Heart of the Home

Hearty Multi-grain Pancake and Waffle Mix

2011-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

We tried this recipe out last week and my boys loved it. Usually David complains when I put "crunchies" in his pancakes (translation ... healthy twigs and rocks ... or flax meal), but loved this mix. If you want to make it even healthier, you could go all organic and probably still come out cheeper than organic mixes. Or you can buy bulk and go cheeper than ANY mix, and still be healthier because there won't be any man-made preservatives or funky sweeteners. My understanding is that (remember ... you can find anything you want to support want you believe, so take this with a grain of salt!) unless you buy organic, that wheat (grown in the USofA) has been genetically modified to contain more gluten, and has been genetically modified period. There are some flours that contain less gluten by their nature ... like barley flour, or kamut flour. I haven't experimented with them, but you can find a wealth of information on http://www.keeperofthehome.org/ and searching for "flours" and other blogs and websites.

Well, that was a huge introduction to this recipe, which we found we love. Super easy, and healthier than store bought.

Hearty Multi-grainPancake and Waffle Mix (I keep the mix in the freezer)

From Sunse.t Magazin.e

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups Bob’.s Re.d Mil.l Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1 c. each brown sugar, wheat bran, wheat germ, cornmeal,old-fashioned oats, flax meal (Bob.s Re.d Mil.l found in refridgerated section atFre.d Meye.r. Flax meal goes rancid quickly, so keep extra in the fridge! In factmost whole grain flours go rancid faster than all-purpose flour, so if you don’tuse it quickly, the fridge or freezer is the best place for it.)

3 Tbsp baking powder

1Tbsp baking soda

1Tbsp salt

Add to 2 cups of the pancake waffle mix:

2 large eggs

¼ cup oil or melted butter

(I like to use organic coconut oil, which is bought cheaplyat vitacost.com. In town you can get it at Winc.o in the baking isle, by theoils … haven’t checked Trade.r Joe’.s prices)

1 ½ - 2 cups milk

Work in Progress

2011-10-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

God has been teaching me so many things. In August I re-signed up for "Discipleship School" when I began digging in the Word each morning. Seems like God's continually going deeper, always the same theme, drawing me in. Feeling so loved and cared for. How is it that the God who promised Abraham an heir, fortune, and land; promised Moses to lead him and 1 million other people to that same land and to protect and provide for them; and who talked face to face with Adam and Eve in the garden he created for them, loves me and wants to be in relationship with me? Little old me? I'll take it! Thank you, Lord, for offering me a drink of water. It's delicious!

2011-09-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

The post after the break. Always the hardest, I hear. I don't want that to stop me from getting back into a routine. Oh wait. I never was in a routine with blogging. Oh well. I'm certainly back into the routine of the fall, and loving it. This year I did some things differently that made a HUGE difference in my life.

Up until now the routine has been that Brian goes back to work around August 1, just as we are really starting to hum along as a tight knit family. The boys and I do fun things without daddy, but we still enjoy the summer weather as a family in the evenings, whenever Brian breaks away from "home" work. We have even been able to enjoy some September camping, which used to NEVER happen when Brian taught high school marching band. Well, once my day care kids come back in September and David starts school soon after, I begin to get tired and stressed out with all of my responsibilities. Brian's work increases and the time we have together looks like this: Brian working on computer, and Becky asleep on the chair. Great quality time had by all ... NOT! Our relationship always takes a back seat during this time and we both end up feeling a little lost. At least I do. Brian always manages to scrap by ok.

This year, by God's grace, things have been different!! Somewhere in the middle of August, I asked a friend (older than me), to hold me accountable to a few things. I've done this on occasion with gals, but it has never been very effective for me. Well, this friend had just started something new (or maybe not for her) of e-mailing her accountability buddy with what she'd read in the Word that day. Well, how easy is that, I thought!!

My issues were: consistent times in the Word, exercising 5 days a week, to make a strong effort to make choices (sacrifices!!) that would build up my marriage, and start having daily devotions with my boys. And some other stuff too. Long story short, it worked!! Daily emails to Mrs. A have truly been all I needed to get into a routine before I really needed to, and has made a huge difference in my fall. The thing I walked away from that first meeting certain of, was that if I had daily times with my Savior in His Word and in prayer, then everything else would fall into place. It was true, and He has been gracious in keeping His promises found in scripture, of being my food, my drink, my Light. My relationships with Brian this fall, and my sons, have never been better. Now that the storms and stresses of fall are here, I'm so thankful those routines are in place and to help protect us (me!) from discouragement, stressed-outedness, and the desire to run screaming from the house. So thankful to be resting in God's grace and mercy!

To God be the glory, for He deserves ALL of it!

Living Water

2011-03-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils; They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

John 4:14 "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

This last weekend was whirlwind romance. It wasn't with my hubby though, who was at home puking, or my kids, one of whom was also puking. And it wasn't quite like the sacred solitude's that I've had in the past because 250+ women were there too. It was Women's retreat 2011, baby, and the romance was with my Savior! Those of you with kids understand how your romantic get-a-ways without kids can be, it it's for one overnight. You've got to cut to the chase a lot of times, and that can be hard. With God though, who knows the circumstances ahead, it's doable. I didn't know that I'd be going to retreat late and leaving early, but God did, and He met me right where I was and gave me exactly what I needed. So, this entry isn't a true look at the Salem Heights women's retreat 2011, but just a quick glimpse at how God met my need quickly.

Usually at retreat I fight with myself until the last session, where I finally fling out my pride and God has the freedom to work in my heart, and it usually blows my mind how the verses that I've been mulling over throughout the last year come together to show me how big God is, how little I am, how in control He is, and what the next step for me is in coming closer to looking like Jesus. Usually God has shown me how to tweak what I'm doing to wife better, parent better, do my job better, how to love better, and how it'll be impossible to do that in my own strength. But usually it does take all weekend to break down my barriers.

This weekend was fast forwarded. I walked in the Saturday morning session just as worship was starting. Immediately I looked over at a friend and my heart melted. I knew she was in one of those times when life seems out of control and all you can do is hang on and trust God. I knew she was doing it, that life was raw, and I immediately started crying. BIG wall, BROKEN down. God is in control. Check.

I don't even remember where my heart went with the rest of the session or the evening. I declared to another friend God's truth in the afternoon, and I spent time in the John study later on studying the of Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. I turned on my phone right before breakfast and saw a text that the hubby and my healthy son had had a rough night. I called home and just knew I needed to get myself on home. I also knew in my heart that I had gotten everything out of retreat that I needed. My heart was satisfied. What did I need to change?

The change I needed to make, was to take every DAY captive and to make a difference in lives that include my husband, children, the 3 sweet girls that I watch every day, and people who are in my circle of influence. I felt convicted that I was just living for bed time. Living for the time when I could relax, put my feet up, and eat whatever I wanted. Refer to the Jeremiah verse above. That verse came up at a pervious sacred solitude and was so convicting. Guess what! It still is!! Life's SO empty when you're chasing after stuff that isn't a relationship with God. I've been chasing after God, and have learned lessons, but . . . who cares if I'm LIVING for the moment when I can just think about myself.

Jesus satisfies (see John verse above). I've experienced this before, and am thankful for God's patience with me and grace that allows me to experience it again, and forever.

If anyone reads this who went to retreat, I'd love to hear what God taught you at retreat, or has been teaching you lately in your life and times with Him!!!

New Potatoes

2010-12-30T21:53:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I spent an overnight with my sweet and sassy sister, Hannah. I was so fun to watch movies all weekend, relax, and talk together. I wish we lived closer and could hang out more! She is so amazing. She's encounter all kinds of various trials, and is one STRONG cookie!

