People let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

...I married him 6 years ago today and I've been loving every minute.
I love you, John!
Happy Anniversary!

Book review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

A whole book about food? Really? Yes. It's true. And it was fascinating! It's written by author Barbara Kingsolver (author of "The Poisenwood Bible"), her husband Steven Hopp, and daughter Camille. It follows their family as they move to a rural farm and begin the process of eating only local food for a year. When I first heard about this concept I thought, "I can do that. I buy lots of stuff locally." Then, I took an inventory of my kitchen. Honey-local, Eggs-local, Olive oil-uh oh, cheese-eek!, mushroom-hmm.... and on it went. Turns out I didn't buy as local as I thought. It was challenging. And I'm always up for a challenge! She not only challenged me in that way but she argues for the economic, social, and health benefits for putting local food at the center of the family diet. The book is laid out month by month as Shelia shares stories, her husband adds problems with industrializing food, and their daughter adds first person stories and recipes. It made me appreicate the small farmer so much more! And maybe....made me wish I was one too! It's a really good read!

Homesick

I miss Kansas. Maybe it's the fact that I haven't been back in almost a year. Usually in July we take our annual trip back to my home state. This year, though, we have to postpone it by a couple months. I miss my brother, my friends, the landscape, my childhood home, the restaurants and candy that ONLY live in Kansas (okay, okay...if you must know- Winstead's and Cherry Mashes). Yes, I'd say I'm ready to get back there. Georgia has definitely become our home too. But when you've lived your whole life somewhere and then leave...half of you stays there. We'll be back soon! And I can hardly wait.

Lentil Tacos = Yum!

Lentils and I have not been the best of friends. I know that they are good for you, but I had yet to find a recipe that actually made me want to eat them. Then Lentil Tacos entered into my life. Yum, yum, yum! I know a couple of you had asked for the recipe and I didn't want to share it until I knew whether it was good or not. So, now, I gladly give you the recipe! :) This recipe was created by my vegetarian, foodie friend Caela. Her culinary creativity always amazes me!

Lentil Tacos

1. Sort, rinse, and drain about a cup of dry lentils. We use brown lentils, but I'm sure any kind would be just fine. The brown ones look the most like meat, though!

2. Boil them in about 3-4 cups of water until they're done. It only takes about 20 minutes. Lentils are quick-cooking because they don't have to be soaked first.

3. As they're boiling, saute up some diced onions. Add a small can of diced green chilis and about a half a can of drained corn to the mix. (I used frozen corn and it worked just as well.)

4. Once the veggies are heated up, add about 1/2 cup water and a package of taco seasoning mix. If you want to make your own taco seasoning, I recommend a mix of cumin, chili powder, cayenne powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. (I made my own)

5. Drain the lentils. Dump them into the veggies. Stir and heat through.

Serve them up on regular taco shells or they are equally delicious as soft tacos with some salsa, cheese, and sour cream!

I also wanted to share my 2 favorite smoothie recipes. These are frequently served for breakfast at my house. It's quick, easy, and uses every day ingredients. And, of course, no sugar! :)

Fruit Smoothie

1-1 1/2 cups apple juice (depending on how thick you like your smoothie)
2 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
about 1 cup of an assortment of various fruit (frozen or fresh)

Put apple juice and bananas in blender and blend until relatively smooth. Add other fruit and blend. ~This usually serves the children (who use smaller cups) and me.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothies

Serves 2 (this works for me and my little ones to share, but if it's for the whole family, I double it)

1 cup milk (raw is preferably, and makes it that much more thick and creamy)
1/4 cup peanut butter (I stick to organic, as peanuts are highly sprayed. Other nut butters would also be delicious!)
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2- 2 Tbsp honey
2 frozen bananas, broken into chunks

Combine all in the order given, and blend until smooth. Enjoy sipping on this indulgent treat! We don't have these very often but they are a nice change from the fruit ones. And they are really delicious!

Hope you enjoy them!

