A Tasty Recipe

If you're anything like me, figuring out what to make for dinner some nights is more difficult than 24 hours of labor followed by a c-section. I recently found a new recipe that fit my three criteria:
1) the whole family likes it,
2) it's healthy, and
3) I have everything I need already in the house

This recipe hit all three - home run!

Chicken & Zucchini Risotto Skillet
3 boneless chicken breasts, halved
salt & pepper
1 T olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1 lemon, zested
2 cups milk
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 large zucchini (or 2 cups of any veggie you like asparagus, green beans, etc.)
2 cups of instant long grain rice*

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and then cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm. Add onion and garlic to pan and saute just to soften. Then add milk, soup, zucchini, cheese, lemon zest. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 3 minutes. Stir in rice and then top with cooked chicken halves. Cover pan and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.

*I don't usually have this in the house, but I did have orzo pasta which worked great! I decreased the amount fof orzo from 2 cups to 1 cup and let it simmer on low heat (covered) until pasta was fully cooked. That took about 10 minutes.

A Bad Hair Day

Since I'm only on my first kid and she's only 18 months old I'm still pretty much grappling in the dark on a lot of things. She's at that age where she cries if I leave the room, but then doesn't want to come home when I go to pick her up from the babysitter (uugghh...knife to the heart!). I just had one of those days where I feel like I'm really not sure I doing that great of a job balancing my responsibilities. I felt like a dog chasing her tail all day, accomplishing nothing at work. I've taken on this huge new job that has me working more hours; which means time away from Cassie? On the one hand it's the opportunity of a lifetime to do something meaningful that is a deep expression of my beliefs, but what about Cassie? I know staying at home isn't what makes you a good mom, but sometimes I think about all the time I'm away from her and it feels like a big rock in my stomach. I could really benefit from some perspective from some moms with a little more time in the trenches...that and a good cry. So I've got the crying covered...anyone?

Conference Call - Fantasy Weekend

For those of you interested in helping to plan the Mom's Retreat (see June 15, 2008 blog titled "Fantasy Weekend"), a conference call has been scheduled for Wed., Sept. 10th at 9:00pm. If you'd like to join us, please call into the following number:

1-888-617-3400

When prompted, dial passcode: 1005278# (Be sure to include the # when entering the passcode).

About Breast Cancer

My good friend, Katherine, whose mother died of breat cancer at a young age sent this to me. It is worth watching. Sometimes I get scared by these sorts of reports, but I found this one empowering. Please watch the video link about Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)below:

http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv

Creative Parenting

For about 10 seconds I actually thought about it...okay, maybe 30 seconds!

P.S. This is not Cassie!

When 17 Months is the New 2

Okay, this is a cry for help...my child has been possessed by a demon. My once beautiful, smart, sweet little girl has episodes of the following:

1) She arches her back, kicks her feet when I try to put her in her carseat
2) She runs the opposite direction when I call her to come
3) She flops herself on the ground and throws a fit when I try to pick her up
4) She screams, cries, and whines
5) She tells me "no" and then smirks at me

Have any of you seen these symptoms exhibited in your children? From what I've heard, the screaming and whining might be a characterisitcs that typically manifest themselves in little girls. These episodes are sporadic and seem to be brought on by fatigue, but can happen at anytime without warning. They also seem to be especially pronounced in public. Help!

-Frazzled Mother

Radio Head

Do you know how sometimes you hear something and you couldn't have said it better yourself. After a month of packing, moving, Alaska and remodeling, I can't remember the last time Cassie saw a vegetable - that is unless french fries count as vegetables. Organic...what's that?

This report called "Nuggets" is definitely worth a good laugh: http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/145/510130/93015063/KPCC_93015063.mp3

I love it when moms tell the truth!!! Enjoy.