Munchy Time Monday

Happy Monday!! So, here is the first post in my new blogging regime! :) Munchy Time Monday! I have been thinking about what I want to post. So, I have decided to do this a couple of ways. First I am going to post something with lots of "munchiness" and then if I am making something special or new or post worthy for dinner, I will post it too! So, first off is something VERY easy, but SO yummy and can totally be adapted to your own taste and calorie counting level!

Yogurt Pie
2 6-8 ounce containers of flavored yogurt (the same flavor)
1 small tub Cool Whip
1 Graham Cracker Crust
(I use the lowest fat or fat-free versions of these ingredients that I can find, but use what you want!)

Mix yogurt and Cool Whip together. Pour into crust. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Cut and enjoy!

Yes, I know this is an EXTREMELY easy recipe, but it is one of my favorites!! I hope you enjoy it too!

And as far as what is for dinner? I am making Pineapple Glazed Chicken. I adapted a recipe from Weight Watchers All-Time Favorites cookbook (Pineapple and Honey-Glazed Chicken). Their recipe says to marinate the chicken and stuff. Well, I didn't have the time to do that, so instead, I pulled out the trusty Crock-pot (Seriously, I LOVE the crock pot! Who invented it? AWESOME invention!!). Here is what I did:

1/2 c. canned crushed pineapple in juice
2 T. soy sauce
2 T. honey (I did NOT have this much honey, but I suggest adding it if you have it!)
2 T. lime juice
1 T. grated peeled fresh ginger (I don't keep fresh ginger, I just sprinkled some powdered ginger on there!)
1 shallot, minced (another thing I don't have, so I minced up 1/2 an onion and used it instead!)
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (wear gloves or wash hands immediately after...do NOT touch eyes!)
4 Chicken breasts
1/2 t. cornstarch
2 t. water
1 T. Parsley

OK, so I am REALLY lazy and did not even thaw my chicken, I just stuck it in the crock pot! Hopefully this works. So, Put the chicken in the crock pot, cover with pineapple, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, ginger, shallot (onion), & jalapeno. Put on high...let cook all day till chicken is done. If you notice chicken is done, turn down to low and just let cook (that is what I am going to do!) Then I will follow the rest of the directions in the book!

Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer the chicken to a platter; keep warm. Poor the pan juices into a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook until the juices are reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture bubbles and thickens, about 10 seconds; stir in the parsley. Serve the chicken with the sauce. POINTS VALUE: 4

I am trying this recipe right now. Tomorrow I will let you know how it went, what it tasted like and maybe even get a picture of it! :)

Now for life things...I had MOPS this morning. Talk about an emotionally draining morning. A good friend shared her story and the entire room was crying. If you are interested, you can check out her blog at www.mommyonfire.com. She is an amazing writer and an even MORE amazing person. She inspires me! I love my MOPS group. The women that I have met in this group are just incredible women. They are all at different places in life, although most have small children. But, some do have older children, and there are Mentor Moms whom have grown children. They are great at reassuring me that the rough days with babies won't always be rough days! The one at my table is an incredibly strong woman whom I adore. She is kind and caring and has a very positive outlook on life. She is a wonderful mother and I strive to be like her when my kids are grown! She is also great about holding M when I want to knit during the meeting! :) This group of women and all of the moms at MOPS are such a GREAT influence on my life. I look forward to this meeting all weekend. NEVER in my life have I looked forward to Monday mornings, but I do now. They are wonderful. If you are a mom and are looking for a group of women, please find a MOPS in your area. There is discussion of God, but please don't let that deter you if you are not religious. There are women there that will help you on your path to Christ if you are trying to find your way, but NO ONE is going to beat you over the head with it-at least they don't in my group and I would hope that no one would in any group. Seriously though, if you are looking for a wonderful group of moms, check out MOPS! I love it!

I am struggling though right now with something as a Mom. Lately I have noticed that L doesn't seem to have a lot of respect for her things. I have been trying and trying to teach her to have respect for her toys. People have given her these things because they love her, but other than her "mommy bear" she doesn't really take care of them very well. Even stuff that I KNOW she loves I find thrown down on the ground. It is very frustrating. Last night though, the frustration hit an all time high as I discovered that she seems to be lacking in respect for other people as well, particularly me. It is very sad to me as I stay at home with her all day long and I feel that she has no respect for me. Don't get me wrong, she is a very sweet child and I know that she loves me and she knows that she is loved. But, she has started back-talking and just seems to have no care of the fact that I stay home for her (and J and M). I got so upset that I started crying and left the table. I know that E was really upset with her, but I just had to walk away. I don't know if I was crying because I was sad or angry. I just don't know how to teach her respect. I guess I should be happy that she feels comfortable enough to know that I will always love her even if she yells at me. I will just keep trying to teach it to her I guess and pray that at some point she realizes how she needs to treat people and her things.

Well, that is it for Monday. I hope that you are all well and enjoying the sunshine! It is beautiful isn't it!?!?! Come back tomorrow for the results on the Pineapple Chicken and for "Take It Off Tuesday."

With love,
Theresa