Wednesday, September 25, 2013

27 and SINGLE

I have heard more than once "Yours so great, I can't believe your still single." Yeah, me neither pal.  I've  even been told "You better hurry up, time's running out".  Really?  I couldn't hear my biological clock ticking, thanks for the reminder.   It's almost as wise as the mortgage broker who told me I should consider paying off my student debt to be able to afford a nicer house. REALLY? All this time I've kept over $100,000 in the bank and didn't know what to do with it. Why didn't I think of that? WHAT A LIFE SAVER.

I never thought I'd be single at 27. Believe me, I am just as surprised as all of you.  At 16 I was convinced I'd be married, barefoot and pregnant by 21 at the latest.  At 16 I knew what my husband would look like, what my babies names would be, and what color drapes they would have in their mansion bedroom (I'm still not really sure I know the difference between drapes and  curtains). I am sure a lot of you women out there thought the same thing.    It didn't work out that way.  It's gotten to the point where I started to believe I was the problem.  But wait, am I the problem or is what I am willing to accept for myself the problem?

My Mom Mom once said to me while talking about my grandpop, bless her heart, "Elyse, your so lucky you don't have any men".  Ummm, is that a backhanded compliment? Am I lucky MeMau?
No, moon pie is not lucky.


What's all the stigma around being single?  I bet a lot of you are like "Omg, I can't believe she said the S word!!".  Is it like the Scarlet Letter then?  Maybe I'll consider getting an S put on my shirts like in that really funny movie I love with the red head girl that I can't think of the name of.  Oh yeah, EASY A!! What a funny little comedy. 


So, I thought on the day of the celebration of my 27 years on this Earth I should break down for those why in fact I am still single.  Maybe this even relates to some of you women who are similar to me.  So with that being said--

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES, ALL THE SINGLE LADIES.

I want to believe people will change
I have a terrible habit of seeing the absolute best in people and thinking yep, they can change. FACT: People don't change. People are who they are and you either accept what they are offering or you don't.  It's like Seven, the dog currently residing with us.  Every time I come home he cries and cries until I pick him up and tell him things like "Look at that good boy" "What a good boy you are?"  Every time I come home, I think maybe he got over it, he probably will sense my tiredness and leave me alone. NOPE.  If dog's can't change the way they are, neither can people.
That's Seven. He also does the cry thing at night. Up, down, in and out of bed, cry on my face, jump around waiting for Chad to get home. I get up I curse at him until I slam doors and then I remember the windows are open and the neighbors probably think I am abusing Chad.   Every night I think, maybe he'll just sleep. NOPE. Like I said, if dog's can't change (and they don't have shit to lose by changing) why should people.

I pass up seemingly good opportunities
I'll meet a guy and everyone will think they are AMAZING.  Not as amazing as me, of course.  But none the less, amazing.  I'll think they are amazing too--for awhile.   Then, I'll get tired of how amazing they are and I'll think---What do they want with me? Certainly not my college loans that I don't have in the bank to pay off my college loans.  And, I'll end it. Usually I'll end it because I'll think the grass is greener--which it isn't.


I chose men who are emotionally unavailable
I have a tendency to date men whose widest emotional range is: Yelling at the TV during a football game and  laughing at a raunchy poorly told bar joke.  There is no in-between on that.  They also tend to only care about their own feelings, not others.  I care so much about if other people are happy I frequently over look that in fact I am not.  I can't remember the last time a man asked me how my day was. 

I settle for less than I deserve
I am a pretty easy woman to deal with.  I love Shop Rite colorful daisies that cost $7.99.  It's the simple things that make me happy.  I unfortunately, never even get the simple things from the people I chose.  Really, you can't get off your ass and go get my shop rite flowers on my birthday?  My problem I am so considerate of peoples feelings, who are far less considerate of mine.   I wise person once said "When you settle for less than you deserve you often end up with even less than you settled for".  That has to be true, because I read it on the internet.  They can't put anything on the internet that isn't true.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide
 I have dated a couple men I would consider to have split personality disorder. It's all "your amazing" then it's silence. Silence. Silence.  Then, they reappear and I (because I think everyone can change) say "Hey Mr.s Hyde, is that a new shirt? You look great".  And Mr. Hyde is great--considerate, loving, thoughtful, etc.  Then, here comes Dr. Jekyll again with his silence.  Oh hello Dr. Jekyll, did you forget something the last time you were here?

