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Eat. Live. Be. Week 2 Update (Recipe: Crispy Oven Roast Chicken)

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Snow Day

One of my very first posts many moons ago on Dine & Dish was about how I don’t “do” snow. I’m not a fan. I think it’s pretty and all, but I’d rather sit in by the fire, snuggled up with a good book, looking out on it falling gently on the trees rather than being outside with the snow falling on me.

That attitude was the old me. After a phone conversation last night with my friend DeAnn as we were discussing our personal Happiness Projects, it kind of hit me that I have one chance at this life I’ve been given. As much as I hope I can be reincarnated someday as a Glee cast member, I have to be mindful that as far as I know, today is my one and only chance to live today. I have one chance to be the best mom I can be to my kids… to make the most of the memories and days we have together.

So today, outside of my normal snow hating character, I got bundled up with the kids and we headed outside into the most beautiful Kansas snowfall I have seen in a very long time. And not just once… twice I did this! For hours at a time! We had a fantastic time, I shoveled our driveway and sidewalk with the help of a good friend, and then we all came inside to warm up with hot chocolate. Picture perfect, memory making kind of day… and had I not stepped out of my old self and into my new self, I would have totally missed out on being present with my kids during such a fun time.

Weight 1-10

Part of my Happiness Project is to focus on being present, and with that comes me actively being a part of my family’s life. Not just sitting on the sidelines, but jumping in, getting off my butt, and being among their chaos.

This is also part of my Eat. Live. Be. initiative. You all were so fantastic last week with my nakedness and I hated to think of letting you down. Each time I almost flubbed on my Weight Watchers points, your positive comments came into my head and I got myself in control… most of the time. I had some slip ups but I also did a pretty darn good job of keeping on track. I exercised every day, which for me is unheard of. I drank a ton of water, which again… I’m the Diet Dr Pepper queen, so this is a huge improvement. Most importantly, I was present and mindful of what I was putting into my body and attempted to stay clear of mindless eating. Thank YOU for supporting me, watching me and helping me along this journey!  (I’m down 2.8 pounds this week from 180.9 to 178.1!)

Finally, I made the most delicious roast chicken, adapted from a recipe in the January 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Served over a salad of mixed greens and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (still a fave of ours), this chicken made me feel like I was “cheating”, it was truly that delicious. An added bonus it that this one chicken was able to be stretched into multiple meals. Gotta love that! (Oh – and ignore the extra black roasted crispies and potatoes on the cookie sheet…. we kind of like our roasted potatoes well done around here!)

Hope you all had a great week! Can’t wait to read your updates.

Martha Stewart Crisp-Skinned Roast Chicken

 

 

Martha Stewart Crisp-Skinned Roast Chicken
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Crispy Oven Roast Chicken

Crisp-Skinned Chicken with Roasted Potatoes (Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine, Jan 2011)
Author Dine & Dish

Ingredients

  • 6 redpotatoes quartered
  • Coarse salt
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 whole chicken about 4 1/2 pounds
  • 2 tablespoon butter softened
  • 3 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cook potatoes in salted boiling water until tender, 11 to 13 minutes. Drain. Return potatoes to pot, and shake over low heat to dry and fluff. Coat with oil, and season with salt.
  • Mix together 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the cornstarch (this was new to me, and really made a huge difference in the flavor and crispness of the chicken!). Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine minced garlic and softened butter. Rub skin with butter, and season with salt mixture. Rub the inside of the cavity as well.
  • Place chicken, breast side up on sprayed baking sheet and tuck wings under. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Scatter potatoes around chicken. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and flip potatoes. Return to oven, rotating sheet. Roast until chicken juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 30 minutes more. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Chris says

    Yeah! What a beautiful memory…in the snow. I love the picture. …and the Chicken. 🙂 But, congrats on the weight loss and the water drinking. I was a Diet Coke girl and stopped in October..it was a tough one to let go. Keep up the good work!! 🙂

  5. Susan Mallery says

    Woo hoo!!! Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! I lost three pounds this week, and they didn’t go quietly.

    Your chicken looks INCREDIBLE!!! I love roast chicken because it’s really pretty easy but tastes like it took a lot of effort. I’ve never heard of using corn starch on the skin. I’ll try that.

  6. Crystal says

    Congrats on the progress! Good luck in the next week.
    That roast chicken sounds like a perfect meal to come in to from the cold!

  9. Jen says

    You are doing such a great job and I must tell you – YOU were my inspiration! I wish I could be you and put all of myself out there, but alas, I’m not there yet. However, I have joined you all and I’m totally motivated! Thank you for giving me the boost I needed!

  10. claire says

    WooHoo! Great job! To me, drinking water is one of the harder things to be consistent with. I’m trying to remember. Love the picture in the snow…wish we had gotten some but all we had was grey, dreary ice.

  12. Rene says

    Good job! That’s awesome!

    The best advice I’ve ever been given with trying to lose weight – if you “fall off the wagon” one day and go over your points, don’t stress. One day of overeating won’t cause too much havoc, just get back on the wagon the next day. 🙂

    I need to get back into exercising again. Its now on my to do list for tomorrow!

