Hit List ♦ January 2016

These fun Sussies are sure to stay in your collection long-term & they are on sale RIGHT NOW!  Because I know there is something, maybe two or ten things in your closet that no longer have a place in your wardrobe, that doesn’t mean they need to head to the trash bin.   Help someone in need enjoy your gently or barely loved clothes, jewelry, shoes or accessories.   Donate them, sell them and give the profits to your favorite charity or put the savings away in your rainy day fund if your in greater need of saving it for your future.

Here are my favorite finds while being holed up over the holiday, Enjoy and Happy New Year from LLL.

#1 Zara Herringbone Coat $59.99

This coat in gorgeous in person. It’s a knit coat that is warm and looks very chic.  I wore it with workout clothes and gray Aus Luxe boots (see below) and because of the length of the coat, it makes any outfit look like it’s put together and dresses up a notch.  Plus the price is amazing right now!  Zara is one of my favorite online fashion websites.  You can buy amazing runway, ready to wear pieces for prices that are super affordable.  I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had on a jacket or pair of shoes from ZARA that people asked me about and how surprised they were when I told them the Brand and/or price.  Secret weapon that ZARA is.

#2 Heather Henry Zodiac Wrap Bracelet from Calypso St. Barth

I love these wrap bracelets from Heather Henry!  Of course I am biased and she is a dear friend, but they are amazing gifts for friends and love ones.  I also love the bright colors Calypso is featuring for the satin ribbon.  It will give you some pop amongst all the winter gray.  Regularly $95 at Calypso, now only $39.50! You can also purchase satin wrap bracelet ribbon online in tons of colors and combinations.  Such a versatile piece.

 #3 Australia Luxe Collection

Available at Gilt.com, Revolve Clothing & Nordstrom Rack to name a few, is a favorite alternative for UGGs.  They come in a variety of colors and styles that are a unique deviation from the mass popularity of UGG Australia.  The high quality and versatility of the boots make them a great buy and they hold up well in the elements. I know because I have 2 pair! Prices range from around $99 ↑ at Gilt.com and they keep a steady in-stock array of boots online.

#4  Ormedic balancing lip enhancement complex

IMAGE Skincare utilizes a powerful polypeptide lip enhancement complex to add up to 40% of moisture volume with repeated usage for incredibly healthier, lustrous-looking lips. The product is marketed as a rebuilder of the outer lip contour and an aid in diminishing fine lines.  It works and I love this product.  I’ve never had such an amazing lip balm and I use it  daily, and I’m not paid to say that ha!  I can say that I have noticeably seen an improvement in my overall lip health and vitality.  GREAT product! $15.99 at Skin Market.

#5 Vitamin D

It can be in short supply this time and of year and you just may be deficient.  My husband and I both had vitamin D levels in the red on our blood tests.  I love these gummy vitamins from Rainbow Light.  They are found at most natural grocery stores like Whole Food, Sprouts and the like.  You can also order them from Amazon and at Drugstore.com they are on special for $9.99.  Yummy for sure and if your vitamin D levels are low, they will probably make your mood and attitude a bit more sunny.

Are you looking for an easy Sunday supper?  Well, this is the meal for you.  It’s healthy and wonderfully flavorful.  Many people think of cabbage as a cole slaw only vegetable, but when braised it’s sweetness erupts and it’s the perfect compliment to the spice the paprika brings to this dish.  The pork is unbelievably tender, so be careful you don’t continue cooking it or it will just fall apart.  An hour and a half is the perfect amount of cooking time to maintain delicacy and tenderness while still being able to slice it.  The carrots just add to the rustic nature of the dish and they are tender and flavorful as well.

Red cabbage is now in season, and it’s packed full of nutritional benefits which is why having a meal where you can incorporate it is ideal.  This dish does cook out much of the nutritional benefits, but save some of the raw cabbage, finely chop it and toss it in with some warm quinoa and add a little of your favorite salad dressing on top.  This is a wonderful lunch dish that is low in calories and high on nutrition.  In fact, I think that I’ll post this recipe later in the week with a healthy salad dressing to accompany it.

