Greek-ish Chicken

OK, before you even begin to criticize read this lovely recipe that I am presenting to you, I offer a few disclaimers:

1.  I am completely aware that this is NOT an authentic Greek recipe (hence, the "ish" part of the title).
2.  I do not know how many Weight Watchers points and/or what exactly is a "serving".
3.  I am the world's most notorious "guestimator" when it comes to cooking.  So when I have relayed this recipe for all the world to read and/or replicate, please keep in mind that I am documenting to my closest estimation of how much of each ingredient that I used-- I'm a big "taste as you go" kind of cooker (as my sweet son calls me ;) ).
4.  I am mostly posting this because it is so good that I want to make sure I know how to recreate it again tomorrow in the future.

So, that being said...  I present to you:  the most delicious new yumminess that I've created in a while! :)

There are three basic parts to this recipe:  

the sauce, the chicken, and the naan.

I made the sauce first-- you know, so that all those flavors can hang out and become good friends-- and then party-hardy in your mouth! :)  Also, I diced up some tomatoes and onions, added some salt and pepper so that *poof* I had some fresh veggies to top my Greek-ish Chicken.

Garlic Yogurt Goodness Dip

16 oz. Plain Greek Yogurt
2 heaping tbls. minced garlic
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbls. balsamic vinegar
1 tbls. olive oil
1 tsp. dill
salt/pepper to taste

Chicken Marinade:
(Courtesy of my awesome hubby!)

2 diced up chicken breasts
1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
2 tbls. minced garlic
1 tbls. basil
1 tbls. oregano
salt/pepper to taste

Let it marinate on the counter for 20-30 minutes.  Then cook over medium heat.  

Let it rest while you fry up your naan.

I am a huge fan of the blog Budget Bytes.  If you like to cook even a little bit, head on over there.  I stumbled upon this recipe for an Indian style flatbread called naan.  If you aren't crunched for time (like I normally am on any given day), this is an absolutely deLIGHTful treat.  And so versatile.

After the naan is ready, time for assembly. 

Take your (slightly cooled) piece of naan and add a dollop of your garlic yogurt goodness...

Then add that yummy, well-rested chicken... and top with the tomato/onion mix...

Then roll that puppy shut and chow down!  So good.  

In fact, I am usually not a big fan of onions.  

But the onions really add a nice crunch and punch to the mix.  

One thing that I will probably do differently next time is 

cut the chicken into strips versus big chunks-- just for easy handling. ;)

Enjoy!!! :)

Weight Watchers and the Bible

Are you intrigued?  Are you reading this for the simple fact that you can't quite figure out how those two topics go together?! :)

Read on, my friend.  Read on.

It is no secret (to my tens of readers ;) ) that I am on a life-long journey to get my self back in shape and on a much healthier path.  And, let me just remind you, I am a professional failure.  What I mean by that is this:  I have tried juuuust about every "diet" and "lifestyle change" out there.  Some have been a little more successful and/or do-able than others.  Some I have actually enjoyed, and other I have not.  A lot of them even have some really great ideas on how and why I should lose weight, feel great.  But, alas, I am a failure.  I am horrible at sticking to whatever it is that I am trying.  I have a lot of theories about why that is, but I don't want to rabbit trail.  Back to WW and the Bible.

 
I have had several friends who have tried and stuck with the Weight Watchers program.  In fact, just before I found out I was expecting my sweet Daniel, I had joined WW.  However, I dropped out due to my pregnancy (at that time, they didn't allow you to weigh-in and/or track your weight if you are pregnant.  I don't know if that is still their policy or not).  But a good friend of mine (who is also a self-proclaimed professional failure) re-joined WW back in the spring and has been doing spectacular.  In fact, because of her serious change of her "post-baby" [um, I won't tell you that "baby" is going into 3rd grade this year] tummy, I have been so inclined to finally cave and give into the WW way of thinking.

So here I am.  Today is officially my 9th day of Weight Watchers.  My online membership was my birthday present to myself.  After dragging my feet, turning up my nose, and basically refusing to consider it, I am now a Weight Watchers' member-- hopefully, soon to be success story! ;)

That all being said, let's focus back to the present...

