Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Chicken & Spinach Calzones

Dietitian's tip:

Instead of Italian sausage, this calzone is stuffed with boneless, skinless chicken breast, which cuts out much of the fat and sodium. For a vegetarian version, saute 1 pound of sliced mushrooms and 1/3 cup chopped onion in a teaspoon of olive oil and use in place of the chicken.  I added a few roma tomatoes... 

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
8 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese
2 egg whites, divided
1 frozen whole-wheat bread dough loaf (16 ounces), thawed, not risen

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and saute, turning occasionally until golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside to cool. When cool to the touch, cut the chicken breasts into cubes. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta cheese, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese and 1 of the egg whites. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

In another bowl, using a wire whisk or fork beat the remaining egg white lightly.

Cut the bread dough into 6 equal-sized pieces. On a floured surface, press each piece into a circle. Using a rolling pin, roll each dough piece into ovals 8 inches long and 6 inches wide. Brush the edges of the dough ovals with the lightly beaten egg white.

Place 1/6 of the chicken cubes in the center of each oval. Add 1/6 of the spinach mixture to each. Fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edges together. Crimp with a fork and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until browned and crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutritional analysis per serving

Serving size: 1 calzone
Calories	377	Sodium	625 mg
Total fat	9 g	Total carbohydrate	40 g
Saturated fat	3 g	Dietary fiber	4 g
Monounsaturated fat	2 g	Protein	34 g
Cholesterol	56 mg

For Today~

For today,

Just Believe...

XoXo

<3

Perfect~

Made a wrong turn
Once or twice
Dug my way out
Blood and fire
Bad decisions
That’s alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss “no way it’s all good”
It didn’t slow me down
Mistaken
Always second guessing
Underestimated
Look, I’m still around…

Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

You’re so mean
When you talk
About yourself
You are wrong
Change the voices
In your head
Make them like you
Instead
So complicated
Look how big you’ll make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It’s enough
I’ve done all i can think of
Chased down all my demons
see you same

Pretty, pretty please
Don’t you ever, ever feel
Like your less than
Less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me

The world stares while i swallow the fear
The only thing i should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in lying and I tried tried
But we try too hard, it’s a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cuz they’re everywhere
They don’t like my jeans, they don’t get my hair
Stringe ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?

Yeah,
Ooh, oh, pretty pretty pretty,
Pretty pretty please don’t you ever ever feel
Like you’re less then, less than perfect
Pretty pretty please if you ever ever feel
Like you’re nothing you are perfect, to me
You’re perfect
You’re perfect
Pretty, pretty please don’t you ever ever feel like you’re less then, less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please if you ever ever feel like you’re nothing you are perfect to me

                         I picked this version, as I felt that the unedited 

version really did this song no justice...

&

 The official video,

 while moving, and powerful...

Didn't lend to what I wanted to convey.

I think that most of us are our own worst critic...

We are harder on ourselves than anyone else 

could ever be.

Some of us reach for perfection,

but the reality,

nothing in life is perfect.

Life is messy, 

mistakes are made.

Beating yourself up over it,

is basically...

Pointless!

As we make mistakes, we learn.

Not every lesson is one we want,

but if we can take something away from it 

and gain something...

We will grow.

Even if it is the knowledge that 

we never want to return to that situation again.

Life can be cruel,

people unforgiving,

but you don't need to be that way 

with yourself!

Let go of the pain,

the negative, self loathing thoughts...

Learn to Love Yourself,

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE...

Never apologize, 

for being uniquely you...

Some people will Love you for it,

others will criticize you.

Never let them change you!

No one has to walk in your shoes,

but you...

Make a life that you are proud of,

happy in

& 

try to enjoy the Journey...

You are Beautiful,

You are Perfect...

Never Believe 

anything less...

                                                                XoXo

<3

One Last thought~

Darling,

Open your eyes

You are not made up of those words

that hurt you.

Or the number on the scale,

or the expectations that you feel 

you will never meet.

You are made up of nothing more

than you.

Simply, beautifully, wonderfully,

uniquely you.

You are lovely and a complex soul.

An individualy fascniating combination of

thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions.

No other is as beautiful as you.

Look past the mirror.

Look at your soul.

Only then,

will you see 

yourself

as you truly

are...

Beautiful.

So Smile!

And don't Forget 

to

Love Yourself...

Just One Story~ Bridget Spence

Many times I have featured Bridget and her blog...

My Big Girl Pants

She is one of our Pink Warriors.

She is always painfully truthful with her writings and heartfelt.

She has been fighting with stage IV 

Metastatic Breast  Cancer now for 

seven years.

Diagnosed at the age of 21!

She has not only shown great 

Courage and Strength

in her 

tireless fight,

but Beauty and Grace...

Though I have only had the chance to spend a short time in her company,

she has forever touched my Heart.

Last year, we started wearing 

Pearls in her Honor,

as she loves her Pearls...

I hope if you have never read her blog,

 you will take the time to do so now.

She is simply,

Amazing...

Here is just one Video of Bridget,

It moves me to tears EVERY time I watch it...

Please keep Bridget and all those that are Fighting,

in your Thoughts & Prayers...

XoXo

<3

Sunday~ Unsung Heros

You will never see them grace the cover of this 

People Magazine

or read about them in the pages.

These Heroes that I am taking about, are

 Breast Cancer Warriors.

They each have their own story of 

Struggle, Grace, Strength and Beauty.

Each one fighting for one more day, 

to be able to have one more lifetime moment.

