Meal Planning

Hey there! Are you feeling as busy as I am right now?

Getting back into the school swing can be tricky.  I can't imagine being a momma who works outside of the home as well.  I watch my friends and sisters do it, and I just don't even know how they get it all done!

Our schedule is very different this year than previous years.  Two days per week I am gone all day.  One day I am gone half.  That leaves me three days at home, unless I have to throw in an appointment of some kind.

So I thought I would write about what's helping me get food on the table for my guys each night.

I make meal plans.  

I've done this for the past three years I think.  This can seem overwhelming, I know, especially if you aren't the naturally organized type.  Don't fret though!  You could even start by jotting down on a calendar what you have each night for the next month.  This doesn't have to be complicated okay!

When I started, I just thought about what all we liked to eat and rotated it each month.  Later, I thought about ways I could make it healthier.  This school year, I came up with two months worth of meals!

I basically like to have a lean protein, low-carb starch, and a veggie or two at each dinner.  It doesn't always work out like that and there are times when I just don't feel like cooking so we grab something or do a frozen pizza.  Yep, it happens, and I'm fine with that.  

I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to let mealtime stress me out!  This is real life so let's just be practical.  Some things come easier to others.  Sometimes life's circumstances change our days and we need to do something different.  What I know is that there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

I refuse to beat myself up over food! I am committed to making the wisest choicest possible with whatever a day presents.

But, there are some ways to make having a home-cooked meal with decent ingredients happen on a fairly regular basis.

Planning ahead with a meal plan helps take the frustration out of figuring out what to have!  It also helps keep your grocery bill down because you go with a list and stick to it.

When I get home from the grocery, I like to brown all the ground beef or turkey up at once with a little seasoning that works for every dish.  Then, I let it cool down and store it.  When I need it, I simply defrost in the fridge the night before I will use it.  

This has helped my sons learn how to cook things, as well as made my meal prep so fast.  You can also do this with chicken if you want or seal your steak in marinade and feeze it!  Yummo!

I have built in two crockpot meals for the two days we are gone so long.  It's so nice to come into the house and smell dinner ready for us to eat!  On the other nights, I try to use the stuff I have pre-cooked so that a meal doesn't take much work and is usually ready in minutes.

I have watched how planning ahead of time pays off tremendously! Oh, and many times, I will double a recipe while I cook it in the crock and freeze part of it for another meal.

I also have a list of snack foods, breakfasts and lunches that we cycle through each week.  It helps the kids not ask what they can have or are having over and over again!

So be encouraged that a little work to make a plan now can save you oodles of time and energy later.  It's worth the effort!  You can search for other people's meal plans online and get tons of ideas.

Happy planning!

On My Way!

Hi Friends :)

How's everybody doing out there?  

I hope you are continuing to pursue your own ways of living practically in a busy world!

I was hoping to have some more pictures of projects up to show you by now, but getting over the surgery I had in July has really kept me tired.  And getting my kiddos back into the school grind is taking much of my time!

I'm doing great otherwise.  Thank you for the messages and prayers.  I just find myself feeling so anxious to accomplish more things and my body isn't ready quite yet.

So, as always, I don't set my eyes on what I can't do, but what I can!  That's pursuing practical living!

I had to think through with a couple friends what I can do.  

I can stretch daily.  I can walk short distances.  I can use small hand weights.  I can continue to learn about nutrition and exercise.  I can watch what is going into my mouth (and I don't mean as I shove it in there)!

I can read, watch documentaries, teach my children, and encourage friends.

I know well what negative thoughts can do...how they can lead you into discouragement and depression.  I don't want to go back there by thinking on things I can't do or don't have...or people who aren't around or places I can't go.

No.  I have learned that right living begins with right thinking!  So when I can't walk out the steps or do the things I want to do to move in practical living, I make sure I am thinking about it, planning it, and preparing for it for when I can!

I'd like to shout out a thanks especially to my friends Amanda and Andrea who have been such an encouragement to me lately!  You continue to give me hope that things will level out again and this is just a season.

Be blessed today blogger friends!  Rest.  Set your eyes on what you have and what you can do and rejoice with me.

I love what Joyce Meyer says, "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God, I'm not where I use to be!"  Amen sister!

The Power of Fried Chicken!

Did your family have that one thing that your momma or grandma made that was just everybody's favorite???

I love these tradition foods!

I love the anticipation and how people just want to flock to the house and gather round the table. It makes the hard work worth it!

My dad's mom made amazing cheeseburgers. My mom's mom made creamy banana pudding. My momma makes the best sugar cookies around. My husband's mom makes fabulous cakes. His Grandma Ina made scrumptious Christmas brunch.

These ladies all made lots of yummy things, but those are the things we all tend to associate with them, ya know?

So what about me? Well, "my food" is fried chicken!

I didn't set out for it to be. My husband just really liked his mom and grandma's fried chicken, so I just wanted to learn to make it and bless him because we lived away in the military.

The funny thing about the favorite foods seems to be how the recipes get tweaked a little here and a little there until that person knows how to do it and can't really give you exact measurements!

So I just watched and listened and then watched cooking shows and eventually kept tweaking my own recipe until I realized that this was my food.

Somehow fried chicken became the thing my family begs for...the thing friends ask me to make...the thing nieces and nephews whisper in my ear and ask when I'll be cooking it again.

Now, I will admit that I do really love how it tastes and my chicken is my favorite fried chicken, but what I truly relish is that it brings people together!

It's a labor of love, but it's worth every smile and every memory. And I will tell you that I do use it as leverage to get my boys to spend time with me :) "Oh, okay guys, I'll make it, but you have to help through the whole process."

This is the meal they all want for their birthdays. This is the thing they invite friends over for!

Here are some pics of the process. I'd give you the recipe, but then they would all come to your house! Tee hee!

Sorry, this is one we are keeping in the family. Here is a tip though: soaking your chicken for at least 24 hours prior to cooking is key!

Sneak Peek!

Here's a little peek at one of the schoolroom/office projects.

I am super blessed to have lots of littles running around here all the time, and they love making art for me as much as I love receiving it!

I thought we needed a display area so my sweet little neighbor and friend, Addi, helped with some painting. Later, Adalee (my niece) told me where to hang things.

Here are some pics of our work and one of Sethy and Addi creating! (Oh! And one of Tom and Addi having an ice cream break because well, you know, painting can wear a girl down!)

American Summer Porch

I wanted a new porch look for summer, so I opted for All American!

I try to be very practical and buy things I can store and use over and over again. I also new that after having surgery, I wouldn't be able to water flowers on my porch.

I gathered some pretty artificial flowers and containers at the Old Time Pottery store. I picked up a wire wreath, pre-cut quilting squares, and ribbon at a craft store to make a rag wreath. I used a Pinterest tip of tying bandanas at the corners to cover throw pillows we weren't really using. I grabbed some cheap flags at The Dollar Tree and the two red flower pots at Dollar General. I used a couple other things I already had and boom chocka locka, I had myself a new look!

I think this little makeover turned out pretty cute!

Projects Before Surgery

Hey all! It's been a while because I was recovery from surgery. I'll share more about what helped me through that in later posts, but today I wanted to take you back to some projects I did before surgery.

I had a list of things to get done this summer, and when I realized I would be having surgery instead, I kicked myself into high gear on any good-feeling day I had! I gathered up some sweet little helpers every chance I could too!

I painted most of our basement, organized my schoolroom/office, organized almost every room, closet, and the garage!

Here are some pics of basement painting with my adorable nieces, Hadassah and Adalee!

Impromptu Nachos Anyone?

Hey blog world! 

I  had a dear friend in town visiting and we did lots of fun running around and eating out. The other night though, we needed something quick and convenient with few ingredients because I need to grocery shop!

After a little thought, I decided on taco meat. I had some soft shells, some crunchy shells and some multigrain Tostitos (my personal fav!!!). My thought was everyone could just do what sounded good to them with what we had.

