Spring Cleaning my Soul - Mushroom and Apple Stuffed Turkey Breast

Every year around this time I post a blog about "spring cleaning" because it seems to be in March that I feel a sense of renewal.

So though the blog's beginning remains unchanged, there are new lessons learned and a deliciously easy recipe for roast turkey breast at the end.

I hope you enjoy...

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Just as dust, dirt, and grime tend to accumulate in a home after a long winter's hibernation, I find that similar debris - metaphorically speaking - often lurk around the nooks and crannies of our souls this time of year creating the need for a "spiritual spring cleaning."



When I think about "spirit" and reconnecting, it involves body and mind as much as things ethereal because when my mind and body are functioning at maximum, my spirit soars accordingly.



Like so many of us, when I'm running on the treadmill of life I tend to be a doer and a nurturer - taking care of the needs of other people, and getting things done.

Thoughts of meetings, schedules, commitments, and deadlines flood my mind on a daily basis and I find myself running, and stressed - like a hamster on a wheel - hoping I'm getting somewhere but suspecting somehow that the wheel will keep turning whether I'm on it or not.

I believe we recycle time

Another day, another month, another year.

A successful life is not about the things we've accomplished.

Rather, its about the things we've learned, the connections we've made, and the lives we've touched.

Lessons and experiences that can either be recycled and refurbished or tossed into our soul's landfill as another spring begins.



So what have I learned this winter?

This year I learned that difficult situations and people are only as powerful as the energy we give them and that the power we have to choose our own reactions can change even the most disappointing or stressful situations.

I have learned to re-frame the way I look at difficult people; viewing them as teachers rather than annoyances and choosing not to dwell on negatives but rather on what I have to receive - realizing each and every uncomfortable, disastrous, nerve wracking, painful experience has something to give if I am quiet enough to be receptive and still enough to accept.

Most of all, I learned that crisis really does provide us "dangerous opportunity" to grow and to change.

When I got the phone call that I wasn't going to make it any further *this year* on Recipe to Riches, I was devastated.

It was like all the old tapes that whispered "You're not good enough," or "You don't belong," were turned on to remind me I had no business shooting for the stars and I spent a good 24 hours dwelling in the disappointment, deeply hurt by what the little kid in me experienced as rejection.

But somewhere between the hurt and heartache, I was provided a profound "ah ha" moment that enquired of me: "What if not going any further is the best thing that could have ever happened to you?"

The question demanded I embrace my own beliefs in crisis as opportunity, and when I changed my thinking, everything changed.

Which is why my mantra this year is: Find the opportunity.

And so it goes.

But what does this have to do with spiritual spring cleaning?

Everything, I think.

Just as with our homes, we need to have an understanding of the things that need to be cleared out and the things that need a little working on, a little repair.

By looking at the things I've learned, I continue to understand the foundation that this house (my soul ) is built on, giving way to a deeper understanding of the things I no longer need or no longer serve me.

I understand that when each of us is operating toward our highest potential we have the capacity to make a significant difference to the space and people around us and that truly "Save yourself, save the world" has never been truer than right now.

Change begins with within me.

It's ripples moving outward.



Finally, spring cleaning is about changing the oil and re-thinking the fuel I've been putting into my body.

As you all know, part of my spring cleaning this year included joining Weight Watchers - a decision I'm very excited about and I plan to share the journey with all of you - including this morning's plan to take the dog for a run before I go to work.

On the menu today:

A breakfast sandwich made with turkey bacon, egg, green pepper, and green onion, with mint tea.

Lunch: Leftover stir fry from Friday night.

And dinner... a wonderfully easy and very delicious recipe I came up with for a small boneless turkey breast roast

Mushroom and Apple Stuffed Turkey Breast
For printable recipe click HERE

Ingredients

• 1 boneless turkey breast (app size: pound and a half)
• 4 button mushrooms, diced
• 1 apple diced
• 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp salt
• pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup apple juice

Directions

1. Mix the mushrooms, apple, rosemary, garlic, apple sauce, and parsley in a small bowl.
2. Using a sharp knife, make a slit into the middle of the turkey breast all the way down and using fingers, stuff the mushroom mixture into the slit. Reserve any excess stuffing.
3. Spray a small casserole dish with cooking spray and place the turkey breast inside. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and the remaining stuffing.
4. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar and apple juice over top.
5. Cover and bake in a 350 oven for one hour. Remove the cover and baste with the juice. Continue baking for 30 more minutes or until turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit, 74 Celsius.
6. Let turkey rest for five minutes. Transfer pan sauce to small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce has reduced by about half.
7. Cut turkey in slices and drizzle with sauce

This is wonderful served with diced carrot and turnips that have been boiled until tender - the sauce from the turkey is very tasty with them and a little mashed potato. I mashed my potato using chicken stock but non dieters can go ahead and make my recipe for roasted garlic, horseradish mash - it would be amazing with this.

Three generous slices of turkey with sauce = 8 weight watchers points.