Are you proud of me?
If you're a father, mother, teacher, student, sibling, daughter or son....you have heard or asked this question. It is a question we all ask, even if we don't verbalize it. We wonder if we have made someone proud with our actions.
When my daughter was born almost five years ago, I had no idea just how many times I would be asked this question.
"I zipped my pants by myself! Are you proud of me??"
"I ate ALL of my dinner! Are you proud of me??"
"I obeyed the first time. Are you proud of me??"
Now let's be honest, sometimes this is followed by a "Can I have a piece of candy for that?" But nonetheless, apparently there is a never ending list of accomplishments, that grows seemingly by the hour. Now of course, as we grow older, I am no longer asking anyone to be proud of me for eating all of my dinner but I do wonder sometimes "Am I being a good wife?" "Am I being a fun mom?" "Am I spending enough time with each child individually?" Some of you may wonder "Is my boss impressed with how I handled that situation?"
Well, there are always things we do not need to be patted on the back for, and then there are times when it is appropriate. Of course we learn as we grow older that we don't need to live trying to please everyone. Believe it or not, there will be someone, at some point in time who may not like you! (I know, that has NEVER happened to me! *wink wink*) And in those times, it can be difficult to redirect our focus on not pleasing everyone in the world. But in this post I want to focus on the positives of saying those five words "I am proud of you."
The last several months have been on the more difficult side for my husband and myself. He was finishing up graduate school, we were trying to sell our home (which didn't happen), we were preparing to move away (as in 8 hours away), we had to send our sweet 15 year old dog to doggy heaven, we were doing horribly financially (moving is expensive), my 14 month old son was going to PT for toe pointing, I had skin cancer a few months prior (thankfully not melanoma), the list goes on. It could have been much worse, but there were a lot of things all happening at once. Our plates were full. Last weekend we went to my husband's parents' home (I call them my in-loves). My father-in-love expressed how proud he was of us. He told us that he knew how much we had been through the last several months and he was so proud of the way we handled everything. I have to tell you that I almost cried, and that this meant the world to me. To hear someone you love so much tell you how proud they are of you...even at the age of 31...well...it was incredible. I still re-play his words in my mind throughout the week. It still makes me smile.
We are instructed by the Lord to encourage one another. I Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." Now this may come very easily to some, and be more difficult for others. Some of us have encouragement as a spiritual gift, and others may not. And that's okay! So however that person will feel encouraged, just try it! Some of us are encouraged by action, others are encouraged by words of affirmation. But it never hurts to let someone know you are proud of them.
So when your toddler asks if you're proud of them for the zillionth time today, just remember how good it feels to hear those words. When your husband does something wonderful, tell him how proud you are of his accomplishments. When your wife has endured the longest day EVER with kids pulling her hair, tell her how proud you are! When a student you have does something kind for another student, tell them you're proud! It may make a world of difference in their day, or even in their life.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The one with the dream house...
I have to confess something. I LOVE looking at homes online. However, my husband and I seem to have bad "luck" in our home purchases. We are suckers for old homes!!! We love the character and uniqueness in old home, AND we have never been able to afford anything BUT old homes. So, there you have it. We have bought two homes since we've been married. One of which we still own since it never sold. Both of these homes have been brick ranchers, built over 40+ years ago. We did many renovations to both of them, and made them our own. However, when it came to selling them we have had our troubles. The first home we had to sell at the start of the house market crash. Yikes. We moved out of it, and waited and waited for it to sell. We finally did sell it, accepting a much lower offer than we had anticipated, but since it was a cash offer, we took it! Our next home we bought, thinking it would sell again quickly once the time came, yet it sat on the market for months and months without any offers. We still own it, and have become landlords in the process. So, I am thinking...."God, I guess you don't want us to buy any more homes, huh?" It just seems like something we shouldn't mess with anymore. Yet for some reason, we STILL look at them! WHY?!? There is something about owning your own home that you cannot achieve through renting. We are renting an adorable home right now. It has a front porch, a garage, a master bathroom (WHOAH!), a back deck, open floor plan....it is nice. However, we know we cannot do everything we would like to do with the home and the land since it isn't ours! I want property...chickens...more dogs...gas stove...garbage disposal...LAND...the list goes on with my "needs"....okay, they are "wants." Why can I not be thankful for what I have? Thankful I am not living in a cardboard box? Why do I keep looking at homes for sale and feel the need to own my own place right now? We just moved here!!!
Several months ago, before we moved to Tennessee, we found a home...with a wrap around porch...hardwood floors...barn on the property...with several acres. We fell in LOVE with it. In fact, I cried when we looked at it, just wishing I could have a home like this one day. It was a short-sale home. There was already an offer on it. We sadly let it go, and moved on. Now we are here, and the home is still vacant. The offer fell through. It is bank owned....we think. We still love it. But I finally found it online and it is even more expensive than it was before! I cried a little. This dream home of mine is not for us right now. We cannot afford it. There is part of me that is confused. Part of me that is angry. Part of me that is just plain sad about it. We compare every home we see to this home. It is definitely up there in the "dream house category", with emphasis on the "dream". It isn't a fancy, expensive, massive home. It's a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. It needs a little renovation work. But I can't have it. This is where being content is so difficult for me.
