Slow Down and Cook

• Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless 2-3 lbs
• Salt and freshly ground Pepper
• Olive Oil (about 1tbs)
• 1 Onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• Garlic, peeled, 3-5 cloves
• Ginger, peeled, 1-2 inches
• 1 Jalapeno Pepper, seeded
• Tomato paste, 1tbs
• Cumin, ground, 2 tsp
• Coriander, ground, 1.5 tsp
• Curry powder 1 tsp
• Turmeric 1/2 tsp
• Cardamom, ground, 1/4 tsp
• Diced Tomatoes, one 14 oz can
• Coconut cream, 5.4 oz can
• Fresh cilantro, chipped

Rinse the chicken and trim any access fat, pat dry, salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil, add onion and cinnamon stick and saute for 5-7 minutes.

In a small food processor (or by hand), chop garlic, ginger, jalapeno pepper finely and add to pot and saute for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning/sticking.

Add tomato paste in the middle of pot and brown before stirring with the onion mixture (add olive oil if necessary to prevent burning).

Mix cumin, coriander, curry powder, turmeric, and cardamom in a small bowl.

Add chicken to pot, sprinkle with spice mixture, and brown lightly.

Add tomatoes and coconut milk; add salt and stir well.

Pressure cook until chicken is tender, 15-20 minutes (depends on your pot).

Add freshly chopped cilantro and a dollop of plain yogurt (optional).

Add salt to taste.

Inspired by the 75 Hard trend on Twitter, I created my own version – 50 hard adjacent. (#50plan). It is:

• Two, thirty minute workouts a day, one must be outside
• A gallon of water a day
• Healthy diet, no cheating
• No alcohol
• No cell phone in bed
• Daily progress photo

I am now on day 20; here is how it has gone:

Two thirty minute workouts a day have been great for the flexibility of exercise. I recently completed a 100 day run streak, and I am enjoying getting back on the bike, and some days, just walking. The second workout has turned out to be a real pleasure: my wife has committed to doing yoga with me every evening, and we are both doing the plank challenge for August. The gallon of water a day was difficult at first; now, my body seems to expect it. We eat a very healthy diet anyway, but we are not immune to chips and snacks here and there, so those are out. The alcohol part is easy – a  lot easier than not snacking. As for the no cell phone in bed – this is my weak point. I am failing at this; I have not given up – I still think it is a habit that ought to be broken. As for the daily progress photo: we have missed a few days, so there’s that, but also, I would like to see more progress! After 20 days, I still look the same.

What I want to carry with me: the yoga. I really find daily yoga practice hugely beneficial – and, quite honestly, for mind and body.

I will add to this post again at days 30, 40, and 50. My progress photos are on my Twitter account: danieljblanchette@blanchettedanny

 

One awesome steak for $6.50.