Crunchy Ranch Chicken serves 6
12 Ounce Corn Bread Mix
1/4 Ounce Ranch dressing mix
1 1/3 Cup Milk
10 Each Chicken Breast
Olive Oil as needed for browning
breasts
Instructions
1. Combine cornbread mix and salad dressing mix in a large plastic zipping
bag; set aside.
2. Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Dip chicken into milk.
3. Pace in cornbread mixture and shake to coat.
4. Flash freeze on cookie sheets without letting them overlap until solidly frozen.
5. Transfer to bags. (I like to put on paper plates and slide them into bags or put them in foil pans and cover/slide into large bags in order to keep coating on better.)
6. Label and freeze. (I used to cook these then freeze them; the coating doesn’t seem to stay on as well, but that is more convenient when you need them.)
7. Labels:
Curnchy Ranch Chicken DATE
Thaw them laid out separately. Heat oil and cook until golden
on both sides 6-7 mins per side or until juices run clear. (May also spray with PAM or olive oil and bake until crispy and done.)
--------------------------------------------------------
Crunchy Ranch Chicken -- Double serves 12
24 Ounce Corn Bread Mix
1/2 Ounce Ranch dressing mix
2 2/3 Cup Milk
20 Each Chicken Breast
Olive Oil as needed for browning
breasts
Instructions
1. Combine cornbread mix and salad dressing mix in a large plastic zipping
bag; set aside.
2. Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Dip chicken into milk.
3. Pace in cornbread mixture and shake to coat.
6. Flash freeze on cookie sheets without letting them overlap until solidly frozen.
7. Transfer to bags. (I like to put on paper plates and slide them into bags or put them in foil pans and cover/slide into large bags in order to keep coating on better.)
6. Label and freeze. (I used to cook these then freeze them; the coating doesn’t seem to stay on as well, but that is more convenient when you need them.)
7. Labels:
Curnchy Ranch Chicken DATE
Thaw them laid out separately. Heat oil and cook until golden
on both sides 6-7 mins per side or until juices run clear. (May also spray
with PAM or olive oil and bake until crispy and done.)
----------------------------------------------------
Crunchy Ranch Chicken -- X 4 serves 24
48 Ounce Corn Bread Mix
1 Ounce Ranch dressing mix
5 1/3 Cup Milk
40 Each Chicken Breast
Olive Oil as needed for browning
breasts
Instructions
1. Combine cornbread mix and salad dressing mix in a large plastic zipping
bag; set aside.
2. Pour milk into a shallow bowl. Dip chicken into milk.
3. Pace in cornbread mixture and shake to coat.
8. Flash freeze on cookie sheets without letting them overlap until solidly frozen.
9. Transfer to bags. (I like to put on paper plates and slide them into bags or put them in foil pans and cover/slide into large bags in order to keep coating on better.)
6. Label and freeze. (I used to cook these then freeze them; the coating doesn’t seem to stay on as well, but that is more convenient when you need them.)
7. Labels:
Curnchy Ranch Chicken DATE
Thaw them laid out separately. Heat oil and cook until golden
on both sides 6-7 mins per side or until juices run clear. (May also spray
with PAM or olive oil and bake until crispy and done.)
Recipe Category .. Poultry Entrees
Printed by Advantage Cooking! 30 Day Gourmet Edition
www.advantagecooking.com http://www.30daygourmet.com/
Saturday, November 6, 2010
day 294: update from our missionary daughter
I want to periodically update readers on our daughter’s work as a health educator with the Assemblies of God World Missions, specifically with Global AIDS Partnership (GAP). Kayla finished her two degrees in May 2010 (nursing and biblical studies) and is now on the mission field with a two year appointment with GAP. Below is an excerpt from her September newsletter. Truly, the fields are ripe unto harvest—home is the training ground for future missionaries, evangelists, pastors, counselors, and other Christian workers, as well as the training ground for future Christian parents who will pass on the faith to their children. Let us not grow weary in well doing!