  13. Picky cook says

    Yea – sounds like 2011 is off to a wonderful start for you. Your kids are so lucky to gave such a great mom!

  17. Cate O'Malley says

    Congrats on your new number – way to go, girl! I’m with you on the snow, would much rather it enjoy it from the inside. But the memories, and the movement… all good things.

  18. Heather (Heather's Dish) says

    hurray! i’m so glad you got to enjoy the snow with your family…you know your sweet kiddos are going to remember that forever 🙂 and the chicken? i kind of want to reach through the screen and eat it for breakfast!

  23. Sarah Caron says

    Go, Kristen! Go, Kristen! That’s an awesome weight loss! And yay on getting outside with the kids. Snow is beautiful and can be so much fun. I, personally, adore sledding … and the kids love when I join them for some sledding.

  24. Carol says

    Love your blog…I’m a new “friend!”
    I am so motivated by your “Biggest Loser” approach at losing weight and “putting it all out there”. I love that. Thanks for doing it and congratulations on your progress, keep up the good work.

  25. Maria says

    I am not a cold and snow fan either, but sometimes it is fun. Glad you had a good time with the kiddos! And congrats on the weight loss! Keep up the good work!

  29. Stacy says

    How adorable are you. You just never age do you? Keep rocking that scale lady! So proud of you!!

  31. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says

    Go Kristen Go! I’m not a huge fan of snow either. We’re expected to get at least another 12 inches tonight, and I’m kind of pouting about it. But I’m looking on the bright side too – James will work from home tomorrow, and we’ll get to spend the whole day together.

  32. SMITH BITES says

    playing in the snow with the kids is so much fun – and yes, memories you will always have and THEY will always have – am soooo happy you did that Kristen!!!

  33. susan says

    I love roasted chicken yet I mostly love how it does stretch to multiple meals! There really is nothing better than a big roast chicken right out of the oven. sometimes I make my cranberry sauce to go along with it and the kids feel as though it is Thanksgiving in the middle of March!

  36. Joanne says

    Woohoo mega congrats on the weight loss! That is awesome.

    I have to say, the thought of having to report to the world wide web that I had failed at my first week of attempting to lose weight was daunting enough to keep me in check. So thank I god I have all of you guys to keep me accountable.

    Yay for living in the moment and spending that quality time with your kids, even if it was in the snow.

  38. Lisa says

    I LOVE this post! Kristen, I’m so proud of you! It sounds like you are doing really well on your personal Happiness Project and on your “Eat. Live. Be. Initiative!” You most definitely ROCK! Keep up the great work!!!
    ((Hug))
    xx

  39. allison says

    What a start to the year. I am working on living in the present as well and your post was so inspiring and reminds me that this is something that needs to be kept in check daily. I often find I never regret doing something but, I often regret not doing it. Kudos.

  40. Nancy@acommunaltable says

    Bravo!!!!
    As a mom of two teenage boys all I can tell you is that I wish I had done more playing when they were little. Everyone tells you the time flies.. and guess what? They are RIGHT!!!
    Congratulations on sticking with your plan!!!

  45. marla {family fresh cooking} says

    Love that you are jumping in with both feet, living & feeling everything. Mindfulness in everything we do is essential & deeply gratifying. It is wonderful hearing about your progress. This chicken looks wonderful!
    xo

  46. Shaina says

    I love that top photo. So cute! I need to remember to slow down and take it all in. Thank you for the reminder, and I’m glad you were able to enjoy the snow.

  47. naomi says

    what a great memory this will be for you and your kids. Love that pic of your daughter with her nose all puckered up. 🙂

  48. Pinky says

    You go girl! Keep up the GREAT work! Also remember, being outside, playing with the kids, shoveling etc. you are bURNING a TON of calories!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky

  49. patsyk says

    That’s fabulous! You are off to such a great start! It’s funny, but having the accountability and posting each week is a great motivator!

  50. Shanna ~ My Favorite Everything says

    Great job!! I love “being present with your family”! Such a wonderful quote to rest on and remember 🙂 I’m definitely going to be working on that one too!! And great job on a well done, hard job! You can totally do this!!!

  51. Karen says

    I love that you spent quality time with your kids in the snow. I always say that the most precious gift you can give is of your time. Bravo to you!

    Although I’m not a mother – my 8 year old niece comes to spend the summers with me (she’s been doing it since she was 4) and I love, love, love giving of my time to spend those very precious moments with her – that I’ll never get back.

    BTW – I think it’s so brave of you to want to be accountable. It’s not easy posting your weight for the world to see. Keep up the great work – we’ll be routing for you!

  54. Jen_from_NJ says

    Thank you for the inspiration – I need to jump in more myself! I am glad that you had so much fun in the snow!

    Your chicken looks fantastic. Congratulations on the weight loss!

  55. Dawn says

    The chicken looks amazing and congratulations on the loss this week!!!!!!!! (I think I found it all after all the eating we did at my sister-in-law’s wedding last weekend. At least I can say I did my best though).

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