Mango Arugula Salad

I've been eating salads pretty much every day for lunch and trying to come up with new options so it doesn't become boring. I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you when I have them in case you need ideas.  I am trying to make them all with no sugar, no dairy and no wheat.  

Today was arugula with 1/2 a mango, 1 Apple chopped, sliced roasted turkey, 1 piece chopped bacon, raisins, balsamic vinegar and evoo. It was SO good. I like buying my turkey from whole foods. If you visit their hot food counter they have fresh cooked turkey that they will sandwich slice for you. I asked for the ingredient list and it is brined in lemon juice, water and spices.  No sugar or preservatives added.  I will usually get 1/4 lb for a week and chop up two pieces for a salad. It's a great quick food to have on hand and much healthier than normal deli meat which usually has sugar, nitrates and preservatives.  

Enjoy lunch! 

Priorities

Merriam Webster dictionary defines priorities as "something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first".  However I could easily define it as the aspect of life that constantly seems to slip through my grasp and get tangled up in meaningless things.  In my life lately it seems as if the theme of priorities continues to reoccur.  Whether it is in the book I'm currently reading, a verse I am challenged by, or someone's shared Facebook post.  I think one of the hardest aspects of becoming a mother is understanding this balance of priorities.  Going to be completely honest here and share something I am not proud of.  When we first adopted Jadyn I did not spend set aside time with God for months, that's right not days or weeks but months.  Yes, I would still go to church and I would be in the word here and there but it wasn't a priority for me.  To be more honest that biggest priority in my life at that time was SLEEP!  I felt completely exhausted all the time.  I felt I didn't have enough to get through the day and every time I would try to spend time with God I would end up taking a nap instead.  It was 6 months after he was born that God convicted me with this verse "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11). I remember reading that verse and being in tears because I had been going about it all wrong.  I was doing everything in my strength rather than resting in His.  Does that mean I changed, well in that area I did but I still fall victim to the meaningless every day.  I get overwhelmed with the simple, ridiculous things that catch my attention and time; dishes in the sink, crumbs on the floor, laundry needing folding, the list goes on.  Not that any of those don't have a time and place but I also don't want to miss out on the little boy handing me a hotwheel and proudly saying the word "car" at the same time.  I don't want to miss out on the conversation with my husband sharing his thoughts on what he thinks community within a church should look like.  I don't want to miss a conversation with a college age girl when we talk about using the gifts God has given her.  I don't want to miss the opportunity to text my sister and let her know I'm praying for her.   Most of all though,  I don't want to miss time with the one who truly gives me strength.  And for that... the dishes can wait.

From Tampa with Love,
Courtney 

New name somewhat new blog

The name of this blog has changed!  It will now be called from Tampa with Love. Basically I wanted to have the freedom to write about more than just recipes and cooking with court was pretty specific.  I will still post recipes, along with other things I hope you will like. www.fromTampawithLove.com takes you directly to the blog or www.cookingwithcourt.blogspot.com will redirect you.  Hopefully I will have a blog post up soon with what I have been up to since the last post (which was FOREVER ago). Until then...

from Tampa with Love,

Courtney

Fried Ravioli

Need a quick appetizer for the holidays?  I attempted this one tonight so that I can make it later this week for a dinner party (I get nervous trying new recipes the day of).  It turned out great, was simple and fast!

Ingredients:
1 bag of frozen ravioli (I used cheese)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs 
1/2 cup milk
olive oil for frying
your favorite marinara sauce 

Cook frozen ravioli in boiling water for about 5 min
Remove and allow to cool
Meanwhile mix together in a bowl breadcrumbs, oregano, salt, and parmesan cheese
In another bowl mix together eggs and milk
Heat olive oil in a small saucepan for frying
Drop cooled ravioli (they don't have to be completely cool just not really hot or your eggs/milk may cook) in the egg/milk mixture then coat with the breadcrumb mixture
Drop into the oil and fry until golden (make sure to only fry a few at once so the temperature of your oil doesn't drop)
Remove from oil and drain on paper towels
Serve with warmed marinara sauce

That's it!  So simple!  I wish I had a picture but unfortunately they were all gone before I even had a chance.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!