Healthy Chicken Quesadillas

Healthy Chicken Quesadillas

There's this pizza shop around my way and I am always getting this chicken quesadilla! I swear I'm addicted and it's ashame. I'm not actually supposed to eat that type of food. I mean, it has a ton of grease, I'm not sure where the chicken came and it's a huge health risk. They're so delicious but let's be real: they're a terrible craving and a guilty pleasure of mine lol! I decided to stop eating chicken quesadillas from the pizza shop around my way and make my own instead. I used processed chicken which still sucks, but it's the healthiest processed chicken ever. I love it! And it keeps you from washing, cooking and cutting up chicken which is a plus:p I also made another one using sriracha chicken also by Archer Farms. Feel free to leave a comment, question, opinion, whatever! Your views mean a lot to me:)

My recipe 

1. Archer Farms natural shredded chicken (fully cooked, minimally processed, no artificial ingredients)
2. Pepper stir fry of your choice
3. Tortillas of your choice
4. Shredded Kraft Mexican cheese (2% milk)
5. Salt, onion powder and olive oil

First preheat oven to 350 degrees. Next put about 2 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in a sautée pan over high heat. Put the pepper stir fry in the sautée pan and lightly coat the peppers with salt and onion powder. Sautée the pepper stir fry. The peppers should be nice and soft. Next, use olive oil to lightly coat the side of the tortilla that the chicken will be placed on. Place shredded chicken onto tortilla, then peppers, cheese and fold the tortilla in half, making it into a quesadilla. Cook in oven until the cheese chicken and peppers melt together and are hot. Approximately 12min

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Reevaluating Me

I have been feeling terribly sick, weak and mentally drained as well which doesn't help at all either. It's possibly because I haven't been focused. I been doing anything lately...literally. I'm starting to feel like I'm out of my mind actually. Inconsistent and detached in a way. One day yoga and smoothies, another day twerking and donuts. Have you ever felt that you couldn't make sense of your own thoughts and emotions? Well, that's how I feel. I'll get it together...

It's weird because I'm not complaining. I haven't been feeling like myself for a long time. Not necessarily in a bad or good way, I just don't feel that same me. Lately I been feeling like myself again. Which is definitely a good thing. But can also cause me trouble lol. I've always been rebellious. I kind of tend to do exactly what it is I feel like doing in that moment. I react quickly off of my emotions. I can be a bit brash sometimes and I know it. Sometimes I don't always care...but those are all just minor flaws to me because my true self is just so in tuned with me. Comfortable in my own skin. At peace. And I'm my most creative when I feel this way. I just wrote two really good songs I plan to record. Music and writing is something I've always loved. I want to write music people can feel the same way I feel it whether I sing it or not. I been coming up with so many ideas and coming across so many different things.

As I've stated before, I'm not perfect...I'm on a journey. On my journey, yoga and meditation has taught me to get back in touch with myself while also embracing all the new things I've come across. I feel empathy for strangers now, I care about world events and women having equal rights. That's all new lol. I wouldn't have been able to tell you what the weather will be like a few years ago. It just wasn't my concern. I'm learning how to channel my energy in more positive places. I really needed this balance. I been really off balance not living my life how I should be and letting it get to me and I'm not realizing that apart from God, I need to be consistent at all times in my yoga and meditation practice. It's key, because without it I'm all over the place. But with it I'm at peace as a whole, I can make peace in everything that I do and truly feel at peace with it all. I hope that makes sense.

As far as me physically, I am going to start practicing consistency. That's one thing I never really cared for when it comes to how I live my life. I could definitely stand to change that about myself and work on becoming a more consistent person in everything that I do. My health is something I've been battling for about 3 years now. I won't get into it too much but I will say that I'm going to stay focused with my eating and exercising habits. It's like my body and mind can tell when I'm not keeping up with my soul work. I call what I'm doing "soul work" because it's like I'm working on my soul. Working on being at one with myself completely. I've been through so many changes from becoming a mother, to being on my own and everything in between. I think it's only healthy for anyone to sit back and reevaluate their life every so often or at least when needed. Subtract the negativity and multiply the good things. That is my new formula. Everyone falls off track. I need to remind myself that I'm only human.

