Packed with nutrients and natural energy, this smoothie is the perfect way to kickstart your day or recharge after a workout. It’s so easy and everyone will love it!
So, I told you all that Jesse and I are doing this 2-Week Clean Eating Plan. While I’m totally missing bread and desserts (let’s just be honest!), I’m actually surprised at how much I’m enjoying some of the recipes.
One of our favorites so far was this Green Smoothie.
I didn’t think the combination of ingredients sounded good, but was surprised how yummy it was! I posted a picture of the smoothie on Instagram and a number of you asked for the recipe, so I wanted to share how we made it!
Ingredients for Green Smoothie
- 1 large frozen banana
- 4 cups baby spinach, washed and drained (one 5-oz. bag)
- 2 cups coconut water (or almond milk.)
- 4 Tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)
NOTE: We love to buy bananas when they are reduced and then stick them in the freezer for smoothies.
How to Make a Green Smoothie
1. Put all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth (we use a Vita-mix).
2. Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.
NOTE: This is a thinner smoothie. If you like a thicker smoothie, add less liquid or more frozen bananas.
Banana-Coconut Green Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large frozen banana
- 4 cups baby spinach washed and drained (one 5-oz. bag)
- 2 cups coconut water or almond milk
- 4 Tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Love this recipe?
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More Smoothie Recipes You’ll Enjoy!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Orange Cream Smoothie
- Patriotic Smoothie
- Pick-Me-Up Smoothie
- Blueberry Ginger Smoothie
- Strawberry Oatmeal Smoothie
- Tropical Hawaiian Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Smoothie
What is your favorite smoothie recipe? Tell us in the comments.
FREE 50+ Easy and Cheap Breakfast Ideas!!
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5 Things I’m Loving This Week
1. Being Short
Okay, so this might seem like a weird one to include in my weekly list, but I used to wish I wasn’t short. Now, I actually love it.
Not only do people almost always think you’re younger than you are, but you can sometimes find clothes that fit in the Girls’ section at the store. And in another year or two, I’ll probably be able to share clothes with my girls, too!
2. Walks With My Husband
We’ve been doing a lot more walking these days — as a family and as a couple. We sometimes walk to get smoothies or another treat. Sometimes we just walk around our neighborhood. No matter what, though, it’s such a great way to get exercise, sunshine, fresh air, and quality time together.
Plus, I’ve found that it’s so relaxing! I come back from a walk feeling invigorated and ready to jump back into my day with gusto!
3. Working From the Pool
Summer is officially here and I am grateful that I can work from anywhere… including the pool! I think I’ll be spending a lot of time here over the next two months. 😉
4. Experimenting in the Kitchen
So, Jesse and I started a two-week clean eating plan. This was somewhat motivated by the fact that I’m working out in earnest now and I wanted to see what it felt like to pair clean eating with it. It was also inspired by him telling me he’d love to cook in the kitchen with me and try new recipes together.
Here’s the plan we’re doing. It’s not at all as frugal as we usually are, but we decided to splurge on all the ingredients for two weeks as a sort of adventure/experiment.
I can already tell you that it’s going to be an adventure. For instance, I caught the oven on fire today. Yup, I did. Despite that, we had so much fun cooking in the kitchen together and we’re loving the recipes.
5. Flowers Blooming
I walked outside one morning this week to see these flowers blooming. Every time I pass by them, I smile. They remind me that hope and beauty is all around us… we just have to look for it, notice it, and appreciate it!
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
8 Free and Frugal Activities for Children
Guest post from Aileen of Aileen Cooks
When we made the decision for me to stay home with our kids, we knew we would need to cut corners. Staying home meant more quality time for our kids and a better balance for our family. It also meant fewer funds for extras.
Not only have I learned to cut corners by making my own version of expensive items, I have learned about some great resources for free and inexpensive activities to do with your kids.
Being on a budget does not mean you have to stay at home!
1. The Library
The library is not just for books and storytime (which are great). Our local library hosts all kinds of events including live entertainment (jugglers, puppet shows, drum circles, etc.), weekly play times, a new mom’s group, crafting programs, and weekly movies.
Our library also offers the Discover & Go Program which allows us to visit museums for free or at a discounted rate.
2. Splash Pads
Splash pads are getting more popular. They are basically playgrounds that spray water so you and your children can cool off during those hot summer months. It’s worth it to ask around and see if there are any free splash pads available in your city.
3. Meetup.com
Find a Mom’s Group through MeetUp.com. My mom’s group has been a lifesaver… and most events are free.
My kids and I have made some wonderful friends through our group. I get out at least once per week and get to connect with adults while my kids enjoy the company of their friends. It’s win-win!
4. $1 Summer Movies
Both Regal and Cinemark theaters offer $1 summer movie showings. They are usually the first showing of the day and are a fun outing — even for little kids.
5. Kids’ Building Workshops
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free building workshops to kids. They suggest this for kids ages 5+, but I have taken my 3-year-old with no problem.
We haven’t been to the Lowe’s workshop, but the Home Depot workshop provides a free apron for each kid and pin for each project they complete.
6. Free Bowling
Kids can bowl two free games per day at select bowling centers (only during the summer). You can search for a participating bowling alley at KidsBowlFree.com.
7. Regional & State Parks
Check to see if your local parks offer any free classes or events for kids. Ours offers free toddler hikes and nature classes.
8. The YMCA
If you have a local YMCA, I highly recommend their kid’s sports classes. I’ve found their prices to be quite affordable price — and you might even be eligible for a scholarship.
What are your favorite free and frugal kids activities?
Aileen is a stay at home mom of two living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She blogs at Aileen Cooks where she shares family-friendly recipes, tips on cooking with kids, and money-saving tips.
How getting more rest has changed my life
Happy Saturday! After a week of short nights and a lot of go-go-go, I was SO happy to get 10 hours of sleep last night!!
I used to push my body to the max, live on little sleep much of the time, and just keep powering through. But my Year of Rest has taught me that I’m so much happier, healthier, productive, and focused when I’m regularly getting really great sleep.
It’s okay to occasionally have a few days or a week when you need to just power through because of things happening in life, but I don’t want to make that a lifestyle. So, I’ve had to make a lot of choices and adjustments to make that a reality.
Be willing to make those wise (albeit hard) choices. It’s worth it!
(Another way I’m taking care of myself is by fueling my body with good food — like this Banana, Spinach, Coconut Water, Almond Butter Smoothie… So yummy!!)
Need some practical ideas on ways to get more sleep? Read this post.
What are you doing this weekend to take care of yourself?
Have you ever thought about writing a book?
Have you ever thought about writing a book? Amy wrote in recently and said, “I have a book idea that I’d really like to get published. I’m not sure where to start, though. The websites I’ve read so far on book publishing have overwhelmed me.”
I wanted to share my response to her here in hopes that it might help some of you who have been thinking about writing a book, too:
Hi, Amy!
That’s exciting that you have a book idea and I love your ambition for wanting to get your book published! I don’t want to discourage you with this post, but I also want to be honest and say that it’s really hard to get a book deal if you haven’t already established a platform online.
Publishers have limited budgets and print capabilities. Meaning, they can only print and market a set number of books each year.
There are so many bloggers and online entrepreneurs with really large followings in this day and age, publishers tend to like proof of your pre-established market before they’ll even consider your manuscript. Publishers want to know that you have at least a few thousand (or more!) people who will buy your book without any marketing efforts from the publisher.
They also need to know that there is a market for what you have to say. If you haven’t already created and built that market, it’s hard to convince them to put time and money into your project — especially when they have dozens of other manuscripts from authors who do have a pre-established market of 5,000 to 20,000 people or more.
What does this mean for you? It’s good news and bad news.
The bad news is that if you don’t already have an online following, you need to focus on building a platform before you pursue a publisher.
The good news is that it’s never been easier to build an online platform. With social media networks and the power of viral marketing, everyone who has a unique message and a persevering spirit can build an online platform.
How to Get Started
1. Read Platform by Michael Hyatt — This book will encourage you and give you a vision for how you can build an online platform without money, experience, or even connections.
2. Read my post on How to Make Money Blogging — This ebook isn’t just about making money online. I share step-by-step help for setting up a successful blog and getting people to read what you have to say.
3. Start networking. One of the best ways to learn and grow is to network with others. Find those who are ahead of you, those who are right where you’re at, and those who are just starting on their journey headed in the direction you are. Develop friendships, ask questions, share ideas and advice. Relationships with others who are in a similar position are invaluable!
4. Jump out start doing things. The best thing you can be doing to get yourself closer to getting a book deal is to just start doing things. Many people have great ideas, but they never do much with those ideas. Go experiment. Try things. Make mistakes and learn from them. And keep trying and learning!
5. Keep at it! As I wrote about this not too long ago, I think the number one reason most people fail is because they give up too soon. You are going to struggle in the process. You are going to feel insecure. You are going to question why you are doing this. You are going to fail. But success comes to those who refuse to give up.
