Strawberry Banana Oatmeal drizzled with Honey

Mmm Mmm Good!

I ♥ when fresh berries are in season! I try to incorporate them into meal time as often as possible. 

Most folks do this at breakfast but we're not breakfast people around here.

Correction, I'M not a breakfast person.

Correction again, I'm not a breakfast 'morning' person. 

Haha, at least I own it, right?  :)

Since I'm not a morning breakfast person (coffee, YES please!) 

I enjoy making sweet but healthy breakfast dishes that 'fill us up' without 'filling us up' for dinner.

(Catch what I did there? ;) )

I think oatmeal works exceptionally well, all n all, as it is a perfectly delicious base 

helping to display your summertime sweet rewards front and center.

It's hearty, healthy and it is a snap to prepare in 10 minuets (or less)!

I used four ingredients:

• Oatmeal (I used Quaker Quick Oats)
• 1 thin sliced banana
• 4-5 strawberries, sliced
• Honey

Add sliced berries to the center of the oatmeal mound, layering banana slices around outer edge. 

Next, drizzle honey over all for a light sweet addition to the oats. 

Definitely a meal deal on evenings when its still topping at a whopping 108 outside!

Whew, help me I'm melting! :)

Breakfast can be made as decadent or as savory as you desire. 

Simply depends on how much time you want to spend in the kitchen. ⏰

Me, on nights like tonight - Um, no, not so much... 

Even with air conditioning, once the heat zaps you - you're just simply zapped. 

So this chic is gonna re-hydrate, replenish and relax with hubs! ♥

 

Dinner has been served! 

  

We also included a couple slices of buttered toast along side our bowl of goodness. 

Add pecans, cranberries, blueberries, bacon :) ~ whatever your hunger craves.  

What is your favorite breakfast meal to make for dinner?

Til Next Time ~
Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information 

at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

No Regrets; creating a better Hindsight!

NOVEMBER 6, 2017DOMESTICATED REBELLION EDIT

I was thirteen years old when he had a heart attack. He was lying in the small circular patch of grass that divided the two roads in our neighborhood. No one knew what to do, except me. Everyone just stood around. Or maybe there wasn’t anyone. Maybe it was just me standing there. And now I had a choice. A choice that would change the course of my life in a direction I never anticipated. I could let him die or I could start CPR.

While waiting on the paramedics, I started performing CPR on my father.  I’m sure it was only for a few minutes, but it felt like forever until someone more experienced arrived on the scene and took over. He was breathing they confirmed. His heart was beating irregularly but nonetheless, beating. The man in uniform looped a tube around his head placing a mask over my fathers mouth and nose, rolled him onto a stretcher and transported him to the local VA.

There, people were telling me I probably saved his life. He would be so proud of me. I should be proud of myself. But that isn’t how I felt. I wasn’t proud. I was angry. A deep rooted resentment that surfaced after making the choice to save him.

I have written about time. How fleeting it is. How our tomorrows become yesterday before we even realize it & what we do today will affect us in one way or another tomorrow. Which tomorrow you might wonder? I can’t say, nor can anyone predict.

My tomorrow came years and years later.

I was sitting in the lawyers office with my mother. His secretary showed us into a large conference room and asked if we wanted anything to drink. He would be with us shortly she stated. The room was quiet. My mother sat on one side and my eldest son on the other. A few minutes later a folder of documents was placed before me. The first document was a durable power of attorney naming my mother to make decisions on his behalf. That was normal. Then I read the next paragraph…. in the event she was not able or unwilling… I turned the page and read my name.  Oh Hell No! Me? ME.

My heart started racing. Why me? What the hell was he thinking? I could name a dozen reasons why I, of all people, should not be the one to care for him. I should not make choices on his behalf. My youthful anger that had long ago subsided to a low simmer was now raging at full boil. I had dealt with ‘our’ life. Or so I thought.

The next 6 months proved to be heart wrenching. I witnessed the dominant influence in my life succumb to dementia. I witnessed his struggle in trying to understand what was happening to him. I watched the confusion in his eyes flicker between thankfulness to concern, sometimes convinced I was lying to him about events.

He was never mean to me nor was he ever violent. Because of those two realizations, I found myself fighting FOR him. Struggling to grasp my responsibilities versus my own emotions. Selfish emotions. But emotions I was entitled to feel and no one blamed me. I watched as he returned to a child-like state of mind. But before he regressed, he became my dad.

The day after Mothers day 2012 he had another heart attack. As I look back, I have zero regrets in my acceptance of responsibilities to be his voice. I did not use the powers granted to get back at him. Instead, I used it to love him. To love him again as I once did – innocently.

Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense. Sometimes things happen that we are not in control over and how we respond today determines our fate tomorrow. If you do not already, I encourage you to review your angle on life. Your next steps. Do you consider your tomorrows? Do you ponder what the future holds? I can honestly say I did and because I did, I look at yesterday and can genuinely smile.

I hope each of you gain what I consider now as my ‘gift’. To be able to look ahead just enough to ensure when you look back, you too can genuinely smile.

Til next time~

Domesticated Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information 

at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

• DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

Chicken and Dumplings

Baby it's cold outside!

When the temps start dropping outside, that's my cue for stick to your ribs grub for my guys! They work out in the elements and need the comfort of home warming them from the inside out!

While searching Pinterest (I love Pinterest) for dinner ideas I usually have the Food Network on in the back ground. On this particular day #KatieLee and #TheKitchen caught my eye (and my belly)!

NOTE: You may have seen these pics already if you follow me anywhere but here. Sorry for the duplication but this really is worth it! LOL.

Chicken and Dumplings

Something I had tried and tried (and failed and failed). No lie.

I had tried for FOREVER to make dumplings. Only once have I ever made fluffy dumplings & for the life of me - could never repeat. (Until now) They always ended up as a tasteless gobble of goo.
Can you say Yuk!

Anyone else been there?

And then there it was! Katie Lee and all her glory showing me what I needed to do!

Oh Happy Dance!

Excitement building at seeing her fluffy, light and beautiful Dumplings! Immediately I knew what was for dinner!

Of course, I switched things up (as I always do) and I couldn't be happier with the end result!

First, I made my own stock with onion, carrot, celery, thyme, garlic and a whole chicken. (Memories of my first effort to cut up a chicken make me chuckle... I butchered that baby beyond recognition, haha!)



Creating your own stock is easy. It tastes so much better than canned, although canned stock is totally acceptable! The delicious aroma will waif through your home having  your family anxiously awaiting to be called for dinner time!



Now, mine has an orange appearance because I used the vegetable medley from my stock as a substitute for the flour thickener.

Remember the carrots?

Ya, don't let the color fool you!


Whatcha think?

Glorious Happy Ending! (of the food kind, of course..LOL)

Also, I skipped the mixed vegetables and went with my 'now' family tradition of using the medley for flavor, but you can still see some chunky carrots.

Tweak this to your own taste buds!



These are Beyond scrumptious! (and totally rib sticking & undo your top button worthy!)

Try it! I can promise you will love it!

Til Next Time ~
Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

 

• DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice

Chicken and Rice..

I know, I know, your probably thinking Oh Joy it's ANOTHER Chicken recipe,

Yaaaay.

Well fellow cooks, don't be fooled by its name - this one is a game changer!

Tender juicy chicken, FRESH lemony tang but not too tart. (The hubs likes all things lemon; me, meh, not so much.. But since it is him that I aim to please in this culinary fetish I have discovered I
gave it a whirl.)

ShaZam! Taste bud heaven!

Now before we go much further, let me preface by saying I NEVER follow a recipe 100%. I ALWAYS put my spin on it to fit our tastes and more so, to fit what is on hand. She provided the bare bones, I provided what was in the pantry... My kind of teamwork!

BTW, Here is where you can find the original version:  On Pot Greek Chicken & Lemon Rice

Follow Nagi - She Is Amazing! I found her recipe on a Pinterest board. I have bookmarked her site & troll for inspiration way more often than I realized.... I was scrolling through her index and was thinking, Hey, I made that too. (and that, and that, and that... Ya, I got it bad!)

Note: Her snap is so much prettier than mine & I'm okay with that! Remember, she provided the bare bones then I used what was on hand. (How many of you put your own spin on recipes?)

Her rice is gorgeous and golden. Her chicken has an incredible beautiful crust. And for y'all folks who like the nutritional break down, she provides it all! Inclusive of notes with options like no other! Very helpful! Seriously. You should seek her out! (I am not being paid for this recommendation either!)

Marinade consists of lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt. I allowed my chicken to marinade for about two hours. *Be sure to save your marinade! (I totally kinda ditzed on the pictures as we were H.U.N.G.R.Y. I grabbed my camera as an after thought.. My Bad!)

I used boneless thighs. Would definitely prefer skin on and with the bone, but that was yesterday's dinner! This totally smelled my house up with scrumptious anticipation!

I didn't drain the fat (Honestly, there was not very much to drain IMO) nor did I toss out the brown bits after searing the chicken. And, once I sauted my onions in the drippings, since there wasn't really enough fat in my opinion to worry about, in went the rice with the chicken broth and water.

Thus, darker rice..

But in my defense, I simply could not toss out that beautiful flavor left behind after searing the thighs! (And I read in her comments where another follower concurred!)

And lastly, I used instant rice. I only had to adjust my cooking time in the oven as to ensure the bottom of the cast iron skillet didn't burn. But I assure you, the flavors melded perfectly!

Ta Dah.. Simple. Easy. One Pan. Less than hour. Taste bud heaven!

Hope you enjoy! If you switch it up, let me know! I'm always seeking inspiration!

Til Next Time ~
Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

 

• DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

She was Human

Mom

Woman. Mother. Wife. Sister. Daughter. Grandmother. And if you're one of the lucky ones; BFF.



All descriptive words relating to the female that typically dominates our lives. Influences us by example. Teaches us. Her role differs from family to family depending on a variety of circumstances.

Historically, mom's are remembered as the one who changed our diapers, kissed our boo boos, coddled us closely in their lap, gently rocked us to sleep. She would place a cool rag on our forehead when we didn't feel good. Awake us from a bad dream with the warmth of her assuring touch. She lifts us up when the world has rejected us. She teaches us about faith. She is usually the one who encouraged us to follow our dreams. Find our passions.



She will do without to ensure her child has what is needed & more often than not, what is wanted.

She will work tirelessly to make ends meet.

She will cry alone in the dark.



She will clothe you, feed you and comfort you until she can no longer.

She is also the voice of reason. Discipline. Correction. She re-enforces values, teaches responsibility, keeps traditions of the past while creating her own for the future. She turns a structure of brick & mortar (or tin in my case) into a warm comforting secure place we fondly label as home.

She is the lighthouse beacon that shines thru our darkest days leading us back to safety when we stray.

A mothers love is unconditional and knows no limits although they themselves are indeed limited.
She was determined. Fierce. Independent. She was strong. She had an enormous amount of compassion. And she never met a stranger.

She was a nurturer. She was a giver. She was a survivor.

She was private. She was a screamer. She was disabled. She was self-educated on most fronts. She was opinionated. She was lonely. She was a force to be reckoned with under the right circumstances. She was a fighter.

My mom had been put up for adoption at birth. She lived a traumatic life with her adoptive mother who was abusive and an alcoholic. She had been physically abused by her adoptive mothers' frequent suitors.  She was subjected to the worst of the worst and had no one to turn to for help. She was alone on the streets as a young teenager. She only had a ninth grade education and provided for herself by waitressing until she met and married my dad.

If you're a follower of my writings, then you know my mom has passed. We had a relationship full of turmoil. History between us was filled with anger and resentment. We both longed to be closer; we wanted what we witness in other mother-daughter relationships but it just never happened for us. We were different. Our relationship was strained to put it mildly.

However, no matter where I was, no matter how ugly our encounters could become, she never walked away. She never gave up and she always welcomed me with open arms. (And on occasion, she chased me with those open arms too!)

During our final walk, I chose to hold her hand instead of pull away. I chose to embrace her instead of turning my back.



I chose to walk this walk with her because of all things my mother was or was not -

She was human!

She was perfectly imperfect. And in that I am grateful because I too am perfectly imperfect.

Just as with my dad, I look back on my walk with her & can smile. Prior to her passing, just about two months before, I experienced MY perfect day. A day without resentment. A day without anger. Without jabs. A day of forgiveness and healing. And a lifetime of love.

One single day I will forever treasure & fondly recall upon until we see each other again.

So let me ask you... Have you reached out to whom you call mom lately? Do you harbor resentment from the past as I did? I urge you to reconcile those differences. If your mom is like mine was, no matter what has transpired -- she's waiting for you.

She will continue to wait until she can wait no longer & takes her final breath.


Til Next Time ~
Domesticated Rebellion

Late? Naw, just Rebellion!

Am I too late? Did I miss the boat? Was I even invited? Is there a timing aspect applicable?  

Do I really care? 

No. At least not to the timing aspect.  I'm always fashionably late for everything since this guy caught my eye! (❤) 

So....  What is it that has me all keyed up? Blogging! Yes, I said blogging. To blog or not to blog seems to be the relevant question. This online sensation of getting your voice out there all over the world. The ability to share your seemingly inconspicuous life with everyone you know, but more so, everyone you don't know. 

Really!? The Entire World will be my audience? OH LAWD! That within itself has caused writers block; the equivalency of being speechless. 

Hmmm, speechless. New concept to this one because I always have something to say.  👅

Stayed tuned folks as I find my online voice & share how beautiful being rebel-ishly late can be.

Til Next Time
Domesticated Rebellion