Here's What I Won't Miss:

winter.


Here's what I will miss:

this hat.

3 Days of Rotisserie Chicken

If that title doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will.  But since you haven't clicked away, I'll share with you some of my criteria for making tasty meals in our house:


1) lean protein
2) some sort of fiber component - usually beans, because they are
3) cheap

One of my favorite ways to do this is to start with a rotisserie chicken from Costco for $4.99 ($4.99?!  You can hardly buy a chicken sammich at McDonald's for that much).  Here is what you do:

DAY 1)  Eat the chicken.  It is delicious. (Maybe pair it with some frozen green beans and rosemary bread, also from Costco and sold in 2-loaf packages.  Freeze one for later.  You'll be glad you did.)

"Eat the wha?"

  DAY 2)  Hopefully you didn't eat ALL the chicken.  You can probably scavenge about 2 cups or so of the dark bits and little underside pieces that usually get thrown away.  Do not throw them away.  Make this:

 Chicken Tortilla Soup 
(ready in 15 minutes, I promise)

                       

4 cups chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 can Mexican-style diced tomatoes (Rotel works)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1 small jalapeno, seeded and diced, which you could leave  
      out if you are from Minnesota and only like bland foods
      (just kidding, Minnesotans!  We love your bland foods)
2 cups or so of the scavenged chicken bits
1 can black beans
1/2 c whatever kind of shredded cheese you have in the  
      fridge 
*optional but highly encouraged:
cilantro, avocado, and crushed tortillas 

Bring broth, tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, and spices to a boil in an appropriately sized saucepan.  Reduce heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes.  Add chicken and beans.  Simmer 5 more minutes.  Stir in cheese.  Taste it and add a little salt.  Top with cilantro, avocado, and tortillas.

Husband's* ringing endorsement:  "I could eat this every day." BAM.  
*He was known to eat dirt as a child, so do with that comment what you will.

DAY 3:  CROCK POT TIME.  Do not be intimidated.  This is also easy.  Since you have a sad-looking chicken carcass taking up room in your fridge, put it to work.

Chicken Stock



1 sad-looking chicken carcass
10 cups water (or whatever your crock pot will hold)
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
1 onion, unpeeled and cut in half
1 celery stalk, cut in half
1 carrot, cut in half
4 cloves garlic, unpeeled (just throw them in! easy peasy)

Put everything in the crock pot on low for about 8 hours or so (great to do overnight).  Then when it has cooled a bit, strain it, pour 2-cup servings in freezer bags and lie flat on a freezer shelf.  DONE. 

But enough chicken talk.  Today is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING.  Let's celebrate by glaring at the 6-foot pile of snow on either side of the driveway listening to this happy tune by my middlemost brother.

 "Nothing says 'welcome home' like the spring.  spring.  spring."

We're back!

We're back!  Went on a cross-country tour to introduce Babygirl to her aunts/uncles/cousins (although she still has one more special uncle to meet!  She'll have to watch him here in the meantime).  

It is such a blessing to have so many people who love her already.  As you can see, she had a blast. 

Being her mom is pretty great.

And speaking of the baby weight, we may have eaten a little too much delicious regional cuisine on our trip, so I'm punishing myself with this.  Oof, Jillian.  It's been awhile.  

Guess how much it cost for dog care while we were away?  $20 per night.

Guess how much it cost for chicken care while we were away?  Nothing.  Just filled their water and food trough, crossed our fingers, and came home to some lovely egg presents upon return.  We missed you too, chickadees.  

#reason93whychickensareawesome (#sorryforthehashtag #youknowIdonttweet)