Tasty Tuesday - Bruschetta Chicken

*This recipe was originally found at Bruschetta Chicken www.food.com & tweaked a bit by yours truly

I really need to work on my photography skills. This pitiful picture absolutely does NOT do this recipe justice. This recipe has become a family favorite - and is perfect for summer tomatoes!!

Ingredients

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast   **(I used chicken breast halves)

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 c. Italian Panko Crumbs

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil  (to cook the chicken in) **vegetable oil is pictured but EVOO is best

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil  (to be used in the bruschetta)

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. onion salt

1-2 tomatoes, chopped

salt & pepper to taste

shredded mozzarella cheese  (to be used for topping)

Directions

*Whisk together 3tbsp. of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Stir in the basil, garlic powder, onion salt and tomato. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Allow to sit and marinate for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

*Dip each piece of chicken into the egg and then press into the panko crumb mixture to coat.

*Heat the oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan or skillet.

*Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pick in the center, and has a golden brown color.

*Reduce the heat to low, leaving the chicken in the pan. Spoon the bruschetta over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and cook just long enough for the cheese to melt.

*Serve the chicken with a side of veggies or salad and ENJOY!!

(again - the pictures just don't do this recipe justice. This was AWESOME! You will not be disappointed.)


Share some of your favorite go-to chicken recipes in the comment section below.

Tasty Tuesday: Crock Pot Potato Soup

 This potato soup is so EASY and everyone in my family 

(even my super picky Lillian) loves it!!

Ingredients:

1 30 oz. bag of frozen, diced hash browns

1 32 oz. box of chicken broth

1 10 oz. can of cream of chicken soup

1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (do NOT use fat free)

Bacon bits

1 package of dried Ranch dressing mix

Shredded cheddar cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

• Add frozen hash browns to a crock pot sprayed with non-stick cooking spray
• Add in chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and small handful of bacon bits
  
• Cook on low for 7-8 hours
• An hour before serving - add in cream cheese (cut into small cubes) and the packet of dry Ranch dressing mix
  
• Mix a few times, while cooking, to get the cream cheese mixed in well
• Top with cheddar cheese and bacon bits (to taste) when ready to serve!!
  

I like to serve this soup with salad and Pillsbury honey crescent rolls!

Enjoy!!

Tasty Tuesday: Mama's Meatloaf

recipe found at www.comfyinthekitchen.com

Ingredients

Glaze:

3/4 c. ketchup

1/3 c. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. mustard

Meatloaf:

1.5 lbs. ground beef

1.5 c. plain bread crumbs

1/4 c. chopped onion

1/3 c. prepared glaze

1 egg

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Combine all of glaze ingredients and set aside

3. Combine meatloaf ingredients and 1/3 c. of prepared glaze

4. Shape in a loaf pan (or an 8x8 casserole dish will suffice) & bake for 1 hour

5. Pouf off fat & cover with remaining glaze and bake for an additional 15 minutes

I like to serve meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the Candied Carrots featured in January 20th's Tasty Tuesday or sweet peas and a roll.

Tasty Tuesday - Candied Carrots

***I promise to work on my picture quality :)

 

Our family loves these carrots. They are super easy and taste SOOO good! They make the perfect side dish. I like to serve these with pot roast, mashed potatoes & green beans. The kiddos love these!!

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 pound baby cut carrots

2 tablespoons of diced butter

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 pinch salt

1 pinch pepper

*additional brown sugar and white sugar to season to taste

 

Directions:

1. Place carrots in a pot of salted water and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to a high simmer (I do medium-high, your stove may be better behaved than mine!) Cook 20 - 30 minutes. Do not let the carrots get mushy.

 

2. Drain the carrots.

 

3. Reduce heat to its lowest setting and return the carrots to the pan. Stir in butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

 *We like our carrots sweet - so I also add a few pinches of regular sugar here and a few more pinches of brown sugar.

 

4. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes - until sugar is bubbly. Serve!!



From Chaos to Cozy

Keeping the house clean and in order is a challenge for many of us ladies!! I am a total perfectionist - and well, perfectionism and children just can't live in the same house with one another. This will be one of those areas where you MUST give yourself grace.

