Easy Fall Meal with Chicken

This meal can be made anytime of the year, but reminded me of Fall.  I made this on my stove top, but could also be made in the oven, or crock pot.

Ingredients:

Frozen or thawed chicken breast

6-8 small red potatoes, cut into cubes

1 green pepper (These were from my garden)!

1/4 of an onion sliced

Salt and pepper or any seasoning you like.

                               

Stovetop: Place in non-stick skillet, no oil needed.  Cover on medium heat for about 30-45 mins. until chicken is cook through.  

Oven: Bake, covered on 350 degrees for about 30-45 mins. in the oven.  

Crockpot: 5-6 hours on high, or 10 hours on low.

This was so simple and only took me 5 minutes to prepare.  I cleaned the pool, swept the floor, emptied out the kids lunch boxes from school, and made my soccer lineup while this was cooking.  I cut up the chicken and spooned into bowls for the kids and myself to eat on the way to our soccer game.  This Fall.....my daughter is on 2 soccer teams, piano weekly, middle son is in baseball and travel soccer, and little guy is on a soccer team.  I am also working more than I have in 5 years, and hubby works crazy hours.  These quick and easy meals will be what I am all about this Fall.

Enjoy and be healthy!  

Chocolate Cupcakes-Really???

OK.......Have you ever had a craving for something sweet, or for chocolate?  What kind of question is that, I know!  Do you know why you have this craving?  Is it that you are not eating every 4-5 hours, that you have skipped a meal, are you bored, mad, is your blood sugar elevated, is it that "time" of the month?  There is usually a reason, so if you have a craving and it doesn't pass, try to problem solve and figure out why.  If you can't figure out why and fix it, you may need to fulfill the craving with something small.

This quick and easy recipe is great for you, your family, and to take to a gathering.  These are delicious, moist, low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol and no one will know it was made with pumpkin!  While preparing for a support group at my work, I came across this recipe.  It is so easy and cheap.

Ingredients:
One box of cake mix- any kind-white, chocolate, spice cake, devil's food (my favorite)
1 can pumpkin (15oz.)

Stir the 2 ingredients together, if it is a little dry, add Tbsp water. 

 It should look like a smooth paste.

You could even add some pecans or walnuts.....

Place mixture in cupcake pan (2/3's full) in paper holders.  Mixture should make 16-20 cupcakes  

Each cupcake = 120 calories and approx. 22 grams of carbohydrates

If you make these for yourself or your family, try to keep it to one per person.  Leave off the frosting, as this would only add extra sugar and the bad fat.  Freeze the rest for a rainy day or when you are craving chocolate.  Take the rest to a friend or gathering, so they are not tempting to you.  This is a very cheap and somewhat healthy option when your brain is craving sweets.