Chili Cheese Potatoes

Probably the only good thing about having Cystic Fibrosis is the amount of calories we have to consume everyday. The amount of weight we lose when we can't make our calorie quota, is not so good. I have worked hard trying to find that balance. I can get away with eating three servings of pasta for dinner on a daily basis. While this recipe is not pasta related, it's definitely tasty. Non CFers can enjoy this dish too, but as a side or appetizer during a game. CFers, enjoy as much as you want!

Chili Cheese Potatoes

6 Red Potatoes, scrubbed and sliced

1-15oz Can Chili (any kind you like, better if it's homemade)

1 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning

1 Tablespoon Cooking Oil

Water

1 Cup Cheese

Slice the potatoes however you like. For this article, I sliced them thinly. Usually, I prefer wedges. Toss the potatoes and taco seasoning together.  Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. 

Add the potatoes. Cook the potatoes. Add water to prevent the potatoes from burning. Stir regularly. Once potatoes are cooked (can be pierced with a fork) add in the chili. Cook until the  chili is heated through. Turn off the heat and add the cheese. Stir to mix the cheese in. Serve with more cheese spread on top. 

Go Smoothly Smoothie

Back in October, I wrote about constipation in The C Word.  Transplant meds seem to have made the problem worse. And there doesn't seem to be a happy balance. If I take one dose of Miralax, I get stopped up. If I take two doses, then I'm in the bathroom making unworldly sounds. 

It's a tough job trying to find that balance. I finally got so frustrated with being at one extreme or the other.  I think it had to do with the transplant team telling me that I just have to experiment with the Miralax to find the right amount to take. So instead of taking 2 doses try 1 1/2. Well 1 1/2 was still too little and 1 3/4 had me back in the bathroom making those noises. It had gotten to the point where SB was calling me his "Little Bathroom Lady". So, I gave up the battle with Miralax and decided to take things into my own hands. 

So far this smoothie seems to be working. I'm not feeling stopped up. And it doesn't sound like an exorcism when I'm in the bathroom. 

Ingredients:

1 Apple cored and cut into chunks (use any type you like)

1 Banana (even better if roasted)

10 Blackberries

10 Raspberries

10 Blueberries

5 Strawberries, hulled and halved

Juice of 1 Orange (I use naval)

1/4 cup Plain Yogurt with live cultures

1 scoop Miralax

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. 

Notes: 

Can add juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime for a more citrus flavor. 

Bacon Wrapped Baked Eggs

So my guy has found himself a new job. Upside it's 40 hours a week with benefits. Downside, it's weekend Noc shifts. So I thought I'd treat him to a nice breakfast on his first weekend.

I hate eggs. I normally will smother them in cheese before I eat them. I do like baked eggs. I usually smother them in cheese so it's all nice and melted by the time they're done baking.

One day I had a crazy idea of wrapping the eggs in bacon. Actually, it's my boyfriend's fault. He calls bacon the chocolate of the meat world. Everything just tastes better with bacon, so why not eggs?

Ingredients:

Bacon (two strips per ramekin)
Eggs (two per ramekin)
Grated Cheese (any kind you like)
Butter
Pepper to taste
Favorite spices

1. Preheat oven to 325 Degrees. While oven heats up, prepare your ramekins.

2. To keep the eggs from sticking, rub some butter on the bottom of each ramekin.

3. Wrap the two slices of bacon on the inside of each ramekin.

4. Crack two eggs open and drop into the center of the ramekin. The bacon should be forming a ring around the eggs.

5. Top with pepper and favorite seasoning (I used chipotle). No need for salt, there's more than enough in the bacon.

6. Top with about an ounce of your favorite shredded cheese.

7. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 24-30 minutes. I live at a higher elevation so for lower ones you might only need to bake for 15-20 minutes.

8. Let cool for about five minutes and then dig into all its bacony goodness.

For us who are watching nutrition facts, here's the lowdown on one ramekin.

260 Calories, 19.2g fat, 592mg sodium, 1.6g carbs, 20.7g protein

This is by no means an "eat only one" type of breakfast.