Where did I go?/Paleo Sweet Bacon Chicken

Where have I been? Seems like I was doing well there for a few weeks. 

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WELL.....I got pregnant, for starters! 

Can you see that widdle face?  This was at 20 weeks. I'm 27 weeks now. But, what is it? 

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IT'S A GIRL!
(Thanks, Mia)

My due date is April 13th and we're expecting little Lily Mae. 

Don't worry I know that it's something like .000001% (ok maybe that's an exaggeration) of babies are born on their due date so, yeah...

I was wondering if I'd even have a bump, since I'm a big girl. But, I definitely do. LOL

So that's been part of it. I looked back and I've been gone since the end of July. Grease Monkey got pneumonia for a MONTH. Then I got sick, too. Did a hero/partner WOD back in August then tried a competition for Crossfit, but missed my chance that day and had a meltdown and didn't bother trying to get into the competition (hormonal maybe?)

Yes, I'm still crossfitting. I'm so glad I came back after I was over all my sickness. Yes, I'm scaling weight, reps, rounds, whatever I need to (like grabbing the rower handle THEN sitting down because then I can't reach, and having Grease Monkey tie my shoes) I'm also not lifting weight from the floor, I've got my own jerk blocks. Kind of. 

Don't be jealous! LOL I have to get hubs to set this up every time I lift. HAHA!

Keeping up a cooking/workout blog was hard with all the morning all day sickness I had for several weeks. I still haven't been able to eat chicken or salmon at home. It's not the raw meat aspect of it, or cooking it, it's the smell and taste. I have had chicken sandwiches and salmon in restaurants, but can't seem to stand it at home. Another part of not updating has been this TREMENDOUS case of baby brain I've had. WOW! I really always thought that was made up. Nope. It's for real! 

So, where does that put the blog? Well, my intentions for now are to start cooking things up and coming up with a post, then saving it and setting them to maybe auto publish after my little ladybug gets here. :) But, until then I'll try to make recipe posts once or twice a week. Ambitious, I know. 

So, today I'll make a peace offering. 

Paleo Sweet Bacon Wrapped Chicken

For the last couple of years I've been making chicken wrapped in bacon rolled in brown sugar. Saw it on (say it with me) PINTEREST. And the husband LOVES it and so do I. But, it's a little TOO sweet. 

So, let's make it Paleo

8 Boneless Organic chicken breast halves

8 bacon strips

4 Tbsp Organic Honey 

(thankfully Grease Monkey's parents keep bees and we get organic raw honey)

3 Tbsp Mustard

2 Jalapenos, optional

Instructions: 

Flatten chicken to 1/2 inch thickness

Slice jalapenos in quarters length wise and remove all seeds

Wrap 1 slice of jalapeno inside chicken breast

Preheat oven to 400

Mix honey and mustard together in a bowl

Spread Honey Mustard on chicken

Wrap each piece in bacon

Place in baking pan

Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes

**Got this recipe from Jackie Ladner, so Jackie if you see this, here's your credit, it's DELICIOUS!! Just can't remember WHERE I got this from so I can't link it**

Before

 After

Hope you enjoy this like I did, even though it's chicken made at home. 

Motivation Monday/My Favorite Things

I've gotten a pretty incredible response from my first blog post, so that motivates me to keep going. (Even though I've only done one, if I quit now what kind of blogger would I be?) Speaking of motivation I've got a couple things today.

First, I'll share with you one of my favorite things I use in the kitchen. Then, I'll leave you with some motivation. :)

Ok. So, for me, chicken is my go to protein for dinner. It's easy. I know how to cook it. I've gotten to a place where it's pretty fool proof for me. But...IT. IS. SO. BORING!!! Well, it can be for me!

Here's my favorite seasoning for chicken:

Ask Grease Monkey, he'll tell you this is a big deal for me to like anything Cajun. I will tell you myself, I don't like anything hotter than black pepper. Sonny's spices are A-MAZING. You can use as little or as much as you want by themselves or all together to make GREAT flavors EVERY time you cook chicken. We have Miraculous, Angel Dust, Gourmet Blackening, and Spicy Gourmet Herbs. (Found Here) They're all unique flavors that when mixed together or even done separately makes for chicken that will "Make you Hurt Yo-Self." We saw Sonny in Canton, TX at the First Monday there right after we got married in 2010. He was selling so much he could hardly keep up with the people asking. We bought 4 of his 5 flavors simply because I'm not a huge fan of lime, but if you are...DO IT!!! The best part about all of his seasonings: low to no salt! Seriously, you won't regret this! Every time we cook chicken for people we put Crazy Cajun on there and people can't believe how good it is. I pan sear it in butter (vegan butter for us, we're lactose intolerant at our house) and then I steam rice and pour the seasoning/rest of butter into the rice and mix it all in and it's GREAT!!! I can't rave enough about it! And it lasts for a long time, too. We've only had to order 2 times since we've been married, but I'm about to order again! You go order some, too!

SONNY'S CRAZY CAJUN SEASONINGS

What is your goal for this week? Mine is to start making it to Crossfit 4 times a week starting this week. I've lost 8 pounds in the last two weeks from monitoring my calories closely using the Lose It app on my iPhone and working out. I'm real goofy about it, too. I've got to work myself up to something in my head and plan for it. So, I already know I'm going to go Monday morning, Tuesday Morning, Wednesday Evening, Thursday off and go either morning or evening on Friday. So, again...what's your goal? You have to set goals that are small and attainable! So, to motivate me...oh, and you, too...I'm leaving you with some motivational pictures, quotes, sayings, whatever I found good this week to start off our Monday. So, happy Monday! 

Ok, Ryan. Just for you! :) 

 Seriously, this lady is 83 and Crossfits...what's your excuse?

 I put this picture on here because, really...who doesn't want to work out in their panties? I mean, I could never do it because I'd be worried about wedgies. But, you go for it! 

Have a great week. Stick to your goals. If you have a set back (like our Papa Murphy's pizza we had tonight for the first time OHMYGOODNESS why did we even open that Pandora's box of awesome?!!) just start again. It doesn't have to wait until next Monday or the next day. It starts with your next choice!