When I bring ground beef home from the store, I brown it all up at one time with a general seasoning mix, and then store it in one pound portions in the freezer. This makes mealtimes so convenient for busy families!

I grabbed a couple frozen portions, defrosted them, and plopped them in my large electric skillet. After a few minutes of warming, I added some taco seasoning and water. It thickened in about 5 minutes. Simple. Fast. Dinner!

I sadly didn't even have any veggies to use, but we made do and my sweet friend Andrea was digging my impromptu nachos. They even looked pretty on the plate, so she said they deserved a blog post.

Here they are! I spread out the chips, spooned on the beef, drizzled some mild enchilada sauce and queso, tossed a little shredded cheddar, and shook on some dried chives.

Yuuuuummmmy indeed!

Cut Yourself Some Slack Jack!

Getting very practical about daily life is a must when you deal with chronic illness.  

There is so much that I would like to do differently that, right now, my body just will not allow.  Ideas and visions run through my head (or before my eyes on my Pinterest app!), and I quickly get disillusioned because I can barely keep my eyes open from the fatigue of sleepless nights!

It seems that no matter how intentional I try to be, I'm inevitably thwarted by some part of my body doing something that I can't stop. So, my thoughts for practical living for today are this:  cut yourself some slack!

I know.  I really do know how hard it is.  You have a standard you like to keep your house at!  You can't stand the messes you see lying around.  You try to ignore it all as you walk from one room to another and get lost in a sea of total disarray!  Where are those children you so diligently trained in chores??? Oh no!  They're being too quiet downstairs and you should see just what they are up to, but the mere thought of climbing those stairs...are you kidding me?

Or, wait, that's not you?  Perhaps you beat yourself up because the messes remind you of what a failure you have always been.  Maybe you never even knew how to train your children or you never got around to training them. Maybe you even feel guilty that you ask them to do things at all.  After all, people tell you that children should just get to be children and play.  They will have to work enough when they grow up.

The battering thoughts and voices seem to never cease no matter what part of the parenting spectrum you come from.  That's because the enemy is the father of lies.  The best the enemy can do is get you to doubt who you are and whose you are.

So...cut yourself some slack kid and get back to the truth!

For me, the truth is that I have diligently trained my children, but many times it seems you would never know it!  I can't make my body do things it's too tired or sick to do.  It's not sinful to ask my children to help.  I would do more if I could.  God still loves me just as much.  This will all be okay.  That's pretty much how I run it through my mind most days.

But, I get it.  It doesn't often feel like it will all be okay, does it?  God knows too.  Just try to offer yourself the same understanding and compassion that you would offer others if they were going through what you are.  You can't do it all.  You can't do more than what you are capable of.  Pushing yourself when God has not told you to only results in wearing yourself down even more, becoming sicker, and probably grumpier.  (Don't ask me how I know that okay!)  

Just do what you can do when you can do it.  Quit beating yourself up and stop caring about what everybody else thinks of you.  It only matters what the Lord thinks.  

Do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord.  That's all He asks. He knows your best and you know your best.  The rest of the people will just have to deal!  (Yeah, I know it's easier said than done.)

Do What You Can!

A few months ago I was thinking about how many changes have taken place in my body: my arms have a double wave now; my forehead and neck have huge lines; it's much harder to lose weight; bruises and scrapes don't heal as quickly; my normally "skinny" part (my legs) are not as effortlessly skinny anymore.

Sigh.

Aging. It's quite something.

It's unavoidable.

It's kinda discouraging.

But...it's also just part of life.

I have no desire to spend my money on potions or pills or surgeries. I will deal with what comes, but I did start wondering what I should be doing differently, so I researched to see what I could do.

I was amazed at how much muscle mass we can lose as we age! That's where I chose to start...with strength training to build muscle back.

I don't usually have a huge span of time in my day for a straight workout, but I read some great encouraging words about grabbing minutes where I can.

I started doing simple leg raises, small-weight arm routines and crunches while I listen or watch some kind of teaching or audio book. I hate wasted time and love to find ways to multi-task! One goal I made a long time ago was to read a chapter of something each day so that I continue to learn. With so much information available on technology now, I'm able to grow in knowledge AND do other things :-)

I also continued with my stretch routine I try to do first thing in the morning before I get out of bed because it helps me stay flexible and not hurt so much.

