Guest Post: Jen's Chicken Adventure!

My good friend Jen knows what a nut I am, and she is still my friend. I told her about a book I was reading called 'real food'. She took my word for it and checked it out at her library - maybe this means she is a nut too?

Anyways, as I go on this real food journey, I share all kinds of things with her. Some things she buys, and others she thinks I really am crazy! BUT, she kicked her coffee habit completely - bless her. I ain't doing that! AND she roasted a while chicken, made broth and my chicken soup recipe!

While she was at the grocery store, she sent me 509 text messages asking questions like "What do I need to roast a Chicken? They are on sale so I am going to try this", and "I don't have lemons, can't I just use lemon juice?"

So I asked Jen to document her process so we can share just how easy this really is. If there is one thing you can and [probably] should change in your diet, it is eating canned soups and using boxed broth. It is SO much better for you to make your own. Jen and I got on this topic after she stocked up on Campbell's Chicken Soup - she probably wanted to kill me after our conversation, but I think I have converted her :) And if Jen and I can do this, so can you! When we were in college, the mere touch of a naked chicken breast on my cutting board made me gag! Jen used to laugh while I tried to cut it up!

So, let's follow Jen's journey on her first time roasting a whole chicken, making the broth and homemade chicken noodle soup!

Look at how cute! She has her Chicken, her lemons (note: not lemon juice!) and her S&P.



 This is her eldest of 3 boys, Landon.

While Jen was attempting this whole charade, during each step, Landon would ask 100 'why' questions and Jen's respose was "Because Allison said this is how" :)

Check it out. She even buttered her roasting pan with BUTTER! Yeee-haw!

And she prepared the veggies for her stock by sauting them up!



 Jen chose the crock-pot method for her broth. She didn't want to leave it on her stove overnight. I can understand that. I didn't want to do that either, but after the first time I did try it that way, I won't go back! My crock pot seems to let too much water evaporate. But you do what works for you!

It is important to note that while Jen was consumed with this process, her youngest of 3 sons, Brayden, threw-up in his high chair! So, she had to pause to take care of that mess. I know, that was a gross thing to include in a post about food, but my point is, she STILL was able to accomplish this! That is how easy it is :)

 Look at that beautiful bird :) Pretty nice for a first try, eh?

Looks like Jen is a professional chicken roaster!

And here, she is ready to start her stock! She said it was so easy and she let her crockpot go for 8 hours.

Jen is not a lemon person so next time, she said she'll use one lemon, if any, in the chicken when she roasts it. However, the kids LOVED the leftover lemon in water. :)

And here is her Chicken Noodle Soup. Jen is a bow-tie kinda gal, so those are the noodles she used :)

So, Jen's thoughts on all this:

Did you like the soup?: Yes I loved it!

Was it easy? Will you do it again?: I would say it was very easy, especially the roasting part. I put the carcas, etc in the crockpot for 8 hours because I didn't want to leave the stove on all night. When my Mom makes hers she puts in strings of spinach, I was mad I forgot that but that would be good too. I would do it again because I love to have the chicken for chicken salad, to put on my salad, for chicken wraps, etc and literally it cost me like $4!

Yahoo! Proof that real food and cooking from scratch is easy and affordable!

Next up Jen, we'll get you to cook up some Salmon :)