Pulled Chicken BBQ, Cole Slaw, & Baked Beans

Doesn't that sound southern and yummy?!! :) Besides being southern (even for this northern girl) and yummy, it's an all around great meal for any wife or mother cooking for her family whether she is juggling doing so with a career, homeschooling (for all my homeschooling readers), or even stay at home moms that need to just get dinner out of the way in advance so you can tackle everything else on your list on any given day, including keeping up with those little ones all day long. I promise, you can throw this in in the morning and still have energy left for everything else you need to do today! Don't worry, single gals or even the guys, this one's easy as pie for you too, whether it be impressing someone special, sharing a meal with a friend, entertaining, or guys - impressing your wife by cooking for HER on occasion! :) And for my girlfriends who burn water attempting to boil it, (you know who you are, I won't mention any names) :) and teens learning your cooking skills, or the engaged or young bride needing to start with simple and work up to bigger skills, this one's for you!!

As always, don't worry, in order to be a Walking In Victory Recipe, you know it has to be easy on your wallet too, so it is! All you'll need is a package of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, a bottle of BBQ Sauce, a package of Sandwich Buns, a bag of Cole Slaw Mix, (you likely have the ingredients in your pantry to make the slaw once you have the mix), and a can of Baked Beans. I can get all of the above ingredients (now this is doing my grocery shopping at Walmart, shopping sales, using coupons when I have them, and buying store brands for the things that really don't make a difference in the end result), for about under $12 to feed my entire family!

Here's what you need and what you do:

Pulled Chicken BBQ Sandwiches:

*1 Pkg. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (you can get the 3 pk Purdue at Walmart for $5 & some change)
*1 Bottle of BBQ Sauce (I use whatever is on sale - you can spice it up to suit your taste by adding some brown sugar, honey, spices, etc.)
*1 Pkg. Sandwich Buns (Btw...did you know you can often get name brand bread products at the Dollar Tree??!! And I've talked to the store manager and it's just bread that the bread distributor brings at the end of the day that they had leftover from delivering to the local grocery stores)! Food for thought....shouldn't we all be good stewards of our resources and save where possible? :)

Literally, throw the Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast in the crock pot/slow cooker RAW (you don't even need to cook it in advance), pour the entire bottle of BBQ Sauce over it, cover and let it cook all day on low or 4 or so hours on high!! Go back every now and then and give it a stir, and when it looks tender and done, pull it apart with 2 forks and just continue letting it get tender and yummy in that sweet and savory BBQ Sauce.

Cole Slaw:

*1 Pkg. Tri-Color Cole Slaw mix (I buy the pre-packaged at Walmart - the Market Fresh Brand, it's above the Market Fresh Salad Mixes in the produce section and it's about $1.50 a bag)!
The remaining ingredients you'll probably have in your pantry and are:
*1 Cup Mayo
*2 Tbsp. Milk
*1 Tbsp. Vinegar
*1 Tbsp. Sugar (I usually add 2 b/c my family likes it sweet)
*Salt & Pepper to taste (to get that sweet and salty combo) Yum!

Mix it all together in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate. This is one that the longer it sits in the fridge, the better it will taste!

That's it! Serve when you're ready for dinner (which will be when you get home from work if you through it together that morning or when your hubbie walks in the door from work if you through it in even say at lunchtime). Serve the Pulled Chicken BBQ on Sandwich Rolls, top with Cole Slaw, or put on the side, spoon out a side of Baked Beans (I just buy the canned and doctor them up with brown sugar & whatever else I feel like), and...."That's What's For Dinner Tonight!!" :)

Walking In Victory Lunch Box idea:

Serves double duty as a Walking In Victory Lunch Box Idea too! We always have leftovers on this one which is great to warm up the next day for lunch. Impress your hubbie when he opens his lunch box and has a yummy southern reminder of what he comes home to at the end of each day. Just throw a bun in a baggie, put some of the Chicken BBQ in a storage container with a lid, spoon some Cole Slaw in another container with a lid, you know the drill...same thing for the beans... :) He can warm up the Chicken BBQ in the microwave, spoon it on his bun, top it w/his Slaw, and he will KNOW you are the bomb!! :) Just sayin.....

Walking In Victory In Marriage:

Extra nugget for thought: re-read the Little Sweet Things post and even throw in a sweet note reminding him your the bomb with it, and I'm just sayin.... Better yet, you could always ask him if you should turn the "Crock Pot" on for tonight while your at it!! If you don't get that I'm not talking about small kitchen appliances here, go back and read the Little Sweet Things Post!! :)

Generation Church - Captive Heart

My Valentine's Day song dedication I felt very specifically led to for my readers today!

