Recipe Corner - Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats

Everyone tries to eat healthy.  To avoid fattening foods.  To ban delicious starches from their lives.  But too often we have the idea that eating healthy = eating tasteless food substances.  In my quest for healthy eating, I have often struggled with the battle against the starches (which is especially difficult given my O blood type).  Wheat, potato, corn, etc. are all incredibly harmful to my body, and they make it very difficult to lose weight.  So my quest for recipes that are practically starch free AND tasty began.  I'm a huge Pinterest fan, and I probably spend too much time on there.  BUT they have an incredible array of recipes that are easy to follow and easily adaptable (when necessary) to my dietary restrictions.  One such recipe is the Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats that I made for the first time this past Monday.

I adapted the recipe (found here) slightly (since I couldn't find ground chicken at my local Trader Joe's), but the dish came out incredibly tasty.  And you can even make it dairy-free by using dairy-free cheese!

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  

Cook your chicken in a skillet (either ground chicken or chicken tenders/breasts).  I used chicken tenders and then chopped them up once they were done cooking.  

Sprinkle in some salt, pepper, and garlic and cook for a few minutes before mixing in the pasta sauce.  You can use whatever sauce you prefer - experiment!  Try sauce with mushrooms or peppers.  If there's anything I've learned since trying to eat more in line with my blood type, it's to take chances and try new things when cooking.  That's the only way I've been able to basically eating meat and vegetables for dinner every night appetizing and exciting.

In the meantime, halve your zucchini and scrape out the innards (think back to your Halloween pumpkin carving days).  Place your newly crafted zucchini boats in a greased 9x13 pan.  

Once you've finished cooking the chicken mixture, spoon it into your zucchini boats and top with parmesan cheese and mozzarella (as much or as little as you desire.)  Cover the pan with tin foil, slide it into your oven, and cook for 35 minutes.

While waiting for your zucchini boats to finish baking, ponder the following question: which came first?  The chicken or the egg?

When the timer goes off, you will gladly set aside your philosophical musings to taste the delicious dinner you've made instead.  Wait for the boats to cool slightly before serving.  You can top them with more parmesan cheese or freshly diced basil.  Serve and enjoy!

If you try this recipe, share your stories in the comments!  And if you have more recipes like this, share them!  I'm planning to adapt this recipe in many ways, including a tasty steak and peppers mix as well as a fish with peppers and sauce.  If you're looking for more tasty recipes (especially gluten-free ones) and can't wait until my next post, check out my Pinterest boards on gluten-free recipes, meal planning, and meals I've tried (and actually liked).

Four Years Later

“The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.”
--Saint Louis Marie de Montfort

It's been four years since my last post.  Law school doesn't really cater to posts on raising children and preparing for a family.  But that's about to change.  I'm blessed to be marrying the love of my life in just 52 days (yes, I have a countdown), and I am so excited to see where God leads us on our path as a family.  I look forward with anticipation to the many, many, many children with which we hope God blesses us.  The thought of running a household, meal planning, and fulfilling my vocation to be a wife and mother thrills me and fills my heart with joy.  And, as my mother has often told me, pursue the things that give you joy.

In an effort to resurrect this blog (and give my brain a chance to exercise its creative outlet), I'm committing to at least one post a week.  Developing that habit may take time . . . and I'll probably slip up from time to time.  But I've been learning over the past few months that developing a good habit is always a good goal, and we just have to keep going and trying.  The true success is not the one who does not fail but the one who gets up when they have fallen.  And since this blog is a confessions of a type, it will ramble across the days of my life . . . from recipes I've tried to struggles I'm facing to glimpses into my little family life.

To anyone who chooses to follow this life of mine, I extend my thanks.  I hope not to bore you, and aspire to inspire or encourage you.  This is my journal.  The record of my life as a wife and mother.  To all mothers out there, I commend you for your task is of the utmost necessity and worthy of the greatest respect.  To families out there, I urge you to stay together.  To fight against our modern age of divorce, separation, and sorrow.  It isn't easy . . . believe you me, I'm well aware.  But good things become that much more precious when we struggle to attain them.

Sandcastles

I have come to the realization that having a sand pit at the local pool is an excellent idea.  When the mandatory break whistle is blown, it gives the kids a spot to play vs. just sitting around.  And it provides a welcome alternative to the constant swimming and splashing.  Plus, it's almost like going to the beach!

I have very fond memories of building elaborate sand castles on the beach during our summer vacations.  We dug moats and built towers.  The best part was the "drip" castles.  To make your own drip castle, take some rather watery sand in your hands.  Then just let it drip through your fingers to wherever your castle should be.  It can become quite an art as you create tiny turrets and spires.

Of course, I also went to the beach with just my sisters.  Very rarely were we joined by a boy, and when we were, he helped build the castles.  My experience today is that little boys prefer destroying the castles rather than building them.  Which is perfectly fine and entertaining.  :)

If You Want To Lose Something . . .

. . . give it to a crawling baby.  Whether it's your keys, your phone, or the vacuum cleaner attachments, they will mysteriously disappear if you don't keep both of your eyes on them.  Luckily, you can call your phone and search by sound (unless it is on vibrate.)  And keys generally come with a spare you'd be wise to keep somewhere safe (but don't forget where.)  But alas, vacuums only come with one of each attachment.  If your child has thrust an accessory somewhere unknown, there is a way to clean those difficult places (stairs, baseboards, etc.) without the vacuum extension.  Simply find a stiff scrub brush and acquaint your hands and knees with the floor.  Then, manually brush the carpet.  You may feel like a modern Cinderella, but it gets the job done.  I once "swept" my dining room carpet with a brush and dustpan.  It worked wonders.

I fail to see the logic in silencing a crying child with a valuable or important object.  Especially if you're a more absent-minded person.  I know keys jingle and phones light up and make noise when you push buttons, but they're not children's toys.  Besides if your 2-yr. old pushes the wrong buttons, your phone can become an uncontrollable mess with numerous additions to your monthly bill.  If you must give keys and phones to your little ones, give them actual toys.  Plastic keys and phones are colorful and entertaining.  If you must provide the "real deal," create a keychain just for the kids.  Use old keys etc. so that your necessary keys don't risk being lost in the great abyss.  Unless, of course, you have the money to throw about replacing missing keys and phones.  In that case, get your kids their own toy keys and send the money you'll save to me.  :)  Or to your child's savings account.  It's never too early to start saving for college (which gets more expensive every year.)


One final note: if you insist on letting your kids play with important items, teach them how to find missing things as soon as possible.  Help them identify the objects so that they know what they are looking for.  And try to think like a little kid when you go searching yourself.  Don't be afraid to dive beneath the sofa cushions or behind the dresser drawers.

I Like My Bubble

We all want to protect our children from the horrors of the world around us.  The question of how long we should shelter them, however, plagues every parent.  Ideally, there would be nothing from which to shelter them.  Their innocence would never be lost.  In our modern world, however, we know that eventually the disagreeable and immoral aspects of society will eventually surface regardless of our efforts.  I am all for sheltering your children as long as possible, but there are so many things it would be better to hear of from your lips rather than the mass populace and pop culture.  As your children grow older and mature, you must use your best judgment when to inform them of the evils that pervade our culture.  Even if you do not inform them directly, please establish a genuine and strong relationship with them so that if they have questions, they do not fear asking you.  

I know bubbles of innocence or ignorance can be immense safety zones to many people, myself included.  I like my bubble where, regardless of the immorality in parts of society, we couldn't really devolve into a terror-stricken country beset by tyrants and revolution.  Things like that are only historical facts, right?  I wish I could believe completely in the faith of my country, but I fear we've lost our right.  I have determined, then, that it is better to be informed than ignorant.  While ignorance may be bliss, it can also be childish and immature.  An adult who refuses to accept the facts of reality may eventually draw so far within their idealistic fantasies that they can no longer function in society.  It is my duty, therefore, to remain educated on the issues at hand.  Part of this education, however, includes a cautious preparation.  This preparation is a readiness for the worst while hoping for the best.  The medium will most likely ensue.  While present-day facts may seem cause for despair, we should rather prepare and fortify ourselves for any approaching days of danger.  I don't mean to sound hopeless, but things tend to get worse before they get better.  Of course, maybe right now is the "worse" and things are on the up.  Unlikely, but still . . . there's my bubble again.

As you educate yourself, you should not let your innocence be completely shattered.  While you should prepare for any ill weather, you should also hold on to your faith in the truth.  Do not transform your ideals for a better world into a cynical pessimism that fuels despair in mankind.  Just because men have failed and continue to do so, does not mean the entire world is going to Hell in a hand-basket.  There is still good in the world.  All you have to do is see it.  It is this good that we must strive to preserve.  Thus, while the degenerate culture demands a loss of innocence, we can still resist temptation and promote the truth.  Do not be afraid to form the bubbles of protection from outside influences, but build them from a material not impenetrable.  Allow information and further education to enter in that you may know how to apply the truth to the modern world.  It is through a delicate balance of informed innocence that we can truly combat the evils of the world.

