Slimmed down Chicken Pot Pie

A week or so ago we had a bit of a cold snap here, thankfully we have enjoyed a few days of really nice weather. But this week we are forecasted to only have day time highs in the low 60’s. This meal is great for those types of days. Not super heavy but warm and comforting all at the same time.

This bad boy also is perfect because it makes two pies at once, so you have one to share or freeze. We shared our extra one. Charlot and I delivered it to a family in town that momma is on bed rest trying to keep her baby girl in just a bit longer. As I was making the meal I kept thinking how hard it would be to be on bed rest have a little one and try to get supper on the table. Light bulb! Deliver them the extra pie!

On my mission to lead a healthier lifestyle I refuse to give up some of my favorite dishes. Chicken Pot Pie happens to be one of them! So to make this a bit more figure friendly I have first and foremost gotten rid of the bottom crust, it really isn’t that necessary. I also replaced most of the cream that you would use in a normal preparation with veggie stock and just did a splash of cream at the end. Lastly I made four chicken breast stretch between two pies and bumped up the veggies!

If you are looking for a warm comforting meal that will satisfy your need for rich hearty food without all the guilt check this puppy out!

Slimmed Down Chicken Pot Pie

1 basic pie crust recipe link Here (or you can use the store bought kind in the refrigerator section)

1 large onion (diced)

5 stalks of celery (diced)

5 Carrots (diced)

2 cups frozen corn

1 cup frozen peas

1 ½ tbsp. flour

2-2 ½ cups of vegetable stock

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (poached and diced)

Salt and pepper to taste

Splash of Cream

Pre heat oven to 350. In a large skillet heat some evoo add in the onion, celery, carrots cook until softened usually takes about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the veggies, continue stirring to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually add the stock, stirring and adding until you have reached your desired consistency. Add in your chicken, corn, and peas. Stir to coat. You may need to add more broth at this point. Finish with just a splash of heavy cream. Split the mixture evenly between two pie pans. Top each pan with one crust. Cut a slit in the curst, and brush some extra cream on the top and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown!

Quick and Easy Calzones

I love a meal that I can come home from work and have ready to go in less tha 45 minutes...it makes this girl happy happy happy! These bad boys are perfect for a family on the go! You can bake them and freeze them for future meals, you can customize them according to each persons preferences, and you can make them from scratch or use some helpers from the store!

A calzone is a huge hit at our house because Charlot and the hubs are huge fans of pepperoni while I am not so much! And Charlot doesn't really like sauce so she can dip as much as she does or doesn't want too! Have these and a nice fresh salad and you have a complete meal! Or if you are like me stick some spinach inside and you have your whole meal all wrapped up and ready to go! 

Since I currently have an abundance of ground pork in my freezer the night I made these I decided it was a good use for it! Oh and I didn't have any pepperoni in the house! But seriously use this basic recipe to change and adapt. Also on a challenge from a friend I made my own crust for these, but feel free to use the can stuff! I am happy to say I made it though making my own pizza dough. I used The Pioneer Woman's recipe check it out if you want! Here's the link!

 Easy Calzones makes 4-6

1 ball pizza dough 

1 lb of ground pork

1 onion diced

1 tsp salt 

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp red pepper flake

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 

1 ball fresh Monzzarella Cheese (sliced)

1 jar pizza sauce (I made the crust that night I figured that was enough homemade) 

Brown the pork with the onion and seasons and drain. Allow it to cool for a bit while you cut out your dough circles. Cut out or roll out circles of dough that are around 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Add some meat mixture in center in a line, top with some cheese. Fold the dough over and crimp the edges. Place on a tray, drizzle with some evoo and sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt. Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes.  Warm the sauce while the calzones are baking and serve for dipping!!! 

Enjoy!

My first 5K…

Just after I crossed the finish line!

Notice I said my first and I didn’t say my last! I have blogged before about how I have made the choice to start living a healthier lifestyle, a choice I desperately needed to make for me and my family. I know that some of the recipes I put on here don’t appear that way but my healthier lifestyle includes all things in moderation.

Having the proper eye wear is super important when you sleep through the entire 5K

Charlot and Grandma gearing up! Riding in the stroller is rough!

Well it has been a goal of mine for quite some time to do a 5K and when it was announced that the Biggest Loser Group I am part of was hosting one I knew this would be the one for me! I had a goal of not finishing last, major goal right! HA!

The big bro and I, he ran with me for a while but then the whole leg length thing became a problem.

My finish line cheerleader! HA!

The best thing about this is we turned it into a family affair; my parents, bro and Charlot (awesome stroller rider) all participated! The hubs well he decided this really wasn’t his thing but he was there to cheer each of us on at the finish line!



