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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Crock Pot Chicken fajitas

Ok, so I love to cook, Duh. And I love trying new things. And lately I LOVE using the crock pot. Probably use it 3 times a week. Since our ward moved to 1 pm this year (nothing nice to say about that. blah!) I find it really hard to even want to cook dinner on sundays. And any other day by about 2 pm, I am ready for a nap, and seriously have no desire to even think about cooking dinner at 5 pm. This pregnancy has been FABULOUS, but man I am sooooo tired, and I am SOOOO anemic (yucky iron pills) The crock pot saves my life!! And keeps my kids eating a home cooked meal and less happy meals!! =)
So this morning when I was looking in the freezer trying to decide what to thaw, and what to make. I saw the boneless chicken thighs (my new favorite meat, so cheap and SOOO yummy!) Then I saw the bell peppers and onions in the fridge, the costco un cooked tortillas, and thought, MMMMM FAJITAS! Then I frowned when I thought of having to COOK the meat after church at 5 pm. I looked on the counter and literally heard my crock pot sing to me "croooock poooooooot fajiiiiiiiiiiitas!!" So before church, I sauteed the onions and bell peppers, put them in the fridge, then I put the FROZEN chicken in the crock pot, mixed 1 packet of chicken fajita mix with 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 can of green chilis and a few garlic cloves crushed. Put the crock pot on high, and went to church~!
Came home, and OH.MY.GOSH!! It smelled like PURE HEAVEN here! My kids even said "wow mommy, what is the yummy smell!!" AHHH I rock. So I then drained and rinsed some pinto beans, chopped a tomato, and some cilantro, drained the crock pot, keeping 1/2 cup of the liquid. And dumped everything in. let it sit on low for another 30 mins while I cooked the tortillas, and made the rice.
WOW. It was so good. I squeazed some limes over the meat, and served them up. This will for sure be a family favorite forever!!
When in doubt, CROCK POT!!
So if you werent keeping notes, here is the recipe again
about 2 pounds of chicken, thighs or breasts
1-2 packs fajita mix (I use the low salt one) dpending on how many you are feeding
1 can diced green chilis
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 onion
1 bell pepper
1 lime
hand full of cilantro
2 tomatoes
1 can pinto or black beans
tortillas

mix the fajita powder with 1 1/2 cups of water
put chicken in crock pot, pour sauce over, add green chilis
put on high for 4 hours.
Sautee onion and pepper until tender, then add cilantro and tomato
drain crock pot, keeping 1/2 cup of liquid.
dump beans, onion and pepper mix and let sit for 30 mins. Put in tortillas and YUM!!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

One day at a time

As I nearly approach my half way mark of this pregnancy I have really had time to sit and think. I guess I dont take a lot of time for myself to just THINK. Because buhjeezus I had so many thoughts in my head. I have really come to realize that everything happens for a reason, we can ask a lot of WHY WHY WHY's but we already know the answer. I have come to realize that I am the luckiest person in MY world. Does that make sense? I am seriously so blessed with 4 almost 5 AWESOME children, a husband who is not only a husband, but he is a friend and a GREAT DAD. A roof over my head, a car to drive, and air to breathe. Why oh why do we complain about the big things, when in all reality those big things dont matter. Its the little things in life, the messy kisses you get from your 2 year old after he just ate a sticky waffle. Its the smile from a 10 month old showing off her 3 cute teeth. Its the simple "oh I love you mommy" from a 4 year old who has to act tough, but really, he is a sweet heart. Its seeing how proud your daughter is of herself when she gets a 100% on a spelling test and smiles with her toothless smile and her eyes glow! Its feeling your baby move for the first time and realizing that ther is a LIFE inside you. Cleaning up and daily schedules just dont matter all that much when it comes between you spending time with your blessings. Do I pick up after my kids, OF COURSE, do I make it a priority and ignore Porter when he needs something? no way. Not saying its OK to live in filth, EW EW EW! BUT, I am FINALLY realizing, what is MORE IMPORTANT. Playing with my kids and enjoying them when they are young. When we moved away from a "life" we lived in for over 3 years, it was HARD. There wasnt a day that went by that either Lily or I werent crying and upset about it. We have moved on and found that only we are in control of our happiness, and if we are lonely and need friends, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! So we did. We threw ourselves out there and now everyday Lily has someone to play with and I have someone to talk to. Hurt feelings and anger. Why do we dwell on things that really dont matter? I am really bad at this sometimes. When I announced I was pregnant, a lot of people gave their congrats and WOW, another baby!! But there was a comment made to my via face book that has BUGGED me for what, 5 months now. "You and your husband need to get a hobby". How mean was that!! I took it really hard and was in SHOCK that someone I know, and considered my friend would say that to me. But with a new year, I am making new choices. And I choose not to let people get to me. People will do and say things that plain and simply, piss you off. We are in control of our own happiness. ANYWAYS, that was my rant for the week. Here are some updates on the kiddos. Lily is loving school, making some really awesome friends, even has a little boy friend (oooooooh) She is starting Brownies soon, and is really excited about that. I am more excited about the cookies she will sell =) Jackson is AMAZING. He has adjusted so well, and is learning so much in school and is talking up a storm and loves to be silly and show his mad skills on the Wii. Porter is just as cute as ever. Loves to sing and dance. His new favorite thing is singing "Little bunny fu fu" over and over and over again. He also loves to hit Amelie in the head with toys, and push her down stairs, off the couch and throw food at her. I guess we need to work on some things haha! Amelie is crossing every milestone with strides. She is 10 1/2 months old and has 3 teeth, fun red hair is finally growing in, stands up, walks along furniture, climbs the stairs like a pro, and loves to play peek a boo, and IM GONNA GET YOU, and crawls like a speed demon!! She is a joy and just laughs over the silliest things. I love when she wakes up from naps or in the morning and sees me come in the room and she lights up. Stands up and YELLS MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! Baby Lincoln is doing great. We are 18 1/2 weeks along, and I feel GREAT!! Oh I love being pregnant with boys. My doctor assures me all is well in the womb, and we are taking it week by week!! Its been fun shopping for new boy clothes and seeing the kids faces when they see a cute outfit at the store "Ohhh mommmmmmy that is the cutest thing i have ever seeeeen!" Jackson is the best shopper I must say. Well enjoy the pictures and until next time!! haha