Happy Monday! It is actually a pretty happy Monday for me, it’s my last class of the year! I’ve also managed to get 2/4 final papers finished. One more week to do a research paper and a take-home exam and I am done for three weeks! Cannot.Wait.

Lunch

When I first started buying tofu as a cheap protein source, I could not make it in a way that tasted good to me. It didn’t matter what flavour or seasonings I used, the texture was always too weird.

Then I learned that you’re supposed to PRESS tofu – well, that was a silly mistake. Needless to say, I’ve gotten a lot better at making it now.

Pressed, marinated in a steak marinade, and cooked on the stovetop until crispy on both sides. Yup, works much, much better than the bland, watery stuff I used to make. Salad with romaine, baby carrots, bell pepper, cheddar and Italian dressing on the side.

Popcorn is one of those things that I love, but don’t buy too often. I love these individual bags – it makes for a fun whole-grain meal/snack option! I added a little bit of butter and it was fabulous.

(although, I really, really wish I had some M&M’s. The best friend introduced me to this – go to the movies, buy popcorn and a bag of M&M’s, dump candy into the popcorn. It’s ridiculous how delicious it is).

But…one night I’m going to have to drizzle some chocolate on it…and maybe throw in some crushed up peppermints? (I have that ice cream on the brain, apparently). Yea, going to have to do that sometime.

Dinner

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I was seriously the pickiest eater ever when I was a kid…right up until high school. Hell, probably right up until university. I went through a loooong phase (8-13, approximately) when I would order chicken fingers and fries in about 90% of the restaurants I went to (once in a while, I’d get a chicken club sandwich and fries. Or, if we were out for breakfast, I’d order pancakes).

So, whenever I see chicken fingers and fries, I think of my childhood, I decided to recreate that meal for dinner last night, just in a slightly more health-conscious way.

yup..child-like tastebuds right there.

There is a massive box of corn flakes in the pantry that I have not touched in about a month (because corn flakes as regular cereal is way too boring for my tastebuds. Give me Mini Wheats or Panda Puffs any day!). But, it does make for a great breading tool – it adds tons of crispiness and crunch to baked foods. Hello, healthified childhood.

Honey Mustard Baked Chicken Fingers

Ingredients

• 4 small-medium sized chicken breasts
• 3 cups cornflakes
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin (seasonings are all approximates, I don’t actually measure anything. Adjust to taste!)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk (I used 1% cows, but really any almond/skim/soy/whatever else would work)
• 2 tablespoons honey mustard

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with tinfoil and spray with cooking spray. Crush cornflakes in a bowl. Add seasonings and stir to combine.

2. Combine eggs, honey mustard and milk in separate bowl, Beat eggs until incorporated. Chop chicken breasts into strips (For small-ish chicken breasts, I made 3 strips from each breast.

3. One by one, dip chicken in the egg mixture, making sure to coat entire surface. Then dip into cornflake mixture, again ensuring that you coat each side. Place each strip on the baking tray.

4. Cook for 8-12 minutes, or until cooked through.

Yea, definitely fabulous. Tender and crispy, without the super greasiness you get with traditional deep fried chicken fingers.

Of course, I made sweet potatoes fries to complete the meal.

Each with their respective dipping pile: ketchup for the fries, plum sauce for the chicken fingers. Because chicken fingers are not complete with plum sauce. (and fries are not complete without ketchup!)

Definitely a fantastic dinner.

 

Jenny’s Christmas Challenge, day 10!

So, my favourite Christmas scent is no longer available. I have no words for how depressing this is.

Seriously, best Christmas scent ever! I will never understand why it’s no longer in production (anyone have one stashed away somewhere?).

 

Slim and Sculpt

Yesterday I finished week 11 of my program with Carrie of This Fit Chick. 11 weeks down, only 1 to go! Still loving this program! I was doing jumping lunges as part of the workout yesterday and it made me realize how much stronger I’ve gotten – they were so much easier than I remember them being a few months ago. Love seeing progress!

Have a good Monday loves! <3

<— What’s your favourite Christmas candle? I need suggestions for a new favourite!

<— What was your childhood meal?