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Inspiration

4/26/2017

Wednesday Wisdom~ Inspiration - it's a powerful thing! It can motivate you do to do anything from getting out of bed in the morning to starting your own company. I love music...and it inspires me. Since I teach spin classes, I always have an ear open for songs that will inspire my class to move faster, push harder, and dig deeper. Creating spin playlists has provided me with some great tunes to run to as well. I ran a 5K over the weekend and am always amazed at how particular lyrics or rhythms encourage me to put out just a little more effort. Two weeks ago I heard a new song which I added to my 5K playlist. It was actually released back in 2014, but I don't keep up on much of today's pop/rock music. It is called "I Lived" by OneRepublic. The band's frontman wrote it for his 4 year old son. Although the chorus is encouraging and really makes you want to give it your all, the music video is what really got to me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0rxydSolwU). To be honest, I was in the middle of my day trying to put my class together for the next morning, and I started the video but couldn't finish it... and in the middle of the race I had to tell myself to pull it together and focus on the road so I wouldn't cry.

The video is built around the story of a young OneRepublic fan who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Having a kiddo who lives with a serious heart defect, the idea of not wasting a second the Good Lord has given to us has been hammered home so many times. Nonetheless, the daily diapers, cooking, and cleaning can steal the passion with which I want to live this life. I love the little reminders God sends our way: a flower peeking through a crack in a concrete sidewalk, a gorgeous sunrise or sunset, a song. My children inspire me to be a better mom and person, my husband inspires me to go after my dreams and experience new things, music inspires me to push my body beyond where my mind wants it to go. Where do you get your inspiration?

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Coconut Baked Chicken Bites with Pineapple Dip

4/25/2017

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Tastē Tuesday~ I'm exhausted this evening...not because I made Coconut Baked Chicken Bites. I discovered this recipe a couple of weeks ago and readily admit that unless you have some time on your hands, this is definitely a weekend dinner recipe. It is not complicated, but it takes some time that is deliciously rewarded with a tasty, healthier version of chicken strips/nuggets. If you are looking for a recipe that your kids will like but caters to your adult taste, this one is a winner. We had a few chicken nuggets leftover - although they were still tasty, especially coated in the pineapple dip, the crunch disappeared after refrigeration and reheating in the microwave. If you know the typical amount of chicken that your family eats, use that or pare it down a bit and add a fresh green salad. Make sure to check out the tips at the end of the recipe.

Baked Coconut Cashew Chicken Bites
Adapted from Carslbad Cravings

Serves 4
INGREDIENTS

1 pound chicken breasts (or chicken tenders), cut into 1 ½- 2” pieces
nonstick cooking spray

Coconut Cashew Breading

1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons coconut or olive oil
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes*
3/4 cup roasted salted cashews
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Batter

1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Pineapple Dip

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (more or less to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS
Pineapple Dip

Combine all of the dip ingredients in a food processor. Puree until very smooth. Add to a small saucepan and simmer approximately 5 minutes or until reduced and thickened. Store in the refrigerator while you prepare chicken. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.)**

Coconut Cashew Breading

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Add coconut flakes to your food processor and blend into smaller pieces. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 2 teaspoons coconut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add coconut flakes and panko and toast until golden, stirring often. Remove to a large bowl. ***
Add cashews to food processor and process until the size of panko crumbs. Add to coconut/panko mixture. Stir in 1/3 cup flour and all Coconut Cashew Breading Spices and mix until evenly combined.

Batter: Lightly whisk egg and egg yolk in a large bowl. Add all remaining Batter ingredients and whisk to combine. Add all chicken and toss until evenly coated.****

Assemble: Remove a handful of chicken pieces from batter, let excess batter drip off, and add to breading mixture. Press mixture into chicken with clean fingers to make sure the coating sticks. Place chicken pieces on prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all chicken is coated.

Bake: Lightly spray chicken with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Serve with chilled Pineapple Dip.

TIPS
*I used the Baker's Coconut Angel Flakes. They are already pretty small compared to shavings and only need a couple pulses in the food processor.

** I made the sauce the same day. Although easy, it would have reduced the time it took to put the meal together if I had made it the day or two before. As a bonus, the day in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld, and we preferred it cold! Since it is brought to a simmer, it takes awhile to cool down, even refrigerated.

***Watch your coconut/panko mix carefully and stir often. It will brown quickly once heated through. Remove from heat even if some coconut/panko is not fully toasted if some of the mixture is getting too crispy.

****I often use bags for this type of dunking & breading to ease on dishes. However, since a pound of chicken makes quite a few nuggets, I found that using a large bowl to combine the batter and chicken was actually easier and less messy.

Baked Coconut Cashew Chicken Bites with Pineapple Dip (printable recipe)

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Compassion

4/19/2017

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Wednesday Wisdom~ Little did I know on Monday afternoon when I posted the Pork Bites recipe, thinking that my day had been a long one, that it wouldn't end until 2am Tuesday morning. A minor scare sent me to the ER just to make sure everything was good with me and baby #4. I have been in a number of emergency rooms in multiple states over the past ten years, and I have never seen one this full. I knew right when I walked in, I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Thankfully, my multiple trips to the hospital with little boy #1 has taught me how to pack a bag, and I had plenty to keep myself busy. It was extremely helpful that I felt pretty good too...not really the case for most people sitting in an emergency room late at night. I went by myself and thought it the perfect time to have some "me-time." The boys were back home in bed with my hubby keeping a watchful eye over them. But...as is often the case, my plans didn't go quite as I intended, and I sat next to a woman who wanted to talk...for three hours straight. Many thoughts crossed my mind, but two stuck out. First, every one in that room needed a bit of compassion. After all, an emergency room is never where someone really wishes they could be. Second, I had the opportunity to extend some compassion because I wasn't feeling awful or in severe pain, and perhaps my willingness to converse would help keep this woman's mind from hers. I was thankful to make it home early Tuesday morning with peace of mind, the ability to get a good rest for the remainder of the night, and I woke up to a week that continued right along schedule.

If you have the opportunity today (or tomorrow since it is practically time to go to bed), take an extra moment to extend compassion to someone you see might need it. If you are in need of compassion, I hope you experience it in a special way.

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Inspiration

Coconut Baked Chicken Bites with Pineapple Dip

Compassion

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