Skinny Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Life has been hectic.  The kids are on summer break.  My job is at its peak season.  And, there has been little time to sit and share What I Wore, The Joy Experiment, my thoughts on our Daniel Plan journey & favorite recipes.

But, I'm hoping (for my own sake) that I can get back into the swing of things.

So, let's start out with a SUPER simple clean eating recipe.

My youngest LOVES wings.  LOVES them.  He also loves any & all hot sauces. We have a virtual smorgasbord at our house.  So, I knew this would be a hit.

If you are in a super hurry, you can grab a rotisserie chicken & shred it & add the sauce.  I had some time so I cooked my chicken in the sauce.

Shopping List

5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts

Organic butter

Franks Buffalo Sauce

Franks Hot Sauce

Organic Ranch seasoning

Plain Greek yogurt

Blue Cheese Crumbles

Lemon juice

Sea salt

Black Pepper 

Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning (optional)

Milk

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Shredded Carrots

Shredded Cheese (for the non-loving Blue Cheese peeps in your household)

Wraps 

(I use spinach or whole sprouted grain...none of that white flour stuff!)

 In a 9x13 dish, layout your chicken breasts sprinkle with pepper, salt & dry Ranch seasoning.

In a bowl, melt butter (about 4 tbs) & Franks Buffalo Sauce (about 1 cup) & Franks Hot Sauce (to taste).  Pour over chicken at cook at 350 until done.  About 30 minutes.

Chop lettuce & tomatoes.  Shred cheese. I buy the carrots already shredded to save time.  (However, I just did score an OXO mandolin still in the box at Savers, so I may start having to julienne my own!)

In a bowl, take 6 oz of Greek yogurt, a splash a milk, 2 tbs of lemon juice, blue cheese (again as much or as little as you like...I like a LOT) and salt & pepper to taste.  I also added Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning because I am basically addicted to it these days & add it to all my recipes.  You can thank me later if you have not yet discovered it.  So yummy!  Especially on chicken dishes.  Mix all together.

Once the chicken is done, shred it & toss it in the juices.

Serve in the wraps.

So easy & quick & really really yummy!

As The Gunny said, "I just can't believe we are eating so healthy because it tastes so good."

 

What We Wore Wednesday

It's my favorite day of the week....

WHAT WE WORE WEDNESDAY!

Due to the CFF walk this past weekend, I have to say there were a LOT of running pants & t-shirts in my #ootd! (outfit of the day, for those of you who might be afraid to ask)

 

But, my friend, Roo, is bringing it with TWO outfits that are amaze balls!

 I promise not to gush this week & sound all Single White Female.

But, man, can she style an outfit!

Here we go....

 
 

I scored this FUN Boden sweatshirt at Savers.  I love it.  It is all in the details...the soft corduroy collar is a great touch.  Boden has some beautiful things on their website.

One of the 52 pairs of black leggings I have & my tennies & I was good to go to pack up the U-haul for the CFF Great Strides walk!

 

 Now, don't be jealous....because I know you all would LOVE to sport your own HIGHLIGHTER yellow Great Strides t-shirt.  Topped it with a comfy jacket (again from Savers) & my Under Armor running tights that I got at.....yep, Savers!  

Now, you CAN be jealous that Nick Vasos from Fox 4 News in Kansas City was the emcee for my walk and that he was gracious enough to wish my mama (who adores him) a Happy Mother's Day!  He even mentioned her on the news on Monday morning...which secured my status as the favorite child.  Of course, I am the ONLY child.  But, still the favorite. (smile)

 

I'm still playing along with #stylememay on Instagram.  It was brights & stripes.  The skirt is from Old Navy via the thrift store.  The shirt is from Harolds....yep, from the thrift store.  The cardi is from Target & the statement necklace from Everyday Icing,  I paired my outfit with my nude heels so I wasn't TOO brighty & stripey.

 The next #stylememay was "owned 5 years or more".  My dress & jean jacket from Marshalls fit the bill.  PLUS, this is the FIRST time in THREE years that the dress has fit.  HOLLA!  I know you all know I'm gonna start preachin' about the Daniel Plan again.  But, I am a testimonial that a clean eating LIFESTYLE (not diet) & exercise pays off!  I feel better at 43 than I have my ENTIRE life.

 

My last outfit of the day this week for #stylememay was "WILD THING".  My leopard print was about as wild as I was gonna get this week!  My blouse is from Marshalls, cropped pants from Kohls & topped off with your wardrobe must have...a black cardi from Target.  My necklace is Liz Claiborne and I have had it for about 20 years.  And, I love it as much today as I did when I bought it!  That, my peeps, is ONE great purchase.

So, let's check out Amy's #ootd...she was FANTASTIC and sent us TWO!  They are both fab!

 

 Silk, tie front blouse from Anne Taylor. Cropped, double breasted vest is Leifsdottir from Anthropologie. Brown boucle, wide leg trouser from the Limited. Strappy, studded heels are Frye from Nordstrom rack. And macrame earrings and all brass and wood bangles from a market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Beautiful!  I also LOVE the lace tights!     