I put others needs before my own
I saw a therapist once, and she was great.  She understood me exactly.  Unfortunately, her copay was high.  If I never saw that therapist, I'd have $120.00 in my pocket and I could pay 0.00000000002% of my college loan debt Mr. Mortgage man. How fiscally irresponsible of me.   Anyway, she told me I had something called "Baby bird broken wing syndrome".  It means someone who believes they can aide in fixing others (which is kind of her job, isn't it?). It is someone who nurtures, gives others everything she has, and help others fix themselves.  But, hoping and praying and being there for the baby bird ain't gonna fix him. 




So women, I have to assume I am single like a lot of you are single.  How do we find the right guys?
 It's not online dating---been there, done that
It's not in the bar---drunk and stupid is no way to go through life
 It's not in the grocery store---Who dresses their best to go there and who is thinking of anything else besides food?
And lastly it's certainly not at a WEDDING. If one more person say's "There will be a ton of single guys at this wedding, maybe you'll meet someone"  I am going to karate chop them in the throat. The whole "single guy at a wedding" thing is a joke.  Men at weddings aren't thinking "Wow, I hope I meet the right girl and settle down so I can get married and spend $45,000 on a wedding too".


So with that being said--if you know someone who is in fact also great I am accepting resumes.  My ad goes a little bit like this---

SWF
Seeking: occasional hand holding,  beach loving, craft beer drinking, shop rite flower buying type of guy who is gainfully employed.  Enjoys home cooked meals, crappy scary movies,  and someone who is thoughtful and kind. 

I vow to myself in my 27th year of life I will no longer accept less than I deserve. I also vowed that at 26,25,24,23, yada, yada, yada, yada.  
Jerry Seinfeld:"But you yada yada'd over the best part!!" 
Elaine: "No, I mentioned the bisque."

Monday, September 23, 2013

Grandmom Evelyn's Beef Soup

Grandmom Evelyn's Beef Soup 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time-4-5 hours
Serves- 8-10


Remember I told you I love soup? This soup is probably the reason.  My great grandmother used to make this soup and since then I have been obsessed. As a matter of fact, I ask my dad to make it for me frequently.  He loves me very much so he complies with my requests :).  This soup is not for the faint of heart as it has one ingredient you may not be familiar with.  But, it's super simple and requires little TLC--set it and forget it. 

Let me tell me about my parents, since I talk about them often.  They are affectionately called Big Joe and DD. 
My Dad is actually the spitting image of Mr. Clean. He's bald and has big muscular arms. When I was a kid all of my friends were terrified of him, because he was muscular talked loud and is a cop.  He's the chief of police now.  My mom, she's a nurse in a heart center.  Growing up I was never scared of my father, he's a softy and he has a big heart when it comes to his kids.  My dad taught me how to cook and it's a passion we both share.   We love to cook and we love to feed other people.

My mom is actually more stern then my father.  She has this way of talking to you when you've done something wrong that makes you question your motives in the first place.  My sister now does it sometimes and it drives me insane.  My parents never spanked us or yelled at us, they just talked to us in such a way that we were instantly sorry.

Regardless, my parents did a fantastic job with us.  They raised 3 successful children.  My sister is a Social Worker and works for the Gift of Life Family House and my brother is pursuing his doctorate and is an FBI Agent.  Sounds made up, but it isn't.  My parents are proof you don't have to spank your kids to raise them to be respectful, hard working adults.

In my family Sunday night dinner is a scared practice.  It happens at my parents house, every Sunday, around 6:00pm mostly.  I think I have missed one of these dinners total.   It's really my dad's day to shine and show off his cooking skills. And this Sunday, was no exception to that.


Ingredients:
One package Beef Bottom Chuck Roast, dice it in large chunks
One Shoulder roast, dice it in large chunks
One package Beef Short Ribs
6 Beef Bones

1 whole package celery, diced
1/ white onion, diced

2 cans diced carrots, drained
46 oz can Beef Broth
35 oz can Diced Tomato

1 1/2tbsp Salt
1  tbsp Pepper
3 tbsp Chicken Bullion

2 Boxes of your preferred Pasta, Ours is Barilla Farfalle


Now, I went to the Amish Market and bought the beef bones. However, big Joe sited you really should have knuckle bones. Alas, it's not what I bought. He's the chef so I don't argue. 