***Sign Up for the FREE Self-Publishing Success Summit***
If you’ve been thinking about writing a book and want some inspiration, I highly recommend signing up for the Self-Publishing Success Summit.
From June 12th to June 22nd, 40 top authors and entrepreneurs will be sharing their secrets to write your book, become a respected expert, and build a 6-figure business.
The material in this summit is g-o-l-d. You won’t want to miss it! And best of all, the Self-Publishing Success Summit is FREE! Go sign up for your FREE ticket here.
P.S. I so wish I had read these two books before I wrote my first book: How to Write a Book Proposal and Sell Your Book Like Wildfire. They are packed with helpful ideas and inspiration!
Gretchen’s $1.38 Target Shopping Trip
Target Shopping Trip
I ran into Target today hoping to get some of the free salad dressing but they were out. Since I was already there, I grabbed a few other items that were great deals.
2 Wet n Wild Lipstick – $0.94 each
Buy 1 Get 1 25% off
Used 2 $0.50/1 Target printable
$0.32 each after coupons1 Kidfresh Frozen Meals – $2.99
Used 25% off Cartwheel coupon
Used $1/1 printable
Received $1 Ibotta rebate
$0.24 after coupons and rebate2 Starbucks Iced Coffee – $1.25 each
Used $1/2 printable
Received $1 Ibotta rebate
$0.25 each after coupon and rebateTotal before coupons and rebates: $7.37
Total after coupons and rebates: $1.38
Stop trying to be her and go be YOU
It’s so easy to want what we don’t have–better hair, better decorating skills, a better personality, more creativity, more spunk… there’s always someone we think we’d like to trade places with because they have what we want.
But trading places with someone wouldn’t fix anything; we’d just inherit a new set of things we wish we could change. No one has it altogether. Everyone has struggles and difficulties.
Comparison only leads to discontentment.
We can’t change who we are, but we can make the most of our situation. We can’t choose the personality we are born with, but we can choose to be thankful–even in the midst of difficulty.
And we can choose to be intentional and purposeful in how we live our lives so that we make the most of all that we’ve been given instead of wishing we were someone else.
You are the only YOU in existence. Instead of trying to be HER, go embrace your gifts, your talents, and your experiences and share that with the world.
(Thanks to CreativLei for this handlettering she created from a quote I shared during a webinar last week.)
Brigette’s $84 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Brigette’s $84 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6
Aldi
1 Seedless Watermelon – $2.99
1 bag Blue Corn Chips – $1.69
1 pkg Bacon – $3.49
5 pkgs Buns, reduced – $1.25
1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99
1 Broccoli – $1.49
2 pkgs Blueberries – $2.58
1 pkg Strawberries – $1.29
2 dozen Eggs – $1.38
2.35lbs 80/20 Fresh Ground Beef, reduced – $4.03
1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.79
1 Cauliflower – $2.49
1 Artisan Lettuce – $1.99
4-pk Organic Avocados – $2.49
1 pint Organic Grape Tomatoes – $1.49
1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.99
1 6-pk Applesauce Cups – $1.49
1 box Honey Nut Oats – $1.19
1 box Crispy Oats – $1.19
1 bunch Bananas (2.73lbs @ $0.39/lb) – $1.06
1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.99
1 3-pk Green Peppers – $1.79
1 64-oz Unsweetened Almond Milk – $2.29
1 6-pk Raisins – $1.29
1 Baking Powder – $0.99
1 16-oz carton Egg Whites – $1.99
1 pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.79
2 2lb bags Red Grapes – $3.96
1 16-oz pkg Oven Roasted Turkey Meat – $3.49
1 bag Kettle Style Potato Chips – $1.79
1 32-oz Half and Half – $1.89
1 8-oz Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.69
1 pkg Vine Tomatoes – $2.29
1 4-pk Sweet Corn – $1.99
Total: $66.58
Harris Teeter
2 boxes Jif Peanut Butter Bars – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 Jif Bars, exp. 8/31/16 (RP 06/05/16) (doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons
10 8-oz bags Shredded Cheese – $13.16
3 Chobani Flip Yogurt – $3.00, used $1/3 printable – $2.00/3 after coupons
2 McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning – $3.89, used 2 $.75/1 McCormick Perfect Pinch Seasoning Blends – 4-17-16 SS (exp 06/12/16) (doubled) – $0.89/2 after coupons
Total: $18.05
Grocery Total for the Week: $84.63
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
(My husband put my 9-yr old in charge of planning and preparing breakfasts for us this summer. Gone are the days of only cereal and oatmeal…this girl takes her job seriously! :))
Eggs, Toast, Fruit
Pancakes (Betty Crocker Cookbook)
Cinnamon Rolls, Cereal
Baked Oatmeal
Egg, Bacon, Toast
Blueberry Crumb Cake, Cereal x 2
Lunches
Sub Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies with Dip x 2
Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Apples, Peppers
BLT Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit Salad, Carrot Sticks
Leftovers x 3
Dinners
Grilled Chicken, Grilled Cauliflower and Broccoli, Cheddar Chive Biscuits, Tossed Salad
Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Tossed Salad, Cheddar Chive Biscuits
Chicken Fried Rice, Fresh Fruit, Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Hamburgers, Grilled Corn, Fruit Salad, Watermelon
Hamburger Mashed Potato Casserole, Italian Garlic Bread, Steamed Veggies
Leftovers x 2
Quick & Easy Homemade French Toast Sticks
These easy french toast sticks are the perfect breakfast for busy weekdays or lazy weekends. They are so delicious, and a great way to use up slightly stale bread!
