Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry
Serves 4 - I of course doubled this for my size family...except for the noodles
This quick and easy stirfry is a great choice for a weeknight meal
Ingredients
1 pkg Thai kitchen stir-fry rice noodles
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons bragg's liquid aminos
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons potato starch
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins, cut into strips
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
3 cups small fresh broccoli florets (from about 1 large crown)
1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips
Directions
Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Meanwhile, combine broth, bragg's, vinegar, pepper and potato starch in a bowl. Heat a wok or heavy skillet over high heat. When very hot, add 1 tablespoon oil. Add chicken and stir-fry until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from wok and set aside. Add remaining oil, garlic and ginger; stir-fry 30 seconds. Add broccoli and carrot; stir-fry 2 minutes. Add broth mixture and chicken, stir well, and cover. Lower heat to medium and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes. Toss with noodles and serve.
The whole family loved it! My super picky son went back for more!!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been putting this off for months. Part of me scared, then we were waiting for our tax return, then it was more anxiety. I've made a commentment to myself and I've told everyone I was doing it, so my husband and I went through the registration for the Boise 70.3 IRONMAN together. The whole process gave me butterflies and as we clicked submit I felt a surge of excitement. I'm sure my husband was feeling a bit lighter due to the chunk of change he just spent! :)
So it's official, I'm registered! Awesome!!!
Chris :)
So it's official, I'm registered! Awesome!!!
Chris :)
What to do!?
Monday was supposed to be my great start to the next 8 weeks of awesome training. One guess...not awesome. I woke up got my things ready for a 1800yd swim and then 30 min run. Saw the inhaler on the counter and decided i would not need it, so off i drove to the gym. Upon arrival I hurried in to get started. To my surprise two fellow triathletes were already doing their swim workout, so I put myself in the lane next to them. We greeted one another and then I started my morning swim. 200yds in and I felt really good and then it hit..should of grabbed the inhaler! I swam another 100 and couldn't go any further. Panic had overcome my body and I was totally embarrassed. DUH!!! I let my breathing calm down and then tried again, only able to do 50. So I got out and gathered my stuff and went home. I called my husband and starting crying. I was so mad at myself for seeing the inhaler and not bringing it. It's so frustrating to feel so strong, and yet be so weak. I never had this problem as a teenager, so why now?
I'm sure there are a list of things...I'm older, I now have allergies, I'm allergic to dogs and cats. Whatever the cause is, I don't like it. I told myself I would get back to the gym that evening, but I didn't make it due to previous appointments.
Tuesday would now be my awesome start to the next 8 weeks. My husband came home after an office mtg and watched the kids for me while I went to the gym. The swim went a little slower than I planned, but I did some good technique work so that was fantastic. My run was great. I ran 1 mile and then did some 1 min sprints. Overall a super start!
I'm finding out that alot of my training is going to need to be me working on my frame of mind. So many times we can talk ourselves out of working out and getting so bent out of shape about something that we just give up. So my goal for this week is to be POSITIVE! Sometimes things will not go my way. There will be days when my body will work against me, but I am strong and I can turn things around.
Chris ;)
I'm sure there are a list of things...I'm older, I now have allergies, I'm allergic to dogs and cats. Whatever the cause is, I don't like it. I told myself I would get back to the gym that evening, but I didn't make it due to previous appointments.
Tuesday would now be my awesome start to the next 8 weeks. My husband came home after an office mtg and watched the kids for me while I went to the gym. The swim went a little slower than I planned, but I did some good technique work so that was fantastic. My run was great. I ran 1 mile and then did some 1 min sprints. Overall a super start!
I'm finding out that alot of my training is going to need to be me working on my frame of mind. So many times we can talk ourselves out of working out and getting so bent out of shape about something that we just give up. So my goal for this week is to be POSITIVE! Sometimes things will not go my way. There will be days when my body will work against me, but I am strong and I can turn things around.
Chris ;)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
1st Outdoor Ride!
