Mmm Mondays and the Start of Summer!

And so begins the start of summer and the long lazy days of heat and sun!! Start your endless days off right with this healthy but yummy pizza right off the grill! Who says you can’t grill a pizza?  The crust is a little crisper and everything tastes better on the grill, right?

Ingredients:

•1 medium yellow onion, peeled and sliced
•1 cup zucchini, sliced
•1 red or yellow bell pepper, stem removed, seeded and sliced
•½ cup freshly sliced mushrooms
•½ cup KC Masterpiece® Garlic & Herb Marinade
•1 container (11 ounces) pizza dough
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•½ cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing
•4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
•¼ cup KC Masterpiece® Original Barbecue Sauce
•2½ tablespoons freshly chopped oregano
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a large bowl, toss the onion, zucchini, peppers and mushrooms together with the KC Masterpiece® Garlic & Herb Marinade. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes or until the vegetables have softened and edges are browned. This can be done a day in advance.

Preheat the grill.

On a lightly-floured work surface, roll out dough into a 15-inch circle. Brush with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lay dough onto grill, oil side down. Cover and grill over medium coals, about 3 minutes or until dough is puffed and underside is browned. Using tongs, turn pizza over and quickly spread the top with the dressing. Sprinkle the cheese, vegetables and chicken over the dressing and cover.

Grill another 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and underside of pizza is browned. Use tongs to slide onto cutting board.

And of course, enjoy!!

For more information on this recipe and others, check out the website at

http://www.grilling.com/food/recipe/

Words that could change the world!

Over 2 billion people heard Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 read at the royal wedding a few weeks ago. As I listened, I pondered how different our world would be if those 2 billion people lived by those words. I also considered the millions, maybe billions times that scripture would be repeated as people watched the wedding later in the day and in the months and years to come. 

Regardless of your faith perspective or even if you consider yourself agnostic or atheist; those words have the power to change the lives of individuals, families, countries and the world. While I understand that some might struggle with the first two verses if a person does not believe in God, it seems to me that verses 9-18 are just pure wisdom. What do you think?Take a few moments and read the words. Read it slowly so that you can really hear the words. We could all learn from these words.  Perhaps we could make this a prayer for the world . . . beginning with ourselves.

Below is the passage:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what
God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud,
but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 (New International Version of the Holy Bible)

Links to a paraphrase and other translations:

Romans 12:1-2, 9-18

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Amplified Bible

The Message

New Living Translation

New King James

Words of wisdom . . .

If you had your life to live over again, what might you do differently? Below are a few nuggets of wisdom that are worthy of reading.

• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
• If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
• I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life.
• There would have been more “I love you’s”.. More “I’m sorrys” …
• But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.

These words were written by Erma Bombeck about 30 years ago. Often I hear people say they would not do anything different if they could live their life over again. While I’m very thankful for my life and feel I have been blessed far beyond anything I could have hoped for, there are things I would do differently.

What could you do differently now?

Mmmm Mondays and Strawberries!

With May comes one of my favorite rituals! Picking strawberries! I have fond memories of my daughter eating more than she picked and walking around with a strawberry in each hand. So for todays, Mmmm Monday, I am choosing an easy, but super sweet strawberry recipe! Enjoy!!

Strawberry Shortcake Sliders
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups heavy cream, divided
6 cups stemmed fresh local strawberries, divided
1 cup simple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioner’s sugar

Directions
Sift flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl. With a fork or pastry cutter, cut in butter to fine particles. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups cream (enough so that dough holds together and is soft but not sticky). On a floured surface, knead dough lightly a few times to form a ball. Pat into a 1/2-inch-thick circle. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 15 minutes. Heat oven to 400°F. With a 2-inch round cutter, cut dough into 12 circles. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet; bake 15-20 minutes or until golden.
In a saucepan, simmer 4 cups strawberries with simple syrup until jam-like consistency; cool. Slice remaining strawberries. Whip 3/4 cup cream with vanilla and 1 tablespoon sugar until soft peaks form.
To serve, cut shortcakes in half horizontally. Place 3 shortcake bottoms on each of 4 plates. Top with cooked strawberries, whipped cream and sliced strawberries, dividing ingredients evenly. Place tops on shortcakes; dust with confectioner’s sugar! A perfect sweet treat for those ohh so lovely hand-picked strawberries!

photo from Simply Recipes

The _ _ c_ _ _ r _ !

