Redeem the past. Change the future.
Step 1: Place meat in crockpot
Step 2: Combine molasses, mustard, and vinegar. Pour over meat.
Step 3: Cook on low for 6 hours (8 if meat is frozen).
Serve with roasted brussels sprouts and red potatoes.
Totals: $7.48 for 6 servings
$1.25 per serving!!!
Step 1: Prepare rice according to package directions.
Step 2: Combine rice, beans, salsa and heat in microwave for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Serve in bowls, top with cheese and sour cream, eat with tortilla chips.
Total: $8.19 for 6 servings
$1.36 per serving!!!
Place meat in crockpot, season with salt and pepper. Cover with vegetables. Cook on low for 6 hours (8 if meat was frozen).
Total: $15.83 for 6 servings
$2.64 per serving!!!
Step 1: Place meat, onions, peppers in crockpot.
Step 2: Combine spices and sprinkle over meat.
Step 3: Cook on low 6 hours (8 if meat is frozen), serve on tortillas with cheddar cheese and sour cream
Total: $19.02 for 10 servings
$1.90 per serving!!!
Step 1: Place all ingredients in crockpot on low for 6 hours (8 if meat was frozen).
Step 2: Shred chicken, add kale, cook additional hour.
Total: $19.43 for 8 servings
$2.43 per serving
Brown meat with onion and green pepper, place in crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Cook on low 6 hours.
Total: $11.28 for 6 servings
$1.88 per serving!!!
“Baby steps to the elevator…”
“Baby steps on the bus…”
“Baby steps to 4 o’clock…”
-Bob Wiley (Bill Murray in What About Bob)
I’ve been told that my health and fitness level is intimidating. I thought this was absurd, but then I started to see how it could come across like that. Both my hubby and I are pretty passionate about fitness, and try to make healthy choices. But this was not always the case, and it did not happen all at once.
We rarely eat out, and our meals are cooked with healthy ingredients, but it did not start this way. When my hubby and I were first married I ate toaster strudels for breakfast. After lunch I would eat a candy bar pretty much everyday. For dinner we ate a lot of frozen meals and instant potatoes.
My hubby is a proponent of protein shakes. He now uses a pharmaceutical grade whey protein. But over a decade ago he used soy protein. It was causing lumps to form in his pectorals. Too much soy can do wicked things to our bodies.
I started running in high school, but never long distances. It started with just a few miles to stay in shape. Then this hot guy (not yet my hubby) asked if I wanted to run a 5 mile Thanksgiving day run with him…. Then I completed a 10K…. Then a 10 miler…. Then a half marathon…. Then a marathon…. Then 15 more marathons….
The point is, we made and are still making gradual small changes to become healthier.
Why not take Bob Wiley’s advice and “baby step” to a healthier you?
~Prepare meals ahead of time so there are healthy ones ready and available.
~Swap canned veggies with frozen.
~Switch to organic in one category at a time. Organic food can be expensive if you switch everything all at once. Start with just bread. Then switch the meat. If you gradually switch over, it won’t be such a shock on your wallet.
~Replace sodas with sparkling water and a lime/lemon. Don’t get me wrong, this is a sacrifice. But it does satisfy the craving for something with fizz.
~Replace chemical-laden household and beauty items with natural ones as you run out. Don’t feel like you need to dump all your cleaning and beauty items in the trash, that would be wasteful. And we all hate wasting money!
~Add to your workout. Maybe this will be just 5 extra minutes. Or an extra mile. Or an extra day a week. Or a new workout. If you’re not exercising, then start with something that is manageable.
There are still ways that I know I can improve and become healthier. For instance: I buy mostly organic, but not totally. And I still eat snacks that I know are not the healthiest option. And I still have a weakness for doughnuts. But the point is to be making progress. It doesn’t matter where we are on the journey. Just that we are on the journey.
Before you know it, you’ll be saying:
“I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful!” (Another Bob Wiley quote. Now go watch What About Bob!)
xoxo
I was running around like a crazy lady. I had about 2 hours to get all my errands done while my hubby was home with the kiddos. And I said it. I admitted I was ready for the holidays to be over. So sad. I already have a humbug reputation because I don’t like Christmas music. Now I was wishing the whole season away.
There are parties to go to, eggnog to drink, cards to write, children to dress up, and friends to hug. So much fun stuff. The problem is, this is in addition to: a job to work, a house to clean, children to feed, laundry to wash, and groceries to buy.
Lots of people do not have the luxury of slowing down during this time. Think about it:
I hear people talk about slowing down and focusing on what Christmas is all about. That sounds nice and all, but is that realistic? Can we have both? Can we be crazy busy, but still enjoy ourselves? And most importantly keep focus on the point of Christmas?
I have been thinking about the birth of Christ, and what it was really like. Most likely…
It was not peaceful: Mary was 9 months pregnant. Traveling. On a donkey. I was 7 months pregnant traveling in a SUV and was miserable. I guarantee there was some stress involved. The urgency to get there. Feeling uncomfortable. Needing to pee.
It was not quiet: There was no planned induction with an epidural scheduled. My last two babies came super quick and I did not have an epidural. I’m naturally a loud talker when I get excited (my family will attest to that), but in the delivery room my husband was actually uncomfortable with how loud I was. Non-medicated childbirth involves some yelling. Or at least strained moaning. And then there’s the baby. Now I know he was the son of God and perfect and all, but I’m willing to bet he cried. A lot. (I was just informed this week that some people do believe that Jesus never cried and that the birth wasn’t painful. I respectfully disagree. But that’s a whole different conversation for another time.)