The reason that red cabbage should become a desirable addition to your refrigerator vegetable drawer is because of a compound known as phytochemicals.  Plant foods that contain phytochemicals are also referred to as polyphenols, which are known as the disease fighters in the food world.  Foods that contain polyphenols have been known to provide powerful antioxidants and cancer fighting benefits.  Red cabbage is also high in vitamin C, it’s fiber rich and has a multitude of other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your overall well being.  Enjoy this one pot delight using red cabbage, it’s a keeper in my house!

Beer Braised Pork Loin and Cabbage

Prep Time: 20-25 minutes

Cook Time: 1 1/2 hours

Total Time: Approx. 2 hours

Ingredients:

For the rub
1 Pork Loin (my package had 2, double the recipe for more people or freeze)
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
¼ tsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp of coconut oil

For the Pot
Browned Pork Loin
1 head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
½ cup of shallots, thinly sliced
8 baby carrots, tops trimmed off(add more if desired)
2 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tsp paprika
½ cup chicken stock
1 bottle of beer, I used Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

1. Combine 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, ¼ tsp ground mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl and rub evenly on the pork.
2. In a large oven-proof dutch oven or pot, heat 1 tsp of coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add pork to the pot and sear on sides until nicely browned, approximately 5 minutes. Remove the pork and set aside.
3. Add the red cabbage, shallots, and carrots to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes or until cabbage begins to wilt, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, the remaining 2 teaspoons paprika (less for milder heat), 1 tsp thyme, chicken stock and the beer. Return the pork to the pot, cover and bake at 350° for 1½ hours and turn off the oven, crack the door and let it sit for an additional 25 minutes. Check the pork at an hour, if you need more liquid in the pot, add a little water or chicken stock to prevent the pot from drying out.
5. Set pork on a cutting board and cover with foil for 5 minutes. Slice on a diagonal and serve with the cabbage and carrots on a platter. You can accompany this dish with potatoes, brown rice or simply on it’s own.

Altered slightly from Bruce Aidells recipe, Bruce Aidells's Complete Book of Pork, Cooking Light
OCTOBER 2006

Raw Baby Bok Choy

Well, well, well.  Look who showed back up online with a post.  Yes, it’s me.  I’m back.  I’d apologize for my very long absence, but I’m not going to.  If you’re reading this blog, you are probably living a hectic life as we all are.  The ups and downs, twists and turns that happen as you juggle children, a spouse, a single life, the holidays, illness, and on and on.  I’m not going to bore you to death with my story, but whew Lord, 2013 did a number on me.  Nothing earth shattering, but challenging, wonderful and stressful all the same.  I’m feeling reenergized in my life now, and I’m ready to begin posting many stories I’ve worked on and had in my head just lingering.

Sometimes I wonder, why in the world am I doing this blog.  Is anyone reading it?  Really reading it and taking positive information from it.  And then I’ll get a comment.  A person out in the world that I don’t know that made my Soy Ginger Salmon for a dinner party with great success and satisfied guests.  Then I’ll have someone I do know and respect stop me to say she read a blog post about a destination she was interested in going.  That I posted information that made her want to book a trip and go relax.  That’s when I tell myself keep posting, keep creating, keep living, and I’m thankful for those moments.

I’m do not care about making this into some sort of get me famous venture, get me a show or book or attention.  I don’t.  This started as a lurking feeling inside myself I couldn’t explain but needed to liberate, and it’s evolving organically so whatever comes to pass I want LLL to be genuine and feel right inside, or I will not do it.  Maybe that is why I take occasional breaks from posting.  If I cannot give LLL a veracious version of myself because of turmoil or the feverish pace of my life at that moment, I tend to take a break and let my past works on the site speak for themselves for the time being.  I do my best to keep my personal beliefs out of LLL and my personal life and its details limited.  I honestly, and I mean this, only want to help all of us busy people figure out what the heck to make for dinner that won’t make our hair fall out, tastes pretty darn good for being so simple and healthy and for my posts to be a source of positive influence on our road to a healthier and more meaningful life.  In as big or as small a way that this can be achieved, that is my hope that the readers of LLL.

