Finger-Licking Ribs with Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

Here is a great rib recipe from Ladies Home Journal..make this for a guy, but don't tell him where you learned it-impress everyone, including yourself

Finger-Licking Ribs with Kansas City Barbecue Sauce

Remove the membrane from the back of 2 racks (2 pounds each) pork baby back ribs. Combine 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 6 cloves minced garlic; rub mixture all over ribs and let stand for 30 minutes. Prepare grill for indirect cooking and heat to medium low. Place prepared wood chips under the grates on the lit side of the grill. Place a foil pan half filled with water on the grates over the wood chips. With grill covered, cook ribs meat side up over the unlit side, turning occasionally, until meat is tender and pulls away from the bone, 5 to 6 hours.

For sauce, saute 3 cloves minced garlic and 3 tablespoons canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat until just golden. Add 1 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cayenne, and 1/4 cup water and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Brush sauce over ribs during last 30 minutes of grilling. Serves 4 to 6.

the positives

Bobbie @becomingTHEyou I found brownie mix so I didnt have to go out and get some...hahah hey it made me happy

Stacy @becomingTHEyou Talked to a cute boy for 2 hours tonight. And it went really well. I'm happy!

Monday Munchies

Tasha @becomingtheyou #munchiemonday I like adding weird things to sandwiches. Today was an epic fail though.

Soothe Away Your Stress part 5

If you missed the other parts, check them out here

Here are five more tips from Good Housekeeping's Kate Hanley on how to reduce and soothe away your stress.

Little Altars Everywhere:

Invite something new into your life — whether it’s a relationship, friendship, job, or solution to a particularly vexing problem — by placing a representation of what you're hoping for in your sanctuary. It could be a baby rattle if you'd like another child, a fancy pen if you'd like a new job, or something heart-shaped if you'd like to find a new love. You’ll be giving yourself a visible reminder of your dreams and inspiration to stay hopeful and open.

Comfort Yourself:

Know how a cranky child magically transforms into a little angel after a nap? Today, treat yourself to five minutes of rest. Gather two firm pillows, then sit on your heels on the floor. Keeping your toes together, open the knees wide and stack the pillows between your knees. Rest your torso on the pillows, head turned to one side. Breathe here, releasing tension with each exhale. After several breaths, turn your head to the other side.

Tennis Ball Massage:

This week during Grey’s Anatomy reruns, treat yourself to a DIY massage. Lie back on the floor with your torso supported on your elbows, and place two tennis balls on either side of your spine just above your buttocks. Sink into the balls and breathe deeply, then roll the balls an inch higher. Repeat until you reach your neck, giving extra time to any place that feels especially tight — it should take 15-20 minutes and feel absolutely McDreamy.

Celebrate Yourself:

Remember when Mom used to make your favorite meal for your birthday, and how great it made you feel? Pretend it's your birthday this week and treat yourself to one of your very favorite things — whether it's homemade mac and cheese, a bouquet of fresh flowers, or even a nap. When you make it a point to treat yourself well, other people will be more likely to do the same.

Learn a Relaxing Yoga Move:

As much as we hear the word "relaxation," few people know how to actually achieve it (Sadly, watching TV doesn't count). This pose, called Legs Up the Wall, calms your nervous system and leaves you feeling truly relaxed and refreshed. Lie on your side in the fetal position with your feet a few inches away from a wall. Roll onto your back and swing your legs up against the wall. Straighten your legs and inch your buttocks in towards the wall. Lie quietly in this position, breathing deeply for as long as it feels good.

Sunday Smiles

Tasha @becomingtheyou air conditioning is my sunday smile. lmfao. its hottttt out :)

Chicken A La (slim) King

This is from Eating Well. Chicken A La King is usually super creamy and fattening. In this recipe, Eating Well shares a different, more healthy way to enjoy this meal. Recipe from their series of 25 Chicken Recipes under 350 Calories.

Chicken a la King

There's no need to feel guilty over this classic creamy combination of chicken, peppers and mushrooms. Our version uses low-fat milk and flour for thickening to make it plenty rich without all the saturated fat. Serve over whole-wheat egg noodles

6 servings, about 1 cup each

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 10 ounces white mushrooms, quartered
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup dry sherry, (see Note)
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup low-fat milk
• 1 4-ounce jar sliced pimientos, rinsed
• 1/2 cup sliced scallions

PREPARATION

1. Toss chicken and flour in a medium bowl until coated. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Reserving the remaining flour, add the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are softened and starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in sherry; bring to a boil and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits, 3 minutes.
3. Whisk broth and milk into the reserved flour until smooth. Stir the mixture into the pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Stir in pimientos and the chicken and return to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in scallions and serve immediately.

TIPS & NOTES

• Note: Sherry is a type of fortified wine originally from southern Spain. Don't use the “cooking sherry” sold in many supermarkets—it can be surprisingly high in sodium. Instead, purchase dry sherry that's sold with other fortified wines in your wine or liquor store.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 271 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 1 g fiber; 401 mg sodium; 529 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (70% daily value), Selenium (40% dv), Potassium & Vitamin A (15% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 3 lean meat

The Positives

Tasha @becomingtheyou i got spoiled by customers at work today. im glad the appreciate the effort we put into helping them :)

Ashley @becomingtheyou got to see a friend that I haven't seen in almost a year..can't wait to hang out with her again soon!

Steph @becomingTHEyou positives: having great parents that spend all day helping me move! They are amazing! :)

Serenity Saturday

Ashley @becomingtheyou i just took a nice 40 minute soak with bathsalts..sooo relaxed

Tasha @becomingtheyou #serenitysaturday turning off all the lights and playing soothing music helps relax me. :D

A New Spin on S'Mores

I found this recipe at Delish. I loove S'mores like...so so much. I know that s'mores are the best with hershey chocolate bars, but how about trying them using bittersweet chocolate chips?