 Red blazer from H&M, gingham button up, fox sweater, and white jeans all from Old Navy, metallic oxfords from Target, paper mâché pearl earrings from Just the Thing in High Point, NC, knock off Cartier nail bracelet from flea market in Shanghai, China.

Love this look!  So excited to see oxfords on women again.  In high school, we called oxfords "jazz" shoes.  I had a white pair that I loved.  I am also thinking I need to add a few blazers into my wardrobe & maybe give my jean jackets a rest once in a while!

Thanks so much, Roo, for playing along!  I get so inspired by your #ootd!

YOU can play along TOO!  Send me a picture of your #ootd!  You know you wanna!  You can send them to me at justjilly@rocketmail.com.

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

What We Wore Wednesday

It's Wednesday....time for a little What WE Wore...

I was interviewed on 41 Action News last week.  I picked a really subtle dress to appear on the Mid Day show with Cynthia Newsome. (wink).  Some nude heels completed the look.  God bless, Kate, for making nude heels en vogue.  They are serious life savers at times.

 

Oh, look...more thrifted gym clothes:  the yoga pants are from Savers, jacket from Maj R Thrift, as well as, my MASH t-shirt that reminds me of my Daddy.

 

Wore my Kohl's white sweater dress & Vera Wang jewelry.  The shoes are from Charlotte Russe.  It was still a little cold so I wore a jean jacket as well.

 

My Friday outfit was a thrift Banana Republic shirt & thrift jeans.  I got my awesome 31 bits necklace on a IG sale.  Sandals from Target.  Bracelets from Stuff in Brookside (for my KC peeps), and my Plaid Barn watch.  I actually donated my jeans this week because they are now WAAAAAY too big.  

 More thrift gym clothes & a look at the difference in how I shop these days....I love seeing the comparison of canned to fresh!

Decided to follow along with "Style Me May"...it makes me dig deeper in my closet.  This was my colorful Cinco De Mayo outfit.  The dress is Target, Steve Madden sandals from Marshalls & a Everyday Icing necklace. 

 

This day was "Pretty Little Layers" for Style Me May.  I wore a thrift blouse, cardi, and cropped pants.  And some blingy flats.  What I REALLY love is my new necklace from Everyday Icing.  I love a good statement necklace. 

Loving my thrift American Eagle dress/tunic thingy.  Paired it with black leggings from the thrift store & heels from TJ Maxx.  Today's Style Me May was "The Mane Event" so here is a shot of my B.I.G. hair!

 

My friend, Julie, is playing along today for What WE Wore Wednesday...we had a cold spell in KC last week, so we all had to bundle up!  Here are the deets on her cute outfit!

"Black skinny pants from Macy's - not on sale but a needed staple piece. Red burnout tee from Finishings for Her - on clearance several years ago. Denim jacket from Von Maur clearance - BEST day to shop is WEDNESDAY. Necklace - not sure, but some home party type of place,  and my favorite black boots. Boots on the last day of April??? Hope to not see those again until Fall!"

Thank you, Julie, for sending in your #ootd!

I'd love for you to play along too!  Just send your #ootd & the details to me at justjilly@rocketmail.com!  

And, if you are looking for a little motivation....here is the Style Me May calendar!   

The Daniel Plan :: Food

The first thing people ask when I tell them I'm on the Daniel Plan is...

What CAN'T you eat?

I tell them....I can eat ANYTHING.  I choose NOT too.

When someone offers me a cookie, I simply say, "I don't eat that anymore, but thank you."

 But, since I know you're going to insist here is what I GET to eat & what I DON'T eat...

I get to eat lean proteins, fruits & veggies, good grains & some dairy.

I don't eat refined sugar, white four, foods loaded with preservatives (if it is in a can or jar & has more than 5 ingredients OR things I can't pronounce chances are it won't make it in my cart), and soda.  

I do drink one cup of coffee a day.  But, truth be told...I usually only drink 1/2 a cup & I am considering kicking coffee to the curb as well.  I stick with water (which I now LOVE) and herbal tea.  I also love to infuse my water with fruits, herbs & veggies.

These are the very basic guidelines.  I won't bore you with the ins & outs.  But, if you want to know more...I encourage to read the book!

 

 Some of you are saying right now...there is NO WAY I can live without my Diet Coke or my coffee creamer.  And, I am telling you....YES YOU CAN!  

When I started this, there were days that it would dawn on me that I hadn't had one sip of water in a day.  I would start with coffee loaded with flavored creamer & then switch to Diet Coke.  

The first three days were rough.  I will admit that.  I had headaches & I was grumpy.

Okay, okay....I was MEAN!

Then it hit me....I'm an addict.  If ANYTHING causes me to act or feel this way when I don't get it....it can NOT be good for me!

Sugar....oh sugar....that is always the NEXT touchy subject.  

And, the answer is YES...I have had sugar since I started.

I think I have counted 4 times:

Corinne's b-day, Ry's b-day, Easter...

Well, maybe 3.  Nope, I went to Sheridan's with The Gunny.  I ordered a sundae with every intention of eating it.  Took two bites & handed it to him & said....NO MORE!

And, after having sugar....guess what?

Headaches, bloating, & brain fog.

