Some Like it "Hot" Some like it "Cold"

I don't know about you but I love the cold weather. A couple weeks ago here in Southern CA we were blessed with some amazing days of cold and wet weather. This is such a treat for us very spoiled CA dwellers as we have mostly sunshine and warm weather year round. I can not get enough of these cold rainy days. I have always told my husband I could live in the rain every day. 

This amazing weather prompted me to want to enjoy in some much needed hearty chili.

Of course standing in the rain for three hours selling Girl Scout cookies further fueled this fire. 

Lets take a moment to talk about these said cookie sales. As this was my first year with my daughter in Girl Scouts, I did not know what to expect, boy were we in for a ride.

It first starts off with the girls setting a goal of how many cookies they would like to sell. Of course the girls mostly base this off the prize sheet they are given. My daughter chose to try to sell 500 boxes as it would earn her a set of roller skates, her new found love. 

So we set off on our journey, personal sales plus booths.

Personal sales went great, except for one walk about, mommy and daddy helped with the majority of the sales. Now lets talk about the these booths. They are set up to teach the girls great business skills and to be independent. Yes I think they teach the kids both of these but, our booths happened to land on all the cold rainy days and nights. My daughter and I did 4 booths and by the end of that we were both over them. At the end of our last booth we were both crying lol.  We were both cold, tired and wet.  I think it taught my daughter to stick it out even when it gets tough but I was also sad for her to stand in the cold rain. My husband helped by picking up my daughter and taking her to a movie while I relaxed with friends for the rest of the evening. Then I planned a nice warm meal to heat our souls. 

In the end she sold 380 boxes total, still a great accomplishment, but not her goal.  She earned a lot of very cool prizes and mommy and daddy will be surprising her with new skates for all of her hard work. Cookie sales may have not been our strong point but I did love what it taught her. Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization teaching our girls great morals and preparing them for the future, hopefully next year we will get the rainy weather on the days we want to cuddle and watch a movie instead of selling lol. 

With all of that being said I encourage all the mothers out there to teach your girls to be independent, be strong and love themselves for their accomplishments. Even if they don't reach there "Goal" they can always set new ones and keep trying.  This is the greatest lesson my Mother taught me in life. It is amazing to have a partner walk beside you but please know how to stand on your own. 

So the next time you find yourself cold, tired and wet try cuddling up with a good movie and some hot chili. 

Hearty Chili

You will need a crock pot and a skillet for this meal. 

Serves 6-8 

Prep time is 30 mins

Cook time 3 to 6 hours depending on your preference see recipe

NOTE: My kids like spicy food if you do not want it to be so spicy please eliminate the chipotle peppers in adobe sauce. This will take the smoke flavor out but still good

Ingredients:

2lbs turkey meat

1 medium onion diced

4 cloves of garlic minced

1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes

2 14oz cans of diced tomatoes with chili's

2 15oz cans of dark kidney beans drained and rinsed 

2 15oz cans of light kidney beans drained and rinsed

1 tbs of cumin

2 tbs of chili powder 

1 tsp salt

1 7oz can green chilis

1 7oz can chipotle peppers in adobe sauce 

1 cup dark beer

1 tbs of olive oil

1 cup of cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

Instructions:

In a large skillet brown turkey meat with tbs of olive oil. Once browned add garlic and onion

In a crock pot add the browned turkey meat, garlic and onion.

Next add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with chilis.

Then add cumin, chili powder and salt

Mix through

Add can of green chilis and chipotle peppers in adobe sauce

Mix through

Then add the light and dark kidney beans and mix through

Last add 1 cup of your favorite dark beer and mix through.

Let cook for at least 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. 

Top with cheddar cheese and sour cream or any of your favorite chili toppings and dig in. 

How to's on Kids and Chicken

Raising children has its challenges.

During a very frustrating day of dealing with my beautiful strong willed daughter; I remembered an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond."  In this particular episode Debra is having a very rough time with Ally their oldest.  Ally is having trouble listening and is becoming very stubborn.  So Ray and Debra take a parenting class. Debra finds it difficult to use the active listening technique they learned on Ally, but Ray is able and succeeds when he tries.   This has always been one of my favorite episodes, I can relate a lot to Debra. I sometimes feel like I am running a never ending race, running as hard and fast as I can. Jumping over every hurdle, then in swoops someone who seems to be able to run faster and harder than I and finishes first. 

It is at these times I have to stop and remember that everyones life comes with its own challenges. What seems difficult to me may seem easy to others and vice versa.  The Lord only gives us what we can handle and he promises to hold our hand along the path of our race. Running with us at times and at others carrying us over the more difficult hurdles. 

I have read several parenting books, how to's and instructional manuals. In the end I will only say I still have not found just one that helps, they all have had great ideas, some have worked some have not. I will say though I was given one book, one book that is helping me through the race. It was written, in my opinion, by the best poet, teacher and father every to walk the earth.  The BIBLE was and is Gods instructional manual on how to live our lives. It has taught me to be patient during the rough waters and has given me the strength to keep trying with my strong willed child. 

I highly encourage you all to do your own research on parenting books, or other how to's on what ever it is you might be going through; but if you get stuck turn to the one true manual, grab the Lord's hand and hold on tight this is going to be a long and bumpy road. I am so thankful I will have him to stand by my side along the way. 

I do not have all the instructions on how to be a great parent or how to to do it the best, I do however have instructions to a great Chicken recipe.  At the very least I hope you will find some peace while making this dish and maybe just maybe the children will be so full they will go to bed early.

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce

&

Parmesan crusted Zucchini 

Ingredients:

For Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken:

3 large skinless Chicken breasts

2 bushels of fresh Broccoli 

Salt

Pepper

4 Garlic cloves minced

1 cup Chicken broth

1/2 tsp Red Pepper flakes

1/2 cup Heavy Cream

1/3 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes packed in Olive Oil

1/2 tsp dried Thyme

1 tsp of dried Basil

Hand full of fresh Basil julienned 

4 tbs of Olive Oil, 2 for chicken and 2 for sauce

For Parmesan Zucchini

4 Zucchini 

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1 tsp dried Basil

1tsp Salt

1 cup Panko Bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions:

For Chicken:

Pre-heat oven 400  degrees

In a skillet on medium heat,  coat bottom of pan with Olive Oil. Season both sides of Chicken breasts with Salt and Pepper and brown both sides in skillet. 

Lay all three Chicken Breast in a shallow baking dish.

Cut up Broccoli in to smaller pieces and layer around Chicken in baking dish.

In a skillet over medium heat, coat bottom of pan with Olive Oil and add minced Garlic, Red Pepper flakes, dried Basil, Thyme and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.  Cook only until Garlic is tender you do not want to burn the Garlic.

Next add Chicken broth to deglaze the pan, be sure to scrape all the bits off bottom of pan this is where all your flavor is, bring to a simmer.

Next add Heavy cream and bring back to simmer.

As soon as the Heavy Cream comes back to simmer, remove from heat and pour over Chicken and Broccoli.

Place baking dish in oven for 45 min or until Chicken reaches 165 degrees.

Slice and serve with or with out fresh Basil over top.

For Zucchini:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Cut Zucchini one inch finger length slices. Then layer them on a tin foil lined baking dish.

In small bowl combine 1/4 cup Olive Oil and dried Basil. Brush mixture on to Zucchini. Sprinkle with Salt.

Combine Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan Cheese in a bowl and then sprinkle over Zucchini.

Place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 mins or until Zucchini is tender.

Serve along side your Chicken.

Enjoy!

Tips:

Prepare Chicken dish first and after you have place it in oven start to prepare Zucchini.  Place Zucchini on second rack in oven for last 20 mins of cooking time on Chicken, this way your entire meal is finished at the same time. 

When trying to break up whole Garlic I like to put Garlic in a plastic bag and smash with my fist, this separates Garlic in to cloves with out them flying all over kitchen. Plus you take frustration out on Garlic....lol

Even though I have had challenges with my daughter lately I can say being her mother comes with many rewards. She is one of my greatest accomplishments and I hope to make her proud to call me mom. 

Super-Epic-Friendamily Time

            For as long as I can remember Football has been a part of my life. There are three events that stick in my mind the most.

I remember as a young child watching football games with my Father and my Uncle Mark. Sitting around the TV as my dad rooted for the Miami Dolphins and my uncle for the Seattle Seahawks. My uncle enjoyed them so much that he had notebooks upon notebooks full of stats and information. They would scream, whoop and sometimes cry for their teams. Most of all I remember we were always enjoying it together.

Then as a teenager I remember attending Friday night football games to watch my cousins play on the Serrano Diamond Backs.  It brought the whole community together to root for their team. We would cuddle under blankets to keep warm and my aunt would be screaming for her boys while she filmed the game from the back of the stands. This is probably my favorite memory.

My husband brought me to love the San Diego Chargers in 2003. Every weekend we would get together with his family to cheer on our Chargers. Although they mostly lost they had a lot of cute players :). After I got pregnant in 2006 these Sundays gave me a great excuse to take a nap during the game :).  I will always remember the excitement of just coming together and enjoying each other’s company.

