It's Wednesday again. I really don't know where the week goes so quickly! I seem to be so far behind this week and can't seem to catch up. I am behind on laundry, vacuuming, dusting, etc. Baby A is teething again and is in "hold me" mode which makes getting housework completed that much more difficult. In addition, my ants are starting to move back into the house again. As a result we have emptied all of my cabinets so that we can spray them to keep the ants out of my kitchen. So as I sit here contemplating our evening meal, all of my food is on the dining room table. Every time I go to make something (the morning coffee or baby A's breakfast) I walk into the kitchen only to realize that I have to go into the dining room to get the food items! It can be quite frustrating.
I realize that the above paragraph may sound like I am complaining, but truly I am not. These things, while overwhelming and aggravating at times, are reminders of just how much God has blessed me. I am fortunate enough that I can help my sister, who is struggling with being on her own for the first time in her life after a divorce, by washing her laundry every week. It doesn't sound like much, but it saves her money she would have otherwise spent at a laundromat, and it allows her to spend that time with her children instead. I picked up her laundry late this week and as a result it has put me behind on my own, but what a blessing to be behind.
In addition, I wouldn't give up the sleepless nights or the time that I have to spend holding baby A for a clean house in a million years. God's word tells us that children are a REWARD (even when it doesn't feel like it some times) in Psalm 127:3. Baby A is my reward and I treasure her far more than a clean house or a few extra hours of sleep right now. She is another blessing to me.
Finally, the table full of food. While it is frustrating to have to keep going into the dining room to gather items to cook with, it is a wonderful visual. Not only can you not see the top of my table, but in many places the food is stacked two and three items high. God has blessed us not only with enough food to eat, but an abundance and a variety of food as well. God truly has provided for my family and there is no denying that fact every time I walk into the dining room.
So you see, while it would be easy to look around and become discouraged with the dust and the mess and lack of sleep, and laundry piling up, if you break it down it really is a good thing. What is going on in your life right now? Do you feel overwhelmed? Maybe it is time for you to step back and look at it through new eyes. Perhaps God is blessing you as well if you will take a moment to remove yourself and see it!
That being said, this weeks recipe is also from Sparkpeople. I tried it last week and LOVED it! We call it creamy chicken and it was submitted by OrangeCowCat (what a screen name!)
Creamy Chicken
Ingredients:
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken of choice)
1/4 cup low fat Italian dressing
1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
8 oz reduced fat cream cheese
1 bag wheat wide egg noodles or prepared rice
Directions:
Place chicken and dressing in a slow cooker on low for approximately 6 hours. Remove chicken and add soup and cream cheese to the liquid in the pot. Mix well. Shred chicken (if it didn't already fall apart coming out of the pot) and return it to the pot. Stir well. Allow this to warm. While warming prepare egg noodles according to package directions.
To serve place 3/4 cup noodles on plate (or 1/2 cup prepared rice) and spoon 2/3 cup creamy chicken over the noodles. Enjoy!
Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 327.2
Total Fat: 9.9 g
Cholesterol: 93.6 mg
Sodium: 712.8 mg
Total Carbs: 24.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.9 g
Protein: 32.9 g
This recipe can also be found in it's original form on www.sparkrecipe.com listed as Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken
