Month: January 2019

January 29, 2019

First of all, I was proud of myself for actually planning meals for the entire week and grocery shopping all at once for the week. Woohoo…that never happens. As I was planning meals, I was sick of the same ol’ dinner options so I decided to try a few new recipes this week.

First up is this ‘egg roll in a bowl’ that I keep hearing people talk about. Sounded good to me but I wasn’t sure if everyone else was going to like it. Thankfully it was a success! So before days went by I decided I should probably write down how I made it so I can remember for next time, since it was a hit!

I had looked over several different recipes and kind of came up with my own from tidbits of each. Sorry for the lack of picture, you’ll just have to trust me that it was yummy! Here’s what I came up with… I used turkey sausage…I know friends who have used pork sausage or ground beef or even chicken. I served it with (brown) rice.

Egg Roll in a Bowl
2 bags of coleslaw mix
1 lb ground sausage (or turkey sausage)
1 onion, diced
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh minced ginger OR 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3 tsp apple cider vinegar
Salt & pepper
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Brown sausage in a large pan; when nearly done, add in onion, carrots, garlic, and ginger.
Cook until carrots and onion tender. Then add in the chicken broth to deglaze pan.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add in the coleslaw mix, stir. Add in soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir.
Cover and cook 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage has reached desired tenderness.

Enjoy!

January 28, 2019

Do you ever watch the show on Food Network called Chopped? It is one of our family’s favorites; even the kids ask to watch it. And I’ve been shocked at some of the things they’ve learned and remembered from watching it… Simon regurgitated some valuable information about preparing artichokes one time while in the grocery store. It’s not something I ever make so I was surprised, he said, ‘I learned it on chopped mom!’ 😁

The kids also love to pretend they are chop judges at dinner at night. Like the show, they pretend I am a contestant, daddy too (even if he didn’t make anything lol), and then they judge my food. It’s comical most of the time.

Last night we had family over for dinner and my hubby used his smoker. We all LOVE it when he smokes something for dinner..and it had been a while. He decided to smoke a 6 pound pork loin with homemade rubs and then glazed with BBQ sauce. I wish I could share the smell with you in addition to the picture because it was SO good and the picture just isn’t enough!

I made garlic parmesan hassleback potatoes and salad, that didn’t come close to comparing to the pork loin. As my husband brought the pork in from the smoker he grinned and said, ‘you just might get chopped tonight momma!’ 😂 Haha I had to agree.

My sister-in-law brought her famous maple roasted vegetables that are a favorite of ours too! The kids had a hard time deciding who to chop so they said we could all advance to the final dessert round. However, I think daddy won, but they knew mom made the pie and Aunt Kim brought the ice cream so they felt they best not chop us! Haha! All good fun and a yummy meal.

We finished it off with apple pie, my dad’s favorite, since it was his birthday we were celebrating. 🎉❤🎈

January 27, 2019

Fresh fallen snow this morning…2-3″ meant I got to use my new yaktrax for the first time. It was so quiet out early on a Sunday morning. Still dark out and the snow was still really coming down! Not many cars had made tracks yet and no snow plows were to be found.

Despite the snow, cold temperatures and slow pace/extra work, I was thankful to be able to get a run in. I wasn’t as lucky this week as I was last; with the weather and baby’s schedule I just didn’t get as many miles in. Do what ya can, right!?

Whatever you’re doing, keep at it!

January 21, 2019

What do you do with your extra ripe bananas?

I was looking for something different than the typical banana bread or muffins. Then I remembered my husband really likes baked oatmeal and it has been quite some time since I made him any. There are many different varieties, we enjoy the blueberry too; but today I searched for a banana recipe to use up some ripe bananas. Makes a nice quick, easy breakfast when it’s made ahead of time or super delicious served fresh and warm right out of the oven.

My recipe is adapted from the one I found from ‘love grows wild’ blog.

Banana Baked Oatmeal
4 cups old fashioned oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
4 cups milk
2 cups banana, mashed
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 cup walnuts, chopped & toasted

Preheat oven to 350*. Start by placing chopped walnuts on pan and roasting in oven for 5 minutes. Also prepare 13×9 pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, eggs, vanilla, and banana. Then slowly whisk in melted butter.
Then add the rest of the dry ingredients (except walnuts); stir until combined. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle walnuts on top.
Bake for approximately 50 minutes.

Serve warm or cover in airtight container and enjoy several days for quick, easy, healthy breakfast.

Enjoy!

January 18, 2019

Finding more joy, sharing more joy, overall just being more joyful, regardless of the circumstances, has been part of my resolution for this year. I feel very fortunate in my life that my ‘circumstances’ have been good….I do not feel like I’ve had to go through any great trials. I haven’t had to fear for a sick child’s life, my and my husband’s health has been good, and I still thankfully have all of my parents and grandparents. Praise God; I am so very thankful and truly know how fortunate I am. I thank God daily for His goodness.

