Too blessed to be stressed!

Have you heard that saying?  Too blessed to be stressed.

Well, today I am declaring that I am blessed that I am stressed!

No I have not lost my mind, at least I don't think I have!  I am simply looking at my stresses and rembering they are caused by my blessings.

I am stressed for my husband...his health, his safety while driving his two hours to far away work or even just thirty minutes to close work or every time he gets on a plane, his job and career, I stress over the fact he gets stressed with all his responsibilities!  But I am forever thankful that he is who God chose for me.  We can share each others burdens and even when we are stressed, we are so blessed just to have each other...stresses and all!

I am stressed over my girls...their health, their safety, their growth, school work, extra curricular activities, friends, gossip,  future boyfriends...yikes...you name it and I have worried or stressed over it! But these two precious gifts from God, no matter how much stress they may cause me now or in the future, are my blessings.  And for that I feel blessed to be stressed!

I am stressed over decisions we have in our lives right now.  Questions we seek answers to.  Uncertainties we are facing.  But those stresses are blessings too! Blessings because I have a holy God to turn to.  Blessed because we have the One who has it all under control, a heavenly Father working in our lives right now, and no matter what the outcome of any of our stresses...He is still there and still holds us through it all!  I am blessed to be His child, and that fact will never change!

I am stressed over financial issues...a bad roof, a bad ac, car issues, rising grocery bills, rising gas bills, and the list goes on and on.  But we will make it through!  I would have never dreamed we would still be living in this house 9 years ago, but God has not seen fit for us to move and we are thankful for every material blessing He had given us, no matter how much work it needs!

I am stressed over family issues.  I have a large extended family, and although that can be wonderful, it can also be stressful.  I pray for them, and I love them no matter what!  And even though they can cause me stress with the ups and downs, they are still a blessing...at least I think so ;)

So yes this book Stressed-Less Living is amazing, but it is not going to make all my stresses disappear.  But I do know that I can trace every stress or worry I have back to a blessing, and indeed I am blessed that I have people and things and decisions to be stressed about, and a Saviour that cares that I am stressed and asks me to give Him all my cares because He cares for me!
Every stressful situation is one more opportunity to grow closer to Him.


Today's Verse
"For the Lord God will help me". Isaiah 50:7a

Individual Treats for What's Cookin'

This weekend was gorgeous and probably one of the most fun holiday weekends ever.  With graduation, trips to the river, park and pool, our first picnic, and just lots and lots of together family time, it was a huge blessing!  Today we are trying to set goals, wish lists, and homework schedules for the summer as well as cleaning out old school work from this year.  Our house looks kinda crazy, but I will be glad to get some organizing accomplished.

Today's recipes are all about individual treats we have already tried out this week.  The cake in a mug is a new treat and something I read about in Reader's Digest actually.  This is my version of it and it was yummy!  I can't wait to try to experiment with different flavors! The ice cream in a bag is something we tried last year and something I hope we do many times this summer.  It is so fun and so delicious!  And it definitely helps get the wiggles out!  Hope your family can try these during the summer months, and as always I hope your family enjoys!

Cake in a Mug

Mix all the ingredients in a spayed coffee mug.

3 Tbsp flour
2 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 - 1 1/2 Tbsp of cocoa powder
tiny pinch of salt
tiny pinch of baking powder
4 Tbsp milk
1/2 Tbsp egg product (This can be omitted or you can use one egg between 3 or 4 mugs)
1/2 tsp canola oil
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp of choc chips plus a few more to sprinkle on top

Place in microwave for 1 minute.  If cake seems to not be set, microwave for additional 15 second intervals.  Should not need more than one and a half minutes all together!  Try without cocoa and more vanilla or maybe lemon juice.  Or, I can't wait to try with peanut butter chips and chocolate chips!  Make it your own.

Ice Cream in a bag

In a small, sandwich size, strong ziplock bag mix...

1/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup milk
1-2 Tbsp chocolate syrup

I use fat free of both half and half and milk, but you could use whatever you like!  Seal tightly and shake to mix well.  Place that bag in a gallon size ziplock with a couple of cups of ice and a couple of Tablespoons of sea salt.  Seal well and shake, shake, shake.  Jiggle and wiggle.  Then shake some more!  It becomes chocolate ice cream and oh so yummy!

Today's Verse

"Thou are my hiding place and my shield:  I hope in thy word."  Psalms 119:114

Not My Goliath

Fear paralyzed me as I watched the news of the Oklahoma tornadoes.  My heart broke as I watched all I could before turning it off.  I have to be honest, I haven't read or watched too much of the coverage.  It makes me dream of the horrible day it happened at my elementary school.  There was not the devastation and loss of life like just occurred, but there was grief and fear because of the loss of our home.  I was safe at school, but scared.  I remember praying.  I remember the doors at the end of the hallway bursting open with the wind.  My parents were safe at home in the closet, but the house didn't make it.  The Lord blessed us that day with our safety.

There are those that have lost loved ones this week, and there is nothing we can do but pray and offer our support.  We can't understand why.  We can't fathom why bad things happen.  But our heavenly Father can comfort us and give us peace even during the most horrific times.

His light can shine through the cracks of every tragedy.

My Goliath seems like an ant compared to the obstacles these families will face in the coming weeks, months, and even years for those who lost loved ones.  My Goliath seems selfish and insignificant to say the least.  But we all do have a Goliath we are facing now. Our own stressful situation, a fear, a prayer that hasn't been answered, a tragedy, a hurt so big that a small stone and sling does not seem like enough to fight.  But we will be victorious.  We definitely can fight with whatever God equips us with, and we will not let the Satan win!  We trust in the One who can beat Goliath with the smallest of weapons.

I was armed with a devotion this morning that touched me deeply.  It calmed my heart and as always, provided the words I needed to hear...

From the girls' devotion this morning... Day 365 (sniff, sniff) from VeggieTales 365 Day Starter Devos for Girls... "Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to wait.  This is especially true when we're in a hurry and when we want things to happen now, if not sooner!  But God's plan does not always happen in the way that we would like or at the time of our own choosing.  Still, God always knows best."

Words I needed to conquer my Goliath.  Words to comfort me.

I love it when a devotion meant for my little ones can calm this mama's heart.

Today's Verse
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
1 Corinthians 2:5

We may not ever understand the bad things that happen in our lives as well as the lives of others.  We might not be able to understand why God makes us wait.  But we do know our faith must rest in the power of God.  With Him we will be able to face and defeat any Goliath!

Dessert is what is cookin' today!

We had a big bake off day last week for a church bar-b-q.  My little one and I had a fabulous morning of stirring, baking and maybe even trying our treats.  We made a batch of cupcakes, a  batch of brownies (Which we topped with milk chocolate chips as soon as it came out of the oven and spread around to make a nice topping!), our easy peasy chocolate chip bars, and a new strawberry oat bar.  YUMMY!  Here are the recipes for the two bars we made.  I hope your family enjoys!

I just kind of tried this one day just to see how it works and it was fabulous.  So I call them easy peasy chocolate chip bars...

1 box of yellow cake mix
1 stick of room temp butter
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix first four ingredients.  Dough will be sticky.  Stir in chips.  Pat mixture down in a jelly roll pan sprayed with baking spray.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until desired doneness.  We like ours extra soft!

This is a Pioneer Woman's recipe that I can take no credit for.  It is sooooo good!

1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan - ( I used room temp unsalted butter!)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cup oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.

Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

Today's Verse

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1 John 4:13

Summer

My Kindergartner got ready this morning, and as we were leaving it hit me...she was wearing the same outfit she wore on the first day of Kindergarten last year.  The tears welled up!


She is a little taller and much more mature looking, especially after the new haircut she just got.  She now knows how to read, add, subtract, and so many more skills that amaze me everyday. She understands the concept of friends, and as much as it breaks my heart, her feelings have already been hurt by those friends.  But she has hurt other's feelings too, and they always make up by doing handstands on the playground... and by the way...playing on the playground and lunch time is now sooooo cool.  She has signed yearbooks, which I never did until I was a few years older.  She gets excited when she sees older kids she knows in the hallway and they tell her hey.  There are jobs she loves to be assigned and those she doesn't care to do.  And getting honeysticks and going to the prize box is the best.

She loves art.  Her sister asks her everyday, "Did you got to 'ark' today?  Who did you sit with?"  Gotta love my little investigator!


She is graduating on Friday.  She will be wearing her white dress, white cap and gown, and white ruffle socks and shoes.  She will be performing in a play that I know nothing about!  Hush Hush!  Top Secret!  Her Papa will be speaking, which will be so special.  She will do the shake and take! (Which for those of you that do not know, and I was one of those until yesterday, that is when you shake the Principal's hand and take the diploma at the same time.  So cute!)  Her family will be there to cheer her on, take pictures, and maybe shed some tears!  Maybe...who am I kidding!

She's excited about going to first grade, and she is already trying to prepare her sister for Preschool in the fall.  (Now if somebody can prepare Mama!)

I bought a book today as part of her graduation present..."If I Could Keep You Little" by Marianne Richmond.  I cried in the middle of Target!

I can't keep my girls little, but I can pray the theme for the school year for both of them..."Whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God."  1 Cor 10:31b

We are excited about Graduation on Friday and exciting weeks of summer ahead of us!  Posts will be fewer, shorter and sometimes non-existing as we soak up every minute of the next short weeks!

I am thankful for my Kindergarten graduate and her little sister that wants to be just her!

I pray for a fun, safe, and happy summer for everyone!  I am excited to see the adventures God has in store for us over the coming months!

Today's Verse
Jude 1:21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

I'm a Big Girl

As a mom to a six year old, graduating from Kindergarten next week, watch me do my math, read, flip, tell time, count money, say my Bible verses, and a ton of other things I couldn't do at her age, and a three year old, going to start preschool in the fall, watch me flip, dance, wear my dress everyday, say my ABCs, colors, shapes and already quite the comedian and chef...I hear "I'm a Big Girl" quite a bit!  So when I saw that as a topic for this week, I had to laugh.

Three seems to be the age when a little one starts to feel like a big kid.  We hear the, "I can do it myself" and "I am big girl/boy" several times throughout the day.  They are learning and growing so fast and each moment is a blessing, each new task a great triumph, and each new skill is worth celebrating.

As an adult, that phrase may stick in our mind as well.  "I've got this.  I definitely do not need anyone's help.  I can take care of this on my own."  are all thoughts I know I have had.  And for some reason, especially during those extra busy and extra stressful times of life, I can really try to convince my self I don't need anybody's help.

But looking back, I know for myself, when I have had a day that I didn't acknowledge my need for God and His help and His grace, well those are not some of my finer days.

Every morning I must wake up and turn to Him for strength.
Every morning I must acknowledge I can do nothing without Him.
Every morning I must ask for His guidance and His help.

Before the day even begins, I must rely on Him.  I'm a big girl, but I am nothing without Him!

My life verse is Philippians 4:13, and I do believe I can do anything He calls me to do, but only through His strength.  There is nothing I can do alone, and I never want to try!

I am glad my big girls are growing everyday, and I am thankful for every accomplishment they achieve.  But one of my greatest jobs is to teach them now that they are never too big for God's love.

With God, nothing is impossible and it is only through His strength that we can accomplish anything!

Today's Verse - Psalms 28:7
 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."

Big Breakfast....What's Cookin'

MMMMM...Breakfast.  Probably my favorite meal of the day...unless dessert can count as a meal!  I especially looooove Saturday mornings, when we are all home and Daddy takes over the kitchen!  Here are some of the latest breakfast recipes we have tried in our house.  Two recipes are from Kraft and the other from a dear friend.  Hope your family enjoys!