I do not know it all or pretend that these posts are always going to be a home run and successful.  I am college educated, but was not an English major.  I was a stock broker at one point, I will not always get the grammar right and I’ll miss some editing mistakes, I can assure you!  I do put a lot of thought into my posts and I endeavor to create them and use them in my everyday life and ultimately pass them on to you.  I actually eat this food and often make it several times, taking notes as I cook, snapping pictures in my kitchen of the food as it’s prepared and even on the plate before I hand it to my husband.  If you see it on here, I did not do some professional cook/photo session.  It’s real, it’s authentic and being true to that, I hope it helps you the reader feel connected with the food or experience so you can replicate it in your own home.

Chicken w/ Bok Choy in final stages of cooking

Today I wanted to post an easy lunch dish that packs a punch.  The quinoa, brown rice or rice noodles can be prepared ahead of time and used as an accompaniment, but the dish can stand alone.  I also like this dish because you can change it however you like.  Add more bok choy for a salad like dish or other vegetables that appeal to your palette.  It’s very versatile and quick.  It does not take long to make!  For lunch you can even make it easy on  yourself and buy pre-diced frozen carrots or another veggie and pre-sliced chicken.  Plan ahead, make it easy and you will find that running home to cook a quick lunch is not that out of the question.  This dish is also a healthy weeknight meal and the leftovers can be eaten at lunch the next day.

Bok Choy may be one of those funky looking greens at the grocery store that you just either don’t know what the heck it is or you could not imagine buying because what you going to do with it?  Well, it comes in several varieties, although most grocery stores have the larger traditional bok choy and the baby bok choy.  I have used both and the recipe works well with either variety.  The baby bok choy is much more tender and you will not need to cook it as long, which usually helps retain more of the nutritional value in vegetables.  Chopping and lightly cooking the bok choy in this recipe gives you the maximum wattage for the vegetables.  Lots of Vitamin A and C, plus calcium and other minerals.  It’s a great veggie to add into your recipe repertoire.  Enjoy and thank you for visiting my site.  I hope you find what you are looking for and have many blessings in the application of the various tips you discover at LLL!

Finished Power Lunch! Chicken with Veggies, Bok Choy and Quinoa

POWer Lunch, Chicken Stir Fry with Bok Choy

Yield: 4-6 ppl

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15-18 mins

Total Time: 25-30 mins max

I wanted to post an easy lunch dish that packs a punch. The quinoa, brown rice or rice noodles can be prepared ahead of time and used as an accompaniment, but the dish can stand alone. I also like this dish because you can change it however you like. Add more bok choy for a salad like dish or other vegetables that appeal to your palette. It’s very versatile and quick, plus bok choy is very high in Vitamin A and C as well.

Ingredients:

2 lbs thinly sliced chicken cutlets (preferred) or breasts
1 cup or 3 med. carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (use a pck of frozen Alexia diced carrots for less prep/cook time)
8 oz sliced mushrooms, cremini preferred

2 garlic cloves or 1 tsp approx, minced
2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
2-3 baby bok choy heads and leaves, chopped or approx 2 cups of any variety
*use white parts and green parts cooking the white parts longer and adding the green parts at the very end to heat through
1 tsp peanut oil
1 tbsp grape seed or coconut oil
1 pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and Pepper

Sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

Directions:

1. In a large wok (don’t have one) or sauté pan, heat 1 tsp of peanut oil and 1 tbsp of grape seed or coconut oil over medium/high heat. Toss in a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes (more with 2nd batch of chicken) and heat/brown for 2 minutes.

2. Add the chicken in 2 batches covering the bottom of the pan in a single layer, browning on both sides. Approximately 2 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the chicken. Have a test piece to cut in half. Remove promptly from the pan and set aside on a plate, cover with a paper towel. If the chicken is very slightly undercooked, that is perfect because it will continue to steam and cook on the plate and finish cooking through once it’s added back the pan at the end of preparation.
If more oil is needed for the second batch, drizzle a little and add another tiny pinch of red pepper. Cook for a minute and add the second batch of chicken, repeating step 2.

3. Add the mushrooms and sauté until nicely browned. Approx 3-5 minutes. Poor on top of the chicken and set aside.

4. Add the carrots to the pan, drizzling a tsp grapeseed or coconut oil on top if needed. Stir and sauté over medium heat(turn down a tad) until the carrots are cooked through. 6-8 minutes for raw. Careful not to burn, stir frequently. Add the cornstarch to the carrots after they are fully cooked, stirring to incorporate all the powder.

5. Add the chicken stock, soy sauce and vinegar to the pan and stir to combine, reduce heat to low.

6. Add the white chopped stalks of bok choy to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.

7. Add the chicken and the mushrooms to the pan and cook through for 1 minute.

8. Add the green leafy ends of the bok choy to the stir fry, cook for a minute and turn of the heat. Add Pepper and taste for salt. Approx ½ tsp pepper and ¾ tsp salt, more if desired.

9. Plate with prepared quinoa, brown rice or asian noodles. Enjoy!

Blend of my stir fry recipe of old and online preparation recommendations for bok choy

Chicken Stir Fy with Bok Choy

           I wanted to do a quick Christmas Gift idea write up on a product that hits closer to home for me.  Posh Play is the labor of love product line created by Kelly Smith and Emily Jones, both childhood friends that now reside in Dallas, TX.  Kelly became a mother almost a decade ago, and like many of us with children, the playdates and time spent with children indoors and outdoors sparked an idea that became Posh Play.  Kelly was and is still a special friend to me, even though we live so far apart and do not see each other as much as I’d like.  We were sorority sisters and college roommates for 3 years, and we went through a lot together.  It was such an amazing time in our lives and I feel very blessed that I had Kelly to guide me and be my friend.  I was pretty much on my own in college and Kelly became my family.  She was so patient and kind during those transformative years and she’s truly a talented and special person.

Products Shown are available at PoshPlayMat.com, please click the any photo in the article or the links below for purchase information!  Plus the website has many more products and colors to choose from.

Chocolate Pad 18” x 14” $22

Eggplant Diaper Clutch Combo $58

Orange Play Mat 50” x 45” $98

Related Press Articles D Magazine, D Moms

Hey Howdy Hey!  Well, that’s how you and your family will be greeting each other for a few days or weeks after you return home.  I wanted to do a quick write up on the Rainbow Trout Ranch. My husband and I love to fly fish and several years ago were in the Conejos River area fishing and staying at a family friends cabin near Antonito, CO.  It’s such a beautiful area and is very low key and not crowded.  It’s the anti Vail/Aspen scene but with all the beauty and outdoor fun you come to expect from Colorado.  On our way back from fishing with our kids near Spectacle Lake, we came across a sign that said Rainbow Trout Ranch.   We had heard about the place and decided to stop.  It’s rugged and casual main lodge, with sweeping wrap around porch, is the first thing to greet you.  We gathered some information, looked around a bit and went on our way.

A few years later, my husband’s family wanted to do a family trip that incorporated everyone.  This is no small feat considering there are 12 grandchildren and 14 adults that need accommodating.  My husband immediately suggested looking into a trip to Rainbow Trout Ranch.  After planning and coordinating with everyone and the lodge, we booked our first trip, rummaged out our cowboy boots and hats and were on our way to Colorado this past June.