In the latter part of September, I was able to spend a week with a GAP co-worker in Gaborone, Botswana, teaching at the Assemblies Bible College (ABC as they call it) on the church’s role in HIV/AIDS. Botswana has the second highest HIV rates in the world with twenty-five percent or one in four of the adult population being HIV positive. Botswana’s government’s response is considered one of the best in Africa because they responded faster than most other governments in their region and over the past several years have implemented one of the most successful nation-wide treatment and testing programs in the world.
This program has been successful at improving life-span and quality of life of its citizens who are HIV positive, yet the numbers of new infections keeps growing. One of the students at the Bible school explained that discrepancy this way: “They treat the disease, but they don’t deal with the life-style changes that would prevent it.”
Those changes, abstinence and fidelity in marriage, are difficult in nations like Botswana where historically culture has expected a person to have multiple partners both in and outside of marriage. Botswana’s mining industry has made it even more difficult since many men are away from their families for long periods of time while they work. And complicating the problem even more is the historical silence of Botswana’s churches on HIV.
That silence is changing. The two of us being brought in to teach on HIV (the first time the Bible College had addressed the issue) was proof of that. The students and facility at the school are recognizing the invaluable role the church needs to have in their nation’s response to HIV. After all, who is better qualified to teach and model behavioral change than Christ followers?
It was a very encouraging trip and we pray that the ideas and issues that we talked about in class will take root in the hearts of those young pastors, and as they start leading their own congregations, they will be able to reach out to those affected by the epidemic and take steps to reduce its spread and help their members implement the lifestyle changes associated with the Christian faith—which will, in turn, help reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS.
In the latter part of September, I was able to spend a week with a GAP co-worker in Gaborone, Botswana, teaching at the Assemblies Bible College (ABC as they call it) on the church’s role in HIV/AIDS. Botswana has the second highest HIV rates in the world with twenty-five percent or one in four of the adult population being HIV positive. Botswana’s government’s response is considered one of the best in Africa because they responded faster than most other governments in their region and over the past several years have implemented one of the most successful nation-wide treatment and testing programs in the world.
This program has been successful at improving life-span and quality of life of its citizens who are HIV positive, yet the numbers of new infections keeps growing. One of the students at the Bible school explained that discrepancy this way: “They treat the disease, but they don’t deal with the life-style changes that would prevent it.”
Those changes, abstinence and fidelity in marriage, are difficult in nations like Botswana where historically culture has expected a person to have multiple partners both in and outside of marriage. Botswana’s mining industry has made it even more difficult since many men are away from their families for long periods of time while they work. And complicating the problem even more is the historical silence of Botswana’s churches on HIV.
That silence is changing. The two of us being brought in to teach on HIV (the first time the Bible College had addressed the issue) was proof of that. The students and facility at the school are recognizing the invaluable role the church needs to have in their nation’s response to HIV. After all, who is better qualified to teach and model behavioral change than Christ followers?
It was a very encouraging trip and we pray that the ideas and issues that we talked about in class will take root in the hearts of those young pastors, and as they start leading their own congregations, they will be able to reach out to those affected by the epidemic and take steps to reduce its spread and help their members implement the lifestyle changes associated with the Christian faith—which will, in turn, help reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
day 293: sacrificing time, money, energy, hobbies—and more---for effective parenting, part ii of ii
"There is one kind of robber whom the law does not strike at, and who steals what is most precious to men: time." Napoleon I, Maxims, 1815
Regardless of whether Secretariat’s owner was as successful in her parenting as she was in her horse ownership, the question from yesterday remains: Can it be done? Can a mother (or father) do huge things (hobbies, careers, ministries, anything can become “huge”) that require so much time away from home (as in seventy to a hundred hours a week or gone away from home for weeks or months at a time) and still be available for her children during their formative years?
