{Book Club Friday} Joy For Beginners

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Sorry for my lack of posts this week, between traveling back to Texas and getting back into the swing of things at work, it’s been hectic! Stay tuned for a recap of my recent travels and adventures. In the meantime….

I’m linking up again with Blonde…Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Synopsis

“Breathe is life in, Kate, not life out.”

Kate, is recovering from cancer. Her daughter has recently asked her to go on a white water rafting trip with her thru the Grand Canyon. She admits to her five closest friends that she is terrified however an agreement is made. If she goes on the trip, each of her friends must do one thing that is new, daring, scary or difficult within the next year – and Kate gets to pick.

Thoughts

I LOVED this book. Each of the women in this book are different. Different pasts, heartaches and obstacles however they all grow their stories warm your heart with admiration (and makes you want to give them a huge huge and high five). Erica Bauermeister wrote in such a way that each portion of the book is dedicated to one of the women. As a reader, I came to admire their relationships (and how the relationships were formed), their pasts, their heartaches, triumphs and achievements. Whether their given goal was small or large, they each discover so much more about themselves but their friends, family and atmosphere. They grow and learn thru traveling, friendships, nature and food. Kate even finds herself learning quite in the end as well.

If you have a chance to pick up this book, I would definitely recommend it. It helps you to appreciate everything you have in life and to realize that good friends are indeed gems that should be cherished forever. That no matter how hard of a time life seems to be giving you, there is a reason. You have a foundation of friends and they will be there. A good challenge can really change you and however how scary it is, it’s important to be put to have that challenge in life.

If you’ve read this book or even read it after my recommendation, please let me know what you think!

Chicken Enchiladas

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I’m conquering recipes one by one! As with the brisket, I was semi-terrified to make enchiladas. Don’t laugh, we’ve all come across some kind of recipe that we’re scared to attempt. Maybe it’s because we’re nervous about living up to expectations or that it won’t turn out as you like it. Regardless, I’ve tackled another hurdle. Chicken enchiladas!
Have you heard of The Girl Who Ate Everything? It’s a great website full of recipes, any kind of recipes. This is where I found this great one for Creamy Chicken Enchiladas. It’s super easy, don’t get intimidated! This is not my last enchilada attempt, that’s for sure. There will be more to come!
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. butter
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, drained
1 (8 ounce) pkg Cream Cheese, cut up and softened
2 cups chopped, cooked Chicken Breast (cooked however you like)
8 (8 inch) Flour Tortillas
2 cups Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup Whipping Cream
(optional) 1/2 cup salsa verde (spicier version)
Instructions
1. Cook chicken however you desire. Crock pot, boil, bake, bbq, etc.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Rotel and saute for 1 minute.
3. Stir in Cream Cheese and Chicken and cook, stirring constantly as the cream cheese melts.
4. Add about 3 Tbsp. of the chicken mixture down each tortilla. Roll up and place them seam side down in a sprayed baking dish.
5. Sprinkle with Monterrey Jack cheese.
6. Drizzle with whipping cream and salsa verde.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Take off foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is golden.
Notes
I actually added some salsa to my chicken mixture to spice it up a bit. Next time, I’m going to use a little spicier rotel and try to flavor the chicken a bit more to give the meal a little bigger kick.
My chicken was boiled and then shredded. The shredded chicken in an enchiladas is perfect.
I didn’t use the entire 1 cup of whipped cream which is my fault for not following the recipe.
Overall – Diana and Sy approved! We’ll be trying different variations of this recipe, maybe with even some brisket! Yum.
Be sure to head on over to The Girl Who Ate Everything to find a printable version of this recipe and many more recipes!