Boot Box

View of RTR property that backs up to the the Natl. Forest

Rainbow Trout Ranch is located in Southern Colorado, just north of the New Mexico border.  It’s about 84 miles northwest of Taos and 25 miles west of Antonito, CO.  The Ranch, which is adjacent to the National Forest, is very private and not bustling and full of tourists.  We stayed 1 night in Taos, NM on our way and you really change landscape drastically on the drive. You begin your drive through classic southwest style landscape, crossing over the amazing Rio Grande Gorge and bridge.  This is a must see sight that will truly take your breath away and give you butterflies to boot.  You can also venture to Taos during your stay at RTR if you are interested in rafting excursions.  It’s a full day through the gorge area and there is some time for exploration in Taos.  This excursion as well as others can be planned once you arrive at RTR.  After passing through Antonito, you will travel another five miles and see the Colorado Mountains start to take shape.  It’s really a “viola” type of moment.  Boom, your in Colorado.  The Ranch is not far and once you find the turn off you venture up the hill, passing the Hey Howdy Hey wagon on the way.

Sweet Jane Van Berkum

Your week at RTR is a true family experience.  You are welcomed by Doug and Linda Van Berkum who run the ranch and promptly escorted to your cabins nestled close by in the trees.  They are not air conditioned, but the nice weather makes this absence tolerable and not a necessity.  You just keep your windows open during the daytime and at night use the fireplace and space heater for warmth.  Close your windows though at night, it gets pretty chilly!  The cabins are rustically appointed and although not 5 star by any means, they are equipped with everything you would need to be comfortable and they are cleaned daily.  I personally liked the cabins casual feel and felt it was good for the kids to help straighten up every day.  Once every guest is settled, everyone gathers on the expansive front porch to visit and attend the riding orientation.  Doug and Linda’s son David and his wife Jane, work and live at RTR full time with their three children.  They run the horse operations of the ranch and are in charge of the wrangling staff.  Their knowledge of horses is vast and their guidance during your stay is priceless.  Your safety and that of your family is paramount.  They have protocols that they follow religiously and because of that, everyone has fun and feels safe on their horse.

Beautiful porch at the main lodge.

Swimming pool and picnic area.

Once your days begin, the activities you can participate in are endless.  You can truly, and I mean truly, learn to ride a horse at RTR.  The kids are in a camp like environment during most of the day and are divided into groups based on age.  They have their own counselors and venture out on their own horse daily.  Everyone learns to ride their own horse for the week. You get the same horse everyday so you can learn on that horse and have consistency, same goes for the kids.  They get to know and love their horse by the end of the week and they truly take ownership in their riding experience.  Because of the type of activities on horseback you will be participating in, I cannot stress enough the importance of proper gear.  Cowboy hat, check. You need it to block the sun, it’s must.  Cowboy boots with a riding heel, check.  You want good boots, and you want them to fit well and be comfortable.  Don’t cut corners with your boots. Jeans and cool long sleeve shirts, check.  It’s hot and sunny on the ranch when you are out riding, but in the shade of the aspens it can also get cool.  It’s just best to be covered from the sun and good outdoor shirts work well.  They dry fast and are comfortable.  Think fishing style shirts.  Don’t be afraid to let your inner cowboy or cowgirl emerge.  You will be in the minority if you leave your western duds at home, it’s a promise.  Rain gear, check.  The Colorado weather is unpredictable and everyday the wranglers will tie your rain gear on your horse in case it rains during your ride.  Check with the staff for other items needed for your trip.  Their suggested packing list is a good one.

Barrel racing on my horse in the ranch rodeo.

Riding my horse in the ranch rodeo.

Fishing, getting a little dirty, having the time of my life on the Conejos.