We were faced with a similar dilemma about a dozen years ago—though not nearly as huge as working/living in another state part time for four years as the family in the movie appeared to be faced with. Ray’s job as a plant manager was unbelievable. He always worked sixty hours every week—and sometimes worked seventy or eighty hours (with occasional hundred hour weeks during problem times). We arranged our family life around his work—and made it doable during the older children’s childhood. However, now we had a fifteen year old and a twelve year old—and Mom as the primary teacher/child trainer twelve to fifteen hours a day with Dad’s teaching and input for an hour in the morning and a couple of hours in the evenings and Saturday nights and Sundays just wasn’t going to result in the family life we desired for our teens.
We made a tough decision to have Ray leave his career and take a “normal” eight to five job as a middle manager in a small plant. It resulted in a thirty percent salary cut (without even considering large bonuses that were possibilities with his former position). It meant giving up a brand new company car, company phones, and a huge house that we (especially me!) loved. And yet, it had to be done.
We have lived in our little house for a dozen years now—and still drive old, unappealing vehicles. We are, however, rich in books, learning, love, education, family times, spiritual training, character development, and relationships.
Obviously, not everybody will need to switch careers in order to be the Christian parent he or she needs to be at certain ages in his or her children’s lives. That is not the point. The point is…are we willing? Will we examine our lifestyle, our time, our money, our efforts, our hobbies, our “things”—in order to see if they are consistent with what we want, what God wants—or even with what we say we want?
So many good things have come from our decision to leave Ray’s demanding career: strong, close family relationships; Ray’s huge involvement in the raising of our teens; the ability to be with our children in their areas of interest---formerly speech and debate and currently drama and disability ministry; the starting of our publishing company and family ministry several years ago; unspoiled children who have had to work hard for things; an amazing marriage because I get so much time and attention; and much more.
Our children’s years at home (especially the relationship-intense ones from about ten to twenty) are short, really. We can do “big” things, like have successful, consuming careers; make lots of money; and more when our kids are grown (if we choose to). But our kids will only be at home for these years. How much are you being called to give up to be the effective, available parent you need to be? It might be something as small as a hobby or time-intensive friendship. It might be something as big as a career and large home. Listen to that still, small voice and heed its direction. You will not be sorry you did!
Regardless of whether Secretariat’s owner was as successful in her parenting as she was in her horse ownership, the question from yesterday remains: Can it be done? Can a mother (or father) do huge things (hobbies, careers, ministries, anything can become “huge”) that require so much time away from home (as in seventy to a hundred hours a week or gone away from home for weeks or months at a time) and still be available for her children during their formative years?
We were faced with a similar dilemma about a dozen years ago—though not nearly as huge as working/living in another state part time for four years as the family in the movie appeared to be faced with. Ray’s job as a plant manager was unbelievable. He always worked sixty hours every week—and sometimes worked seventy or eighty hours (with occasional hundred hour weeks during problem times). We arranged our family life around his work—and made it doable during the older children’s childhood. However, now we had a fifteen year old and a twelve year old—and Mom as the primary teacher/child trainer twelve to fifteen hours a day with Dad’s teaching and input for an hour in the morning and a couple of hours in the evenings and Saturday nights and Sundays just wasn’t going to result in the family life we desired for our teens.
We made a tough decision to have Ray leave his career and take a “normal” eight to five job as a middle manager in a small plant. It resulted in a thirty percent salary cut (without even considering large bonuses that were possibilities with his former position). It meant giving up a brand new company car, company phones, and a huge house that we (especially me!) loved. And yet, it had to be done.
We have lived in our little house for a dozen years now—and still drive old, unappealing vehicles. We are, however, rich in books, learning, love, education, family times, spiritual training, character development, and relationships.
Obviously, not everybody will need to switch careers in order to be the Christian parent he or she needs to be at certain ages in his or her children’s lives. That is not the point. The point is…are we willing? Will we examine our lifestyle, our time, our money, our efforts, our hobbies, our “things”—in order to see if they are consistent with what we want, what God wants—or even with what we say we want?