Directions:
1. In a large soup pot place all of the diced vegetables (except the canned carrots).
2. On top of that layer the diced beef (don't cut off the fat!)---all of it.
3. Pour in the can of beef stock.
4. Cover the meet in water.

5. Set on stove to bring to a boil.
6. While the soup is waiting to boil throw in the canned tomatoes, canned carrots (drained), chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.

7. Allow to come to a soft boil for 4-5 hours.

8. After about 4-5 hours (you can tell if it's done if the meat falls apart) cook the pasta in a separate pot according to the package directions.
9. Remove the meat and bones from the soup and serve in a large family style bowl where everyone gets to pick their own meat.
10.  Place pasta in soup broth with vegetables and serve!

BAM, THAT'S IT!!!

This soup is amazing.  Some children are reminded of their childhoods because of vacations they took with their family, I'm reminded of my childhood by food.  My father is cooking to me.  When I think of Big Joe I think of Spaghetti and Clams (a staple in his house), soup, and hot dogs and beans (which I still to this day would not go out of my way to eat).  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Clean Vegetable Soup

I love soup, and if loving soup is wrong I don't wanna be right. I even love soup in the summer when it's 125 degrees out. I love every single kind of soup.  I've even had Pureed Eggplant Soup and loved that.  This soup is clean and organic, which I know is expensive--so you can skip all that mess and just use regular vegetables and tomatoes.  I read the funniest article which states dietary restrictions are for the rich and sited that you do not see homeless people who have dietary restrictions--lol lol lol.  So true, sometimes I think we make up all these restrictions because they make us feel better. Alas, try my soup---it's lovely, and it freezes really well.  I like to make big pots of soup on Sunday and keep them for lunch all week and freeze some. 

Clean Vegetable Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Serves: 7-8

Hearty, tomato-y, and delcious


Ingredients:
1. 8 cups Homemade Chicken Stock (or organic if you must buy)
2.  18oz Can Organic Diced Tomatos
3. 6 cups organic carrots, diced
4. 6 cups organic celery, diced
5. 2 medium white onions, diced
6. 2 bay leaves
7. 1 tbsp olive oil
8. 1 tbsp Salt and 1 tbsp Pepper

Directions:
1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.  Throw into the oil all of the vegetables. Allow the vegetables to cook over medium high heat for 6-7 minutes or until translucent. In my experience this helps to "wake up" the vegetables in the soup.

2. Place 2 bay leaves in with vegetables. Season mixture with 1/2 tbsp salt and 1/2 tbsp pepper.
3. Pour in chicken stock and entire can of diced tomatoes, including the juice from can.
4. Season again with remaining salt and pepper.
5.  Allow the soup to come to a boil and turn it down to low heat.  Allow soup to cook for 2-3 hours on low.
6. Remove bay leaves 
7. Serve.

This soup is easy and delicious.  It freezes and stores well in the refrigerator.   It would be great paired with a protein (like chicken or beef),  or a gluten free or wheat pasta (I prefer wheat pasta). I also added a whole bag of spinach, but that is optional---doesn't really add flavor just more vegetables.  If you like your vegetables a little more crunchy under cook the soup by about an hour.  My mom says if your soup is crunchy it makes you think you are eating more, I don't know if I believe that.




Monday, September 16, 2013

Confessions of a Serial Dater

      Doesn't that almost sound like Serial Killer? It's not. I am not a killer. I am however, a Serial Dater. I said it. Lock me up and throw away the keys.  What do I mean by this? I date, a lot, and I never truly find what I am looking for.  In my dating history I've had some hilarious dates I thought I should share with you. Why now? Because I needed a good laugh at myself.  If you can't laugh at yourself, then you certainly shouldn't be laughing at others!


     I actually do not go on dates anymore to Riverwinds because I calculate I have to have been on at least 42 first dates there in the last 3 years.  The bartenders started to look at me suspiciously somewhere around date 32.  After I caught onto that, I refused to go on another first date there.  I don't need the staff there to judge me because I love their Dirty One Kettle One Martinis and won't give them up for nobody!

