Roasted Turkey Breast

Roasted Turkey Breast

I LOVE having a Roasted Turkey Breast cooked and ready to grab from throughout the week. It allows us to have a great supply of meat/protein readily available to use in our meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 Turkey Breast (good sized)

• 2 Sticks of Butter (softened)

• 4 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary

• 2 1/2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley

• 1 1/4 Teaspoons Ground Sage

• 1/4 Teaspoon Fresh Cracked Pepper

• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Directions:

I buy 3 or 4 turkey breasts at a time and keep them in the freezer.  I take one out 3-4 days before it's needed and place it in the refrigerator to begin the thawing process. After it has thawed, remove it from the packaging and discard any other enclosed packets from it as well. Then, rinse it under cold water, separate the skin from the meat carefully creating a pocket for the herb mixture and place it in the roaster.

Put the softened butter, the leaves from 3 sprigs of rosemary, 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon of ground sage, as well as, 1/8 teaspoon each of fresh cracked pepper and salt in a small bowl. Mix the ingredients together (I use my hands). Spread the mixture as evenly as possible in between the skin and the meat of the turkey breast.

In a separate bowl, place the leaves from 1 sprig of rosemary, 1/2 tablespoon of fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon of ground sage, then 1/8 teaspoon each of fresh cracked pepper and salt. Mix it well and rub it all over the outside of the turkey breast.

Cover the roaster and every 30 minutes to an hour, pull the juices from the bottom of the roaster and baste the turkey breast. Cook the turkey breast for 5-6 hours, depending on its size. You'll see the meat beginning to separate and fall from the bones. The outer skin will be a nice browned color too. Those are clear signs that it is time to dig in.

Once it's done, take the turkey breast from the roaster, remove the skin and carve all the meat from the bones and place it in a container, or three, if you'd like to freeze some to use in future dishes. Don't forget to make a wish with the kiddos while holding the wishbone before discarding the scraps too!

 Completed Turkey Breast

Turkey Breast Ready To Eat!

  Enjoy! -C

Daly Fuel & Guidelines

Daly Fuel & Guidelines

I am frequently asked what type of foods I eat or feed my family, as well as, what kind of guidelines I follow when choosing those foods. So, I'm going to share that with you today.

I was never a terrible decision maker when it came to choosing the foods I ate, and I was fortunate enough to have a Mom that cared quite deeply about such matters, but I had to become very diligent about those foods when I was diagnosed with Hypoglycemia many years ago. I went from someone who enjoyed those 5am wake ups to get to school to someone who had to be dragged (seriously) from bed. The energy that used to radiate from my being had been doused and I looked like the life had been expunged from my body. I would experience periods of energy bursts, then, I would fall flat on my face... no joke. I dealt with headaches and migraines, throwing up (either from the headaches/migraines or an over abundance of sugar consumed), always cranky and snippy if I went too long between meals and if I missed a meal... dizziness, "the shakes", cold sweats, fade to black (passing out) would ensue, and close to every symptom that is associated with Hypoglycemia became my daily struggle. NO BUENO! 

So, it was time to get serious, very meticulous, and quite frankly, obsessive, about every single morsel of food or drop of beverage that had the pleasure of gracing my lips or was responsible for fueling my body and keeping my incredibly active lifestyle on track. I could not keep traveling the road I was on, I was fading and FAST! I had to try to squeeze in 6 mini meals a day or 3 meals with snacks in between, kick ALL the simple carbohydrates aka "white stuff" to the curb (breads, noodles, rice, sugar, etc.), go easy on the fruits, have lean protein with each meal (helps to stabilize the sugar levels), very minimal sugar, limit alcohol and juices (especially the sugary mixed drink versions), try to keep my stress levels down or cut out stressors (that's a tough one), scale back my caffeine consumption (really tough one as an active Mom), and cut out tobacco. Tobacco was the toughest one for me, but, I persevered and finally kicked that nasty habit right in the face 1 year, 17 weeks, 15 hours, 43 minutes and 42 seconds ago. Yes, I still keep track of that proud moment to this day, that was one hell of an accomplishment--for real! 