So many good things have come from our decision to leave Ray’s demanding career: strong, close family relationships; Ray’s huge involvement in the raising of our teens; the ability to be with our children in their areas of interest---formerly speech and debate and currently drama and disability ministry; the starting of our publishing company and family ministry several years ago; unspoiled children who have had to work hard for things; an amazing marriage because I get so much time and attention; and much more.
Our children’s years at home (especially the relationship-intense ones from about ten to twenty) are short, really. We can do “big” things, like have successful, consuming careers; make lots of money; and more when our kids are grown (if we choose to). But our kids will only be at home for these years. How much are you being called to give up to be the effective, available parent you need to be? It might be something as small as a hobby or time-intensive friendship. It might be something as big as a career and large home. Listen to that still, small voice and heed its direction. You will not be sorry you did!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
day 292: sacrificing time, money, energy, hobbies—and more---for effective parenting, part i of ii
We recently watched Disney’s wonderful new movie, “Secretariat.” Such a great movie---well done, superbly-acted, exciting, and, at times, heart-wrenching. The last few moments of the movie left us spell-bound. The ending just made you want to stand and cheer right there in the movie theatre!
However, there were some extremely bothersome points in the movie—some that our teen sons brought up on the way home without us even mentioning them. There were some little things that bugged me as a Christian parent—emphasis on winning over relationships; animals before people; the parents’ lack of knowledge about their teenage daughters’ activities, and more.
But most importantly, and for the subject of today’s blog post, I was bothered by the mother’s preoccupation with the ranch and the horse over her duties as a parent (and wife) to four children, who were approximately ages eight through fourteen when she first began working with “Big Red.” (The entire process, from her acquiring the horse to its Triple Crown winning, was about four years—which is the time period the movie followed. Of course, he went on to win many, many more races after that.)
Now, keep in mind that the movie was about the horse, so it could be that Mrs. Tweedy wasn’t so much more devoted to the horse and ranch (which was located in another state away from her family home) than she was to her family—but the movie focused on her involvement with the equine, so perhaps she was doing both things well. However, there were many points in which she seemed indifferent to her husband and children and completely enamored with her “hobby” (albeit, multi-million dollar one).
During the four year period in which she groomed “Secretariat” to become the champion he did, Mrs. Tweedy was portrayed as ignoring her family, not coming home for weeks at a time (the horse was an airplane flight away from her family) when her husband and children needed for her to, not knowing that her daughter was becoming a “hippie,” missing her children’s activities, etc. This leads me to a question I would like to discuss on this blog—and get our readers thinking about.
Is it possible to do something so big, so involved, so consuming during our children’s formative years and still be an effective, available Christian mom (or even dad)? I think of people who are extremely successful actors or actresses, CEO’s, political leaders, and others who average seventy to eighty work hours each week. How can they parent too?
Sure, if we make enough money, we can hire drivers, maids, housecleaners, errand runners, cooks, and more. We can even hire nannies and babysitters. But we can’t hire parents—no matter how much money we make.
Stay with us…don’t tune us out, please! Join us tomorrow for another discussion of this topic. As Christian parents, we all truly need to evaluate our availability to our children.
However, there were some extremely bothersome points in the movie—some that our teen sons brought up on the way home without us even mentioning them. There were some little things that bugged me as a Christian parent—emphasis on winning over relationships; animals before people; the parents’ lack of knowledge about their teenage daughters’ activities, and more.
But most importantly, and for the subject of today’s blog post, I was bothered by the mother’s preoccupation with the ranch and the horse over her duties as a parent (and wife) to four children, who were approximately ages eight through fourteen when she first began working with “Big Red.” (The entire process, from her acquiring the horse to its Triple Crown winning, was about four years—which is the time period the movie followed. Of course, he went on to win many, many more races after that.)
Now, keep in mind that the movie was about the horse, so it could be that Mrs. Tweedy wasn’t so much more devoted to the horse and ranch (which was located in another state away from her family home) than she was to her family—but the movie focused on her involvement with the equine, so perhaps she was doing both things well. However, there were many points in which she seemed indifferent to her husband and children and completely enamored with her “hobby” (albeit, multi-million dollar one).
