Florence and More Plus Summer Chicken Salad

On to Florence, Italy, and all the amazing architecture and art you can imagine!

This was part of the lovely view of the Argon River

Our Suite was on the Argon, and the views were amazing.

Looking down the river as in this shot, you could see numerous bridges.

Directly across from our Suite at the Westin was another fabulous view!  Can you imagine having two large sets of French Doors overlooking this as you listen to the water falling over a small waterfall area?  Amazing!

Whichever way we faced there was something wonderful to look at, and wherever we ate there was something fabulous to eat.

One of my favorites in Italy was Panne Cotta...a soft flan like/pudding like vanilla custard which was always served with fresh berries and usually a couli of the same fruit...fabulous.

As we plotted our three nights here, we knew we had to see Michaelangelo's David as well as the work of Botticelli...so that meant visiting the Academie and Ufizzi Museums ..both of them were amazing, but if I had it to do over again, I would only see one each day...they are quite expansive and it takes a considerable length of time just to walk through.

David was more than I even expected (20 feet tall from one piece of marble), and the Ufizi Gallery and the work of Botticelli (including the Birth of Venus) were breathtaking. Don't miss either one if you have any interest in art at all!

There is definitely much to see in and around Florence, from the beautiful architecture to the fountains and art.

I even enjoyed the Mimes which worked the piazza near the Ufizi...

They were amazing...standing like statues for hours on end and so perfectly made up and dressed they actually did look like statues.  That is, except for Cupid who was quite flirtatious! LOL

Hugs from Cupid!

Another thing you can not miss in Italy, whether Venice, Florence or Rome is the delicious, refreshing Gelato! Oh my! Trying to decide which one to choose...thank goodness they usually let you put three flavors on one cone!  Not exactly easy on the waist (but we attempted to walk it off) but definitely worth the calories!

Choices, choices!

The cones are huge by the way!

This was a TINY shop but even they had a HUGE selection of flavors!

 Romantic and beautiful, excellent food a friendly climate...Florence was so very lovely.

We would head for Tuscany next...out into the countryside to visit Sienna and San Giminagno...both ancient towns on the crossroads to Rome and beyond.


But that is for another day...
Here is a lovely Summer Recipe for you to enjoy!

                                    SUMMER CHICKEN STUFFED RED BELL PEPPERS

3 Cups chopped chicken (I use rotisserie chicken and both dark and light meat)
1 Cup finely chopped Celery
1 Cup finely chopped Mild Sweet Onion
1 Cup seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup chopped nuts (choose your favorite-pecans are great but any will do)
Helman's Real Mayonnaise ( this can be an amount to just moisten the ingredients, or more to taste)
2 Tablespoons FRESH Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper to TASTE
(I also like using a little Cajun Seasoning to add a bit of ZIP)

Clean and cut in half three large Sweet Red Peppers (removing membranes and seeds) and set aside.
Mix all above ingredients thoroughly and fill each half of sweet pepper.  Chill several hours and serve over your favorite greens.  YUM!  Cool and refreshing yet full of protein and quite filling!

Until Later!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY!

SHOPPING DAY TIPS!

The most expensive vehicle to operate per mile is the shopping cart!

I made this basket for a local charity auction...if I had bought it already made up, it would have been well over $100. A few smart shopping purchases later, and about $45...voila!!

Today was grocery day here. We decided to go on Wednesday, because I thought it was time I took advantage of my "senior" status! You see, if you shop at Kroger, and other places I am sure, on Wednesday you get 5% off. While 5% doesn't sound like much, it is $5.00 on each hundred and $5.00 will buy quite a bit if you are a wise shopper (it actually bought me two whole chickens today).

For instance, do you coupon? Now, I don't use every coupon out there, only the ones for the brands or items I would regularly buy anyway. Today I actually saved $17.00 by couponing. It doesn't really take that long, and you can do it while you watch TV after the kids have gone to bed.

There are a lot of on line couponing sights now too, and you can enter your zip code and choose coupons which will be available in your area on any given week. Times are tough for everyone, and couponing may be one way you can save big money if you are diligent, and remember to use them!

Another way to save money, is always go with a list! I do so much better when I have and list and stick to it...it helps to keep down those "impulse" buys.

Planning menus can also be a big help, and will also help you not to "waste" food by letting it expire or failing to use it while it is still fresh.

Don't be afraid of those "marked down" meats which are about to go out of date! If you are going to use them right away they are fine. If not, if you carefully freeze them they will be good also. This tasty, great smelling (never be afraid to use your nose...the nose KNOWS) Tyson chicken will go into the pressure cooker today for a great pot of my hubby's favorite (I'll share that easy recipe at another time) chicken and rice...and I got it for just at half price! I actually bought two and put the other one in the freezer for a later date.

I also buy bananas when they are marked down if I am going to use them for baking. Peel, cut up and freeze them and they are great in any baked bread, cake, cookies, etc. Check out a previous blog on "going bananas" for the best recipe for banana bread you will ever find.

I DO NOT buy marked down fish however,that is one exception...Old fish is just not good!!!

A trick for you about fish: If you buy or get fresh fish (cleaned whole, or fillets) and you are not going to use it immediately, put it in a container and completely immerse it in water before freezing it. When you thaw it out, it will taste just as fresh and beautiful as when it was first caught!

TODAYS GREAT RECIPE

TOASTED ALMOND CHICKEN SALAD

3 small chicken breast halves
3 ribs celery, sliced
1 bunch chives, finely chopped
1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (I like FAGE Greek Yogurt best)
1/4 cup light or fat free sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons of dried tarragon
2 TBSP slivered almonds (best if toasted)
Salt
Ground Black Pepper
1 bag (10-12 ounces) mixed greens or romaine

Coat a nonstick skilled with cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. When it is hot add chicken and cook for 4 minutes per side or until the juices run clear.

Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, chop chicken breasts into small pieces.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, chives, yogurt, sour cream and tarragon and mix lightly.

Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour (you can actually do this a day ahead if you like) Add almonds, salt and pepper to taste.

Serve on a bed of greens.

Four Servings. 177 calories, 25 g protein, 8 g carb, 5 g fat, 58 mg. cholesterol,
144 mg sodium, 3 g fiber

Eat up! Guilt Free Food!!!