But what about if and when my circumstances may not be so rosey and fortunate? His word tells us to find joy in the not so nice and easy circumstances too. I have many, many friends, family, and even some I do not know, that are really struggling right now, with some very hard circumstances…their health, their children’s health, divorce, etc. I pray for them and believe in the power of prayer and when I can, share verses or words of encouragement with them.

But sometimes I feel guilty doing so…wondering how they are receiving it. Like, sure it’s easy for her to share a verse about finding joy, she’s not walking in our shoes right now. No, I’m not, and I hope if I ever have to I will be able to use my own words as advice for coping during that time. But what if I don’t share it, all hope for finding peace, joy, and comfort in the Lord may be lost.

I felt this devotional was beneficial:

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/encouragement/encouragement-for-today-january-17-2019.html

Not only does it have a reference to baking 😉 but explains that joy and hurt can coexist. We don’t expect all things to turn to roses in a tough situation just because we throw up a ‘Praise Jesus.’ But, this may be more realistic:
“That’s why I’m glad these verses don’t say ‘feel the joy’ but instead, ‘consider where some glimpses of joy might be even in the midst of all the hurt.‘”

I pray we can all find glimpses of joy amongst any trials (great or small) we’re going through. And realizing, although it may sound cliche, that we do truly go through everything for a reason; whether it’s to shape who we are or bring out the better in someone else, or be there to comfort someone as they walk through a similar trial. God knows best, trust Him that he is with you in all your are going through and all that lies ahead.

The prayer warrior that I am wants to pray for you! Most times out running I am praying the whole time; even for random strangers. So if you have a prayer request feel free to comment or send me a private message. Know that I will pray for you, your circumstances, and that you can find joy and peace along the way. ❤

January 13, 2019

Four and half hours of sleep, 19* outside, and 6 miles around town solo, in the dark with no music…doesn’t really sound like the recipe for an awesome run, does it? The x-factor? ☕

I am super sensitive to caffeine and always avoid it unless 1. I need to make a longer drive and fear falling asleep (rare) or 2. I like to have a tiny bit before I run. I guess honestly, I use it like a drug. 😜 I haven’t ‘used’ caffeine since last June before my half marathon. I have avoided it due to pregnancy and now nursing. I’m sure the baby isn’t used to it at all since I dont ever consume it. I’m told only 1 % enters your breast milk. I took my chances this morning since I had such little sleep and wanted to head out for a run; it would be such a small amount consumed, and at least 2-3 hours before he ate again.

Anyway, that tiny bit of caffeine today made me feel like I could run forever! I have been enjoying my runs post-baby, but this was the first time in a longggg time that I had that feeling like I could run forever. I was really slow, but still, I love that feeling! I set out to do 5, being a weekend I had more time, then 5 turned into 5.5, and then heck, I might as well do 6! I honestly could have kept going (at my snails pace), but figured the baby would be waking back up and wanting to eat again soon.

Thankful each time I’m able to get out for a run, and super thankful for that ‘I could run forever’ feeling this morning! Thanks to a little caffeine! 😉 Makes me hopeful that I do still have a marathon in me somewhere, eventually. 😊

January 4, 2019

Happy New Year!

We seriously have such a good baby, but he’s still a baby and babies can be very demanding, requiring almost all of your time and attention. So finding any time to run has been difficult.

In the past I’ve always been a creature of habit. I’m a morning person and like to get up early to get my run in. After all no one tends to need me at 4:30am and I’m not sacrificing anything but my own sleep. Well now someone does tend to need me at 4:30am and sleep is a hot commodity!

In the past I hated running any time but the mornings because I would typically get really bad shin splints for whatever reason. I could never really explain it but it always seemed to happen with runs later in the day as opposed to morning runs. I also like to run on an empty stomach because heart burn/indigestion usual results.

Lately I’ve come to the realization that I just have to go when I can find the time; when the opportunity presents itself whether it’s 4am, 9pm, or like today, 45* and I’m able to take the stroller. And as much as I hate, hate, hate the treadmill, I’m probably going to have to resort to using that as well.

If you want something bad enough, or if you love something enough! You’ll find a way! Today the whole crew tagged along! The kids didn’t mind since it’s been months since they’ve been able to ride bike. It’s not very common to have our bikes out in January! (*Baby was very bundled and closed up tight in the stroller; he stayed very warm for the 33 minutes we were out! 😉)

Lastly, to celebrate the new year and I guess to act as a resolution of sorts for myself, I signed up for the marathon I’ve been wanting to complete for two years. It’s not until December 2019 and I never commit early, but this one is kind of pricey and there was an early bird special so I decided to go for it! Now I just need to get back in marathon shape/lose my baby weight, but it’s definitely a good motivator and I’m dreaming of it already!