The Forsyth Woman & Forsyth Family bloggers were challenged to take walks and see if the readers can guess their location. The location of my walk is near almost everyone reading this. If you are good at Wheel of Fortune, you might already know the location by the title of the blog!

The walk was yesterday at 2 pm and I took the picture posted with this blog at the location. My walk was more of a meditative and spiritual walk, which helped me, prepare for an important meeting later yesterday evening. As I cleared my mind, I listened for the voice of the Creator through creation.  The greatest thing I recieved from my walk was a sense of appreciation for life ~ birds, trees, flowers, grass, etc. 

The location is accessible to most people, the location probably does not lend itself to an aerobic workout and the location is mostly private.

Got any ideas about the location of my walk?

 In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
 (John Muir)

Mmm Monday and Spring Fever!

If you’ve got spring fever, and with this gorgeous weather, who doesn’t, then you are going to need a great spring cocktail to go along with it! Here is a great cocktail, or mocktail, to help cure that bad case of “Springitis!” This is best enjoyed with a few of your closest girlfriends!
Ingredients:
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 3/4 oz mango syrup
• 1 1/2 oz apple juice
• 2 oz blood orange juice
Preparation:
1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a collins glass half-filled with crushed ice.

Flavor Explosion Strawberry Salad

Everyone loves the first, fresh strawberries of the season – right? Combine strawberries, salad (super easy recipe below) with Strawberry Flavored Balsamic Vinegar and Persian Lime EVOO from (Green Gate Olive Oils) and you have a dinner that tastes like the most recent Food Network Star has prepared it!

Winston-Salem has a new treasure – Green Gate Olive Oils. The store, or should I say tasting room is located at 205 South Stratford Road.  You will find an explosion of tastes and flavors in their tasting room and discover the most unusual flavor combinations. When you visit the store, you are encouraged to taste their Vinegars and Olive Oils and combine flavors to find the ones that you enjoy most. A few of my favorites included Dark Cherry Balsamic Vinegar, Honey Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar, Tangerine Balsamic Vinegar and Persian Lime EVOO.

Flavor Explosion Strawberry Salad

Fresh strawberries, quartered. (Sweeten them if they are out of season)
Bag of Spring Greens (Add a little fresh spinach if you like)
Lemon Rotisserie Chicken (Purchased at the grocery store)
Small Can of Mandarin Oranges (Drained)
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Lightly Salted Cashews (Toasted Pecans would be great too, but that would take a little effort ? )
Drizzle with Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar & Persian Lime EVOO

Serve this salad with a chunk of fresh whole grain bread (also purchased) and you have an easy, healthy dinner that says . . . Welcome Spring!

Mmm Mondays and Fish Tacos!

Cinco De Mayo is just a few days away and what better ay to celebrate than with a traditional Mexican Meal? Why not try these Fish Tacos?
Fish Tacos
Ingredients
• 1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups panko crumbs
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cups 3 color coleslaw blend
• 1 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
• 8 (7 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
Directions
Place the tilapia chunks in a flat dish and pour 1/2 cup lime juice over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Meanwhile, make the honey-cumin sauce by whisking together 1/3 cup lime juice, honey, vegetable oil, and ground cumin a small bowl. Set aside until needed. To make the chipotle mayonnaise dressing, place the mayonnaise, chilies, adobo sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper together in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.
To bread the fish, place the flour, eggs, and panko crumbs in three separate shallow dishes. Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste. Dip the fish pieces first in the four, coating evenly, and shaking off any excess. Dip next in the eggs, and last in the panko crumbs, patting the pieces to help the breadcrumbs hold. Set the fish aside on a plate.
To cook the breaded fish, pour 1 cup vegetable oil into a skillet to 1/4 inch deep. Heat the oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C) over medium heat. Cook the fish, turning until all sides are golden brown, and flesh is easily flaked with a fork. Drain on paper towels. Brush the fish with the honey-cumin sauce.
Mix the coleslaw and cilantro together in a bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of the chipotle mayonnaise dressing, and pour the remaining dressing over the coleslaw mixture. Toss to coat evenly with the dressing. Place the tortillas on a flat surface, and spread each with 1 tablespoon reserved chipotle mayonnaise dressing. Divide the fish between the tortillas. Top with the cilantro coleslaw.  Enjoy!!