This year I threw my own football party for the Super Bowl. I rooted for the Seahawks in honor of my late uncle. It did not matter that they lost the game at the very end due to a bad call by the coach. The kids and I enjoyed the Katie Perry half time show and the commercials, like always were epic. It was all enjoyed with our best friends that we consider family. It also gave me a reason to come up with a new game day recipe.

I hope that whether it is football or something else; you make it a point or a tradition to gather those closest to you. Remember that having each other and creating memories is important, not just for you but for your kids too.

Remember to hold those dearest to your heart close, no one really knows what tomorrow will bring, but for today you can make memories and EAT GREAT FOOD!

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”  - C.S. Lewis

Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini's with Garlic Basil Carrot Fries

Carrot Fries: 10min prep 25min cooking time

Panini's: 25min prep 10min cooking time

Makes about 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

Carrot Fries:

2-3 small bags of carrots depending on how many you are serving (or want as leftovers, seriously these are addicting)

4 cloves of garlic minced

1/4 cup of olive oil

1/2 tsp of sea salt

1/4 tsp of pepper

1/2 tsp of dried basil

hand full of fresh basil julienned 

Dipping sauce for fries:

1 cup sour cream

1/2 lemon zest and its juice

1/4 tsp sea salt

Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini

1 1/2 tsp McCormicks sweet basil and oregano season packet

1 cup shredded mozzarella

12-15 slices of swiss cheese

1 roasted chicken breast (follow instructions below) or buy one at the store

Jennie O Turkey ham, sliced thin about 12 slices, or you can buy pre-sliced

Bacon bits of your choice

1/2 cup sliced scallions

1 cup Pre-made Alfredo sauce, I used Classico brand

Sliced sour dough bread

Olive oil for spreading on bread

Instructions:

Preheat Oven to 425

If you are roasting your own chicken breast, place on a foil lined cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with some of the McCormicks sweet basil and oregano seasoning and place in oven at same time as carrots, cook until internal temp reaches 165.

Wash carrots but leave skin on, this is where most of the nutrients are. Then cut in half and make finger size cuts. See pic below

Mince Garlic

Julienne Basil

In a separate bowl combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and dried basil. 

Add carrots and toss until evenly coated

Lay out on a foil lined cookie sheet and cook in oven for 25mins or until desired doneness is reached. I prefer mine to still have a bit of a crunch, easier for dipping. Pull out of oven and sprinkle fresh basil over the top and set aside. 

While carrots are roasting you can prepare ingredients for the panini's

Slice Jennie O Turkey Ham thin.

Then place on a foil lined cookie sheet and place in oven still at 425 and cook for 10min

After chicken is done roasting, or with your store bought one; slice thin and set aside

Next in a mixing bowl add the Alfredo sauce and McCormick seasoning till blended.

Lay sour dough bread on a foil lined cookie sheet, brush one side of each with olive oil then turn over.

You can then begin assembling

Spread Alfredo sauce on each slice of bread

Lay down a layer of cooked ham then a layer of mozzarella cheese

Next add a layer of sliced chicken

Then add slices of swiss cheese until all chicken is covered

Sprinkle bacon bits and scallions over the top

Top with another slice of sough dough that has already been spread with the Alfredo sauce

Repeat until all sandwiches are assembled

There are several ways you can achieve a panini. I actually grilled mine on my bbq by spraying with non stick spray and after placing on bbq I used a metal spatula to press down to create the pressed panini. Cooking on the grill your flame should be very low and it will take about 5mins per side to allow for the cheese to melt. Closing the cover of your bbq will help the cheese melt as well. You could also use cookie sheet you assembled on and place in the oven on broil opening after 5mins to press down on sandwich. Now if you have a panini press well then more power to you. 

After sandwiches are cooked I let rest for 5mins before cutting, during this time you can whip up the dipping sauce for the carrots.

In a bowl combine sour cream, the zest and juice of 1/2 lemon and add salt.

Slice sandwiches and serve!

Three or Four P's? We shall see!

Disclaimer:  If you cannot handle reading about the daily life of a mother please skip intro and go straight for the food. For all others read at your own risk!

Why did you have to miss the toilet?