It's Valentine's Day! The day of LOVE!! For some, special dates have been planned, cards, flowers, chocolates and jewelry have been given and received. What a blessing! Embrace it!

For others, maybe you're not feeling very "loved" today. Maybe this day serves as a reminder of a broken marriage, a broken relationship, a loss, a reflection on singleness and lonliness; For teens, a hope that one day you'll experience love when your night in shining armor rides to your balcony on a white horse; For the stay at home mom of young children, maybe you're going through the motions of all that needs to be done today, but feeling isolated, unappreciated, and exhausted; For the parent of a prodigal, guilting yourself with wondering if your child knows they're loved as they go about their wayward path; For the man who has experienced job loss during this difficult economy, perhaps you're feeling like a failure today, like you don't measure up in some way. I don't know, those were just a few specific illustrations I had.

Remember what I said recently about the little things. If you can't afford to go out and celebrate or send your wife a dozen roses at work, perhaps you're in a season of young children and either cannot afford or simply do not have child care for a date night, I think what matters is making that special someone feel special. Little things go a long way to accomplish that. Acts of service, meaning maybe just come alongside her (or him), in an act of service today such as help with dinner, help put the kids to bed, tell them to sit and relax and your gift is to take over the responsibilities at home tonight. Share a special dinner together after the kids go to bed or even dessert. A simple bubble bath, a handwritten note, etc. Speak THEIR love language.

For the broken marriage, it IS possibe to love the unlovely! Love is a choice, a decision. You can CHOOSE love even when you don't FEEL love. For those who have been deeply wounded in some way, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless thos who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you....do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. In doing so you will heap burning coals on their heads." (Paraphrasing) That certainly doesn't mean our motivation should be an attitude of, "Oh, I want to heap burning coals on his head, I want him to suffer, so ok, I'll do what that says!" :) I think it means more that in doing so, loving even the unlovely, the spirit will bring conviction to their hearts. I have a beautiful visual I'll share with you soon but for the purpose of this specific post, I'll stick to my point. But someone please send me a message and remind me if I haven't shared it in the next few days! :)

For those loving a prodigal, I know where you are. Choose to LOVE the prodigal and hate the behavior. You can convey that you love them unconditionally, that your love for them isn't based on what they DO, but that you disapprove of their choices. Be available to them when a door opens and know when to let go when the door is shut. Your best weapon in this battle for their soul is fought on your knees. Stay on them until they bleed! That's love!! And let your prayers be declarations of faith over their lives and futures!

For those experiencing loss, oh how I know that pain as well friend. Can I challenge you to rejoice and celebrate the number of years you had with them today rather than grieve for the time lost.

For the lonely and broken hearted, I challenge you to play this song I have been led to for you. In fact the challenge is the same for ALL of you reading this, but specifically for the lonely or broken hearted regardless of what that looks like for you, get alone in a quiet place. Play this song and really digest the lyrics. Let all the brokeness go, and receive unconditional love and peace and joy that surpasses all human understanding. Maybe you don't even love YOURSELF! Is there anyone else out there who is their own biggest enemy? I think, no I KNOW, if you whole-heartedly embrace this song and can grasp that kind of love, you'll feel whole regardless of your deepest insecurities. And then of course what you need to do is go back and read my last post on the Battlefield of Your Mind and fight the battle of taking captive your thought life and become HIS "Captive Heart!" Be blessed by this song:
   

Have You Lost Your Mind?

What makes one relationship work and another fail?  What keeps one couple on the same page, but puts another in completely different books?  What makes one Christian succeed in their walk with God and another fail? 

The answer is not, “Well, that’s just how life is.”  The answer is not your flesh.  The most detrimental obstacle that prevents you from having a happy life is your mind.  Your mind is where the battle is either won or lost.  Every stronghold you have is conceived in your mind.  It is where every single sin you commit is birthed.  It is where every relational struggle you deal with emerges.  Your mind is ground zero for every self-inflicted problem you’ll have in life.

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 2:2-5

  

The Bible says a carnal mind is at war with God.  The Bible says, “as a man thinketh, so is he.”  The Bible says, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing (renovation) of your mind.”  The Bible says that in order for people to get along, they must be of the same mind, toward one another.  We have to be likeminded both with Christ, and our Christian brothers and sisters.  How is that possible?  How can we bring every thought to obedience?  How can we win the war between God’s Word and our thought life?

