2-4-6-8 Who Do We Appreciate??

Ahh....I can't seem to keep up with this blog. I have to get better. I really am trying! Everyday, I think about what I want to write...and then I never get to it. Oh well.

I have been reading a FANTASTIC book by Elyse Fitzpatrick, called "Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety." Sometimes I think she wrote it just for me! I am so thankful for this book. It is teaching me to think in new ways. It is teaching me to have better control of my thoughts (I didn't even know that you could have control of your thoughts...but that is for another post). And all of that is very EXCITING for an over-thinker.

A few weeks ago, I read her thoughts on Appreciation. We all want it. How many times have you been cleaning your kitchen sink, folding laundry, or doing a menial task for someone else and start thinking thoughts like, "why am I doing this?" or "I hate doing this" or "why doesn't so and so appreciate me for doing this?" or my personal favorite, "why doesn't so and so THANK me for doing the task that I am doing right now?" It makes the task you are doing that much more lame when you have those thoughts.

Here are some scriptures/words of wisdom from Elyse Fitzpatrick on the subject:

*God has called me to be a servant, not a queen who is owed adoration or praise. (Luke 22:26)

*I have been commanded to love and appreciate others, not to be love or appreciated (John 13 and 15; 2 Corinthians 2:8)

*Since others have been commanded to love me, I must seek to make their task easy by serving and caring for them (Matthew 22:38-40).

*My desire for the praise of man is just that: a desire. It isn't a need. Everything that I truly need has been given to me in Christ (Luke 12:29-30; 2 Peter 1:2-4).

*I need to be focused more on being thankful for what the Lord and others have done for me (Psalm 28:7)

*I must seek to lay down my life in response to God's lovingkindness (Luke 9:23-24)

*The desire for praise is an avenue for sin that I must guard against (the book of Esther, Matthew 27:18)

*When I believe that I need praise, appreciate, or acceptance from others I become enslaved to their opinions. That slavery will hinder my ability to speak the truth in love to them (John 12:42-43).

I encourage you to read the verses that go along with these statements. Because the verses really seal the deal on this concept.

I never thought about how the need to feel appreciated goes hand in hand with being concerned (or fearing/worrying) what others think of you. And that verse in 2 Peter--God really does supply us with all that we need.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

I hope that you are encouraged by these verses. And the next time you are serving someone by taking out the trash, ironing a shirt (uh...i don't iron at all), keeping your part of the bathroom clean--whatever it is you struggle doing with a servant's heart--try to remember some of these thoughts.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

Weeknight Coq Au Vin

I know...I am a slacker. What can I say? things got busy.

I have not really been interested in chicken thighs and drumsticks....but I finally saw a recipe that looked interesting...so I thought I would try it out.

The results were super fabulous!

Weeknight Coq Au Vin is very easy to make....

potpourri

for the few people that actually check in here every so often, sorry that i have been neglecting even my flavor fridays.

here is something for that:

Black Bean Tomato Soup and Quesadillas

I made this meal again tonight and it was great. I recommend going easy on the chili powder. And you could serve Margaritas if you wanted to get really crazy...or if you are able to drink them.

I also had this revelation that quesadillas are freaking easy to make. Out of all the things I cook, how have I not made these before? It could not be easier. Faster than a grilled cheese sandwich even. Amazing.

**

Transitioning to solid foods with Peter has been more of an adjustment for me than for him I think. I knew the whole adage about how just when you are used to a certain routine the kid changes it up on you. I think I forgot about it....I couldn't quite figure out how his new schedule should look like and I suffered through a couple of frustrating days when I couldn't get it quite right. Thanks to the help of some dear friends that are probably tired of hearing me update them on his status, things are going a lot better.

We're up to 3 meals of solids a day now and he is doing great....I am sure things will change again soon. But for the moment, I am enjoying the steadiness.

**

Have you thought about how great God's forgiveness is? Maybe you haven't thought about it today...or maybe you haven't thought about it for awhile. But His mercies are so wonderful. The fact that He has offered us a way out, that He has provided us with a Savior....I know that it sounds simple and that this is such a basic tenet of Christianity.

But seriously...have you thought about how awesome it is that God forgives us when we fall short? I pray that I can truly appreciate His forgiveness for me some day. I don't think it has quite hit me yet...I have been reading Psalm 51 a lot recently and also listening to a series from Dr. B on the heart. I was reminded last night that God does not delight in sacrifice. He just wants our broken hearts. There is nothing I can bring to Him. Except my brokenness.

...i pray that those that read this will be able to appreciate God's forgiveness....and accept it. for me that is the hardest part I think....

**

very excited that we are going on our first vacation together as a family. it will be a short and sweet trip but much needed. thankful that we have already had some opportunities in the past few months to take baby p on "sleepovers" so I already am confident that he will do pretty well sleeping in another location....

.....that's all i have got for now...will try to re-dedicate myself to keeping this thing more current.

Flavor Friday

It has been a busy week here...I made something new, but I didn't really like how it turned out...so I won't promote it here. I have got a couple of yummy stuff planned out for next week that I am already excited over!

Company is in town for the weekend which means a lot of cooking but I will be making our favorite things so that is fine. I have already posted much of what I am making this weekend...

So, is it lazy of me to confess what my favorite frozen pizza is as of late? You can pick it up at Trader Joe's (sorry to those foreign readers). It is called Pizza Parlano...it is yummy! I make it when we have had a long day and I just don't have time or inclination to do some cooking.

....enjoy your weekend...I hope it is not full of labor...but full of relaxation...

Flavor Friday

little late here but who will notice....this sandwich is awesome....

artichoke bacon chicken salad sandwich

it is easy and you can make it in advance. and for those that don't like rosemary, you can ditch that and it will still taste good.

Flavor Friday

Pesto is great, because it is easy. Mash up a bunch of basil and garlic and you are set. But what about adding pistachios? Pistachios are a beloved nut in our household, so when I came upon this recipe, I knew it was going to be a must. Any excuse to get pistachios into the main entree!

I followed another suggested menu from Cooking Light. It suggested to serve the Fusili with Pistachio Pesto with melon and garlic bread. The melon really complemented the flavors in the pesto. And it took no cooking, which was nice.

It was a nice summer meal....enjoy!

Flavor Friday

I am not sure if this meal tasted so good because it was shared with dear friends, or if it was just freakin awesome.....but seriously. If you have not put sweet potatoes in the oven for 25 minutes at 425 degrees...you are missing out!!

Cooking Light often puts together a suggested menu--so I went with their suggestion this week and the result was a super delicious result....

Spiced Chops with Mango-Mint Salsa
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sauteed Baby Spinach

Game Plan
1. While oven preheats: cut potatoes, and coat with spice mixture.
2. While potatoes bake: prepare salsa, cook pork, saute spinach.

Spiced Chops with Mango-Mint Salsa
Allspice and mango bring Caribbean flair to this dish. The salsa, redolent of mint, also packs a bit of heat thanks to a dusting of crushed red pepper. A Jamaican beer, such as Red Stripe, would complement this meal.

TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES

Flavor Tip: To tweak the taste of the salsa, use lime juice and rind instead of lemon. Or substitute chopped papaya for the mango, or if you prefer; look for ripe, golden-yellow papaya that yields slightly to finger pressure.

1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
4 (4oz) boneless center cut loin pork chops, trimmed
cooking spray
1 1/2 cups finely chopped peeled mango
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over pork.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done.
3. Combine mango and remaining 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Serve with pork. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 pork chop and about 1/3 cup salsa)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Cut 2 (8oz) peeled sweet potatoes in half lengthwise; cut each half lengthwise into 6 wedges. Combine sweet potatoes, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper in a bowl; toss gently to coat. Place wedges on a baking sheet, baking at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or till tender.

When I made these, it seemed like 25 minutes was just right--although some of the pieces were a little brown.