4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
1-3 tbsp cajun seasoning
1 tbsp italian seasoning
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp onion powder
4 oz garlic and herb cream cheese
10 oz frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed of excess water)
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 shredded parmesan
4 sun-dried tomatoes (roughly chopped)
1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil (which are in the sun-dried tomatoes)
Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese
4 oz softened cream cheese
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Butterfly chicken breast. Be careful not to cut all the way through them.
- Rub the outside of the breasts with the sun-dried tomato oil
- Season the outside of the breasts with the Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and the paprika
- Sprinkle the inside of the breasts with the onion powder then set it aside
- In the bowl, mix the garlic and herb cream cheese, spinach sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and Parmesan together
- Add 1 tbsp of the mixture to the inside of each breast, spread it evenly, and press the breast together to seal. Use toothpicks if additional aid is needed to close each breast.
- Heat olive oil in a pan at a medium high setting
- Once hot, place each breast in the pan
- Lower heat to medium and cover pan with a lid, allowing the breasts to cook for 8-10 min.
- Carefully flip the breasts over, cover the lid again and cook the other side for another 8-10 min
- Remove from pan and let it cool off for 5 min
- As for garlic and herb, mix all its ingredients together
- Serve with buttery noodles
This past week, George wasn’t feeling so well. We had chosen a meal, went shopping, and just as we started to prep to cook, it hit him. George got a “bug”. For this reason, George had to sit out on the prepping of the meal. This is, of course, disappointing, but it happens. But, the meal was so good, we will be making it again, and next time, it will be George cooking.
January is always a tough month for George. Why, we aren’t sure. But our guess is it is a combination of reasons. After the excitement (and all of the anxiety that comes with it) of the holidays, maybe this is the “down time”, where all of the craziness catches up. Maybe it’s the recovery of schedules being so off the month before. Maybe it is winter catching up. We really have no way of knowing why, but we do know that January is just a tough month, and we do our best to prepare for it. But, we never know what it is going to bring. January was the month that George had his “stroke” at just 2 months old. January was when his seizures started at the age of 10. January was when he had his first respiratory “episode”. It is also the time when George’s focus is the most difficult. For some reason, even the simplest tasks can be a big challenge for George. For this reason, I am writing this entry pretty much solo. He did type up the recipe. And, I am trying to get some participation from him, too. But, in George’s world, he doesn’t always notice when he is having an “off” day. In fact, the more “off” he is, the more difficult it seems for him to be aware of everything, even how he is physically feeling. When he gets sick, like he did last week, he wasn’t able to feel the his body was not feeling well. He can’t sense that his stomach is upset, and he may be getting sick soon. He just goes about his business, which usually means, more than normal (this is usually our only sign that something is going on), self-stimming (he talks to himself, hums, paces, rubs his head, etc.) until it is almost too late. He will continue to eat, even if his stomach can’t keep it down. This is very challenging for everyone in the house. But I have to think it is hardest on George.
George is now feeling better, but still seems to have a case of the “January’s”. Just another reason to look forward to spring.
Mom- George, we know you weren’t feeling well last week. but, are you feeling better now?
George- Yes, I am feeling better.
Mom- Did you feel like you were off last week? What is it like when you don’t feel well?
George- I have no idea.
Mom- You can’t describe it to us?
George- Not really.
Mom- Ok. Is there anything you want to say to the world.
George- No, I don’t have anything to say. I’m good right now.
Yep, that is kind of George’s way of saying he is not into this today. Maybe next week, we will be more talkative. Thanks for reading.
My Piece of the Puzzle 