Doesn't scripture say "...and he will give you the desires of your heart"?? Wait. There is more to the verse? I guess I better write out the entire thing. *sigh* "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
He wants me to delight myself in HIM! So what does delight actually mean? In this verse, it is a verb. An action word. Something I should be doing. Dictionary.com tells me that delight used as a verb with an object means "to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to; please highly." So my satisfaction should be in Him.
We also need to remember that our faith is not works based. I do not do things for God so that He will save me, or love me more. He loves me regardless. But as my former pastor, Dave Osborne preached, "We should love God for WHO HE IS, not what He does for us." I need to love God because He is God. And in being this incredible God, He has given me SO much to be thankful for, yet I continue to dwell on what I don't have. It is so frustrating!! I don't want to focus on the negative. I don't want to focus on the things I can't have right now. I have to remember to trust in the Lord. Trust that He knows best. He has plans for me! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
The deepest desire of my heart should be to follow the path the Lord has planned out for my family and myself. I know we need to be obedient. I know we need to wait. No one said obedience or patience were easy. But that is the path for us right now. The Lord has planned to give me a future and a hope. That's a promise.
So I have to say goodbye to my dream home! Trusting that the Lord is protecting us, and wants something better for us....even if we can't see it right now. In the meantime, I am focusing on the many blessings He continues to pour out on us each and every day. Thankful for the roof over my head and the sweet family living here with me. In a way, I guess I already have my dream home.
Several months ago, before we moved to Tennessee, we found a home...with a wrap around porch...hardwood floors...barn on the property...with several acres. We fell in LOVE with it. In fact, I cried when we looked at it, just wishing I could have a home like this one day. It was a short-sale home. There was already an offer on it. We sadly let it go, and moved on. Now we are here, and the home is still vacant. The offer fell through. It is bank owned....we think. We still love it. But I finally found it online and it is even more expensive than it was before! I cried a little. This dream home of mine is not for us right now. We cannot afford it. There is part of me that is confused. Part of me that is angry. Part of me that is just plain sad about it. We compare every home we see to this home. It is definitely up there in the "dream house category", with emphasis on the "dream". It isn't a fancy, expensive, massive home. It's a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath. It needs a little renovation work. But I can't have it. This is where being content is so difficult for me.
Doesn't scripture say "...and he will give you the desires of your heart"?? Wait. There is more to the verse? I guess I better write out the entire thing. *sigh* "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
He wants me to delight myself in HIM! So what does delight actually mean? In this verse, it is a verb. An action word. Something I should be doing. Dictionary.com tells me that delight used as a verb with an object means "to give great pleasure, satisfaction, or enjoyment to; please highly." So my satisfaction should be in Him.
We also need to remember that our faith is not works based. I do not do things for God so that He will save me, or love me more. He loves me regardless. But as my former pastor, Dave Osborne preached, "We should love God for WHO HE IS, not what He does for us." I need to love God because He is God. And in being this incredible God, He has given me SO much to be thankful for, yet I continue to dwell on what I don't have. It is so frustrating!! I don't want to focus on the negative. I don't want to focus on the things I can't have right now. I have to remember to trust in the Lord. Trust that He knows best. He has plans for me! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
The deepest desire of my heart should be to follow the path the Lord has planned out for my family and myself. I know we need to be obedient. I know we need to wait. No one said obedience or patience were easy. But that is the path for us right now. The Lord has planned to give me a future and a hope. That's a promise.
So I have to say goodbye to my dream home! Trusting that the Lord is protecting us, and wants something better for us....even if we can't see it right now. In the meantime, I am focusing on the many blessings He continues to pour out on us each and every day. Thankful for the roof over my head and the sweet family living here with me. In a way, I guess I already have my dream home.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Looking at post-partum depression
Well, hello blogging world. It has been a while. I honestly didn't think anyone read my blogs and now I see that last month I had 65 views, yesterday there was one and today there were two. So, I guess I should get back to blogging.
Well, I had a son last year. Sorry it has really been that long since I blogged. He is now 14 months, and my daughter is four and a half. My husband just got his PhD, and is now teaching at the university we both graduated from. Which means we moved. (I do not do well with change but we will blog about that later.)
Well since it has been so long, I guess I would like to start out writing about after my son was born....so here goes nothing...