The girls were gone with Jesse at swimming and ice skating practices all afternoon/evening yesterday, so Silas and I had a fun Mother-Son Day.
We went to our friend’s pool and hung out for most of the afternoon. Then came home to make Cinnamon Rolls (one of Silas’ favorite foods. Okay, and mine, too!!)
However, we were out of flour and our wheat grinder decided to bite the dust (I’m hoping I can resurrect it, but that didn’t happen last night), so we improvised and made homemade French Toast Sticks instead.
You’ll love these Easy French Toast Sticks!
We loved this recipe because it’s SO simple to make. Also, the French Toast Sticks were delicious and it was a fun and kid-friendly twist on regular French Toast!
We ate them without syrup, which made the recipe quite frugal, and we thought they were plenty yummy without syrup. However, I think it’d be fun to sprinkle them with a little powdered sugar and dip them in syrup too. 🙂
Ingredients for French Toast Sticks
- 8 slices thick-cut Texas toast (or whatever bread you have on hand)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup half and half (or heavy cream, or milk)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup (optional — for serving)
- Powdered sugar (optional — for serving)
How to Make French Toast Sticks
1. Cut slices of bread into four sticks per slice and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
3. Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat and add 3 T. butter.
4. Quickly dip each stick of bread into the egg custard mixture and drop several onto the preheated frying pan / griddle (don’t over-crowd the pan).
5. Flip sticks until all sides are evenly browned, then transfer to a serving platter.
6. Continue dipping and cooking sticks until all your bread and egg mixture is used up.
7. Serve immediately with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or another dipping sauce.
French Toast Sticks FAQs
You’ll want to use good “sturdy” bread for best results. Texas toast slices are much thicker than regular slices of bread, so it usually works better. If you want to use homemade bread, cut the slices at least 1″ thick and let it sit for a day (stale bread works better too!)
Yes, because of the dairy and egg, you’ll want to refrigerate any leftovers in a food storage container. You can easily microwave them the next day for a yummy treat!
If you’re making a double or triple batch to feed a crowd, we recommend putting a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven at 250º. Then, as you finish cooking the french toast sticks in your pan or griddle, transfer them to the baking sheet while you cook the next batch. Everything will stay warm and they shouldn’t get soggy.
Easy Homemade French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
- 8 slices texas toast or whatever bread you have on hand
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream, or milk
- 2½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp butter
- maple syrup
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cut slices of bread into four sticks per slice and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla.
- Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat and add 3 T. butter.
- Quickly dip each “stick” of bread into the egg custard mixture and drop several onto the preheated frying pan / griddle (don’t over-crowd the pan).
- Flip sticks until all sides are evenly browned, then transfer to a serving platter.
- Continue dipping and cooking sticks until all your bread / egg mixture is used up.
- erve immediately with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or another dipping sauce.
Nutrition
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How We Save Over $150 On Our Monthly Grocery Bill
Guest post from Gerri of Maple Planners
Saving money wasn’t really anything I ever thought about until we became a one-income family. Both my husband and I are computer engineers and we made a good income, so I never gave second thought to budgeting.
It wasn’t until our little one came along and I was home for maternity leave that I first thought about trying to save money. After a break of nearly a year, I decided to stay home with my child and began looking at money-saving tips to keep our finances under control.