~A

Love your neighbor

I opened my fridge this morning to discover that I only had 4 eggs left. Making scrambled eggs for 4 people requires more than 4 eggs, at least in my family. At that point I had to smile at the thought of going to buy more eggs. Now, I realize, normally, people don't get all giddy about going to Wal-mart or Kroger (Dillons-for you northerners) to purchase eggs. But, you see, I buy my eggs locally. That means I get to go visit with the couple I buy my eggs from, Enos and Lena. Enos ( who people around here affectionately call "Sonny") and Lena are a couple well into their 70's who live in a simple little brick house on a Dairy Farm that is run by his son-in-law . Sonny loves his chickens. It's been rumored that he wakes up early every morning to feed them his own, homemade cornmeal mush.

I pulled up in the driveway today to find Sonny just getting home from mowing (he mows lawns for people on the side). He smiles and gives me a big wave as he finishes untying the tractor. I proceed to walk into the house. You see, they keep their eggs in a little mudroom in the back of their house. If no one's home you can just walk in, get into their fridge and pull out your eggs, and drop your money into the jar, right next to the sign (a styrofoam plate) that states the prices and "God Bless You!" on it. But today, everyone was home, even their daughter who still lives with them. I walked in to find Lena and Grace (the daughter) hulling strawberries. I asked if I could see how she did it, since I'm right in the process of "putting up" all the strawberries we just picked. She invites me in and shows me a couple times.
Grace said she hadn't seen the baby yet and wondered if she could get a peek at her, to which Lena said she'd like to come along too. So we all went out to the van, I unpacked the baby and they both ooed and ahed over her. :) We did eventually get to the eggs. Lena pulled them out of the fridge for me and I paid her although I hardly remember it because it all took place during our conversation. I asked how she had been doing and she said she was still having trouble with her hip but she was getting around. "At my age, it's just a blessing to be getting around at all." she said.
As I was leaving Sonny came over to the van. Took a look at the children and said, "Oh! Your children sure are growing up." He asked how we like the eggs and if we were satisfied. "Are they better than the Holbrook's eggs?" he asked. I had to giggle. The Holbrooks were our best friends here in Montezuma, who kept us in constant supply (for free!) of organic, free range eggs. But then they up and moved to Australia to tell people about Jesus (the nerve, right??). I told him I wasn't really an egg judge so I wouldn't be the person to ask. :)

So, what is the point of sharing this story with you today? I suppose part of it is to give you a little glimpse into my day. But a bigger part is to help people see the blessings of buying local and supporting your neighbors. Yes, it would have been easy to just grab a carton of eggs when I was at Wal-mart yesterday. But, not only did I get better eggs, I also got to support a family and develop relationships. I'll take that any day.

Blessings to you and yours,
~A

Menu Monday!

I actually got around to planning a menu this week! We've decided to try and cut back on the meat a little bit this week. Luke's been complaining of an upset stomach and, knowing that meat turns your stomach acidic, we thought we'd cut back some. I apologize in advance for the lack of links to recipes. I always think it's more fun when you can look up the recipes people are making. But, I don't have the time to type them out and they aren't on the Internet. So, if you see a recipe you like just let me know and I'll get it to you!

Breakfast
~hm (homemade) bagels
~Oatmeal
~Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream
~scrambled eggs and toast
~Baked Oatmeal with strawberries

Lunch
~P.B.&J. rollups
~cucumber sandwiches (remember those, mom?)
~buttered noodles

Dinner
~Lentil Tacos/potato fries
~Baked Spaghetti/salad
~Pizza/smoothies
~Mac & Cheese/ steamed broccoli/hm bread
~Chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes
~ Big, Fat Salad/hm bread (grilled cheese for the kiddos)

Snacks
~fruit
~baby carrots
~hm graham crackers (if I have time)
~crackers
~yogurt popsicles

What are you having this week?
~A

Lord, I love being a mom

My friend Lydia slipped this in my mailbox today at church. She said she liked it and wanted me to have it. I thought I'd share it on this mother's day.

