Saturday, March 5, 2011

Chicken Pasta Dinner


This is so good! I used protein pasta instead of just regular.

Ingredients
  • 4 cups uncooked spiral pasta
  • 1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 jar (7 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk, divided
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh basil or 4 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 5 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding green beans during the last 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, saute chicken in 2 teaspoons oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm. In the same pan, saute red peppers and garlic in remaining oil for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the broth, 1/2 cup milk, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Return to the pan.
  • Add chicken to the pepper mixture. Combine cornstarch and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into the chicken mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
  • Drain pasta mixture; toss with sauce. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Yield: 5 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups equals 345 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 42 mg cholesterol, 625 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 25 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

Day 60 of Insanity

Today's workout at the gym was killer. I'm going to be feeling it tomorrow for sure. I'm sore all over and it feels GREAT!! My knee is doing much better and I'm pretty sure that by Monday I should be able to do the videos again.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Day 59 of Insanity

I feel awful putting the title of this post as "Insanity" since I haven't done one of the videos in a week. But, since I am on the program and just taking a hiatus until my knee is better I figured I should leave it the way I started. The workouts at the gym are doing me some good as I take a break and my husband says my chest and shoulders are looking good and my butt is downsizing so I'm doing something right!!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Day 58 of Insanity

I went to the gym again with Dorian. I am sooooo sore! Even though I really enjoy the Insanity workouts, it's a nice change to actually lift weights. My knee is feeling better but still not good enough to go back to the workouts just yet. By Monday I should be able to without a problem. As long as I am doing something and feeling the burn, I don't feel bad about having to take a break.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Day 57 of Insanity

I haven't been able to do an Insanity workout in what seems like forever. My right knee hates me. Just bending it hurts, so nearly every workout is out of the question. On the upside, I have been going to the gym with my husband to make up for it and doing other workouts that don't involve my knee. I still feel like a slacker but I can't compromise my knee and I have to listen to my body. If I have to add another week so be it. I feel great and I'm doing something even though it's not Insanity. Go figure it has to get worse right before the program's last 2 weeks.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Day 56 of Insanity

I decided to go to the gym with my husband instead of doing an Insanity workout. My right knee still hurts pretty bad and I have to give it a rest. If need be, I will do an extra week to make up for it but I can't compromise my knee. Doing squats hurts and bending it just to sit down does too. I have no idea how I injured it and I've never had problems with my knees before so I don't know what the deal is. Regardless, I will be doing a workout somehow or someway. I weighed myself and I lost the 3 pounds I gained from the first month..lol So now I'm back to my original weight but a smaller size. I had a great workout today with weights which was awesome. I miss lifting weights and found that my strength is better than before. I did 3 pullups at the gym so I am super stoked. =)
Oh, and I did hours of yardwork today. I was digging and pulling so I got a workout doing that as well.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Day 55 of Insanity

I have been out all day doing yardwork and going to Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes to find flowers, trees, and soil. We got finished a little while ago and I am beat. I still haven't gotten my workout done today and I'm dreading it but gotta get it done. I'm BEAT!