Ziplock Chicken

So we let this marinate for 2 days (because Brian started making dinner and didn't realize I wanted this one first). Anyhow, I would definitely make this again, but I would probably use coke instead of diet. I think it lacked a little flavor...probably the sugar. : (


Ziplock Chicken (marinated)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 c bbq sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 can (6 oz) coke or beer (I used diet coke)
Salt and pepper to taste


Combine all ingredients expcept chicken and mix well. Add chicken. Marinate several hours or overnight.


Cook on a slow dying fire or on a grill using a brush to baste chicken with leftover marinade. Test doneness by piercing thickest part of chicken. Juices should run clear.

South Beach Stall

Overall I'm definitly happy with the weight I've lost so far (SOOO much more to lose though) but since I got off phase 1 I'm losing some motivation/dedication and the weightloss has stalled. It isn't increasing but it isn't going down much anymore either. I keep losing and gaining the same 1.5 lbs. : ( We're going to be busy this week and heading to Indiana soon, so hopefully keeping busy will help lose the next few pounds.

Super yummy lasagna...never thought the family would like it

I tried a new lasagna recipe last night and it's a recipe I've been putting off for a long time because it has an ingredient that my family will NEVER EVER eat. So I bit the bullet and decided to make it anyways and see if they could tell what was in it. Well needless-to-say not only did no one notice it wasn't ricotta, but they LOVED it.


Lazy Day Lasagna (makes 9x13 or 2-8x8 pans)
12 oz low fat cottage cheese (shhh...don't tell my family they ate it!)
2 c shredded mozzarella (I used 1 c low fat, and 1 c ff)
2 eggs
1/3 c chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp onion powder (I used minced onion)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp pepper
32 oz spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 c cooked ground beef
9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
1/2 - 3/4 c water


In a large bowl mix first 7 ingredients until well blended. Set aside
In a medium bowl mix spaghetti sauce and cooked ground beef. In a 9x13 pan spread 3/4 c meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 3 uncooked noodles on top. Next spread 1/2 of cheese mixture and 1 1/2 c meat sauce. Layer 3 more uncooked noodles on top of meat sauce. Spead with remaining cheese mixture. Top with remaining 3 uncooked noodles and remaining meat sauce. Pour water around the outside edge. Cover with foil and bake 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 min. Let stand 10 min. Delish!!!

Impromptu "Freezer Cooking Day"

First of all...Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there! But especially to my dad, Brian, Anthony, Jeremy and my father-in-law Stan. I think this was a good day for Brian. Unfortunately it wasn't a very exciting day for him but we spent the day together, so what says more than FATHER'S day. I enjoyed it! : ) Allison and I made him mock monkey bread (off the fly), all went grocery shopping together, played at the library, and then spent the rest of the day around the house. I even made a homemade lasagna for dinner.

I'm really into freezer cooking meals and I desperately want to do a freezer cooking day...and yet to do it. Until today! And let me tell you, I got a lot of dinners made, and I did not spend a ton of time in the kitchen. I made a few things while Chloe was napping this morning, again a few things after dinner, and then finished up another hour and a half after the girls went to bed.

So I'm proud to share my list of what is now sitting in my freezer:
1-2: Lasagna (one for dinner and have another one in the freezer)
3-4: Pizza burgers (1 for dinner this week and one in the freezer)
5. Simple Summer Marinated Chicken (to be grilled later)
6. Debbie's Chicken Marinade (to be grilled later)
7. Ziplock Chicken w/diet coke (marinating for dinner tomorrow)
8. Chimichangas
9. 1 lb cooked "fortified" taco meat
10. Taco meat for ramen noodle taco bowls
11. Homemade Hamburger Helper
12. Seafoam jello salad (for bookclub tomorrow)

I think that's everything! All in all I have 8 dinners frozen and ready to go, and 2 dinners for this week are also already prepared. Little pat on the back. : ) I can't wait to do another freezer cooking day.

Too ugly to post on Three Cooking Mama's : )

I LOVE freezer cooking meals and I so want to do a freezer cooking day at least once, if not twice this summer!  A friend of mine let me borrow her 30 Day Gourmet Freezer Cooking book and before I start making some of the recipes (because there are a ton we would potentially like!) I want to try them first.  Tonight I made "Supper on a Bun."  It was the ugliest thing I've ever made but the absolute easiest recipe.  And it didn't taste too bad.  Think meatloaf on a hamburger bun, or in our case, hot dog bun.  : )  Appealing right??  Don't knock it until you try it.  Brian and I each gave this 3.5 stars.  Not something I'd like all the time, but definitely an easy meal that would be perfect to make on a weeknight.

Supper on a Bun (makes 16 open faced hamburger buns)
1 c evaporated milk (I used fat free)
1 1/2 lb ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1/2 c oatmeal or crushed crackers (I used oatmeal, but ground it in the blender first so Brian wouldn't notice)
1 egg
1/2 c chopped onion (I used dried, minced onion--a few shakes)
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
8 hamburger buns or 1 loaf of french bread cut open to make 2 halves
Cheese (any prefered, optional)

Since this recipe was for 1 1/2 lb ground meat and I only had 1 lb, I just used a little less of all the other ingredients. 

Combine all ingredients.  Place open hamburger buns (or in our case hot dog buns b/c that's what we had!) or split french bread on a cookie sheet.  Spread 2-3 tbsp onto each bun (or half of mixture on each side of french bread).  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  If desired, top with cheese and cook an additional 5 minutes. 

Try it...let me know what you think.  And don't say I didn't warn you, it isn't a glamourous meal.