While we were there, I made a dinner that has become a personal favorite! It's super easy, gluten-free for those who care, and is a healthy take on potatoes. Here it is:

Drizzle chicken breast (I did thighs, yum!) with olive oil, and sprinkle with Garlic Dude Dust (haven't ordered this online, but search it out. It's a favorite!), and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (shorter time for thighs).

While the chicken is baking, boil cubed sweet potatoes (light flesh) for 15 minutes, or until tender. Mash potatoes with a little butter, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. It's the zest that sets this apart, and does help keep your glycemic index lower. The combination of the sweet potatoes and garlicy chicken are so yummy.

Add in a mixed greens salad or broccoli, and you've got a delicious and healthy meal.

Routines and Wishbones

2010-12-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

As I enjoy the last little bit of a quiet before bed, was reading some blogs and feel semi-inspired to update before any more time slips by. This will be random . . . I promise.

This Christmas break I've gotten a couple chances to sit and revisit my normal routines and changes are coming! Between feeling the desperate need to spend more time with Jesus, getting a gym membership for Christmas from my main squeeze, and feeling the need to be done with singing my sweet baby to sleep every night, I needed to work a few things out. Unfortunately some of that requires that I start getting up REEEEAALLLYYY early again. And that also means trying to get to sleep early most nights. Oh boy. Here it comes. The struggle between sleep and hangin' with my honey. I hate this! He is such a night owl and can't seem to find his way to bed before 11. Was just thinking yesterday about how I needed more opportunities to grow. Felt a little stagnant. :0) Here's me asking the Creator of the universe for a little help and inspiration to find a balance. HELP! I've got a tentative schedule put together for when my cherubs return on Monday, and we'll see how things shake out.

As far as the baby boy goes, He and David now have their two twin beds put together and we've established a really great bed time routine that gives me snuggle time AND time to finish up my chores BEFORE 9, and thank you to David, who tells Johnny all sorts of silly stories to put him to sleep. Halleluia! Mommy might just survive. This is me wearing a BIG smile.

Today I attended the celebration service for a beautiful lady who went to be with Jesus on Christmas day. It really made me take stock of my life and my legacy. All I can think of is, "WISHBONE!" A few months ago I'd made a turkey and gave the wishbone to David and Johnny to break. David won and I asked him what he wished for. He said he'd wished for a better mom. Haha. I laughed. We all laughed. A few weeks later David was trying my patience with needing to get out the door to soccer practice, or something like that. My voice started to raise, and then escalated to a yell. I hate to admit it, but it does happen from time to time. To this he responded with, "Well, I guess the wishbone didn't work!" Oh man. He's brought it up a couple times since then as well. I know that I need to work on my responses, being more consistent, and teaching rather than a no-mercy/no-grace approach, but come on kid! Beth's service today reminded me that if my focus is on Jesus my Savior and not on myself, that He will use me in greater ways than I can imagine. I'd rather be used for God's glory, then be reminded that the wishbone didn't work! That's a pretty shortcut way of saying what I wanted to say. Did that all make sense?

I am looking forward to what God has to teach me in 2011, and will embrace each opportunity, or will maybe throw a fit and then remember half way through it to embrace each opportunity.

Setting the Tone - One of Woman's Greatest Legacies

2010-10-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: . . ."

Proverbs 15:13

Being a mom and a day care provider has its challenges. One of the challenges for me, but more specifically for my boys, is the morning. By the time my boys wake up in the morning, three girls have been in my home for at least 20 minutes, and my boys wake up needing to share mom. This is a little easier for them toward the end of the week, in contrast to right after the weekend.

Now, I could choose to get them up before the girls arrive, but my goal is to get lunches packed and the hubby and myself fed by 6:30, which then allows me time to read my Bible and sip some coffee for a little over 30 minutes. That plan is what gets me through the day. I'm pretty happy with that plan. However, that does make me very aware of the impact that has on my own children since mom is already busy with children when they wake up.

Currently the boys love the girls, and the girls love them, so the transition is pretty easy. I have noticed though, that my response to them then, and on the weekends, can either make or break the morning. If I drop everything to greet the boys (and girls, actually) with a joyful greeting and a hug, then they get a good dose of mommy love that will get them through the harried morning. If I stay involved with what I'm involved in when they come downstairs, then they have a much harder morning. Of course this is much easier to do on the weekends, but has even greater impact during the week.

Setting the tone of your home (early in the morning!) is one of a mother's (or woman's!!) greatest legacies. This isn't my own idea though, God's second greatest commandments was to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)! This is one way that I choose (because some days it's a choice not feeling!) to love my boys (and husband) as myself. I greet them in the morning exactly how I'd want to be greeted.

This weekend I was with it enough to greet my boys with some really light and fluffy pumpkin pancakes! I thought I'd share this yummy recipe, which comes from a wonderful breakfast cookbook a friend generously gave me!

Pumpkin Pancakes

(From Margaret S. Fox's, Morning Food)

1 c. flour

(I doubled this recipe and used 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat, and couldn't tell at all.)

1/4 tsp salt

(I decided to not put this in because of salt in the butter)

2 Tbsp brown sugar

(slightly healthier than white, and organic sugars, which are certain to be non-genetically modified, can be found near the regular sugar at Fred Meyer)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 c. plain yogurt

(the secret ingredient in my opinion!)

3/4 c. milk

3/4 c. pumpkin pureé

(I'd recommend trying to make your own! You could can it, or freeze it, if using a large pumpkin.)

2 Tbsp melted butter

Mix all ingredients and use real maple syrup if your kids will eat it! Real maple syrup has less impact on your blood sugar levels than other syrups.

Autumn is Back With Salmon Chowder

2010-10-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Salmon Chowder

Autumn is upon us and soups are BACK! I posted the recipe for this salmon chowder last fall, but felt like it deserved to repeat appearance. I made this last week and the reviewers told me it was the best yet. Although one of them said that the time we made it after buying the salmon fresh on the coast was better. I believe him, even though it was a LOOOONNNGGGG time ago. So, here's my nod to fall, which, by the way, still feels like fall without spending an enormous amount of time involved with a marching band. Just in case you were wondering, marching friends!

Salmon Chowder

2 Tbsp oil
2 Tbsp butter
1 c. onion, diced (I use a whole, medium onion)
1 c. red pepper, diced (I use a whole pepper)
1 c. celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely diced
1 c. carrot, shredded
1 c. potato, chopped
1/2 tsp salt (adjusted for the salt in the butter)
1/2 - 1 tsp dill weed
Chicken broth
1 can creamed corn
2 - 3 small cans salmon
Half-n-Half or heavy cream (1 - 1 1/2 c.)

In a big soup pot sauté onion, red pepper, and celery in butter and oil until soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and stir for just about a minute, and in the carrot, potato, salt, and dill weed. Cover with broth and simmer for 20-40 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add creamed corn, salmon, and cream until desired thickness. I recommend serving this chowder with a small green salad and either corn bread or toasted garlic bread.

Happy Autumn everyone! Time to cuddle up with your loved ones, or with blanket and a good book!

Dutch Oven Cooking and the Chicken of Awesomeness!

2010-10-06T14:02:00.001-07:00

My husband LOVES to cook in dutch ovens. We have a larger one and a smaller one. We usually use the larger one when camping, but this week I pulled the smaller one out, seasoned it, and made my new favorite chicken recipe. Cooking and baking in a dutch oven is really an art. We have two recipes that Brian and I would consider perfected (Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler and Chinese Chicken Stir Fry - the two SHOULDN'T be mixed! Ask me if you want to hear THAT funny story!) and have recently begun perfecting a blueberry cake. Now that the little one is out and seasoned, I'd like to cook in it more often!

I know that there are benefits to cooking in dutch ovens, but without doing any research because I'm tired and want to go take a nap, the only one that I can spout off is that you get a dose of iron in your food, which is good for you! Good for your blood! Anyway, it's super fun and feels halfway as if you were camping.

Here's some tips about maintaining a cast iron dutch oven.

1) If you've got a brand new dutch oven, heat your oven (or fire!) to 350 degrees. Wipe your dutch oven down with some Crisco, or a more healthy option would be coconut oil or olive oil. (Have never used coconut oil, but I'm assuming it'd work just fine.) You should wipe the lid down as well, and be generous with your oil of choice. Throw your dutch oven into the oven for an hour, then bring it out to cool, unless you've got a meal ready to cook in it or something to bake in it. (Hmmmm. I think I may try some corn bread!)

2) Clean up's a snap with a dutch oven! Never wash it with soap. Always use water and a some steal wool. If there is food baked on, put water in it and let it soak for a while, and it should come off with some steal wool. Don't worry about getting off every little bit of it though. That's the glory of the dutch oven and seasoning it. The chicken recipe that I recently tried had a sauce and I simply rinsed it out, wiped more oil into it, stuck it back into the oven, and it was good to go.

3) Make sure you store your dutch oven in a dry location. When left damp it will rust. If it does rust, simply scrub it with steal wool, season, and you're back in business!

So, now for the moment you've all been waiting for. Drum roll, please!!!

From the kitchen of Mary Goodell and the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society Cookbook . . .

"Mary Goodell's Honey Salsa Chicken"

12 in. Dutch oven - Serves 4-6

3-4 lbs chicken, cut up (did whole breasts. You could do thighs, just shorten the cooking time.)

1Tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped (or sliced)

Sauce: (I doubled the sauce recipe)

2 tsp chili powder

2 Tbsp prepared mustard (I used dijon)

1/4 c. salsa

1/2 c. honey

dash of hot sauce

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

I did this recipe in the oven, which I heated to 325 degrees because I knew I wanted to let it cook for more than an hour. You could cook it at 350, or 300 depending on how long you needed it to stay in the oven.

Preheat the oven with the dutch oven inside (up to 45 minutes). Throw the butter in it until melted and sizzling. Throw the onions in and toss until coated. Let the onions cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the oven temperature. Add in the sauce and chicken, making sure that the chicken is well coated with sauce. Put on the lid and let it cook for 1 hour-2 hours, again, depending on the oven temperature.

This recipe could be down in a slow cooker! I'd layer the chicken on top of the onions and pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for 6ish hours on low.

Last night we served this over brown rice, and it was amazing!

I'd love to hear about any other great dutch oven stories, tips, or recipes ya'll might share!

God's Thoughts Are Precious Thoughts

2010-09-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

Just last month I wrote this post while I had some time to think. Seems like such a long time ago. Great reminder for myself now that we're into the swing of the fall!

But before I go there . . .

Life here at the Heather House has been busy. Brian has a bigger load at school and is much busier (but still not as busy when he was teaching marching band!), 3 little girls come to the house 5 days a week (two of which are 6 months old), David started 1st grade and is about to start soccer and Club Rock Salt, and Johnny is almost two . . . need I say more? :) We're all enjoying what we're doing, and enjoying being a family. We were able to do a little more as a family this summer, including taking a canoe camping trip. I think I'd like to blog about that later, as well as another fun canoe trip we did earlier in the summer. I love that our family likes to do outdoor things, and canoes. I think we're pretty cool! :)

Anyway, here are some things that were on my heart in August.

Psalm 139

17-18 “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would out number the sand. When I awake I am still with you.”

23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Being a former teacher, and being married to a teacher, the rhythm of our life revolves around the school year. I always get excited around this time of year. The new books, supplies, a new teacher, new students, and the routine that the school year provides. Like most people celebrate the New Year, I find myself internally preparing for the school year. Something I love to do in preparation for the year is to gather my thoughts, spiritually speaking, and to come up with a spiritual theme for the year. I don’t know if the above verses will end up being my theme, but for where I’m at in the process, this is where my heart is.

My eldest is 6 right now, and he asks a lot of questions. At times his questions are bothersome and my first instinct is to ask him to go play somewhere else so mama can work without interruption!! I’m learning that questions are important to learning, to be patient with him, and talk with him. My thought is that if questions are good for him, maybe they’re good for me too! I really am not the type of person to ask questions. It really is a fault of mine. The pride in me causes me to want to look like I know what I’m doing, so asking questions would mean that I’m lacking in some way. This attitude has gotten me into trouble in countless ways and situations. So, this year I am trying to counter this inclination by acting like a child. I think I remember God saying something about being like a child, and I’m pretty sure it was a good thing! So this year my goal is to ask lots of questions, to learn from God about His thoughts and ways. J

In Psalm 139:17-18, David puts into words what my heard longs to say to God, and so perfectly sums up the theme I’d like to adopt for the year. God knows ALL things, and I do NOT know all things. Not only do I not know all things, but my bent is to not ask about what God knows and thinks about things. So to counter this, my desire is to keep this verse on the forefront of my mind so that I’ll remember to ask lots of questions, and in response to getting answers as I seek God’s mind, I commit to hold them as truth, and in high regard. While I do this, I also want to draw my sons’ attention to God and to teach them how to seek after Him.

The second set of verses speaks to my desire to place my anxious thoughts before God, and to strive towards purity of heart.

As I read over this post in preparation for publishing it, I realize how simple and childish these thoughts are. As I’ve sat down to read God’s Word over the years, I do ask questions. In this, I’m seeking God and His thoughts.

Another Healthy Breakfast Idea

2010-08-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is another recipe from my favorite cookbook, Magic Foods. This helps keep your blood sugar from spiking. It doesn't taste healthy either. Lemon zest adds a hint of fruitiness.

Multi-Grain Pancakes or Waffles

Pour 2 cups low-fat buttermilk over 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and let sit while you put together the other ingredients.

mix together:
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (I did all whole wheat)
1/4 wheat germ
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
In separate bowl mix:
2 large eggs
1 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Add buttermilk mixture with other wet ingredients and pour over dry ingredients. Mix until just moistened. Makes delicious waffles or pancakes and is actually healthy!

We've topped with real maple syrup, which is better on your blood sugar level than pretend syrup. :) We've also topped the recipe in waffle style with ricotta cheese, blueberries, and just a drizzle of real maple syrup (cheapest when bought in a large bottle at Trader Joe's, and Winco's prices are next best).

Whole Wheat Scones

2010-08-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

These are super yummy and is a healthier breakfast option as well!

Whole Wheat Scones

1 3/4 whole wheat flour

1/2 c. oats

3 Tbsp sugar (I put in a little more)

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp cinnamon

lemon zest from 1 small lemon

cut in 1/3 c. butter

mix in 1c. fresh fruit, or 1/2 c. dried fruit

mix together 1 egg and 6 Tbsp half and half

Pour wet ingred. into dry ingred. and mix loosely with a fork until the dry is moistened.

Work the dough with your hands and form into a ball, and then smooth out into a circle with the inside being taller than the outside and the diameter is approx. 8-10 inches.

Cut dough into 8-10 equal pie shapes.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 16-20 minutes.

Variations:

Orange zest instead of lemon. You can also use the juice from the fruit. Just use less half and half so the dough isn't too sticky.

Poppy seeds would be great!

I sprinkled raw sugar, which usually are larger crystals, and is a little healthier than refined white sugar.

Fruit ideas:

Blueberry, peach or nectarine, lemon, orange/craisin, raisins, mixed dried fruit. I do prefer fresh fruit.

Another suggestion I have is that you can mix the flour mixture, including the butter, the night before. Makes for a quicker morning.

