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Health & Fitness

Faith, Family & Football; That's What This Recipe is All About

We have a game on Thursday and Friday night, and two on Saturday. The highlight of our weekend is when we get back and sit around discussing the game results.

"The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."

— Vince Lombardi

It's that time of year — high school football season — and it is my oldest son’s first day on varsity. I find myself reflecting, where did this all begin? How did we become such a football family?

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If I had to describe my family in four words …. it may well be faith, family, food and football. We seem to gravitate to words that start with F!

I can remember how it all started. When my daughter was 5, she decided she wanted to be a cheerleader. Off we went to sign her up, and on opening day, I can still remember the look on my husbands face. It was an intense look that I had never seen before. By half-time, he was out of his seat and inquiring how he could help coach. Little did I know this was just the start of the football family that we were destined to become...

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At that time, I had two young children and our football schedule was very manageable. Now with four children and four football schedules, things are a little crazy. We have a game on Thursday night, one on Friday night, another on Saturday morning and the last one on Saturday evening. And did I mention practice every night of the week?

Needless to say, organization is key to a fantastic, well-fed, and functioning football family! See what I mean about us gravitating toward Fs!

As crazy as it can get, I wouldn’t want it any other way. We have had so many victories that we will never forget, so many disappointing calls that didn’t go our way, we had years that we had the starting quarterback and years that we sat on the bench….

When I look back, I can compare our football memories to life. Sometimes you are on top of the mountain and other times you are down in the valley wondering how you will ever climb back up again. But in the end, if you are committed to your family, you can make it through anything!

Food is love and there is no better time spent than Around the Family Table.

The highlight of our weekend is when we get back and sit around discussing the game results.

Sesame Ginger Roasted Chicken

  • 2 small chickens
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup sesame ginger marinade
  • 2 onions
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • Sea salt and pepper for seasoning

Brush the chicken with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and brush the chicken with 1/2 of the marinade.

Stuff the cavity of the bird with an onion.

Place chickens on oiled glass baking dish with beef broth.

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 1 hour. Always use meat thermometer to determine when chicken is completely cooked.

After half an hour, baste chicken with the remainder sesame ginger sauce.

Kids' Ratings: Ronnie 9.5; Reis 9.0; Riley 8.5

Portuguese Rice

The easies and yummiest rice you will ever make.

  • 6 cups of water
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
  • 2 cups of rice
  • 4 tablespoons butter

Bring water to a boil and add onion and chicken bouillon. Add rice and turn the heat down to a simmer. Cover pot and do not stir …. don’t even look at it.

When water is absorbed (about half an hour), remove onion and add butter.

All my kids' friends can’t wait to come to our home to enjoy this easy rice recipe!

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