Matters of the Heart
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com C heesy T omato -B asil S tuffed C hicken I ngredients
• 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste
D irections 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with reserved oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY & ASSETS Join Our Virtual Info Session
We aren’t two robots talking to each other. We are two souls trying to communicate. Sometimes, the words come easily, but often, our conversations are fraught with difficult emotions. Recognizing the humanity of the other person and our feelings is at the heart of effective communication. Whether you are navigating a disagreement with a partner, a tense moment at work, or a fragile family discussion, it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it with emotional intelligence. At The Manely Firm, we use a softened startup technique developed by psychologist Beverly Brooks called VAP when approaching critical conversations. The acronym stands for Valuing the other person, Asserting your thoughts and feelings, Putting forth positives for problem solving, and I like to add on O as a reminder to keep your eye on desired outcomes. To do this, you have to turn to your emotional vocabulary, going beyond “happy” or “unhappy” to truly assert your real feelings. VAP is a tool to help you bring up difficult conversations, rather than avoid them. The objective is to be assertive without harming the other person, stating your concerns, potential resolutions, and desired outcomes. We all have needs, and your brain naturally tries to persuade others to meet those needs. So, we have to control our intensity to be effective. When you assert it, you need to do so in ways that value not just yourself, but the other person. The best time to have critical conversations is when you are at a low level of anxiety, emotionally regulated, and clear-headed. Focus on controlling yourself, recognizing if you are becoming defensive and where that comes from, often a desire to protect ourselves. The greatest antidote for defensiveness is curiosity, so if you feel yourself going there, replace that with questions. Assume good faith when you see the other person’s emotional state and provide them with some validation. You can say, “I appreciate you,” “This seems to be very important to you,” or “Are you worried?” Speak Your Truth, Hear Theirs
Are you worried about what might happen to your family and assets if you face detention or deportation? You’re not alone and don’t have to face it unprepared. Join The Manely Firm for our virtual information session, “Protect Your Family & Assets,” hosted by managing attorney Cherish De La Cruz this August. This free session will provide legal estate planning guidance for immigrant families to protect your children, home, and future. Dates: Sunday, Aug. 3, and Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m. To register, scan the QR code for the session you want to attend.
Sunday, Aug. 3
Emotional intelligence can help us stay grounded in curiosity, care, and clarity so we don’t just solve problems; we build connections in our conversations.
–Shelia Manely
Wednesday, Aug. 6
3
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator