As far as Southern comfort foods go, shrimp and grits is one of my favorites. That’s why when I came across this spicy shrimp and grits casserole, I knew I had to share it! This recipe takes about 20 minutes of active cooking time, and the rest is done by the oven. If you’re looking ahead to a super busy week, it can also be made ahead of time; it’s even freezer-friendly!

I hope you enjoy this spicy, cheesy, delicious shrimp and grits casserole as much as I did. Pair it with a glass of champagne.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking dish
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped
• 1/2 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 12 ounces large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cooked
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups shredded Gouda cheese, divided

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 x 8 baking dish. Set aside.
2. Heat butter over medium-high heat. Add the scallion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Reduce heat to medium, cook 4-5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
3. Stir in garlic, died tomatoes with chiles, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Stir continuously until mixture returns to a boil Reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Stir in shrimp, bacon, egg, and 1 cup cheese. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through and bubbling. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

 

Rejection is rough, no matter how you slice it. But it’s also an inescapable fact of life, and our ability to deal with failure and rejection has a hand in determining how successful and happy we are.

Happiness isn’t the opposite of depression — resilience is. Think of the people you most admire — many of them didn’t get where they are just by sailing through life without any negative experiences or failures. Most of them distinguished themselves by their ability to get right back up every time they fall, a truism reflected in countless inspirational quotations on the power of perseverance. 

So how do resilient people differ from those who become paralyzed by every failure and setback?

Here are seven habits of highly resilient people — and ways that you can improve your own ability to cope with challenges.

They fully experience both positive and negative emotions. 
Building resilience isn’t about blind optimism. Rather than looking only on the bright side and pushing away negative emotions, resilient people let themselves experience what they’re feeling in any given situation, whether it’s good or bad.

The resilient person isn’t papering over the negative emotions, but instead letting them sit side by side with other feelings. So at the same time they’re feeling ‘I’m sad about that,’ they’re also prone to thinking, ‘but I’m grateful about this.

They’re realistically optimistic. 
Adopting an attitude of “realistic optimism,” which combines the positive outlook of optimists with the critical thinking of pessimists, can boost happiness and resilience. 

Every time realistic optimists face an issue or a challenge or a problem, they won’t say ‘I have no choice and this is the only thing I can do. They will be creative; they will have a plan A, plan B and plan C.

They “reject rejection.” 
Rejection chips away at our self-esteem and confidence, making us fall harder with each subsequent setback or failure. Rejection also steals our joy.

But rejection is inevitable, and coping with it effectively is essential to becoming resilient. Choosing to reject rejection can ensure that you don’t become a prisoner of your own thoughts.

It’s important to understand that everyone is in a different ‘space’ and, in some cases, no matter what you say or do, they will always reject you or your ideas. Taking this mindset helps you to not take the rejection personally.

They build strong support systems. 
When you get knocked down hard, it’s important to have the resources to help you get back up again, which includes having people to lean on. Social support can actually boost resilience to stress.

They notice (and appreciate) the little, positive things. 
Resilient people are good at tapping into their “positivity ratio”. This means that they notice and appreciate the little joys and victories — which keeps them from feeling like “everything” is going wrong. A three-to-one ratio of positive to negative experiences is ideal for building resilience and boosting happiness.

They seek out opportunities for growth and learning. 
Resilient people seek out growth experiences that boost self-reliance and individual decision-making skills, which gives them confidence in their ability to bounce back from failure.

As a sense of competence increases, individuals are better able to respond effectively in unfamiliar or challenging situations and persevere in the face of failures and challenges.

Those who have mastered the art of resilience know that setbacks and challenges can be our most powerful learning opportunities. Some of the world’s most successful people have been fired from their jobs, and used the experience to learn something about themselves.

They’re endlessly grateful. 
Gratitude is known to boost health and well-being — and those who are thankful may enjoy better physical health and mood than those who focus on hassles and complaints.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

If you grew up in South Louisiana, rice and gravy was (and still is) a popular dish. The simplicity of rice and gravy is what has always made it the perfect go-to dinner: savory gravy made from meat, poultry, or seafood poured atop a plate of steaming white rice. That’s all it takes to satisfy a Cajun’s appetite!

If thinking about rice and gravy is making you hungry, you’re in luck.  The Breaux Bridge Lions Club is hosting its annual Rice and Gravy Cookoff TODAY!  Locals have registered to put their rice and gravy to the test and are currently cooking up big batches for all attendees to sample from now until 6 PM.

Head over to Parc du Pont in Breaux Bridge for all-you-can-eat rice and gravy and live music provided by Les Bons Sons, Nickeo’s Crustacean’s Band, and Brenda C & the Cajun Jammers.  There are also fun activities for the kids!  Tickets are $5 per entry.  The winners of each cookoff category (meat, poultry, and seafood) will be announced at 4 PM!

Breaux Bridge Lions Club is part of a global service organization network whose mission is to provide community service and improve the lives of local youths, needy, and disabled.  Learn more about the organization here.

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News

Today is Earth Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring the Earth and the concept of worldwide peace. Our world is big, blue, and beautiful – and it’s the only one we have. If we all work together to respect and care for the Earth, we can achieve amazing things and leave our future generations with a healthier, more beautiful home.

How do you celebrate Earth Day? Do you plant a tree? Make an extra effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Check out these fun and simple ways to celebrate Earth Day. Just imagine: if every person on the planet did just one of these activities, the Earth would instantly become a bit cleaner and a bit healthier.

And remember that for us, every day is Earth Day, if you think about it. Don’t limit your efforts to just one day – the more we practice sustainability, the better off our Earth will be!

“Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment
Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise
Now we must resolve to protect her
Show her our love throughout all time
With our gentle hand and touch
We make our home a newborn world”

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Originally posted at: Lafayette Real Estate News