Saturday, November 12, 2011

Fall Roast Chicken


I realize it's been a long while since I've actively blogged and I am sorry about that. I have had a rough year full of not so pleasant surprises and filled with one giant wonderful addition. Lucca Paul has been the best thing to happen this year and I am so grateful for him. Amidst all the troubles I know I have this sweet sweet little baby that needs me and loves me more than anything else in the world.

However, Lucca is having tummy issues. He spits up all the time, and more than normal babies do I might add. So much so that we have visited a few doctors and specialists to figure things out. He isn't gaining weight and so where did I turn? I turned to a naturopath. (I turned towards a lot of doctors and even left the Pediatrician that we loved to find a new one because she told me to stop breastfeeding. As if?!?!) The naturopath suggested I change my diet. She said a lot of babies and children develop sensitivities. Not allergies but sensitivities towards certain foods that make their way through the breast milk. I jumped on board. Anything I can do to help my baby gain the proper weight and grow. This new diet means: NO gluten, NO dairy, NO soy, NO eggs and NO nuts. Yeah, I know that's a lot of no's. What can I eat? Vegetables, fruits, and proteins. So as I started this new eating journey I was inspired to blog again. Finally, right?! Gone are the sandwiches for lunch or quesadillas which were staples. Now I have to really thing and read labels before I cook or eat. It's been kind of fun and kind of frustrating. I think I have things figured out now. Most of my cooking hasn't really been altered. The things that get me are the add ins. Broths that contain caramel coloring, gluten, or the canola oil spray for nonstick which has soy lecithin. And you would not believe the butter that every restaurant puts into things. I am now one of those people that at a restaurant asks what the ingredients are before I order. So I am carefully learning and proceeding with caution. Has it helped the little man? Yes. :) Now, I am still covered in spit up each and every day but the it's only been a week and the volume is much less. He is doing so much better. I think this hard work is going to pay off. Let me tell you though, I am seriously missing my breads and making cookies and most of all my quesadillas for lunch. (Today I made them for London and Patrick and just stared at the cheese as it melted between the tortilla longing for it to just jump into my mouth.)

So here I am during the season of Fall. Once again it comes. Leaves are falling to the ground and the air is crisp boarding on cold. I am craving soups, stews and warm yummy foods. Now these things all have to adhere to my diet, which isn't so hard after all.

Tonights dinner is smelling wonderful as we 'speak'.

Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots

3-4 pound chicken
1 lemon
sprigs of Rosemary
onion
new potatoes
baby carrots
olive oil
salt and pepper
Herbs de Provence

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Rinse your chicken under cold water, inside and out. (Don't forget to take out the giblets if it has any.) Pat dry with paper towels. Oil a baking dish and place the chicken inside. Stuff the cavity with half an onion, cut in half again, rosemary and half a lemon. Gently tug the skin away from the breasts and slide slices of lemons under the skin, between the breast and skin. Tuck the wings under and if you have twine tie the legs together. I had not twine so they stayed apart.

Place the potatoes, either halved or whole, and carrots around the chicken. Salt and pepper everything and sprinkle the Herbs de Provence all over as well. Drizzle olive oil on top.

Place about a cup of water or broth into the pan, over the carrots and potatoes.



Place in oven and bake for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Rotate the pan once in a while to create a nice even brown.

Sit back and enjoy the smells while it cooks too. Yummy!

I hope you enjoy this and forgive me for taking such a long break.
As promised....


Namaste
Natasha


2 comments:

  1. Natasha,
    I am Troy's sister. Just had to give you some cudos on not listening to the pediatrition. No need to stop breastfeeding. That is the best he can get. Especially when he is not gaining weight. Great JOB!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shannon,
    Just saw this, as I don't sign on too often these days. Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly, breastfeeding is the best!!

    ReplyDelete