Life happens while you're making plans

2010-08-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

I wrote a post at the end of June telling the whole world that I was going to start writing devos (devotionals, as my hip sister calls them) once a week. Yeah RIGHT! The summer is 2/3rds gone and I have had a really hard time even getting into the Word, let alone writing something coherent about it. Something I am planning to change ASAP! Life is about to settle into a nice calm rhythm for about a week before more summer fun happens, so I can count on at least one week of consistent time with God. (Plans for a daily walk have been made as well, as long as my weak "princess" ankle cooperates!) I love what happens when I get those times with Him, so I'm pretty motivated. Something else I'm looking forward to is listening to the summer series from our church on my planned walks! We've missed church for too many weeks now, and after this morning's sermon I'm really looking forward to catching up!

Well, I'm off to help the hubby put a vent up in the front porch . . .

(GIRL) Book Recommend for SUMMER!

2010-06-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Created to Be His Helpmeet. I've found that I've been recommend this to gals on the countdown to marriage, and I realized that I haven't really shared this book with ladies who've are married. This book has revolutionized my marriage. Actually, applying Biblically based concepts to my marriage has revolutionized my marriage. :) Created to Be His Helpmeet was written by Debbi Pearl. She and her husband, Michael founded the ministry, No Greater Joy. The website itself is something I'd recommend checking out. They have articles that are geared towards marriage, parenting, homeschooling, etc.

Created to Be His Helpmeet is one of those books that you can't put down. Debbi is a down to earth woman who focuses on becoming not only a woman of God, but on becoming a FUN wife who understands her man and his needs. This book is almost like a really practical owners manual for marriage and men. She spends a chapter reviewing four different types of men. When I read this, it was easy to identify which of the personality types my husband was, and so refreshing to see someone "point out" the amazing qualities he possesses. It was also refreshing to learn how to support him in ways that would speak to him. As I started applying the Biblical principles I was learning, I found myself relaxing into my God given role as wife and helpmeet to my leader-type husband.

Another thing I really loved about this book, is that it also teaches you how to lighten up a little. For those who know my dad, he's really sincere, and came come across as being intense at times. I definitely take after him in my marriage life, so this aspect of the book was particularly helpful. I want to be fun and spunky too!

I was walking with a friend the other day who has read this book, and something she pointed out is that it is fraught with scripture. There is no principle that isn't found in scripture.

I'd love to recommend getting it from NGJ ministries, but being rich in blessings and not in cash, I usually hit up amazon.com first. I did a search on Amazon and found several used copies for under $7!

I've love to hear from you if you've read this book, and one thing you found to be particularly helpful for you in your marriage!

Coming soon . . .

2010-06-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Starting the second week in July I'm going to be posting a simple devotional every Friday OR Saturday. This is the first time I've done something like this so it may last one week . . . or it may last longer. It may be super simple, or deep, useful, or not. I'm not an accomplished writer by any means, so these may be fraught with grammar mistakes, and I'm going to try and ignore those. :) The purpose for doing this is to give myself reason to study God's word deeper than I would otherwise, and my hope is that the result of that study might benefit others too! I would love feedback and discussion for those who are interested!!

Homemade Salad Dressings

2010-06-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

It could be that everyone and their dog makes their own salad dressings using fresh ingredients, and avoiding spending $$ on store bought, so maybe this won't be interesting at all. My hope is that at least someone will enjoy these 3 salad dressings, the last of which is still in progress. I'd love more suggestions if anyone has some!

This dressing goes well with the following ingredients:
Greens, cucs, dried crans, diced apple, tomato, slivered almonds, and feta.

1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. salsa
1 tsp. curry
1 tsp. powdered mustard
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. e-voo

This dressing goes with a Grilled Chicken Salad with Oranges recipe that is pretty tasty, but I just had it with greens, cucs, snap peas, black beans, feta, and sunflower seeds, and it was great! Let me know if you want the chicken salad recipe, although it might be on the blog already, I don't remember. I usually double this recipe.

1/3 c. orange juice (I like fresh!)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp e-voo
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/4 tsp. salt
pepper to taste

So, the dressing in progress is just a simple olive oil and vinegar, about half and half. Brian suggested adding chervil and marjoram, and pepper. Any more suggestions?

Enjoy saving money and eating healthy!

New Favorite Pancake Recipe and Yummy Granola

2010-05-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

This morning my boy wanted some pancakes, and I've run out of pancake mix. I don't always use mix, but on days I have an agenda when my feet hit the floor, it's nice to be able to deliver on the pancake request quickly and be done with it! My goal is to watch our money more carefully and to provide more healthy choices, so I decided to forgo buying more mix. Long story short, I tried a new recipe that has many healthy ingredients. As I was pouring in the applesauce David declared, "Applesauce in our pancakes? Yuck!" I told him to quickly leave the kitchen and come back when the pancakes were done. Thankfully he decided that the pancakes were super tasty. It really didn't take much longer to make either and is easily doubled. So, here you go!

Applesauce Pancakes
(Originally Pumpkin and Ginger Pancakes)

1 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 lrg. egg, beaten
1/4 c. plain yogurt
3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. applesauce (or pumpkin)
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet. Mix thoroughly. Throw on the griddle and enjoy!

Recently I made some homemade granola, and in this case it is gluten-free! Mine ended up cooking a little too long, but is still quite tasty. I've adjusted the time, so just keep your eyes on it and take it out when the color looks good.

Homemade Granola
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. chopped hazelnuts
1 tbsp cinnamon

Mix these ingredients and set aside.

Melt 2 tbsp butter and mix with 1/2 c. honey or real maple syrup. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spread on a large jelly roll pan or the bottom part of a broiler pan. (I didn't use foil, but did use an oil spray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so it bakes evenly. Cool on a wire rack. If there are any clumps, break them up before it cools. The granola may come out sticky, but will cool crisp and dry. Cool completely and store in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge. It will keep for several weeks.

Add any favorite dried fruits; cranberries, raisins, cherries, apricots, dates, figs.
This is great with milk, over plain or vanilla yogurt, over ice cream, or just plain.

Yummy Burritos and cookies!

2010-04-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos
2 tsp canola oil
1 c. chopped onion
2 garlic cloves
4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 c. reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 med. sweet potato, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 can mild green chile-seasoned diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 c. frozen corn (or not)
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1 TBSP fresh lime juice
pepper
whole wheat tortillas
cheese
sour cream

Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds. Add broth and sweet potato. Bring to a simmer. Cover an cook for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, and corn. Return to a simmer. Cover and cook until the sweet potato is tender, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Mash about 1/4 of the vegetable mixture with a potato masher. Stir the mashed and unmashed portions together. Stir in the lime juice, cilantro, and pepper.

Heat Tortillas. Spoon 2/3 c. of the filling in tortilla. Sprinkle cheese. Serve with sour cream for dipping.

This burrito recipe is super tasty and is a winner wit all of my boys. For John I even mix a little plain yogurt instead of sour cream. This comes from my favorite recipe book, Magic Foods by Reader's Digest.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. peanut butter (Adam's is the best flavor, and no added sugar)
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
3 TBSP orange juice (I didn't include this because I didn't have any)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (whole wheat as quite tasty! Bob's Red Mill, of course.)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder (I think I put in a little more)
1/2 tsp salt
Chocolate Chips

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butters and sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients and mix in chocolate chips.

Bake 14 minutes at 350.

Super yummy!!!!!

High Protein Pancakes-Big Thumbs UP!

2010-03-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

I tried these pancakes this last weekend and love them! They aren't gluten-free, but they are high in protein and low sugar (none, until you add syrup!). I imagine that if you were to add some lemon zest and some blue berries that they'd be fairly low on the glycemic index! Don't quote me on that, though! They were really easy to make, and if you're feeding more than yourself, I'd recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes
3 large eggs
1 cup cottage cheese (nonfat is fine)
2 Tbsp canola oil (can be omitted)
1/4 cup white flour (I had whole wheat, and it was great. Going to try to gluten-free this recipe soon.)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp ground flax seeds (optional. I loved this!)

Put all ingredients into the blender (I mixed flour, baking powder and salt up before throwing it in), and combine until smooth. Pour onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Make sure you check the bottoms. They were a deep golden brown by the time I saw bubbles.

I topped this with a little syrup, but you could do berries and/or a little honey and they'd be just as good!

Gluten-free Granola Bars (and current favorite song)

2010-03-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

I tried this recipe this weekend and met with success!! How can you go wrong when you include chocolate and peanut butter! I looked at 3-4 recipes online and put this together.

3 c. old fashioned oats (start with 2 cups and at the end add up to a cup more to desired consistencies.)
1/2-3/4 c. walnut pieces
1/2-3/4 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. brown sugar
2-3 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. dried cranberries
3/4 c. dark chocolate chips
(Experiment with other favorite fruits or nuts. You could try leaving out the chocolate, but in my opinion it just won't work! :))

1/4 c. butter (I used canola oil)
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. natural peanut butter (smooth OR crunchy)

Preheat oven to 350 and line a 13 x 9 pan with foil and spray with oil spray. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl and set aside. Mix wet ingredients. Pour wet into dry and mix well (hands or spoon). Add oats to desired consistency. Pour into pan and pat down with wet hands or metal utensil. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or longer for crunchier bars. (I'm going to go for 25 minutes next time. Cool on wire rack. Cool or even freeze before cutting into bars. (I actually love eating these bars frozen!)

Worship is like food to my soul. I feel totally unsatisfied with life if it's been a while. It's like withholding food from my body when I don't worship. In past blogs I've written about how I was reading in John and how struck I was that Jesus was concerned about people and supplying their need for food. It was important to Him to sustain His creation. I love eating and good food, but I enjoy a good worship time even more. The following song is one of my current faves! The choir and congregation at church has sung this a handful of times now, and I love my version on the ipod. Brings tears! "Jesus your Name is power, breath, and living water." So true. I feel like my soul has eaten a feast after I've sung this song to my Savior!

Lord, I praise You for the amazing gift You've given us, Your creation, in Yourself. You are my food and my drink. I am Yours and You are mine. You are El Shaddai, my sustainer and my provider.

Revelation Song

Worth is the Lamb who was slain.

Holy, holy is He.

Sing a new song to Him sits on heaven's mercy seat.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.

Who was, and is, and is to come.

With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything and I will adore You.

Clothed in rainbows of living color,

flashes of lighting, rolls of thunder.

Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be

to You the only wise King.

Chorus

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder,

at the mention of Your Name.

Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water,

such a marvelous mystery.

Chorus

Citrus and Chicken Dinner Salad & Hearty Meat and Veggie Pasta Sauce

2010-02-10T22:25:00.000-08:00

This healthy recipe is out of the Magic Foods cookbook that I've mentioned before. Each time I've changed a thing or two, but tonight it was spectacular. Enjoy!

Serves 2 (pretty large salads)
Salad:
1 head romain
2-4 green onions
snap peas
1 orange (for orange and grapefruit, cut peal off and slice)
1 grapefruit
sliced, cooked, chicken breast
sliced almonds, or pistacios
feta

Dressing:
1/3 orange juice (fresh is best)
2 TBSP lemon juice
3 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1 TBSP dijon mustard
2-4 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp salt
pepper

I've baked the chicken in a batch of the dressing before and it was really tasty. Just make sure you make an extra batch to put on your salad. :-)

Hearty Meat and Veggie Pasta Sauce

This recipe is an original that is a new favorite.
1 lb. ground beef, brown and add following ingredients . . .
1 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. shredded zuchinni
1 c. shredded carrots
When above veggies are soft, add . . .
1 c. red wine (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes, or 3-4 diced fresh tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
Add water for desired consistency (I put in about a cup)
salt and pepper to taste, and tsp sugar

This is great on any pasta. We love it on angel hair or regular spaghetti, and I recently had it on brown rice pasta.

January 26th

2010-01-26T15:01:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since I've posted, and this has been because of a little bit of busy-ness, and a little rebellion! It's hard to share your heart when there's something that needs to be worked through. Can't say that I can share what that was about because is still in progress, but I can say the Lord ain't through with me yet. :) Can I hear an "amen sister!"

I remember sharing about an amazing experience that happened a few years ago in a barn, where I feel that I had an experience that opened my eyes to what a real relationship with the Lord is? Now, you could take that the wrong way pretty easily, but it really was just a worship service in a place they call "the Barn." :) It was amazing. As I was leaving, a gal told me, and I don't know how she knew what I experienced, but she told me that the Lord wanted me to spend more time worshipping and communing with Him closely, like I had that night. It was very special to hear my experience validated and to understand what being truly close to my Savior was like. This last fall I've spent more time being discontent than in that place, and it showed! Now that I recognize my discontent, I'm getting back into the routine of spending more time in the Word, and choosing Christ-like attitudes over the alternative. I still am sometimes too tired to realize how close I am to living a whole entire day being Spirit led and enjoying that communion, but I'm a lot closer now than I was a couple months ago!

This January I decided to start reading through the Bible chronologically. My mom did this last year and I have yet to read some of the old prophets, and thus the entire Bible, so I thought I'd give it a go. I want to be living as a sold out follower of Christ, and that means knowing His Word, and in turn Him, more. I love reading the OT. In the last year I read a couple historical fiction novels about Abraham and a couple other OT heroes, and it really helped bring to life these characters and my interest reading between the lines, digging deeper. So far I'm up to Genesis 42 (Job was thrown in the middle of that), and reading about Joseph. What an amazing story! To have such patience. I'd love to have a prayer partner like Joseph must have been. Such perseverance and faithfulness.

Another challenge I've taken on is training for a half marathon. More on that later. Off to get a baby up from nap time!

More recipes on the way too!

Soup, Soup, and More Soup!

2009-11-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

In the last several weeks I've made a lot of soup. In fact, a couple weeks ago I told David, "All right, David, let's go eat our soup!" He rolled his eyes and said, "Soup AGAIN?!?!?" It was pretty funny! So when I was making my menu for the next week I was sure to ask him what he'd like to suggest we have for dinner. He said, "You know that chicken soup you made that John ate two bowls of?" I just about died laughing! Well, speaking of soup, I've got a basic soup recipe that can be turned into a few different kinds. I like to make a big batch and then put the leftovers in the freezer.

Basic Soup Recipe . . . with variations
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
2-3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
heat a large soup pot on med heat with 2ish TBSP olive oil (I usually put in a pat of butter).
Sauté veggies for about 7-10 minutes until softened.
Add 2-3 cloves of garlic.
(Prep these next veggies)
Add 1 c. shredded (or thinly sliced) carrots
1-2 c. potatoes, chopped into small cubes (I've also done lightly colored sweet potatoes)
Cover with chicken broth (I've been buying the organic free range chicken broth from Winco)
Add 2 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste
Simmer on low for about 15 minutes, or until veggies are soft

At this point you can add whatever you'd like and just heat the additions. Here are my tried and true faves!

Chicken . . . Add 2 c. chopped chicken breast, 1 can corn (about 2 cups), and about 1- 1 1/2 cups milk or fat free 1/2 n 1/2.

Salmon . . . Add 2-3 cans salmon, or home baked salmon, 1 can creamed corn, and 1-1 1/2 cups milk or fat free 1/2 n 1/2.

Italian sausage soup . . . leave out the potatoes and sauté some italian sausage with the veggies. Either crumble sausage without the skins or slice w/skins. I've been using chicken sausage and liking it really well. I recently used the Trader Joe's sausage and found I couldn't get them out of the skins. Before you simmer the veggies, throw in about 1 c. of pasta. I've made it with wheel pasta, elbow pasta, and star pasta.

This recipe is great for babies! You'll want to add the salt and pepper at the end after you've taken a baby sized portion out. I've been slightly blending up the finished product for Johnathan and he loves it. It's recommended that for babies under the age of 1 that you don't season their food with salt.

I love soup in the winter time, and once you make it a few times it seems so easy! Good luck and let me know what you try!!

Hospitality

2009-11-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been struggling in the area of hospitality and today as I sat at the feet of Jesus I learned a bit about that very thing. Really my struggle has to do with sharing food. :) Yes, I give you permission to laugh. I have a hard time sharing my food. If you watch the show Friends, you may remember a particular episode where Joey is ready to fight to the death with the girl he's on a first date with, all because she took one of his french fries. I don't feel quite this passionate, but why is it that that when I sit down to eat my lunch after everyone has eaten, do the babies come running to have a bite of mine? Or when they've got cheese and crackers in front of them do they want my veggies? Another example, although this is more out of just forgetfulness, is that I don't offer everyone who walks in my door something to drink AND eat. Certainly if a meal is planned that's a different story. Long story short, my mind hasn't been on meeting the physical needs of people who visit my home and at times I find myself resenting my responsibility to meet that need.

Well, Jesus is the One I look to as an example of an extreme host. I read in Matt 14 this morning. Here's the setting: John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, was just beheaded. Jesus hears of this (although already knew it would happen, right?), and finds some solitude on the lake. People from the nearby town follow him out to the lake, so really, how much solitude can one have with people around? "He went to shore (v.14)." Are you kidding me? If I were in His shoes, I would have rowed farther out on the lake!!!!! Not only did he go toward the people, but He had compassion on them. He healed the sick. This reminded me of the passage in John 4, where Jesus tells His disciples, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." I wonder if Jesus sought comfort in helping those who were sick physically, and most likely dying spiritually.

So, Jesus sought solitude and instead went with compassion to a crowd. The disciples came to Jesus and TOLD Him to send the people away to the nearby town to buy food for themselves. What gall . . . and I would have been right there with them. I can feed 4 people pretty easily. A larger crowd is tough, but it would be a challenge I would love. Try 5,000 people!! NO WAY says Becky! Well, Jesus, being Creator God, was able to think outside the box. :) Jesus told the disciples, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" Lucky for them, He had the answer. He took the five loaves and two fishies that they gave Him, blessed it, and began to break them and gave the food to the disciples to pass to the people. Not only did Jesus find comfort in meeting with people and healing their diseases, but He met their physical need of hunger. This was such a testimony to me and a lesson I took to heart. As I thought about His generosity and desire to meet that need, I realized that one of my hang ups on being so generous is that we're trying to be careful and wise with out money. This led me to ask myself the question, "Who meets your needs? Who is the giver of all good things? Who is it that gives you that money?" There was only one answer, and with that answer came a peace in knowing that as I responded to God's call to be a hostess who meets the needs of her guests, God would meet the need even before it was handed to me. No need to worry about money. I am just one point along the way. God supplies us with something someone else needs. We're just a funnel really. This goes for more than just physical things! God supplies me with love, faith, encouragement, that my husband, children, and people around me need. Now I just need to be sensitive to what the Lord would have me do, and doing His work will be my food!!!

"Where do you find comfort?"

2009-11-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

This fall I took on a sweet 1 year old girl. She is very loving, giving kisses and hugs all the time. She has a very safe and comfortable life, yet every afternoon when she wakes up from her nap she wails like there's no tomorrow. She doesn't stop until she you pick her up, sit down, and start cuddling. If she gets put down at all within the next 15 minutes it starts all over again. Wake ups are hard for this little one, and that is an understatement!

During the last week this little girl and her hatred of wake ups was brought to my mind during a moment with the Lord. I was sitting on the couch early in the morning cuddled up with a blanket, weeping. There is a trial in my life, one that is long term apparently, that always brings me to my knees. It challenges me every time I choose to face it, and reminds me of just how weak I am, but more importantly, it reminds me of just how much I need God, His strength, comfort, and all that He is. As I was crying out to the Lord for His comfort, I had this picture in my mind, of getting out of bed each morning and immediately curling up with a blanket in the Lord Jesus' lap. I know that Jesus longs to comfort me as long as I need it, that he doesn't roll His eyes at my big alligator tears, or put off welcoming me into His arms because He has just one more task to accomplish. Here's an excerpt from my journal on that day:

"Thank you, Lord for humbling me this morning, for showing me the picture of my weakness. I love that You are infinitely stronger than I, that you desire to meet my need in such a kind and loving away. I want to meet with You every morning, just like this."

I love that I can have assurance that He'll be there, every morning. Waiting for me.

Since I ended my time in the Psalms, I've started reading through the NT. In Matthew the Lord has confirmed again to me His compassion as He ministered to the people who were (Matt 9:36) "distressed and dispirited." I can identify with that, and the it says that Jesus felt compassion for those kinds of people. Oh man do I need compassion sometimes. Matt 11:28 says "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Yes! Not only can I come to Him for comfort, but He will give me rest from my burden, my trial. I rest in His truth knowing that He is all that I need.

This morning in my time with Him I read about two blind men (9:27-31) who came to Jesus in order that their sight might be restored. They called Him "Son of David!" They believed that He was God's Son. Jesus then asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this (restore their sight)?" I had to ask myself the same question. Do I really believe that if God chose to change my circumstance that He could? I do believe it, and hope with all of my being that He will. Now the question is, will I be content if He doesn't, knowing that He could? That is a much harder question, and is really where my battle lies. I'm so thankful for God's truth, God's comfort, and for a living, breathing, relationship with the all powerful God of the universe. It is in that that I find the patience to be content, and to praise Him in all things.

Mommy Rescue!!

2009-10-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

WARNING: RANDOM!
Honesty. I have always had a hard time being honest with myself, and others. I was going to write, not lying, but then I realized that yes, I do have trouble with lying, although not the kind of lying you're thinking about! I'm such a typical people pleaser that it is hard for me to want to do anything other than take what people give me and return it with pleasantness (at least on the outside!). I feel like quite the push-over sometimes. More than anything I want my home and relationships to be full of peace, pleasantness, tranquility, and harmony. Recently I had a couple girlfriends over and one of them told the other that she was basking in my tranquility (she'd had a particularly hard day). This is a good thing, except for the fact that I often ignore the signals within that say, "Red alert, red alert! That was painful! Say you didn't like that!" Ignoring those signals plants a seed of resentment that grow into something like the Veggie Tales rumor weed. Big, ugly, obnoxious, and with roots that are deep and established. Recently I've become very overwhelmed with life. I will spare you the details, for they are inconsequential. I have come to a point, however, that I realize that I need to take a closer look at what I'm doing in the day to day, evaluate my motives and who I'm doing it for, and should they be doing it for themselves. Just in the last few days as I've been doing this, I've pulled back from a few responsibilities that I've placed upon myself, and the freedom is coming, I can tell. I'm not out from under the load yet, but it's coming. This is more mental than I think I give it credit. I've been so intent lately on being super mom, wife, homemaker, that the fun has been stripped away. Yuck! THE END!

I love how the Israelites have the heritage they do in the feasts. What a rich tapestry of tradition, that when Christ is at the center, is so meaningful! I want my life to be a reflection of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and taking a look at my attitude this last week, you wouldn't see that. You'd see the law. Ewww!

4 years ago today I had an amazing experience. I'd been going through an extremely rough time in my life. Lots of emotional pain, on top of more emotional pain. I was plagued with feelings of rejection, guilt, of self-pity, I felt unloved and unworthy. I grew up in a Christian home and believed that when I accepted Christ at age 4 that the deal was sealed, but my faith wasn't truly my own until this experience. It was in the evening that I went with a friend to a very small gathering of believers, and the purpose was simply to bask in His presence, to worship, and to encourage one another. That night I feel like I truly met with Christ and He showed me, through the remembrance of His precious Word that He had died so that I could live FREE from the burden I was carrying around. The chains that were holding me down were in fact loose and could easily be take off. SO incredible. It was then that I began to grow, and grow, and grow. God drew me closer and closer to Himself during the next weeks and months. That rough patch was turned from an experience that was dragging me down, into a growing experience. I've learned so much about God's character and and about His desire to be enough for me and my every need. I still am still dealing with all of the same circumstances, 4 years later, and feel like the enemy still has the potential to drag me down. This week is a good example of that!!! Tonight I celebrate though! I celebrate in the face of my enemy! I celebrate Christ's victory! I've been reading through the Psalms this month, and one that I read today fit me perfectly and have me words to say in my celebration!

Psalm 91 (exerpts)
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone."

I don't quite know how to handle vs. 14-16, but do claim them for myself and do believe that I do and will continue see God's salvation working in me.

So, right now I'm sitting at Borders, kidless, and and enjoying every blessed quiet minute. Mommy rescue refers to the fact that this mama needed some rescuing. Emotional rescue, physical rescue (from the diaper changing, the pulling, the tugging, the wrestling, the food prep, laundry, and you know the rest!), and spiritual rescue. Again I can say with conviction that God is enough for me. He made me, He saved me, He rescued me, He's my rock, my refuge, and I will rest in His loving arms and rely on His strength and inspiration to serve my family.

Meatloaf Recipe

2009-10-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

This recipe was given to me by my good friend Katie. I wanted to share it, along with some ideas of different foods you can add and on how you can use this recipe in different ways.

Classic Meatloaf
3 Slices bread (the recipe calls for white, but we like to use our 8 grain Winco bread)
1/3 c milk
1 lb ground beef (you can use turkey pretty successfully)
1 lb ground pork
1/2 med onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg
1/2 c. ketsup, divided
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line backing pan with foil or parchment paper. Make the bread crumbs (I use a small food processor) and drizzle milk over the crumbs. Soak for 10 minutes. Combine meat, onion, garlic, egg, 1/4 c ketsup, 1 1/2 tsp salt (I left this out in order to feed it to Johnathan and it tasted fine) 1/4 tsp pepper. Add bread and milk mixture, mix gently with a fork. Don't overmix. Form into a loaf about 9 inches long and 4-5 inches wide.

Bake, brushing twice with 1/4 c ketsup, until instant-read thermometer reads 160 degrees. Approx. 45-55 minutes. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

I've used this recipe as a meatloaf recipe, but I've also turned this recipe into meatballs and hamburgers.

Things that you can add and play with:

1 c shredded sweet potato (light flesh, not orange)
1 red pepper, steamed and pureed (or just finely chopped)
1 TBSP worchestershire sauce
1 small yellow summer squash, shredded (or zucchini)
finely chopped mushrooms

Enjoy, and let me know if any of you have some good additions!

Psalm 111

2009-10-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

This is my new project. My goal is to memorize Ps. 111 in the next 10 days, at which point I will be done (that's my goal anyway) reading through the Psalms. There are many wonderful and powerful ones, but this one stood out to me as one that from beginning to end speaks of truth and praise.

PSALM 111

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

In the company of the upright and in the assembly.

Great are the works of the Lord;

They are studied by all who delight in them.

Splendid and majestic is His work,

And His righteousness endures forever.

He has made His wonders to be remembered;

The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

He has given food to those who fear Him;

He will remember His covenant forever.

He has made known to His people the power of His works,

In giving them the heritage of the nations.

The works of His hands are truth and justice;

All His precepts are sure.

They are upheld forever and ever;

They are performed in truth and uprightness.

He has sent redemption to His people;

He has ordained His covenant forever;

Holy and awesome is His name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;

His praise endures forever.

Psalm 138, Veg. Chili, and Banana Flax Bread . . . have nothing in common. :)

2009-10-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been struggling back and forth in an area I thought was no longer going to be an issue. Just like Johnathan is beginning to find out where the line is, my enemy has been looking for a chink in my armor! God has been faithful (yes, I was in fact NOT sleeping during Ladies Night Out yesterday!) in helping me discern reality from non-reality. This Psalm is the song of my heart today. As I wrote in an earlier blog, I read a book about going through transitions and how when we do that, our view of God gets upgraded in the process. Being proactive about seeking what that upgraded version looks like sometimes helps us avoid trials. Hmmmm. Maybe when I'm 50 this will be an easier thing to remember. Or not. :) For now, God is my truth, God is my Delight, my Satisfaction, my Comfort.

Ps. 138:1-3

I will give You thanks with all my heart;

I will sing praises to You before the gods.

I will bow down toward Your holy temple

And give thanks to Your name for Your

lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnifiedYour word

according to all Your name.

On the day I called, You answered me;

You made me bold with strength in my soul.

Pinto Bean Chili with Corn and Winter Squash

From Cooking Light Slow Cooker

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 c chopped onion

1 1/2 c chopped red (or yellow) green pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tbsp chili powder (I put 1 1/2, and 2 would not have been too hot)

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

4 c (1/2 inch) cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 lb.)

2 (16 oz.) cans pinto beans

1 c. whole-kernal corn

1 tsp salt

1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes

1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilies

Feta, or Queso Fresco (Mexican feta)

12 lime wedges

1. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; color and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Add chili powder and cumin; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

2. Place onion mixture in a 5-qt. electric slow cooker. Add squash and next 6 ingredients. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours or until chili is think. Ladle chili into bowls, sprinkle with cheese and serve with lime. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 3/4 cups chili, 2 Tbsp cheese, 2 lime wedges)

Calories 319 (17% from fat); Fat 6.1 g (sat 2g. mono 2.5g, poly 1.3g); Protein 14.3g; Carb 56g; Fiber 12.7g; Chol 10mg; Iron 4.4mg; Sodium 862mg; Calc 255mg

We tried this last night, and boy was it great on a cold, fall day!

Flax Banana Bread

Bob's Red Mill

1 3/4 c white or whole wheat flour, or a combination of the two

3/4 flaxseed meal

3/4 c sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/3 c canola oil

2-3 med very ripe bananas (going to try pumpkin also!)

Topping: (I opted to not do the topping and just added cinnamon to the batter)

1/2 c chopped walnuts

1/4 c light brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Spray bread pan with oil spray and set aside.

Mix together dry ingredients in large bowl. In smaller bowl mash the bananas, add the eggs and oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just moistened. Pour into pan and add topping. Pat down firmly or swirl topping into batter with knife.

Bake 55-60 mintues (mine took 65 minutes)

Yield: 1 loaf, 20 slices (not mine!) :)

Calories 180, Calories from fat 80, Total fat 9g, Sat Fat 0.5g, Cholesterol 20 g, Sodium 11mg, Total Carbs 25g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 12g, and protein 4g.

"But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

2009-10-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

I have been taken by the story found in John of the woman by the well. I've read it over and over and over again and it hits me every time. This Samaritan woman is living with a fifth man, is likely despised by the town she lives in, and she has probably spent most of her life searching for love in all the wrong places. I can relate to her! Sometimes I forget and look to food, to my husband or children, to entertainment, for love. It doesn't take very long for me to feel empty again. I love what Jesus tells the woman at the well, and I can picture his tone of voice, the look in his eyes, and the feeling inside of this woman when she realizes who this amazing man is! "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." It isn't at this point that she realizes who Jesus is, but this statement is so powerful, especially if you've experienced it. As I get out my Bible in the morning, I've started telling the Lord that I've come to the well to drink and to drink deeply. I love that picture of drinking from the well as I delight in what God has for me each day. It truly is what keeps me going. I hadn't sat down to write about this today. I read Psalm 73 today and LOVED the second half. It could stand alone, but with the first half has much more meaning. However, here is just the second half:

Psalm 73:23-28

Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You have taken hold of my right hand.

With Your counsel You will guide me,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;

You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

That I may tell of all Your works.