Serves: 4 Edit
Yields: 4 servings
Total Time: 5 min
Prep Time: 5 min

Ingredients

2 whole graham crackers, broken in half
4 marshmallows
2 tablespoon(s) bittersweet chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)
Directions

Position oven rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat broiler.
Place graham cracker halves on a baking sheet; top each with 1 marshmallow. Broil, with the oven door ajar and watching carefully, until the marshmallows are golden brown, 45 to 75 seconds. Remove from the oven and drizzle each S'more with a little melted chocolate.

Carb Servings: 1 carbohydrate (other). Carbohydrate Servings: 1
Tips & Techniques

To melt chocolate: Microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium in 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Or place in the top of a double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water. Stir until melted.


Nutritional Information
(per serving)

Calories 98
Total Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol --
Sodium 70mg
Total Carbohydrate 18g
Dietary Fiber --
Sugars --
Protein 1g
Calcium --

The Positives

Stact @becomingtheyou I went to an All-Stars softball game tonight and our girls won 7 to 4! #positive

Friday Follower

Today's randomly chosen Friday Follower is @AllisonsThunder

Ashley @becomingtheyou so much to say about @allisonsthunder she's one of the best friends that i've ever had-so understand, so fun, so...awesome

Barb @becomingTHEyou Woot! @allisonsthunder is awesome! She's funny, sweet, smart, and ALWAYS knows the good music!

Tasha @becomingtheyou allison has great taste in men, and is always good for a laugh. :)

Bobbie @becomingTHEyou @AllisonsThunder shes is a super nice girl with some pretty sweet pj shorts from old navy!

Stacy @becomingTHEyou @AllisonsThunder is so sweet & likes great music. Whenever I'm looking for a good band recommendation, she's great help :)

Jenny @becomingtheyou How can you not love @allisonsthunder? She has great taste in music, she loves sports, and she's an awesome perv err person.

Thoughtful Thursday

Stacy @becomingtheyou "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

WTF Wednesdays

Ashley @becomingtheyou #wtfwednesday UPS leaving a package of medications outside in the heat instead of trying to find a person to deliver it to

Stacy @becomingTHEyou #wtfwednesday Why does liking this boy make my brain hurt??

Five Alarm Vegetarian Chili

Chili is one of the best ways to make a one stop filling meal full of healthy proteins, fats, and carbs. I found this chili recipe on Dr. Oz in his collection of "Love Them or Hate Them Recipes"

5 Alarm Vegetarian Chili

If you are unaffected by this spicy chili, you are a non-taster.

Ingredients

Makes 16 cups

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 cup diced onions

1 Poblano pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

2 cups diced mushrooms

1 small sweet potato peeled and diced

2 cloves garlic finely chopped

2 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp dried oregano

2 chili peppers finely diced

2 small dried red chilies, broken into small pieces

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

4 (15 oz) cans low sodium beans (use a variety or just one kind)

1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn kernels

2 tbsp dried oregano

2 tbsp dried basil

1 tbsp chili powder

2 bay leaves (remove before serving dish)

Vegetable broth or Veggie juice if needed

Lime wedges (optional)

Shredded jack cheese (optional)

Low-fat sour cream (optional)

Directions

In a large heavy bottom pot (Dutch oven is perfect) saute the onions, poblano pepper, red pepper, mushrooms and sweet potatoes until soft, about 7 minutes.

Stir in the chili peppers, red chilies and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes, beans and corn, oregano, basil, chili powder and the bay leaves. Add some broth or veggie juice if needed and cook on low for about 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves. Top each serving with a bit of shredded cheese, sour cream and a wedge of lime.

Serving over brown rice or cous cous may help you manage the spice and add some healthy wholegrain carbs into the meal.

the positives

Tasha @becomingtheyou i just kicked major butt at work and got two hours of overtime

Ashley @becomingtheyou had a great day at work and then came home and found out that I won tickets to the tom petty show here in september!

Tear it Up Tuesdays

Stacy @becomingTHEyou I have a little bit of a knack for photography. I love to take pictures, whether I'm good at it or not though :)

Easy Shrimp Tacos

From Self's November 2008 feature of Eat Healthy All Week, here is a recipe for shrimp tacos-a quick and easy way to break up the boring lunch or dinner routine.

Shrimp Tacos

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

Salsa

• 1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

Tacos

• 6 oz cooked shrimp (left over from Sunday's dinner), tails removed, chopped
• 2 soft corn tortillas (6 inches each)
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 1/2 large romaine leaf, thinly sliced
• 1/2 oz goat cheese, crumbled

PREPARATION

1. For salsa

   Blend ingredients in a mini-chopper or blender; set aside.

2. For tacos

   Divide shrimp between 2 tortillas. Top with carrot, lettuce, cheese and salsa. Fold tortillas in half, wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. At lunchtime, unwrap and microwave each taco, 20 to 30 seconds.

THE SKINNY

277 calories per 2 tacos, 7.7 g fat (3.8 g saturated), 27.3 g carbs, 4.9 g fiber, 25 g protein

The Positives

Stacy @becomingTHEyou went shopping. bought 2 new pairs of skinny jeans and 2 tubes of my favorite lip gloss, and 2 great jackets, all on sale!

Cooking for One: Part 5 Breakfast Smoothie

Check out the past Cooking for One posts if you missed any of them. Marie Clairecontinues with more great ideas for cooking for one with an extremely simple smoothie recipe

Breakfast Smoothie

1/2 cup frozen fruit
1/2 cup yogurt
1 cup milk

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.