Recipe: Cheesy, Chicken, Broccoli and Quinoa Casserole

I love trying new, healthy recipes!  My husband and I have busy schedules with our careers so I tend to make a lot of baked chicken, brown rice and broccoli (super creative)!!  But it tastes good, is healthy and quick!  The past week, I found a little extra time to try a new recipe.  I haven't cooked with Quinoa a lot and wanted to try to cook with it more.  I found a great recipe on www.secondchancetosucceed.com and my husband and I really liked it...I recommend you give it a try!  P.S.-it did take a few more pots than I would typically use so there was quite a bit more cleanup than normal for me...only downside.

Recipe: Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Quinoa Casserole

Ingredients:

1 Cup Uncooked Quinoa 

2-3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cubed

2 Heads of Broccoli, Chopped 

1/4 White Onion, Finely Diced

4 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

1 Cup Cheese + Extra for topping casserole (I use 1/2 Cheddar and 1/2 Parmesan)

1 Tbs Flour (Whole Wheat or Coconut)

1 Cup Milk or Milk Substitute (Almond, Coconut, etc…)

1 1/2 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1 tsp Oregano

2 tsp Dried Parsley

1/4 tsp Cayenne or Cajun Seasoning *(Optional)

Directions (Taken from secondchancetosucceed.com):

First, pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees. Get 1 cup of quinoa cooking per the directions on the package. 

Warm a small amount (about a teaspoon or two) of coconut oil in a large, deep skillet. As the oil warms, dice up the onions and add them to the pan. Cook them on a low-medium heat until they are almost translucent. When the onions are nearly done, add the minced garlic to the pan and stir often until slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic. While cutting up the onions and garlic, go ahead and prep the broccoli. Cut off the stems, give the broccoli florets a rough chop and set aside for later.

While your onions and garlic are cooking, cut your chicken into cubes. Keep the chicken pieces bite-sized so that it cooks quickly and will be evenly distributed throughout the dish. Increase the heat to med-high and add your chicken to the pan. Stir in cumin, onion, garlic, pepper, oregano, parsley, and cayenne. Saute until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and add your chicken mixture to a LARGE mixing bowl.

While the chicken is cooking, steam your broccoli lightly. Since you’ll be adding the broccoli to the casserole, you don’t want it to be soggy. Once the broccoli has reached your desired texture, add it to the mixing bowl along with your cooked quinoa.

Place a small sauce pot on the stove over medium heat. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbs of flour and 1/4 cup milk. Pour the mixture into the sauce pot and add remaining 3/4 cup of milk. Stir constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of grated or shredded cheese. Pour the cheese mixture into your large mixing bowl and stir ingredients together until evenly distributed.

Coat a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and pour in your Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Quinoa mixture. Sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup of cheese over the top and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes (or until cheese is melted and bubbly!) Remove from the oven when done and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. 

**I usually prepare everything ahead of time and set the covered baking dish in the refrigerator until dinner. I bake the dish covered at 375 degress for about 15 minutes and then uncover it for an additional 10-15 minutes**

If you have any recipes using Quinoa, please let me know or tag me on Instagram @beautifulbusybee

xo, Jessica

From Present Suffering to Future Glory

It is amazing how at just the right time God will send someone to encourage your heart.  Through my struggle with infertility, there have been dark days, where I have struggled with feeling depressed, sad, angry and confused.  I am blessed with an incredible husband, parents and three sisters who all carry my hurts and joys, just as if they were walking through my same journey.  A few days ago, my younger sister, Rebecca, sent me the beautiful scripture from Romans 8.  Reading it, I was so encouraged and thankful that "all things work together for good to those who love God" and despite our failure, weaknesses and sins...despite our trials, He has a plan for us and we can be strong knowing that He will complete the work He began in each of us.   Reading scripture and praying always gives me perspective in my situation.  "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (verse 26)."  God knows our hurts, frustrations and inadequacies...He intercedes for us, even when we can't put our needs or feelings into words.  The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and does what we cannot do...I take great hope in this and want to encourage you to have the same confidence in Christ, no matter the struggle you are facing today!  

Romans 8: 18-30

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that,but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

I hope everyone has people like I do, blessing their lives everyday.  It makes such a difference to know you have someone thinking of you, loving you and praying for you!

My sisters and me on my wedding day!

New Year's Eve 2015!

xo, Jessica

Tiffany & Co. Is Always A Good Idea!

I have had the same glasses since High School...over 13 years!!  It is scary how quickly time and the years fly by.  You could tell the glasses had gotten great wear, over the years, by the missing nose pieces and cracks in the lenses.  So, it was certainly time for a new pair!  I took my stylist (my mom!!) and we chose a beautiful pair from Tiffany & Co.  There were several pairs I had to choose between...I wanted them all!  As always, the Tiffany packaging is perfect and just seeing the Tiffany blue color makes every girl happy! :)  I highly recommend if you are in the market for new, fashionable spectacles!  I hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend!

xo, Jessica

Skinny Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Muffins!

I know a lot of people don't love snow, but I LOVE snow!!  It is beautiful, magical, exciting and just makes me happy!  Having a day where you are forced to be stuck inside reading, relaxing and baking is an added bonus.  The DC area got an unexpected amount of snow on Monday, President's Day.  The forecasters predicted 1-3" of snow and we ended up without about 7-8!"  While snowed in, I searched for a new recipe, which I found on Gather For Bread's website (www.gatherforbread.com).  So, I tested out the Blueberry Banana Muffins that are healthy and very tasty.

