Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Chicken Cacciatore

http://lisamariegalindo.blogspot.com
Chicken 

      Cacciatore

Here is a healthy twist on an Italian classic. 
It is so full of flavor and easy to make!


Ingredients:
1Tbsp olive oil
1lb of raw boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 Medium Onion                                                    PREP WORK:
2 Medium Celery Stalks                                     - Cut Chicken into 1in Cubes
2 Garlic Gloves                                                 - Dice Onion 
2 Small to Medium Red Bell Peppers                    - Slice Celery, mushrooms,
8 oz Mushrooms                                                 Bell Peppers, & Zucchini
1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes                          - Finely chop Garlic
2 Medium Zucchini                                            (TIP: or use a garlic press)
1 Medium Eggplant                                            - Peel Eggplant & cut into
1 tsp dried basil                                                  1 inch cubes
1 tsp dried parsley                                             - Mix dried basil, parsley
1/2 tsp dried oregano                                           oregano, & thyme
1/2 tsp thyme
Ground Black Pepper (to taste)                     
*Note: You can cut vegetables as you go along but it is beneficial to have chicken and onion prepared before you begin.


Cooking Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add cubed chicken; cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until outside is lightly browned.
3. Add onions, celery, garlic, bell peppers, & mushrooms to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften.
4. Add can of tomatoes & dry mix ingredients (basil, parsley, oregano, thyme).
Then add black pepper to taste. Stirring occasionally cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Add zucchini and eggplant. Cover with foil and stirring occasionally continue to cook for another 5 to 6 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle (juices should run clear) and zucchini and eggplant is tender.


http://lisamariegalindo.blogspot.com

 

Monday, December 7, 2015

My Journey: Out With the Old & In With the New

This may not completely seem journey related, but I assure you that emotional and mental health play an important role in your physical health!

So, a few months back my husband and I made a big holiday decision….we bought a new Family Christmas Tree! The Kmart near us was closing and had things at a HUGE discount. We were lucky enough to get a tree at something like 80% off. The tree has all the "bells and whistles" as they say - its pre lit, has color AND white lights, easy set up, remote control for all the fancy settings, several light options like flashing/solid/dimming & more, spinning base, 7.5 ft, full tree. It was quite the bargain.

I know many of you are probably thinking this isn't really a "BIG" decision, but you see for me this was a HUGE decision. Our previous tree, the tree we have used since our married life began…well, it was my childhood tree. The tree the holds so many wonderful memories from both my childhood and adulthood. We really have needed a new tree for a few years now but I was trying so hard to hold on to my childhood tree. Every year I say it will be our last year with the tree, but then I struggle to actually let it go. A few years back my parents fully retired leaving the state they had and raised their six children. It wasn't something that any of us had a huge conversation about, but I know the day my parents sold our home - the home we all grew up in and created so many memories - was a difficult day for us all. I would imagine none more than my parents, but I think we all mourned the end of an era in a way on that day. 

I have felt since the sale of my parents house an extra clinging connection to this Christmas tree. I felt it was the last tangible thing that held so many memories from my childhood and growing up. I realized something though, or came to accept something I've known all along I should say. I accepted that those memories and good times will always be with me, the ones of Christmases with my parents and siblings growing up and the ones my husband and I have made over the past decade of our life together. The memories are in my heart and head, not in the tree.

This year with mixed emotions we put up our new tree and I will prepare to say goodbye to the old. Goodbye to the tree, but never to the wonderful memories created around it. I am so grateful to God and to my wonderful parents for providing us with those wonderful memories. I will cherish them always as I create NEW cherished memories with my children around our NEW tree! Here's to a new tree with new memories and the same love to surround them both for many, MANY Christmases to come!

From my family to yours,
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!