I am currently learning about the MELT Method, in which you use a foam cylinder to do different exercises that rehydrate the body's connective tissue. This is helping tremendously with back, neck, and head pain!

If I have time, I try to get in at least 15 minutes per day on my Urban Rebounder (a terrific mini trampoline). This is one of the best exercises one can do! It is low-impact and flushes the lymph system, removing toxins from the body.

All of these things can be done in just minutes a day and yield great results! Don't fall into thinking you don't have time. You make time for what is important to you!

Make time for YOU. You have one body so do what you can with it. Aging may be inevitable, but we can have some input on how we age! Do what you can!

Bread Alternative Lunch

Good Saturday afternoon to you!

I just ran to the store with my little fam and picked up the goods for our fried chicken birthday dinner. My son Alex turned 13 yesterday! All my guys want this meal for their birthday and it is a labor of love! Phew

Maybe I'll post about that later, but as I am grabbing a quick lunch, I remembered I wanted to share one of my favorite things that help me not miss bread so much!

Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbread. They have a few flavors, but I'm partial to the sesame myself :-)

Today, I put some preservative/additive-free ham on top with some ranch dip I made out of plain Greek yogurt, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and seasoned salt.

Sometimes I use turkey and cheddar cheese or chicken salad. It's a great alternative to bread...11g carb for 2 slices and a gram of sugar!

Tortellini Bake

I don't have a picture of tonight's dinner experiment but at least I can tell you about it!

I had a couple packages of Buitoni Whole Wheat Cheese Tortellini in the frig so I had a thought that I could use that and make a lasagna-type dish.

I defrosted a small bag of sausage as well as a small bag of beef. I poured a thin layer of Classico Four Cheese spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish (a trick to avoid sticking). I then used the remainder of the sauce to mix with the tortellini in a bowl. I put all that in the dish, then mixed the meat with some garlic seasoning and another jar of sauce and poured it on top the tortellini. I put a mix of Italian shredded cheeses on top and covered it with foil.

I baked it for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees and then removed the foil. I popped it under the broiler until the cheese was brown and bubbly!

I served it up with a simple organic romaine salad and it was splendid!

Fast Steak & Asparagus Lunch

We had steak for dinner the other night, so I took what was left and cut it into small strips that I could use later for steak fajitas or something else.

Today for lunch, instead of fajitas, I sauteed the steak in a little butter (REAL butter!), some garlic salt, chives, minced onion, and A1 sauce.  

I had some asparagus that sounded scrumptious as well.  I snapped off the ends, rinsed it in a colander, and threw it on a cookie sheet with extra virgin organic olive oil, Lawry's seasoned salt, and pepper. I toasted it under the broiler on high for about five minutes.  I really wish I had remembered to squirt some lemon juice on it, as my sis-in-law just told me the other night that she loves that.  

It was a delicious little lunch on the fly!  

Don't be afraid to try an idea.  Some of my favorite meals have come out of my experiments!

Happy Thursday everybody :)

Warm Lemon Coconut Water

I've discovered another yummy coconut oil drink!

Warm water-8 oz (I got mine from the Keurig)
Organic, virgin coconut oil-1 Tbsp
doTerra Lemon Essential Oil- 2 drops
Truvia-about 1/2 tsp (you could use Stevia if you don't like Truvia)

I wish I could have this ice cold, but the coconut oil would solidify. It's nice though.  You could use honey to sweeten as well.

Midnight Coconut Cocoa

I've been learning about the amazing benefits of coconut oil for a while now and last week I really committed to trying to get 3 tablespoons in my diet per day.

My favorite way to make this happen is in a warm drink. I can't drink coffee very often though, as my system doesn't like it. I like green tea okay, but I drink it a lot when I'm sick so it kinda just has bad associations now. Shiver. Other than that, I'm just not a huge tea fan.

