I had Jason take a quick picture of me before running out the door to meet with my friend Susan who had set up the most amazing day for me.

Almost 4 years ago I had shoulder surgery and she and another lady (Mary Margaret) in our Bible study brought over food for Jason and I.  Mary Margaret made me a chicken pot pie.  It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever had and I’ve requested this recipe since, but did not get it until yesterday.  And to clarify (in case you’re wondering), I also loved what Susan brought me and requested that recipe, but got it within the same week.  LOL!

So, my amazing day yesterday started with heading to Susan’s house and going together to Mary Margaret’s house for the three of us to each make a chicken pot pie.  We all had so much fun together!  We spent time getting each thing ready and Susan also took time to write down the recipe as we went along.  After seeing Mary Margaret’s recipe (the original and the four sections of notes with addendums to the recipe), I realize now why I have never gotten the recipe from her (it was all over the place in tiny notes that she couldn’t even read herself).  She is a complete natural at cooking and just throws a bit of this and a bit of that in, to come up with her creation.  This is why Susan was making sure to write down the recipe.  Smart girl!

I now have my recipe, enjoyed some great time with both Susan and Mary Margaret and was able to eat lunch with them yesterday (tasting the fruits of our labor that morning preparing the chicken pot pie).  Last night I baked mine and Jason and I enjoyed it (and um, finished it up today).  YUM!

Thank you Susan for arranging such an incredible day for me yesterday.  What an amazing gift you gave me!

And, in case you’re wanting this amazing recipe, you can print it out here.

Last night for dinner we made the Not-So-Sweet & Sour Pork with Udon Noodles from the Fall 2008 Clean Eating Magazine.  It was very simple to make and even though it seemed like it would taste strange, it tasted VERY good.  I think we might even try this recipe with chicken next time to see how that tastes (although the pork tasted great).  We’ll definitely have this again.  It also gave me a chance to use the Wok another time.  The Wok is starting to become a favorite kitchen appliance of mine (so quick and simple to make a meal).

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Last night I made Turkey Casserole from the Winter 2008 issue of Clean Eating Magazine.  If the sound of the word “casserole” makes you cringe (like it does my husband), keep in mind that this looks nothing like what we think of when we think “casserole”.

We both liked this meal, but both decided it needed a variation.  First off, it looks very unappetizing, although all of the ingredients in it sound good.  Second, it tastes very healthy, but somewhat bland (which is why we both felt the need to modify it a bit).  I added a bit of soy sauce to mine (you can never have enough salt when you’re pregnant….just kidding) and my husband added some shredded Cheddar cheese to his.  We both loved our variations.  We have plenty of leftovers (even though it says it serves 4, I would say it serves 6).  I plan on trying my husbands version (with the cheese) tonight.

We both agreed this was something to make again.  It very easily went together and just tastes out right healthy.  It’s nice to finish dinner and not feel bloated or full the rest of the evening….just satisfied with no extra ailments (heartburn, etc…).

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Last night I made a curry chicken dish from the Oxygen Collector’s Issue of Nutrition (Fall 2007) Magazine.  We both liked it, but thought it was a bit thick.  I think next time I’ll add some water or something to make it more of a sauce.  It just seemed to need some sort of liquid added to it.

I did add rice and we put the curry chicken over the rice.  I was surprised the recipe didn’t call for it to go over something (rice, pasta, etc…).

We’d make it again, but not anytime soon.  It wasn’t our favorite meal, but the flavors to it were nice to add to the mix of food we’ve been having lately.

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Today for lunch we had Smothered Steak Sandwiches from the March/April 2009 Clean Eating Magazine.  These were so easy to make with few ingredients (part of their “Fast, Five-Ingredient Entree” article).

My husband is working from home today, so it seemed like a fun lunch to make for us both (something other than a salad, deli meat sandwich, or frozen meal).  They were filling and flavorful.  We both liked them and would have them again.  And, lucky for us, we have leftovers.

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Last night I made a new “eat clean” meal from the Fall issue of Clean Eating magazine. I had my husband glance through some recipes and he picked this one (and a good one at that). It didn’t take near as long as I thought it would to make and it tasted really good (we’ll definitely be making it again!).

I used my Wok for this meal. We received it 12 years ago as a wedding gift and maybe used it twice in our first year of marriage. After so many moves, it’s hard to believe I even knew where to find it, but I went right to it (go figure). I think we’re going to have to make more Wok meals. Things cook so quickly in them. I just hate the clean up (since it doesn’t go in the dishwasher). Maybe that’s why I haven’t used it in years (plus it’s not in the most convenient area to get).

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Last week I was really craving a Subway sandwich.  I can’t tell you the last time we’ve eaten at Subway, as it’s not a food place of choice for us usually.  There is a nice new Subway in Knightdale that we decided to try out.  We went there for lunch and each got a combo meal (6″ sub, chips, and a drink).  For dinner, guess what I wanted…yep, Subway again.  We went back and this time I decided, “heck with the chips and drink, I’m getting a foot long”.  I was in heaven!  Yum!  It was SO good!

I finally am starting to feel better and made a menu for the next couple of weeks for meals for us to eat.  I went to the store this past Monday and actually got all of the ingredients to make my own sub sandwich (I like the Veggie Delite).  The past two days we’ve had sub sandwiches for lunch and they are SO good.  I’m curious how much we’re saving by making them here at home (I’m sure quite a bit).

Here’s what I put on my sandwich (which was way too large to fit in my mouth):

• sub roll (um, obviously)
• Provolone cheese
• lettuce
• tomatoes
• pickles
• green pepper
• red onions
• black olives
• banana peppers
• cucumbers
• oregano
• sweet onion dressing

I cannot begin to tell you how great it tastes!  So fresh and a ton of flavor!  I’m finally starting to eat healthy again (no meats, veggies, or fruits sounded good to me for months).  Maybe that’s why I’m feeling better (eating healthier).  Either way, I’m lovin’ this sandwich!

Wow!  How long has it been since I’ve posted an Eat Clean recipe?  Don’t answer that.   Sorry it’s been so long.  I made these pork chops last night.  I do plan on putting together an Eat Clean menu for next week (if I can get my butt in gear), so hope to have some more recipes to post soon.

Let’s just say that these were good, but we’ve had better.  I’d make them again, but have a feeling I’ll choose other pork chop recipes over this one first.  They’re nice for something different.

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I know…two starches in one meal, but I was dying to try them both.  Out of the two, there is definitely one we liked better, although we did like them both.  The Skinny Scalloped Potatoes won out.  They are very bland (almost tasting like hash browns), but tasted very healthy and is definitely worth making over and over again.  The Veggie, Rice & Cheese Supreme was also very good.  It had just the right amount of everything (good balance of flavors).  We added some baked chicken to the meal (not pictured) and had a meal fit for a king (well, kind of).  Both dishes got two thumbs up from us.

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I have to say that putting the ingredients together and seeing the batter makes this muffin seem less than desirable, but the taste is good and I will make them again.  Next time I may add a little vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg to them (what my normal (um, fattening) banana bread recipe has in it).  It wouldn’t change the nutrition facts either, which is nice.  When I do make them again and try the new way, I’ll update to let you know if they’re better and worth changing the recipe permanently.

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