Fun With Chicken

We worked on the front of the house all afternoon. Washed down the siding, overhangs, light fixtures, railings as well as the windows in and out. It needed to be done on the balcony as well as the front porch. We couldn't ask for a better day, sunny, temps in the 60's and no wind.

Around 5:00 I began to think about dinner. We didn't have enough in the budget to go out again and I had some thawed chicken in the fridge that needed to be cooked. What to do? I get so bored with chicken, it's always the same.

I decided to pull out an old cookbook and started to look for a recipe that calls for ingredients that I had on hand. The problem is I need to go shopping and each recipe had some ingredients I had and some I didn't. So now what? I started to play and in the end I came up with a Caribbean style chicken that my family loved. The sauteed chicken was topped with a topping that consisted of lemon juice, brown sugar, coconut, raisins, onions and butter and then baked. (Okay, so it wasn't low fat)! I served it with brown rice and a mixed green salad with pineapple.

I am not a photographer but this is sort of what the chicken looked like. Need less to say, I ended up being creative and had fun in the process.

The Best Laid Plans...

Tuesday afternoon I decided that since my knee is much better (still not 100%)and I am feeling pretty good now, I will start my diet and workout at the gym. I walk with Oliver for about 20-30 min. everyday but that is a slower walk and we are beginning to bike again but not everyday.

My brother had given be a recipe Sunday and told me it was to die for. Peanut butter popcorn. I know it has been around a while but he and I have never made it before. Anyway, I decided to make it Tuesday night for the one last hurrah. Okay...that wasn't a good idea, I couldn't stop eating it!!! I finally got up and threw out the last half. Yes, I know me and knew I wouldn't stop eating it, so out it went.

Wednesday was an okay day as far as the diet goes, but I didn't go to the gym because I was so busy. Thursday was another okay day but I made quesadillas for dinner, again no gym. Thursday evening my brother called and asked if I made the popcorn...I told him what happened and he had the nerve to laugh.

Now the thought was planted...AGAIN!!! Yep, I made the peanut butter popcorn. I didn't throw it out this time, I set it on the counter and every time I walk by I grabbed a piece. Now I want you to know that I cut the recipe down by half and only ate half of that last night. It is still calling me.

I think it will end up in the trash again. And today I am going to the gym, oh wait, I have to clean the house and go to the pharmacy and stop at the library and do a couple loads of laundry and...okay, I'll go to the gym tomorrow.

Peanut Butter Popcorn:

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup or honey
Bring to a rolling boil; remove from heat

Add:
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter or you can use creamy peanut butter and add some chopped peanuts
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Drizzle over 2 quarts of unsalted popped popcorn (1/3 to 1/2 cup of unpopped popcorn)
Stir to coat