It has been an ongoing struggle because of how active I am, not to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure I was born without that internal clock that says: "Hey, It's time to eat Lady!!" However, I have become very informed about the foods that I eat and buy for my family, our health, as well as, our fitness. I take it one day at a time and make a concerted effort to get enough sustenance fueling my body so that I do not experience those Hypoglycemic moments because honestly, I like my face, and I'd prefer not to fall on it! 

So, without further ado, here is the Daly Fuel & Guidelines I do my best to adhere to:

• 6 Mini Meals a Day or 3 Meals with Snacks in between
• No Simple Carbohydrates aka "White Stuff" (Noodles, Rice, Bread, Bagels, Muffins, Croutons, etc.)
• Very Minimal, to No Sugar
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup or other Chemical Products (if you can't even read it, or even know what it is, why eat it?)
• No Fast Food or Deep Fried Foods
• Shop the Outer Areas of the Grocery Stores (Produce, Meats, Seafood, Dairy, Some Frozen) as much as possible
• Eat Real, Whole Foods (Not Processed, Fat-Free, 1/3 Less Fat, Low Fat and so on, Products)
• Buy Organic when possible 
• Farmer's Markets or buy Local
• GROW OUR OWN FOOD!! (This makes my day) 
• Eat Homemade Foods (Make as much as I can myself so I know exactly what is in our Food)
• Whole grains or Whole Wheat
• Lots of Vegetables
• Some Fruit
• Whole Milk
• Whole Milk Cheeses bought in Bricks (No Pre-Shredded Cheeses)
• Greek Yogurt
• Lean Meats and Eggs
• Seafood
• Unsalted Nuts
• Honey or Maple Syrup (Instead of Sugar or Sweeteners)
• Water, Water, and MORE Water
• In Moderation: Coffee, Tea, Beer, Wine, and especially, Juices (contains a lot of sugar or added sugars)

There you have it, or at least, I think that's all of it, but do me a favor and remember that we are all human and no one is perfect. I allow myself an occasional slice of cheesecake or an extra glass of wine from time to time and IT IS OK! I just know my limits, eat/drink those occasional treats in moderation and keep in mind that everything I consume is essential to fueling my body through the "crazy busy" I affectionately call my life! 

-C

Nutritious Snacks

Nutritious Snacks

Here is a list of  some of the most common snacks we use around our house:

• Grilled or Fresh Sliced Vegetables w/ Homemade Hummus
• Kale, Spinach, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Sweet Potato, Red or Russet Potato, and so on, "Chips" (baked or fresh)
• Sliced Tomatoes, Avocados and Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese
• Cheese Slices w/Whole Wheat or Whole Grain Crackers
• Cheese Sticks 
• Sliced Zucchini Pizzas
• Whole Wheat or Whole Grain Mini Bagel Pizzas
• Whole Grain Pita or Bagel Chips
• Homemade Salsa or Guacamole
• Cucumber Slices with Cheese, Greek Yogurt or Chicken/Turkey/Tuna Salad (Use Greek Yogurt or Avocados instead of Mayo)
•  Hard Boiled Eggs
• Apple or Fruit Slices/Chunks (drizzle w/ Dark Chocolate if you like) w/ Homemade Fruit Yogurt Dip
• Fruit Salad (Fruit Chunks mixed with Greek or Regular Yogurt, topped with Homemade Granola and/or Nuts.)
• Fruit Popsicles, "Ice Cream", Shakes & Slushies (also add vegetables and herbs too!)
• Frozen Yogurt (Greek or Regular Yogurt that you freeze as such or add Fruits, Herbs, etc. to it and then freeze)
• Frozen Grapes or Fruit Chunks
• Bananas Sliced Chunky w/ Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate and Crushed Nuts
• Bananas Sliced Chunky w/ Peanut Butter and/or Honey and Cinnamon
• Banana Pudding (Bananas layered with Graham Crackers and use Greek or Regular Yogurt instead of Pudding. Then use Heavy Cream mixed with Honey and Vanilla to make your own Whipped Cream Topping!)
• Graham Crackers
• Small snack sized serving of Oatmeal w/Fruit, Nuts and Whole Milk
• Homemade Granola Bars, Granola Balls, Granola or Trail Mix
• Muffins or Cookies (try using Honey or Maple Syrup in lieu of Sugar when you can)
• Unsalted Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts etc.)

