This sight made me laugh one night before I went to bed. LC fell asleep reading, with her book propped on Meres' head, and her finger marking the spot. |
Have I mentioned recently that I love mornings? I do. I SO do.
I love the peace and quiet. Everything is hushed. Early risers are generally quiet people. Unlike the late night crowd. Early risers sneak about enjoying their cup of coffee and donut, their book or their phone. They tiptoe and speak in hushed tones. Exuberant laughs and boisterous conversations are very few and far between.
I think early morning people may be more introverted. But, I could be wrong. I should do a study on it. In my spare time. Everyone meanders about, slightly dazed, but definitely minding their own business. Not necessarily even cheerfully minding their own business. Hushed.
I love the potential of a new day. The clean scrubbed-ness of the morning. A fresh start. Possibilities. Crisp.
I love the sounds of a new day. The breeze and the birds chirping. The wind chimes and the dryer rumbles.
I love the time to think and plan and dream. What do I see for today? For this week? For the year? For my life?
Today I am scheming about She Plans Dinner. I want to continually make it more user friendly. I am thinking of the possibilities of a new plan, "fit and healthy." High in protein and fresh. Low in starchy carbs. I am thinking abut the current plans. Would less be more? Instead of offering 15 recipes each time, would 12 be more usable?
Thinking, thinking, always thinking....
Did I tell you that I ran (not literally) into another local blogger at my last 5k? Rachel, from The Random Writings of Rachel. That was fun, and rather random. And, it took a ton of guts for me to actually approach her and say hi. Not my thing, trust me. Mr. Hippie, yes. He would walk up to someone and introduce himself. Not me, so much. But, I think we all have a desire to be recognized. To know that someone is reading our words and that they are impacting people's lives. I know how thrilled I am IRL or at the blogging conferences when someone says, "I read your blog."
I know today is Thursday, and not Friday, but tomorrow is a holiday, and I am not sure how many-if any-of you, will be reading blogs tomorrow. If you choose to read BHG, there just might be a special holiday edition. Or not. Look for it in your feeds or email. If it doesn't appear, well, it didn't get written.
To get back on track here...I am sharing a recipe today instead of tomorrow. Because we all need to eat 7 days a week-holiday or not.
This recipe is very healthy and very tasty. It practically oozes fresh and healthy. Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps. Using lettuce as the base makes this both healthy and gluten free. Which is a key thing in our day and age.
The flavors of peanut butter and lime and soy are very satay-esque. I know, because we ate satay on the river walk in Borneo. And it tasted like this. Except that satay was wrapped in banana leaves, not romaine lettuce.
You can either build all of these yourself, or let each person build their own. (guess what I did?!) I think this pairs nicely with fresh fruit-melon, berries. Whatever is in season by you.
Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp curry powder
3/4 tsp salt
2-3 limes
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbsp very hot water
12-16 romaine lettuce leaves
1 bunch cilantro
1 small cucumber, sliced
-Grease a 10” skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot.
-Rub chicken breasts with curry powder and salt. Add chicken to skillet; cook, turning once, until it looses its pink color throughout, 10-12 minutes.
-Meanwhile, from 1 lime grate 1/2 tsp of peel and squeeze 1 Tbsp of juice. Cut remaining lime into wedges.
-In a small serving bowl, whisk the peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, lime peel and juice and water until blended and smooth.
-Wash and drain cilantro.
-Slice cucumber
-Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Cut into slices. Into each lettuce leaf, place 4-5 slices of chicken, some cilantro sprigs, and some cucumber slices. Top each with sauce and fold over edges of lettuce to close.
-Serve with lime wedges.