Back on the Wagon ...

Hey, everyone.  Time for my daily check-in and blog post!  I started the day with a new green smoothie that I made up as I went.  I used frozen peaches, almond milk, a banana, and spinach.  This was one of my favorite smoothies to date, and again, it was actually green!  I think the almond milk made it nice and creamy.  At 40 calories a cup, you can't go wrong with this stuff.  I am still sick with bronchitis, so I wasn't really up for lunch today.  I chose a nap instead.  Sometimes that is just necessary.  :)


I decided to make spaghetti squash again for dinner, and I am glad I did! I adapted the following recipe from a recipe I found on the Tasty Kitchen website.  


Ingredients:
1 Whole Spaghetti Squash
2 Tbsp. Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5-6 cloves fresh garlic pressed through garlic press (or minced)
1 Cup Chicken Broth, Divided Use
2.5 Cups Fresh Broccoli Florets
1/2 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes 
1 Cup Frozen Peas
1 Chicken Breast, Grilled and Cubed
1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Garlic Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to Taste

Preparation Instructions:

•  Put the spaghetti squash in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes to soften it and make it easier to cut.  Then, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and such with a spoon.  Place both halves face down in about 1/2 inch of water in a microwavable dish.  Put it in the microwave for 12 minutes.

•  While that is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet.  Press the garlic through the garlic press and sauté in the pan for about a minute.
• TIP:  Hate peeling garlic? ME TOO!  Check out this awesome tip I got off of Pinterest.  Take two bowls that are of the same size.  It 's okay if one is smaller than the other if one can fit inside the other.  Take a bulb of garlic and lean on it on the table (smushing the individual cloves out).  Place all of it into the two bowls (one on top of the other like in the pic), and shake the hell out of it for about 10 seconds.  Take the bowls apart and voila!  Most of your garlic will be fully peeled and the rest should easily slip out of the skins.  If you have any stubborn peaces left, just shake 'em again.

• Add 1/4 cup of chicken broth, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
• Add peas, grilled chicken, and 3/4 cup of chicken broth to the pan.  Also add about 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese to thick the broth a little.  Put the lid on and let simmer over medium low for 3-5 minutes. 
• While that is simmering, use a fork to scrape the spaghetti squash out of each half into a bowl.  Use the tines to scrape it out so it comes out looking like spaghetti.
• Pour the mixture on top of the spaghetti squash and toss.  
• Serve in bowls and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. 

This turned out so good AND it was easy.  I think I may be falling in love with spaghetti squash!  As for the grilled chicken in this recipe, I just used leftovers from when I made chicken with cream sauce the other night.  Total cooking time was probably about 15 minutes!  If I can do this ... especially if I can do this while sick ... ANYONE can do it!  Prior to starting all this, I had to call my mother to ask her how to boil eggs.  I am telling you, there was a steep learning curve!  It has only been three weeks and I am making things like this.  YOU. CAN. TOO.  Take a leap of faith and you might be pleasantly surprised.  I sure was!

In other news, I heard from my doc today with some results.  I really like this doctor.  My blood work is indicating a possible auto-immune disorder. He wants to do research and will call me with more answers later this week.  He also expressed his empathy for how frustrating all of this has been.  He told me that he has a very good feeling that I will not be sick forever like I have been these last two years.  He explained that even if they are unable to name what it wrong with me in the end, he feels they can treat it and I can fully recover.  Best news I have heard in a long time!  For now, my fingers remained crossed and I keep sending those prayers up.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason.  I have to.  I am not sure of all of the reasons for all of this yet, but I can sure see several of them!  One of the biggest is learning to take care of myself and to never take my body for granted.  I hope you are each learning to do the same on your own journeys.  Love and peace to you all.  See you tomorrow!