Deep in Thought on a Tijuana Tuesday

Do you ever talk to yourself? I do. I wander around the house, usually cleaning or working on a project, and I think out loud. That’s the only way to explain it – thinking out loud. I mean it’s not like having a conversation with myself. That would be crazy.

I do worry about crazy. I think that’s true for most people – but especially those who have witnessed mental illness first hand. We need to do something in this country to provide better care for those who are ill, and who have no one to care for them. That’s not to say they have no family. Depending upon the extent of their illness, sometimes family is not enough. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. Each year, as her special day drawn near, I think about her. I miss her. We were never what you could call close, and that had a lot to do with my stubborn nature, my need to buck authority and make my own foolish mistakes. I know that’s a hard statement to believe from someone who today is so devout in her faith. I accept the teachings of the Catholic Church, which in and of itself is filled with male dominating authoritative attitude. Like I said, I needed to learn from my own mistakes. Bucking the system can be a good thing, but not necessarily the right thing or the smart thing. I wish I could sit with my mother today and talk. Knowing us, it would be more an argument than a discussion. She once asked me if I had any regrets about the choices I’ve made in life. I said no. I regret the pain those decisions made for others, but not the choice itself. For each held a lesson, and those lessons helped to shape the person I am today. If I had turned left instead of right, I would have taken a different path and not be the person I am today. It has been a long journey, one that is far from over. But I’m finally reaching a place that holds peace. Peace in the Lord.

These are the conversations I have with myself. Thoughts, memories, reflections that always lead to the same place – faith. Faith in Him. How I wish I could wave some magical wand, heal the whole of the world, rid this life of pain, sorrow and suffering. I can’t. There will always be sadness – it’s a part of living. God does not spare us of pain or loss. But He does provide us with an opportunity to offer it up to Him. By doing so, our burdens are lighter. Never gone, but easier to manage because we are not alone. Loneliness is the deadliest pain of all. It opens the door to a whole host of addictive fillers that can rob a person’s soul. But with God, we are never alone. I just wish everyone knew how much He loves each and every one of us.

The more I work on this little blog, the more I think about maybe someday writing a book. One that weaves faith, family and food together. Any thoughts?

Before beginning today’s share, consider yourself warned – these chicken breasts bring on the heat. No so hot that you think you’ll loose your mind. But just enough to say, yeah – that’s the ticket. Bring it on!

Slow-Cooker Green Chili Chicken Breasts
3 boneless Chicken Breasts
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
2 tablespoons Lime Juice
1 Serrano Pepper
1 (4 oz) can Chopped Green Chilies
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
1 tablespoon Cold Water
8 oz Cream Cheese, cubed
6 warm Flour Tortillas for serving

Spray the bowl of the Instant Pot or slow cooker with cooking spray. Season both sided of chicken breast with taco seasoning. Measure chicken stock in a glass measuring cup. Whisk in lime juice. Stem and dice Serrano Pepper, mix with the canned green chilies.

Arrange breasts in the bowl of the slow cooker. Carefully pour chicken stock around the chicken breasts so as to not disturb the taco seasoning. Top chicken breasts with the spicy chili pepper mixture.

Lock lid in place (or cover) set to Slow Cook, High heat for 2-1/2 hours. When the time as expired, heat oven to 300 degrees. Carefully remove chicken breasts with chilies on top to a platter. Cut breasts in half, cover with foil and hold in the oven.

In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water. Dice cream cheese. Stir cornstarch slurry into the cooking liquid in the insert bowl of the Instant Pot. (If using a ceramic slow-cooker, pour cooking liquid into a saucepan). Whisk in the cream cheese. Place over low heat, whisking until the cheese melts into the cooking liquid and the sauce has thickened.

Remove serving platter from the warm oven. Spoon sauce around the chicken. Serve with warm tortillas. The chicken shreds easily for spicy chicken wraps or use the tortilla to mop up the sauce. Serve with rice and your favorite Margarita.

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The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty