Restart Day 4

Alright, I've made it to where I made it the first time with this 30 day challenge. Here's hoping I can go farther this time and finish.

The past 2.5 weeks I've been helping Quentin install a landscaping job for some people from church. It's fun watching it come together! We're still not finished yet, but we're getting there. I'll hopefully have a picture when it's done. :)
Through helping with this planting job, I've learned a lot of new plant varieties, such as sunshine ligustrum and spiked speedwell. I've also learned that I am not a slow gardener. By the time I plant one plant, Quentin is finishing his third. It's cool how fast he can plant things. He does a great job too! One day I might be fast and careful, but right now I'm just careful.

Restart Day 3

Why not do a random fact Wednesday? I did those a while ago, and haven't been keeping up. So, random fact: I don't use shampoo. Instead I use a mix of  baking soda and water. And instead of conditioner, I use apple cider vinegar mixed with water and some lavender essential oil. (the oil overpowers the vinegar smell) This saves me money on buying shampoo, and it's better for my hair too 'cause it doesn't have any added chemicals. Might sound weird, but I like it - it makes my hair soft. :)

Another random fact: Today on my TimeHop app, it said that the song Jingle Bells was written 158 years ago. I didn't know it was that old. I still sing it sometimes at Christmas, and hear it on the radio. Guess it is a true classic.

Restart Day 2

Autumn is coming! We've slept with the windows open the past 2 nights, and haven't run the a/c. This cool weather is my favorite!

In other news, Quentin and I are house hunting. We've seen 8 houses so far, and I don't think any of them are quite the right one for us even though we have really liked a few. But we're not giving up. We know the God has the right house for us somewhere, even if it means staying in our apartment for another year to wait for the house to be on the market. I will keep you updated on our search. :)

Restart Day 1

I missed a day already, so I'm starting back at day 1. I'm gonna get through this time!

I like taking recipes and experimenting with modifications. Sometimes they don't turn out so good, like the time I made lemon bread using dates instead of sugar and applesauce instead of oil. (one word: doughy) But other times they turn out great, like a cookie recipe I tried.

Doesn't it look yummy?

Here's the original recipe, from cupcakesomg.blogspot.com

1 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Place by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.


And, here is my variation. Same mixing instructions, just slightly different ingredients.

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup honey
1 flax egg (1 Tbls. ground flax seed mixed with 3 Tbls. water, let sit for 2 minutes)
1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

You should try out both recipes some time. :) And have fun experimenting with your own recipe modifications!

Day 4

Last night we went to a parenting class with our church, 'cause it's never too early to start getting prepared. Seriously. A few couples there said, "I wish we would have gone to a class like this before we had kids." We are blessed to be able to get guidance before kids.

One thing that stood out to me was that the Bible is not a manual for parenting, it is a framework. God never goes into detail about how you should raise your children. He gives you guidelines. Then He gives you wisdom when you ask for it in prayer - wisdom to know the more specific ways you can/should raise the children He gives you. Aside from the guidelines in Scripture, there is no "right way" to be a parent.

This comes as a relief, 'cause I know I don't have to do everything "right", but it also is intimidating 'cause I know I have to figure things out when the time comes. However, I have hope knowing that God will show me the best way to raise children and the grace to do it too, if I come to Him and ask for help.

God is good!

Day 3

One year ago today, I bought my wedding dress. Hard to believe it's been a whole year - seams like only a few months ago. It only took a little over 2 hours to find the perfect dress for me. My consultant did a great job!

When I picked out my dress 1 year ago, that's when I started feeling like I was actually going to get married. I thought "Oh my goodness, this is really happening!" It was a good feeling. :)

Day 2

I've been reading a book called Trusting God, which is very helpful. It helped me see that I have a lot of growing to do in this area - I tend to be anxious instead of trusting Him. Here's a quote from the book.

"We are in the hands of a sovereign God who controls every circumstance of our lives and who rejoices in doing us good (see Jeremiah 32:41)."
"God does have a purpose and a plan for you, and God has the power to carry out that plan."
"Because we know God is directing our lives to an ultimate end and because we know He is sovereignly able to orchestrate the events of our lives toward that end, we can trust Him."

This is so encouraging! :)

30 day challenge - day 1

I'm challenging myself to post something on this blog for 30 days in a row. Not just a meaningless "here's my post for today", but something worthwhile. If I miss a day, I start over. We'll see how this goes.

So, you know how when you use a juicer, there's a lot of vegetable/fruit "meat" leftover? I've come up with two yummy ideas to use the pulp/flesh/meat instead of throwing it in the trash.
1) Mix it with some oats and seasonings, squish it together, form a round patty, and fry it in a pan on the stove. Now you have a veggie burger!
2) Mix in some seasonings, stir-fry it with oil, and add it to rice or noodles (by itself is great too). Voila, healthy, tasty vegetable stir-fry.

You could probably use it in bread as well, like for zucchini or carrot bread, just be sure to squeeze out any excess juice first.

Have fun juicing! :)