Tequila-Lime Chicken Burgers, and Embracing the Process of Becoming Brilliant, Amazing You

Have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, we might actually fear becoming successful on some level?

Sounds ridiculous and absurd, I'm sure.

But what if I were to tell you that becoming the best, most powerful, most light-filled, most honest, most caring, most loving, and most empathetic human being that you could be would have enormous implications to the world around you?

You'd be a force to be reckoned with!

Each moment in our lives, each experience, is a layer that the next moment is built upon.

When we strive to live in the present moment consciously, then we're taking little steps towards becoming what we were created to be, which is the extraordinary, powerful, and beautiful co-mingling of body and spirit.

Our “whole” self.

And a big part of our process is the situations that we find ourselves in each and every day, as well as the people that we find ourselves connected to in various ways.

See, I don't think there are any “accidents” in life, nor any experiences that pass through our “screens”—our beings—that aren't meant to be experienced.

Sure, it may seem that way sometimes, when things don't make sense, or when painful experiences happen to us that don't seem to have any obvious reason or purpose.

But things are not always obvious, and things don't often get revealed on the spot.

Where each of us find ourselves in every moment, is exactly where we're meant to be.

Our job is to bring our desires (that's our portion, or our offering), and to ask genuine and honest questions in order to then be able to receive honest, and sometimes unexpected, answers.

And it's all a part of this divine process that brings you, little bit by little bit, towards becoming brilliant and amazing you, with all of your colorful and flavorful—zippy, zesty, spicy, and even sweet—layers of experience.

And isn't that what you'd want from life when all was said and done?

To live it with understanding, experience, and communion with that which is above you?

Just like an exquisite Tequila-Lime Chicken Burger, with all of its layers of flavor found in its sauce, its cheese, all of its trimmings, and even its buns.

There's perfection at the end when all things that were always meant to go together finally come together into one amazing and complete bite.

And what could be more exciting and delicious?

So embrace where you are today, and know that nothing is arbitrary.

And remember that there is potential in each and every moment, potential for great revelation, for an inner “growth-spurt”, or for you to touch another person's life so that you both may benefit, each in your own unique way.

Remember that your story is not over yet, your journey not completed.

The pain of today does not have to stay pain tomorrow, but can transform, as a butterfly out of a cocoon, and become beautiful understanding and mercy—a salve—for someone else who desperately needs it.

May we embrace the potential for greatness that has been placed into each and every one of us, and grab a hold of courage with both hands, and not fear our transformations into something potentially great.

And may you, specifically, trust that you are exactly where you should be right now, in this moment, and embrace this process of becoming brilliant, amazing you.

Taste what's good and pass it on.

Ingrid

Tequila-Lime Chicken Burgers with Bacon and Cheddar, and Creamy Jalapeño-Ranch Sauce
by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ – 1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 large), cut through length-wise to create 4 slightly thinner cutlets
• Canola oil
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 1 teaspoon (heaping) lime zest
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon tequila
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 4 slices Cheddar Cheese
• 4 Buns, toasted (I used honey wheat)
• Romaine leaves
• Jalapeno-Ranch Sauce (recipe below)
• 4 strips crispy-cooked bacon, cut in half to make 8 smaller strips
• Red onion slices
• Tomato slices

Preparation:

-Into a large bowl, add the 4 chicken cutlets, about 1 tablespoon of the oil, plus the rest of the ingredients up to and through the cayenne pepper; toss the chicken breasts with the marinade ingredients to coat them well, and allow for them to marinate for at least 20 minutes, or even overnight, if making ahead.

-Once marinated, place a grill pan over medium-high to high heat, and drizzle in a little oil; once the oil is hot, add in the chicken breasts and grill for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden-brown and cooked through; set aside for a moment.

-Preheat your broiler.

-Place the grilled chicken breasts onto a small baking sheet, and place a slice of cheese onto each one; place the chicken under the broiler for a minute or so, just until the cheese is melted.

-To assemble, drizzle some of the Jalapeno-Ranch Sauce on the bottom bun, and place a couple of leaves of romaine; then, top with a cheese-topped chicken breast, 2 of the bacon strip halves, some sliced red onion, and tomatoes; drizzle some sauce onto the top bun, then cover; serve with some extra sauce, if desired.

Jalapeno-Ranch Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 large garlic clove
• 2 green onions, roughly chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeds and membrane removed, and roughly chopped
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon granulated onion
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

-Place all ingredients into a food processor, and process until completely smooth and creamy.

-Use immediately, or, store in a squeeze bottle or covered container in fridge.