Tonight, I was lying in bed, unable to sleep because I woke up with a tickle in my throat! I began (night) day-dreaming of something warm I could drink when all of a sudden, an idea popped...

So up I arose out of the bed, grabbed my fluffy robe, crept to the kitchen, fired up the faithful Keurig for some warm water, and gathered my supplies:

Organic, virgin coconut oil
Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
Truvia
Rhedi Whip

I have no idea how much of anything I threw in the mug in my midnight excitement, but I can promise you it hit the spot, warmed me up, and put a stop to that tickle in my throat real quick!

By golly gals, I believe I've found a new favorite drink :-) And the cool thing is that since adding the coconut oil to my diet, I've noticed my joints and muscles feel better, I've lost a half inch on my waist, and my endometriosis is better!

(No picture available as I slurped it down before I even thought of that!)

High-Carb Day

In general, trying to keep my complex carbohydrate and sugar intake low has become my norm. However, I find the hardest time to do that is when the people I spend the most time with are eating anything and everything on the weekend.

My husband, like many husbands I know of, doesn't care to make all the changes I want to make. So, of course, when he is home on the weekend, the boys get treats that I don't buy on a regular basis anymore. 

Rather than fight over it, I just use the weekend, usually only one day, to relax and have a high carb day, which can actually work in my favor if I am trying to lose weight!

Put simply, this sort-of works to jolt my metabolism so when I go back to low carb the next day, my body will respond to the change and not plateau. (You can study carb cycling if you are interested.)

This method seems to work out okay for me. I don't typically "fall of the wagon"  and ruin what I've been doing.

So, to show you an example, my meal for this past Sunday included a baked patato, which I tend to stay away from through the week. We also had steamed broccoli and pork loin, which we cooked in the crockpot with a bottle of pork marinade on low all day. Mmmmm!

Little Changes=Big Payoffs

Back to the diet changes I made:

I got more diligent about checking labels for low sugar, low carbohydrates, the ingredients to avoid and the ingredients to include.

I became very brand-specific in my choices.  This can be extremely difficult when you have a strict budget to stick to, but fortunately I was able to buy the brands I found fit my criteria best.

I definitely know there are still probably better alternatives out there, but I've yet to make it to a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods because they aren't close to my house.  So, I make due with what I know is better so far.  My health is getting so much better since starting on doTerra oils, cleanses, and supplements a month ago!  I am hoping to learn more and make more changes as my energy and endurance increases.

I'll list some of my favorites as far as not-too-terrible ingredients and still great tasting in the recipes I list here so you can get an idea of what I use on a daily basis.  The important thing is to just start making some changes that won't stress you out.  Change a few things at a time, like using Hunt's All Natural Ketchup instead of the ones with high fructose corn syrup.  Some people would never think of even eating that, but every step forward is still a step forward.

I definitely know I won't continue anything that tastes gross or is a big nuisance to obtain.  I just won't, and I think you have to know what you will realistically do and start there.  I know I'm not going to be ordering a bunch of food from the internet, driving miles in traffic to grocery shop, going to several different stores, or growing my own garden.  I just don't have time to do those things at this point, nor any desire.  I just do what I can do with a joyful heart, and those changes have paid off big for me.  I feel better, look better, think better, my test numbers are all in good ranges now... Remember, every little change helps and little changes add up over time.  Just do what you can do.

Tip:  After nixing the sugary drinks out of your diet, start checking all the condiments and dressings.  There are many easy dressings you can make yourself, but if you won't, at least cut down on that sugar and get those nasty oils out of your fridge!  

My Quick Chinese

When I get in the mood for a little Chinese, I throw some frozen chicken tenders with some General Tso's sauce into the crock pot. After four hours on high or 6-8 on low, I drain the runny juice, cut up the chicken with my Pampered Chef kitchen shears and throw in some more sauce.

I'm not a huge rice fan, but I do like the quick 90-second microwavable Long Grain and Wild Rice Medley from Uncle Ben's. 

I like to steam some broccoli, add some butter and seasoned salt and then, in just minutes, I have a lean protein, lower carb, and yummy veggie.

It makes for a nice quick dinner.

Baby Steps

More of my beginning: 

Though I decided I need not follow man-made rules or opinions regarding what I ate, I also knew that God has chosen to work through humankind.

I actually know people who will not read books written by other people. Yes, I'm serious.  They will only read the Bible.  I personally think that is an incredible insult to God because it is He who gives wisdom unto man.  None of us will get it all right.  We will write or speak some things that are spot-on in line with God and there will be times our opinions and human logic stick out instead.

I learned a long time ago to be aware that God is still alive and still speaking through humans.  Humans are flawed and sometimes we get the messages messed up for sure.  The many thousands of ideas and breakthroughs in medicine, science, technology, etc... however prove that mankind does get it right as well, and if we choose to shut ourselves off from that, we miss out on a great deal of God's beauty and wisdom manifested through the crowning glory of creation-mankind.

So, I realized I should pray and ask God to direct me to what HE wanted me to read and learn from...to ask Him to help me discern truth from lies and to keep me alert in throwing out the bad and embracing the good.

One of the first books I read was The Belly Fat Cure.  It was simple and to the point.  It was easy to understand and follow.  It was a way to start making decent changes to ward off sickness and disease and help my body (His Temple) stay productive.

Do I agree with everything in the book?  Not at all.  I don't believe in millions of years of evolution for example, but that doesn't mean the author is a flake in my eyes.  He has some very good information that has changed my life and kept me at a steady weight for three years now.  I am grateful to him for stepping out and writing for others.

The basis of this book is that before the Industrial Revolution, people didn't consume so much processed food, especially sugar.  Obesity became a problem after that time in history.  Heart disease busted on the scene and doctors scrambled to the conclusion that it must be fat making people fat!  The "new" diet plan was to eat "heart healthy" which became an epic failure because it focused on a lot of carbs that turn to what?  Sugar.  People continued to get bigger and diabetes and cancer hit new highs.

Well, finally something was making sense to me!  I read studies about how it actually isn't fats making us fat and revving disease, it is sugar and carbs.  The author of the book went on to tell about his system of watching your intake of servings of carbs per day, as well as keeping your sugar grams low.

I began by simply reading two things on food labels:  carbohydrates and sugars.  I was stunned at what I had been eating that was deemed as "healthy!"

I began to lose inches around my midsection as I made these simple changes.  I couldn't believe the difference...even in how I felt physically.

As I read more, I learned some major ingredients to avoid: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, MSG, enriched flour...

I learned some good ingredients to look for:  whole grains, omega 3 oils, stevia...

You have to think about what kind of person you are and how you work best.  I know that if I try to make a bunch of changes at once, I most always fail, and it takes me a long time to get back on the horse!  If I work on small baby steps and change one or two things at a time, I sustain those changes.

Start making simple changes and work your way up until you are living the lifestyle habits right for you and your family.  Sugar intake is a big deal to me because diabetes is big in both sides of our family, however so is thyroid disorder so we stay away from all things soy, which many people think is fabulous for you.  It's not fabulous for us!  

What is best for you and yours may not be what is best for another family so be mindful, seek wisdom, and then start walking forward implementing a little at a time.

Tip:  If you need a place to start, cut out the sugary drinks and drink more water :)  Carry some small packs of stevia with you and at restaurants, ask for water with lemons and cherries.  Add the stevia and you have yourself a nice cherry lemonade!

Food Rules!

About five years ago, it seemed like people all around me were radically changing their eating habits.  What was my normal from growing up was suddenly looking disgusting compared to what I was hearing others talk about putting in their mouths, and I did not know what I was to do with that!

To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.  To say that I was hurt a few times by others condemning and judgmental remarks about my kids and me is being kind. 

I love to learn new things.  I like to be taught by others.  However, I found very few people in those days willing to have a polite conversation about what they had learned and why they were making changes.  They seemed to just want to impose their food laws on me.

My "normal" was nothing like what these folks were describing they were eating.  My dad grew up on a farm in the country and though his family had a garden and livestock, they fried everything in bad fats. My mom grew up in the city for most of her life, and her family didn't have much money so they ate whatever they could get!

When my parents married, they also struggled to make ends meet for a long time.  It was standard that my dad worked 16 hour days or more even by the time I came along twelve years into their marriage.

My momma cooked like she had been taught and tried to learn to cook like my dad enjoyed.  I am the youngest of three children.  I was quite a surprise for my parents and my brothers are 8 and 12 years older than me.  They were often not around and it would just be my parents and me at dinnertime.  Unfortunately, I became a very picky child and my parents didn't push me to try new things.  I was pregnant with my first son before I had a real salad!

So, as you can imagine, when five years ago, people in my sphere were talking about putting vegetables in everything and not allowing their kids any sugar, etc... well, I was overwhelmed.  Sodas and snacks were my normal, and I didn't know how bad they were for me!

To make matters harder, it wasn't even like these people around me were all in agreement with what they were eating either.  So many people were doing so many different things and one would say, "You should eat this!" and another would say, "No!  Never eat that!"

I was so confused and so tired of feeling like a complete failure as a wife and mom because of food that I tried to avoid anybody that was talking about the subject!

One day while reading the Bible, I was struck by Romans 14 that touches on what we eat.  I realized that like many things, this was another individual issue for each of us before the Lord and none of us should be trying to be the Holy Spirit for others.

As I searched God's Word more for direction and prayed, He led me to other passages for my family.  I began to understand that different people will face different issues, and if we are seeking God for wisdom for what we need to do, then He promises to give that wisdom liberally to His children who ask Him for it...even regarding what we should eat or abstain from.

That brought me a lot of peace, and I no longer avoided conversations because I didn't want to feel attacked; I avoided them because I wanted God's opinion and not man's! 

I will continue to share on the steps God walked me through, but I am praying today that if you are in the dazed and confused place of, "Where do I even start?" that you will be enveloped with peace and begin to hear God direct your steps. :)

Chicken Ideas

One of the main reasons I started this blog was because a friend wants me to share my favorite recipes, so Andrea, here's what's been cookin' good lookin'!

I had company over today so I made a bigger lunch and smaller dinner.

Lunch consisted of fried chicken, cauliflower faux potatoes, salad, and sauteed green beans.

Chicken: defrosted tenderloins which marinated in egg, milk, water, seasoned salt, and hot sauce (I don't know how long...long enough:)

I cut the tenderloins in half, drained them and breaded them with a mix I already had made up (seasoned flour, corn flakes, and spices like seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder) and added in some whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs and unsweetened coconut.  I fried them in coconut oil.  YUM!

Sauteed Green Beans:  bag of frozen long green beans, cooked on medium heat in coconut oil with some bacon bits and almond slices; seasoned with sea salt, pepper

Cauliflower "Faux" Potatoes: this was my first try at this dish!  I steamed the cauliflower, cut it up, added butter, dropped it in the Ninja with some sea salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese and some cottage cheese I rinsed and drained.  I mixed it all up, put it into a glass 9x13 baking dish, put some sharp Cheddar cheese on top, and broiled it until the cheese was bubbly.  Oh and I did sprinkle some instant mashed potatoes in them because I wasn't sure if husband would eat them!  I think they would have been good without though.

For supper, I planned ahead to hit the lighter side.  I was in the mood for some Buffalo Chicken Wraps, but my kiddos don't like the spice.  To overcome this dilemma, I took one crock pot and put two foil "packages" side by side.  I put 5 frozen chicken tenderloins in each side.  In one, I put some Weber's BBQ sauce and in the other, I sprinkled dry ranch seasoning mix and Franks' Buffalo Sauce.  

I let those cook on low all day and when I was ready for them, I pulled out the packets and let the juice run off.  Next, I put the chicken in separate bowls and shredded it with two forks. Then, I added more bbq sauce and buffalo sauce.

The kids ate the bbq on whole grain buns.  I took low-carb tortillas, spread ranch dressing on, then spread out the buffalo chicken, lettuce, and cheese.  I rolled them up, cut them in half and served them with apples.  These wraps store very well in bags for lunches!

