Would you agree that the relationships that should be nurtured are often times the ones that get neglected? I see this in marriage, friendship and even in family connections.
Why do we do this?
Are our lives so busy that we can’t pick up the phone just to say hello….or in this day and age…even an email or text message? Work takes over, the laundry multiplies faster than we can clean it, kids activities, the dust-bunnies that ultimately need attention. The list can go on and on…. I am a big list maker. The longer the better and I ADORE checking things off of that list. Even feel a great sense of accomplishment when I can check things off of it, and utter disappointment when items need to be carried over until the next day, or god forbid the day after that even.
Why don’t we add our friendships/relationships to that very ‘to-do’ list?
Are we that confident that our ‘true’ relationships will be waiting for us when we are ready?
Especially when we waste time on the people who don’t truly matter, harsh statement I know! But come on, don’t we all have acquaintances that we seem to spend more time with, but when it comes to the hard stuff, these acquaintances are the first to shy away or give excuse after excuse. We are with them because of our kids friendships’ or sport teams, school or work. Our only common bond is the children, school or sport team. They will not be the person you turn to if you have a devastating even in your life. Nor will they be the ones you ask to go shopping/lunch with, or enjoy a glass of wine….or in my case, hard lemonade…languishing in the backyard while the kids play, or cry on their shoulder’s because your child is devastated over a break up, and they don’t want to take your advice!! So why do we give these people and relationships more attention than the ones that truly matter?
Okay okay, you are wanting to talk food and I went off on a tangent about relationships. If you are wanting the recipe without listening to me ramble, please scroll all the way to the bottom
Let’s get back to relationship’s that need to be nurtured. At the top of my brand new ‘to-do’ list is my wonderful friend CW. To commemorate our oldest children being senior’s in high school next year, and to console each other in the fear that we will lose our babies forever once they hit college, my wonderful friend, CW and I are trying to plan the ultimate joint family vacation this summer.
Envisioning lazy days with miles and miles of sand to caress our painted toes…. sounds of the ocean to lull us asleep (preferably in a hammock) comes to mind.
Oh wait, that would be perfect if it was a couple’s vacation and the children were safe and sound at home being pampered by grandparents! Reality will be 4 adults and 6 loud and obnoxious teenagers who will be off in every different direction, turning up mischief every where they go. Mission—-find a location with an assortment of adventures to please everyone, and find a house big enough to house everyone, preferably with everyone getting a bed, and oh yeah….needs to have a pool as one child hates the ocean and another child is allergic to salt water.
Can you believe one is allergic to salt water? I had never heard of such a thing before. It is one of the 4 ‘nuetral’ ingredients used in allergy testing. When K was tested years ago, and for the second time no less, picture me holding this child’s hand, caressing his arm, consoling him as he is getting 30 different needle pricks on his back. Trying desperately not to look as I cringe at the sight of a needle! But couldn’t help being drawn to the ‘nuetral’ pricks at the top of his small perfect little back. The state of Texas was blooming on his back. It was an amazing sight and I wish I had a camara with me to document it. The culprit was none other than salt water. Which explains why he would run screaming out of the cold harsh Hampton Ocean in New Hampshire…..my poor baby…BUT I wouldn’t give those cuddling/consoling sessions away for anything!
Wow, someone please bring me back to reality!
The time to get together and nail down a house, versus us doing it individually and emailing back and forth different ideas of ‘perfect’, was upon us. To entice CW and her daughter to my house, I promised them a home-cooked meal. What was I thinking when normally on a Friday night, after a long bitchin’ day PT and I order in a pizza and have family movie night. CW’s response…perfect, but keep it Weight Watcher’s worthy, NOT Triple Threat (slutty brownies) worthy.
As requested……here is a wonderful Weight Watcher’s worthy recipe that can be adapted to spicy sausage, vegetarian, anything your heart desires. you are only limited by your imagination!
Lasagna Cups
(recipe adapted from canyoustayfordinner)
Ingredients:
12 oz raw ground turkey
¼ tsp salt, divided
¼ tsp pepper
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped mushrooms
14.5 oz can tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp dried oregano, divided
½ tsp dried basil
1 ½ cups part skim ricotta cheese
24 small square wonton wrappers (the kind near the tofu in the refrigerated section of the produce dept)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey, onions, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Crumble the meat and saute the mixture for about 10 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through. Add the garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.
Add the tomato sause and 2 tsp of oregano. Bring the pan to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, a pinch of salt and pepper, the remaining teaspoon of oregano, and the basil. Stir to mix well. Set aside.
Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1 wonton wrapper into each of the 12 cups, pressing firmly in the bottom of the cup and up the sides.
Using half of the ricotta mixture, divide it among the 12 muffin cups. Next, using half of the turkey tomato sauce, spoon it evenly over each of the ricotta filled cups. Sprinkle with 2 tsp of mozzarella.
Gently press another wonton wrapper on top of the mozzarella layer.
Repeat the process by distributing the remaining ricotta, then the remaining tomato sauce, and finally the rest of the shredded mozzarella.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Let the cups cool, remove them from the pan, and serve!
ENJOY, and the next time you start a new list, add your special friends, spouse and family to the top!
These. Are. Super. Cute.