recipes. secrets. fact. marilyn monroe.

Before I get started, I’m a little irritated with blogger, firefox, internet explorer…something.  There are about 7 blogs that I normally read that I cannot access anymore.  Well, I can for about 15 seconds, then they shut my browser down.  I’ve tried everything from constantly restarting my computer, opening the blogs in a separate browser so it’s the only window open, everything.  So – I’ve already notified a couple of you that I can’t get on and read your stuff.  Hopefully I’ll be able to figure out what’s going on so I can continue on with my blogging life!

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Now, onto FOOD…

(these were taken this afternoon…mmmm, can you smell how good it is)

the RECIPES….

So, it snowed here a little last night.  Not much, but enough to make you want to drink hot cocoa and make yummy comfort food in the crockpot (for those of us who don’t like cooking, CROCK POTS are the bomb).  You can use a stock pot on the stove as well, but I use the crock pot – much easier for me. I use it tons in the cold season here and have a couple recipes I want to share with you all.  They’re easy, because I don’t do difficult meals.  But they are GOOOOOOD.  Yummy good!  Sure to be a hit – as long as you like what they are!

Today I’m making home made Chicken Noodle Soup.  I’m not a big soup fan, but there are some I can handle and this is a wonderful recipe.  I refuse to eat CNS out of a can anymore.  Not the same.  So, here is the recipe that I got from my mom years ago:

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

• 1 whole fryer chicken
• 1 package linguini noodles
• some bullion cubes
• salt and pepper
• garlic powder
• veggies, if you want – I omit them because hubby won’t eat them in the soup

Place entire chicken, breast down, in crock pot and cover with water.  Add a couple bullion cubes. The natural broth made by the chicken has lots of flavor to it.  Put some garlic powder on top of the chicken.  Cook chicken in crock pot on high for 6-8 hours.  It needs to be cooked through.  Remove chicken from crock pot and remove the skin (slides right off) and then take the bones out.  This is super easy because the meat slides right off the bones.  Don’t do anything with the stock in the pot – this will be your broth.  Shred or pull the chicken and then place chicken back in broth and continue to cook on low.  About a half an hour before eating or while taking the bones out of the chicken, boil the entire package of pasta.  Drain completely then add to the crock pot.  Let cook together for at least 30 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste!

If you want to add veggies to your soup, put them in when you put the chicken in first thing and allow them to cook the entire day.

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TORTILLA SOUP (YUUUMMMMY)

• 16 ounce can tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, cut up
• 2 cloveS garlic 
• 4 tablespoons snipped cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast cut up
• 2 or 3 *chipotle peppers and a  little adobo sauce
• shredded Monterey jack cheese
• avocados, cut up
• Tortilla chips
• Sour cream

In blender combine undrained tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, and sugar. Cover and blend till nearly smooth. Put mixture into a crock pot with chicken broth, chicken and chipotle peppers. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6 hours.

Put crunched tortilla chips in a bowl with cheese, avocados, and sour cream. Ladle soup over; serve immediately.

I shared this recipe with my friend, Sarah, in Texas – and the girl can’t stop talking about it.  Her and her husband thought it was the best soup they’ve ever had!  And she’s pregnant and was able to handle the ‘hot’ part of it.  Kudos to her.  Never would have eaten this while I was pregnant!

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CROCK POT CHILI

• 2 lbs. hamburger, browned and drained
• 1 - 15 0z can black beans, drained
• 2 – 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 – 15 oz bag frozen corn
• 1 – 15 oz can chili beans in sauce
• 1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 packet chili seasoning
  

Put all ingredients in crock pot and simmer for 3-5 hours on high and around 6-8 hours on low.  Stir occasionally.  Serve with cheese on top!!

These are super duper easy and yummy, so hope you get a chance to try them.

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the SECRETS….

I am ready to reveal my big plans for the future.  You guys all made some good guesses and some were so close and almost right on.  I figured I can’t drag you on forever and since I know I’ll want to talk about it during the process, I guess I should tell you all.

Okay.  The first thing I am going to pursue is  (drum roll please)…… a certification to be a Health & Nutrition Coach a.k.a. a Wellness Coach.  I began having an interest in health, particularly natural health, about 17 years ago.  Everything from skin care to food to exercise to pregnancy.   It’s a passion of mine that I never even considered turning into any kind of career.  But, He knew….

The institute I am going with is accredited by the AADP (American Association of Drugless Practitioners) and it's been around since 1992.  They are also partnered with NESTA, the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association.

It's a 50+ hour process, but worth it.

"Wellness Coaching is a combination traditional life coaching, lifestyle fitness coaching, organic living, corporate wellness, sound nutrition, exercise and stress management.” (taken from their website)

I don’t want to be a doctor, so a coach is perfect for what I enjoy doing.  I would be able to help people implement lifestyle changes in their diet, exercise, skin care and basic total body health care – which leads me to the the next certification process I am considering doing after I receive this one:

I am looking into becoming a certified Birthing Doula in the State of Colorado!  Yay!  My experience during my pregnancy with Scout at the midwifery and the whole aspect of it sparked a huge interest in me.  One of my friends is a Labor and Delivery Nurse and I’ve always thought how fun it would be to be a part of women giving birth – but again, I don’t want to be a nurse or doctor and I really don’t want to be a midwife, but a birthing coach/doula would be very rewarding.  One reason why I’ve considered this over the past year is because when I was pregnant with Scout I realized that if I had considered using a coach or doula (which I am stubborn and don’t need help, so that would never happen) I realized that there might not have been any doulas with more of a Christian or Biblical  foundation.  I’m totally not into some of the New Age concepts that are part of being an average doula and I wouldn’t have wanted one during my birth.  Our views on things wouldn’t have lined up and it wouldn’t have been an uncomfortable relationship.  So, I figured, there must be other women out there who feel the same way as me.

In case you didn’t realize it, just because you like the whole ‘Natural’ part of life – organic food,  natural skin care, natural childbirth – it does not mean you are hippy or involved in New Age.  Shocking, I know. 

So, anyhoodle – that is where I stand right now with some career options and I’m excited to get started.  I’d say within the next 2 weeks I’ll have all my stuff in hand to begin the certification process to be a Wellness Coach.  Again, yay!  God is good and He is leading me down the perfect path He has chosen for me…

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the FACT….

I was reading one of good bloggy friends blog yesterday (Kristin at These Little Girls of Mine) and she had mentioned a statistic about adoption.  So, being the mature person I am, I will own up to the fact that I read her statistic wrong and commented on it – on what I thought she said.  We talked a bit about this yesterday through a couple emails and I’m glad she shared this with me - after apologizing over and over for reading it wrong.  Duh. Anyway, what I read was this:

“If every Christian adopted an orphan, it would take care of 7% of the orphan population.”

What she actually said was this – and it’s an amazing fact that is very interesting.  It only goes to show it doesn’t take much on our part to help solve a problem in this world.

“If just 7% of Christians adopted a single orphan, there would be no more orphans. So, why do you think that we, as Christians, don't do what the Lord has commanded us to do to help the least of these?”

Only 7%. That’s all it would take.  Amazing, huh?  Selah!

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and MARILYN MONROE again…

My dad emailed me this today and thought I should put it on my blog since I had the whole Marilyn Monroe thing the other day!  Thanks, Dad! Hehe!

If you’re still reading this – you’re awesome.  That was a long post – mostly filled up by the recipes, but still. Have a good day everyone!

remember to:
live.laugh.love.and.celebrate.life.

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating".” 

Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright,
Pavarotti, My Own Story