Yesterday I woke up early and showered, got the kids up and had them eat breakfast and then we went to a local school to volunteer/pick up our baskets of fruits and veggies. I participate in a co-op called Bountiful Baskets. My friend suggested it to me when I was complaining about my food bill. It's so crazy how much money I spend on FOOD! It's $15 a basket, so we get 2 and it forces me to use veggies I usually don't use and definitely saves me on fruit, my kids think it's candy. Last week we had chayote squash, which I had never had, but my husband was excited because he used to eat it in the Phillipeans. I've also been able to freeze bananas for morning smoothies and make dilly beans for the kids (pickled green beans). I highly recommend looking into http://www4.bountifulbaskets.org/
After we were done we hurried to walmart to get lunch and water bottles for my 2hr 30min bike ride. We got home dropped off the food, I changed into my riding clothes and then we were off to our friends house.
I don't like riding by myself so my Tri bud, Brian, volunteered to torture himself. His wonderful wife let ALL of my kids hang out at their house!
The ride was really great. The right amount of hill work and a fantastic view. I really love all the "country" roads we have available. I was really surprised at the speed I was able to maintain, I was bouncing between 16-19mph, when last year would of been 14mph. Last year I would of gotten off my bike and walked up a hill, yesterday I pushed through the burn and climbed every single hill! We only stopped a couple of times to fix chains and I forgot to clip my helmet back together. The ride was only supposed to be 2:30 hours, but ended up being 3 hours. We got 43 miles in! I'm hoping with 8 more weeks of training I can get a little faster. I'd really like to finish 56 miles in less than 4 hours. I'm sure adrenaline will help out race day.
So it was a great 1st outdoor ride! Our cycling group is finally going to be able to start outdoor rides this week, I know we're all tired of spinning, but have greatly benefited from all the winter training we got. My one suggestion for cycling is to get NICE cycling shorts. I can not emphasize enough, you'll thank me! Check amazon, they have great deals.
Like I said earlier, 8 weeks till race day!! So starting tomorrow I start my actual 70.3 IRONMAN training. I will have 2 days off, instead of 3, and the workouts get longer. My focus will be on proper nutririon and recovery. I'll also be getting new running shoes to break in, hooray! I have my running clothes, will order my cycling clothes and then all I need is a wetsuit.
The racing season is upon us! The Race for the Cure is close, so tie up your running shoes and get out there and participate. I'll be putting a button on the page so you can easily find races that might interest you.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself while training. You deserve it!
Chris ;)
After we were done we hurried to walmart to get lunch and water bottles for my 2hr 30min bike ride. We got home dropped off the food, I changed into my riding clothes and then we were off to our friends house.
I don't like riding by myself so my Tri bud, Brian, volunteered to torture himself. His wonderful wife let ALL of my kids hang out at their house!
The ride was really great. The right amount of hill work and a fantastic view. I really love all the "country" roads we have available. I was really surprised at the speed I was able to maintain, I was bouncing between 16-19mph, when last year would of been 14mph. Last year I would of gotten off my bike and walked up a hill, yesterday I pushed through the burn and climbed every single hill! We only stopped a couple of times to fix chains and I forgot to clip my helmet back together. The ride was only supposed to be 2:30 hours, but ended up being 3 hours. We got 43 miles in! I'm hoping with 8 more weeks of training I can get a little faster. I'd really like to finish 56 miles in less than 4 hours. I'm sure adrenaline will help out race day.
So it was a great 1st outdoor ride! Our cycling group is finally going to be able to start outdoor rides this week, I know we're all tired of spinning, but have greatly benefited from all the winter training we got. My one suggestion for cycling is to get NICE cycling shorts. I can not emphasize enough, you'll thank me! Check amazon, they have great deals.
