What a busy day -- I know it seems lots of my days are "busy days" but they really are!!! I won't even attempt to tell you everything I did today -- you would just get bored and shut it down!! I will tell you that about 12:15 we arrived out at Pine Cove for Free Family Day where over 6000 people had registered! The day was perfect - not too hot - not too cold - not a cloud in the sky! We took Maura and she loved it! She got to swim (one of the first in the pool -- especially since Travis opened blocked off driveways, took us through back ways, and was welcomed everywhere he went! He could not drive and the people posted at certain entrances (including his main boss) would ask where we thought we were headed and when I would say -"Wherever he tells me to go" and they would see Travis and immediately shake his hand and move the barriers. I know how it killed him to not be able to work his body in the ground - taking care of lots of details but am thankful he is obeying Doctor's orders to "take it easy for 5 days"!! Maura is already registered for camp -and can hardly wait. Her Uncle is also arranging for her to have the top bunk where she wants it!!! It was fun seeing all the people (some just there for the free food) enjoying themselves and even if they just register 10 percent for camp - it was such a great gesture of friendship to the community! You know they don't preach doctrine - they don't preach at all - but they do teach Jesus and how much he loved all of us! They don't push it on anyone but everything they do - they do in His name!! Sometimes that is the only contact children have with the name of Jesus! Some choose to misunderstand their mission - and that is so sad because all they want is for every child to know who Jesus is and how much He loves all!!
We got home about four - but I didn't get home until after six - still had errands to run and groceries to buy! Then I fed and walked the three little furry friends and then I cooked. It was time for me to provide a good, low-fat, low cholestrol, heart healthy meal. It was really good - actually tasted like it had soy in it - but all it had was a great balsamic vinegar. I can truly recommend this recipe:
Bow Ties with Chicken, Red Peppers and Artichokes (It says total time 30 minutes but it took me about 45 minutes - chopping, etc.)
12 oz. (my package was 13-1/2 and I used it all) whole wheat bow-tie pasta (no whole wheat bow time at Brookshires so I used whole wheat Penne)
2 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (see Tip)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin Olive Oil, divided
12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and thinly sliced (I used breast tenders - sliced thin and grizzle removed)
Salt (used Ms. Dash) and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 small red bell peppers, thinly sliced (at $1.99 - I just picked out the largest and used about 3/4 of it and saved the rest!!)
2 shallots (or small onions) minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. chopped fresh or dried rosemary
1 -9 oz. pkg. frozen artichoke hearts (could not find) so I used 1 -14 oz. can drained and rinsed!)
1/2 tsp. Hot Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
2 Tbls. grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tendr, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and slightly rinse in cold water - add about 1/2 Tbls. Olive oil and set aside.
2. Heat 2 tsp. oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet (what I used) over medium high heat. Add chicken and saute until no longer pink inmsie; 2 to 4 minutes. Season with salt (if really serious about Heart healthy - use Mrs. Dash table blend) and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tsp. oil to the pan. Add peppers, shallots (or onions), and garlic, and saute until the peppers are tender-crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add to the reserved chicken.
4. Add broth, vinegar and rosemary to the pan and bring to a boil. Add artichokes and the reserved pasta and cook until heated through -2 to 3 minutes. Return the reserved chicken mixture to the pan and toss with the pasta. Taste and adjust the seasoning (mine didn't need any!) and sprinkle with pine nuts, red pepper flakes and cheese. Serve warm with salad and low fat bread!!! (We had an Organic 9 or 12 grain Whole Wheat that I just heated in the oven for about 10 minutes.
TIP FOR TOASTING PINENUTS
Take a heavy skillet and add 2 to 3 tablespoons (so you can taste a few) pine nuts and heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir frequently and watch carefully so they won't burn!
Delicous meal!
Of course - the part I hate came next - cleaning up!! But driven as I am - I refuse to leave my kitchen dirty - we either wash everything or it is rinsed and put in dishwasher!! But it is clean now!!
If you are a Mother - have a great day tomorrow - it is your day and you deserve it! If you are a daughter and your Mom is anywhere close - visit her and tell her how much you love her - and Grandmothers too! God in His wisdom - knew what the world needed to have sunshine in their homes and He made Mothers!! Celebrate that glory!!!
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