Lose your mind. 

I don’t mean how some of you have lost your minds long ago!  I’m not saying you should walk around mindless.  I mean lose your mind and let the mind of Christ take over!  The same mind Christ had, Paul told us in God’s Word that that same mind can be in us!

How can you and your spouse have a happy marriage?  Lose your mind and let the mind of Christ be in you.  A husband and wife with minds like Christ would never think thoughts like, “I made a mistake,” or “I want to quit”.  A couple with the mind of Christ would prefer one another over themselves, love each other with an unfailing love, be on the same page, think the best instead of believe the worst, esteem each other better than themselves, forgive each other instead of condemn each other, and—last but not least—have the marriage God intended for them to have!  The reason more than half of Christian couples divorce is because they are living their lives with carnal minds instead of minds like Christ!

Do you have a hard time in your relationships?  Do you have a hard time getting along with people?  Getting along with family members?  Lose your mind and get the mind of Christ!  The answer to getting along with your husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, friends, co-workers, or boss: prefer them over yourself, love them with an unfailing love, think the best instead of believe the worst, esteem them higher than yourself, care about their needs more than your own, forgive them instead of condemn them, and have the relationships God intended for you to have!

Obtaining the mind of Christ is the answer to all of your relational problems.  By the way, it’s also the answer to your personal problems, as well!  The reason you’re selfish is because you’re using your mind instead of Christ’s.  The reason you possess hatred for another is because you’re using your mind instead of Christ’s mind—Jesus loved His enemies! The reason you live a life of sin is because you’re using your own mind.  The mind of Christ never has a sinful thought! 

Friend, the answer to your struggles is to stop thinking like you, and start thinking like Christ! Lose your mind and let the mind of Christ be in you!  The Bible wouldn’t tell us to do something we don’t have the ability to do!  We can have the mind of Christ—but it’s up to us to let His mind be in us!

Pastor G.
Daniel 12:3

Fresh Herb Penne With Chicken & Tomatoes

This one's quick, easy, healthy, and won't blow your budget or your diet, but can pass for gourmet...so, yep, you guessed it...qualifies to be another recipe to help you Walk in Victory in your kitchen!

Prep Time: 15 min.  Cook Time: 15 min.  Serves: 4 (if need more servings, double the recipe)

16 oz. (1 pkg.) Penne Rigate
4 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp. fresh chopped garlic*
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/3 Cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or cut into thin strips*
1 pkg. (10-12) ounces cooked chicken breast strips (can use pre-packaged, Rotisserie, or throw a boneless skinless breast under the broiler until cooked through)
1 & 1/2 Cups (6 ounces) shredded Mozzarella cheese
Salt and Cracked Black Pepper to taste

Cook and drain Penne Rigate according to package directions. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomatoes and basil; cook 2 minutes. Add chicken; simmer for 5 minutes. Toss with pasta and mozzarella cheese. Season to taste with salt and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

*May substitute dry equivalents: 1/8 tsp. garlic powder; 1&1/2 tsp dry basil

That's what's for dinner tonight!!

Job's Secret to Restoration: The Most Faithful Man and His Secret

Sometimes, it seems as though our trials will never end.  Job went through more trials and tribulations than any of us can even imagine.  Yet he went from the very worst possible circumstances to being restored with all of God’s blessings upon his life.  Job went from sickness to health, poverty to wealth, loss to gain, and heartache to joy.  How did that happen?  How did Job go from utter misery to the blessings of God? What was Job’s secret?  If you knew his secret, would you give it a shot?

Let’s first take a look at all that Job went through.  If you don’t know the story of Job, he was a good man; in fact, God said there was nobody like him in the world.  He was rich.  He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 donkeys, 500 yoke of oxen (which would be like 500 John Deere tractors today), and had ten healthy children.  One day, someone stole his oxen and donkeys.  A fire killed all his sheep.  Then one of Job’s servants said, “All ten of your children have died.”  But that wasn’t all—Job’s body was afflicted with boils from head to toe.  As if that weren’t enough, his own wife looked at him and basically said, “You’re a pitiful wreck!  Why don’t you just curse God and die?”  Later, Job had three friends who came to see him before criticizing him and turning their backs on him.  Through it all, Job stood the test and God consequently gave him twice as much as he had before! He got everything back and then some.  Job lived happily ever after.

Now, what was it that delivered Job’s captivity?  What was it that caused God to say, “Job, you’ve had enough”? Where was his turning point?

Many think God turned Job’s captivity because he had a good attitude through it all.  Although we should have good attitudes—even through the storms of life—that’s not when God turned it around.  We’ve been taught that because Job stood the test, didn’t complain, suffered graciously, didn’t sin, and trusted in God, God decided to bless him.  But the Bible says,

                "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10

The word “friend” here doesn’t mean they were friends to him; it means he was a friend to them.  These are the same three friends who criticized and condemned Job.  One friend told Job that it was own fault that he was suffering; that he didn’t know God well enough.  Another friend blamed his suffering on his being a “hypocrite.”  Even though his friends put him down and hurt him, Job began to pray for his friends.  This is when God turned his captivity and restored his blessings.

Truly grasping this verse changed my Christian walk forever, and it can change yours, too.  It taught me not to harbor bitterness or animosity towards anyone.  It reminded me that we should pray for those who despitefully use us.  It reinforced the concept of blessing those who curse us and loving those who hate us.

I believe this verse is the reason I am one of the happiest people alive!  It’s not just because I trust God, although I do.  It’s not because I don’t complain during trials.  I don’t believe it’s because I don’t quit when I’m tested.  I truly believe the number one reason my life is blessed is because years ago, I decided to do what Job did and consistently pray for those who do me wrong.

If Christians will just learn to pray instead of criticize, love instead of hate, and forgive instead of have aught, God can transform their lives like never before.  You will never have the blessings of God if you aren’t right with your fellow man.  The only one you hurt by having the wrong heart condition toward another is yourself.  If you, like Job, need God to set you free from your captivity, try doing what Job did.

Pastor G
Daniel 12:3

Can Anybody Hear Me by Meredith Andrews

Quit Hiding Behind the Baggage

Quit Hiding Behind the Baggage - January 30, 2012

Sweet Treats and The Little Things That Go A Long Way!

I did this myself this morning and thought it would be nice to share with all of you! It's February! It's the month of LOVE!! :) Let's Walk In Victory this month in being creative and intentional in doing the "little things" to express love and affection to our kids, spouses, significant others, friends, family, etc. - you get the idea! :) I mean, doesn't it bring a smile to your face when someone does something "little" for YOU? Don't we ALL love a sweet surprise, no matter the size. It IS the thought that matters! So let's make it matter!

The specific illustration I used this morning in packing everyone's lunches (which in and of itself is an act of love and I would even go out on a limb here and say an act of worship as we pursue our God given roles of mom's (and dad's), wives (and hubbies) with joy and thankfulness that we have the privilege of taking care of these important people in our lives - YOUR jobs matter! And I just feel led to quickly address the stay at home mom right here - your job IS a career, it matters, it's valuable, it's your 1st calling on earth, the most important job on earth, the hardest, yet most rewarding job on earth, it's a privilege, an act of worship as we make our families and homes our utmost priorities in life, and the absolute highest calling existent!

Sorry, got a little side-tracked there, however, as some people play the piano or an instrument beautifully, never having taken a single lesson, and play by what they describe as "playing by the spirit," this keyboard is my instrument (even though I do play the clarinet - and with all the lessons and years of dedication in concert band, marching band, pep band, etc., when you utilize the "instrument" God gave you, something beautiful comes forth and can be used to minister, so I would definitely describe my writing, as an instrument, "typing by the spirit," often putting my fingers to the keyboard having no idea what I am suppose to type, but as the spirit leads, I obey and LOVE when I hear the testimonies of how God was using that to speak encouragement to specific people)! :)

But back to the "Sweet Treats and Little Things That Go A Long Way:"

Ok, so you know those little candy hearts with the little sayings on them you can buy this time of year in the Valentine Candy isle? I selected a handful of specific hearts with messages I wanted to convey, and threw those in my kid's lunch boxes this morning! I would have thrown a handful in my hubbies too if he brought his lunch today, but he's coming home for lunch instead!! So maybe I'll put some on his plate when I make his lunch!! :)

Here are some other ideas I have used and I promise, they are tried and true so go ahead, steal em' and be intentional this month to tell someone you LOVE them!

*Write a message on their napkin in their lunch box!