Like I said earlier, 8 weeks till race day!! So starting tomorrow I start my actual 70.3 IRONMAN training. I will have 2 days off, instead of 3, and the workouts get longer. My focus will be on proper nutririon and recovery. I'll also be getting new running shoes to break in, hooray! I have my running clothes, will order my cycling clothes and then all I need is a wetsuit.
The racing season is upon us! The Race for the Cure is close, so tie up your running shoes and get out there and participate. I'll be putting a button on the page so you can easily find races that might interest you.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself while training. You deserve it!
Chris ;)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Mental Block
Good gravy! It's been too long since my last post. I've been struggling emotionally and physically. I was so tired that I found myself just falling asleep as soon as I was still enough. I also found myself crying and felt like I was going crazy. Training, being a mom, house keeper, wife, scout leader, and what ever else I do was all too much. Most people would tell me to give up and be happy with what I've already accomplished but I'm stubborn and don't give up that easily.
Our family recently had the opportunity to watch the LDS General Conference, it was very uplifting and helped "fill my cup". We've started scripture study, with 4 of 6 reading it goes by quite nicely. We've gotten better with family prayer as well. The days have been better, but there is still much needed improvement. :)
I recently had lunch with some girlfriends and we were able to talk and really get out our struggles. What I learned was I wasn't alone. So many times I see other women and the lives they lead, but what I don't see is their home life, their real home life. I don't know their worries, fears, struggles because we are all so scared to let the world know we are less than perfect. I'm here to tell the world that I'm not perfect, I'm far from it, but I work daily to be a better me, a better parent, a better wife. It's okay to cry and to be frustrated with life, but try to always return to the good you have and embrace it.
Training has been really good, I've had to skip a few days for more recovery time, but I feel myself getting stronger each workout. Last Saturday I did a Tri on my own. 2000 yd swim, 2:15 bike, and 6 mike run. The swim was at the gym, the bike was on my friends trainer at home and the run was outdoors. My sweet husband followed me in the van and had my accelerade ready every mile. He also had 4 kids with him, the baby took a nap and the other 3 watched a movie and got icee's. I was really impressed with my run, 10 min miles! I was sooooo tired afterward, but it felt good to know that I could finish a Tri strong. This weeks training has been a bit hard since I pushed myself on Saturday, but I've done it and I feel great.
To end today's post I want to say that you can count on me to do my best. I will not quit! I may struggle but I will come out victorious. I CAN do everything that God graciously puts in my path. I'm grateful for everything in my life.
Chris :)
Our family recently had the opportunity to watch the LDS General Conference, it was very uplifting and helped "fill my cup". We've started scripture study, with 4 of 6 reading it goes by quite nicely. We've gotten better with family prayer as well. The days have been better, but there is still much needed improvement. :)
I recently had lunch with some girlfriends and we were able to talk and really get out our struggles. What I learned was I wasn't alone. So many times I see other women and the lives they lead, but what I don't see is their home life, their real home life. I don't know their worries, fears, struggles because we are all so scared to let the world know we are less than perfect. I'm here to tell the world that I'm not perfect, I'm far from it, but I work daily to be a better me, a better parent, a better wife. It's okay to cry and to be frustrated with life, but try to always return to the good you have and embrace it.
Training has been really good, I've had to skip a few days for more recovery time, but I feel myself getting stronger each workout. Last Saturday I did a Tri on my own. 2000 yd swim, 2:15 bike, and 6 mike run. The swim was at the gym, the bike was on my friends trainer at home and the run was outdoors. My sweet husband followed me in the van and had my accelerade ready every mile. He also had 4 kids with him, the baby took a nap and the other 3 watched a movie and got icee's. I was really impressed with my run, 10 min miles! I was sooooo tired afterward, but it felt good to know that I could finish a Tri strong. This weeks training has been a bit hard since I pushed myself on Saturday, but I've done it and I feel great.
To end today's post I want to say that you can count on me to do my best. I will not quit! I may struggle but I will come out victorious. I CAN do everything that God graciously puts in my path. I'm grateful for everything in my life.
Chris :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)