Victory!

So my hubby won this great award for work and also a trip to a luxurious resort!

Great news, right?!

But, you know as a woman where my mind went almost immediately... I have to wear a bathing suit and a fancy dress and...and...and... 

UGH!

I had been praying for motivation to help me get back to working out and that did it friends.

I hate that it takes something like that.  I wish I had a natural love for active sports or hiking or biking or something.  No, I would rather be reading, researching, scrapbooking, writing, drawing...almost anything other than moving around and sweating!

The thing is though that EVERY time I do get back into a workout routine, I do enjoy it for the most part...or at least I really love the effects of it.

I feel better all over...joints, muscles, even my skin!  I breathe better. I sleep better. I eat better.

Why do I let myself fall out of the cycle?  

I find it only takes one or two yucky days of illness and that is enough to derail my efforts!

I deal with a lot of pelvic pain from endometriosis.  If you aren't familiar with it, you won't really understand how far-reaching the implants can go and how debilitating it can be in different ways on different days. It can affect so many organs by attaching itself like a sticky web.

There are times I go a week straight with no symptoms and feel wonderful and then BAM!  I wake up in the night or the next morning, and I am doubled over in pain.  Sometimes, it only lasts hours and other times, it may go on for five days.  I also have an issue with the top vertebra in my neck moving.  When it acts up, I get migraines!  Sometimes those last up to 48 hours.  You can imagine how all that messes up daily life plans and especially exercising.

I have come to terms with all of this.  I have researched so much.  I have made many changes to diet and habits, etc... and I realize this is just what I will deal with unless I have a miraculous healing because there is no medical cure for either at this point.

Am I going to let that define me or direct me or ruin me?

I could choose to lay around.  I could wallow in self-pity and depression, and believe me, I have had to fight that temptation. However, I know God created me for purpose.  I know His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me in any way.  Of that I am certain!

So, I push on each day, in the power of HIS might.  I cannot do this alone, and I'm so thankful that I don't have to!  

Would I love God to heal me instantly?  Of course!  Do I trust Him any less because He doesn't?  Thankfully, not at all.

I am so grateful for the ability to walk and move.  Sometimes, I have to really push myself to do things, but I really try to stay focused on the fact that I still can do things!

So, I'm just feeling really appreciative today that I am able...that I am willing...and that God helps me to press on no matter what comes against me.

I am determined to have victory in my circumstances!

Walking Workout

One of my favorite resources I use to keep myself moving is this DVD. I find it very enjoyable and easy to follow, yet it gets my heart pumping. I also add in 3 or 5-pound hand weights for toning the arm muscles.

She has several routines you can purchase, but I like how this one gives you a different routine for each day of the week.

I know how hard it can be to get workout time in each day. But I also see the value of making yourself a priority for 30 minutes a day so you can stay well and continue to pour out to others!

Keep Moving!

Hello everyone :)  

I decided to share on this blog because I have dealt with many issues over the years from chronic illness, panic attacks, and fluctuating weight to organization dilemmas, what to fix for dinner again, and how to spend my days with toddlers without losing my mind! hee hee

Truly, though, I think we all face a lot of challenges each day, and we can use all the help we can get.  What helped me won't necessarily help everyone else, but if it can even help one, then I feel I should be willing to share freely.

So, to be honest, I'm not totally sure what all I may discuss here, but I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.

For today, I will share this tip of hindsight:  MOVE every day.

If I could go back in time to my young twenties, I would change my patterns to make sure I move somehow, some way each day.

I don't mean moving to do your job or clean the house.  Those are the givens we have to do.  I mean purposefully doing a stretch routine or taking a walk.  Even just a few minutes of intentional time to care for yourself and keep your body used to moving can make all the difference!

  

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog about pursuing practical living.  By this, I mean finding ways to make daily life in a busy household easier and more enjoyable.  Though I am not what I would consider a minimalist or an all-natural girl, I do like things to run smoothly, and I am trying to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle.  Come on in and learn with me!