After my sweet son was born, we quickly realized that he had colic and acid reflux. He cried...okay SCREAMED...constantly for three straight months. So, when I went to the doctor and they handed me the post-partum questionnaire, I thought...well, I have a baby who screams all the time, of course I am unhappy!!! The questionnaire asked me things like "Do you enjoy outings or family events like you used to?" (I am thinking....what are events again? No! I stay at home with a screaming baby and am afraid to go out for fear he will scream his head off or I will need to nurse at a moment's notice...which also starts the screaming.) The questionnaire had about ten questions regarding my emotional state. Some of the questions were even dealing with suicidal thoughts or actions which I myself was not dealing with, thankfully. My midwife came in the room, with my yellow questionnaire in her hand and I knew the conversation was coming. I tried to tell her that I was only unhappy because the baby was unhappy, and she looked at me and said "And that may be a large part of your post-partum depression!" I don't know why I thought it was something women got that had nothing to do with their current struggles, (or screaming baby). And it is funny to learn of other women who have pleasant babies who wonder how they could possibly have PPD since their baby is so happy! Guess what? It can happen either way!!! Your body has undergone an intense hormonal rollercoaster. You have been carrying a precious child in your belly for nine months, and now that part of the journey is done. You are completely exhausted, your body isn't the same anymore, you are still healing, you are needed 24/7....it is no wonder why so many women have PPD! The sad part is, so many have it and never receive any help for it. I wish every doctor's office had a questionnaire like mine did. I didn't have that after my firstborn.
All that to say, I posted about my PPD on Facebook one day. It was a completely random decision I had made and I couldn't believe I actually did it. In fact, my hand hovered over the "delete" button a LOT before I decided to close the computer and walk away. Just like this blog post. I wrote it days ago and have been contemplating whether or not to post it. I don't want people to think this is all I talk about, nor do I want people to feel sorry for me. It has been over a year, and I can say I am doing much better. However, I was amazed at the number of women who have contacted me about PPD since that Facebook post many months ago. I feel like we all know about it a little bit, but not enough. And since it is so different for every single woman, it is difficult to figure out if you have it or not! You may wonder, is this "baby blues" or full on PPD? Well, all I want to say about this is that if you are one of the many women diagnosed with PPD or if you feel like this might be what's going on, to ask another woman you know that has had it, discuss it with your doctor or midwife, and seek some guidance. I was SO anxious after my son was born...and guess what? Anxiety can be a huge part of it as well. I never knew that until I asked.
If you have any questions about it, you are more than welcome to ask me. But know that nothing is wrong with you, you are a wonderful mother, and you do love your baby more than anything. But your body is having a rough time getting back on track, and that is okay. It is OKAY to take a medicine for it if that is what your doctor recommends. I didn't want to do that at first, and then realized that I needed some help. And it was a good idea.
Much love to all you mommies and mommies-to-be.
Well, I had a son last year. Sorry it has really been that long since I blogged. He is now 14 months, and my daughter is four and a half. My husband just got his PhD, and is now teaching at the university we both graduated from. Which means we moved. (I do not do well with change but we will blog about that later.)
Well since it has been so long, I guess I would like to start out writing about after my son was born....so here goes nothing...
After my sweet son was born, we quickly realized that he had colic and acid reflux. He cried...okay SCREAMED...constantly for three straight months. So, when I went to the doctor and they handed me the post-partum questionnaire, I thought...well, I have a baby who screams all the time, of course I am unhappy!!! The questionnaire asked me things like "Do you enjoy outings or family events like you used to?" (I am thinking....what are events again? No! I stay at home with a screaming baby and am afraid to go out for fear he will scream his head off or I will need to nurse at a moment's notice...which also starts the screaming.) The questionnaire had about ten questions regarding my emotional state. Some of the questions were even dealing with suicidal thoughts or actions which I myself was not dealing with, thankfully. My midwife came in the room, with my yellow questionnaire in her hand and I knew the conversation was coming. I tried to tell her that I was only unhappy because the baby was unhappy, and she looked at me and said "And that may be a large part of your post-partum depression!" I don't know why I thought it was something women got that had nothing to do with their current struggles, (or screaming baby). And it is funny to learn of other women who have pleasant babies who wonder how they could possibly have PPD since their baby is so happy! Guess what? It can happen either way!!! Your body has undergone an intense hormonal rollercoaster. You have been carrying a precious child in your belly for nine months, and now that part of the journey is done. You are completely exhausted, your body isn't the same anymore, you are still healing, you are needed 24/7....it is no wonder why so many women have PPD! The sad part is, so many have it and never receive any help for it. I wish every doctor's office had a questionnaire like mine did. I didn't have that after my firstborn.
All that to say, I posted about my PPD on Facebook one day. It was a completely random decision I had made and I couldn't believe I actually did it. In fact, my hand hovered over the "delete" button a LOT before I decided to close the computer and walk away. Just like this blog post. I wrote it days ago and have been contemplating whether or not to post it. I don't want people to think this is all I talk about, nor do I want people to feel sorry for me. It has been over a year, and I can say I am doing much better. However, I was amazed at the number of women who have contacted me about PPD since that Facebook post many months ago. I feel like we all know about it a little bit, but not enough. And since it is so different for every single woman, it is difficult to figure out if you have it or not! You may wonder, is this "baby blues" or full on PPD? Well, all I want to say about this is that if you are one of the many women diagnosed with PPD or if you feel like this might be what's going on, to ask another woman you know that has had it, discuss it with your doctor or midwife, and seek some guidance. I was SO anxious after my son was born...and guess what? Anxiety can be a huge part of it as well. I never knew that until I asked.
If you have any questions about it, you are more than welcome to ask me. But know that nothing is wrong with you, you are a wonderful mother, and you do love your baby more than anything. But your body is having a rough time getting back on track, and that is okay. It is OKAY to take a medicine for it if that is what your doctor recommends. I didn't want to do that at first, and then realized that I needed some help. And it was a good idea.
Much love to all you mommies and mommies-to-be.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Hide those Veggies!!!
So, some of you may have heard of the cookbook, "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld. Well, I have it and have had the desire for quite some time to put it's cleverness into action. The basic idea is to puree fruits and vegetables, and use them in your recipes. Honestly, my child eats all kinds of fruit, and a few different vegetables, but for myself and especially my husband, it is more of a chore. (Don't tell him I said that. Haha.) Funny how I feed my child better than I feed myself. But, according to this cookbook, we are technically supposed to have 3 vegetables a day, and 2 fresh fruits a day (along with other whole grains, proteins, etc.)...and I know my family isn't getting this on a regular basis.
Side Note: Lately, I have complained on Facebook about getting produce at the store, only to find mold inside the pepper, or fruit going bad within a few days. I am tired of it! So, today we took a family outing to the Farmer's Market here in town where we got lots of good stuff for only $9! Take a look at our loot:
Yes, I was pretty impressed. But anyways, this was my motivation to start the deception process. Basically, what Jessica tells you to do is to steam or roast veggies, puree them, bag them up, freeze them or put them in the fridge, and then use them in your recipes. The cookbook has lots of different recipes, but you can also go online for more (www.deceptivelydelicious.com), OR just add it to stuff you already make. SO, my magic bullet and I got to work. And it was fun. And now I want to puree things. A lot of things. I even made a smoothie after this was over...and it was good. Okay, so if you're interested and don't want to run out and get her cookbook (which is awesome), here are her basic steps.
1. Well, first you wash the veggies (or get a cute little someone to do it for you).
2. Prepare the vegetables to be cooked, or fruit to be puree'd. How you do this depends on the veggie/fruit you're using, of course.
3. Cook the vegetables. (The book tells you how to steam, roast, or even microwave specific veggies in a way that maintains their nutrients.) You can use a rice steamer, collapsible steamer, or pasta pot with a drainer basket for this.
4. Puree! This is where you need a food processor, magic bullet or blender. She recommends blending most things for about 2 minutes.
5. Portion and package the purees. (Jessica recommends 1/2 cup or even 1/4 cup portions to put in ziploc baggies.) You refrigerate the ones you plan to use in the following few days, and freeze the rest.
6. Cook using your purees in the recipes! (She even has desserts with purees.) After the squash, I pureed some strawberries we picked a while back that have been in my freezer. :)
So there are tons of great things I could say about this cookbook....it has a list of necessities, step-by-step instructions, and even tells the benefits of each kind of fruit and veggie. I highly recommend it.
We will see how this goes! I'll let you know how well I hide the nutrition. ;o)
A super simple recipe for an after-I-puree-everything yummy fruit smoothie (from the Magic Bullet book):
~a cup of ice
~a handful of strawberries
~a banana (I used a half of a banana)
~a splash of orange juice
~and this is not in the recipe, but of course, I added about a scoop of orange sherbet which made it SO much better! :)
Side Note: Lately, I have complained on Facebook about getting produce at the store, only to find mold inside the pepper, or fruit going bad within a few days. I am tired of it! So, today we took a family outing to the Farmer's Market here in town where we got lots of good stuff for only $9! Take a look at our loot:
Yes, I was pretty impressed. But anyways, this was my motivation to start the deception process. Basically, what Jessica tells you to do is to steam or roast veggies, puree them, bag them up, freeze them or put them in the fridge, and then use them in your recipes. The cookbook has lots of different recipes, but you can also go online for more (www.deceptivelydelicious.com), OR just add it to stuff you already make. SO, my magic bullet and I got to work. And it was fun. And now I want to puree things. A lot of things. I even made a smoothie after this was over...and it was good. Okay, so if you're interested and don't want to run out and get her cookbook (which is awesome), here are her basic steps.
1. Well, first you wash the veggies (or get a cute little someone to do it for you).
2. Prepare the vegetables to be cooked, or fruit to be puree'd. How you do this depends on the veggie/fruit you're using, of course.
3. Cook the vegetables. (The book tells you how to steam, roast, or even microwave specific veggies in a way that maintains their nutrients.) You can use a rice steamer, collapsible steamer, or pasta pot with a drainer basket for this.
4. Puree! This is where you need a food processor, magic bullet or blender. She recommends blending most things for about 2 minutes.
5. Portion and package the purees. (Jessica recommends 1/2 cup or even 1/4 cup portions to put in ziploc baggies.) You refrigerate the ones you plan to use in the following few days, and freeze the rest.
6. Cook using your purees in the recipes! (She even has desserts with purees.) After the squash, I pureed some strawberries we picked a while back that have been in my freezer. :)
So there are tons of great things I could say about this cookbook....it has a list of necessities, step-by-step instructions, and even tells the benefits of each kind of fruit and veggie. I highly recommend it.
We will see how this goes! I'll let you know how well I hide the nutrition. ;o)
A super simple recipe for an after-I-puree-everything yummy fruit smoothie (from the Magic Bullet book):
~a cup of ice
~a handful of strawberries
~a banana (I used a half of a banana)
~a splash of orange juice
~and this is not in the recipe, but of course, I added about a scoop of orange sherbet which made it SO much better! :)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Did someone say FAJITAS?!?
So, I haven't blogged in a while. I know you've been hanging by a thread, waiting for something to read. Ha ha. Unfortunately, my child is feeling under the weather today so I have more time to sit and blog. Here is yet another Rachael Ray recipe that is EASY, fast, and healthy! Sounds good, right? I have made this for several friends and family and received good reviews so here it is!
Chicken (and Portobello) Fajitas
The reason I put "(and portobello)" is because if you're like me, and don't like eating fungus, you don't have to put those in and it's just as delicious...probably more so. ;o)
Serves 4
Prep:15 min.
Cook: 15 min.
Tip: "Tossing the chicken with the chili powder and garlic before it hits the skillet lets the flavors sink into this simple summer dish."
Ingredients:
~1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips
~1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
~4 cloves of garlic, minced
~1 package (12 oz.) flour tortillas
~3 tbsp. EVOO
~Salt and Pepper
~2 large italian frying peppers, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch wide strips - (I do not use Italian frying peppers! I can't ever find them, but since I am not a huge fan of spicy, and neither is my child, I use one green bell pepper and one red bell pepper and I think it tastes great!)
~1 large red onion, cut into 8 wedges
~4 portobello mushroom caps (about 4 inch), sliced 1/4 inch thick - (Like I said, I don't even use these but I know some people love these things so I am letting you have the whole recipe.)
~1 container (7oz.) whole-milk greek yogurt, for serving - (I get the Dannon Greek personal yogurts for $1 each. I either get one or two, dependant on how many people I am serving. One is enough for Joshua and myself. I put this right on the fajita, and it is a healthy, yummy topping!)
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the chili powder and half the garlic.
2. Wrap the tortillas in a sheet of foil, place in the oven and turn to 350 degrees. Let them warm while you cook the chicken and the vegetables.
3. Heat a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. of EVOO and the chicken; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a bowl.
4. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. EVOO and garlic, the frying peppers (or bell peppers) and onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring, until beginning to char, about 3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is hot, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the chicken-vegetable mixture with the warmed tortillas and yogurt.
6. ENJOY!
Hope you like this recipe! I would say the part that takes me the longest is getting fat off of the chicken thighs before I begin cooking. Chicken thighs are YUMMY, full of flavor, and cost less than chicken breast so they are an essential to this recipe (in my opinion) but you will find fat on there that you can cut off first. Serve these up with some chips and salsa (and maybe some margaritas) and enjoy! :o)
And just in case you were wondering, I bet these are the same fajitas Ross cooked up in "Friends." I just want to snap my fingers and jump when I make these. ;o)
Chicken (and Portobello) Fajitas
The reason I put "(and portobello)" is because if you're like me, and don't like eating fungus, you don't have to put those in and it's just as delicious...probably more so. ;o)
Serves 4
Prep:15 min.
Cook: 15 min.
Tip: "Tossing the chicken with the chili powder and garlic before it hits the skillet lets the flavors sink into this simple summer dish."
Ingredients:
~1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips
~1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
~4 cloves of garlic, minced
~1 package (12 oz.) flour tortillas
~3 tbsp. EVOO
~Salt and Pepper
~2 large italian frying peppers, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch wide strips - (I do not use Italian frying peppers! I can't ever find them, but since I am not a huge fan of spicy, and neither is my child, I use one green bell pepper and one red bell pepper and I think it tastes great!)
~1 large red onion, cut into 8 wedges
~4 portobello mushroom caps (about 4 inch), sliced 1/4 inch thick - (Like I said, I don't even use these but I know some people love these things so I am letting you have the whole recipe.)
~1 container (7oz.) whole-milk greek yogurt, for serving - (I get the Dannon Greek personal yogurts for $1 each. I either get one or two, dependant on how many people I am serving. One is enough for Joshua and myself. I put this right on the fajita, and it is a healthy, yummy topping!)
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the chili powder and half the garlic.
2. Wrap the tortillas in a sheet of foil, place in the oven and turn to 350 degrees. Let them warm while you cook the chicken and the vegetables.
3. Heat a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add 1 1/2 tbsp. of EVOO and the chicken; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a bowl.
4. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. EVOO and garlic, the frying peppers (or bell peppers) and onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring, until beginning to char, about 3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is hot, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the chicken-vegetable mixture with the warmed tortillas and yogurt.
6. ENJOY!
Hope you like this recipe! I would say the part that takes me the longest is getting fat off of the chicken thighs before I begin cooking. Chicken thighs are YUMMY, full of flavor, and cost less than chicken breast so they are an essential to this recipe (in my opinion) but you will find fat on there that you can cut off first. Serve these up with some chips and salsa (and maybe some margaritas) and enjoy! :o)
And just in case you were wondering, I bet these are the same fajitas Ross cooked up in "Friends." I just want to snap my fingers and jump when I make these. ;o)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sweet & Sour Chicken
So if you know me well, you know I make Rachael Ray recipes a lot. I get her magazine and love it! I took it with me to Wal-Mart to get a week's worth of meals.
Now, I must say I have never been a huge fan of sweet and sour chicken at restaurants. I have never enjoyed the sauce. Well, I thought I would give this recipe a try and it was mmm hmm good if I do say so myself. Here is the recipe:
Sweet-and-Sour Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Salt & Pepper
1 cup white rice
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained, 1/2 cup juice reserved
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. ketchup
2 tsp. finely grated ginger (OR 1 tsp. dry ginger)
1 and 1/4 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (I added 1 green bell pepper too on accident but it tasted good with it, too)
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 and 3/4 cups of water and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil; stir in the rice. Cover, lower the heat and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, 2 tsp. of cornstarch, the ketchup, and ginger. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the remaining 2 tsp. of cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of pepper.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pineapple chunks and reserved chicken.
4. Whisk the pineapple juice mixture into the chicken mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Serve over the rice.
Here is a picture of everything but the rice, if you want to get your tastebuds ready!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=571520641#!/photo.php?fbid=10150186835775642&set=a.10150174722105642.300158.571520641&type=1&theater
ENJOY!
Now, I must say I have never been a huge fan of sweet and sour chicken at restaurants. I have never enjoyed the sauce. Well, I thought I would give this recipe a try and it was mmm hmm good if I do say so myself. Here is the recipe:
Sweet-and-Sour Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Salt & Pepper
1 cup white rice
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained, 1/2 cup juice reserved
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. ketchup
2 tsp. finely grated ginger (OR 1 tsp. dry ginger)
1 and 1/4 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (I added 1 green bell pepper too on accident but it tasted good with it, too)
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 and 3/4 cups of water and 1/2 tsp. salt to a boil; stir in the rice. Cover, lower the heat and simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, 2 tsp. of cornstarch, the ketchup, and ginger. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the remaining 2 tsp. of cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of pepper.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pineapple chunks and reserved chicken.
4. Whisk the pineapple juice mixture into the chicken mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Serve over the rice.
Here is a picture of everything but the rice, if you want to get your tastebuds ready!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=571520641#!/photo.php?fbid=10150186835775642&set=a.10150174722105642.300158.571520641&type=1&theater
ENJOY!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Strawberry Pickin'!
So, it is strawberry season here in Eastern North Carolina and we have been to two different strawberry patches to pick our own strawberries! It is so fun to do, and much cheaper by the pound - as in between $1-$.125/lb! After we went the first time, and brought the 7 lbs. home, I got to thinking....how do I freeze these guys? So, I thought if doing what I did with the blueberries we picked last year. I rinsed them, dried them, cut the stems off, and plopped them in a freezer bag. Well, when defrosting them, they turned to mush. So, I realized that would not work....although I could use the mush for some strawberry freezer jam.
I found a freezer jam recipe that does not need pectin. I haven't tried it yet but here it is if you're interested:
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Ready In:
ANYWAYS, if you don't want mush or jam and you just want to eat them, here are the instructions I followed from ehow online. We'll see how they turn out....
I found a freezer jam recipe that does not need pectin. I haven't tried it yet but here it is if you're interested:
Strawberry Jam
Prep Time:
20 Min
Cook Time:
20 Min
Ready In:
40 Min
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled
- 4 cups white sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Directions
- In a wide bowl, crush strawberries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C). Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process in a water bath. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.
Footnotes
- To test for jelling
- Place three plates in a freezer... after about 10 minutes of boiling place a tsp of the liquid of the jam onto the cold plate. Return to freezer for a minute. Run your finger through the jam on the plate... if it doesn't try to run back together (if you can make a line through it with your finger) it's ready to be canned!
ANYWAYS, if you don't want mush or jam and you just want to eat them, here are the instructions I followed from ehow online. We'll see how they turn out....
