread, gmo-free corn chips. Whatever vehicle you prefer, my friends! Bring it to a holiday party this year!

Enjoy and have an awesome week! xo