Bacon Omelette Roll

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bacon-omelet-roll-salsa-115324.aspx Wild Berry-Oatmeal Cheesecake Muffins http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/wild-berry-oatmeal-cheesecake-muffins-136957.aspx

Pancake Squares  3/4 cup milk 2 T. melted butter 1 large egg 1 T. sugar 1 cup flour 2 t. baking powder 1/4 t. salt Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, beat together milk, butter and egg. Add sugar, then gradually beat the flour in. Carefully stir in the baking powder and salt. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serves 4-6. (I swirled in 1/4 cup of strawberry preserves.) Today's Verse "And above all things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."  Colossians 3:14

Treasure Box

Just one short year ago, my husband and girls surprised me with a wonderful treasure worth more than any piece of jewelry or cooking gadget they could ever get me.  They had my Grandmother's hope chest redone for me.  My husband found a man that restores antiques, and he was able to make it beautiful, fix the broken hinge and take off the lock.  It is amazing how it still smells like cedar!  My Grandmother never throws anything away, and she still had the original little booklet that came with the piece of furniture.  I am the only grandchild my Grandmother has, and it was a blessing to have a piece of her history.

The girls were super excited this mother's day.  My oldest didn't even have to be reminded by Daddy...she came bouncing in the bed saying "Happy Mother's Day Mom!  I love you!".  Super sweet!  She had drawn pictures, made cards, and wrapped them all up herself.  They had made hand print paintings with the help of dad (Which means so much to this mama) and of course got me a few kitchen things.  As they climbed in and out of the bed by using the hope chest as their stepping helper, I couldn't help be notice there are already some scratches.  It is already showing some signs of wear and tear.

I certainly did not get upset or angry when looking at the scratches and marks. I smiled as I thought of how I will look at those scratches and remember them bouncing into our bed, watching the girls use the chest as a pirate ship, rolling their cars across it while I folded clothes on the bed, using the hard surface to build block towers, and many many more uses they have found for this old box.  These memories make this object even more of a treasure!

I displayed some of my art work this morning, but the rest I neatly placed in the old hope chest.  (There was a whole lot of art!)  I love that I have somewhere to keep the girls' mementos and I love everything this treasure box represents!

My Grandmother used to read me Bible stories every time I went to stay with her.  She helped instill my love for God and the importance of following Him.  I am so thankful I can share those stories and memories with my little ones!  Passing it down from generation to generation...that is our job....Joel 1:3 "Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."

Sharing God's love is the best treasure we can ever give anyone!



Today's Verse
Colossians 2:2-3 "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Blessed to be a mom

I am blessed to be a mom.

I may not feel blessed everyday...the days that are tough, the days full of whining and tears, the days when naptime cannot come soon enough, the days when the sniffles and coughs and fevers are raging, the loooooong days when daddy is out of town, the days that mom appears to know nothing at all, and the days when my two darlings can't play because of all the bickering.  Yes, even those days I am blessed.  Because between the tears, the fights, the pouting and the frustration, there are two tiny people whom I love more than I could have ever imagined.  They are my gifts straight from God, and although they can make me want to yell and want to pull my hair out, they are a miracle and just like me in many ways!

This morning I had the honor and the blessing of having a Muffins with Mom morning with my Kindergartner.  It was such a precious time.  As I sat and laughed with her and her classmates and other moms, I couldn't help but think how just one hour earlier we had been at odds over the normal getting ready routine.  But, before we left we were laughing over doing our hair and daddy taking silly pictures of us.  That's the joy of a mother child relationship...the love and forgiveness abounds.  I have already forgiven them before they even hurt my feelings, just like they quickly forgive and forget my imperfections after a snuggle and a good story.

I am blessed to be a mom.

I could have never dreamed what this thing called motherhood was really going to be like.  But it is amazing.

Amazingly hard.
Amazingly exhausting.
Amazingly life-changing.
Amazingly wonderful.
Amazingly awesome.

Simply Amazing!

I thank God for my two amazing blessings.  Yes I could worry myself sick about their safety, their health, their future, their friends and even worrying about their future boyfriends.  But the most comforting thing of motherhood is knowing our heavenly Father loves them even more than I do; He knows their futures, and He holds them in His hands!  And He holds me too, giving me the strength to get through stressful days and sending encouragement right when I need it and never a moment too late.

With all the trials and struggles and ups and downs, I am at my best when I am able to look in those four big brown eyes...those four eyes that look just like mine, just like my mom's and just like my Nanny's...those four eyes that look intently at me as they soak every word up that I teach them about God and His love and forgiveness...those four eyes that sparkle and make me know they are the main reason God put me on this earth...those four eyes full of love that remind me...I am blessed to be a mom!

Today's Verse
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:  for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

 Happy Mother's Day!

http://mansionmoms.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-mothers-day.html

What's Cookin' Wednesday

So if you can read this...thank a teacher!

If your teacher was your mom, then she should get double treats this week!

It is Teacher Appreciation week, and we should be loving on our children's teachers extra this week!  I can tell you the names and picture the faces of every teacher I ever had from Kindergarten to my Senior year.  Now my college professors...not so much.  There are several I remember, but that relationship you have with your childhood teachers is never quite the same in a college setting. I was blessed to have wonderful teachers, and I am thankful for every single one of them...my school teachers and my Sunday school teachers.  And although I was not home-schooled, I am thankful for my mom who taught me about life, love, our heavenly Father and my first teacher in the kitchen :)

I made a delicious Amish bread recipe for our wonderful Kindergarten teachers that I saw on Pintrest...audible Gasp is allowed here since I generally do not go on Pintrest.  I did find out that if you sign up...which yes I did, but I will probably never follow or pin anything :), but they send you a weekly email about what might interest me.  And of course for me that is recipes.  I have been amazed at some of the ideas and recipes I have received in the last two weeks.  This bread recipe requires no starter or yeast, and was super yummy.  I made a trial batch last week and then another batch this week to give the teachers.  It does make two loaves but could easily be halved to make one.

This is a simple recipe and would be a great time to let your little one pull up a chair and help out!  I hope your family enjoys!

1 cup (2 sticks) of butter at room temperature
2 cups of sugar
2 eggs
2 cups of buttermilk
4 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tsp vanilla (This was not called for but I added)


2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar (This was not called for by I added after the trial run...I love brown sugar with cinnamon.)

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs.  Add milk and flour and baking soda.  I alternated between flour and milk...1 cup flour then 1/2 cup milk...then repeated until all was added and incorporated.  Put 1/4 of batter into bottom of two greased loaf pans.  In a separate bowl combine sugars and cinnamon.  Swirl 1/4 of mixture into batter.  Top with remaining batter and swirl with remaining sugar mixture.  Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes.  It is soft with a good crusty top.  Great served warm!

Today's Verses

Titus 2:3-5

³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

A Power Surge from this week!

I had convinced myself not to post today.  Not to take part in the Blog Hop.  I didn't really have time.  My husband is traveling.  There is a lot going on with the end of school coming up.  And my excuse list was long.  But when I had my very own power surge happen this very week, I had to share!

Here is one of the actual assignments for the blog hop from the Stressed-Less OBS...

2. Power Surge.  We’ve all experienced a power surge, one that brings our appliances into overload, popping circuit breakers, and blowing fuses. Well experiencing God’s presence is a whole other kind of power surge! Share a time when you have felt God’s presence in a profound way, or hear His voice speak directly to your heart.

Just this week I was feeling a little lost.  Without going into an overload of information, I was just needing to take a break for a moment and read my Bible (I don't want to get too stressed out you know!).  It had been a good day and a bad day all mixed up into one regular day :)  The girls had been arguing and my pork loin supper had once again been rejected by my little one.  Daddy was running late, and my mind had been bogged with some questions we were seeking answers to as a family.  I put my oldest one in the shower, my little one in front of the TV (I know...oh the horror!) and grabbed my Bible.  "Just 2 minutes Lord, that 's all I have, but I need something."  A little piece of paper was hanging out of my Bible and I saw 2 Chronicle 20 typed on it.  "Lord, no offence, but I don't remember too many encouraging things happening in Chronicles!  What could I possibly learn from that?"  But I kept staring and decided to turn.  There, written in the margins by 2 Chronicles 20 in my own handwriting was this..."In times of despair...1) Look unto Him 2) Wait on Him 3) Trust Him"

I couldn't believe my eyes as I read it over and over.  Just the peace and words I needed at that exact moment!

2 Chronicles 20 is about a battle with king Jehoshaphat in Judah and the Moabites and Ammonites.  In verses 3-4 we read "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD:  even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD."