After writing down our expenses for a couple of months (I never kept track before), I was shocked to find that we were spending around $400 every month on groceries! Well, that was enough to make me start thinking about taking action in our spending department.
I am glad to report that our expenses have been under control since then, and we have been able to save around $150 on groceries every month! Here are some of the tips and tricks I utilized to lower our grocery bill:
1. Compare Prices
Comparing the prices of different items across different stores has probably saved us the most amount of money. I use Crystal’s Price Book to write down the price of the most-shopped-for items in our household. It also helps me figure out if the sale advertised in that week’s flyer is actually saving us money or not.
This is how my price book works. Let’s say you buy 4 boxes of cereals every month, usually for $3.94. You end up paying $15.76 monthly. Every few weeks, the price drops to $3.44 a box and you pay $13.76 per month. When you buy cereal every time the price is reduced you end up saving $2 per month.
Similarly I compare bread, sugar, cooking oil, frozen vegetables, etc. at a variety of stores for different dates. It may not be a huge savings per item, but believe me, when you add up the amount for major items, the saving can be significant by the end of the year. We were able to save right around $70 per month just by comparing prices.
2. Stock up on Sales
I watched as my sister bought in bulk from Costco, but the thought never occurred to me!
However, after our family grew, I started stocking up on non perishable items like sugar, bread, cereal, ice cream etc. I saw significant savings of $25 with this change.
I sometimes use coupons on top of buying in bulk and end up saving even more.
3. Plan Weekly Meals
Before we started meal planning, we would buy whatever we saw in the aisles of the supermarket. For example, I would buy an extra bag of potatoes, not realizing there is already one lying in the corner in our pantry.
When I started our planning our weekly meals, I had to write down the menu for each day of the week. That led me to track down everything in our pantry, fridge, and freezer, and then make a grocery list.
This system helped me save more than $40 per month that would most likely have been thrown away or wasted (rotten vegetables and fruit).
4. Avoid Prepackaged Food
You might be tempted to buy that cute packing of pre-cut apples and melons, or the snack size mini Oreos, but you end up spending too much money as opposed to buying whole fruits or family sized packages.
We ended up saving more than $40 when we stopped buying prepackaged food.
We are glad that we were able to come up with a system that helped us save money without compromising our lifestyle and the quality of food we consume.
Do you have any other tips to save money on groceries?
Gerri is the owner of Maple Planners, where she creates all kinds of different printables for home management, planning, and entertaining. When she’s not busy creating printables, she loves hanging out with her family and friends.
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Gretchen’s $48 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan
Dillons
1 Turkey Hill Ice Cream – $2.50, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate AND $0.25 Ibotta rebate – $2.15 after rebates
1 Danimal Smoothie – $1.49
2 Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies – $1.49 each, used $1/2 printable AND $1/2 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.49 each after coupon and rebate
1 Nabisco Good Thins – $2.77, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon
2 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes – $1.49 each, used $1/2 printable – $0.99 each after coupon
1 Malt O Meal Cereal – $1.99, used $1/1 e-coupon – $0.99 after coupon
2 Cascadian Farms Cereal – $1.99, used 2 $1/1 printable AND $1 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.49 each after coupons and rebate
1 Betty Crocker Brownie Mix – $1
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
2.23 lbs Bananas – $1.32, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $1.22 after rebate
2 lbs Simple Truth Ground Beef – Marked down to $3.99 each
1 pkg Stew Beef – Marked down to $3.48
1 Kroger Shredded Cheese (16 oz) – $3.79, used $0.65/1 e-coupon – $3.14 after coupon
1 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $2
Total after coupons and rebates: $28.38
Aldi
1 can Chicken Breasts – $1.69
1 gallon Milk – $1.89, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $1.79 after rebate
1 dozen Eggs – $0.69, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $0.59 after rebate
1 bag Tortilla Chips – $1.19
1 bag Spinach – $1.79
1 Kettle Chips – $1.79
1 loaf Bread – $1.39, used $0.10 Mobisave rebate – $1.29 after rebate
1 can Baked Beans – $1.39
1 Mild Salsa – $1.89
1 Frozen Orange Juice – $1.19
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce – $0.99
1 Cucumber – $0.29
1 bag Grapes – $1.78
1 can Tuna – $0.65
5 lbs Potatoes – $1.99, used $0.25 Checkout 51 rebate – $1.74 after rebate
Total after rebates: $20.05
Total for both stores: $48.43
Menu Plan for This Week
Breakfasts
Cereal x 3
Eggs, Spinach, Toast x 3
Oatmeal, Orange Juice
Lunches
Tossed Salad Bar
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Grapes, Cucumber Slices
Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Veggies
Lunch with friends (We are bringing brownies.)