During the four year period in which she groomed “Secretariat” to become the champion he did, Mrs. Tweedy was portrayed as ignoring her family, not coming home for weeks at a time (the horse was an airplane flight away from her family) when her husband and children needed for her to, not knowing that her daughter was becoming a “hippie,” missing her children’s activities, etc. This leads me to a question I would like to discuss on this blog—and get our readers thinking about.
Is it possible to do something so big, so involved, so consuming during our children’s formative years and still be an effective, available Christian mom (or even dad)? I think of people who are extremely successful actors or actresses, CEO’s, political leaders, and others who average seventy to eighty work hours each week. How can they parent too?
Sure, if we make enough money, we can hire drivers, maids, housecleaners, errand runners, cooks, and more. We can even hire nannies and babysitters. But we can’t hire parents—no matter how much money we make.
Stay with us…don’t tune us out, please! Join us tomorrow for another discussion of this topic. As Christian parents, we all truly need to evaluate our availability to our children.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
day 291: the myth of perfect children
Children are never perfect--and I do not want to paint a picture that is unrealistic. Ray wouldn't have to tell me that we are "getting the behavior that we want" if our children were perfect! (Boy, I really don’t like it when he says that!)
I have heard people say, “I just wish my kids were perfect, like the Duggar kids seem to be on television.” Well, I’ve never seen the Duggars on television, though I met Mrs. when we spoke at the same conference several years ago, but I can assure you that even the Duggar children are not perfect. I am sure that they go through the same pressures and misgivings in their child training as the rest of us do. Again, however, their joys are multiplied many times over when their training and heart-teaching are effective.
For me, it isn’t so much that I want perfect children (I mean, we all want everything to be perfect, right?) as much as it is that I want to be obedient to the parenting that God has called me to. I know that Mom's and Dad’s obedience in our family will yield the greatest fruit in the lives of our children.
Many nights, I go to bed weary and worried. How will we help our young adult daughter through the difficult time she is having? How can we turn a bad attitude around? Is a recent trend in one of the kids indicative of something much worse? I wouldn’t be obeying God if I didn’t at least think about the negative character of our children as part of my obeying God is watching out for the negative character and working, with the Lord and the child, to improve it.
Even the most disciplined parents have problems. We are not guaranteed perfect children even if we do discipline and love consistently. However, the alternative that we see in the world--joyless, problem-saturated homes--is enough to keep me moving ahead in what I know the Lord has shown us.
I have heard people say, “I just wish my kids were perfect, like the Duggar kids seem to be on television.” Well, I’ve never seen the Duggars on television, though I met Mrs. when we spoke at the same conference several years ago, but I can assure you that even the Duggar children are not perfect. I am sure that they go through the same pressures and misgivings in their child training as the rest of us do. Again, however, their joys are multiplied many times over when their training and heart-teaching are effective.
For me, it isn’t so much that I want perfect children (I mean, we all want everything to be perfect, right?) as much as it is that I want to be obedient to the parenting that God has called me to. I know that Mom's and Dad’s obedience in our family will yield the greatest fruit in the lives of our children.
Many nights, I go to bed weary and worried. How will we help our young adult daughter through the difficult time she is having? How can we turn a bad attitude around? Is a recent trend in one of the kids indicative of something much worse? I wouldn’t be obeying God if I didn’t at least think about the negative character of our children as part of my obeying God is watching out for the negative character and working, with the Lord and the child, to improve it.
Even the most disciplined parents have problems. We are not guaranteed perfect children even if we do discipline and love consistently. However, the alternative that we see in the world--joyless, problem-saturated homes--is enough to keep me moving ahead in what I know the Lord has shown us.
Monday, November 1, 2010
day 290: seven children—same benefits for child training; same heartache for lack of training
People often gasp when we tell them we have seven children. "Seven children? I can't make the two I do have listen to me, much less seven of them."
To which I reply, "Well, we didn't get them all at the same time. We had time to get used to and teach one before another one arrived."