They sought the Lord's guidance and they knew He would answer them.  They cried unto Him, verse 9, and they knew He would "hear and help".  Jehoshaphat received his own power surge when the Lord answered and said in verse 17, "fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them:  for the LORD will be with you."  And in the end, the battle was won, and there was peace.  Verses 29-30, "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.  So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet:  for his God gave him rest round about."  

Jehoshaphat was fearful, maybe even had some anxiety and stress as to what to do, but he prayed and the Lord delivered them and "gave him rest round about."  

That is the same God we worship now that Jehoshaphat called upon then.  He is the same God that can give us peace and rest.  We can cry to Him at anytime and He will help us.  We just have to "Look to Him, Wait on Him, and Trust Him"!  

That was my power surge this week!  If you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged or stressed, ask God to place a verse or devotion or something in your path to send you peace and a power surge that could only be from HIM!  

Today's Verse

2 Chronicles 20:15b "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's." 

What's Cookin' Wednesday!

So one of those, engrave this in my mind moments happened last night in the kitchen.  Great conversations and memories can be had and made when cooking, baking and eating together as a family!  I was making homemade biscuits.  Now this is not something I do very frequently, but I do looooove homemade biscuits!  I had some buttermilk leftover from a recipe that I had tried out (and will share next week), so what else do you do with buttermilk but make biscuits.  I decided to add in some shredded cheddar cheese when my oldest daughter asked what I was doing.  When I told her I was making cheese biscuits, she could not understand the concept.  I told her it was something my mom and Nanny used to do.  She then said she wanted to write down ALL of my recipes in a book, "Then if I ever have kids, I can cook with them and say, 'This is how my mom and my grandma used to make it.'"

I smiled so big inside and out.  That was warming to my soul as I briefly pictured my little one with a little one.  I thought back to when I was a 6 year old little girl watching my Nanny in the kitchen cooking and baking, and my mom in the kitchen (wearing her shower cap if she was cooking for a crowd), and then pictured myself trying to be just like them.  Now my girls are watching me, and they are so blessed to also get to watch their grandma and great-grandma as well.  Passing down the recipes.  Passing down the fun times in the kitchen.  Passing down the love.  I love the kitchen and all it represents...the prayers around the table and the good food for our tummies and soul!


Today's recipe is one I have been wanting to recreate for a month.  When we went down to Georgia in March, my breakfast on the last day was delicious.  It was an egg white frittata, with turkey sausage, mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and avocado...so delicious!  So I finally had the chance to try and recreate it and the final results were scrumptious!

1/2 cup egg product (Or 3 egg whites or 2 regular eggs)
1/4 cup skim milk
salt and pepper to taste (I also added a pinch of red pepper flakes)

10-12 spinach leaves
1/4 cup turkey sausage (I used crumbled but the restaurant used chopped links.  This is a great time to have some already cooked, drained and frozen for a quick, healthy breakfast.)

1/2 sliced avocado (remember this is the good fat)
4 cherry tomatoes (washed, seeded and halved)
1/4 cup 2% Mozzarella cheese

In a small non-stick frying pan, heat the sausage and wilt the spinach leaves together on med-hi.  Whisk the egg product, milk and seasoning together.  Pour over sausage and allow the edges to set (about 2-4 minutes).  Add the tomatoes and avocado and place in the oven, set on 400 degrees, for 6-10 minutes or until done in the center.  Sprinkle with cheese and allow to melt.  You can split this or have it all for yourself because it is so yummy.  I didn't have any mushrooms, but you can definitely use any veggies on hand and make this for your family.  This looks so fancy but it is so simple to whip up.  Remember if you are not sure if your frying pan's handle is oven proof, just wrap it in aluminum foil.   I hope your family enjoys!

Today's Verse

Colossians 1:10 "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

To all the stay-at-home moms out there, these were two great little pick me up devo's I read today and wanted to share.  Hope you can check them out!

http://msg1svc.net/servlet/Pv?c=703d63676926733d3738313236266d3d31323926743d4826723d4e2664613d30

http://www.proverbs31.org/devotions/parenting-can-be-exhausting-2013-05/