Enjoying a Saturday

I just love this quote and the sentiment behind it.

There are many times that I am tempted to feel bad because I am not so"busy."

There are times when we hear busyness equated with great ministry and service for God.

But there is also a blessing in stillness, in quiet, in a slow pace.

There is something to be said for a quiet day with a loved one.

I shared a pleasant day with hubby today.

Some Saturdays start with early morning men's prayer meetings.

Some Saturdays have a planned wedding or party.

Some Saturdays have a to-do list as long as your arm.

Today was all "FREE."

We started the day with a run and walk at a local park.

Hubby had had a lot of travel and had not completed all his workouts,

so he ran with me today.

My interval today was a 5-minute run, 3-minute walk, 5-minute run, 3-minute walk, 5-minute run.

We finished and he enjoyed the "fitness court" while I walked some more.

Then we came home to wash the car.

Yes, even that is enjoyable with some company.

I also spent some time adding some organic matter (old plants) and potting soil to my early birthday gift.

Do you see the two new pots that will soon contain some "Sunpatiens?"

Next was lunch at Blaze - pizza and a salad.

We had the whole patio to ourselves (possibly because of the strong wind.)

Then onto Belk - a local department store that had 70% off of some great clearance items.

Then we stopped at 2 of the "ritzy" nurseries to look at plants and lawn ornaments.

We cleaned up when we got home,

enjoyed a coffee, tahini, cauliflower smoothie,

and then we enjoyed a leisurely Bible time.

It is allergy season, so we are in for the rest of the night,

but I have enjoyed a quiet day and feel refreshed by the break.

Food Plan Friday

 I have been meaning to get back to sharing a meal plan.

Though you may not like some or most of the plan,

 it may jog a memory of something that you haven't eaten in a while.

It might also encourage you to try something new or to incorporate a new ingredient.

I make my meal plan for Friday night through the next Friday noon because I shop on Friday morning.

Wednesday and Sunday nights are always breakfast because it is quick and easy as well as mild for sitting through church or when heading to bed within the hour.

Friday night is always Homemade Fast Food night (more of that later).

This week's plan:

Friday night: 

General Tsos Chicken (from Aldi) and Rice

Saturday: 

Smoothies and muffins

Blaze Pizza (still using a Christmas gift card)

Brussel Sprout Salad

Sunday:

Smoothies and muffins

Leftover Brussel Sprout Salad 

Eggs, toast, and turkey sausage 

Monday:

Smoothies and muffins

Veggie burgers with sauteed mushrooms and onions 

Salmon Bites, Brussel Sprouts, Rice 

Tuesday:

Smoothies and muffins

Salad

Quinoa Pasta Salad (maybe some chicken on the side)

Wednesday:

Smoothies and muffins

Leftover Quinoa Pasta Salad

Breakfast for dinner

Thursday:

Smoothies and muffins

Salad

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls and Side Salad

Friday:

Smoothies

Leftover (or sardines, crackers, and side salad)

One of our favorite routines is "fast food night."
In Oregon, it was often gluten-free breaded fish and fries (Long John Silvers).

We also do Chick-fil-A night with chicken tenders and waffle fries or chicken tender salad.

Sometimes we do an enchilda or burrito (Chipotle or Taco Bell).

Sometimes it is pizza night.

Last week, we had a delicious Big Mac Salad. (McDonalds).

Sometimes we have milkshake and fries (Wendy's frosty and fries)

And tonight was  General Tsos (PF Changs or Pei Wei).

Are there any great fast foods that we are missing?

By making the meal at home, we save a little money,

we can control some of the ingredients,

and portion control is much easier.