NAUGHTY OR NICE ZUCCHINI CORNBREAD + WAYS TO FIND PEACE THROUGH THE CHAOS

I'll never forget back when I was in High School and College when turning on music in my car was as automatic as putting on my seatbelt. The noise made me feel calmer. Or did it? Sure, it was a distraction and being a music lover, I always had fun singing to the latest chart-topping hits. But, now, looking back on it with a quiet car and a TV-free (unless it's intentional TV) home, I can truly say that these were just a few of the things in my life preventing me from living in a place of peace.

Sometimes, my intuition acts as a guide, such as when I worked in the advertising world and realized the true implications of my messaging to the public. The motivations behind those messages almost always came down to cash for my client and cash for my Advertising Agency. It seemed all shiny (and innocent) on the outside, but what was the basis for it all?

I felt convicted. And all of a sudden, the numbers became less of a motivation since the reality of it all came down to me creating messaging that either promoted fear (which is the basis of "good" advertising) or that irritating, but popular-for-a-reason acronym, FOMO, the fear of missing out.

All the things that take away one's peace.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? -Matthew 6:25-26

We're all aware that continuous streams of information can be bad for our mental health and our budget. Just look around your house (I'm also guilty) and recognize just how many things you've purchased that were based on an influencer recommendation, person, or ad.

So, how can we avoid these temping traps at home?

Some of the ways to guard against your life becoming an ad is to showcase special family pieces and even look to antique stores to find one-of-a-kind decor to help you stay grounded instead of always looking to be trendy. And forget fast fashion; look to the classic pieces in your wardrobe that will be just as stylish now as they will be in ten years. These simple choices promote peace in your life instead of constantly searching for the next best things.

And speaking of the next best thing, one can restore more peace simply by making space. Making space for yourself before the rest of the house comes alive in the morning is a great way to accomplish your goals while allowing yourself to breathe.

And focus on contentment.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." -1 Timothy 6:6-7

Learn the meaning of solitude and know your limits. Is your plate already full? Don't add more responsibilities just because you feel like you should. Allowing space for yourself to unwind, recharge, and even catch up on those things that you've put to the end of your list, like seeing your dentist, changing an air filter, or even working on a budget or meal plan to keep life easier, can keep you from overload and allow you to add more structure back into your day-to-day. These little things accumulate and ultimately encourage a peaceful life. And again, structure can lead to increased space.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." -Phillipians 4:12-13

And speaking of balance, I often think about food (what else is new?). Even the way you eat, balancing daily, good-for-you foods with fun, treat foods, can allow for a much more pleasurable life without guilt and a feeling of missing out.

So, I present you with my Naughty and Nice Zucchini Cornbread recipes. One is an old favorite from 30 years ago. It is a low-fat recipe that I ate more days for lunch at my work desk than I could count; it was delicious and satisfying.

And a newer favorite, my Naughty recipe, which is loaded with butter but still a nice option, albeit not an everyday sort of recipe. It's great with zucchini, or I've even enjoyed it with frozen broccoli or green beans. Delicious! And it's a quicker prep with no sauteeing.

And while I'm a bit hesitant to call these recipes either "naughty" or "nice" because I feel that everything that you love to eat can find a place in your diet plan, as long as you are conscious of making the more fat-laden, rich foods a smaller percentage of your weekly plan.

Balance.

Each is easy to make and the perfect answer to that all-too-familiar "what's for lunch" question.

Naughty Zucchini Cornbread

1 /2 medium onion, diced

2 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise, then thinly sliced

Olive oil to saute vegetables

2 eggs, beaten

6 oz. cottage cheese

1 package Jiffy Cornbread Mix

3/4 stick butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray. In a medium skillet, add about 1 Tblsp. of olive oil. Add in zucchini and onion and saute until onion is translucent and zucchini is soft, about 4 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix sauteed vegetables and the rest of the ingredients together and pour them into the baking dish. Bake for about 55 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Serves 4-6

This cornbread is even better when made ahead and reheated. It also freezes beautifully.

*It can also be made with different vegetables. I've used frozen green beans or broccoli. In this case, keep the onion raw and add it to the batter. Then microwave about 6 ounces of whichever frozen veggie you'd like until cooked according to the package directions, drain any water, and add it as well.

Nice Zucchini Cornbread

3 medium zucchini, quartered and thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup evaporated skim milk

3 egg whites

1 package Jiffy Cornbread Mix

3/4 c. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (divided)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray. Saute the onion and zucchini in a bit of non-stick olive oil spray in a medium skillet until softened, about 4 minutes. Set aside. Beat the milk and egg whites together and mix in the corn muffin mix until just combined. Then add in the cooled vegetables and 1/2 cup of cheese. Fold into the prepared pan and top with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Serves 4-6.

This cornbread is even better when made ahead and reheated. It also freezes beautifully.