            This is a question all mothers have asked at some point in parenting, especially if you have boys. On this day my son stayed home from school; while I worked away in my office he occupied himself by working tirelessly to beat the next level of Lego Marvel.  As I was working I see my son, 5 years old, run from living room to the bathroom.  This is a normal thing for my son he is always going at full speed. Then I hear it (don don don) "Mom I missed on accident.”  Me, “missed what?”  Please God don’t let it be the toilet. Yup here he comes covered in pee! I ask him what happened? He explains, “Well I had to go so I ran, then I could not get my pants down fast enough, but once I did I figured I was already peeing so I just kept going.”  Yes my son speaks like this he uses large words. I go to the restroom to see that yes he has peed epic amounts everywhere, the floor, the wall it has even made it into the sink, nowhere near the toilet. I stair at him in disbelief as he gives me that sad look and says “I am so sorry mom it was an accident.” Ok now, I think, keep your cool don’t blow up.  I quickly get him into tub, new cloths and then assessed the wreckage. UGH, where do I begin, bring in the big guns, gloves, towels and bleach, definitely bleach. After 30mins of scrubbing, the bathroom is finally clean. What now, I cant yell at him, EVEN though he has been potty trained for three years, I think, you crazy human being!!!!!!!Ok breath, back to nice mom. I send my clean son back to the couch to continue video game playing while I work out my frustrations on dinner. Oh and yes I cleaned my hands.....lol

            Have you mothers ever had one of those days you just want to throw your hands up in the air and say “I AM DONE.” On these days I feel as though I am never going to make it to the finish line. It may have seemed like something small, my son peeing all over the bathroom, I mean it is not like he caught the closet on fire! That is a story for another time and no it was not my son, but on this day that is exactly what it felt like to me. Just another thing I had to deal with, another time I had to stop what I was doing to tend to the needs of another. Now I know that sounds selfish and sometimes I am, but sometimes this mommy just needs her own time-out. I wonder what it would take for me to get sent to my room and told I was not allowed to do anything but sit and stare at the wall. OH, how that would be HEAVAN. Instead, in that moment of disaster, I kept my cool and did the next best thing, I read the passage listed below to keep me going and then created the last Three P’s of this story. Enjoy!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith". 2 Timothy 4:7

Pepper-Pesto-Pizza!

            Yes most of my emotions are worked out in the kitchen, so even though my son caused such a mess I made his favorite anyway, Pizza! Be sure to check out the tips listed below to help make your life a little easier, with the recipe that is.

Follow link below for the homemade pizza dough and allow time for this as well.

Also check instructions on how to pre-roast your chicken breast, or you could buy a store bought one.

Prep time: 15mins       Cook time: 25mins

Ingredients:

1 Bell pepper thinly sliced

2 Jalapeno’s thinly sliced

3 Garlic cloves thinly sliced

2 Tomatoes thinly sliced

½ Pre-roasted Chicken Breast thinly sliced

3 Tablespoons of homemade or store bought basil pesto

½ block of Cream Cheese

1-cup Mozzarella

Cornmeal

Homemade pizza dough, I use Bobby Flay’s recipe you can follow this link http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/pizza-dough-recipe.html

Spray oil of your choice

Tin foil

Cookie sheet or pizza stone

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425

            You will need either a pizza stone or I used a cookie sheet lined with tin foil.

On cookie sheet lined with tin foil or pizza stone, lightly sprayed with oil of your choice, spread homemade pizza dough. I use Bobby Fly’s recipe link is listed above and explains how to prepare and roll out, dust dough with cornmeal and fork holes in to dough to keep from rising in oven. Set aside 

Thinly slice bell peppers, jalapeno’s, garlic and tomatoes

    Thinly slice roasted chicken breast. I pre-roasted mine in a 375 degree oven on a tin foil lined cookie sheet, drizzle chicken with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and cook until internal temp reaches 165. Let rest for 10mins before slicing or you can make ahead of time and store in fridge until needed.

     Spoon 3 tablespoons of store bought or home made basil pesto on to pizza dough and spread evenly

     Next layer sliced chicken, tomatoes and garlic on to the pesto

     Take ½ block of cream cheese and break into 1 inch pieces and drop evenly on top of sliced chicken, tomatoes and garlic

     Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese

     Next layer evenly with bell peppers and jalapeno’s

     Place in oven top rack for 15mins

 At 15min mark lightly press a spatula on top of pizza to make sure peppers stick to the cheeses

     Cook for an additional 10mins

     Remove and let rest for 5mins

     Slice and enjoy!

Fun tips:

While chopping tomatoes start with them whole and slice around the core to avoid seeds and excess juices.

Same with bell peppers start with pepper whole and slice around the core before cutting in to thin slices to avoid having to core.

With Jalapeno’ peppers just cut closest to the stem off then use a butter knife to run along inside and scoop out core, then slice thin

Use a bowl lined with a plastic grocery bag as a trashcan while chopping then easily pull bag out and toss, easy clean up

Use damp cloth under cutting board to keep from slipping while rolling out dough