      I have been dating A LONG ASS TIME.  My first boyfriend was in Pr-Kindergarten.  He thought he was Tigger. He jumped on the playground a lot. He actually refused to walk I think.  He only jumped. I loved that little jumping fool. I think his name was Rashad, but I can't remember now.  We were the first interracial pre-k couple EVER. BAMMMMM TAKE THAT CONFORMITY. 

      My next recollection of a boyfriend was my fourth grade boyfriend.  He was the "new kid", so you can imagine he dated every girl that year.  He was my first date.  It was the best date I can remember yet.  My dad dropped me off--uncomfortable for both of us looking back now.  He dropped me off right to my date who was playing baseketball in his driveway.  We were so young, we really didn't know what was expected of two fourth graders hanging out?  We sat outside and he shoot hoops and I watched.  We talked about Mrs. Pindur and Recess type activities I'm sure.  BEST.DATE.EVER.  After that, things got much more complicated.

     My high school boyfriend was probably the most serious of all so far.  He would walk the dogs and I would meet him halfway then we would go hang at his house under the watchful eye of his dad--as it should be!  He paged me, and I paged him.  Yes friends, before the invention of cell phones.  We also had our best conversations, and most serious fights, via AOL Messangers We all hung out as a crew.  We hung out at this one kids house or in the woods.  Being rebels and bad asses.  Why didn't it work out? Because I am and have always been a reckless soul and free spirit.  He's married now, with a child--god bless his heart.  I'm happy for him--god knows I can't chase around no baby at the ripe age of almost 27.  We still don't talk if we see each other in person, which makes me giggle sometimes.  I still tell my friend Holly he was my first true love---at 16---hehe.

    My college boyfriend was 4 years of a relationship where in which I hated him and he most certainly hated me.  If we needed space from each other we wouldn't talk for 3 months. No, not 3 days--we'd disappear on each other for 3 months.  For Christmas one year I talked all about how I wanted Chocolate Ugg Boats.  You know what he got me? An oil burning lamp.  I was dumb founded. I don't live in the woods. I don't need an oil burning lamp. Also, I've never lit it because I fear I'll burn the house down. I still have it, I feel bad throwing it away.  Oh, and then for my birthday he got me a Belevedere Cheese Plate.  WHATTT? I broke it.  One time my sister got trapped in the car with us and all we did was fight and tell the other person they were an idiot.  Alas, being young and 21 I still cried when it was finally over. I repeatedly played John Mayer- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room until my roommates in our quasi Sorority House wanted to kill me.  I still laugh and smile a little when I hear that song and think of how silly I was.


Since then, it's been a torrent of different dates. Let's talk about some of these dates--I have thousands stored up but some are escaping me right now:

I almost jumped off of a subway platform
    First date, don't know each other from Adam, he tells me he can't drink too much . Why I asked as I was only planning to have two glasses of wine with dinner? He mentions it's because of the "meds"--anxiety, depression, etc.  He then continue to mention how he almost jumped off of a subway platform one time when it got so bad. CHECK PLEASE.  Yes, I paid for my own dinner--deleted his phone number and ran like someone lit a fire under my ass.

Ayi Papi
    I dated an Argentinian once.  He was super interesting to me--mostly because I couldn't understand half of what he was saying.  It was refreshing to not have to really reply because I really didn't know what he was saying.  He was adopted from Argentina at 14, so yes he spoke English.  But something about his English perplexed me. Then, he said he was thinking of going back  to his X and my response was "Awesome good luck!" in a genuine manner. That must of not sat well with him. Why wasn't I upset by this he must have been wondering? Well, then he went all Sybil on me.  Thank god he's calmed down and we no longer speak half Spanish Half English. I did however like when he said "How do you say...".  

Is my laugh too loud?
    I went on a date one time where not only did I have to pay for my own drinks, but the man had the loudest and most irritating laugh.  It was so loud it even caught the eye of other customers more than once.  When the bartender just dropped off the bill and did not question if in fact we were done I know he himself had had enough of this infuriatingly loud obnoxious laugh.  I then decided--No Elyse, you can not make it work with someone with that laugh. 