Here is the recipe:

Skinny Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces Greek yogurt, plain or blueberry
• 3 Tablespoons honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup frozen blueberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl mix together the Greek yogurt and honey until thoroughly combined.  Mix in eggs, vanilla and banana.  Scrape down sides of bowl and mix until combined.  Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until there are no dry patches remaining.  Stir in frozen blueberries.

3. Using an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop, scoop batter in greased or paper lined muffin pan.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Notes:

Keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days.  For extended storage freeze in a ziptop bag or freezer container for up to 2 months.

**Aren't the muffin liners so cute?!**

xo, Jessica

A Lovely Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend!  On Saturday, after work, David and I got to spend time with my littlest sister who was in from College for the weekend.  We went to see the new Nicholas Sparks movie, "The Choice," which was very good (I normally can't watch his movies because they are way too emotional and I am a baby)!  It was a great night and I am so glad I got to spend time with my sister.  

As you know, Valentine's day was Sunday.  My husband and I had the best day together.  We started our day at Church and then enjoyed a lovely brunch in Alexandria, Virginia at one of our favorite restaurants, The Warehouse.  It was freezing outside so we didn't spend too much time outside walking around, like we normally would.  If you are ever in the area, be sure to spend time in Old Town Alexandria...it's a great place!  Later that afternoon, my sweet husband cooked me a delicious dinner (recipe listed below), which he served in a new serving bowl to match our China!!  He then brought out the most adorable, tiny heart cake that was decorated just perfect!  It was a very sweet ending to a great day!  I don't know about you, but with our busy schedules, getting to spend an entire day together is rare so we savored every minute of that time!  

P.S.- We had our meeting with our Doctor on Tuesday to discuss the next steps for beginning the IVF process.  I started the first step in the process, birth control, on Valentine's Day (how romantic!! haha!), which I will continue for a few more weeks.  Eeeek!  I'm nervous and excited! 

Here is the recipe David made me for dinner on Valentine's Day:

Pasta with Burst Tomatoes and Mascarpone (from Southern Living)

Ingredients:
1 (24-oz.) package frozen cheese-filled ravioli
3 pt. assorted grape tomatoes
1 large tomato, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons, olive oil
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup torn assorted fresh herbs (such as parsley and basil)
1 (8-0z.) container mascarpone cheese

Preparation:
1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, preheat broiler with oven rack 4 to 5 inches from heat.  Stir together tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil in a 15-x 10 inch-inch jelly-roll pan.  Broil 5 to 8 minutes or until tomatoes are charred, stirring halfway through.
3. Transfer tomato mixture to a large bowl.  Stir in butter, next 3 ingredients, and 1/4 cup fresh herbs.  Spoon over hot cooked ravioli; dollop with cheese.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup fresh herbs.  Serve immediately.

Try the recipe and tag me in your picture so I can see!!

Hearts of hearts headed to Church!

We pulled out the crystal for our Valentine's Day dinner!

David arranged these himself!  Quite talented ;)

First Course!

Main Course!  So delicious!

Perfect ending to the day!  Cake from my favorite bakery!!

xo, 

Jessica

Hope Deferred Makes The Heart Sick

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

This is a beautiful verse and is one that I feel is very applicable to my current season of life.  My mom shared this verse with me years ago and within the last two years it is a verse that I think of often.  We all have experienced disappointment in our lives and during this current season of my life, it feels like I'm getting extra doses of it!  Let's think about this verse in more depth.  

Hope deferred-When we experience our hopes being delayed, it can cause grief, hurt, anger, bitterness and sadness.   Hope is a very powerful emotion that creates anticipation and eagerness in our hearts, which can cause us to dream and plan.  Hope signifies joy and delight for the future, especially when we come close to our hope being realized.   I don't know if you do this, but when something I desire so strongly is delayed, I start to wonder if God will ever give me what I am wanting...why is He waiting so long?...What is He trying to teach me?...I'm a good person and make good choices.  All of these are normal thoughts and it is OKAY to ask these questions.  God knows our heart and our desires.  

Desire-Hope creates a great desire within us for whatever we are expecting and wanting; a new home, a new job, finding a husband, having a child, etc.   This desire can become so overwhelming and can take over our thoughts and every moment of our day.  We can become consumed by this desire and anticipation grows profoundly.  When this hope is not realized or is dashed, that is when the grief and despair make our hearts sick.  This grief should not be denied and is understandable.

 Tree of Life-With Christ, we are never without hope.  We have to continue living with the hope that the Glory of God will be revealed to us, in His perfect timing and must trust in His plans for our lives.  The tree of life in this verse represents the desire being fulfilled...it is a sweet reward and provides satisfaction.  A fulfilled desire is a good, positive thing. 

During the waiting period, we must remember (or learn) to wait on the Lord and truly trust that He knows best.  While in the waiting, I think you will find that our true fulfillment of our hopes and desires will only be found in God.  I hope you find encouragement by reading this and I also pray that your hope is fulfilled in God's timing

xo, Jessica