ON BREAK
Returning April 16


I'm taking a break for the next couple of weeks to rest up from all the cooking and eating !  While I will still be doing both, I want to encourage everyone to be sure to exercise!

I wanted to share the following image that was posted by someone on the THM Beginners Facebook group page.  Share your personal thoughts about the image in the comments.

Stay healthy and strong!
Chris :)

SLOW FAJITAS (pg. 53)

Hi Everyone!

It has been ten days since I have posted about my Trim Healthy Mama endeavors (I try to post at least 2-3 times a week).  Much has happened since my last blog.  Life in general.  But, don't think for one moment that means I have abandoned those Trim Mamas!

I am happy to announce I have a Trim Mama pal within my neighborhood since my last post!  It has been so fun to share plates of flavor with her and watch with delight as she samples recipe after recipe.  As it turns out, the tables have turned and she comes to my house with goodies to try!  Must say, I certainly enjoy being on the receiving end of THM goodies!

I took a glance at my very first post with my list of recipes that I wanted to try and my grocery list to accompany it, and I quickly realized that I only have a few more recipes to try.  When complete, I must decide, do I continue this journey?  Or, embark onto a new one?  I will share my overall thoughts after I complete the remaining recipes I originally committed to completing when I started this journey.

For today, I would like to get back on track by sharing with you a review of the Slow Fajitas.  It is recommended to serve this over lettuce and to add cheese and tomatoes.  However, since I am always trying to increase my iron intake due to being susceptible to anemia, I served it over refried beans (LaPreferada Authentic has 20% iron per 1/2 cup serving).  Slow cooking the meat results in a tender meat, and the red and yellow peppers have a nice subtle flavor when combined with cumin, onions, chili powder, and garlic.  How could your taste buds not say, "Yes?" 

Slow Fajitas

The THMs do warn that this dish makes a lot of excess liquid and recommend using a slotted spoon as you serve as to avoid too much liquid on your plate.  The best part about that liquid, in my opinion, is it is perfect accompaniment to use over the Fotatoes (post 1/11/16) or any other dish that tastes especially good with gravy.

CONCLUSION:
Fajita night!  Whatever you do, don't let that extra liquid go to waste! Enjoy it somewhere else through the week to add extra flavor to another dish!

Stay healthy and strong!
Chris :)

CHOCOLATE WAFFLES WITH STRAWBERRIES or bananas (pg. 265)
I have been eating THMs "Eggs & Avs" most mornings.  Avocados with my fried eggs instead of toast has been a happy surprise for me since I love avocados (see 2/9/16 post). I don't know why I never thought of that before.

However, I am finding myself bored at times with the same breakfast day in and day out.  Not to mention, my son doesn't like eggs and I really would like to find something for him to enjoy to start his day off.  He enjoys chocolate just as much as I do, so I thought I would try the chocolate waffles for a change.  All in the name of trying to get my boy to eat healthier.  Sounds like a game plan to me.

I love that the THMs use real cocoa instead of melting chocolate chips for chocolate flavoring.  I use my own baking blend that I have posted before, but am making revisions to since finding out I need to add a little bit more cocoa flour to it.  You can buy a baking blend on Trim Healthy Mama website if you would like to purchase their version of the baking blend rather than depend on mine or have to make your own.

These waffles were a delightful success!  My son enjoyed them enough to make them again, although I think I will make them just a tad bit sweeter to his taste.  But, the chocolate flavor was a nice sweet treat for me with the addition of banana slices on top.

Chocolate Waffles with Strawberries (or bananas)

Syrup (pg. 480)
What about syrup you ask?  Well, the THMs do have a version of syrup!  Did I use it? No.  Will I use it in the future?  Probably not.  Why not, do you ask?  I personally do not eat waffles enough mornings to deprive myself of the very natural syrup that gets tapped from actual Maple trees.

If you haven't ever tried 100% maple syrup I would recommend getting to the nearest Maple Syrup Festival and having yourself some (bearing in mind, it's probably not on plan).  A little bit goes a long way, but it will taste different than the impostors that most people are use to.  I believe it is a healthy natural treat that God desires to bless us with.  Why would I deprive my loving God from giving me a wonderful taste of heaven?  In case you can't get to a Maple Syrup festival, here's a little video you might enjoy watching:  Maple Syrup Process

However, since most store-bought syrups are completely artificial (it might have 3% actual maple syrup and the rest is all sugar) you might like to have this version of  syrup.

CONCLUSION:
Chocolate tastes good with everything.  If I can have it, I will.  Top them with your favorite fruit.

Stay healthy and strong,
Chris :) 

CHICKEN POT PIE (pg. 137)
Comfort food.  I think we all have a favorite comfort food that makes us feel real good inside. 

Chicken pot pie is one of those comfort foods for me.  Usually, it's an occasional treat courtesy of Marie Callender from the frozen section of my local grocery store.  But, I always look forward to having one sitting in front of me as I gently pull the crust back a little with my fork to let the steam escape.

Would the Thin Healthy Mamas' (THMs') version of pot pie bring me the level of comfort I was looking forward to?  Let me just say, they know their way to my heart!  This was absolutely delish! My hubby actually said that this is probably the best dish I have made yet.

Chicken Pot Pie
 

I used my own homemade chicken broth and roasted chicken (January 13 post) that I froze from prior recipes, and I believe that really took this recipe up a notch (read about stocks and broths from my February 20 post).  However, I wouldn't hesitate to use canned chicken or store-bought broth if that's what I had on hand.  The vegetables are sautéed in butter and seasoned with salt, pepper, and, my favorite, thyme.

I have been fine-tuning my personal version of the baking blend and it still needs to be fine-tuned just a bit more.  I am finding that my baking blend needs just a bit more of the coconut flour.  So, I adjusted it for this recipe adding just enough coconut flour that it adds a subtle sweet flavor without the coconut taste.

CONCLUSION:
A comfort food I finally can splurge in without feeling guilty and better than any pot pie I have every had! 

Stay healthy and strong,
Chris :)