New Beginnings

You know that you live a life filled with chaos when you open up your Pinterest to see that they have "How to slim and tone your legs in 10 easy steps" and right next to it is "How to make cupcake sprinkle rolls in 6 steps".  For those who know me best, you will know that while I desire to have slim anything and everything, I desire food more. Usually for me it isn't so much in the sweet department but definitely in the Cheetos Crunchy or Hummus and Pita Chips area. Regardless, it got me to thinking which would I choose?

Take a moment.......

You know the cupcakes would win out everytime.

Man I love instant gratification. Often to my own demise. I will sell out for the immediate thrill instead of holding out for the hard working payoff. 

I have seen this all too often in my parenting. Let's just be honest folks, sometimes the embarrassing tantrum in the supermarket makes you want to call CPS on yourself so instead you buy the candy they want in hopes of taming the beast within for the last 30 minutes of your trip. You also resort to doing what you swore you would NEVER do and open the package let them dive in and pay with the empty wrapper at the end. All with the hope that this will relieve the stress and anxiety of shopping with short little people. 

I'm going to let you in on a little secret..."IT DOESN'T WORK, EVER!" 

You might feel better in the moment, but those little "totes-adorbs" kids you were blessed with have the will power and tenacity of a Gladiator. (Sometimes I think if we set Little K loose on ISIS, the USA will have won the war on terror, that's another story for another day though).

So as I was furiously cleaning my house today before Little K's teacher came for a home visit, I was thinking of how could I best get through to her the significance of his issues. We had met earlier last week and she kind of brushed off my concerns as if the sole problem was my parenting. So being the human behaviour analyzer that I am and the fact that I am able to lay huge amounts of guilt on myself, I naturally spent the whole week beating myself up and second guessing my parenting with Little K. (This naturally ended with me also eating through 2 Family Sized Bags of Cheeto's...yoga pants anybody)? I realized that I had to own some of those issues. I have chosen to not fight battles because I wasn't ready to win it, and in that he has gained a foothold on me. I have to choose new battles to fight. I needed to fight the war on terror.  

Let me tell you, sometimes when you begin to feel the most discouraged God just comes along and gives you a squeeze and a reminder that He's got this. This teacher who left me with a very poor impression and clearly even today came into my home with her preconceived idea of who we were as a family and as parents, ended her visit with these words. "I wish more parents were like you. So many allow their children to be in control. With your son it is clear you know what you are doing and you are in control. You choose your battles wisely." and "Wow, you are a fantastic parent. Where did you learn how to do the things you do and where do you get your ideas from?"  followed with "I am going to seek an evaluation and see if we can't get more answers to what his challenges are and how we can support him and your family." Now I don't share that for praise or seeking any compliments, I share it because that is not how I feel. I feel like daily I fail. Sometimes though God just gives the reminder that he has this planned and it's for his glory. I consider it a joy that I was able to look her dead in the eye and say, "Only by the grace of God. Everything I have learned is instinctive and intuitive. God has looked out for me and placed articles in my lap and people in my pathway when I needed help the most. God has not allowed my mind to rest when something was wrong and I was being told it was I who was wrong. God has loved these children far before I did and he knit them together. They are uniquely and wonderfully made." Who knew my little pile of blessings would turn out to be a testimony to the Glory of God. Instantly in that moment when she asked me that, I thought of two songs and I have put the lyrics below. Lastly this verse came to mind-

  "Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" 1 Timothy 6:11b-12

Beautiful Things

Michael Gungor

All this pain

I wonder if I'll ever find my way?

I wonder if my life could really change at all?

All this earth

Could all that is lost ever be found?

Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

Whom Shall I fear

Chris Tomlin

You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear?

Verse 2:

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my Sword and Shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear?

Chorus:

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

Verse 3:

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

Meals for October 20-25, 2013

 Sunday:

5 Minute Brown Butter Chicken with Sage Tossed with Parmesan and Angel Hair Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Bread

Monday: 

Crispy Crockpot Carnitas with Corn Tortillas.