I work 85 hours a week, is that going to be a problem?
     My most recent dating experience was with a young handsome navy doctor.  We hit it off really well on our first date.  However, he said words with more than 4 syllables which perplexed me. I frequently found myself googling words under the table when he went to the bathroom.  He was really fun--and so different than me.  He collected 2 dollar bills and kept them in frames. If I ever saw them I'd bust the money out and spend them.  He said to me "Do you know how much these are worth?!?!"  My response was "Yeah, two dollars".  He was fun and refreshing, but he spent more time working then eating and sleeping combined.  It's a shame, he was pretty fun and could have taught me more 4 syllable words.


So why after all of the dates I have been on am I still single? I don't know, I guess I am just not willing to settle unless I feel it. Unless I truly feel "Yep, this guy is everything I need to wake up to for the rest of my life".  Maybe I felt that once, I don't know.  Is that corny? Maybe I am a dreamer, but for now I'll just continue being a reckless free spirit.


Oh also, I have been on other dates but I don't want to offend anyone.  :) All in good fun people!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

To be Healthy and Happy or to be Skinny and Miserable?

         As I watch the world around me continue to move forward I hear more and more about eating habits, healthy eating to be skinner,  3 week challenges, weight watchers, not eating a french fry because one will make you unhealthy, etc.  It's come to the point I think I talk about health food, eating habits, and being skinny at least 2 times a day in various conversations. Women, when do we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?   When did we stop talking about politics, animal cruelty, volunteer work, etc. and start talking about how shitty we feel because we ate a carbohydrate.

I want you to really access the next two situations I am about to pose:
 
       Woman 1 is your best friend and is super fit and active.  When you go out, she won't eat and if she does she will complain about it all night and be unhappy.  She will have what's seemingly a good time but you know what she thinking--"Did I eat that?" "Do I look bloated now?" "Am I still pretty?".  Her confidence is shotty at best and it is clear in her interactions with others.  Her constant worry is about how much she will need to workout to fix this "terrible night of eating (one french fry)". You also can feel her judging your meal selection, which can make you question your own confidence. 

      Woman 2 is also your best friend.  She is fit and healthy, but not "skinny".  She's always up for a good time, enjoys going out and having fun, but above all is confident.  People are drawn to her because you can tell she is confident and doesn't really worry about what you think. She works out 6 days a week as well, but does not stress if she misses a workout or eats a cheeseburger on Thursday.  She's the life of the party and you yourself even enjoy her personality.

       Can you compare any of those two people to people in your life?  The problem is....It's a constant battle between exercise and food and connecting those two things solely to a woman's happiness and self worth.  Remember a long time ago we talked about how much emphasis we put on the 3 digits that define our weight?  It's not like those 3 little numbers are the Scarlett Letter.  You don't have to announce it to the world and wear it in red on your t-shirt everyday.  So, why do we make it our priority?  When did happy and healthy slip by the wayside and become replaced by skinny and complacent.

    I mentioned how I get caught in these fitness/healthy food conversations at least twice a day. It's because people know I do Crossfit (http://crossfitsolstice.com/) and this is what they think we look like:
When really, we look like this:


Are all sets of  the women beautiful? Absolutely, sexiness comes from confidence not your pants size.

Camile LeBlank just facebook posted how she does eat carbs--and she eats two cheat meals a week, or more if she's hungry!!
Look at her, she's beautiful---because she is confident and she knows she can.  With or without carbs or cheat meals she'd still be pretty. 

      The moral of my story is, love yourself first.  Be confident, be healthy, be happy.  Don't stress the small stuff. Life is given to us a finite amount of time--we don't know when our time runs out.  You want to eat a cheeseburger after your selected workout, eat it.  Certainly don't eat it everyday but, last time I watched the news there was no breaking news story where: " Healthy Woman dies after eating first cheeseburger ever".

Love yourself girl, or nobody will.





Monday, September 9, 2013

Slow Cooker 5 Alarm White Bean Chicken Chili

I call this five alarm because it's super spicy--and perfect for men during football season. In order to make it super filling make it Cincinnati Style--- over egg noodles with a lovely handful of cheddar cheese on top and a dollop of sour cream. Fill them up and it will shut them up. 

If you don't really like Spicy omit the Chile Peppers in Adobo.