Instructions
things you'll need:
- Strawberries
- Freezer bags or containers
- Knife or huller
-
- 1
Fresh you pick strawberries
During strawberry season go to the nearest you pick farm and pick your own strawberries. The best time is in the morning while the strawberries are still cool. Choose the strawberries that are fully ripened with no green or white tips. Be careful not to crush the strawberries and keep them out of the sun.
- 2
Fresh strawberries
When you get your strawberries home you will want to freeze them as soon as possible. Wash you strawberries in cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. Do not soak strawberries. Hull the strawberries with a small knife or huller.
- 3
Whole strawberry to enjoy anytime
Place strawberries on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place in the freezer until hard. When strawberries are frozen place them into clean freezer bags or containers. Now you can enjoy fresh whole strawberries anytime.
- 1
Friday, April 1, 2011
Blue is the color of the month!
April is Autism Awareness Month. This holds a special place in my heart since my first job was working with some incredible children who have autism. In my mind, parents of children with any kind of disability are heroes. If you know someone who has a child with special needs, think about doing something special for them this month. And every time you wear blue, think about autism....and maybe even say a prayer for a family who is affected by it. The autism spectrum is HUGE, but so is every child's potential! Let's team up with these families by giving them our love and support.
HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
A meeting was held, quite far from Earth!
It's time again, for another birth.
Said the Angels, to the Lord above,
This special child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem, quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.
by Edna Massionilla
It's time again, for another birth.
Said the Angels, to the Lord above,
This special child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem, quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.
by Edna Massionilla
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Rainy Days
Well, it is a rainy Sunday afternoon and I am in the presence of a sleeping household. (Yes, even the dogs are asleep.) It is quiet and peaceful...and I am actually enjoying being one of the only ones awake. Wait. Why am I not napping???
As you know from my previous "Cry Me a River" post, I have been somewhat gloomy as of late. I don't know if it's the weather (going from nice and breezy 70 degrees to yucky 45), or the usual tighter than tight budget, or the stress of my "part-time" job, or my child getting a runny nose...AGAIN...or other issues. Needless to say, it could be a combination of the usual, but nothing that should really make me extremely gloomy. There are others I know going through actual hard times....loss of family members, or health issues. Not me. So, why I am I so blue again?
What fascinates me even more about this is that the Lord is constantly trying to cheer me up! What is He blessing me for right now?? I am not being grateful, nor am I being extremely worshipful in my gloomy state. So, why are friends encouraging me with their amazing blog posts, or sending me incredible e-mails full of truths and songs that make my eyes well up with tears? Why does He love me so much?!?! It is just crazy for me to think that even though I doubt the Lord at times, and even though I have not had a quiet time in a long time (gasp!) - He still wants to bless me. The love He has for me is overwhelmingly wonderful, and does in NO WAY depend on ME or my puny little actions.
So, as I am hoping this is a short season in Gloom-ville for me, I just want to encourage you as so many others have encouraged me. If you are in a desert or a cave right now, I hope the Lord will show you just how much He loves you today. He is pretty awesome like that.
Here are two songs a sweet friend sent me in an e-mail (and by the way...she didn't even know I had been gloomy...she just had a rough day herself and wanted to encourage others). The first song included an awesome story with it. So, here is both....
MY HEART IS FULL
DON’T NEED TO FEAR
As you know from my previous "Cry Me a River" post, I have been somewhat gloomy as of late. I don't know if it's the weather (going from nice and breezy 70 degrees to yucky 45), or the usual tighter than tight budget, or the stress of my "part-time" job, or my child getting a runny nose...AGAIN...or other issues. Needless to say, it could be a combination of the usual, but nothing that should really make me extremely gloomy. There are others I know going through actual hard times....loss of family members, or health issues. Not me. So, why I am I so blue again?
What fascinates me even more about this is that the Lord is constantly trying to cheer me up! What is He blessing me for right now?? I am not being grateful, nor am I being extremely worshipful in my gloomy state. So, why are friends encouraging me with their amazing blog posts, or sending me incredible e-mails full of truths and songs that make my eyes well up with tears? Why does He love me so much?!?! It is just crazy for me to think that even though I doubt the Lord at times, and even though I have not had a quiet time in a long time (gasp!) - He still wants to bless me. The love He has for me is overwhelmingly wonderful, and does in NO WAY depend on ME or my puny little actions.
So, as I am hoping this is a short season in Gloom-ville for me, I just want to encourage you as so many others have encouraged me. If you are in a desert or a cave right now, I hope the Lord will show you just how much He loves you today. He is pretty awesome like that.
Here are two songs a sweet friend sent me in an e-mail (and by the way...she didn't even know I had been gloomy...she just had a rough day herself and wanted to encourage others). The first song included an awesome story with it. So, here is both....