Toppings:Cilantro and Onion Mix, Fresh Lime, Corn, Sour Cream, Cheese

Tuesday: 

Thai Style Chicken Breast served over Basmati Rice with Broccoli

Wednesday: 

Buffalo Soup and Cheddar Garlic Biscuits with Carrot Sticks

Recipe for Biscuits:

2 1/4 C. of Bisquick

2/3 C. Milk

1/2 C. Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)

1/8 t. Garlic Powder

Mix thoroughly and drop on cookie sheet evenly spaced. Bake in oven for 8 minutes at 450.

Thursday: 

Skillet Chicken Tikka Masala and Rice with Green Beans and side of Roti

http://www.traceysculinaryadventures.com/2012/10/skillet-chicken-tikka-masala.html#.UmhRCPmkqxU

The only thing I do differently in this recipe is I always Puree the tomato. I have learned from experience if you don't the flavours don't blend as well. 

Friday:

Costco's Orange Chicken, Pot Stickers, and Chicken Fried Rice 

Recipes!!!

Everyone has asked for some of my recipes that I use the most so here ya go!

Lemon Garlic Crock Pot Chicken

2 lbs. chicken breast halves, (cut in half if they are large)

3 Tablespoons dried oregano

1 ½ teaspoons seasoning salt (like Lawry’s)

¾ teaspoon pepper

4 Tablespoons butter

¾ Cup water

¾ Cup lemon juice

8 cloves garlic

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon

3 teaspoons dried parsley (optional)

Rinse chicken.  Mix oregano, salt, and pepper and rub into chicken.  Melt butter in large skillet, add chicken browning both sides.  Transfer chicken to slow cooker.  Place water, lemon, bouillon, and garlic in large skillet.  Stir over medium heat; bring to a boil loosening brown bits.  Pour over chicken, cook on high for at least 3 hours.  Add parsley last ½ hour.  Serve with steamed brown rice.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth (or chicken broth made with bouillon cubes or powder)

1 1/4 cups water

1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked

1 cup white hominy

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces

Toppings:

crushed tortilla chips

sliced avocado

shredded Monterey Jack cheese

chopped fresh cilantro or green onions

sour cream

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Saute onion until soft, add garlic and sauté til fragrant.  Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, broth, and water.  Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.  Stir in corn, hominy, green chiles, beans, cilantro, and chicken.  Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve with toppings.

** Note:   I usually add more chicken broth before simmering the last 10 minutes – it’s a pretty thick soup otherwise.  Enjoy! 

Chicken Curry

2 Jars of Trader Joe's Yellow Thai Curry Sauce

1 Whole Onion

6 Chicken Breasts

2 Whole Carrots

1 Potato

Directions:

Slice Chicken in strips and cook over medium heat until cooked through. Skin and dice potato in bite size pieces. Do the same with the carrots.  Cut Onion in half and then slice thinly.  Put everything in a 10x13 pan and cover with jarred sauce. Cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees! Serve over Basmati or Jasmine Rice

Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 Hours
Finishing: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil
1 (4-5 lb.) lean boneless pork roast, excess fat trimmed, cut into 3-inch chunks
8 oz. beer
1 large white onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. chipotle powder (or 1 chipotle in adobo sauce)
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
Directions:
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the pork and sear on each side until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer pork to the slow cooker.

Add remaining ingredients, and give the mixture a careful stir to combine. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the pork is completely tender and shreds easily with a fork.

Once the pork is cooked, preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Use a fork to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to the prepared baking sheets, spreading it out evenly in a single layer. Reserve the remaining broth from the slow cooker.

Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin crisping up. Remove the sheet, and use a spatula or tongs to carefully toss the pork. Then ladle about 1/4 cup of the remaining slow cooker broth over the pork. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional 1/4 cup of broth over the crispy pork.

Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.

Serve immediately in tacos, burritos, salads, or whatever sounds good to you! Or cover and refrigerate or freeze. Source: www.gimmesomeoven.com

Buffalo Chicken Soup (From AllRecipes.com)

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup butter 3 stalks celery, diced 1 small onion, diced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup half-and-half cream 3 cups water

1 cube chicken bouillon 2 cups cubed cooked chicken 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce, or more to taste 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook the celery and onion in the melted butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and allow to cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes more. Slowly stir the half-and-half and water into the mixture. Dissolve the bouillon in the liquid. Stir in the chicken, buffalo wing sauce, and Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stirring occasionally, allow the soup to simmer until the the cheese has melted completely, about 10 minutes.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2013 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/23/2013

5 Minute Brown Butter Chicken and Crispy Sage

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thawed)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup fresh sage leaves
1.5 – 2 tablespoons butter

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes), season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.

2. Melt butter in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When butter turns brown and fragrant, add the chicken in a single layer and arrange sage over the chicken.

3. Set the timer for five minutes. Cook the chicken on one side without moving for 2 minutes and 30 seconds until golden brown. Stir and toss chicken and sage, making sure to coat all in brown butter, then flip the chicken to the other side and cook for the remainder of the time. 

Note: I serve with Angel Hair Pasta tossed with fresh Parmesan Reggiano

Source: www.kevinandamanda.com

Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl

YIELD: SERVES 2

 

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed

1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded

1/3 cup chopped carrots

1/3 cup shelled edamame

1/3 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro

Sauce:

2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon canned coconut milk

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon creamy peanut butter (it mixes in easier if it's melted, FYI)

1 garlic clove

1/2 lime, juice

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

Prepare quinoa according to directions, which will most likely call for 1 cup of liquid. I prefer to use low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock, so if you have that, use it!

While quinoa is cooking, combine all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and whisk well to combine. Once quinoa has absorbed all of the liquid, stir in the sauce and toss well to coat. Add in chicken, carrots, edamame and green onions, stirring to combine. Taste and season with a little salt and pepper if needed. Toss in half of the peanuts and cilantro, then serve in a large bowl, topped with remaining peanuts and cilantro. 

Note: I like to serve over a cabbage slaw or Basmati Rice

---

This delicious recipe brought to you by How Sweet It Is 

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/02/thai-chicken-quinoa-bowl/

Day 4: The 30ish Days of Joy Challenge

Day 4 was much harder than the first 3.  When everything could have been wonderful it wasn't. Around 10:00 AM I thought all hope was lost for me to find joy as the kids were difficult and arguing. Around 1:15 our neighbours were leaving, they came over to play around 10:30, and Ellie was sad then I heard their youngest say to her "Don't worry Ellie, our moms are friends now so we can play anytime together".  This gave me reason to pause. This is joy. Joy is living making friendships with those around you! Joy is unexpected lunch dates. Joy is unexpected run-ins with "friends" at a local coffee shop. Joy is pool parties and BBQ's with friends. Joy is making new friends and valuing the ones you already have!!! Day 4, you tried to get me but I won!!! I found joy!!!

Day 3: The 30ish Days of Joy Challenge

Oh Day 3! You were wonderful. At the beginning there was a rough start and when I arrived at church for worship practice I was struggling with feeling peaceful, but as soon as our worship leader for this week picked up the guitar and began to play I felt peaceful and joyful. Of course the first song was "I am Free"

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you all hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free, yes, I am free
I am free to run (I am free to run)
I am free to dance (I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)
I am free (I am free)
Yes, I am free (I am free)
Through you the kingdom comes
Through you the battle's won
Through you I'm not afraid
Through you the price is paid
Through you there's victory
Because of you my soul sings
I am free, yes, I am free
Who the Son sets free
Is free indeed
Who the Son sets free
Is free indeed


Now please tell me how you could not be joyful after reading these lyrics? What a great song to sing in the midst of my 30 day challenge!!!  Today I found joy in several areas of my life.  I was able to joyfully worship with other believers. I was able to joyfully eat at the potluck as we welcomed a new person on staff at our church. I was able to joyfully go to the store with some money in my pocket to buy groceries for the dearest people on earth, my family of course. I was able to come home and make pizza for the family.  I was able to go out with my neighbour and get to know her better over Starbucks and all because my other neighbour gifted me with a gift card for watching her cats while she was away. (We all know the payment of kitties was enough for me).  While at Starbucks I ran into the kids I.A.'s/Crossing Guard at their school and we were able to talk to one another and I met her daughter. Also, she asked me to pray for her! I thought that was great. It is so wonderful to find joy when you are looking out for it!

I am so blessed. I appreciate the life that God has given me and I love that when you choose to be joyful, you find joy everywhere you look! 



Total side note...The Crossing Guard and IA also is an author so to my lady friends out there, if you're interested I recommend her book Dare To Repair.    Also, you can't be as lucky as me and get an autographed copy but it is a great book on home repair! LOVE IT!

Go be joyful!

30 Days of Joy: Day 1 and Day 2

I have been really convicted as of late, that I have gotten into a funk and have stopped finding joy in my life. In Psalm 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it."
After a conversation with a good friend, that verse came to my mind. It doesn't say we wake up rejoicing in the new day, it says WE WILL rejoice and be glad. Joy is a choice. Happiness is a choice. It is choosing to see all that GOD has done for us and focusing on that instead of all that Satan is doing against us. For the next 30+ days I will keep track of what brought me joy that day.

Day 1:  We experienced joy by playing a game, went outside with friends, had a bbq with fellow members of the body of Christ.

Day 2: We experienced joy by swimming in our "pool", Little K "helped" our neighbour wash his car, Big K, Little E, and I played a game (which he beat me twice) we sat in the sun and chatted with our neighbours, enJOYed Starbucks, had great food from generous friends and neighbours. We also got our basement set up so we can enJOY more family time down there. Dane and Big E were able to do that by eating ice cream and watching a movie  as a reward for them helping a fellow friend and church member move their home.  I played a game with a good friend and neighbour. I am so thankful for these times and I know I want my children to see me JOYful and not stressed out all the time. I know I will not be perfect all the time and that everyone has failures but I know that with God I can find joy a bit more every day!

ASD= A Serious Downer or Autism Spectrum Disorder

It is all in the attitude. When you hear that your precious little gift from God isn't perfect, like you think he is, there are a gamut of emotions that pour down on you. At first you have relief because you're not crazy. You're validated that you as a mom know when something is wrong with your kid. Doctors, schools, psychiatrists, psychologists, and the like can give you an idea but they don't really know either. How much time do they really spend with your child? I have carried this life for 9 long months, I have watched him roll over, sit up, walk, and talk. I have worried when he was sick at night or his wheezing was worse than normal. I have read the books on different behaviours that have concerned me. What do they know? They know only what he is compared to every other typical child. I know who he is to me and to our family. I know who he is to God. So it's all in the attitude. Big K might be high functioning Autistic but he is special to God. He is sensitive, loving, and kind. As long as you do everything the way he wants and needs it to be done, you will be showered with hugs and kisses. If you don't do it his way then you might be told "do you see these teeth? Remember they are for biting...just reminding ya". However, when you pull him aside and you listen to his heart you know that it's just his junk masking how he feels. All he really means is, "I'm feeling frustrated and not listened to, don't you get angry when you feel that way?" I love him past all of his junk. I love him for who he is. I love him for who he will be or won't be. He is my son and nothing will take that away. 
   All my hopes and dreams for my Big K will come true. Sure it gets depressing when day in and day out I struggle with his attitude and defiance but sometimes I look at him and think I wonder if this is how God feels. Here I am and all my junk and he sees past it to my heart and loves me just as much anyway.

Psalm 139:14
 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; you're works are wonderful, I know that full well."

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