Speaking of finish lines here I am in true me style!






And my momma and Charlot...she woke up just in time for the photo finish!

My dad getting his photo finish...I have no idea where I get my wackiness

The whole thing was a great success for our entire little town. The event had over 50 participants and the proceeds went to our local youth center. Plus the fire department was kind enough to open up shop to let the kiddos see the fire trucks and the police started us off in great fanfare!

Say Cheese

Charlot and her buddy

Great participants!

All the people who are a part of this biggest loser group with me are amazing but I have to tell an extra special story. There is a young lady who is a member of the group that has several special needs and isn’t always able to do everything I know she would want to. But this girl is amazing she gives her whole heart to everything. On Saturday she walked the 5K and was determined to finish. Towards the end of the route she started to get tired and in need of some water, the water guys ran her some water and several of the “Losers” walked back to her. You could see how happy she was to have the support she did. I was so inspired by the two women who took the time to walk to whole race with her. And it felt amazing to watch all of us finish the race with this young lady. Even the fire trucks sounded off to celebrate her finish.

Now that is small town love and support! Thank you to everyone who organized this event and I can’t wait to do another!

Cinco De Mayo= Lots of Deliciousness....

Now I really don’t need an excuse to prepare Mexican food or to have a Margarita for that matter but this day just makes it feel even more festive! Today I have several recipes for you that all be wonderful for a Cinco De Mayo supper or any nights meal for that matter.


I cooked these goodies up last night at my parents for an early celebration. The feast included Tequila Lime Chicken, Spanish Rice, Roasted Fajita Veggies, Black Beans and all the fixings. The citrus theme ran through the entire meal it was delicious! I kept think the only thing that could make it better was a Margarita, but I didn’t have all the needed items to create one!

But when I got home I was still in the mood for a Margarita and I kind of wanted to make a sweet treat to take to work …thus a Margarita pie was born! Think Key Lime Pie with less lime and hint of orange! I do believe it is a keeper!

Here are the recipes if you want to recreate this spread.

Tequila Lime Chicken

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 cup Tequila

½ EVOO

1 cup Lime Juice

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

½ tsp Cumin

1 bunch Cilantro

Marinate all ingredients a zip top bag for at least 1 hour the longer the better! Grill inside or out until completely cooked through.

Spanish Rice

½ onion

1/8 cup orzo pasta

1 cup rice

2 cans Rotel Cilanto Lime Flavor

2 cups Chicken Stock

In a large skillet sauté onion, orzo, and rice until toasted. Add in Rotel and Stock. Simmer on low for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid absorbed.

Roasted Fajita Veggies

2 onions Sliced

4 Bell Peppers any color

4 TBSP EVOO

1 TBSP Garlic Salt

1 TSP Black Pepper

1 Lime

Spread all veggies on a large baking sheet and toss with oil, salt and pepper. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes. When they come out of the oven squeeze the juice of the lime over them and serve.

Margarita Pie

1 Shortbread Crust (honestly I had a premade one at home so I used that)

1 14oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ cup fresh orange juice

1 tsp lime zest

1 tsp orange zest

4 egg yolks

¼ tsp kosher salt

Whipped Cream (for topping)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and pour in to pre-baked pie crust. Bake at 325 for 16 minutes. Top with whipped cream.


ENJOY!!! and HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO oh and HAPPY MONDAY

Thankful Thursday's...These are a few of her favorite things...

Brushing Teeth Another Fave of Hers.

I worked yesterday and today for quite sometime to get an adorable video to upload unsuccessfully! So I will just give you the play by play!

I have been doing these interviews with Charlot every couple of month since she was two. Most of the time I just write down the question and answers but I thought that a video would be fun! And it is but of course I am not tech savy so I can't get it on here for you! If you know how PLEASE advise! I tried YouTube very unsuccessfully just an FYI.

So here's how the conservation went!

Momma: Ok Charlot who is your favorite person?
Charlot: Who?
Momma: I don't know you tell me?
Charlot: Christopher
Momma: Ok what is your favorite thing to do?
Charlot: Play
Momma: What is your favorite movie?
Charlot: Frozen
Momma: What is your favorite thing to eat?
Charlot: Chicken Nuggets
Momma: Who is your favorite Aunt?
Charlot: Giggling RaRa
Momma: RaRa giggles
Momma:What is your favorite thing to sing?
Charlot: My favorite thing to sing is "Let it Go"
Momma: What is your favorite book?
Charlot: Frozen I want to read it.
And I seem to always ask this because he is always her answer.
Momma: Why is Christopher your favorite person?
Charlot: Ha because he makes bulls!

I think I'll stop asking!

I am very thankful for these conservations and moments I can only pray they continue for a long long time!