Teacher vs. Student

In my recent experience with home schooling, a problem can arise among the triangle of teacher and two or more students.  An older (or younger) sibling may interrupt your instructions to their sibling with thoughts of their own on the subject.  They may provide answers, make sarcastic comments or present "how I would do it" statements.  While the interrupting child is generally trying to help, their actions mostly add confusion and frustration to the child being taught.  The teacher (whether Mom, Dad, or someone else) must remain the authority and instructor for several reasons.


1.  Honor thy father and thy mother.  When your child listens to and follows your instructions, they fulfill the fourth commandment.  By respecting your authority as their teacher, the child remains the student which is their calling as a child.  If another sibling interjects (especially something contrary to what you've said), the student may falter in their acceptance of your guidance.


2.  Being told.  Let's face it.  Nobody likes being told what to do.  It's even worse when you have several people giving you the same instructions.  (This is why familial discipline belongs to the parents only.  It is not the child's place to discipline their siblings, but that's a topic for another post.)  If you are teaching a child (particularly in a subject they dislike), receiving instruction from you is plenty.  Having a sibling interrupt with comments on how they would teach it, how the child should learn it, and how it's "so easy" can overwhelm the student to the point of shutting down completely.  The learning child will no longer be willing to even try if they believe they cannot succeed.  A sibling's peanut gallery comments do not help.


3.  Train of thought.  It has been my experience that siblings' interjectory comments come at the most inopportune moments, most often right in the middle of your explanation.  Being an adult raising children, it can often be difficult to regain your train of thought once it is derailed.  This is confusing for the child being taught and frustrating for you.  Couple this with your already short temper (unless you happen to be an angelic mother who doesn't have frayed nerves), and you have a recipe for disaster.  I know you cannot avoid all interruptions (especially with numerous children), but the fewer you have, the easier school will go.

All in all, keeping the instructions solely within your realm of authority is a good idea.  I do not, however, object to useful comments from siblings.  While these comments should not arise in the midst of instruction, oftentimes a sibling's observations can lend a new light to your potential difficulties in teaching.  Please ask your children for suggestions regarding new ways to make learning more interesting.  I have often given my two cents worth regarding various school subjects (most especially Latin), and I like to think that my personal experience with home schooling through high school lends a bit of authority to my musings.  I can only relate what I have learned or observed for myself (which I know cannot apply to every person), but I hope that some principles remain the same throughout all learning children.  If you have taken up the wonderful cross of home schooling, don't be afraid to ask for advice, even from your children.  Just make sure that while the teaching is actually happening, your children remain simply students.  Let them enjoy being a child without having to teach their siblings.  If they won't fight for their right to learn and not instruct, then you must.

Let Them Scream?

I'm sure that anyone who has cared for an infant or young child knows the heartache of listening to the child's lamentations at nap time.  If you are new to the baby world, you will most likely feel an uncontrollable urge to dash into the nursery, lift up your distressed child and rock them to peaceful quiet.  Don't.  While you can sometimes put a child to sleep and then keep them sleeping as you transfer them from your arms to their bed, it is not as frequent as we'd like.  Rather, we must let them fuss and cry to sleep.  The question is how long do you leave them screaming?  When do you cater and when do you turn a deaf ear?  


If you rush in at the first whimper, your child will quickly learn your weak will and exploit it.  Whether they are tired or not, they will scream if they know you will come and give them attention.  Give your crying child a few minutes to accept the fact that it's nap time.  Let them cry out their frustration before succumbing to the bliss of sleep.  If you find crying difficult to cope with, go in every five minutes or so and comfort your child.  Do not necessarily remove them from their crib; rather, you can stroke their back and whisper soothing words of comfort.  Before you enter to comfort, however, be sure that their screaming has not decreased in volume or intensity.  Oftentimes, a child will cry for several minutes straight, but they gradually quiet down.  If you go in just as they are calming themselves down, you can destroy their sleepy mood.  The screaming will start again, and you're back at square one.

The best advice is to develop a bit of a cold shoulder and tough love aspect.  You must be able to withstand the screams because you know what is best for your child.  They need a nap, even if they think otherwise.  It can be painful to listen to your young one whimpering and bewailing their cruel fate.  You can endure, however, with great patience.  Just be sure to learn the difference between a child crying themselves to sleep and a child who screams for 20 minutes straight with an ever increasing volume and earnestness.  Sometimes you simply have to go in and take care of the screaming.  But don't buckle within the first two minutes.  Give your child some time to adjust and calm themselves before rushing to the rescue.  You'll thank yourself so much!