Oh yeah, the fishing!  Well, let me just say if you like to fly fish, you’ve come to the right place too.  I did ride, but I think I fly fished more.  This stretch of river is amazing. It’s coveted by all the local guides who do not have access to it.  RTR does have two guides on staff to assist you with any and all fishing needs and they can work with novice fisherman as well. You can bring your own gear or borrow what they have, although their gear is not top of the line.  Conejos River Anglers and the Fox Creek Store is also a short drive for any gear you might need or want to purchase.  All the fishing guides and stores are knowledgable and very helpful.  My husband and I love to fly fish, so this was a treat for us.  The kids would venture off during the day for their ride and we would head down to the river.  Really beautiful!  The kids also get to fish one day and boy did my kids have some luck.  My daughter caught a 22 inch rainbow trout.  Amazing!

The food at the Ranch was good old fashion comfort food.  It’s classic homestyle cooking and dining, all of the guests around big tables and served family style.  They can accommodate different dietary preferences as well.  Another aspect of the Ranch that I like is the blend of adult time and family time.  The kids get some independence and the adult get theirs as well. You’re not on top of each other all the time which is nice.  Adults can ride together in various size groups in the morning and swim in the pool after lunch with the kids.  You can also go for family rides together.  The staff accommodates any style day you wish to set up.  Towards the end of your week stay, the adults even get a candlelight dinner in the lodge while the kids go out for a picnic and hayride with Doug and the wranglers.  It’s a great end to a great week.

Out on my trail ride on the Natl. Forest

One thing of note about the ranch, like many dude ranches, is the comfort factor.  You really need to understand it’s a ranch lifestyle.  The staff do not come do your laundry (although washer/dryers are on property to use), there’s no air conditioning, you will get dirty and exert yourself etc etc.  They are there to teach you to ride, fish, serve you meals and help you with anything of course.  However, you need to be good at tending to your own knittin, as my Dad used to tell me.  It’s an outdoors experience and a family bonding vacation.  You don’t/can’t watch TV or cruise the internet in your cabin or even use your phone easily.  You unplug and reconnect with each other, not the outside world.  You will square dance, ride, fish, eat, laugh and have memories for a lifetime.  I promise, your kids will love every second and be begging you to go back.  Hey howdy hey, check it out for Summer 2014!  For more information visit www.rainbowtroutranch.com.  Tell them littleladylifestyle.com sent you!

Hubcap, the 3 amazing legged dog!

I don’t know about all of you people out in the world, but I’m ready for some football!  The first home game for my team is tomorrow and just in time for this football season and the many tailgates to come, I’m featuring a cookie sure to please.  An added bonus is that it will not spoil in the heat, it will only taste better.   I wish I created this recipe, although it is so simple it could easily be a basic recipe for a chocolate cookie with an add on.  The bonus ingredient here is Nutella.  I do not know about your household, but in our house the kids love them some Nutella.  I came across this cookie recipe while looking for heat tolerant desserts.  They are sure to please your crowd and be gone by game time.

Hut Hut!

*I did not use hazelnuts in my recipe

Chocolate Nutella Cookies

Yield: 6 Dozen

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

INGREDIENTS
1½ sticks of unsalted butter, room temperature
¾ cup of brown sugar
¾ cup of white sugar
1 cup of Nutella
½ teaspoon of vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
¼ cup of unsweetened cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup of chocolate chips
½ cup of chopped hazelnuts (optional)

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter in an electric mixer for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and Nutella and mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

2 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 30 seconds between each. Add the vanilla and mix for 10 seconds.

3 Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda (do not skip this step as sifting eliminates clumps of cocoa). Mix into the butter mixture on low speed until fully incorporated, scraping down the bottom and sides at least once to ensure even mixing. Fold in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts and refrigerate the dough for ten minutes.

