Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Hi Lovely Ladies!

Today, I’d like to inspire you in another direction… a favorite fast and easy meal that is a winner EVERY time!

Since you are all hard at work and most of you run kids all over the place when you’re not working, I thought a new recipe would be a great idea!  This recipe is one my mom made all the time growing up.  In fact, it’s one of the ONLY meals she ever made (we ate out a lot!) It’s called “Crock Pot Chicken” and it has many variations.  I’m going to give you the original and then 2 more delicious “Round 2 Recipes”.

Here’s what you NEED for CROCK POT CHICKEN:

Flash frozen chicken breasts

Olive oil

Italian seasonings dried (basil, thyme, oregano, sage)

Fresh rosemary (if you don’t have any outside, just buy some in the produce section and freeze it so you can re-use whatever is left later.) *Just don't cut a corner and used dired- the fresh rosemary is the SECRET WEAPON in this recipe!

Crock Pot ( I love to get the Crock Pot liners they sell now to keep the clean up minimal!)

Here’s what you DO for CROCK POT CHICKEN:

Put the chicken in the pot

Cover generously with a LOT of olive oil

Cover with Italian seasonings and lay rosemary on the top

Cook on low for 6-8 hours

*Serve over steamed rice and use the broth in the pot to pour over the top of chicken and rice.  I serve with green beans and a wheat roll.

CPC Round 2 - Chicken Caesar Salad

Here’s what you NEED:

Leftover CROCK POT CHICKEN

Romaine lettuce

Garlic croutons

Mary’s Caesar Dressing (in the produce by the bagged lettuce at Target & Wal-Mart)

Shredded parmesan cheese

Fresh Avocado

Bacon

Here’s what you DO:

Shred chicken

Cut avocado into chunks

Cook several pieces of bacon in microwave

Mix everything together in one large salad bowl and serve with garlic bread

*Use as much dressing as you like

*For a more traditional salad, omit the bacon and avocado

CCP Round 3- Chicken Tortellini

What you NEED:

Leftover crock pot chicken

Buttoni’s cheese tortellini (comes in tri-colored, regular, and whole wheat) in the refrigerated section usually by the cheeses

Mozzarella cheese shredded

Light Alfredo Sauce

Marinara Sauce

What you DO:

Cook tortellini as instructed on packaging

Meanwhile, shred crock pot chicken and warm lightly in microwave

When pasta is ready, drain and add back to pan

Add in chicken and part alfredo/part marinara to cover

Toss together and then cover the top with mozzarella cheese

Bake until cheese melted

*Serve with garlic bread and a salad

All of these meals are quick, delicious, and relatively healthy!  I hope this helps you out with your busy schedule!

Enjoy!

~Nebo Fairy

The Shark

Happy Monday Ladies!

I'm so glad you loved Fairy Friday and getting your foam soap was an unexpected happy moment at the end of your week!  I loved every minute of doing that for ya'll and can't wait to do it again! ;)

Well, I am the proud owner of a new vacuum cleaner!  I'm sure that you understand what a powerful moment this was in my life.  My old vacuum cleaner sucked. (No pun intended!)  Actually, it didn't suck and that's why I have wanted a new one for basically the last six years of my life.  I inherited the vaccum with my husband when I married him and he was SO PROUD of his vacuum.  So, literally every week for the last six years I would gripe about how much I hated the thing, and he would get offended because he thought it was awesome and that it worked fine so we didn't need a new one.  I'm not sure how, but finally after all this time I was able to talk him into getting a new one.  So, last week on Tuesday night, I put Addy down and went to Target alone.  (Some of you are so jealous right now that I actually got to go to Target ALONE!)  I walked around for a while like a zombie (I needed this moment just to unwind from the crazy day and process the fact that I was there ALONE!)  Then, I found the vacuum aisle!  And there it was.... The Shark...constant sucking, multi-surface, 5 year warranty, and over half the price of a Dyson- SOLD!  Oh, and did I mention it was purple?

Why am I telling you all of this you may ask?  Because this weekend as I was using my UH-mazing vacuum cleaner, I had some thoughts I'd like to share.

First, having something that actually did its job really well has changed my life!  It has cut down on the time I spend vacuuming because I don't have to roll over the same spot a hundred times.  Plus, my floors and rugs have never looked better! 

Second, I realized how truly horrible the prior vacuum was and wondered why in the world I waited such a long time before getting a new one.

Sometimes, we get stuck in the normalcy (which is often chaos) of our lives and we just accept mediocrity when we don't have to.  I hope that you are not doing that right now and if you are, that you will be made aware today of this fact- you do not have to settle in any area of your life.  You deserve and can have the greatest life you want to.  You may have to make some choices to let things go (may be people or things... or even feeling and emotions) to get to a place where you know, without a doubt, that you are living your best life.  If you are holding on to anything in your life right now that is holding you back from pure joy, peace, and freedom- LET IT GO! 

The other thing is this- do your job REALLY well so that nobody (especially Tonia!) can ever say "this one is just not working that well, we really need a new one." 

Okay, that's all for now.  Have a great week!

Until next time...
~Nebo Fairy

Gratitude

Nebo Queens...

Fancy meeting you here!  I'm thrilled to have another avenue to connect with all of you on a consistent basis.  My desire is to offer support to you as a working mom, wife, and/or woman in all the areas you may need a little extra inspiration!  At Nebo, family is a big deal and that's why we love that we can give you the opportunity to contribute financially and keep yours a priority! 

For me, the meaning of family has recently become an even more powerful word in my life.  Last year about this time, I was taking in the sight, sounds, and smells (sometimes better than others!) of a newborn baby girl.  For you NEWBIES who haven't had the chance to meet her yet, I must say you are in for a treat!  Addy Grace is above and beyond all I could have hoped and dreamed for a child.  The love I have for her will never be articulated in words.  I am so grateful!  Grateful for a God who has blessed me with such a sweet little life.  A wonderful (good looking) husband.  A precious, healthy little girl.  A supportive & loving family, a cozy little home, a car that runs, a job that fulfills me (and helps pay the bills), a church community that provides me opportunities to grow and serve,  great girlfriends, PLENTY of clothes, and a  sweet little dog Zoe (that pees on the floor all the time but I love her anyway!)

What are you grateful for today?  Gratitude is one of the most beautiful qualities we wear as women.  It takes the focus off our discontentment, our fears, and our frustrations and puts it on the things that matter most. 

Today, I challenge you to write down (you can even do it leaving a comment here!) 5 things you are most grateful for TODAY.  My bet is that if you are lagging a bit today- in your mood, your energy, or even your SALES... this quick little excercise can turn everything around for you!

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Thanks for letting me share. 

Until we meet again...

~The Nebo Fairy