Lord, I Love Being a Mom

Dear Lord,
I love being a mom! There are so many rewards in this high calling of mine.
Today I told a Bible story while eager ears listened and held on to every word. Then the questions began, and sometimes I had to silently ask You for the right words to answer them.
Later, at dinner, when we held hands to say grace, I was thrilled to hear that happy little voice say, "Thanks, God, for the wonderful sunny day! And the food! Amen." So simple. So grateful. So sincere.
I have help with the laundry, dishes, and cleaning whenever I ask for it. Sure, it would go more quickly sometimes if I did it all myself, but You have given me this opportunity to teach my children their life skills. Help me to be wise.
I watched You answer prayer today through the eyes of a child, Lord, and was awed. How can people say You are only an idea when You take time to help a child find a little lost treasure?
Thank You for making my children my friends. When I'm happy, they rejoice with me. When I'm grouchy, they cheer me. When I'm weak, they support me. When I'm sad, they comfort me. Let them grow up to be as sensitive to others as they are to me, Lord.
I like being somebody's hero every day. Please grant me the patience, the humor, the creativity, and the love to keep the sparkle in my children's eyes, Lord. Amen.

And I truly do say, Amen!
~A

Strawberry Fun

I love this time of year. Last year I made the mistake of NOT taking advantage of strawberry season (or apple and blueberry season, for that matter) and I regretted it all year long. Strawberries are SO expensive in the off season. Not to mention shipped from who knows where! So, for my birthday this year we went strawberry picking. We have the extreme pleasure of living, literally, right down the road from our local strawberry farm. We scooted on down and had such a fun time. In fact, I'm planning on going back on Monday to pick at least three more buckets worth. And (happy birthday to me!!!) I found out they have started up a CSA this year. Right down the street from me! Last year I searched all over to find one!

They had so many strawberries!

Bradley was my "helper" while we were picking. I'd point and he'd grab. It worked out well. :)

They could hardly wait until we paid for them to sink their teeth into one....or two.

Kate was definitely enjoying God's beautiful creation.

They also have a little children's part of the farm where they have a petting zoo and playground. And a little train that is made to look like cows, their favorite part. Oh, and see that chicken hanging out in front of Luke? That is the exact kind of chicken I am going to be getting soon. I can't wait!

They had this lovely number called the "corn jump". It was a big pen-type thing filled with corn kernels. It was the farm equivalent to the ball play area at McDonalds. I would say, by far, this was the children's favorite thing. And maybe John's too. Of course, I was finding corn kernels in my house for the next two weeks.

Kate enjoyed playing with the feline friends at the farm.

And I simply cannot write this post without showing some updated pictures of Kate!

She
is
so
CUTE!!!

Thanks for checking in. And happy mother's day to all you mommy's out there!

Running the race,
~A

Helping Those Who Hurt- A book review

As Christians we are called to minister to those who hurt.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ~James 1:27

I wanted to read this book because it seems whenever someone is going through a crisis I always feel a little awkward. Not knowing what to say or do for that person. Of course, in my heart, I want to help them as much as possible but I just wasn't sure how to do that. Helping those who Hurt by Barbara M. Roberts is a book that helps us serve those who have been hurt and need a loving presence. It has such a wide range of topics. From hospitalization to aging, or addiction to abuse, there is advice for almost every situation. She gives you some general information about each situation. Ideas for what to say to a person going through a crisis, lists of do's and don'ts , resources, and even information written directly to a person who is hurting. I would say this book is a must have for anyone who is wanting to go into pastoral caregiving and a great read for anyone who knows someone who hurts. Everyone!

Food Inc.

Most of you who keep up with this blog can probably tell that I like to cook healthy. I like real, wholesome, nourishing food. Since starting my journey into healthy food I've been studying a good bit about where our food comes from. And people, it. has. scared. me. There is a new movie coming out. Now, normally, I don't really frequent movie theaters or rental places but this movie sounds so interesting I might just have to.



This is actually something that has been on my mind and heart for the past couple months. I am currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and, boy howdy, has it got me thinking. If you've never really given any thought to where your food comes from then I highly recommend you see this movie. I think it's going to be eye opening for us all!

~A