It’s A Wrap…

I’m “wrapping” up this post from yesterday!  The day got away from me, as it usually does, and I was lacking the energy to finish the last minute details.  Better late than never!



Grilled Chicken with Mango Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 mango, peeled and cubed
2 Tbsp plus 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (I used raw)
1 Tbsp Sucanat
2 tsp Dijon mustard
6 40z. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 lemon, halved
Olive oil cooking spray
fresh ground pepper
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat oil on medium.  Add onion and 1/4 tsp salt and cook until softened and lightly browned (about 10-12 minutes).  Stir in tomato, mango, vinegar, 1/4 cup water, Sucanat, and Dijon.  Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly before processing in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Pour 1/2 cup mango barbecue sauce into a bowl to brush on chicken while grilling.  Reserve the remaining sauce to serve at the table.
Preheat grill.  Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels.  Arrange in a single layer on tray or large plate.  Squeeze juice from half of a lemon over chicken, then mist slightly with cooking spray.  Sprinkle a little salt and pepper evenly over chicken.  Flip chicken over and repeat.
Grill chicken for about 15 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink, flipping once.  Brush with mango sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.  Let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.  While chicken is resting, reheat remaining sauce and serve on the side.
**We turned our grilled chicken into a wrap and here’s what I added:

2 Tbsp mango chutney & cream cheese spread (I love Trader Joe’s mango ginger chutney and I mix 2 Tbsp + 2Tbsp cream cheese to create a spread)
1 handful of spring mix lettuce
sliced avocado
All of the above got wrapped up in a honey wheat tortilla!

Served on the side:

Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Chickpeas (and green beans)
(inspired by Sarah @ Peas and Thank You)
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1-2 lemons)
1 Tbsp dried rosemary, crushed
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except for the chickpeas.  Mix well.  Add chickpeas, toss and let marinade for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  Spread chickpeas on the baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

And some more yummy goodness:


Cracked Pepper Potato Chips
Ingredients:
2 large russet potatoes, sliced into rounds
1 Tbsp +1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp ground pepper
sea salt to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Prepare baking sheet (you may need two depending on the size) with parchment paper (you can skip this step, but it helps with the mess!).
Toss the potatoes in a large bowl with the oil and pepper until well coated.  Arrange the potato slices on the prepared baking sheet (s) in one layer.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until chips are crisped and lightly browned.  Remove from oven, lightly season with salt, and cool.

Now that tummies were full and satisfied, I let the hubs take over in the kitchen!  He’s really good at washing dishes!  And I’m really good at putting my feet up and eating Bon, Bons (I wish!)

Nourishing Thought for Today:
Lately I’ve been overwhelmed by the day’s tasks and it’s got me thinking, “ Am I trying to be a “supermom/wife” or an “abiding mom/wife?”  Prayerfully I’m heading in the direction of being an Abiding Mom! (I’ll be adding to this list over the next week!)

Super Mom                                        
1. Does                                                                     
2. Tries to impress others                                   
3. Is controlled by an agenda                             
(maybe it’s curriculum or a schedule)                                
4. Her self worth is found in her accomplishments                                                    
(clean house, perfect kids, perfect meals, etc..)

Abiding Mom
1.  Is (see Psalm 46:10)
2. Pleases the Lord (see Ephesians 5:10; Proverbs 29:25)
3.  Is controlled by the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-26)
(uses the schedules as tools for orderliness so she’s more free to follow the spirit)
4. Her self worth if found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ
   (see Ephesians 2:10)


Life can be daunting being a home schooling mom and a pastor’s wife, but when I take on my day with the Lord those daunting tasks become the joy of my day! 

Blessings,
J’lene