Simplified

My go-to recipe this week has been a simplified granola recipe.

It has served for breakfast, snacks, and dessert this past week.

I made another batch last night.

It passed the hubby test.

I think that he likes it because it doesn't create hard clumps that rip your mouth up.

We both like it better than hot oatmeal.

Oatmeal Cookie Granola

3 cups oatmeal 
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla 
1 cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (or other chopped nut)

In a medium mixing bowl, add and thoroughly stir all of the dry ingredients into the dry oatmeal.

In a separate bowl, mix the coconut oil, honey, and vanilla together. 

Once this is well blended, add to the oatmeal mix. 

Spread thinly on a baking sheet (you wont need to grease anything). 

Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until slightly browned, turning once or twice

(ideally every 4 minutes so that it cooks as evenly as possible).

This week's menu:

Sunday:  Pork chops

Monday:  Grilled Chicken

Tuesday:  Fried Rice

Wednesday:  Grilled Chicken

Thursday:  Fried Rice

Friday:  Tilapia

Saturday:  Stuffed Peppers

Stop and Remember and Appreciate

A huge thanks to those families that are grieving today - 

those who have sacrificed greatly for me.

Freedom isn't free.

A Brief Reprieve

I am thankful for a break from mowing this week.

Of course, the break from mowing means that 

the garden needs to be watered daily

and the seasonal allergies continued.

While we could use some rain,

I am thankful for the break from the mowing.

There's a Reason its called ...

A DISCIPLINE!

There are so many "disciplines" in life.

Exercise,

food,

schooling,

music practice,

prayer,

Bible study,

church attendance

One definition I read equated discipline with SELF-CONTROL.

Self-control ... a fruit of the spirit.

Does it typify your life?

I am embarrassed that there are many "disciplines" that I continue to battle.

But isn't "mastery" worth it?

We will never master the flesh here on earth, but we should be improving each day.

I love meeting a fitness goal.

The weight scale is much more friendly when I control my flesh's desire for sweets.

I enjoy being able to make beautiful music with an instrument.

I love to see the answers to specific prayers that I have prayed.

It is a blessing to have God speak through His Word 

and to have His encouragement in the battle over the flesh.

Cyclical

Perhaps I am the only one ...

but my flesh really gets the best of me when it comes to food.

I LOVE FOOD ... especially junk food.

I clean it up ...

then it gets out of control ...

then I clean it up again ...

then it gets out of control ...

cyclical!

Sometimes it is good food ...

but just too much, too often.

So - I am working on it again.

More veggies,

more lean protein,

less sugar,

less dairy.

I am thankful to have a supportive hubby.

We are enjoying the journey together.

He encourages me with his love of healthy food.

We are contemplating where the balance lies.

We drank a green drink on Saturday.

I don't know about the taste,

but it made the house smell good - fresh cut grass anyone?

I really view it as a spiritual battle that I have within myself.

Instead of giving my body what it needs ..

I give it what it wants.

Lust and covetousness are sins.

If you think of it,

pray that God would give me victory over poor eating,

that I would not submit to the "lust of the flesh."

Do you have a healthy treat that satisfies your sweet tooth?

I think I am going to try a smoothie tonight with coffee (teeccino) and frozen banana.

Sounds like it will work.

In Season

I love Spring fruits and vegetables.

I enjoyed a fresh strawberry pie on Sunday

and the peas are coming in the garden.

The peas don't often make it to the table because I eat them while working outside,

but I will plan a few stir-fries for hubby using the pea pods.

The leaf lettuce is also ready for salads

and I look forward to that.

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Roast, Turnips, and Carrots

Monday:  Leftovers

Tuesday:  Penne with Garlic and Broccoli

Wednesday:  Spaghetti Squash with Beans, Tomatoes, and Garlic

Thursday:  Grilled Mushroom and Sauteed Vegetable Sandwich

Friday:  Grilled Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Pea Pods

Saturday:  Beans, Sweet Potato, and Poached Eggs

Before and After

No - I am not posting weight loss pictures ...

or broadcasting the changes in my looks over 40 years.

I finally took my camera to church to take some after shots.

Here is before:

Here is after:

Psalm 89:7

"Pickling" stripped from pews and pulpit furniture - stained dark.
Brown carpet.

New Valances - two toned walls

 

Special project in entry hallway.
Sticky words on glass.

Bulletin board in entryway.

We got the vinyl letters from stickywords.net

They custom made the verses.

At the front of the church - 23" x 72" panel - cut apart for application - $74 less 20%

Special Project - 23" x 36" $34 less 20%

$7 shipping

Middle of Palindrome Week

5*15*15

Same forward and backward ...

This is my 1300 post.

It also happens to be my 40th birthday.

It began with greetings and a present from hubby.

Then phone calls and emails.

We have enjoyed a Live G-Free Cheesecake from ALDI all week.

Tonight,  hot dogs on the grill, deli potato salad, and canned baked beans.

Not everyone appreciates my choice ... but they are my favorites 

... and I don't have them very often.

After dinner, a little celebration with the church folks while we assemble Bibles ...

Strawberry Coconut "Ice Cream" anyone?

And tomorrow?

Nowhere we have to be.

No time schedules.

Love it!

Beauty

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for the beauty all around us.

There can by beauty in people.

There is beauty in nature.

There can be beauty in the home.

I am enjoying the roses off my front porch.

Just Beautiful!

The Wish List

As a college student, 

I was encouraged to make a wish list for my future husband.

The point was not to be ridiculous,

the point was that I set high standards,

that I not settle,

that I recognize what I was looking for.

As I left college,

I set the list behind me ...

maybe it was not such a great idea.

Maybe the list was too lofty.

Can you imagine what my list looked like?

I wanted a man who loved God.

I wanted a man in the ministry.

I wanted a military man (there is nothing like a man in uniform).

I wanted a leader.

I wanted a man with a sense of humor.

I wanted a man who could fix things like my dad.

I wanted a man who was taller than me.

I wanted a man with short hair ... and no facial hair.

I wanted a man with blue eyes.

So my list seemed lofty and ridiculous ...

there were some superficial things I'll admit.

There were some things that did not seem to go together -

a military man and a man in the minisry?

but God met all but one of the list ...

my hubby has brown eyes :)

I think of this often when I think of God's graciousness to give us the desires of our hearts.

He did not bring him in my time ... but He definitely brought the right one in His time.

May I encourage young ladies to wait ...

the world has its timetable and plan ...

but just wait ...

God's timetable and plan is far better.