*Apologies for the last blog published, it was not complete. The flow was going and my computer started acting up, so it went out before I was ready. Not the best way to start the New Year but I will just go with it and move on. FLOW!
When I was a little girl, just on the verge of questioning the reality of Santa Claus, my Mom used to say "as long as you believe, you will receive". So I, of course, would repeat to myself, "I believe, I believe, I believe", over and over again. And, low and behold, he would come, all the gifts laid out by the Christmas tree, as they were all the years before. Maybe I was 21 when my Mom finally said, can I please just start wrapping the gifts like everyone else. HAHA I didn't want to give up the "I believe".
So, flash forward to the time that I had my own family, and my children started to question the reality of Santa Claus? I in turn repeated what I was told, "as long as you believe, you will receive". Not sure how long it lasted with each one of them, but I want to say well into their teenage years!
There is something magical in the word believe, for me anyway. Making that magic a reality in my world, seems all together a challenge in the day to day stuff. Thoughts we come up with, challenges and reactions we choose out of self preservation in those situations, habits that we trust more than the belief that things can change or be different, or even better. What is it about believing in ourselves and in the world around us, that life can be good all the time, that each and everyone of us can accomplish and have all that we desire and dream of. It seems to get harder with age, old habits that we just can't seem to break, thought processes, decisions, hopes, the belief in miracles. They are out there, those miracles, waiting to happen to those that believe they can.
As I move forward into 2023, believing will be what is leading me into this future of mine. I would love for you all to take this journey with me, all we need to do is "believe"!
Crock Pot Chicken and Sun-dried Tomatoes
Ingredients:
1 jar oil packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 can artichokes, drained
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 shallot, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp paprika
pinch of chili flakes
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cup fresh baby spinach
Directions:
Drain 2 tbsp oil from the jar of sundried tomatoes, then chop the sun-dried tomatoes.
Place all the ingredients except the spinach into the crockpot.
Cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-4 hours.
When done, add the spinach ard stir until wilted.
Serve with the chicken whole or you can remove the chicken and shred it. Can be served over polenta, pasta, rice...or enjoyed just by itself