As I was fixing my sweet hubby his salad for lunch yesterday (and let me just tell you, it was a sad looking salad.  *sigh*  I really need to go grocery shopping...), I had a complete and total epiphany.   I know why I don't really love Weight Watchers:  the whole premise of this program is making yourself aware of what you are actually eating.  The program points out that pretty much, I am a lazy, sloppy, undisciplined eater (yes, I'm a little hard on myself... ;) ).  While [shamefully, I know] in the past, I might have munched down a hefty portion of chips and dip, I now know just how much that same "serving size" (ish!) is really worth.  *GULP*  And it is not pretty.  I, quite frankly, would be just as fat and happy to never really know the nutritional information of what I was eating.  Not kidding.



And that is how the Bible (or the genuine Christian faith) is to the world.  The same reason I don't like WW (no, seriously.  I do NOT love this "self awareness" in my eating habits.) is the same reason a lot of people avoid God's Word...



~God's Word shows me my inadequacy as a sinner.
~God's Word has a plan for how to give me the ultimate lifestyle change.
~God's Word let's me know that if I do not follow that "plan", the end result is not pretty.

 Quite honestly, it is a lot easier to not "count the cost" (Luke 14:28) and just live each day, in the moment.  As a sinner, I do not like or enjoy following the very strict "lifestyle change" laid out for me in God's Word.  It's tough.  I want to cheat.  I don't want to report my "points" of the day (I John 1:9).  It's so much easier to just turn a blind eye, so to speak, and not worry about how the sin is accumulating and corrupting.

BUT!  If I do follow the plan, if I do count the points cost, the transformation is invaluable-- especially in light of eternity.

Whatcha' Got Cookin'?

I love summer vacation... And I love to cook... So, when those two collide:  watch out, world! (Or should I address my hips and backside?!)

Here's a few things in which I've been dabbling:

(Anyone else appreciate that I didn't end my sentence with a preposition???)

Oh, so delicious cinnamon rolls from this site.

Homemade pizza, courtesy of my special helper

Recipe adapted roughly from "Mommy's Kitchen"

And this morning's masterpiece:  

CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES!

The first thing you need to do is make that super yummy cinnamon swirl stuff and put it in a baggy to kind of chill.  I mixed 1/4 c. unsalted butter (that's half a stick ;) ) with 1/2 c. brown sugar and 1 tbls. cinnamon.  It "swirls" better if it gets to "un-melt" a little bit.  Use a baggy so that you can snip off the corner to swirl.


Pancake Batter:
adapted from this recipe

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk PLUS 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
2 lightly beaten eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tbls. veggie oil

Whisk dry ingredients together.  Make a "well" in the middle and pour in the milk.  Whisk together and then add the eggs, vanilla, and oil.  Don't over mix!

I used a hot griddle (about 325-350*) and poured a 1/4 c. mix on the buttered tray.  Let it sit and bubble a bit and then squeeze out a swirl of the cinnamon/sugar/butter mix that has been waiting so patiently in that little baggy. 

***Here's a life lesson:  a little dab will do ya...  

Don't put too much of that swirl stuff on the pancake 

or it makes a cinnamon-y mess on the griddle! :)

Flip the pancake when it's good and bubbly and golden brown underneath (I always peek, you know).  If you're a professional pancake maker, you know that the second side doesn't take nearly as long to cook.

Flip back over on a plate (so you can see that beautiful masterpiece!) and lightly drizzle with cream cheese icing.

I actually made a big batch of vanilla cream cheese frosting and then just took a little out of that and thinned it out with heavy whipping cream (yes, I do know why I'm chubby...)  But here's my best guess:

2 tbls. cream cheese
2 tbls. room temp (NOT melted!) unsalted butter
1/2-1 c. powdered sugar
1-2 tsp. vanilla
dash of salt
Whipping cream to thin to your liking.

I whip the butter and cream cheese together until they become as one (about 5 minutes).  Then add some powdered sugar.  Then add the vanilla.  Then add some more powdered sugar.  Then add your dash of salt.  Whip it, baby, whip it.  Thin out with the whipping cream so that you can drizzle it on your pancakes!  A little bit goes a loooong way-- I'm pretty sure I only used about 1/2 cup (if that!) for our entire batch of pancakes.  I even had a little left over that I just poured back into the "big batch o' frosting" that I made and froze for later use.

ENJOY!!! :)

7-11-77

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...

I have to secretly (ish, I know) confess that I don't really love that my birthday is on a Wednesday this year.

(Any other pastor wives out there who know where I'm going with this confession???)

Wednesdays are really hard in the Gibson house.  And I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is because today is the day set aside for our church's prayer meeting.  And what makes the Evil One tremble more than just about anything?  Believers storming the gates of heaven.

So, life gets pretty trying, tempted, and just plain terrible at times here in the dirty-rotten-sinner-filled-home known as "The Gibson Family".  *sigh*

And while I was tempted to complain (and continue to be-- don't get me wrong!), I decided that I would instead think of 35 things I am thankful for... since today marks the 35th anniversary of life given to me by a gracious Savior and a giving mother.  Ah!  Ah!  See?  I'm already starting to feel thankful!  So here goes...

35 Things to be thankful for in 35 Years:

1.  My birth date.  I love that thing.
2.  Burger King.  I was saved by grace through faith at the drive-thru of the Beckley BK.
3.  eHarmony.  Met my true love, soul mate, God-given match through that site.
4.  Suffolk, VA.  (For any of you who know me semi-super well should be shocked)  But I miraculously delivered not one, but TWO precious treasures from God Himself at a fabulous hospital there.
5.  No.  As I look back on my life at the many requests and concerns I brought before the Lord, I am so thankful for the (many!) times that He has lovingly said "No" to me.
6.  Yes.  I am equally grateful for the many "YES!" answers given so graciously by my Father-- from the "perfect" job to finding my lost keys.
7.  Appalachian Bible College.  The further I get from my graduation date (May 2000!), the more I realize how much I actually neglected my time and studies there.  And I am ashamed.  However, this is my "thankful list", so I want to give thanks for the dedication of the staff and faculty in their burden to train servants for this generation.
8.  Cream Cheese.  Not to brag, but there is nothing quite like my frosting made with real cream cheese.
9.  Laughter.  It truly is like medicine.
10. My home.  While even simply a thatched roof hut to keep me dry in the storm would be sufficient, the Lord has graciously allowed a WONderful parsonage for my family to reside.  Which brings me to...
11. My utility room.  I will (God willing!) never again live in a home that doesn't have an industrial sized sink.  Perfect for so many things, from bathing children to soaking laundry.
12. Having a gymnasium.  Connected to my house.  No, seriously.  I have a gymnasium.  CONNECTED to my HOUSE.  (Do I even really need to elaborate?!)
13. An enclosed "breezeway" connecting my house to said gymnasium.  It serves as cold storage in the winter and the perfect "rising" location for breads, rolls, etc. in the summer.
14. Dr. Pepper 10.  That stuff has saved lives. 
 15. Ashley Gibson.  Yes, I know I kinda already mentioned him.  But trust me.  He is worth mentioning more than once.  He loves me.  He loves.  Me.  And I have a whole lotta crazy goin' on up in here.
16. Psalm 103:14.  He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
17. Jasmine Rice.  I'll be posting my favorite way to cook that divine deliciousness in the upcoming days.
18. Variety.  From food to weather to people-- my very wise Heavenly Father knew how ADD I would be!
19. Pedicures.  *sigh* Just saying that word makes my feet feel better.
20. Sisters.  My sisters are truly my best friends and confidants.  I know they love me and pray for me-- in ways that no one else is able.
21. Finished Revelation.  I am. SO. THANKFUL. that the Bible was already finished before I was even a twinkle in my father's eye.  How grateful I am that the world will not be reading and learning life lessons from my mistakes for all eternity.  God is kind! :)
22. Dandelions.  They grow practically year 'round.  And I love every one that my sweet babies pick for me.
23. A strong body.  Albeit, it's a little chubby.  But God has blessed me with strong legs, arms, and lungs.  I may have aches and pains and creaks and groans, but I can get up and run with my sweet ones.
24. Air conditioners. I do not know how I survived without it.
25. My EZ-pass.  I love cruising through toll booths.
26. Carbs.  I have said it before, I'll say it again:  there is nothing so comforting as a carb.
27. Music.  My mom used to have a picture in her room that said, "After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music."  I used to think that the quote was backwards, but the older I get, the more I get it. 
28. Naptime.  Please.  What mom isn't thankful for that?!
29. Korean food.  Oh, how I love that stuff.  I'll be chowing down on it in heaven for a good part of eternity.  Fo' sho'.
30. Ice.  I love cold beverages.
31. Hot tea.  I love hot beverages. (note #18)
32. Books.  I love to learn about new things and far off places.  And I am certainly a dreamer.
33. My brothers.  From my dear Joshua and Peter to my various brothers-in-law, I love seeing how God has molded and used them and continue to change them for Him.  Be strong in the Lord!
34. Chocolate.  I almost didn't list chocolate-- because, as a woman, it's kind of a gimme...
35. My parents.  If you've met them, you understand.  If you haven't met them, you should probably feel a little bit of jealousy (because you haven't met them).  They have trained me, loved me, disciplined me, and directed me.  They told me about God's love and showed me God's grace.  I am who I am because of their influence on my life.  I can not believe God loved me enough to give me to them.

Wow...  I can't believe how humbled and filled with peace I feel right now.  I often hum a song I learned many years ago, as it is filled with so much truth:

"It's amazing what praising can do.  Hallelujah, hallelujah!"

May God grant me another year to praise HIM!

Grace...

"Amazing Grace... How sweet the sound..."

Have you stopped recently to think about grace?  I mean really think about it.

Our son Daniel is at that very formidable age of four years.  His little mind is processing and absorbing.  So much.  A few months ago, my husband and I began incorporating the idea of grace into our children's lives and daily conversations.  One particular evening, Daniel was very inquisitive about this new concept-- trying to bring it into his day to day four-year-old world.  Finally, he was able to get a grasp on it.  His face lights up (as it often does when he makes a new discovery) and he says, "OH!  I get it.  Grace is like when daddy lets me watch 'Auto B. Good'-- even when I didn't take a good nap?"  I kind of chuckled and said, "Yes, that's daddy showing you grace."

This idea of childlike faith-based grace has come up in our family on more than one occasion.  And every time.  EVERY time.  I am humbled by my children.  Recently, I was out with the kiddos running some errands.  There was some bickering in the back seat, and it came to the point where I had to give the standard promise: "When we stop, I am going to give you a spanking."  Both children straightened up-- both knowing they had earned their consequence.  In fact, their behavior had so improved that, by the time we came to a stopping point, I had actually forgotten about the scheduled discipline. 

But Daniel had not.  When he realizes that he is not getting the spanking that he had so deftly earned, in the most sincere and earnest voice he exclaims, "Oh, Mama!  Thank you for not giving me my spanking.  Thank you for giving me grace!  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!"

And I'll be honest.  My heart was convicted.  Deeply convicted.  When was the last time that I had gazed into the heart of my Heavenly Father and uttered with that same heartfelt gratitude: "Oh, Father!  You have given me grace!  Thank You, thank You, THANK YOU!"  And I have been forgiven for so much more than a squabble with my sister.  And my earned consequence is so much greater than a spanking.  My Father has forgiven me.  He sent His Son.  To die.  For me. 

Amazing Grace... How sweet the sound!

Slip 'n Slide!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure it's near impossible to be a child on summer vacation without having a Slip 'n Slide.  I don't have any scientific research to back up my hypothesis, but I'm feeling pretty confident in my assumption...

This week Auntie Bek and Ms. Courtney are visiting.  [They've stayed a bit longer than previously planned due to the terrible storms and power outages in WV.  Why go home to no power or A/C when you can stay and party-hardy?! :)]  That being the case, we have entered official summer vacation:

Oh, the fun that was had by all!  It took a few tries (and a fabulous demonstration by Ms. Courtney!) to get the hang of it, but once they started, there was no turning back...