Slow Cooker 5 Alarm White Bean Chicken Chili
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Serves: 7-8


Ingredients:
1 Can Canellini Beans
1 Can Sweet Corn
1 Can Other Small White Beans

1 Green Pepper
1 Red Pepper
1 Small White Onion 
1 tbsp good olive oil
1 Can Chile Peppers in Adobo
1 package chicken thighs 
1 half package lean ground turkey
8 corn tortillas, ripped into small piece
8 cups Chicken Stock (I use my own homemade stock)
Salt and Pepper for cooking
1/2 tbsp Paprika
1 tbsp chili powder

Directions:
1. Dice the green pepper, red pepper, and onion.  Heat a saute pan over medium high heat with 1 tbsp of olive oil.  Place diced veggies in pan.
2. Open can of Chiles in Adobe and pour the sauce into the crockpot.  Dice the Chiles and throw into the saute pan.  

3. Place chili powder and paprika into the veggies and saute everything for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.



3. Drain and rinse canned beans and corn. 
4.  Place chicken thighs on the bottom of the crock pot, season with salt and pepper.

5. Crumble up raw turkey and place on top of chicken on the bottom of a crock pot.  Season with salt and pepper. (Okay, here is the great debate over salt in food. I don't believe you should smother after it's done with salt, however---cooking with salt is vital.  Salt while cooking won't add salty flavor, but will enhance the flavor of the chicken and veggies.
6.  Pour beans and corn from strainer on top of chicken.

7. Pour contents of saute pan in slow cooker.

8. Pour in 8 cups of chicken stock.

9. Throw in ripped up corn tortillas (this will thicken the sauce and dissolve as this cooks slowly).

10. Cook on low heat for 6 hours.  After 6 hours poke around in there with a large spoon to break up chicken and turkey!





SERVE :)
 Remember, men love it Cincinnati Style!
 
 
 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who love Cilantro, and people who hate it.  If you hate it, the following ain't for you!  I love cilantro, and I love Mexican food.  I love that Mexican restaurants give you chips so you eat 3,000 calories before you scarf down a burrito. I mean, who doesn't love 3,000 calorie meals?  This is quick, easy, and affordable. Also, frikkan awesome.


Also, keep this recipe in mind if you will have left overs.  This week I'll do a round two recipe--- Cilantro Chicken Taquitos.


Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 6-7 hours
Serves: 6
 Ingredients:
1.  Package Chicken Thighs (about 5-6 to a package)
2.  1 Jar favorite Salsa (I used a corn and blackbean)
3. 1 Package Mrs. Dash Taco Seasoning (has no salt, important you minimize salt)
4. Salt and Pepper, for chicken
5. 2 large handfuls fresh cilantro
6. 1/4 cup Lime Juice

For Tacos--this is all optional, you can add what you like--I just happened to add this stuff to mine.
1. Light Sour Cream
2. Reduced Fat Colby Jack Cheese (I prefer Sargento)
3. Homemade Clean Salsa (try something like my summer corn salad http://unexpectedcrossfitter.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-corn-salad-with-ginger-lime.html)
Or shoprite and most grocery stores make a very clean in store made version which is usually pretty good with no preservatives
4. Whole Wheat or Gluten Free Tortillas

Directions:
1. Place chicken thighs evenly spread out (not overlapping) in the bottom of a slow cooker.  Why chicken things?  2 reason--1. They are cheaper 2. They have more fat and a darker meat which hols the moisture in the chicken.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a mixing bowl add---salsa, mrs. dash, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Stir or whisk well to incorporate.
4. Pour mixture over top of chicken. Cover and let cook for  6 1/2 hours untouched.  I made mine 2 days in advanced and refrigerated it.    It will keep uncooked in the fridge for 48 hours.  This also makes this simple if you make it on Sunday and plug it in on Tuesday! This gives the flavors a chance to meld together, and allows you to have dinner ready in advance.
5. After 6 hours shred the chicken and reduce the heat to Keep Warm. Mix the chicken all around in the pot to help it absorb the sauce.  The good thing about chicken thighs is you don't have to take them out to shred--stab them with a fork and they will fall apart.
6. Assemble your tacos the way you like them!

These are mine--- 1/4 cup My homemade Cilantro Salsa with fresh ingredients, 1/4 cup reduced fat colby jack, 1 tbsp light sour cream, 2 ounces chicken in each tortilla, 2 wheat tortillas, and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top. AMAZING