Back in the kitchen

If we are what we eat, I used to be a giant French fry. Now, I’m more like a big bowl of chicken soup, as (except for those two Diet Dr. Peppers I already copped to) I’ve been drinking nothing by water and eating mostly chicken (some fish) for the past three weeks.

And I gotta admit, chicken soup sure is better than French fries. One of the things Trim to Win has helped me rediscover is how much I like cooking. By taking fast food and takeout out of the equation, I’ve been forced to get back into the kitchen, where I can control what goes into my meals.

And lo and behold, it’s not so much the inconvenience I’d always told myself in rationalizing why I didn’t cook more. Sure, I don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, but I’m finding a nice creative outlet.

You see, I’m not much for following a recipe. I like to experiment, make it up as I go along. Sometimes this doesn’t finish well, other times it’s a new classic. Here’s one I came up with on Sunday that’s so easy and tasty I’m sure I’ll be making it forever. I call it Italian chicken with olives.

First, brown some chicken breasts in a large skillet and liberally season with Cajun seasoning (personally, I like Tony Cachere’s). Don’t cook all the way through, just brown it off. Then, in that same pan, pour over a bottle of your favorite healthy pasta sauce (there are many low-fat, healthy choices out there now) or your own homemade marinara sauce. Add in some chopped green olives, cover and back at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.

The chicken finishes cooking in the sauce as well as giving off some of the Cajun seasoning into the sauce. The chicken an olives cooking in the sauce transforms it and you would never know it came from a jar. Then, just serve with a small portion of whole wheat pasta and a veggie, and it’s a great meal.

Sorry, got pulled away for a little while. Had to run out quick, but decided to get some activity in and shot some hoops. Remember Charles Barkley’s nickname, the “Round Mound of Rebound?” Well, ol’ Chuck’s got nothing on me. I was in the zone, hitting from close and far. I think the reality of having to chase the ball around after clanking a brink is great motivation to become a good shooter.

It was fun. I’m still slow, but there’s no moving me out of that paint!

OK, when it rains, it pours. Had to take another break there. In the news business, “day off” is a very relative term.

I’m still feeling good, have a lot of energy and am just one heckuva happy guy!

Later, Winners!