Italian Chicken

A few posts ago, I brought you Fiesta Chicken. Today, I created Italian Chicken. I know, my recipe titles are so original! The preparation of this Italian dish is very similar to it's mexican version, meaning, it's very simple to prepare. Throw everything in the dish, cook your noodles, and serve. {The noodles I used really are GREEN!}

Core and chop about 4-5 roma tomatoes. {I'm sorry if you're a "tomater-hater"... you're probably disgusted by all my recipes!} Just know you're reeeeally missing out!

Thinly slice two cloves of garlic.

Drain a small jar of artichoke hearts.

Place all ingredients in a bowl and pour in a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, a generous amount of S&P, a teaspoon of sugar, a couple tablespoons of flour {since the chicken will produce so much liquid}.

Place the tomato mixture in with the boneless skinless chicken breasts {that are generously seasoned with S&P}. Place in a 350 degree oven and bake until the chicken is almost done. 

Take the almost done chicken out of the oven and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Place the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes {keep an eye on it!} until the cheese is golden brown and the vegetables are caramelized.

When you pull the chicken out of the oven, sprinkle some fresh basil on top and the heat of the dish will wilt the basil.

Serve over whatever pasta you love and ENJOY. 

I know I did!

**If you would like a printable version of this recipe, send me an email (jcw2709@gmail.com) and I will get it to you!**

Faves on Friday

I love when people blog about their current favorite products and today I thought I would share mine!

Philosphy's Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer: Oh my word. You talk about light moisture and even coverage... and thanks to this magical cream, I don't wear foundation... EVER.  It's the perfect two in one product.

CeraVe facial products: The dermatologist I saw in Washington {for my horrendous allergic reaction} recommended CeraVe products for my face and body because they're gentle on your skin and they have a little hyalurounic acid in them for gentle exfoliation. I have the cleanser, AM moisturizer, and PM moisturizer.

John Frieda Full Repair Conditioner:  As you can probably tell from pictures of me lately, my hair is the longest it's ever been! I love how soft and smooth this conditioner makes my hair... especially since I'm in chlorine {swimming laps} several days a week. I got hooked on this conditioner in Scottsdale and it's the reason I can keep my hair long and split-end free! {well, for the most part- Amberly my hairdresser does the rest of the work}.

Aquaphor lip balm: Is anyone else in the world addicted to having something on your lips at all times?? Like, I have a hard time falling asleep at night if I don't have this miracle worker on my lips. I got hooked on this product after that dern allergic reaction I came down with in Washington. It's like Vaseline but better.

Secret Clinical Strength Sport:  Now, putting deodorant on this list might seem a little odd... but y'all, this stuff is legit. I have found no other deodorant to work as well as this one.  If you workout, or get nervous a lot, or stress easily, the anti-perspirant is strong enough to where you will still smell halfway decent all day! Ha! You really should try it.

Ok well that concludes my "favorite products"... but now, do you wanna see who my favorite "Fairhope Middle School  football offensive coordinator" is????

I can spot him reeeeally easy with his "life restraint" on!

It's totally less nerve wracking being a "coach's wife" vs. the nail biting, stomach turning anxiety of being a "players wife"! Although, you could give me nail-biting, stomach turning anxiety ANY day of the week and I would be happy as a lark at this point.

What blows my mind is that Aaron and I were at this same age when it all began...!!!!

They think they are so cool and it CRACKS me up. They sure are cutie pies though!

TGIF!!!

My Morning Smoothie

Well hey there! Today I thought I would share with you the smoothie I make most mornings... It's low fat, low on sugar, and basically, very healthy... and delicious too! 

You will need: Frozen Berries (no sugar added), plain greek yogurt, 1/2 banana, a ripe peach or a splash of OJ, and the sweetener of your choice.

Throw in a good sized handful of berries. Since they are already frozen you won't have to add ice.

Slice your peach and throw in the banana... (or throw in a splash of orange juice in place of the peach).

Add two heaping spoonfuls of plain greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt and I choose the plain flavor because it's much lower in sugar than its flavored friends.

Add in a teaspoon of whatever sweetener you prefer... These three are my faves.

Now, blend her up!

And if you're running a tad late for work and you need to sip it on your way out the door, pour it in one of these nifty little cups. {Mine is courtesy of Tarjay}

It's healthy, refreshing, and an easy way to start your day off right. I hope you will try it!

Family "Stay"cay

This past weekend, we loaded up our boogy boards, swimsuits, books, "cute night time" outfits, and SPF and drove a whopping 30 minutes down to Perdido, Florida to a condo we rented for the long weekend. We figured we should take full advantage of a family vacation while we're all still together and who wouldn't want to develop an arm sling tan line and sweat on the beach come here to recover from shoulder surgery?

Thanks to modern medicine, the beach was a very enjoyable experience for Aaron... and his loving "nurse" was there to spray 85 SPF on his upper body to avoid horrid tan lines, assist in well, just about everything that requires two hands... even flossing teeth!

He had the ladies at his feet...

And I earned the nickname, the "sling"bearer... and you better believe I take my job seriously! Aaron calls it his "life restraint".

After sweating a gallon, he decided to be brave and ditch the sling for a few minutes at a time... and considering that most of the days we were there the ocean was more like a big lake, we said it was ok... as long as he holds his arm up.

We did the usual "beach picture" night.

... and enjoyed everything else a beach vacation includes...

Yes, the parents are more like big kids.

I guess we get it honest!

And Lord knows Aaron would've been up in the middle of it if he could have!

Thanks for reading readers!

Third Times a Charm?

My patient is alive and well and we are currently enjoying a little family "staycation" at the beach for the long weekend. The surgery went as well as it possibly could and we have HOPE. We are totally claiming the phrase "Third Times a Charm" instead of another negative, dooming baseball phrase I could pessimistically say {Three Strikes... ugh.}

This is and will be the last procedure performed on his shoulder so if it works, we can move on with baseball and if it doesn't, we can move on with normal lives. Either option, we will count as a "win" and know that we did EVERYTHING we could to make it work. No regrets!

I know a ton of you don't know the whole story with his shoulder and one of these days I might get around to explaining it all... I could write a book. But for now, the ocean waves are calling my name and my sisters are shouting it so I'm off to soak up the sun and enjoy my fam. Please continue to pray for Aaron and his recovery... this surgery was only the beginning of another mountain we have to climb... and I'd say we're getting pretty strong! :)

Y'all have a wonderful weekend and thank you so much for your prayers and thoughtfulness!