Making Chicken Less Boring

I like chicken and all, but over time it can get boring and bland. But after making the recipe below, there was a little chicken dance going on in my mouth. We had Sauteed Zucchini with Lemon-Thyme Chicken. It was SUPER delicious!

Karl's vote: "This is awesome, but could use a little more salt." Now, just so you're aware, he says that about most things I make, but I kinda think he grew up licking a salt cube. When I first met him, he was eating Ramen Noodles out of his coffee cup for breakfast. And I still loved him right on up.

Anyway...  Here it is and it took 15 minutes total!! Yesssssssss!

Sauteed Zucchini with Lemon-Thyme Chicken
Makes 4 servings
(Found in Health Magazine - Sept 2010 issue)

1 TBS lemon zest (I used two lemon's rinds - what can I say, I looove lemon)
1 TBS chopped fresh thyme (stained my cutting board by the way...boo hiss)
1 pound chicken cutlets (I bought a packet of three chicken breasts)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 TBS olive oil
1/2 water
1/3 cup uncooked couscous (I bought the Near East boxes)
3/4 pound zucchini (about 2 medium)
1/2 pound yellow summer squash (about 2 medium)
1/4 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
I packet of mushrooms (I added this to the recipe)
Chopped fresh thyme, for garnish

1. Place lemon zest and thyme in small bowl
2. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper on both sides
3. Sprinkle half of the lemon-and-thyme mixture evenly onto one side of each cutlet.
4. Heat the olive oil in large pan and cook chicken - once cooked, transfer out
5. Cook couscous (I followed box instructions)
6. Saute the zucchini and squash (in same skillet chicken came from) - I also added mushrooms since they're such fun...guys...fungi... Get it?
7. Stir in remaining lemon-and-thyme mixture (I added fresh basil to the mix and it smelled really good), chicken broth, and couscous.
8. Spoon the couscous on plate and top with chicken, garnish with thyme!

ENJOY!

My added goodness to recipe:
packet of sliced mushrooms
packet of fresh organic basil

Some more pics below

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Healthy Eating in 2011

I promise you'll find a recipe at the bottom! So you can scroll down if that's what you're after.

But for those interested in learning more, read on. One thing I pride myself on is being able to fuel my body with delicious, healthy foods. I enjoy finding old and new recipes and discovering ways to make them better for me (and my husband). My meals are not perfect--I didn't go to culinary school, but I think this cooking stuff might be in my blood. My mom is one of the best "healthier" cooks I know, along with my grandma. So I feel like it's my duty to continue on the tradition and jazz up dishes with flavor and BURSTS of color. If any of you have been to our house, you know "color" is everywhere! I also bought a pretty cool camera and think it rocks at taking pictures of food.

Side note: I minored in health at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and have a fascination with food, fitness and health. I also like to eat, but even more, I like to eat foods that are good for me and that I know help build a strong immune system, keeping those viruses/illness at bay and cancer cells far and few between.

Oh, and here's my disclaimer: I'm sure the hardcore "Whole Fooders" and dietitians alike will be down my throat, disagreeing with all my menu choices and options, but I know a few things:

1. There's not a ton of time in my day. I need to be in and out of the grocery store quick and have about 10 - 30 minutes a night to whip something up; a meal I know is good for us, tastes great and is packed with nutrients that will energize us.

2. I'm not rich and can't afford a $200+ grocery bill every few days (I say this because I was behind someone in line at Valley Natural Foods and her bill came to $284 and she had less than half her cart filled.) Hopefully I'll be able to buy more organic foods and hormone-free meats, dairy and eggs; but for now, it's baby steps.

3. I know what I like and what satisfies me...I refuse to go hungry or eat anything sugar-free, fat-free, diet, FAKE, unnatural tasting and/or loaded with whacked out ingredients. I'd rather save room for the good stuff and allow myself to eat anything I desire, but all in good portions. There's a word I've learned: B-A-L-A-N-C-E. But I will admit it: I love my Jack and Coke, and maybe a Dairy Queen Blizzard....or some french fries, but I definitely don't salivate over them anymore because I know how crappy they make me feel.

I'm going to try my best and upload at least one healthy recipe a week, not because I think I'm awesome with my 11 blog followers (ha!), but because I know others are busy and want to eat healthy, but don't know how to get there. I'm always searching for new recipes and thought I'd share what I do when it comes to preparing a meal.

So enjoy! And let me know what you think if you try it and make it yourself.

Spinach-Tomato Pasta Shells (recipe found in Health and from Guy Fieri--the host of three Food Network shows)

Makes 4 Servings
Cook 3/4 pound whole wheat pasta shells (I used normal shells because Karl and I don't like the taste of whole wheat pasta just yet...I know, I know...call me a hypocrite)
Heat 1 TBS butter in large saute pan (I also added olive oil for the good fats!)
Add 1 sliced shallot
And 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
Reduce heat and cook until translucent
Add 5 ounce baby spinach
And 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Cover and cook 1 min
And 1/4 cup half-and-half,
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
And 1/2 tsp black pepper
Stir and cook 3 minutes
Add grape tomatoes (cut longways)
Toss in pasta
Garnish with parsley and add additional cheese
(takes all but 15 minutes)

My additions:
I cooked Jennie-O Italian Turkey Sausage (because Karl likes his meat). I sliced up into pieces and added to the mix.
I also added olive oil and basil

I served in bowls and with chocolate Almond Milk to drink. Delicious!

Yum, yum in my tum!! Karl gave it two thumbs up.

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Goals for 2011

I think we get tested in our lives from time to time. I'm not sure by who, though I have an idea, but I personally believe ideas pop in our heads for bigger reasons than we know at the moment. I had a recent discussion with a friend who thinks brain waves are behind these thoughts/ideas that find their way to us. I think he explained they come from cells and neuron combustion or something crazy like that (he lost me).

But I think it's more than that.

Without getting crazy religious, I think God knows who we are and who we can become and created us for a purpose. Maybe it doesn't make complete sense because some humans don't even get the chance to live a full life. However, those who've been given the gift of life are granted free will, meaning we get to make most of our own choices (depending on age and circumstance) and can design our own little journey. And I think that's pretty cool.

I've always wondered why I never wanted to become a firefighter or a pilot or a teacher, etc. Instead, I've always wanted to be a writer. And that feeling hasn't gone away, it gets stronger with every passing year. I mean, at one time I wanted to play volleyball in the Olympics, but I knew I wasn't good enough. There is a difference. Maybe this is how Taylor Swift felt when she persuaded her parents to move to Tennessee or Johnny Cash when he sang a song from the heart and scored a record deal. Something moved these people to keep after their dreams, no matter the amount of rejections.

I want to believe something or someone is pushing me to follow my dream(s). With that said, 2011 is right around the corner and that means resolutions! I feel like I need to get some of my goals written down so I'm held accountable throughout the year and can go back and check them off one by one. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Receive representation for my book
2010 was all about writing my first ever manuscript, all 330 pages of it. This was a huge challenge and journey - but once completed, something inside of me grew. I became hungry for more. A deep passion was birthed. If I lived in a perfect world, I'd set up shop in our house and write all day (that's how fun writing my manuscript was), but to pay the bills I need to hold my job and balance the dreaming. In 2011, I plan to query my manuscript off to agencies and intend to touch my book and smell the pages. I want to have book signings and walk into Barnes and Noble and see my book on the shelves. One step at a time.

2. Travel somewhere new
I love seeing all parts of the world, especially with my husband. I enjoy exploring with him and building memories. In 2010 we concluded our amazing trip to South Africa and took a week's vacation along the west coast (Northern California, Oregon and Washington) in August. Who knows where 2011 will take us(fingers crossed it's somewhere warm). I've always wanted to go to Hawaii...

