I'm thinking, I'm thinking, I'm thinking

God is so good, so funny sometimes! I am learning new lessons all the time, but this one is about my battle with fear and worry. This weekend, our Pastor asked for some transparency. He asked for anyone that battles worry and anxiety to raise their hand. I felt like the only one in the room! Ever have one of those moments where you feel like God is speaking right to you, in a room full of hundreds of people??? (Yeah, we go to a big church!)
I have been brought to my knees so many times recently, rejoicing in all that HE has provided for me, a husband that provides well for us, two great kids that are fairly healthy, lots of amazing friends, an awesome church family. What do I have to worry about??!! Not a thing! THANK YOU JESUS!
The bible reminds us over and over about all that God has already done for us. He tells us not to worry in Matthew 6:25-34. In Romans 8:28 he assures us that all things will work for our benefit if we love him and are called according to his purpose. In Jeremiah 29:11 He says this " for I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
But for some reason, I listen to the enemy trying to tempt me with fear. What if your husband dies? What if something happens to you, your kids? What if your husband loses his job? What if you make the wrong choice about schooling your kids? What if, what if, what if? And guess what? I listen to him and his lies. Because I do that, I take my focus off of JESUS! That is what the enemy wants us to do!

I am really working on becoming more intentional about ignoring those nagging thoughts, and instead turning to Jesus EVERY time I have a care or worry. I know that the LORD already has it all worked out. Why not just sit back and enjoy the ride a little?!
I will leave you with this little morsel that I am working on memorizing...

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Good stuff huh??!!!

Do any of you struggle with fear or anxiety? What do you do when you feel those nagging thoughts of worry?

Sweet Potato Burritos

Here is the recipe for the burritos Kelly!

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups canned black beans, drained
2 cups water
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
12 (10 inch) whole wheat tortillas, warmed
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in beans, and mash. Gradually stir in water, and heat until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in the chili powder, cumin, mustard, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.
Divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the warm tortillas. Top with cheese. Fold up tortillas burrito style, and place on a baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven, and serve.

Meal Planning Week # 2

So I thought I would post my week number 2 meal plan. The first week was quite successful, and I am very pleased with how little I stressed about dinner this week!

Saturday
Salmon Burgers

Sunday
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with home made coleslaw

Monday
Calzones with home made whole wheat dough

Tuesday
Grilled Steaks with fingerling potatoes and steamed green beans

Wednesday
Sweet Potato Burritos

Thursday
Turkey Chili with cornbread

Friday
Vegetable Lasagna with green salad

Friday I will be gone on my Women's Retreat, so I will have the vegi lasagna ready for daddy to stick in the oven that evening! As for last week's menu, the 13 bean soup was not a big hit around here. I thought it was delicious, but it was a little spicy for the girls. I don't know if that one will make it back into the rotation!
If anyone wants a recipe from me, please let me know in the comments, and I will post it!

RECIPES

So on my facebook page,I had talked about meal planning and recipes a bit. I am really on fire right now to change up my family's diet. I have been learning a great deal about whole foods and nutrition and we are making some small but significant changes. I am really working to eliminate processed refined foods from our diet. This is huge! It takes a lot of preparation on my part, but it is so worth it.
I wanted to share a couple of recipes that I discovered that were just so good for you, and actually tasted good too!
Apple Oat Muffins
2 cups oats, rolled, quick cooking
2 cups white flour, unbleached-(would like to try with whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup wheat bran
1/3 cup 7 grain cereal-(from Bob's Red Mill)
2 TBSP baking powder
1 1/2 TSP. Ground Cinnamon
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup canola oil-(could sub applesauce)
1/3 cup honey
2 cups peeled,chopped apples

In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats,flour,brown sugar,wheat bran, 7 grain cereal, baking powder, and cinnamon.
In another bowl, mix together the 2 eggs, milk, oil, and honey. Add chopped apples and mix well. Pour Egg mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Line muffin pans with paper cups. Fill each cup about 2/3rd full and bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until done.
Each muffin is about 100 calories; would be less if you subbed applesauce for the oil! Yumm-o!

Sante Fe chicken salad

Spicy Ranch Dressing
Make one packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing according to directions on package. We usually use light mayo in our dressing and 1% milk.

Mix 1 TBSP. Cumin and 1 TBSP. Chili powder to the ranch dressing and let sit for at least 20 minutes so the flavors will incorporate. (We usually set aside some ranch for the girls, before we add the spices)

4 cups washed, ripped romaine lettuce
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup black beans
1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
1 cup roasted red pepper, chopped
1 cup shredded skim milk mozzerella cheese
1 cup chopped red onion
1 avocado diced
Toss all ingredients together; set aside.

4 Blackened Chicken Breasts

Lightly brush each chicken breast with olive oil, coat with blackened seasoning spices. (For our family, I only do 2 chicken breasts with the spices. The girls prefer their chicken with a little less heat!)
Grill chicken until no longer pink, and juices run clear, or until meat thermometer reaches 180 degrees.

Slice chicken thinly and layer on top of salad. Use dressing in moderation.Enjoy!


I will be posting some other new recipes soon. I would love to hear from any of you that have some healthy recipes, or gluten free,

First Time

So, lately I have been completely sucked into the world of blogging. I really enjoy getting these little updates from folks. Facebook status updates are fine, but I am a girl, and I like a little more detail!

I am inspired to have a blog where I can share what the Lord is teaching me about biblical womanhood, nutrition, herbal remedies, ADHD, marriage, raising children, relationships, and bible study. God has been so faithful this last year,as He always is, and I am learning new things like never before. I have a new craving to fully develop my role, and I couldn't be more excited! And, if no one ever reads it, well hey, at least I have a place where I can process the things I am learning! Those of you that know me, know how much I love to verbally process. (Talk a lot!)

Just a hint at things to come:

*I will be posting some of those recipes I have been talking about so much; I hope you will post yours too!

* I will be sharing about the alternative methods of dealing with ADHD, in other words opting out of stimulant medication.

*Some of the journeys that God is taking me through right now.

*Some of the interesting things I have learned in bible study.

*My personal testimony.

*I hope to have an exchange of "mommy tips"

*Herbal remedies

*Hints on organization

*Homeschooling

Hope you will feel free to comment back on some of the things I will be posting! I want to hear from you all too!