No Fail No Fry Chicken Wings

The Story Behind the Big Boss Man Machine 

and the Health(ier) Chicken Wings

So last year, I found a great deal on the Big Boss Oil-less fryer on Nomorerack.com. [This is not a paid advertisement for either companies. ] I was trying to wait to give this to my husband for his birthday but I couldn't stand the wait. I already waited 2 months hiding it in the front closet.

I convinced him that he should open this gift early even though it was for his birthday in early November. So, he was impressed and skeptical. To be honest we've tried this on potatoes with little luck (sorry, Big Boss company). BUT, chicken and steaks do so very well in this man machine. (4 oz. filet mignon, 5 mins each side @ 425, perfecto!)

So, my husband wanted to enjoy chicken wings at home. The snack pack of T.G.I.F. Friday's frozen premade wings are $8 for about 18 puny wings (even with the breading)! But, we buy the Walmart 4lb pack for $9.49. That pack lasts us two occasions of wing goodness. It's a better buy for more meat.

So chicken... meet your best ally.

Chicken Fingers According2Meredith

Story behind these chicken fingers: 
My husband  took a contracting job at an electronics company that filled government orders for parts. It was a hard job for him because it was the 2nd shift (1:30-10pm) and he didn't like working his fingers raw with wires.

It was a fortunate job though, because it allowed us to move out of the apartment and into a nice neighborhood outside of Denver. It was nice because, where most things seemed difficult, he got this job fairly easily. I counted ourselves blessed at the time.

This is also the time I spent helping my middle son learn how to read since I had to take care of the after-school stuff during his shift. It was an arduous task full of battles, but I finally listened to his whining enough that he got tired of saying the same thing without me giving up on him. (grin)

So, as our guilty treat for working through this work shift as a family, I was teaching myself how to make awesome chicken fingers for a snack once he got home. I would make these for him and we'd watch some TV while we ate. It's still one of our favorite past times.

DIY Therapy

Photo Credit: www.nendo.jp

How to be your own S.H.R.I.N.K.

 

Disclaimer: I'm not a trained psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor or the like. I am a mother, student and deep thinker. I'm basing this on my own personal growth in preparation for becoming a counselor in the future. This is my personal encouragement to you. If you have need beyond what you can do for yourself, please do not use this post in place of trained and licensed therapy. I still go to counseling, there is no shame in that and my family likes me better because of it. =)

[S]  Seek Different Perspectives 

By the time we are in a marriage or career, it is pretty hard to be socially successful and be stuck in our own perspective. Seeking different perspectives will come in handy in the event of a conflict. If we consistently seek different perspectives, then it won't be such a challenge during those instances of elevated nerves. YKWIM?

[H] Honor Yourself

Honor your personal journey with its highs and lows. Try to learn from the mistakes and see value in them for the lessons instead of looking at them in shame. Also, try to step back and see that other people might have done similar things if they were in your situation. For example: If anybody else were in my position (having a history of X), then they might have done the same thing. When we accept our mistakes, it makes it easier to accept ourselves as a whole. We want to be whole people, right?

[R] Reflect

Reflect on your choices and experiences regularly. Put judgement on the shelf as you look over your recent choices. What worked and what didn't pan out as you'd expected. Any surprises? Did you learn anything worthy of repeating? Is there anything you should make extinct (as in behaviors)? As long as we make adjustments, we do not have to stay in judgement phase.

Celebrating in Grand Style

I have a 12 year old Child! 

The birthday was yesterday; the party was today.

 It went well.

Put together the squares for Alex, ordered the red writing and "frosting grass" on the cake. Great swim party! 12 yo! http://t.co/8Q9eeOWTIN
— Meredith Elizabeth (@eunkyungsuh) May 17, 2014

*Baby surprised us by grabbing the picture of Coke and 

it went all over himself and daddy's lap*

Baby Gabriel's birthday is in 2 days! 

May is an open wallet month for this family: 

3 birthdays (two on one day), 1 dog birthday, 

and Mother's day! Phew! 

What month are you slammed with holidays and birthdays the most? How do you give each birthday it's deserved attention? Please share in the comments below! Thank you and 

Happy Birthday to my fellow May birthdays!