It is often assumed that because we have seven children, we have seven times the amount of disobedience, disrespect, and discontentment that someone with one poorly disciplined child has.
First of all, it doesn't matter if you have one, seven, or twelve children; if they are disobedient and disrespectful, it still brings heartache to the mother and shame to the father, according to the Bible.
Secondly, when you begin disciplining your children effectively from the beginning, or at least with the first two or three children in the case of a large family, it has far-reaching effects to your younger children. You set a standard for behavior in the older ones that has the potential to trickle down to the younger ones, assuming the older ones interact with the younger ones and the entire family spends a lot of time together. We actually have had to punish our ten and thirteen year old sons (our fifth and sixth children) about twenty-five percent of the amount that we had to punish our second child, who is now one of the most selfless young adults I have ever met. Of course, she wasn't selfless at ages two and three!
(Note: I am referring to punishment here; training and consequences have definitely been more extensive with our younger boys than with the girls. Gotta love three cooperative, diligent, responsible girls in a row!)
Thirdly, yes, there is the potential for seven times the amount of heartache for parents of seven children as there is for parents of one child, but there is also the potential for seven times the amount of joy. We have chosen to focus on biblical, effective discipline so that the potential for those joyful, loving, less problematic times is increased exponentially.
Reprinted from Training for Triumph newsletter @ 2005
To which I reply, "Well, we didn't get them all at the same time. We had time to get used to and teach one before another one arrived."
It is often assumed that because we have seven children, we have seven times the amount of disobedience, disrespect, and discontentment that someone with one poorly disciplined child has.
First of all, it doesn't matter if you have one, seven, or twelve children; if they are disobedient and disrespectful, it still brings heartache to the mother and shame to the father, according to the Bible.
Secondly, when you begin disciplining your children effectively from the beginning, or at least with the first two or three children in the case of a large family, it has far-reaching effects to your younger children. You set a standard for behavior in the older ones that has the potential to trickle down to the younger ones, assuming the older ones interact with the younger ones and the entire family spends a lot of time together. We actually have had to punish our ten and thirteen year old sons (our fifth and sixth children) about twenty-five percent of the amount that we had to punish our second child, who is now one of the most selfless young adults I have ever met. Of course, she wasn't selfless at ages two and three!
(Note: I am referring to punishment here; training and consequences have definitely been more extensive with our younger boys than with the girls. Gotta love three cooperative, diligent, responsible girls in a row!)
Thirdly, yes, there is the potential for seven times the amount of heartache for parents of seven children as there is for parents of one child, but there is also the potential for seven times the amount of joy. We have chosen to focus on biblical, effective discipline so that the potential for those joyful, loving, less problematic times is increased exponentially.
Reprinted from Training for Triumph newsletter @ 2005
Sunday, October 31, 2010
day 289: chocolate chip cheese ball (or “cheese spread”)
Cheese cake lovers really like this treat. Get creative with what you serve it with---graham crackers, vanilla wafers, animal crackers, rice krispie treats, chocolate graham crackers, specialty (un-iced) cookies—anything sweet that is firm enough to scoop it up or spread it on.
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
4 TBSP brown sugar
¼ tsp vanilla
¾ cup mini chocolate chips
¾ cup finely chopped pecans
1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Mix in sugars and vanilla.
3. Stir in mini chocolate chips (fold, not beat).
4. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours (or freezer for quick set up).
5. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving (or sprinkle over it if using as a spread rather than a “ball”).
Tips:
1. Low fat items might make it too runny.
2. Freeze for quick set up rather than refrigerating.
3. Some recommend increasing sugar to 1 cup.
4. Some recommended omitting nuts and increasing chocolate chips—and rolling in toffee pieces.
5. Use room temp cream cheese and butter—not softened in micro as it will be too soft/runny.
6. One suggested scooping mixture into plastic-wrap-lined small square, oval, or round dish and refrigerating. Then she just turns over and pops it out onto serving platter—no worry about “shaping” it in that case or it not setting up right.
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