I love that. "the nearness of God is my good." Indeed!

Scripture and Oatmeal Protein Bars

2009-10-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Psalm 40 – Excerpts

"I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,

out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon

a rock making my footsteps firm.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God.

How blessed is the man who has

made the Lord his trust.

Many, O Lord my God are the wonders

which You have done,

And Your thoughts toward us;

There is none to compare with You.

If I would declare and speak of them,

They would be too numerous to count.

I delight to do Your will, O my God;

Your Law is within my heart.

Let all who seek You rejoice

and be glad in You;

Let those who love your

salvation say continually,

'The Lord be magnified!'"

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Trail Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir the following 4 ingred. and set aside.

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

In a large bowl, mix together the following 3 ingred.

1/2 c natural-style smooth peanut butter

1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 c honey

Beat in:

1 egg + 2 egg whites,

then add 2 Tbsp canola oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

Stir in:

2 c oats

1 c dried cranberries

1/2 c dark chocolate chips (or more!)

1/2 c chopped walnuts or almonds

Lay down aluminum foil in 13x9 pan and spray with oil spray.

Spread mixture as evenly as possible. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

When mostly cooled, lift bars out of pan and cut into 24 bars.

Enjoy!

Per serving: 175 calories, 4 g protein, 24 g carbs,

2 g fiber, 8 g total fat, 1 g sat fat, 9 mg cholesterol,

68 g sodium

Is that what Quiet sounds like?

2009-10-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I took a little trip into a different world than I normally reside. It was a remarkable difference. My purpose in leaving my family for 3 days was to retreat from the daily grind to be able to reestablish my ability to hear my Savior and to be reminded that it is Christ who fulfills me. This song, by Kathryn Scott, says it all.

Only You

No one, but you, Lord can satisfy this longing in my heart.

Nothing I do, Lord can take the place of drawing near to you.

Only You can fill my deepest longing.

Only you, can breathe in me, new life.

Only You can fill my heart with laughter.

Only You can answer my heart's cry.

It was wonderful to spend time in the Word with David in Psalms. David knew how to be transparent with God, and he also had a right perspective of who God is, and who he was.

I also spent time reading the book, The Nature of God by Graham Cooke. The focus of this book is our view of God, and how each new phase in our life requires us to "upgrade" our view of God, and who God is to us. Here is a quote that really spoke to me:

"God wants to declare what He is becoming to you. Like Moses (Exodus 33, 34), you have fresh favor to ask Him to go deeper. God is the sneakiest Person on the planet. You cannot have a desire for Him that is unmatched by His desire for you. In fact, if you really want to know where you are with God, check out what is in your own heart. What are you signing about right now? During those times you sit in the presence of God and your heart sighs for Him, what is it you are sighing for? Understand that your sigh originated in His heart. It is His longing for you, reaching out to you!

When you understand what it is your spirit is sighing for, you will understand exactly what He wants to do. You cannot have a desire or longing for God that He did not put there. Your heart for Him is simply a reflection of His heart for you; God has us longing for the things He most wants to give us."

It is pretty overwhelming to think that God knows us so intimately and desires to be everything we need, without us even knowing what it is that we need! On top of this, He reveals it to us in a way that means something to us. The God that I serve is truly an incredible God.

Over the last week I've been able to establish a good quiet time routine, and found this to be true, "The antidote to stress and crisis is upgrading our fellowship with God." (Graham Cooke) What a difference in my days to begin them spending time in His presence. He truly is my Prince of Peace!!! You need that when the rest of the day is filled with constant demands!

Something else that came out of the weekend was direction in an area that I've been floundering in a little. How refreshing to be taught by the Lord! He truly is my Wonderful Counselor. He then reminded me of Ps. 37, which quickly became my new theme "song."

In a different direction, something that has happened every time I've gone away, is a new schedule. Stepping away from reality has a way of giving perspective. The most revolutionary thing that happened to my schedule, was that I'm able to clean my whole house during the week, just one or two chores at a time. This does not include the daily grind kind of chores, and it also doesn't include the deep cleaning kind of chores. It sure is easier to do than doing everything at once when I'm at my wits end!

I'm so thankful to the Lord for this weekend, for the renewed strength to serve Him, my husband and children, and to experience all that God wants to be for me.

"THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP, IS . . . BREAKFAST!"

2009-09-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

BREAKFAST
Before I say anything else, I love my fairly new coffee maker that has a auto setting that you can set the night before! I was going to put love in caps, but then I thought it might seem like the coffee maker was rivaling Brian. It's not, don't worry. It is, however, wonderful to get home from the gym and go straight to a nice hot carafe of coffee. Awwww.

So, on to my new favorite breakfast. I would have loved to sing the praises of the oats, the cinnamon, the flax meal, the cranberries and walnuts, but I'm much to tired right now, so later I promise to tell of all the wonderfulness of those ingredients and how they help you to stay healthy! Here's the recipe, which serves two:

Put 3/4 c. oats, 1 1/2 c. water, and 1 tsp. cinnamon on the stove in a small saucepan and turn on high. When it starts to boil, turn to medium. When the oatmeal is at the consistency you would like, pour into bowls.

Grind 1 1/2 TBSP flax seeds in a coffee grinder (after having cleaned the grinder, or bought one just for this purpose) and split between bowls.

Add two tsp brown sugar to each, as well as a a small handful of chopped walnuts (you can buy walnut pieces in bulk at Winco or Fred Meyer), and a small handful of dried cranberries. Add milk as desired. (I love whole milk!)

LUNCH
The lunch that Brian and I eat almost every day is made mostly of a large salad. I start with about 4ish cups of spring mix greens(large box of mixed greens from Winco or Fred Meyer). Then I put on green onions, cucumber, tomatoes, black beans, 2ish TBSP pistachios, a sprinkling of sunflower seeds, and some of Bernstein's Balsamic Vinegar dressing. Very filling, crunchy, flavorful, and quite healthy. If I've got leftover chicken then I'll usually throw that on too. Avocado is a really tasty addition as well.

Let me know if you try either of these tasty meals, if you like them, or if you have any other changes you've tried and like!

PURPOSE, BOOK, RECIPE

2009-09-25T23:19:00.000-07:00

PURPOSE
The purpose of this blog will be to share with others my joy of cooking healthy meals for my family, which will include recipes. I'm not a professional cook, and there are many women out there who are much better cooks, women who know how to shop better than I, and women who know more about cooking much healthier. One thing I love, though, is making food that is not only healthy, but is something to be enjoyed and savored as well.

I will also be occasionally writing about things that I've incorporated into my daily routine that make life easier. I am wife to a very busy band director, mom to two busy boys, and day care provider to two sweet young girls. Life is hectic, but I've learned some things to make it easier!

BOOK AT A GLANCE
Recently I have come upon a book put out by Reader's Digest, called Magic Foods. It takes mostly about the importance of keeping your blood sugar at a consistent level, and the foods that you can eat to help it do so. I love every recipe I've tried out of it, and highly recommend it! Over the next few months I'll be including my favorites and maybe will impart some of it's wisdom.

RECIPE
For this first blog, however, I'm going to include a recipe I tried a while ago. It's a sophisticated chocolate cake recipe, spicy, and very yummy!

Chipotle Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free!!)
10 oz. of semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
7 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
5 large eggs, room temperature
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp of chipotle chill powder
Dash of cayenne powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f. Line the botyom of a 9 1/2 inch. springform pan with a circle of parchment paper. Grease the sides of the parchment with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter together over a double boil

3. whisk together the eggs and the sugar in a large bowl, and then slowly, a bit at a time, whisk in the meted chocolate. Add the salt and spices and taste, adjusting the spices if needed.

4. Pour into the springform pan and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with Powdered sugar and enjoy!

Feel free to add a comment with your own tips on healthy eating!