3. Start a family
Just so you all know, this goal scares me to death. I don't want to lose my freedom - I'm still very much selfish, but I do want to see what we can create and what they'll look like and who they'll become. Plus, I'm not getting any younger. I know the chances of having children drops once women hit 35, and that age isn't far away. I'm scared to lose sleep, my body, patience and myself. Most of all, I'm worried our marriage will change. Right now we're able to do whatever we want, whenever we want and we have so much fun!!! I have a feeling that spontaneity will go away. Plus, I have a hard enough time trying to keep up with everything going on and only have to do laundry once a week and cook for two and clean whenever my schedule allows. I'm semi-aware of what having a child means and know it's going to be hard - very hard - so this means I'll work my ass off at making the experience precious. Am I scared. Very. Ready? Not so. Are we ever? Probably not. But I think it'll be awesome, stretch marks and all.

4. Start a recipe portfolio/blog
I love health and fitness and cooking healthy meals. Sometimes I even impress myself with the recipes I piece together. I take a recipe from a magazine or a cookbook, and make it healthier. I love colorful meals with tons of flavor. I think it'd be fun to take snapshots of our faves, write out the ingredients and start a "family" recipe book. Watch for this in 2011.

5. Get an article in a magazine
I subscribe to 10 or 15 magazines. It's a bit of an obsession. I can't remember the exact number anymore. In 2011, I want to open one of them up and see an article written by me.

6. Say "no" more and do things for me
I have a tendency to say 'yes' to others simply because it'll make them feel better. It may make them happier, but it makes me insane. Why do I do that to myself? The older I get, the things that matter are doing those things I genuinely want to. I need to listen to that voice telling me 'no', and form the sounds and actually say it. I've learned people are highly capable of doing things themselves, but find it easier to ask someone else for help rather than learning themselves. I'm guilty of this as well. But I have my own life to live and dreams to chase after. My life would be a lot less complicated if I just said NO more.

7. Get organized
Part of the reason I feel so scatterbrained is because my husband has a chunk of his stuff packed away in his town home. Yes, as in...it's been there for over a year and a half now. That's another nightmare - I wish we could sell, but I try to remind myself we'll be fine and it'll sell when it's supposed to. Not only that, but I'm a pile person. I have piles everywhere: on the carpet, in the corner, on our island. Why? I need to purge it all and that's my plan for 2011. Get rid of stuff and start a filing system!

8. Stop biting my nails
What can I say? I'm an addict. But it's time I let the damn things grow already!

9. Flush out the bad with the good
Karl and I are going to try and metals detox. Karl had to pee in a jug for 24 hours. The results: he had high levels of arsenic and platinum in his body. Ewww! I'm nervous but excited since I do not believe in those liquid detoxes one bit. This one is a 30-day program. No, we won't be starving ourselves, but will be eating really healthy foods (like grass fed meats, filtered water, raw veggies) and taking some cleansing pills that are supposed to pull the metals out. I'm excited to try this. More to come...

What are some of your goals for 2011 and how will you hold yourself accountable?

"I wish you sunshine on your path and storms to season your journey. I wish you peace - in the world in which you live and in the smallest corner of the heart where truth is kept... More I cannot wish you except perhaps love - to make all the rest worthwhile." - Robert Ward

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And the Results are...

In my last post I was 'darn-near' close to finishing my manuscript (ms) and sending it off. I did finish (hip hip hooray!) and I want to share the next step.

1. Second Round of Edits Completed!
Yes, you read right. A couple weeks ago I finished the second round of edits on my ms. And yes, I celebrated. Maybe not as I thought (no booze...rats), but internally something grew. First and foremost, I consider that a success. I think when we consistently ignore those "nudges", we die a little inside. But it's too hard. I can't do that. We tell ourselves. Pretty soon negative thinking becomes a habit. Yet, when we do something challenging and scary, and then finish, so much of us grow. And that, my friends, is awesome!