Macaroni & Cheese, Fruit
Baked Potatoes, Cottage Cheese
Leftovers
Dinners
Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Chips, Corn on the Cob
Beef & Noodles, Tossed Salad, Banana Bread
Chicken & Rice, Steamed Broccoli (from freezer)
Bean Burritos, Chips & Salsa, Fruit Salad
French Toast, Eggs, Orange Juice
Leftovers
Out to eat
That hard thing in your life? You never know how it might actually end up bringing hope and light to others…
I got this little oil lamp in Nazareth and it has been on our mantle ever since I got back home from Israel.
Yesterday, the kids asked if we could please light it. So we did… And I wondered why I had waited until now to do so.
That little tiny light brought so much joy to our hearts. The kids were fascinated with how the oil lamp worked and I was so inspired by remembering the olive press in Nazareth Village.
In Bible times, the oil used in lamps was the third press. The first press was given to God. The second press was used for your household (baking, etc.). And the third press was what was used for the oil in the lamps.
There was so much spiritual significance in this for me. Life is full of things that press in, squeeze, and bruise us. We can feel stressed, frustrated, and broken by these things.
Without the pressing, we would never have oil for lamps. Those things that press in on us, they are part of our story, part of our refining. And the things that crush and overwhelm us can be what God uses to bring light and hope to others.
So today, when you face the hard things that come up, remember that this might be the very thing that is going to be used in a powerful way in someone else’s life.
5 Things I’m Loving This Week: Doughnuts, Dollar Shave Club, Water Slides, + more!
5 Things I’m Loving This Week: Doughnuts, Dollar Shave Club, Water Slides, + more!
1. Doughnuts
I may have completely forgotten my birthday this past year, but you’d better believe I didn’t forget National Doughnut Day! I may have had, um, 3 to celebrate. Okay, so it was over the course of two days. Does that make it any better? 😉
2. Water Slides
We went to a waterpark and had a blast on the water slides this weekend. Oh my goodness! I felt like a little kid again. You can watch the video I posted here for proof. (Yes, that’s me going down the waterslide and squealing.)
3. This Post on Instagram
A reader shared this post on Instagram from The Alaskan Wife sporting one of our Choose Joy shirts and I just absolutely loved it. Go read it and I bet you’ll be encouraged, too!
4. Freezer Cooking
I can’t believe I fell off the freezer cooking bandwagon for so long. It’s the BEST. THING. EVAH. {Read all about the recipes I made and the kitchen adventures I had last week here.}
5. Dollar Shave Club
After a bunch of you highly, highly recommended Dollar Shave Club, I caved and signed up. Mostly because I couldn’t believe how many people raved about it and also because it was only $6/month and I figured that if I don’t like it, I can cancel after a month or two and not be out much out of pocket.
For those who are curious, here’s what came in my first box: 1 razor handle, 4 razor blades, and a shave butter sample. For $6 shipped, I was pretty impressed — especially because the quality of the razor seems pretty good.
I’m going to test it out for the next two months and then plan to write a Completely Honest Review post on my blog of my experience with Dollar Shave Club. Stay tuned!
I did an unboxing video and talked more about it here, if you’re interested.
What are YOU loving right now?
We’re all afraid of something
Have you ever looked at someone who was bold and brave and thought, “I wish I had that same kind of courage?”
Well, I can almost guarantee that that same person who seems so courageous has struggled with fear of some kind.
Because we all have fear… Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of missing out. Fear of rejection.
Fear comes in a thousand different forms and varieties and no one is immune.
It’s what we choose to do with our fear that will change the trajectory of our life.
We can freak out and run from it, we can be paralyzed by it, or we can face the fear head on and walk through it.
A commitment that has changed my life
8 days ago, I made this simple commitment. It’s changed my life.
It’s opened my eyes to the fact that I say a lot more negative words than I realized I did. So I’ve talked a lot less — which isn’t a bad thing. 😉
It’s also shown me that I spend a lot of time thinking negative thoughts or stressing over what appears to be a negative situation or purporting a negative perspective on a situation. This does nothing but waste time and cause discouragement. I’ve had a lot more brain space freed up because I’m refusing to dwell on negative thoughts.
I’ve been a whole lot happier because my focus is on the beautiful, wonderful, positive things in life. And I’m finding that I love life a whole lot more when I focus on those!