So, if I have a craving...I stick with raw honey.  Or, I have a KIND bar.  And, I'm good.  

Seriously, this from the girl who used to hide Russell Stover's through out the house.  Hmmm, sound like addict behavior?

The next question  I get is...

 do you only eat organic?

I wish, but no.  With a family of five, all organic is NOT in the budget.  But, I do buy organic where I can.  And, I avoid a list of food companies with some nasty habits.  Again, in the Daniel Plan book.

 

A

Wanna guess the next question...

do you eat out?

Yes, some.  Not often.  

Yes, it's tricky.  Yes, at times it's inconvenient.  Yes, it is worth it.

And, yes...I have a list of restaurants or things that you can order if you go out.

 

 Excuses...

I just don't have time.

My family won't eat that.

I can't make it work into my budget.

Yes, you do have time.  I work over 40 hours a week.  I have 3 kiddos.  I lead a VERY busy life.  I meal prep once a week.  I make a monthly dinner calendar.  And, I write out my grocery list for every week.

Yes, they will eat it.  Or starve.  Seriously.  

And, I am on a strict budget too.  Remember, I work for a non-profit which translates to small salary.  So, you can make it work.  

What happens when you start eating this way?

Your food becomes beautiful & colorful.

You can't imagine how amazing things taste.

And, you can HEAL your body with the good foods you put into it.  

 

You can still enjoy the food you are eating now...just in a healthier way.

We eat pizza, chicken parm, pasta & meatballs, chili, etc...

All modified recipes & with better ingredients.

 

Meal prep includes chopping all your veggies.  You will LOVE that you took the time to do it all at once when you start to prepare you meal each evening.

 

 How can you look at that pan & think we starve???

Oh, how could I forget that?  I have not been hungry ONCE since I started the Daniel Plan.  

NEVER.  EVER.  

This is SO much better than a bowl of cereal.

 

Mmm...roasted butternut squash has become a favorite.

A look at my lunch...

 

 Breakfast & Pilates are a great Saturday morning combo!

And, the BIGGEST change in the kitchen...

my pantry!  

I didn't used to have enough space, but since we eat so little processed food now...

LOTS OF ROOM!

There is SOOOO much more I could share about the subject of food, but The Gunny says I get a little "preachy".  So, if you have more questions...feel free to ask!  Or, 

BUY THE BOOK!

Happy Monday, friends!

Update on the Daniel Plan & Coming Clean

Last August, I was interviewed on Fox 4 News in Kansas City by Kim Byrnes.

I shared about the Kansas City Wine Opener event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the non-profit where I serve as the Development Director.

Media interviews don't phase me.  In fact, I enjoy them.

However, I was hesitant about going on air due to my weight.

Nothing I owned fit.  Nothing.

I breezed through the interview.  But, about halfway through I caught of glimpse of myself in the monitor. And, I thought..."Oh please, God, don't let that be how I really look."

 Since I started in the non-profit world, I probably do 2 or 3 on-air interviews a year.  The Gunny always records them because he gets a kick out of watching me on TV.  So, I went home that evening and watched the interview & saw what I really looked like.  And, I prayed to God again that NOBODY watched it.  I didn't send out the link because I didn't want anyone to see me.  In fact, I did my best to bury it.

The worst was...I didn't do anything about it.  And, I even gained more weight.

 Stress & depression are such beautiful things. (note dripping sarcasm)

Then in December as I have shared previously, I walked past the mirror & I saw a tired, overweight, haggard, depressed woman.  And, I determined then...NO MORE!

I have struggled with perfectionism my entire life.  So, even putting this photo out into the public to see....is difficult.  But, I want to publicly testify to God's grace & that through Him ALL things are possible.  I continually tell people...I am NOT on a diet.  This is a true lifestyle change.  The reason that people who diet gain back all their weight or more is because they don't truly change their eating habits & once they drop the weight they return to their previous ways.

So, this is for my Daniel Plan support group who loved me when I played the August interview for them last night. And, rejoiced in the newest on air interview from this past Wednesday!

  And, this is for you....if you are sitting there fat & miserable. 

 I still have more weight to lose.  

And, I definitely need to work on my posture. (smile)  

But, it is about progress and NOT perfection.  

And, I'm not gonna lie.  It is hard work.  Anything worth having takes hard work.

There is a LOT of this...

And, a whole LOT more of this....

 So, thank you to my DP peeps last night!  

Thank you for encouraging me to celebrate & not hide. 

 It was time to come "clean". 

  

Thrift Shop Thursday

Just a quick little look at my latest & greatest from the thrift store.  I had an hour to kill after dropping my youngest off & I had a bag of stuff in my car that I needed to donate.  So, I ran down the street to the Salvation Army.  And, I couldn't go in & not look...

Picked up a daring Harolds skirt, some fun shorts, more yoga pants (because can a girl have too many yoga pants...don't answer that Gunny!!), a couple of tops from Target (Mossimo & Merona) & a darling dress which I have already worn.  Okay, okay...I've worn the yoga pants too.

So, I picked up all six items for $22.  WOW!

Seriously, I can not believe people don't shop thrift stores! (better for me!)