CeeJay Today

Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Asparagus Penne

November 26th, 2011 No Comments

Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Asparagus Penne

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (12 ounce) package of mushrooms

1 1/2 cups broccoli

1 bunch asparagus, chopped into 1 in pieces

1 (14.5 ounce) can low sodium pureed tomato

2 chicken breasts, boneless, cubed

1/2 cup sour cream

1 (16 ounce) whole grain penne pasta

1. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil in the skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and garlic until browned. Add mushrooms, cook approx. 5 min. Add asparagus, cook until tender. Stir in tomato and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Add sour cream to chicken mixture. Cook for 10 minutes.

4. Combine chicken and pasta. Serve and enjoy.

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff Recipe

November 21st, 2011 No Comments

Portobello Mushroom Stroganoff

2 tbsp butter

1 large onion, chopped

3/4 lb portobello mushroom, sliced into 1 in chunks

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tbsp white wine

1 1/2 tbsp flour

1/4 cup parsley, chopped

8 ounce egg noodles (no yolks)

*** To make vegetable broth – combine 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried onions, 1 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried chives, 2 tsp Bragg’s Liquid Amino, a natural soy alternative,
1 1/2 cup distilled water. Combine spices. Take a rounded tbsp of mixture, add the Bragg’s and then add water. Allow to heat on low setting while preparing rest of recipe.***

1. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add egg noodles and cook approx 7 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Melt butter in large skillet on medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, stir until tender. Add mushrooms and cook until browned. Stir in wine.

3. Stir in vegetable broth. Boil until mixture reduces by 1/3.

4. Reduce heat to low. Combine sour cream and flour. Blend into mushroom mixture until thickened. Add parsley, salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve over egg noodles.

Rebalancing and Cleansing with Probiotics

November 15th, 2011 1 Comment

I mentioned in my previous post that I had quit smoking. I believe the years of that poison and possibly some other factors contributed to some health problems that have plagued me over the last couple years. I haven’t been sick per se, but I have noticed changes in my body. I figure there are actually a couple things that factored into these conditions. I have gained weight (around 20 pounds), gained cellulite that I hadn’t seen in years, and developed acne like a pubescent teenager. I chalked it up to the hormonal fluctuations I was warned I would experience in my mid-thirties. However, I chose not to accept it. Obviously, something was off kilter in my system and I intended to find out what the causitive factor was. I went to Whole Foods in search for possible answers and products that could help to rebalance my system. I spoke with a personal trainer who explained that the problems I was experiencing were most likely due to troubles in my digestive system. He suggested probiotics. I asked if I could achieve that through eating yogurt. He explained that yogurt does have probiotics, though not in a large enough concentration that it would affect the change needed to correct my symptoms. He likened taking one pill to eating ten cups of yogurt daily (sheesh!). The weight gain and acne were signs that my intestines were not functioning properly due to toxins and undigested products. He explained this stressed my entire body, and that the acne was a sign that my liver was taxed. I proceeded to promptly purchase Jarrow Formulas Jarro-dophilus EPS, 120 Capsules probiotics.

I take them first thing in the morning on an empty tummy with a large glass of distilled water. I have taken them for almost one month at this point. I have noticed a few effects so far. I am losing weight. Not to be too gross, but I believe it is cleaning out gunk that has been clogging up my intestines. One of the bothersome side effects I noticed (not everyone experiences this) is some extra flatulence in the beginning. Everything I have read says that this is due to “die off” of bad bacteria. I personally found changes in my bowel movements to be gross, but I don’t know if everyone has the same experience. It eventually goes back to normal. I figure it is just cleaning out the garbage. Overall, I feel better than I have in years. I find that I have more energy, my skin has a wonderful coloring again and I am losing excess belly weight that had begun plagueing me. I definately recommend adding probiotics to everyone’s daily life. It is “for life” and health. It rebalances, cleanses and boosts immunity. How could you beat that?

Smoke-free and proud!

October 27th, 2011 3 Comments

I am coming up on the one and half year mark of being tobacco free. I must admit it was the most difficult task I have ever accomplished. I still wonder how I did it. I honestly wish tobacco was illegal. It has to be the the nastiest addictive substance manipulated by man. I have been thinking back at the years I spent struggling with my addiction, and I am realizing just how deep my guilt runs in regards to my family. I believed that smoking was my choice and right…that I was only hurting myself. I was wrong in so many ways. My urge to stop smoking started years ago, and I tried so many times to stop without success. The beauty was that the seed was planted deep in my conscious. It drove me to try time after time to quit even when I failed. I chewed gum; I had laser treatment; I went cold turkey. I failed at them all, but the point is that I kept trying. I think it takes most people upwards of ten attempts before they accomplish their goal. With those odds it’s easy to see why many people keep smoking. The good news is that you can quit smoking. I ended up going cold turkey on my son’s second birthday. I made the decision that breathing and the chances of living a longer life with my family were more important. No matter what your reasons may be for quitting, today is a great day to stop smoking. I know in Florida they are really stepping up their goals of being a smoke-free state. Here you can call the quitline for free cessation counseling, and they offer lozenges, gum and patches for free for those that really want to end the addiction battle with cigarettes. There are so many alternatives to smoking available, all you need is the will to take the first step. I would love to hear from those that have kicked the habit, or from those battling with the addiction. I will gladly assist anyone who needs to lean on me in their stuggle to overcome tobacco. I wish everyone luck…I know we can all beat cigarettes!