These snacks can be enjoyed by adults or children. Of course, the kiddos love it when you cut their food into different shapes or even freeze them. Frozen fruit is great for the teething toddlers too, since it soothes the gums.

Note: Some of the items/ingredients above may need to be omitted depending on the age of the child. Always check with your Doctor for age appropriate foods.

 Granola Energy Balls

 Homemade Whole Wheat Crackers

 Homemade Smoothie

Apple Slices and Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip

Bananas topped with Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate and Crushed Nuts

Sliced Zucchini Pizzas

Cucumber Slices topped with Spinach and Tuna Salad, as well as, Sliced Tomatoes

Homemade Guacamole and Organic Chips

Hummus w/ Whole Grain Bagel Chips

Oatmeal made with Whole Milk, topped with Sliced Bananas and Blueberries

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

Enjoy! -C

Barbeque Chicken with Colby Jack Cheese & Gluten/Casein Free Turkey Bacon, Grilled Mixed Vegetables & Sliced Tomatoes with Fresh Parsley

Menu

Barbeque Chicken with Colby Jack Cheese and Gluten/Casein Free Turkey Bacon 

Grilled Mixed Vegetables  

Sliced Tomatoes with Fresh Parsley

Barbeque Chicken with Gluten/Casein Free Turkey Bacon and Colby Jack Cheese

Ingredients:


(5) Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 Cups Shredded Colby Jack Cheese (I buy the bricks of cheese, much healthier than shredded varieties)
1 Package Turkey Bacon (I found a gluten/casein version made by Applegate® Organic and Natural Meats and it was quite flavorful. My husband and I both agree it tastes more like ham, but it was very good and an excellent addition to the meal.)
1/2 Cup Barbecue Sauce

Directions:

Cut the turkey bacon into pieces and cook it per package instructions. (I cooked mine on the stove.) Grill the chicken until thoroughly done. Times will vary depending on the thickness of the breast. While the chicken is grilling, shred the colby jack cheese or have it already done and waiting in the refrigerator. Once the chicken is done grilling, bring it inside and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to pool. Transfer the chicken to individual plates, lightly coat them with barbeque sauce, sprinkle with colby jack cheese and top them off with the turkey bacon pieces.

Grilled Mixed Vegetables

Ingredients:

1/2 Medium Eggplant
3 Small Zucchinis
1 Medium Onion
1/2 Large Yellow Pepper
1/2 Large Red Pepper
6 Large Baby Portobello Mushrooms
1 Bundle of Fresh Asparagus

Mixture:

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Lemon
3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Fresh Cracked Pepper
2 Tsp Rosemary

Directions:

Wash vegetables, slice them (except the asparagus) lengthwise and chunky, then place them in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients for the mixture in another bowl, then pour it over the vegetables and distribute it evenly. If you have time, cover the vegetables and let it sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to intensify the flavor. If you don't, that's ok too. Place the vegetables in a grill basket and cook them 8-10 minutes on each side. Watch the grill for excessive heat or flame from the juices dripping from the vegetables. The vegetables should still have a little crunch to them once done!

Add a healthy bit of the Grilled Mixed Vegetables to the Barbeque Chicken with Turkey Bacon and Colby Jack Cheese on the plate. Add some sliced tomatoes garnished with fresh parsley and a bit of fresh cracked pepper, then, ENJOY!

 Mixed Grilled Vegetables (before grilling)

 Grill Basket

Completed Dinner: 

Barbeque Chicken with Colby Jack Cheese and Gluten/Casein Free Turkey Bacon 

Grilled Mixed Vegetables  

Sliced Tomatoes with Fresh Parsley

Ask & You Shall Receive...

Well Everyone,

Daly Fuel is up and running to help in getting us all healthy, fit, strong and fabulous to ensure we thrive in our active lifestyles. This is a new adventure for me, so please, bear with me as I'm sure I will make mistakes, but, we can all laugh about every last one of them and enjoy the journey together.

You can also follow Daly Fuel on Twitter. Stay tuned for more and thank you all for pushing me to get this going!

Love & (((Hugs)))

Chelseá Daly