Simplicity + Chaos = JOY

My how things can change in such a short amount of time...

At the end of last year, I was tired of being sick and tired all of the time.  In many ways, it felt like life was just passing me by as I struggled each day with the continuous head pain and fatigue.  My focus was on simply trying to be the best mom and wife that I could be - and not letting the physical struggles rob my family from the love I so wanted to pour out on them.  It was discouraging to say the least, yet at the same time I think that the Lord had some important lessons to teach me that I never would have grasped had I been feeling good and keeping busy.

Lessons about being still, and resting in Him.... trusting that He uses all things....

Lessons that I don't ever want to forget, especially now as my life is once again taking another turn.  I am delighted to be feeling so much better thanks to the changes we have made in the foods we eat.  I haven't felt this good in years, and though I still often have headaches, they aren't anything compared to the debilitating migraines.

Feeling better and not wanting to waste my days away, we have opened up our home for daycare again.  Not like I did before with many families, but simply one family with 3 very special kiddos that I adore.  My days are full with giggles - and messes, and bickering, and chaos, and ... and.... and.....

.... and I am so thankful!

I have learned that every moment is precious, and that time really does pass by so quickly.

I desire my life to be one of purpose and fruit bearing... not selfishness and trying to find happiness with 'stuff' as our culture so often encourages, the trap that we so easily get ensnared in.

The more simple my life becomes, the more rich I feel, and the more at peace I am.

Tortilla Soup at a Glance

Back in February, I posted a recipe for tortilla soup, very similar to this one.  Today while making it, I decided to snap a few pictures since it was so easy.  I really should call it my "UN-Tortilla Soup" since the only tortillas used were simply for the photos....

Have you had your fruits and veggies today?

I add the ingredients that I want totally blended first with 2 cups of hot water. After blending on high for 3 minutes, the soup was hot without over cooking the veggies.  That's right!  I want those macro nutrients!

Once it's hot, I slow down the speed and add the beans, olives and some of the avocado.

 

Not only does it taste great, but I FEEL great after eating it. 

Another Turn....

So my daydream of having more time for Pinterest didn't quite work out as planned, and now having read of copyright issues that people are finding, I don't really have as much of a desire for it.  I still will probably check back for fun craft ideas now and then, but am not in a big hurry to be pinning anything.  But that's okay, since I really have so much that I'd like to do away from the computer anyway.

"This Little Piggy" photo by me

I thought I would check in on here though to let you know that we are all doing well and are very much anticipating the arrival of spring.  It looks like we may have a  few more kiddo's running around here soon.  Now that I'm feeling so much better, I have decided to open up our home to do daycare again.  It's been a while (since Chelsea was little) since I have done it, but have been so blessed over the years to learn what an impact it has had on those families.  I wish I would have known then what I know now.  Now that I know, and have grown a little wiser in my years, I feel that I can contribute even more.  I have a lot of love to give!

I am still amazed at how much more I appreciate the little things.  I know that comes from loss - not only of loved ones, but of my health as well.  I hated the feeling of not being able to function as I once had.  My friends seemed to be continually running circles around me.  They may still be lapping me, but I have  picked up the pace a little bit.  I want what I do with my days to count for something - so once again, I look forward to this "turn" in my journey...

"You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
      My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
      at best, each of us is but a breath.” 

Psalm 39:5 NLT

Staying on Task - kids

I have a new love.... a place where I can go and browse, feel creative, be inspired and can get great ideas for pretty much anything.... such as ways to bring order to our home.  I have come to the realization lately that I really do not enjoy repeating myself over and over and over and over and over again - day after day after day after day.  Thanks to my new love (aka Pinterest) we now have a way for our goofy, easily distracted girl to stay on task.  She was excited to pick out the colors, I was excited to think about not repeating myself.

So doesn't that mean more time for Pinterest if I really am implementing some of the ideas?  I think so!

Simple Rice & Beans with a Kick

It has been cold here, and now that I'm eating better, I don't have the hot flashes like I used to.  On days like this, a hot flash just might be nice as I've been shivering in my socks all morning!

A hot cup of coffee is out - which really I don't mind since I have been sleeping so much better since kicking the habit.  I feel rested and have more energy....

But enough about that.  Let's get to the rice and beans.  Today I wanted something warm and filling - yet easy and fast to throw together.  This dish hit the mark.

Don't let the fact that it's so simple fool you.  It's good, and nutritious... and perfect for those chilly days!

RICE & BEANS with a KICK

• 2 cans of black or pinto beans (or both!)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (not Italian seasoned)
• Jalapeno - fresh or canned - to taste
• Brown rice

That's it!  Simply put the tomatoes and jalapeno in any blender and blend.  Start of with a small amount of jalapeno and adjust to the heat that you like.  It does seem to lose some heat when cooked and mixed with the beans and rice, so you might make it a little hotter than what you would normally like.

Strain and rinse the beans, add them to a pot along with tomato sauce.  Bring to boil and then simmer.  The longer you can let it simmer to let the flavors meld, the better it will be.

Serve over brown rice.
(I like to keep cooked brown rice on hand, so I cook extra when I make it.  I keep individual portions in the freezer for days like this).

Tuscan Stew - Vegan Crockpot

 

This chilly weather had me craving something warm today, so I decided to experiment with some of my favorite ingredients.  The end result was a fabulous Italian flavored stew that made my home smell wonderful all day long…. And  it tasted even better!

• 2  cups dried pinto beans
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped (I love Walla Walla Sweet for this)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes (for medium heat, less if you want mild)
• 1 ½ cups grape or cherry tomatoes
• 3 cups  kale, trimmed and coarsely chopped
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp Italian Seasonings (more to taste)

Prep:

Rinse the beans, then put them in the crock pot, covering them with plenty of water.  Cook on high for approx. 6 hours making sure to keep them covered with water.

When they are mostly soft, add the remaining ingredients – except for the kale. 

Continue to cook on high.  The beans will get very tender and will be what thickens this to a ‘stew’ consistency rather than a ‘soupy’ one.

beautiful purple kale

A couple of hours before serving, add the chopped kale, and turn the temp to low.

 
One of our favorite flavors of this dish came from the whole grape tomatoes.  Be sure to let them cool some before eating as they get very hot internally.  Enjoy the flavors as they literally burst in your mouth!

I ((heart)) Veggies!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This year we are celebrating the day in a whole new way.  Up until now, we would use this day as an excuse to devour fatty meals at our favorite restaurants - quickly followed by some kind of amazing dessert, that would leave us feeling horrible... and broke.

But this year, as we are considering our real, live beating hearts more, neither one of us have the desire to go that route.  CRAZY!!!  I keep wanting to pinch myself with the "who am I?" question.  Me?  On the road to health?  Having success?  Enjoying it even??  There is something different with this picture.  Not wrong, just different.

So instead of reservations, fighting crowds and self indulgence - we are spending the evening with loved ones and taking in a Gourmet Gardening: Growing Your Own Groceries lecture that will help us learn to take care of our hearts all year long....

After all, shouldn't every day be like Valentine's Day with your Sweetie?  

And I want this guy's heart to beat for me for many years to come.....