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Now, I am going to guess that you have never heard of "coconut chicken" and that you never dreamed that coconut and chicken even go together.  But, I tried this recipe, and it is a hit with everyone.  You've got to try this recipe!

Coconut Chicken

Dethaw your chicken (boneless) and cut up into small pieces (bite-size).

Get some crackers out – I used Town House Flip Sides Pretzel Crackers (Cheddar Flavor) and sometimes I mix these with a completely different kind of cracker, like garlic pita crackers.  Use about a package and crush them – I put them in my blender and made it into cracker crumbs. 

Get three bowls out –

In bowl #1 crack an egg, whisk with an egg beater

In bowl #2 – put your cracker crumbs in this (above)

In bowl #3 – put 2 cups of sweetened coconut flakes (you find this in the baking section of the grocery store – where the flour, sugar, choc. Chips, nuts, etc… are)

Now, take the bite-size chicken pieces and dip in the beat egg (bowl #1), then dip it in the cracker crumbs (bowl #2), and then into the coconut ( bowl #3).  Bake in oven at 350 for about 45 minutes.

My family positively loved this.  Try it!

I served this with rice I had made in a steamer.   Try this recipe with the coconut chicken.

Fried Rice

This is a guaranteed everyone-is-going-to-love-it recipe, too!

Sauté an onion in coconut oil (you can buy this at Wal-Mart).  Then add about 3 cups of cooked rice (I had precooked mine in a steamer) and steamed carrots (cut up).  The onions and carrots really give this ordinarily blah rice a lot of flavor.  Season with sea salt.  (Sea salt is as good for you as table salt is bad for your.  You can use sea salt generously.)

I make this rice every week and keep a big bowl of it in the refrigerator for anyone to eat when they don’t know what else to eat, or add to any of our meals.  This is very filling and healthy.

Tonight, since I was making coconut rice for supper, I wanted to try something different.  I added a can of stir-fry veggies to the rice, and stirred in about ¼ cup of soy sauce.  Everyone liked this, too.

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It was a nice Monday.  Got the kids up bright and early – did our chores with the horses and chickens.  The house was in disarray after a busy weekend, so we spent a few hours before school started getting the house whipped back into shape. It felt nice getting the floors cleaned and having everything picked up.  What a great way to start the week.

We had egg salad sandwiches for a late lunch after our group school time. Before dad had left for work, he had left a two page list of things that needed to be done around the ranch.  Matt and Mike were already here working on the bigger issues, and as soon as we could dismiss school, Rachel and Joshua went out to help.  I let the two smaller ones go play, and I used the time to accomplish a few things.  I organized my check registers, balanced my checking account, exercised, and started supper. 

Tomorrow:

Priorities:

Exercise

Make lasagna for supper in the morning (because the afternoon is full.)

School

Keep the laundry going

Hang up sweaters and light coats that are in a basket in the pantry room

Accomplished all of the above for the day.

On Wednesday, (yesterday) Rachel and I went over to my oldest daughter’s house to help her out.  She’s 8+ months pregnant, and having a difficult pregnancy. She also has three little ones ages 4, 3, and 1.  We went over with some cleaning supplies and a dish of freshly made lasagna.  I also brought a crockpot with chicken and veggies to make her a homemade chicken broth.   By the time we left, her house sparkled, she was able to get her hair washed, and dinner was ready for when her husband came home that evening.  I left content knowing that I was able to help Becky, as well as enjoying her company and being with the grandbabies.