You need a plan if you are going to keep your stuff together - trust me, I have learned this lesson the hard way. If you wing it, it won't happen and you will find yourself flying into a tizzy every time someone comes over.

Early in my marriage - the Flylady saved my life - or, at least my sanity. Although I don't adhere to all of her practices now - I took what I learned from her and adapted it to work for our family. 

Here's what works for us...

I do a few things everyday - to keep the chaos under control. 

*Make the bed

I do this as soon as I get out of bed in the morning. The girls make their own beds as well.

*Wash, dry, fold and put away one load of laundry

I do at least one load of laundry a day. Lately, I have been getting up early enough in the morning to wash and dry a load before work. That evening when I get home from work - while dinner is on the stove or in the oven, I fold that one load. The kids put away their own clothes after I have folded them.

*Load and/or unload the dishwasher

I try to keep the sink free of dirty dishes. It just instantly makes the kitchen look better if the sink is clean. 

*Empty Trash

This may not need to be done everyday. Seems like our family generates enough trash for two families!!

*15 minute pickup 

While dinner is cooking or after dinner is over - I like to spend just a few minutes tidying up. I check homework, sign the girls' planners, put away shoes, coats, mail, random lying objects, etc. 

*Swish & Swipe the bathroom (I got this from the Flylady)

Every evening before I take my own shower, I wipe our sink down, wipe down our toilet, give it a good swish, and wipe down our shower. I keep Clorox wipes and a Magic Eraser (they really are magical!) under the sink in our bathroom. Trust me - when someone wakes up at 2am with a stomach virus and they spend 2 hours hugging the toilet, they will be glad its clean!!

*Sanitize kitchen counters

Because I'm a complete germ-a-phobe and have a love/hate relationship with preparing meat - I sanitize my kitchen counters at least a dozen times a day (it seems)

As soon as you get into the habit of doing these things, it just becomes a part of your day. These things really don't take that much time - and in my own experience - really cut down on the madness in our home.

I had read several blogs (Women Living Well and Time Warp Wife) that suggest breaking down the housework over the course of a week. For example: Monday's you clean bathrooms, Tuesday you sweep and mop, Wednesday you dust...etc.

That may work great for you - if so, I recommend checking out both of the two blogs listed above and checkout their housekeeping schedules.

I do a "weekly home blessing" (from the Flylady) on Thursday of each week. Because I keep our home fairly clean through the week - with each of my daily tasks - I can complete my "home blessing" in 1-2 hours. This may take longer or less time depending on the size of your home (and your mess). 

Weekly Home Blessing

Dust and polish all furniture

Sweet & Mop all hardwood and tile floors

Vacuum the carpet in the bedrooms

Clean the bathroom

Windex all mirrors

Swiffer dust the blinds, pictures and artwork on the walls

Febreeze curtains and closets

Clean the kitchen counters

I'd like to add - that my husband and I tend to be neat freaks anyway. We just naturally keeps things tidied up (for the most part) and our girls do a good job (with a little prodding) at keeping their bedroom and playroom tidied up. I know some people don't have this tendency - and this area may be a challenge for you. I encourage you to give it a try. Remember, purpose is greater than perfection!! You will NOT, I repeat, will NOT have a perfectly clean home with children in the house. And you shouldn't spend more time cleaning messes than playing with the kiddos. 

I hope this helps - or at least gives you a good starting point to get your own house under control. Once it becomes a habit, these things run along smoothly.

And yes - I have weeks when I get in a funk and don't adhere to my routine well - but I regret it every.single.time. Playing catch up is no fun, so I feel the extra effort each day really makes a big difference.

Be sure to check out the links through this post for other great ideas!!

How do you keep the chaos away? Are you a planner or a "wing it" kinda gal? Do you do a little each day or one day of cleaning?

**Next week we will talk to-do lists and getting the kiddos involved!!

Give Yourself Grace

 

Grace...it's something we talk about. It's something we encourage others to show to one another or even give themselves. We tell sinners that we are saved by God's grace and they can be too. Grace...it can often be something that is easier to give, than receive.

