Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Menu Monday...on a Wednesday

I have been slacking in the blog department but I am hoping to get back in a routine pretty quick.  So here is my menu plan for this week...I really did make it on Sunday but just now got the chance to post it.

Monday
B: Smoothies
L: Salad with 2 TB of dressing; apple
D: Balsamic Chicken with spinach and cous cous (this was delish!)

Tuesday
B: Eggy Peek-a-boo Toast-Logan's favorite
L: BLAT's made with turkey bacon and avocado
D: Baked Tilapia (seasoned with a little salt, pepper and paprika), steamed broccoli and sauted red onions

Wednesday
B: Yogurt and a Banana
L: Grilled Chicken Salad (used leftover chicken from Balsamic Chicken recipe)
D: Roasted Veggie Lasagna-made with eggplant, roasted red peppers and whole wheat no boil noodles

Thursday
B: Toast with PB
L: Spicy Peanut Penne
D: Leftovers (Joe gets LO as I am going to visit grandma Nova)

Friday
Spending time with Grandma Nova-my plan is to watch my portions and avoid sugar

Saturday
B: Cereal
L/D: Not sure yet

Sunday
B: Oatmeal
L/D: Chicken Tortilla Soup-crockpot style

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wednesday Weigh-in: From Desperation to Determination

Accountability.  Sometimes that can be a scary word.  Accountability means opening up, being real with another person and allowing him/her to share in a part of your life that can be very personal.  I know personally, accountability forces me to be extremely vulnerable.  Allowing someone else to examine or keep track of what I am doing, opens me up to the possibility of public failure-which for me is one of the worst possible scenarios.  Fear of failure and fear of others knowing I have failed are two things that stress me out!  

As I continue to examine my life, I realize that accountability is not only important but it is essential.  Though it is scary to put myself out there at first, in the long run, accountability has actually been just what I need.  Leading the Made to Crave bible study has been a huge accountability partner!  I have 12 other women keeping me in check. =) 

Even the greatest of leaders needed accountability.  King David was a great king.  He walked closely with God; he was a mighty warrior and a gifted musician.  God had blessed him with so much yet he still felt deprived because he wanted the wife of another man.  As we know, David allowed his temptations to overtake him.  Each time he took a wife or a concubine, he made what he probably thought was a small compromise.  He probably thought, "No big deal" or "It can't hurt this one time."  But 7 wives later he was in a very different place.

With no accountability, each small compromising step David took, added up to a great distance away from God's heart.  It was in this place of desperation that David found himself taking what was not his, trying to cover it up and having a man killed.  Talk about displeasing God!  This is David we are talking about here!  The man who even God said, "I have found David, son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." (Acts 13:22)  But even David needed accountability in his life.  No one questioned his actions and he felt no reason to stop.  Even the greatest of leaders reap the consequences of a life lacking accountability.

We all need accountability in our lives.  Accountability doesn't mean we will never sin or mess up.  But it does help us fight harder against our struggles.  It also helps to know someone is there to help us get back up when we do fall. 

As Lysa points out in her book, King Solomon knew the the power of accountability:
  
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12


Who is holding you accountable? If you cannot name at least one person then it is time for you to find someone.  Ask someone to join you on your journey.  You will be glad you did.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wednesday Weigh-in: Fear

Our Made to Crave Bible study kicked off this past Sunday and we had a great turn out!  14 women have committed to this journey and I am so excited for us to be in this together!  Session #1 in the series is called From Deprivation To Empowerment.  In this session, Lysa shares about facing her battle with food head on.  This week, we are challenged daily to read the Made to Crave book and to dive into God's word.  One topic Lysa addersses on Day 2 is FEAR.

I had a conversation with one of the women in the class this week about FEAR.  You see this woman wants to lose weight and be healthy but she is afraid.  She is afraid of failing yet one more "diet."  She doesn't want to disappoint others and she doesn't want to disappoint herself.  This journey she is being called to seems insurmountable.  The road is long.  The burden is heavy.  Yet she wants to stick to it...but what if she can't do it.  What if she fails.  What if others see her fail.