But I’m sure that…
It was joyous: Pushing out a baby is no easy task (with or without medication), but holding your child for the first time is absolutely one of the most joyous moments that can be experienced (including adoptive parents).
It was awesome, humbling, emotional, and a relief: Can you imagine? Her whole life she was taught that a Savior would come and rescue them. And then to be chosen to be the one to give birth to said Savior. And she loved Him, not just with a devout love, but with a mother’s love. In her arms was the baby who would grow to be a man that would provide a way for all people to be reunited with God. Not for people to be saved from a worldly ruler, but to be saved from an eternity apart from God.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are not able to slow down, then just embrace the hustle and bustle. And as you are rushing around buying/wrapping/giving gifts, remember the gift that was given for us. Rejoice! Turn up the Christmas music! Keep on dashing and laughing all the way!
xoxo
“Santa, Santa! Do your reindeer really fly!!” This was coming from my 4 year old as he anxiously awaited to see Ol’ Saint Nick.
“But how?” And, “How old are you?” This from my almost 8 year old. He has also written Santa a letter. Complete with the address of “The North Poll.”
I am dreading the moment when he finds out this whole Santa thing is a sham. My hubby and I discussed that maybe we should tell him. I just can’t do it. I don’t want to. I’ve already shattered the Tooth Fairy lie, and that was traumatic enough (click the link if you want a good laugh).
My sister also advised against it. She told her oldest son, now 18 years old, when he was the same age as my son now. She told me that it was a bad mommy moment and she would give anything to take it back. The look on his face broke her heart.
I almost blew it. He was asking me questions about Saint Nicholas. The real one. So I thought I would get a book from the library. Brilliant thinking, right? Nope. Thankfully I told him that he was not allowed to read it without me because I wanted to read it too. I quickly had to stop reading it to him. It flat out said, “We all remember when we found out Santa Claus wasn’t real…” Yikes! I barely dodged that bullet. Or did I? Was he reading ahead while he was sitting next to me?
Since then he seems to be asking more questions. Trying to figure it out. Trying to catch Santa in a lie. Going all out to either make himself believe or to see if we will stop him.
It’s good to believe in something and to believe that Someone is looking out for us. We need to live with a hope and an expectation that something wonderful is going to happen. We long to have our wishes granted. We look forward to life being simpler. We want good things to happen to good people. We want gifts to be given with nothing expected in return. It’s called hope.
Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
I hope for a world where there are no wars, no refugees, no murder. I hope for peace, and love, and kindness.
Sometimes I simply hope to have hope.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18
My hope is not in politicians. It is not in laws. Not even in non-profit organizations. My hope is in heaven with the real Saint Nicholas. My hope is in The Lord.
Hope is a beautiful thing.
Do your children still believe in Santa Claus? How did they find out he wasn’t really the one leaving gifts? What are you hoping for?
Numerous times I have been speaking to my boys and I “feel” a tap on my shoulder. I know what I said to them was actually the Lord speaking to me. He is the perfect parent, so it makes sense that He would use our parenting to instruct us as well.
“You are expecting it to do something it was not made to do.”
To my children: Several years ago I said this to my oldest child when he was getting frustrated with a toy.
To me: The Lord was telling me that I had been expecting more out of my child than he was able to do at that time. I still hear this. Now it is in the context that I am expecting my children to be someone other than who they were created to be.
“You can trust what I say. Because I love you, I will keep my word.”
To my children: This was just this past week. My 4 year old was throwing a fit (again) and I told him there would be a consequence if he didn’t stop. He stopped for a while, but then decided to test me. So I had to follow through. Which resulted in lots of crying and then lots of hugs.
To me: Whether or not it is what I want to hear, I know I can trust the Lord. Because He loves me, He will keep His Word.
“Doing your best is all that matters.”
To my children: Both of my boys get frustrated with themselves when they make mistakes and want to give up when learning something new.
To me: Often my own best doesn’t feel good enough. I think I need to be more and do more. Thankfully this is not truth.
“There is nothing you can do or not do that will make me love you more or love you less. I love you fiercely.”
To my children: My oldest was upset he didn’t pass the swim test, and was scared to try again. He actually asked me what I would do to him if he didn’t pass. Gasp. My heart broke.
To me: I struggle with trying to impress others to gain approval. Thankfully there is nothing I can do to change how much the Lord loves me. This is a beautiful thing.
“I am not disappointed in you, I am disappointed for you.”
To my children: This was also after he didn’t pass the swim test. I was still trying to confirm that it was alright. He absolutely had the skill and ability to pass the test, but it had become a mental battle for him. I wanted him to experience the confidence and satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something he had been working so hard to achieve.
To me: When I mess up (said something rude, lost my temper, been critical, etc.) I feel so ashamed and want to beat myself up for it. The Lord was gently whispering in my ear that I am not a disappointment. But I have done some disappointing things.
“Don’t make it a bigger deal than it needs to be. That’s called being dramatic.”
To my children and me: Umm, yeah. Pretty much my entire life right here.
“Don’t get frustrated. Just try again.”
To my children: My four year old gets frustrated so easily. He tries to draw the letter “A” and starts crying because the lines are crooked. It takes a lot of encouraging from the whole family to get him through it.
To me: I do this too. I love starting things, but get discouraged when it doesn’t come easily to me. So I usually end up starting and then stopping. And then starting and then stopping. And then… Thankfully I am also surrounded by encouraging people that help me through these times.
As you are in the day to day grind be aware of the moments the Lord is using your own voice to teach you.
There is one more I want to share with you. This was not from me, but what a friend said to her daughter. It was a punch in my gut, and something I desperately needed to hear.
“You are beautiful just the way you are.”
Oh dear mommas, please hear this, “You are beautiful just the way you are!”
xoxo