Be it a Birthday, Engagement, Wedding or Birth...

They just want to be able to experience it.

We struggle with heaviness of Heart as we lose them.

Each one has brought a special beauty into our life.

We have been made better, by just having 

 time in their company,

no matter how long.

We are a tight knit family.

Not only do we support those that are fighting,

but their Family and Friends as well.

We fight to find a Cure for Cancer.

Not just Breast Cancer, 

but all Cancers...

Each day more and more people are being diagnosed.

Every day,

 advances are being made.

Unfortunately,

 for some, 

not soon enough.

These unsung Heroes,

have ignited a fire in us...

We tirelessly work to help bring about a Cure.

So, that no one ever has to hear the words,

"You have Cancer".

Though our time with them was cut all too short,

we will remember them always.

Their smiles, 

the way they made us feel,

pictures that we took 

&

 the way that we would 

laugh when we were together...

All of these things and so many more made us love them.

With that love, we will continue to fight in their Honor.

Never giving up until we hear that we have found a Cure.

They will be forever etched in our Hearts and in our Minds...

We will Never Forget them or how they Fought.

Though we may never see them grace the cover of this magazine...

Their stories will be told and heard the world over...

Rest Easy our Angel Warriors...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ Get out there & LIVE

All too often we get wrapped up in the day to day grind. 

We forget about all of the special moments
 that happen every day.
They don't have to be huge, they could be as simple as hearing a child laugh,
or sharing a special moment with someone that you love.
It's the little things that mean so much.
A phone call, a hand written letter, little gestures of love...
We get so bogged down with trying to get things accomplished,
that we forget to be Thankful for the special moments
 that we are given.
As some of us take those moments for granted,
others are fighting,
just to see another day and have those to cherish.
I know that our perception is our reality,
but what if we could change our perception of the moment.
Look at each day with a Happiness of Heart.
Try to see the beauty around us and enjoy
the moments we are given.
Not every moment will be beautiful or pain free,
but what if we could concentrate on the gifts we are given.
Trust that even though times may be difficult,
they will not last.
Seek out moments that will bring you happiness
 and peace of mind.
Challenge yourself not to dwell in moments
that are unpleasant.
Let go of past wrongs, and give forgiveness
to those who need it.
They do not always know the pain they have caused.
Set your self Free...
Get out in Life and Live it to it's Fullest.
Try something new,
go places you have never been.
Take the moments you are given,
and keep expanding your horizons... 

Challenge your Comfort Zone...

XoXo
<3 

Savvy Saturday~ Fun Fore All~ Cranberry, PA

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to 

Fun Fore All.  

It is located in Cranberry, PA.

It is a wonderful place to take your family to.

They have rides, mini golf, batting cage, 

a rock wall, games 

&

 a great tower with plenty of obsticals that they call Ballocity.

They have specials every day of the week.

If you are able to text a series of numbers and then a code

they will give you a FREE $5.00 gift card 

to use while you are there.

They keep the facility well maintained, 

clean and the staff is very attentive to your needs.

There is a variety of food that you can order.

 Everything I ordered, was fresh and brought right to 

our table.

( it was nice not to have to go and pick it up. )

We went back several times during our stay 

as the boys had a wonderful time and 

no matter how long we stayed there,

it didn't seem to be long enough.

I know that future trips made to Cranberry 

will involve us taking time to 

visit Fun Fore All.

XoXo

<3

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Chef Donatella Arpaia’s Chicken Parm Hero

This madeover version of traditional chicken parm uses grilled chicken instead of fried, and bocconcini, or small mozzarella balls, for better portion control. By cutting down on the cheese, sauce and grease, you can enjoy this favorite without ruining your diet.

Ingredients

Serves 2

2 large cloves of roasted garlic (purple stripe garlic best for roasting)

1-2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil

Dried oregano

1 cup blanched cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup sliced zucchini

6 bocconcini

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 (4-oz) organic skinless chicken breast halves, thinly pounded

2 high-fiber whole-wheat baguettes (or low carb wrap)

2-3 leaves of basil

Simple Marinade

Juice of half a lemon

2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil

Oregano

Directions

Combine marinade contents in a bowl. Pound out chicken breast, generously add salt and freshly ground pepper then place in marinade. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, minimum.

In a skillet, sauté cherry tomatoes and zucchini in a teaspoon of olive oil. Add salt and pepper until melded.

Lightly coat grill pan with olive oil and place under medium-high heat. When very hot, add chicken, cooking for 5-8 minutes. Flip over and cook another 5 minutes. Chicken should be golden brown when done. Place bread on grill until nice and hot. Take the roasted garlic and spread over bread. Add chicken breast, tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle basil on top and you're done!

Happy Birthday Mom~

                                             Thanks to early detection 

                                                                 &

                                                 excellent health care.

                                          My Mom will be Celebrating, 

                                       her 75th Birthday this weekend.  

                                             My Mother is a Survivor.  

She is just one of the reasons why,

  I started walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.  

Why my hair has bright pink in it 

and now,

I own countless things in my closet,

all PINK!

I believe in what I do,

 with my whole heart.

If it weren't for the advances that Komen 

has brought about,

I don't think that I would be here,

with my family getting ready to have this 

Celebration.

So, as I walk countless miles,

&

 raise funds.

It's not just my way of saying 

Thank you...

 For all the extra moments

you have given to me with my 

Mother & Grandmother.

It's a way that I can help 

others to Celebrate all of the 

countless moments that mean so much.

Happy Birthday Mom...

I Love You.

XoXo

<3