I mean, I wouldn't perceive myself as an editor - I am after all a writer - but there were glaring mistakes that stood out to me and needed to be fixed before I'd let anyone beside my critique group see. And thanks to them, I've received constructive suggestions and was able to fix them chapter by chapter! It's a great feeling knowing I'm satisfied with my entire ms; however, do note that I'm not sure I'll ever be 100 percent satisfied until I get representation. And maybe what I think is complete is just the beginning for an editor/agent/publisher once they get a hold of it...if they get a hold of it. Everyone keeps reminding me this is a long journey. I try to remind myself this.

2. My husband will finish reading my entire ms tonight
Drum roll please. Yes, Karl will finish Wanted: Groom for my $100k Wedding tonight. The reading began last Monday. I'd print copies and bring them home and he'd read three chapters at a time. I'd fix dinner or put away dishes as he read in another room. I'd listen closely for laughter or sounds of "mmmming" and "ahhhing". Nothing. Pure focus is what I got and I appreciate it more than he'll know. Of course there were giggles, mainly when he spotted a ridiculous grammatical error or pointed out my awkward sentences, but for the most part he'd flip to the last chapter, stand up and say, "Dang, I want to read more!" To me, that was a good sign. And thanks to Stephen King and his book "On Writing" he taught me it's okay to have someone, like a lover, read/critique your stuff. King's go-to reader was his wife. No, Karl isn't an English major or a writer/editor, but he reads more books than anyone I've ever met, and he's brilliant and funny and the love of my life. I wanted to include him in on my dream, and journey. After all, he's the reason I finished the book. He believes in me and that's the coolest feeling ever!

3. My manuscript is now in the hands of a a screenwriter.
This sounds like a big deal, but my friend "the screenwriter" is critiquing my ms out of the goodness of his heart and I can't thank him enough. As you roll your eyes, I know, I know...it's not like once he touches it, it'll turn to gold. But I get his input, which feels like gold! Ha! He's in the business and will know if my story is a hit or a total miss, and can at least guide me on the right path if I ventured the wrong way. I hope it's a hit - I think it is - but again, I like vegetables and bright colors, not everyone else does. Luke is the guy who helped me complete a ten page synopsis back in June so I could use it as my guide while I wrote. He said, "If you follow this, you'll be fine. I don't want to see anything until your ms is completed." 

And here it is...December...and I'm done!!!!!!! I'm finally comfortable enough to send it off to him for review. He just completed filming his first movie "The Day" and is going on Christmas break. He has enough time in his insane schedule to review my ms. My ms! God, that feels awesome to say and write.

So, here I sit, nibbling off every last nail. My heart beats through my chest and my stomach churns. What if he tells me my writing needs help? What if he says, "It's a great story, but the writing could be better." What if he snorts and tosses it to the side after chapter one? What if...what if...what if....

I guess this is the story of life, isn't it? Do we ever really know what the outcome is going to be? I can sit here and tell you what I want it to be, but is that enough? No. But at least I tried:)

Stay tuned!

"There is no failure except in no longer trying."
- Elbert Hubbard

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Dance like nobody is....writing....

You can probably tell that I'm nearing the end of my ms, since I'm not updating my blog as much and I'm MIA. Sorry about that, but I'm soooo close. Below is the latest!

My Writing/Editing Status
I started with this crazy wedding story idea back in April, during my writing class. Okay, in truth, it started more than five years ago when I was mailed an invite by Wedding Day Diamonds and Glamour Magazine. Why I got the invite, I will never know. Everyone was left scratching their heads at that one, but now I know it's part of something bigger. Anyway, I was invited to bring a couple girlfriends to try on rings and drink wine and champagne at the jewelry store. Cool, right? Ummm, yeah! So I went with my girls, Kimbra and Angela. We tried on some fabulous rocks. A nice guy behind the counter started a ring "wish list" for me.

"Oh, yes, my boyfriend will love this ring," I said, flashing off the rock, knowing very well there was no boyfriend. I was as single as they come.

Then, off to the side, was a drawing: "Win a Ring."

