First I would like to start off by thanking all the Moms out there for your hard work, sleepless nights, and unconditional love.  You have the hardest job out there!  I couldn’t even imagine the hard work you put in day in and day out.  I hope to one day be a mother myself but for now I will praise all of you!

Now for a shout out to my own Momma 😀

My mom is without a doubt my best friend in the whole world.  I have always been close to her and I am totally not ashamed to be a Mommas Girl.  She was very sick while I was growing up and I definitely stood by her side from the time I was old enough to do so.  She is doing very well now for all of you who do not know me personally and know the long journey that was.  She then returned the favor and was there for me through my rough teenage years with severe depression/agoraphobia.  She knew what was right for me and fought so many battles in my healing process.  Without her I don’t know where I would be.  But because of her I am who I am today and I could never thank her enough for that.  Thank you mom for always being there for me in the past, in the present, and without a doubt in the future.  Also thanks for talking to me on the phone everyday on my long commute from work!

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To thank my mom for all she does I prepared a picnic for her.  She absolutely loves my chicken salad so I made that but with a twist.  I saw in SELF magazine this month this blueberry Waldorf salad and decided to give that a try.  To go along with that I made french style green beans and chopped fresh fruit.  We enjoyed our picnic at a beautiful walking path around a lake.  It was the perfect day for a walk outside!

Super refreshing and delicious!

Chicken Waldorf Salad

• 1 lb chicken, cooked, diced
• 3 stalks celery, finely sliced
• small bunch of green onions, finely sliced
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup fat free plain greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• splash of white wine vinegar
• salt & pepper to taste

Toss everything together and chill overnight

French Style Green Beans

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed/cleaned
• 1 shallot
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup champagne vinegar
• pinch of sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

bring a pot of water to a boil, add green beans and only cook for a short period of time to keep them slightly crunchy.  Chop up shallot and garlic and saute lightly in oil (i used coconut).  Mix shallot, garlic, olive oil, mustard, vinegar and make a dressing.  Toss with the green beans and add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill overnight.

Also I have to share what a corny person my mom is (which is what I love about her…and..well she made me corny too)

She had this gift waiting for me and said its from all my dogs.  Hanna, Molly, Sasha & Azi..for being a loving ani-mommy.

Happy Mothers Day!