Anyways, I've taken enough time out for myself. I've eaten enough apple pie and fried chicken. I've talked enough shit, argued with a few people, took enough days off from yoga, separated myself from people, etc. Basically I've had enough "f**k it" days and I am in desperate need of getting back on track. I'm ready to wake up and meditate, drink my smoothies and go back to eating oat meal and berries. I need to teach some yoga sessions! Teaching yoga makes me happy!

After this little self evaluation I think I just need to find a better balance between living a healthy and positive lifestyle while still enjoying other things that I still like to do, like live my life vicariously, lol! I don't know if that's even possible but we will see! I'm just 23 living my life, man. But the goal is to enjoy every second of it.

Choices

I like to listen to Tyrese Gibson not only sing, but share his wisdom. A while back (before I started meditating or practicing mindfulness) he said something in one of his videos about choices we make everyday and how they play a big part in determining whether or not you will be at peace and live happily. He used this example: a women on a reality show will contemplate whether or not she's going to go to a party where she may have a conflict with another women or group of women there. The answer is simple. Don't go. She already knows what may happen, she already knows how she's going to feel when she is at the party and she already knows how these women make her feel period. So now there is a choice to make. Will she go and risk having a drama filled night? Or will she choose to stay home (or go somewhere else) and continue to be happy? I don't know what the answer is but I know what mine would be!

It's funny because I get into these situations a lot, specifically with females. I don't hang out in a group of women. I don't have drama with any women. I just simply don't look for drama. I understand that shit happens in life with your friends and that's fine, if they are friends. Have I ever done these things? Of course, but let me tell you why I stopped. It's simple. It didn't make me happy. People remember how you made them feel. I always remember how I felt in a situation. I may not always remember exactly what was said or who was there but I remember how I felt in that moment. I've been around people I've called friends and I remember feeling like, why am I here?.. I'd rather be home talking to my boyfriend...these bitches are haters...omg was that just an insult lol?. It was a constant question. "Is this normal for women to do?" "Is it just me that rather have a normal friendship or no friendship at all?" "Do all women do this? "Do they get together and secretly hate each other, back stab each other, compete and then hang out the next day to shake off the edge?" "How does this work for some women?" It doesn't work for me. That's what I have realized. So I stopped dealing with a ton of people! I remember one summer, as a teenager, I was so sick of a few friends that I stayed in the house and went out by myself all summer long. I needed to recoup. I needed a clear head.

Tyrese's example hit a home run with me because I'm such a social person while also being somewhat of an introvert. I guess in a way I am an ambivert. I'm both. I love meeting new people, going new places and doing new things. On the other side of that, I feel drained of all my energy when dealing with other people, period. I personally need a good balance for me. I found my balance by making different choices with my friends and other people I come in contact with. If someone doesn't give me a good vibe now, I cut them off. I don't see the point in maintaining unhealthy useless relationships. They are a begging cry for drama!

I not only see that by making that choice has made me happier, but it worked! Making choices to just be happier and more peaceful works! So I started making other choices in my life. I'm nowhere close to where I want to be in life yet, but I can honestly say I feel more at peace. What choices can you make in your life to take away any unnecessary stress? It could be finding a job closer to your home because you hate traveling far for work, or something smaller like painting your room a different color because you chose not to hate the old color more and more each day! The choice is yours! I hope that all your choices start to bring you more and more peace!

My random thoughts

Random...

But I watched L.A Hair. For those of you know don't watch that show, it comes on WE TV and it's about Kim Kimble and her salon. Short story: Shes working with Jonathan Antin on an infomercial. Apparently, he's known for shooting successful infomercials and was extremely rude. Not only was he rude to her but he was extremely critical and in a non constructive way. I can tell he meant business and it seemed as if he wanted instant gratification. He spatted, "I'm a brand!" And Kim Kimble had to remind him that she is also a brand, and human at that!

Anyway I know you're all like how does this relate to you Chloé. Well, it relates to me because I want to build my own brand as well. There are a ton of things I want to do. If I tried to pick just one thing it would be really hard. I watched how Kim handled herself on her show. She showed her concern with how Jonathan treated her while also remaining tactful and it made me think of my own anger.

Let's just say growing up and still I face a terrible anger issue. It doesn't always happen, but I blow up when I'm angry about specific things. Like out of control blow up. Like the hulk has nothing on me when I'm angry kind of blow up. I have been working hard on my anger issue. I don't believe anyone should behave the way I do when I get to that level of anger. Watching Kim's situation made me think of myself and how I'd react if I was running my own business.

