Hey hey!
It has been such a whirlwind this past month and I'm blown away that we are fast approaching not just Christmas but also the end of 2021. Like, what?!!
I know it's cliche to say it, but it truly has flown by. And it's always around this time that I become super reflective and think on the past year. I haven't journaled in a while, but over the break and before NYE, I plan to write out some of these thoughts so I can close the chapter and begin the year fresh, and I'd love to share them with you soon!
In case you LOVE doing these kinds of activities too, I've put together a few journal prompts to get you started:
1. What went well this year?
2. What needs more work or effort next year? How will I make it happen?
3. What projects/goals do I want to give time + energy to next year? How will I make it happen?
4. What am I MOST proud of this year?
I also list out the different areas of my life that I want to apply these questions to. AND, one thing I've found super helpful as well when doing this activity is to list out your VALUES. Because our actions and what we actually accomplish is truly a reflection of what we value the most. SO maybe this is the BEST place to start if you decide to do this activity!
Ok guys, if you followed me through that - WOW! This is just how my sleep deprived mommy brain works right now, k lol So way to go if you could decipher all that.
And one thing that has been such a god-send in this sleep-deprived state is counting on tried-and-true easy recipes that the whole family enjoys. Like this one!
It's a classic dish from the Silver Palate, but I've tweaked it here and there (original calls for a LOT of brown sugar sprinkled over!) to make it a bit healthier, but no less delicious.
It seriously is a crowd-pleaser, and one that I'll be making for sure over the holidays as we'll be hosting my in-laws. Which the kids are super excited about - Damian will be meeting Grandma and Grandpa for the first time, yay!
Ok let's get to the yummy stuff. If you make my version of this to die for dish, don't forget to leave a comment below and share your photo by tagging me @itscrystalelizabeth. It makes my heart so happy to see other moms and families enjoying our recipes!
Enjoy!!!
Chicken Marbella
Prep time: 10min
Chill time: 2hr+
Cook time: 35min
Total time: 2hr 45min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sliced green olives
1/4 cup capers, with some juice
1 cup pitted dried prunes
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup dried oregano
1 teaspoon sea salt
Black pepper, to taste
3 bay leaves
1kg boneless skinless chicken breasts/thighs
Instructions:
Place marinade ingredients in a large bowl, mix well with a spoon, then place the chicken breasts inside and spoon the marinade over to cover. Refrigerate for 2+hr or overnight.
When you're ready to cook, preheat oven to bake at 400°Fahrenheit.
Place chicken and marinade in a glass baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until thickest piece of chicken is no longer pink in the centre.
Turn oven on to convect broil 450°Fahrenheit, and cook for another 5 minutes so chicken gets browned and slightly crispy on the outside.
Serve with a side of steamed vegetables and rice/couscous, and spoon on 2-3 tablespoons of the marinade over top. Yummm!!
*NOTES:
PREP AHEAD: For a really flavourful dish, prep this the night before you intend to cook
FAT/WEIGHT LOSS GOALS: serve this with a big plate of steamed veggies, and a small (1/4 cup) portion of rice or omit rice altogether
