It is never to late....

Hello, my beautiful friends! Hope you have been enjoying my blog! If not, you are probably not reading this, so it is all okay. My intentions are only to have fun and maybe pick up a few tips to lead a more enjoyable life as we get older. Remember, we want to get better as we age!

I have two grown boys, and a husband of 39 years, and I must say that all three are intelligent. I knew my husband was smart from the beginning, and that is one reason I married him. Something funny, is that I was always attracted to smart men! Maybe it was my lacking in my own intelligence that contributed to this (LOL)! But, I can honestly say that this is where the LEARN came in for my LCL (Lean mind and body, connections, and Learning). I cannot tell you how many times my husband or sons would use words or terms that I had no idea what it meant. There were times when they would talk about a history event, and I would be somewhat clueless. This would cause me to be a little embarrassed but thought to myself, oh who cares, I am too old to learn. I began to realize it was my thinking and my own aspirations. I was more interested in what I was wearing at the time, and what shoes matched my new outfit. Fortunately, for my own good, my treadmill running lead me to become a podcast junkie. I have had so much fun learning with many of them (that will be for another day).

However, one of them mentioned a book, Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. In this book, Dweck, a psychologist at Stanford University, explains how we can have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. There are times when we have a little of both. A growth mindset accepts criticism, embraces challenges, and has the desire to learn. Most importantly, Dweck explains that we can learn at any AGE! Yes, no more excuses. With practice and repetition, we can learn and improve any skills. I think this book has changed my life. I know that appears to be a little drastic and over the top, but I now find myself saying do it, try it, and learn it now. Jane Ellen, you can do it! Now, I will admit that I can sit and read a book and totally forget what I read. Not sure if that is age or not being focused. Whatever it is, I have no more excuses. Just re-read the darn thing again and again until you get it. Now, I am not saying I want to become a gymnast or a pianist, but I do want to become more informed on history, gardening, cooking techniques, stocks, and yes, learn more about wines and how they are regionally grown. I took an art class on Saturday afternoon a couple of years ago, I was fascinated with Van Gough. In October, we are attending the Dallas exhibit of Van Gough. I would have never dreamed of me doing this ten years ago. Say it with me “we are never ever too old to try something new”. Today is a new day at any age. I also took a computer class and was for certainly one of the older folks in the class. I was a little intimidated. I had to constantly ask for help but was grateful that the younger folks were willing to help. It might take you a little longer to fully understand, grasp, or catch on but you will most likely eventually get. So, this week lets read up on something you have always wanted to know about or try something new. Maybe it is how to make homemade Chicken Marsala or Lasagna. Or how many miles is Route 66 and what are the best restaurants along the way (and plan a trip). If you are not a person who does any exercise, but always intended to, start today. Walk down your block and back. You will not believe how good it is to try things new or out of our comfort zone. Keep those thoughts out of your head like what will people say (WHO CARES), or I don’t have the energy (if you keep saying that you will not), or how about that I don’t have time (really, how about no NETFLIX for an hour). I used to say things like, “I want to have an herb garden outside my kitchen” for years. My excuse was I did not have time. Well, what is sad, it took maybe one afternoon. In the 15 years of saying this, you would have thought a garden would take a week. The herb garden took one afternoon! I simply pulled up small herb gardens on Pinterest, picked the plan, bought the supplies, and put it in. FYI, it is easy and not expensive. I still catch myself saying “I want to do this someday, or “I want to try”. If you really want to do it, then do it now! Or, become a better cook or read a specific book. The entire object of us asking ourselves what we have always wanted to try or do is so that we will have fewer regrets. Have any of you ever wanted to reconnect with an old friend? How about finding them on social media today and reach out! I would love to hear from you! Send me a quick note on something you try new this week or something you have been saying for months or years that you want to get done! Maybe, you simply want to learn how to use the temperature degree sign on a word document 😊. Yes, I was so proud of myself. Now, what are you going to learn, do, or try that has always been on your mind? I would love to hear about!

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Below is a recipe that I really enjoyed making this week. If you would like to receive other recipes that I have been using, sign up on my website and I will start sending you a few proven yet easy recipes and any other helpful tips you can use (or maybe not) lol.

This chicken parmesan was delicious. I was impressed with the breading mixture. It was much better than my past recipe because it has a slight crunch and not soggy. The recipe mixed Panko breadcrumbs with Italian breadcrumbs. I have always enjoyed Italian food and since I have an abundance of basil and parsley, it was perfect. Plus, my niece, has an urban farm https://www.ahurbanfarm.com/ and she had given me fresh onion and garlic. Remember, you can sub out veal or eggplant for the chicken. And, for those in a hurry and want to make it quick (or maybe simply hate cooking), use store bought sauce. Always read through the entire recipe before you start. It is a good time to decide what and where to make substitutions and shortcuts. I am sorry if I come across being condescending, but I know many of my family and friends, do not enjoy cooking and some hate to cook! ENJOY and have a wonderful weekend.

Crispier Chicken Parmesan

For the Chicken:

2 eggs

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

3 large chicken breasts (I slice through my chicken breast to make thin for 6 fillets)

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

½ cup Italian breadcrumbs

½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to season

½ cup olive oil to pan fry breast

For the Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic (yep, I like all the garlic and you will too)

14 ounces of tomato puree

Salt and pepper

1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

For the Topping:

8 ounces of mozzarella cheese (I use the tube so I can slice my own)

¼ cup fresh basil or parsley if preferred. (can be omitted)

Two tablespoons grated parmesan

Instructions:

· Preheat oven to 420°. Lightly grease an oven baking dish with non-stick spray or oil and set aside.

· Whisk together eggs, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper, in a shallow dish. Add chicken into this mixture and evenly coat the chicken breast. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes (longer and even overnight). Take out chicken from refrigerator when you begin making sauce.

· Mix in a shallow bowl the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder and set aside.

· Make the sauce by heating a medium saucepan with olive oil and fry the onions until transparent (a couple of minutes), then add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. (do not burn the garlic). Add the tomato puree, salt and pepper to taste, and Italian herbs. Heat for about 10 minutes on low medium heat or until thickened slightly. Taste the sauce adjust seasoning for preference. While waiting for the sauce to heat, now begin frying the chicken.

· Dip the chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture and evenly coat.

· Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry the chicken until golden and crispy. (Takes around 4 minutes on each side depending on size of chicken breast).

· Place cooked chicken on prepared baking dish and top each breast with a ladle of sauce, then top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with a little parmesan (around 2 tablespoons), and then sprinkle with basil.

· Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and melted and completely heated and chicken is cooked.

Notes: Serve with pasta and a salad for a perfect meal. I slice my chicken breast horizontally in half, so they are thin. You can buy this way as well. To save time and eliminate some of the mess, use a jar of sauce.