I'm sure that when you are successful enough to have your own business or brand I should say, and you are constantly mixing with different people to build your own brand (Hollywood lol), you will deal with a ton of rude people. People who will treat you just like Jonathan treated Kim. It's probably normal. Who am I to say? But I do know that if you're going to be successful in any way, you cannot bite any hands that feed you! And in many cases you cannot bite the hand of someone that has connections with others hands with more resources and money. I hate to discuss a rap beef on my blog but hey, look how thousands of people returned meek mill's cd because they are drake fans! Not every battle is worth fighting. Especially battles that aren't really even there lol.

But let's bring it back to me. I would have cussed him out and told him he could kiss my ass and probably walked off the set! They both put money into that project. I then thought I probably would have made a bad name for myself if I was trying to expand my business. That's just the truth in all of it. But something as simple as watching a reality show can show you what's holding you back in life!

This is one of the very main reasons I meditate and also analyze things the way I do. That's why it's important to me to have ME time.. The same way you get to know someone else better by spending time with them, you will get to know yourself. However, spending time alone doesn't guarantee you will learn any new things if you aren't actually spending the time to get to know yourself. I'm also learning more about mindfulness as I practice meditation which has a lot to do with how we react to life period. But I'll save that for another time!

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned"

-Buddha

Mean Green Salad w/ Chicken

Mean Green Salad w/ Chicken

You will need:

3 Frozen chicken strips, thawed

3 eggs

Kale

Broccoli

Cucumber

Shredded cheddar-jack & Monterey cheese

Cheese & Garlic croutons

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Basil

Makes 1 serving. For 2 servings just double ingredients.

I did not measure anything out except my salad dressing. I didn't find it necessary.

Lightly and evenly season 3 chicken strips w/ salt, pepper, garlic powder and basil on both sides. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes on 375°f

Boil your eggs

Once the chicken is done, cut it up however you'd like 

Put about a handful and a half of kale onto a plate. Then cut broccoli and about 8-10 cucumber slices and add it on top of the kale.

 

Next add chicken, eggs, cheese and croutons.

 

Almost forgot the eggs lol! Now you're ready to eat! Just add dressing of your choice. For this particular salad I like to use light ranch. About 2 tbsp

ENJOY!!!

A single cup of raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains (1):

• Vitamin A: 206% of the RDA (from beta-carotene).
• Vitamin K: 684% of the RDA.
• Vitamin C: 134% of the RDA.
• Vitamin B6: 9% of the RDA.
• Manganese: 26% of the RDA.
• Calcium: 9% of the RDA.
• Copper: 10% of the RDA.
• Potassium: 9% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 6% of the RDA.
• Then it contains 3% or more of the RDA for Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Iron and Phosphorus.

This is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.

Kale contains very little fat, but a large portion of the fat in it is the omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic acid.

Given the incredibly low calorie content, kale is among the most nutrient dense foods in existence. Eating more kale is a great way to dramatically increase the total nutrient content of your diet.

Nutrition information source: http://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-kale/

17 to 23

17 to 23...

For the last 6 years I can honestly say I've developed some bad habits. I've had a lot of ups and a lot of downs, I've gotten comfortable then been put out of my comfort zone. I've had to deal with dramatic changes and different ways of life. I've met good people and people that haven't been so good to me. I've learned things I didn't want to know and gained knowledge that I've needed. 17 to 23 has been a complete roller coaster for me. I think it's safe to say I'm not the same person anymore. They say pain changes you, they also say you grow and mature with age. Well, I've done both! But I'd like to believe it's for the better - to better my life and show my son the example of what I believe a woman should be. I owe him that.

Instead of focusing on what Brought on any negativity in my life, I'd rather embrace what these experiences have done to me. They opened my eyes. They showed me a lot about myself that I never realized. Things about me that I thought were me, and at one time probably were, but definitely aren't now. It exposed a lot that I needed to know in order to be the person I strive to be.

I say all this to say a lot has happened in that time span and because of that (not completely but partially) I guess you can say I'm on a journey to change my life and habits. Sometimes we don't always focus on what's important when we are going through things. Life gets put on the back burner to a certain extent. But through life's obstacles, I believe u can still choose to be happy and choose positivity and peace. Whatever struggle or situation you are in or have been through I invite everyone on this journey with me. Not to do as I do or act as I act, but to gain another perspective of life and how you choose to live yours.

-Chloé