Slow Cooked Caribbean Chicken

Using a crock pot is very simple, convenient, and if you are just learning to cook, a great way to start.

This turned out so delicious!  It is really a generic recipe.  What I mean by that is you can take a whole chicken and add any marinade to it.  Wash the chicken as usual and pull out the insides.  No need to add water, pour 1/2 a cup of the marinade into the bottom of the crock pot.  Put the chicken in.  Pour the rest over the chicken rubbing it in.  Cover at cook on low for 4 hours and then turn it on high for 2 more hours.  I know a lot of people cook for EITHER on low for 8 or high for 4, but I find it to be juicier this way.

DO NOT TAKE THE LID OFF WHILE COOKING!  People get curious when slow cooking, but by lifting the lid, you let out all the steam.  If you absolutely have to lift the lid, add another 20 minutes to the cook time for each time it is lifted.  There is really no need to lift it though unless it is a creamy soup and the sides are sticking.  A little trick to seeing through the lid is to keep the lid down, but just twist it in a circle.  The moisture will fall off the lid and see can see how it is cooking.  If you have an oval crock pot, like mine, just shake the lid a bit and you can see in.

When it comes to marinades, be careful when using a pre-made one.  There is tons of sodium in most pre-made marinades and sauces.  I recommend always making your own.  You can control the calorie and sodium intake by making your own.  Yes, it is more expensive, but eating right and healthier always is more expensive.  I "cheated" tonight and used KC Masterpiece Caribbean Jerk Sauce.  I only used it because its all I had, I prefer making my own.

I hope this has not just provided you with a yummy recipe that you can use a million ways, but i hope that it has helped someone to learn how to use a slow cooker and maybe start cooking! Enjoy!!!!

Garlic Tilapia

Tonight I made garlic tilapia.  I am trying to eat more fish and it is quite a challenge for me.  I am NOT a fish person!  But it is good for me, good for my diet, and I dont want to eat as much of it...lol.  I went very simple with this one.  It is simply a nice fresh piece of tilapia, seasoned with Mrs. Dash.  To lower my sodium intake I have been using Mrs. Dash.  The only one that I really like is the garlic version.  It gives it a great flavor without all of the sodium or added calories.  There is no breading on it so you can have carbs elsewhere.   I fixed with it a beef rice and in preparation for the upcoming holidays, green bean casserole.  For the fish I cooked it at 400 for 30 minutes and it was cooked beautifully!

Pray for me in my weight struggle.  It is an everyday fight to eat right and exercise.  Ive been having motivation problems in the exercise department.  I seem to always find an excuse.  I dont want to give myself excuses and I am my own worst enemy.  Please help with some motivation.  I try to motivate as much as possible because thats what we have each other for.  One day I am sure you will get some in return. :) 

Back to Blogging!

I FINALLY got my desktop back up and running!  It will be soooo much easier for me now to work and post on my blog.  Trying a fish recipe tonight so will post a new recipe tomorrow!  Dont forget to check out my new goals, completed goals, and take my latest blog poll!  Looking forward to posting new pictures and recipes!!!!!

Next Goal Completed!!!!!

i have been trying to hit my next goal for quite some time now.  you could even say i have been stuck in a rut.  i have not weighed myself in almost two months from fear of not hitting my goal.  its the goal of being able to use the scale at curves.  it only goes up to 440 and 505 being my highest i have had to drive all the way to my doctors to weigh in.  the past few weeks i have been under a lot of stress and have really struggled with my food and exercise.  my back and neck have been hurting and i have had no energy so i gave myself excuses, but these things were happening BECAUSE i wasnt going to the gym.  last night, since we have no vehicle right now, we walked to the nearest grocery store, about a mile.  i felt like i was gonna die when i got home!  i told myself, no more excuses.  in the morning i was going to the gym, i was gonna workout, and i was gonna get weighed and measured.  i was so nervous this morning when i got the i started balling.  i thank the Lord for Michelle Mory, owner of curves.  she is more than the owner, she is a dear friend who comforts me in anytime i need it.  so i step on the scale, and it actually gave us a reading!  441!!!! i was hoping for a lower number, but ill take it!  so thats 1.5 pounds down.  time to measure!  i wasnt expecting any change since i hadnt been to the gym in a week, but i lost another 2.5 inches!!!!  this has given me the motivation i needed to get back on track and discover even bigger losses!  we all go through these rough times.  i didnt handle this one very well, but thats why its important to take it all one day at a time and keep moving forward!.

The Journey Continues

well, im still on my phone.  i want to try and continue to post even while my desktop is down.  i wont be able to change layouts, or add pictures, but i can type!  a friend and i recently started holding each other more accountable.  we both seem to have the same health problems and the same goals in life.  so why not help eachother, right?  this wont even let me start a new paragraph...very frustrating!  anyways, we are both gettings ourselves back on track, and hopefully my weight counter will start moving soon!

Forever and A Day

it seems a lot longer than march since i last blogged.  we recently moved in june and i dont have my computer up so i am using my phone.  it is very hard to do this from the phone.  it wont even lets me use caps!!! lol well once i have my computer up and running i will get right back into it all.  updated pictures, new recipes, new goals.

Back on Track

Well so much has been going on in my life and its been so long since I have wrote on my blog. I seem to have been on a bit of a platform and my weight has stayed the same the last couple of months. As the weather gets warmer I seem to want to get out and do more. Maybe it was the winter blues...not sure.
We are planning on going camping for a week in June. I cant wait to go. I am in the middle of swim suit shopping and there is nothing like that to remind you of the weight you need to lose! lol
I have not completely lost my focus. I am still working out and losing inches. I completely got rid of all of my 5x clothes and am officially into 4x...that felt good. Pray for me as this is such a struggle in my life. Please encourage me when you can. Dont be afraid to ask me how things are going. I am very open and honest about my weight loss and it will help keep me on track. Anyone who has ever tried to lose a few pounds knows the struggles of losing that weight. Now imagine you had to lose 250 pounds....long long LONG road ahead of me...I have lost 65 so far and i want to lose another 10 in the next 2 months. I have been battling that 440 mark for a few months now and it seems I cant just tip over it. I am gonna do it before I go camping...KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!