*Marketing companies are onto me! :) They've made it easier...many pre-packaged snacks and treats actually come packaged with a space to write a little love note to your special someone! :) To do this in a budget friendly way, package your own treat in a baggie and write the note on the baggie in Sharpie Marker!

*I have fond memories of my mom doing this during the years she was a stay at home mom - almost daily, my brother's and I came home from school to a home-baked treat she had baked for us while we were in school for our after school snack! Believe it or not, kids do understand the value that mom actually thought of them today and baked a special treat just for them. Working moms: you can do this too - bake ahead - it can be something very simple - the packaged cookie dough that you just spoon out on the cookie sheet and pop in the oven! Make a batch of those over the weekend and store them in a sealed container or freezer and have them out for the kids when they get home or even with you in a special bag for them when you pick them up from child care! Be creative! It's the thought that counts! :)

*The weather has been unseasonably beautiful. How about picking them up in the car pool line or off the bus, or from day care and putting everything on the "to do list" to the side for one day, and saying, "Let's go to the park!" Even if just for 20 minutes, it will send a huge message that they are important!

*I'm guilty of this one - meaning I don't do it enough - but when I do, it seems to make a huge statement - and it takes INTENTIONAL effort to actually set aside the housework, laundry, to do lists, etc., but how about intentionally carve out 15 - 30 minutes (most of us don't have hours and hours but ALL of us can carve out a 15 minute chunk in our busy days) to sit along side them and build a creation with Lego's, color together in a coloring book, even put on that child-like hat and play Barbies or Match Box cars together with them! They LOVE it!! And I have found, especially in my homeschooling years when I was teaching the older kids, that when I was faithful to just carve out 15 minutes with the little ones and do something like this, they were much more happy and content to keep themselves occupied when I needed to focus on the older one's math lessons!

Wives (or for my hubbie readers)   :)

*Leave a note on the bathroom mirror where they will get ready for the day (Wives: write it in red hot lipstick on the mirror where he'll shave if you really want to light his fire)!!!!  :)

*Call later in the afternoon for no specific reason (like the usual afternoon call when you've reached your wits end of, "You better do something with these kids when you get home!!!!") just to say, "I was thinking about you and wanted to let you know I love you!" 

*Bring him/or her, their cup of coffee in bed in the morning as they rise. My hubbie has made this habit something for me to look forward to (as I am NOT a morning person), for years!! I have learned to make it fun for him too, by boosting his ego with a, "Is this that handsome delivery guy bringing my morning cup of Joe?!" :) Or, "Wow, what did I do to get so lucky to have a handsome guy like you hand deliver my coffee to me?!" Flirt with him! He needs you to be flirtatious with him!

*Use technology to your advantage, if possible (just use discretion on work phones and computers because nothing is technically private - but that just means you need to be more creative by using code terms that only you and he/she know how to interpret)! :) For example, send a quick email, Facebook private message, or text that just says, "Thinking of you and I love you!" Or how about this? This is for you wives! Our husbands are bombarded by the opposite sex and images all day long. Make sure that it's YOU he can't wait to get home to! He NEEDS you to let him know you miss him, desire him, need him, etc. How about a message giving him something to look forward to when he gets home?! (Ugh, this is awkward, my parents are my followers!! Oh, well, they need this info too and if I'm going to serve marriages, I need to get over comfort zones!) ! :) Ok, so just sayin...just an illustration....that I've heard through friends, yeah, that's it, my friends have told me that THEY do this!!! :) How about a text, message, or phone call (again, with discretion), just to say something like, "Should I turn the crock pot on??!!!" Ok, you all know I'm not talking about small kitchen appliances here, right??!! :) Ok, if you really have no idea what I'm talking about, private message me for insight, or keep reading my marriage posts (which I'll probably focus on alot this month - program alert - I even have a Marriage Mentor Guest Commentator lined up for you as an extra special treat this month)! Call it your Valentine's gift from me to you! :) Ladies, I guarantee, he will NOT work late and will NOT be able to get home fast enough! He'll even be more than eager to help you put the kids to bed early!! :)