I'll just throw my name on a piece of paper and see what happens. Like I'll win.

I won a beautiful wedding ring. And I didn't have a fiance to show for it. Did I look stupid standing up in front of everyone, hugging people like I was their BFF? I'm sure. But I didn't care.

Was God watching down on me that night...?  Of course he's not about material things, but was the concept all part of a greater plan? I mean, of course I had yet to fall in love before I'd ever think of writing a romance novel...

But...back to the story idea... I remember sending off my idea to a couple of my closest girlfriends. They liked it. My class thought it was clever, and I decided...maybe I'm on to something here. Maybe I was supposed to win that ring a few years back so I could share the experience but also tie in a lot of modern technology and trends.

Since then, the storyline grows and has developed into this really cool manuscript I'm proud of. I'm close - really close - to being done, as in fifty pages and THE END will be staring me in the face (again).  I'm so close, as in, Karl (my husband) gets a full copy to review and maybe my friend Luke (if he's not too busy promoting his movie).

The whole process is a crazy story in itself...I sign up for a fiction writing class because writing a book was and is a dream of mine. I get a wild idea to write about a gal who wants a wedding so bad she puts her name in a drawing and wins a $75k dream wedding...without a boyfriend. She has eight weeks to find Mr. Right or the wedding is no longer an option. Is it possible? You tell me:).

Meanwhile, as I'm learning how to outline an entire ms, and writing a synopsis, drafting chapters, I come across five other hopeful women fiction writers, looking for 'critiquers'. I send my work to them...I get feedback and pages back slaughtered in red...and then I get frustrated. Real frustrated. Maybe I wasn't cut out to be a writer. Boo hiss.

Then Luke says, "Nothing of value comes easy, Christie." OK, so maybe he's right. The ring came easy...but I value writing and relationships so much more!!  They mean something deeper.

I flip open my laptop and read every single critique with an open mind and learn. I develop a website. I start blogging for Star Tribune. More hopeful writers start finding me, asking me questions, offering up advice. A male writer (word to ya, Lyle) starts reviewing my stuff (and is actually okay with it!). I back out of fun plans, sacrifice working out and cooking my infamous healthy dinners (sorry Karl). I put my nose to my laptop and write/edit/revise/whine. I learn. I grow. And I read. Oh, boy...do I read: blogs, books, magazines, anything I can get my hands on.

Before I know it, I have a completed ms staring at me. But I'm not jumping around. I'm a little excited, but knowing it's not my best work dims any celebratory dance.

Finishing the ms was just the beginning. I wanted to throw up at the thought of picking apart 340 plus pages word by word, but realized the more time I gave 'nurturing' it, the story grew better...and better...and same with my confidence in writing.

Then one day I sort of "got" it. The light went off, and the joy of writing was back! It's all I want to do, and I take off work from my "real" job to write. Screw relaxing...that's what writing IS for me - a wonderful, exciting place. I couldn't be happier.

Soooo...Sunday it is - the day - where I get to see 'the end' (no pun intended). And will have a piece I'm proud to hand off to Karl to read. It may not be perfect. There will always be changes, but this time I'll soooo be dancing! Watch out world!

Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully
- Phillips Brooks

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Karl and Christie Koester Five-Minute Wedding Recap (christiekarlflashback.mpg)

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The Balancing Act

Speaking of balancing act, I spent a portion of yesterday updating this blog, and then my two-page post disappeared on me. Grrr. I was ready to throw my computer out the window yesterday. Today is a new day. So let's try this again!

Life is getting busier, but when does it ever slow down? Is this when burnout occurs? If so, I'm in trouble. But who isn't feeling the pressure these days, right?

The latest and greatest in my life...in no particular order:

1. Getting through Second Round of Edits on my Book
Thank God for my chick-lit critique writing group. Without them, I'd still be writing in passive voice, using adverbs freely and forgetting about contractions. I guess I like to use longer words. I cannot tell you why either. Ha! I thought after my first round of edits, I'd be golden and querying my ms off to a handful of agents. Wrong! However, the more I make edits the more I fall in love with the story, so this is a good thing...even thought it's taking forever and there are not enough hours in the day! I'm growing so impatient. Anyone else have this problem?

