My Weekly W's and a Crock Pot chicken taco recipe

What's top of my mind:  The moon phases. I have three steno notebooks that were my maternal Grandmothers.  90% are filled with recipes but there is the odd list or notes that she wrote.  I found two pages that talk about the moon.  "The moons gravitational pull causes predictable rises and falls in sea levels.  Our bodies, being primarily water, also benefit from the phases of the moon.  To feel more inspired and productive we need to align our energies with the phases of the moon" She taught me to garden by the moon phases and I always do.  But I don't remember much about the effects on us when the moon is waxing, waning and full.  I will say that I've been extremely productive this week and that is the stage the moon is now, so I've decided to keep notes in my journal to see if there really is a connection.

Where I've been:  Stopped at Kroger one afternoon for fresh veggies and a couple other items.  I dropped off a few recently released books that I have finished to the library.  And we had a game night with friends.  Everyone brought delicious appetizer types of food, and we had a great time.

Where I'm going:  We have a benefit to attend on Friday here in town.  Sunday is our 35th wedding anniversary and we are planning a short road trip to Evansville on Saturday if the weather cooperates.  

What I'm watching:  Spring has really sprung over the last two weeks.  The forsythia is now starting to green a bit but still has a lot of yellow.  Our tulip tree is in full bloom.  When we bought this house, it was maybe 4 feet tall.  It has grown a LOT since then. It is one of my favorites.

What I'm reading:  Sadly, I haven't read much the last two weeks.  Summer is coming though so my to be read stack is waiting for days on the patio in the sun.

What I'm eating: 

Maine red fish, blackened, with a baked potato and cucumber salad (recipe from Judee)

LO pasta sauce and meatballs with bucatini pasta and a salad

Lamb burgers and 'fries'

BIG salad with a cheese rollup

Steak, blackened shrimp with mashed potatoes and asparagus

Crock pot chicken tacos over rice

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 can of diced fire roasted tomatoes

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeno or poblano (or both) diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

Taco seasonings and mexican oregano (or regular)

Put the chicken breasts in the crock pot and season

Add the rest of the ingredients

Do not stir

Cook for 4 to 5 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low

When it is finished use to forks to shred the chicken and then stir together

This was delicious over rice with a cheese and cilantro rollup

It made a lot more than you would think with just two chicken breasts so I used the rest and made 15 individual rollups with cheese for lunches or dinner.  This would also be delicious in taco shells, or even nachos.  

Who needs a good slap:  Me.  We turned all of our tax paperwork into the accountant two weeks ago.  Yesterday I was cleaning up a small pile of papers on my desk and found the yearly print out for our cell phone that should have been included since half of the bill is for TBG's phone that he uses for his business.  The taxes haven't been filed so TBG will take them to him tomorrow.  I'll just give myself one slap.

What is making me smile:  Bijoux from Bytes from the 'Burbs posted last week on things from her kitchen including her refrigerator.  So I decided to take a picture of mine too to show her.

I didn't expect Binx to photobomb it and then to turn and look at me with a face that said 'what are you doing?'  

I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!!  With all of the crazy weather going around, stay safe.

A new salad idea

Anyone that's read my blog before knows we eat a LOT of salads, whether it's for lunch, a BIG salad for dinner or a side salad with our dinner, so I am always excited to find a new one to try.

This one from Judee did not disappoint at all.  https://www.realfoodblogger.com/2025/03/15-minute-marinated-cucumber-salad.html  I followed the recipe exactly except I used honey instead of Stevia and we both really enjoyed it.  This will be a new addition to our salad rotations.  Thanks for posting your recipe Judee!!

Enjoy your Tuesday!!

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: How quickly things change in nature.  Thursday afternoon we walked out to the back of our yard to check on the gardens.  While we were out there, I noticed that the Forsythia had maybe a dozen yellow leaves already.  Just 24 hours later and that huge bush was in full bloom.  How does that happen so quicky?  The tulip tree has a lot of buds as well, so I expect to see them blooming in a day or too.  Nature is amazing.

Where I've been: I went to Macy's in search of a new pair of shoes and found a pair that I love and are comfortable which isn't always easy to find.  Filling up the Jeep and picking up a few things from Kroger were the extent of my outings this week other than work.

Where I'm going: Other than work I have no idea where we may end up. Luckily, I have no appointments or commitments which usually makes for a great week.

What I'm watching: We watched I Thought My Husbands Wife was Dead on Lifetime.  It was a comedy/drama that we really enjoyed.  It had twists and turns that neither of us saw coming.  

What I'm reading: I just started Care and Feeding, A memoir by Laurie Woolever. She spent four years working for Mario Batal and nine years with Anthony Bourdain which should be interesting.

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What I'm eating:

Thai inspired chicken, veg, rice bowl

Beef tips, portabella mushroom over egg noodles

Fried chicken sandwich with ranch, lettuce and red onions, 'fries'

LO Beef chili with garlic, gouda biscuits

BIG salad x2

Coho salmon, rice, asparagus

Who needs a good slap:  Our local'ish' news channel.  They have let go of all of their local meteorologists and are now using recorded reporting from The Weather Channel in Atlanta which leaves our area in a dangerous spot.  I know back in 2004 when hurricane Charlie was approaching, they had all said for days that it was going to Tampa. Two hours before landfall our local weather man was reporting that our local weather doppler was beginning to pick up the bands and it was turning towards us which gave us a little time to me prepared for a direct hit instead of one going well north of us.

 

What is making me smile: TBG makes me smile and laugh every single day.  For that I am thankful.

I hope everyone is well and safe from the crazy weather lately.  Enjoy your Sunday!!

My Weekly W's

 

What's top of my mind:  I started practicing Gumdo again and I am enjoying it so much.  Gumdo is a sword based Korean martial art.  I used to practice three or four times a week but let life get in the way.  My sword has been sitting in a corner of our bedroom looking sad and I realized I need to get back into it.  Not only is it a wonderful total upper body workout but when you are practicing, it is almost like meditation which makes it a double benefit.  I've only just started back this week so I'm rusty, but I am definitely going to keep at it.  I asked TBG if he thought I could be ready for a tournament when I turn 60 and he said of course and seemed pretty excited about it. Not sure I want to but it is something to really think about.

Where I've been:  We made it to the Herb and Garden show Friday and had a good time.  The lecture from Mike at Mari-Manns was really informative.  I picked up a few of their spice mixes (they are still 1.29 like they've been for probably 35 years) that I love and of course some cheese from the Mennonite booth.  They make amazing cheese.

Where I'm going:  I'm off tomorrow and I really need to get the Jeep washed.  I just washed it Wednesday, but we had 'dirty rain' on Friday, and it is a horrible mess.  I've actually never seen it this bad before.  Here is the local news.  Apparently, it happened in a lot of states. 'Dirty rain' fell across St. Louis, here's why  

What I'm watching:  With Love Meghan on Netflix.  I'm not really a fan of hers but I did enjoy the 3 or 4 episodes I watched.  Her one pot pasta did look really good.  I also watched the latest series of Southern Charm.

What I'm reading:  A lot of articles on alternative medicine and a few of my herb books to start planning my new herb garden. I think this hard winter killed my rosemary bush but luckily, I rooted some and have had it growing since November to replace it.

What I'm listening to:  Spring is obviously on its way because the birds and the frogs that I hear every morning are back.  Walking into work is like a nature symphony every morning.

What I'm eating: 

BIG salad

Taco bowl over rice with a cheese roll up

LO soul southing chicken soup and garlic biscuits

Chicken and Fettuccini Alfredo with a salad

Pizza (beef, mushrooms, green peppers, onion) and salad

Northwest Petrole Sole with a baked potato and asparagus This was my first time making or eating this type of fish and it was delicious.  I'll post how I cooked it one day this week.

I have beef stew cooking in the crockpot for dinner tonight.

Who needs a good slap: Our health care system.  It really frustrates me that Internal Medicine physicians are taught little to nothing about nutrition and zero about alternative medicine.  I can't help but think since the US government became so involved with the health care system and big pharma that there isn't a connection. 

What is making me smile:  Planning a few road trips for the Summer.  I don't like to travel anymore like I used to but I'm still a big fan of weekend road trips.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead! 

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: I really love the new side by side refrigerator that we bought in November.  It has so much more space.  I spent the morning doing an inventory and straightening it up a bit.  I want to focus on using up last summer's veggies and fruit to make room.  I still have quite a few bags of local blueberries, so I pulled out a bag and put a few in a separate jar to use with yogurt for couple of days and then made a batch of Jordan Marsh muffins.  So good. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Search results for jordan marsh blueberry muffins

Where I've been: Breakfast with TBG yesterday and a few errands was pretty much it for the week.

Where I'm going: Next week is the yearly Herb and Garden show that I always look forward to.  We're planning on going Friday afternoon to hear a speaker from Mari-Mann which was started by a friend of my grandmothers.  Mari-Mann always brings back great memories for me. No appointments or commitments for the week, which you know I always love.

What I'm watching: American Murder-Gabbie Petito which is such a sad story.  My heart goes out to her parents everytime I hear what they went through.  The Search for Instagrams Worst Con Artist.  This was a documentary on the young woman from the movie I watched a few weeks ago Apple Cider Vinegar.  I actually felt sad for her also because she obviously has some serious issues.

What I'm reading: Nothing to speak of.

What I'm eating:

Shephard's pie and salad

Roasted chicken legs, baked potato and salad

Spaghetti and meatballs and salad

Chicken sausage, veggie rice bowl with a cheese rollup.  

Meatball subs with oven fries

Beef chili with garlic cheddar biscuit.  These are the easiest, delicious biscuits. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Savory Drop Biscuits

Tonight, we're having gulf shrimp with sides TBD.

Who needs a good slap: No one comes to mind, actually.

What's making me smile: My Ninja 14 in 1 made me smile yesterday.  I found a bag of gorgeous poblano peppers and needed to roast them to get the skins off.  After a week of temperatures in the 60's and 70's I didn't know that I was going to wake up to a weekend of highs in the low 30's.  I wasn't in the mood to grill the poblano's in the cold so I decided to try the Air Roasting setting to see if that would work and it worked wonderfully.  After 25 minutes of cook time with 15 minutes in a sealed bowl the skins came right off.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!!