For that matter, wives, we're busy, we're stretched on all sides, especially those of us taking care of small children all day, or those of us trying to balance work with the responsibilities of home and family life. Bottom line is, we're TUCKERED OUT!! Guys it's not that we don't desire those intimate moments with you! We're just tired!! So ladies, you pretty much know how many days can pass before your hubbie is gonna start rubbing your back when you just get all tucked in under the covers! :) That's a sure sign right there! The ole', "You could use a massage," trick up the sleeve! :) So if you know it's likely "the night," ahead of time, :) he's pretty predictable, plan ahead. Keep the schedule simple that day, don't be super woman, not today anyway, save some energy and roll a few things over to tomorrow's "to do" list. Take a power nap if you are so lucky and that serves you (makes me more tired) but I know it's really helpful to some. Plan ahead by putting the kids to bed on time so it's not a late hour by the time you settle down for a long winter's nap. Keep dinner simple if you need to that night! Trust me ladies! Your man would much rather have PB&J for dinner and a wife who still has energy left for him, than a 3 course fancy dinner any day, hands down! Save the impressive 5 star, fine dining meal for the following night if you must! :)

*Feed the kids separate one night so that you and your lovie can have a candle-lit dinner for 2 while the kids do an activity in the living room, allowing you to focus on each other and adult conversation, rather than focusing on cutting everyone's meat, cleaning up the spilled milk, and referring the food fight! :)

*Put the kids to bed early or even on time, in their OWN beds, and have dinner with your lovie by the fireplace or even just on a blanket in the middle of the living room or even in the master bedroom. Be creative! Just keep things fresh, exciting, and everything but mundane and routine! Our spouses do NOT need another business partner! They need the love of their lives to make them feel special and important!

Ok, on that note, I think I've given you a good head start! Guys, flowers and chocolates STILL do the trick for the ladies!! After all, we're from Venus - YOU are from Mars! We need the EMOTIONAL connection, (and since you can't hear my tone, I'm saying that in that whiny and needy sorta voice)! :) You know the one - the one that whines, "You never taaaaalk to me, you never tell me how you feeeeeel, you don't show me enough affeeeeeeection!" YOU need the PHYSICAL connection!! :) :) :)  K - no excuses - go Walk In Victory in Marriage and Parenting!!! :) Oh geez, there's gonna be a baby boom at Cover Hill about 9 months from now!!!! :) :) :)

Pasta Salad

If you're like me, I often "sweat the small stuff," at least when it comes to my kids. One thing I find myself often fretting about is the fact that they open a lunch box to a different variety of SANDWICH most days! So I'm always looking for creative ways to surprise them with something other than a different type of meat and cheese between two slices of bread (or on a good day, I'll even switch it up and use different types of breads and rolls and on a really good day, I'll create a special type of sandwich dressing other than the good ole' mayo and mustard)! :)

So here's one I thought of after seeing the picture on a box of pasta I recently purchased that doesn't need to be kept hot or be heated up and is just as easy to pack in a sandwich container as, well...a sandwich! :) And I think it's pretty kid friendly since most kids like pasta, pepperoni, and cheese. And it's pretty budget friendly too which makes this an all around Walking In Victory Lunch Box idea!!

Here's what you'll need:

*1 box of Garden Rotini (you can use any pasta, but this tri-color makes it fun for the kiddos)
*Balsamic Vinaigrette or Italian Dressing (maybe 1/2 of the bottle - I just squirt it til it looks like all is coated)

Then you can basically throw in whatever YOUR kids like from here, but here are some ideas:

*Pepperoni
*Cheese (whatever you have on hand - I like to cut Monterrey Jack into cubes, but have also used shredded Mozzarella - the white cheeses make for nice presentation - it's important, I'm serious! :)
*Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (sliced in 1/2 for the kiddos to prevent choking hazard - or for a cheaper route, chop up regular slicing tomatoes).
*Black Olives (I know, most kids don't like em' but mine LOVE em)! :)
*Green Peppers (Chopped) - (I leave this out for the kid version, although some kids like them - when I make this as a side dish for adults though, I include the peppers).

That's basically it! Boil and drain the pasta according to the package directions. If making last minute, rinse pasta with cold water and ice cubes when draining to chill. Add all the other ingredients and toss together! Easy as pie! Easy, as budget friendly, if not more so than the expense in deli meat and cheese, and nutritious (Pasta from the bread group, Pepperoni and Cheese - Meat Group, & Tomatoes & Green Peppers - Veggie Group). Throw it in a plastic storage container with a lid (make sure it's sealed tightly so the dressing doesn't leak in their lunchbox - I re-use those Hillshire Farm Deli Meat Plastic Glad Storage Containers - the clear containers with the red tops - save those!! Put em in the dishwasher after the meat is gone and save them for great storage containers that store easily since they all stack inside one another)! :) There's another Walking In Victory bonus idea! :)