This my friends is a defining moment!  I am not going to sugar coat anything here...This journey is tough.  The road is long and seems neverending.  The burden is overwhelming.  It is too much for one person.  And you are going to feel weak and tired.  There will be times when you feel empty because you are not using food to fill a void.  This is where God wants you.  He wants you in your weakness.  He "will boast all the more gladly in your weakness."  Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10!  Post it on you fridge, memorize it, tuck it away in your heart!

 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Some of you on this journey want to give up.  Many of you felt the fear of this journey hit you as soon as we started.  Open your hearts and your minds to the strength of the Lord.  Lean into him as you look toward a healthy future!  Remember the other women tackling this journey as they remember and pray for you this week.  You have been called to this journey...you can endure all things, you can conquer all things through Christ who strengthens you! 

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Toddler Tuesday: Kanow's Corn Maze

Last week we set out on a little adventure to Konow's Corn Maze.  Don't be fooled by the name, this place has tons of fun stuff to do for kids of all ages.  Logan had a great time with his friend Caleb on our fun adventure.  So here are some tips if you plan a trip to Konow's.





Young Toddler Friendly Fun...

The Corn Pit- Basically it is a giant sand box filled with corn kernels.  I will say that Logan was a little uneasy playing in the pit.  Had I jumped in with him he probably would have done better...but I wasn't too excited about corn dust going down my pants.



Indoor Pedal Tractor Track-This area is full of little and medium sized pedal tractors for smaller children.  Both boys loved to play on the tractors.  We would have probably stayed longer, however a few other kids came and got a little rowdy.


Straw Playground-This huge covered straw playground has lots of space to burrow through tunnels and climb around.  Little children needs lots of help to climb but it is really fun for them!



Cow Train Express-This silly little barrel train of cows was super fun!  We laughed through the entire ride.  Be sure to ride with your little ones as this train tops out at 8 mph.  We got to ride on Berniece!



Animal Barn-This was not a favorite place for our 18 month olds, but it is cute and really allows kids to get up close to mini ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and llamas (watch out they spit).



Jumping Pillow-The giant jumping pillow was very cool.  It is not the most ideal place for young toddlers, especially since there was a jr. high field trip happening while we were there.  But the boys did jump for a few minutes.  And Auntie Jodi had a blast (see below)!




Mechanical Bull Ride- Logan loved the Mechanical Bull Ride...Just kidding!

Other tips...
Be sure to pack your own lunch!  Konow's will allow you to bring in your own cooler of food.  They only serve concession stand food so to avoid high food prices with little nutritional value, I strongly suggest bringing your own lunch!

Go in the afternoon during the week.  From what we could tell, Konow's seems to be less crowded after lunch.  Also, I am assuming the weekends are pretty busy so try to stick to weekdays.

Print out coupons! Be sure to go to their website and print off coupons good for $1 off admission.  Children 2 and under are free. Once you pay all activities are free.

Hurry!-They are only open until October 30th so act fast!

Menu Monday: Oct. 3-Oct. 9

Sorry for the late posting.  Yesterday flew by and before I knew it I was ready to pass out in my bed.


Monday
Breakfast: Eggs with mushrooms, spinach and salsa
Lunch: M Star Asian veggie patty over baby spinach dressed w/ EVOO and Balsamic vinegar
Dinner: Veggie pizza on whole wheat crust
Snacks: Peach, Pretzel sticks and mustard

Tuesday
Breakfast: Yogurt with granola, Banana
Lunch: Salad; apples and grapes
Dinner: Baked Salmon, Butternut Squash, brown rice
Snacks: Apple with No Sugar Apple Dip

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad, LO Butternut squash
Dinner: Pasta
Snacks: Carrot sticks with homemade hummus, grapes

Thursday
Breakfast: Toast with PB and Apple Butter
Lunch: Tuna Salad on Crackers, peppers
Dinner: Pork Tacos-Slow Cooker, home cut fries
Snacks: yogurt, grapes

Friday
Breakfast: Eggs with eggplant and mushrooms
Lunch: Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Soup; and Quesadillas
Dinner: KidMin Children's Conference


Saturday
KidMin Children's Conference

Sunday
KidMin Children's Conference