2. Best Piece of Writing Advice thus Far
I have two.
1. Keeping writing and finish the book.

2. The book needs to move forward. If there is a sentence, paragraph or chapters that stall the story, trash em. 

This is a scary thought for me because currently I have two chapters that might be stalling the story. If my intuition is telling me they are, then I should trash, right? But these are also the chapters I woke up at 4 a.m. to write. Do I really want to let in that I could have slept instead?

3. I have been hired as a freelance writer for EaganPatch.com
Finally! I get paid to write! Have I mentioned how much I love LinkedIn? I do. A gal called me a month ago through LinkedIn asking if I'd be interested in becoming an editor for Patch in Shakopee. After having a few more conversations, we decided I didn't have enough editorial experience but I was able to write. Shakopee is still searching for an editor so she mentioned writing for Eagan, since I spend most of my life there working. Patch was started by aol.com. It's an online "patch" of a community's latest news.

My "paid" writing gig began last week. And the two articles were a lot of fun to write. The first is about English speaking students (juniors and seniors) at Eagan High School teaching immigrants (non-English speaking students) the English language. Can you imagine ttransferring from a different country to a new school full of teens and not knowing a lick of English?! This is such a cool program. There are some great teachers out there!

My next article is about Internet Safety. A couple things that shocked me:

1. Most fourth graders have cell phones.

2. Cyberbullying is more common that I thought.

3. Webcams need to be covered up at night, unless you want someone remotely taping you from the outside world. Yes, it's possible and it does happen. So either close your laptop at night or hang a hat over your camera when you go to sleep. SICK! Basically visit this website if you are kind of lost in the technology world. It's a library of information! http://www.netsmartz411.org/.

Will I be able to write two articles per week and juggle everything else? I'm not sure... Verdict is out. The launch of EaganPatch will be November 11.

4. Metal toxicity
Karl and I attended a seminar at Finish Line Chiropractor in Burnsville on toxicity. Dr. Delrae Messer spoke (and, yes, she's smokin hot). I can't believe the amount of people who take three, five, eight pills a day, hoping they will cure their illness. A lot of these "new age" illnesses are caused by inflammation. I mean, where was fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, restless leg syndrome, ADHD, years ago? Why now?

She explained that a lot of these new age diseases have to do with environmental toxins. Think dishwasher detergent, lotions, corn fed meats, plastics, microwaves and the water we drink. All that stuff is passed down through our mothers into our cells. But I also believe in doctors and that some medications are needed in order to survive. That we can't help. My interest was piqued though. Karl and I are both getting a metals test done to find out what's going on in our bodies. We have to pee in a cup for an entire day.

1. Karl is extremely tired all the time and has passed all his blood work and sleep apnea tests. So what's going on?

2. Me...I'm losing my hair again and I'm always freezing cold. My feet turn white when they get cold enough. I'll keep you posted on the results.

5. I'm getting so excited for Thanksgiving!!!
I love long weekends. And I love long weekends at home with my family...all of them. Yes, Mark and Tot are coming home from South Africa and I can't wait. My dad is even breaking open the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel.

6. Polish Vodka anyone?
My traveling brother Mike went to Poland a few months ago and brought back Polish vodka for us all to try. He even brought some for my grandparents to taste this past weekend. My grandpa fell in love with it, and I learned how well he speaks Polish! No wonder he talks backwards! My mission is to try to find this vodka in the states. Anyone know? It's supposed to be an after dinner drink; something to settle the stomach. The only thing I can find is Krupnik honey vodka, but it doesn't look like the bottle my brother brought home. There was definitely honey in the bottle though!

Until next time...

Your only treasures are those which you carry in your heart.

- Demophilus

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