​I named this healthy heavenly chicken and rice because I couldn’t believe how great it turned out and how easy it was.  I expected it to be good, but I was blown away by the creamy dreaminess.  My two teenaged sons both highly approved it.  I did add melted shredded cheddar on their portions, but it is certainly not needed.  In fact, I question if it would interfere with the delicate flavor.  I didn’t even add salt or pepper because I forgot it in the cooking process and it was so good without it, I didn’t want to mess with the taste. 
 
Total Time:  20 minutes

Ingredients
​
1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
4-5 green onions, diced, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked boneless, skinless breast chicken diced or shredded
¼ cup whole milk
1 bag frozen cauliflower rice
1 pkg quinoa and brown rice (I used Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice)
1 cup Greek yogurt, fat free OR low fat (adds 1 point per serving)
1 tbsp light mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Instructions

1. Microwave to warm cauliflower rice and quinoa and brown rice
2. In a large skillet, heat oil on medium heat.  Reserving 1/3 of green onions for topping, add 2/3 green onions and garlic.  Warm through, about 2 minutes with continuous stiring, be careful not to burn, adjust heat if necessary
3. Add cauliflower rice, mixing and warming throughout, then add chicken, continue stirring, finally add quinoa and wild rice and stir to mix and warm.
4. Add milk, stir.  Fold in Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise. Salt and pepper if desired.
5. Serve topped with green onions.

 
Yield: 4 servings
 
4 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points, (5 if use low-fat Greek yogurt)
 
Author: Kim Trotto

1. Try not to take yourself too seriously.
2. Laugh at yourself, at least once a day.  If it is hard, just imagine laughing at yourself with pure joy.
3. Do a “You” dance every day.  It doesn’t have to be good, it just has to have you!
4. When all else fails, take a deep breath. Taking a deep breath is the fastest way for me to connect to my higher self and soul. 
5. Keep a list of 3 things that make you laugh, in your brain files, your Top 3 Smilers. Having a go to list of things that make you smile is a quick soul pick me up.
6. Schedule a 10 minute break from seriousness every day. Keep the appointment.
7. Be your own hero, picture your hero suit.  This could be really fun!
8. Do what feels like you.  This will never disappoint you. 
9. Lower your self-expectations.  Giving yourself a break can relax and restore.
10. Set baby-stepped goals, they’re better anyways, everything is better with a nap and everyone is happy when babies gain weight.
11. Cut yourself the same slack that you would a good friend.
12. Realize that set-backs are just part of the process.  Edison tried 1000 times before inventing the light bulb.
13. Say yes only to what you truly want to.  This may seem hard, but it is very worthwhile.  Practice ahead of time.
14. Be happy for others and stop comparing yourself to them.
15. If it is hard to be happy for others, say a prayer for them instead and forgive yourself. Then stop comparing yourself to others.
16. No, really, stop comparing yourself to others.
17. Thank your higher power for lightening your heart.  This can manifest the lighter heart that you desire.
18. From one of my favorite hymns, Be Not Afraid.  Remember who goes before you always. You’re never alone.
19. Choose love over fear, every time, it pops up. 
20. Remember that fear will keep popping up and it is OK.  Choosing love is a lifetime practice for most of us. 

Living a happy life can be simple, but I know it can also be hard to live out in practice.  Just being willing to try can make a beautiful difference in your life.  Then that beautiful difference can ripple out to all of those that your life touches. Then on to others etc. 

I have always tended towards the serious life, but I’ve also always loved laughing and fun.  That’s one of the biggest reasons that I married my husband.  He always makes me smile. 

The parts from the list about stopping comparing yourself to others are essential for many of us.  Comparison is the thief of joy and it is rampant, fueled by social media.  But, even before social media, there were many ways to constantly compare yourself and come up feeling less than. 

Just being aware of the fact that many of us compare ourselves and it hurts our happiness is the first step.  Then holding the intention to stop is the next. 

The W.A.I.T. tool is great to use here. 

W=What
A= Am
I=  I
T= Thinking?

When you catch yourself comparing yourself, take the beautiful opportunity to stop and release it.

That’s it. 

I had some fun with this list and there could be many more.  And there are many other similar lists out there.  How to live a happy life for teens.  How to live a happy life according to science.

What would you add to the list?