 

I know that I am so unworthy of God's grace on my life. Jesus laid down his life and took on my sin - and there is nothing I can do that will ever repay that debt. And that is where grace comes in. No, there isn't ANYTHING I can do to earn it - God freely gives it.

 

And as mamas, wives, friends, employees, etc. - it's something we have to learn to give ourselves.

 

You will not be the perfect mom, you can't be super woman, you will fail your husband and your children. All of these are inevitable. However, we as women hold ourselves to such a high standard - we strive for absolute perfection! Trust me, I am preaching to the choir, I know. If for no one else, this post is totally for me...about me.

 

There will never be enough hours in the day to get it all done. Season after season will pass when you don't do everything you set out to do. And that's ok. Time goes on...

 

But instead of giving ourselves the grace we often pour out on others - we feel guilty. We live with regret. That monologue of "could have" "should have" is constantly playing the background.

 

Give yourself grace mama.

 

The whole reason I started this blog was because I have been in that place. My to-do list was a mile long, I went over and beyond to meet the needs of those around me. And honestly, I wasn't doing it all to the glory of God - it was often to the glory of Michelle. I liked that satisfaction of doing it all or at least seeming to be doing it all. I wanted to be super woman - when really...all I was, was a worn out woman.

 

And that worn out woman would eventually have enough. My priorities were so skewed. Weariness sets in and gentleness and kindness disappears. We become consumed with the project at hand and forget about the purpose behind it.

 

You're right. You can't do it all. Your house will get messy. You and husband will argue. You will yell at the kids. You will lose patience. You will be unkind. You will become distracted. You will be selfish. You will be envious of other mamas that seem to have it all together.

 

You will put on a few too many pounds. You won't cook every night of the week. You will be unorganized. You will lose stuff. (yes, even your mind!) You too will become worn out. You will lose hope. But don't lose sight of this...

 

God's word says...

 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

 

 

Mama...God's grace is sufficient for you. When you feel overwhelmed, exhausted and are on the verge of giving up...go to grace.

 

Yes, God has called us to this wonderful ministry of motherhood. You, friend, are blessed beyond measure. But you can NOT do this on your own. Understand that your parenting, your marriage, your home is your ministry. Do it to the glory of God - and God will sustain you.

 

Let yourself off the hook. You are human, you will fail and that's ok.

 

This weekend - don't be so consumed with the to-do's that you forget how to be mama. Remember - earlier this week we talked about purpose being greater than perfection. That is true in ALL areas of your life. 

 

Have some grace for mama today!!

 





 



Homemaking: Purpose > Perfection (Managing Mama)

When it comes to homemaking, purpose is greater than perfection.

Often, wives fall into 1 of 2 categories when it comes to their take on homemaking - either it's a priority or it isn't a priority. Regardless of where you fall in this debate - I hope, today, I can help you find some joy in seeing that YOU can be a blessing to your family by cleaning toilets, washing dishes and folding laundry. And, if you do it with the right attitude - to bring glory to God through serving your family - you too will be blessed.

I understand those who say that homemaking should not be a priority. I get it - especially if you have little ones at home. It feels nearly impossible to keep the house in order. My children are only 2.5 years apart - so I lived those times, with a newborn and a toddler, then a toddler and preschooler, now 2, grade school girlies. There is never a time when everything is done, and perfect, simultaneously. There's always another dish to load in the dishwasher, more laundry that keeps piling up, dust settles just as soon as its wiped away, smudges come almost instantly onto polished furnished - and the windows...forget about it.

If you are one of these moms/wives/women...please release the guilt of not being able to get it all done. There are seasons in life when, well, things will be messy. When you are up nursing a newborn every 2 hours - you need to use your downtime (what little there is) to rest and nourish yourself. There will come a time (yes, I promise, it is coming) when there will be more hours in your day to be "productive". 

But I have to stop here and say I absolutely do not agree with the women who say homemaking should not be a priority. I read a blog post recently that was almost admonishing to women who keep a clean home - like we're all sacrificing time with our children to do a few chores around the house. Through the years I have developed my own schedule and have learned to manage time properly enough so I am not sacrificing time with my kids to clean my house. (And I work a full-time job outside of the home.)