Nothing seemed to be going right on the day this song was written. I was newly pregnant with my third child, and not feeling very lively. I looked around my tiny home. Not one thing was in its proper place. It was a disaster area, and my two children matched the mess. Grubby from head to foot, they seemed to make more mess with every passing second.
Feelings of self-pity welled within me. Surely I deserved better than this! I deserved a bigger house. I deserved to be able to afford to hire someone to come and clean up for me. I was certain of that. Where was the new baby going to fit? I had no clue. As I dwelt on my situation, I started to feel so sorry for myself that I actually started crying for poor me. That is, until my little ten-month-old boy, crawled over to me, gave me the biggest hug with his grubby arms, and smiled dotingly up at me.
At that moment, it occurred to me that I was the most blessed woman in the world. I had two beautiful children, a loving husband, and now God had rewarded me with another life growing within me. Thinking about all the blessings in my life, filled me with great joy. The words to this song flowed out.
I’ll add that I’m now expecting my fourth child and we are still living in that same small house. God has taught me to be grateful for it. The three children have managed to fit in perfectly and I know I’ll be able to find a corner somewhere for the next one.
Pearl Barrett
MY HEART IS FULL
Little arms reaching for me,
Grubby fingers touch my face
And love is what I feel.
Little eyes looking at me,
Chubby cheeks burst with smiles
And joy is what I know,
Peeking in while they sleep at night,
I thank God for the gift of life,
I thank God for more than I deserve.
CHORUS:
My heart is full, my heart is full,
Why would I want for more
When my cup overflows?
My heart is full, my heart is full,
This much I know.
Strong arms reaching for me
Circle my waist for the millionth time
And love is what I feel.
Strong voice talking to me,
Whispering dreams and sharing hopes
And joy is what I know.
Sometimes I watch him sleep at night,
I thank God that I am his wife,
I thank God for more than I deserve.
CHORUS.
Sometimes when discontent creeps into my soul
A still small voice reminds me of the ones my
arms can hold.
DON’T NEED TO FEAR
CHORUS:
I don’t want to fear any more,
I don’t have to fear any more,
I don’t need to fear any more,
For I am in the grip of your hand
forever more.
I’m so overwhelmed,
Desperation clinging to my bones
And You’re the only one
Who sees the pain I uncover when I’m alone.
I don’t need to let these shadows lurk,
Open my eyes, let your light flood in,
All the anguish of my soul is worth
Nothing when I remember you are King.
CHORUS:
I don’t want to fear any more,
I don’t have to fear any more,
I don’t need to fear any more,
For I am in the grip of your hand
forever more.
You were with them in a pillar of fire
And a cloud by night,
And you are with me, the Holy Ghost,
A still, small voice at night
Saying. . .
I’ll stay with you forever,
I’ll be there when you laugh or grieve,
I’ll trace your steps across the earth,
When you fall you can lean on Me.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Cry me a River
So, I am having one of those down-in-the-dumps-eat-a-lot-of-trail-mix-kind of days. I know, I am feeling sorry for myself and it's pathetic. How old am I again? Don't answer that.
But seriously, March....you have begun on a bad note. The minute school started today I was annoyed. Don't get me wrong, I love my students but there are days when I would rather be in Hawaii, sipping my blue drink with an umbrella in it rather than trying to cram grammar rules down their throats. I won't go into all the details of why today has been annoying, so let's just say it has not been my day by any means.
When I picked up Alina up from school today, my day did brighten up. Of course, getting her at noon puts a smile on my face anyway...but then as I put her in the car, who shows up? Joshua. He decided to come home for lunch, and swing by first to see if we were still at her school and we were. It was a much needed, happy surprise. Then he came home to eat lunch with us, and watch some Madagascar 2 for the zillionth time.
Compared to many, I have no right to even breathe the words "bad day." So, whenever I am down in the dumps, and feel the urge to eat all the Oreos in the cupboard, I have to remind myself that God is SO good to me. He brings me blessings when I don't ask for them, and loves me even when I am a grouch. Why is this so hard to remember sometimes?
But seriously, March....you have begun on a bad note. The minute school started today I was annoyed. Don't get me wrong, I love my students but there are days when I would rather be in Hawaii, sipping my blue drink with an umbrella in it rather than trying to cram grammar rules down their throats. I won't go into all the details of why today has been annoying, so let's just say it has not been my day by any means.
When I picked up Alina up from school today, my day did brighten up. Of course, getting her at noon puts a smile on my face anyway...but then as I put her in the car, who shows up? Joshua. He decided to come home for lunch, and swing by first to see if we were still at her school and we were. It was a much needed, happy surprise. Then he came home to eat lunch with us, and watch some Madagascar 2 for the zillionth time.
Compared to many, I have no right to even breathe the words "bad day." So, whenever I am down in the dumps, and feel the urge to eat all the Oreos in the cupboard, I have to remind myself that God is SO good to me. He brings me blessings when I don't ask for them, and loves me even when I am a grouch. Why is this so hard to remember sometimes?
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