Being Healthy to me is....eating right.
If you make it you know what is in it, which is half the battle!
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Fried/Baked Buttermilk Chicken

(I served this at my own reception and even people who didn't like fried chicken loved this recipe)

6 pounds of chicken pieces
or
2 whole chickens cut into eight pieces each
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups of corn meal or flour
(I prefer corn meal it makes for a crispier crust)
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
vegtable oil for frying

Let chicken pieces marinate in buttermilk.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine corn meal salt and pepper. Coat each piece of chicken with mixture. Heat oil in large stock pot with a heavy bottom ,or a cast iron skillet, to 360 degrees.

Be Careful not to overcrowd your batches when browning chicken. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side. You do not have to cook through because you will be baking the chicken also.
After the chicken is fried, bake for 30-40 minutes, until no longer pink inside or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.

useful tip: If you are preparing this chicken for a party, fry the day before/refigerate/then bake the day of the event.....this is how I pulled it off and it was still wonderful!

This would also be great cold. Serve at your next picnic or family outing!

Enjoy!
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Chorizo Baked Beans

1 pound dried pinto beans (navy beans can be substituted or you can use a combination beans)
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 ounces spanish chorizo/without casings
/if you can not find this spanish sausage you can use sweet sausage and add a combination of these spices; cumin, chili powder, spanish paprika,safron, and if you like it with a kick some hot pepper flakes, I also like to add a pinch of cinnamon/
1 medium yellow onion-chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 can crushed tomatoes (16 ounce)
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 teaspoon fresh thyme about 3 sprigs
salt to taste/remove from stem and chop

Cover beans with water in excess of 2 inches, soak overnight.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Heat olive oil in skillet. Add chorizo(break it up like your going to use it in spaghetti sauce, add onion cook until almost done then, add garlic. Drain off excess fat if you desire but I think it adds wonderful flavor to this dish. Add chicken broth, salt/pepper. Drain beans and rinse, add to mixture and bring to a simmer. Let simmer (covered) for about 1 hour or until beans are easy to bite into. Stir in tomatoes, brown sugar, molasses and thyme.
Transfer to baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, 40-60 minutes more. ____________________________________________________
Potato Salad
w/ Kalamata Olives

3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 pieces
salt to taste
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup chopped Kalamata olives
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Bring Potates to a boil, add salt. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes are just tender.
While waiting for potatoes, whisk vinegar and mustard together in a bowl. Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Drain potatoes and spread them on a rimmed baking sheet. While they are still hot drizzle with dressing then let them cool completely.
Transfer the cooled potatoes to a serving bowl and add remaing ingredients. Toss lightly. Let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour so the flavors can marinate.
If you refrigerate before an upcoming event remember to let the potato salad come to room temp before serving.

Happy Eating!

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I would keep it simple with dessert.

Cubed watermelon served with chopped mint leaves.

or

Mangos and pineapple dished up with fresh cilantro.

Enjoy your next picnic with family and friends!

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I wanted to share my beliefs on healthy living. They are really quit simple......
I eat healthy. I don't over indulge. I do not to eat at fast -food restaurants. I try to exercise....but, I don't diet. Oh and the biggest thing I don't drink pop...soda..coke (whatever you call it) anymore.

I'll tell you, I tried to restrict my diet by trying the latest Bob Green craze....and only eat what he recommends with in a given period. I couldn't do it. I wanted what he said I couldn't have! I gained 5 pounds!

Health is a body and mind experience.

IF we are talking about the body - you are what you eat
If we are talking about the mind - you can have,do or be anything you want.....if you see it in your mind and believe it, it will happen for you!

I will let you in on the fact that I believe in the Law of Attraction. If you haven't read "the Secret" yet check it out. You will be glad you did!

FOLLOW YOUR JOY!!

Regenerate your skin from head to toe using the natural acid from peaches! Just cut them in half, remove the seed and rub all over.

For dry skin use a yogurt & avocado. Whip it cream and it is a great moisturizer!

Scrub a dub dub.....

Ground olive pits and olive oil. This is wonderful especially if you have dry skin. (your coffee grinder works perfect for this)

Make sugar and lemon juice into a paste!

And here is a tip to prevent stretch marks. Use 1 cup of yogurt and a tablespoon of tumeric!

Well thats all I have for now.
I will be adding to this list so, if you have any tips let me in on them.