I look at my home like this - God has blessed me with a home to share with my family. I have a responsibility to be a good steward of that blessing. I know that isn't a popular opinion - but it's the truth. The Bible speaks against idleness and sloth - if you have time to watch hours of TV - you have time to clean your home. Homemaking should be a priority - it shouldn't be your top priority - but it is important. 

Sweet friend, you are missing out on an incredible opportunity to serve and be a blessing to your family.

A few years back - I was feeling the overwhelming burden of keeping our house tidy, cooking meals, etc. while being a full-time mom to our sweet daughters. I found The Flylady - and while I do not currently fully adhere to her principles - she helped me get my act together. There are still a few tips of hers I put to use that help me keep the house out of C.H.A.O.S (can't have anyone over syndrome - the Flylady's term, NOT mine!) 

As your children get older - give them chores of their own to do. This WILL help you tremendously, and they will enjoy it (at a young age they actually LIKE helping out - I'm sure that will fade fast, capitalize on it while you can!!) Obviously these small jobs should be age appropriate. For example - my 5 year old feeds our dog, makes her bed, helps her sister keep the playroom tidy, loads her clothes in the washer and puts them away after I fold them. She doesn't do these things every day - just as needed through the week. My 8 year old does all the same things except she also helps with loading the dishwasher and emptying the trash. The MyChore Chart app is super - the kids love it!! I highly recommend checking it out. It's available for both iPhone and iPad.

And thankfully - while I carry the biggest brunt of the housekeeping responsibilities - my husband is a big help as well. I don't expect him to help out all that much because I do absolutely NOTHING to help him in the yard, etc. I've never learned how to mow grass, weed or plant flowers, etc. That is his domain (he likes it that way) and the home is mine. 

Monday's - here at Grace for Mama - we will focus on ways to make homemaking an easier task to accomplish in our new "Managing Mama" series. It will take some time for you to develop a good routine that works for your family - and it may take some time to get your attitude about the whole thing in check - but remember, purpose is greater than perfection. No one expects your home to be immaculate - and you shouldn't put that kind of pressure on yourself anyway!! But if you purpose to see housekeeping as a "home blessing" and do it to the glory of God - it may just become something you enjoy!!

**Next week we will discuss developing a cleaning routine

Weekend Warrior: The Laundry Lady Edition

I should have taken a picture of the mess - so you could fully appreciate the madness that had become my laundry pile over this past week. This photo popped up in my Face Book newsfeed this week - and I laughed, hard, out loud.

I don't think my husband really got the irony of this until he walked into our bedroom yesterday and it looked like a laundry bomb had exploded.

Clothes. Were. Everywhere.

You see the weather here in the south can be a bit unpredictable in the spring. For instance - next week in ONE day - our local meteorologist has forecast for the morning temp at 11:00am be 60 degrees - with temps in the 30s and a chance of sleet by 3 pm - that same afternoon!!! (I know all you other southerners can join me in my frustration.)

So I have been forced to start pulling out spring clothes for the girls. My kids grow like weeds, so I know most of the stuff they wore last year just won't fit. So I had the bright idea to go through ALL of their clothes, have them try on ALL of their clothes and sort what doesn't fit anymore. That's ALOT of clothes, two girls, 4 seasons - you get the idea.

To make this easier, I thought I would just let their clean laundry accumulate over the week, thinking if it all stayed in the clothes basket it would make it easier to try on and sort out.

So...Saturday I dump two laundry baskets, 8 dresser drawers, and a closet full of clothes in my bedroom and let the party begin. It was a fashion frenzy. Keep piles here, donate piles there, mend piles over here. IT WAS MADNESS!!

Two hours and two exhausted little girls later...this was all that remained.

Most of the stuff Nevaeh out grew was passed down to Lillian. So I had the pleasure (note the sarcasm) of folding up and hanging up all the stuff we decided to keep; which didn't really give us any extra room (but will save me a ton of money since Lillian is stocked and ready for warmer weather.)

I guess this is just the beginning of the inevitable "spring cleaning" - but it was a huge "To-Do" I was able to mark off my list.

What are you to doing to prepare for the upcoming season change? Do you have any tips on how to make this process less hectic?!