Meals on Wheels

I'm always looking for ideas as to how to simplify life.

At the beginning of last year, my lovely friend Tracey (who leads the Mom's group I attend every week) was telling us about her friend out west who has 3 friends on her street and between the four of them they take turns cooking for each other. The idea was that on Monday night one girl would make 4 meals, on Tuesday night another girl would make 4 meals and so on. It meant that you cooked one night and then had meals brought to you for 3 nights each week.

I loved the idea and mentioned it to my friend Alison, who lives around the corner from me.  We immediately thought it was a fantastic idea and decided to give it a try between the two of us. So on Tuesday nights Alison brings my family dinner and on Wednesday nights I bring her family dinner.  We intentionally chose nights that each other would benefit most from receiving dinner.  We also talked about what each of our family likes and doesn't like and we agreed to be completely honest with each other.  In other words, if a meal is a big hit, we tell each other and if it wasn't then we tell each other that too.

We decided to try it for a month and we have never looked back!  It's almost been a year that we've been doing this.  We have both found that this really simple, non-rocket science idea is completely game changing.

 Here's what else I have found - it doesn't take any more work to double what you are making for dinner.  I would never have thought so, but it's so true!  And can I just say that Tuesdays are my favourite day of the week?  It's so relaxing during the day knowing that I don't have to think about making dinner :-)

Here's what my dinner table looked like after we received and ate a delicious meal from Alison!

As a Mom, I want to get better at living life in community.  It's so easy to live in isolation and loneliness.    The truth is that we need each other and we can't do this journey of parenting alone.  It's hard stuff!  Wouldn't it be awesome if we were each other's biggest cheerleaders and advocates?

There are so many great ways that we can support and bless one another and swapping meals is at the top of my list these days.  Now if only we could find 2 more neighbours to participate...

What are some ways that you depend on your female friends?

CJ

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

I'm always in search of new recipes.  Here's a slow cooker soup I made last night and I couldn't resist sharing it.  It's so easy - you just throw everything together in the crock pot.  Perfect for a cold, winter day!  And it tastes fantastic.  We grated a big bowl of cheese, topped our soup with it and it was delish!


Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup   
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 8-9 hours

This Makes Extra!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 10-ounce packages frozen corn
1 white onion , chopped
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
7 cups chicken broth
2 10-ounce cans Rotel tomatoes with chilies, undrained
1 teaspoon coarse salt
4 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
8 6-inch corn tortillas
2 tablespoons canola oil

[1] Combine the chicken breast cubes, corn, onion, garlic, broth, diced tomatoes, salt, cumin and chili powder, ground pepper and bay leaf in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours. Remove and discard bay leaf.

[2] Cut tortillas into 1-inch strips. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tortilla strips and cook, turning once, until brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

[3] Serve topped with tortilla chips.   Or you can just buy tortilla chips if you want to keep it simple :-)

p.s.  this is a recipe from relishrelish.com

the writing fast is over!

Well friends, I'm back!

The writing fast is officially over.  Thanks for your patience with me.  The last 30 days have been crazy.  I've been busy with the madness of Christmas holidays and very sick.  The good news (actually great news) is that it is a new year and I am once again healthy (I'll write more about that in the days to come)...

I love new beginnings and I have been dreaming big for 2011.  I have lots to share....so stay tuned :-)

p.s.  I'm reading the Happiness Project and LOVING it!  Can't wait to share my thoughts and goals....

talk soon,

CJ