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Are you getting stressed out yet? You know… about the holidays? I’m not. I’m refusing. Just like I’m refusing to turn 40 this year. That’s right. I’m refusing. I’ll be sticking at 39, thank you very much. Do I have my Christmas shopping done? Nope. Have I filled the freezer with wonderful treats? Nope, not a one. Have I started decorating the Cat Farm? No. Not a single glittery object has been retrieved from the holiday boxes. Am I worried? No, because I’m refusing to worry.

I’ve been visiting with Pussycat this week. By the time you read this, I’ll be winging my way back to Halifax. I didn’t tell you exactly when I’d be visiting with Pussycat because I was worried you’d rob my house. I mean, I like you ‘n stuff, but I really didn’t want to find out you’d been sleeping in my bed or wearing my underwear or anything. I get that you’d like to be exactly like me, but I’ve gotta draw the line somewhere. I guess that line is underwear.

I’ve had a perfectly lovely few days in the Toronto area. And as Pussycat and I trolled bakeries and yogafied ourselves, I was thinking about you. The image of you in my underwear kind of haunted me, but then I was all, who wouldn’t want to be living’ the movita lifestyle? You know, because I’m so cool and stuff. And then thought I might suggest that if you really want to be like movita, you could just get your slow cooker out this weekend. You could make yourself a nice, restorative stew. You could make yourself a stew that will help you to forget that there’s no way you can possibly get even a fraction of the stuff on your to-do list crossed off in the coming weeks. (Not that you’d be worried about that.)

This is a lovely stew. I threw some nice veggies in there to make you smart and stuff, chicken to make you jump high (trust me), and tasty broth to make your throat feel good. It warms the belly and and soothes the soul.

Here’s another suggestion: maybe you should get in touch with an old friend this weekend. Trust me, it’ll make you forget all of your problems for a little while…

. . .

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew  - print, make and soothe your soul

Yields 6-8 servings.

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (or breasts), trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 medium sized onions, chopped into large pieces
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 3 medium sized potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 1/2 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth, divided
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Place the onions, celery, carrots, garlic and potatoes in the well of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the thyme over the vegetables and then add the chicken. Pour 3 cups of the chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the peas and corn (no need to defrost first) and pepper. In a small bowl whisk together the flour and remaining 1/2 cup of chicken broth, until no lumps remain. Stir the flour mixture into the stew. Replace the slow cooker cover and cook until thickened (about 15-20 minutes).