4 Spoon tablespoon-sized drops of dough onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes. 10 minutes was sufficient for convection baking. Allow to cool on the sheets for a minute or two before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Garrett McCord, www.vanillagarlic.com Chocolate Nutella Cookies

Do you ever have the take your friend dinner dilemma?  What to bring for a new mom or family or friend home recovering after surgery?  Well, join the club!  It’s not easy to find a dish that isn’t loaded with fat and is also easy to keep warm and transport.  It always seems to me that lasagna or chicken enchiladas rule the takeout dinner menu.  It can be a scorching 90°F outside and a hot lasagna will still be on the menu.  Healthy, well prepared take-out food from a third party vendor can also be costly and price out some people.

I suggest a change up.  Something more versatile and also easy to prepare and keep warm or deliver cold for the recipient to reheat as needed or even freeze.  Think a la cart style wraps with a yummy spread for added flavor.  Simply sauté your various vegetables separately, bake and debone chicken breasts, prepared some rice and black beans plus add in a healthy and tasty sauce, boom…easy dinner for days with multiple additional dinners that can be created from all your ingredients.  I’ve even delivered cooked penne with this meal and told my friends to add the meat, veggies and sauce for a great pasta dish.  Another reason I prefer taking this style of dish to a new mom is the versatility it provides for her and her family.  It looks healthy, it’s easy to tailor to individual tastes and with extra siblings running around, she can feed her other children according to their picky preferences.  I’ve not visited with very many new mothers that want extremely fattening food after a baby, I know I didn’t.  This light and flavorful multi-dish dinner is a great way for you to help any friend in need and give them what they really want, yummy light fare that flavorful.  Enjoy!

A La Carte Wraps with Herb Goat Cheese Spread/Sauce or Dressing

Yield: 6 ppl

Prep Time: 30 mins max

Cook Time: 45 mins to an hour

Total Time: 1.5 hrs (but you are doing multiple things at once)

Ingredients:

Veggies of choice
Organic canned black beans
Can of organic chopped tomatoes
Chicken Breasts on the bone, 4-6
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Garlic Powder
Shredded cheese to take for the wraps
Herb Goat Cheese Spread

Directions:

*LLL Tip: Go to the store and buy good foil or oven-proof disposable casserole dishes. It looks nice when you bring the food over, it can be frozen and there is no responsibility for you or your friend to return a dish. It’s worth it to spend a little extra!
Chicken

Preheat oven to 375°F, convection if you have it

1. Layer 3 to 4 chicken breasts on a cookie sheet. I used only 3 because they were huge. If your package has 4 small to medium sized breasts, use 4. Drizzle and coat a small amount of olive oil on each breast, maybe ¼ tsp, and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over both sides of the chicken. Bake for 30 minutes, remove and cover with foil. Cool completely, remove all the skin and debone. Cut the breast meat into small, bite-size cubes and set aside in an oven-safe disposable container.

Veggies
1. Chop and sauté each veggie individually with a tbsp of olive or coconut oil and a sprinkle of salt, pepper and garlic powder (approx ½ tsp salt, ¼tsp pepper and ¼ tsp garlic powder for each veggie) over medium-high heat for about 5-8 minutes per veggie. Get them nicely browned and removed from the heat. Set aside as shown in the picture in another disposable dish.

2. I roasted the tomatoes. See how here, Roasted Tomatoes 

Rice and Beans
1. Prepare as directed, I added some canned chopped tomatoes to my beans, and set aside in their own dish.

Herb Goat Cheese Sauce
* I love this sauce because it healthy and unique. It can be used as a dressing for salads by simply adding a little more olive oil. It can be tossed with hot pasta, meat such as salmon or chicken, your preferred veggie and you have created your own pasta dish. It is also great as a spread, which is how I used it for this recipe. Simply spread it on your tortilla and add your toppings for a very healthy wrap. Add fish instead of chicken for a mediterranean style fish taco. It has so many uses and is multiple meals in one simple sauce!

Tortillas
1. Spray cooking spray in the pan and soften the tortillas on both sides over medium heat for about 1 min per side. Separate with foil and place in a zip lock bag to go. You can take uncooked tortillas to save you time, but I prefer to save my recipient time.