Rebuild & Bloom

Hello friend!

At the beginning of 2017 God gave me two words over the year : Rebuild & Bloom.

Rebuild has meant starting at the foundation!
I now begin my day by reading the Bible, praying & turning on worship music. 
This "small" change has had BIG impacts on how the rest of my day now goes.

The more I grow in Christ, the more I realize :
I am solely a vessel for God to use to further His Kingdom!

My devotional this morning was all about how God comforts us through our afflictions (something that causes pain or suffering) so that we can be a comfort to others when they go through something similar.

Are you in the midst of a trial? 
I want to pray for you, offer words of encouragement, or just help you seek Jesus' most awesome comfort!

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love, 

He will rejoice over you with singing." 

Zephaniah 3:17

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, 

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

Joshua 1:9

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves."

Philippians 2:3

In a rut with your daily devotions?

Read a Proverb a day!! Take notes! 

"Their [the Proverbs] purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, 

to help them understand the insights of the wise.

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined

and successful lives, to help them do 

what is right, just, and fair."

Proverbs 1:2-3

"Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life."

Proverbs 4:23

"The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;

a wise person wins friends."

Proverbs 11:30

Married? Have kids? Are you a living, breathing human?

Here are a couple of my favorite verses...

"Kind words are like honey...

sweet to the soul

and healthy for the body.:

Proverbs 16:24

"For you have been called to live in freedom,

my brothers and sisters.

But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.

Instead, use your freedom

to serve one another in love."

Galatians 5:13

"Too much talk leads to sin.

Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."

Proverbs 10:19

My best encouragement is for you to really take an evaluation of your life.

Where is your number one priority?

Is it relationship with Jesus? Yes? Then keep on keeping on!

Is it anything other than Jesus? Yes? Then SEEK Jesus first, above everything else!

Vaya con Dios (Go with God),

Nicole

Love Languages for Kids

Here are the 5 love languages given by Gary Chapman : 

Words of Affirmation

Acts of Service

Receiving Gifts

Quality Time

Physical Touch

Do you know your child's love language?

Penelope is three and a half and it is extremely noticeable that words of affirmation is her top love language, followed closely by physical touch. Penny can wake up in a sour mood and all it takes are some compliments and a mini back-rub to turn her day around.

Lillian is two and I've caught on that her top love language is physical touch followed by quality time. In Lilly's perfect world we would spend an hour staring into each other's eyes while I hold her in my lap, allowing one of her hands to be on my chest while the other rests on her chest - all in silence of course. 

Children need love, lots and lots of love. 

I think it's very important that children are shown love in a variety of ways. 
But if you can pinpoint how they receive it best, do that love language most!


Words of Affirmation

• compliments
• encouragement
• positive reinforcement
• cautious of speaking in harsh tones

Acts of Service

• doing the tasks they can't do for themselves (when they're older do tasks for them that they have learned to do for themselves, but don't enable laziness)
• helping them practice sports, flash cards for tests, instruments, etc.
• teaching them the importance of serving others
• fix broken toys, sew buttons/tears/rips on clothing

Receiving Gifts

• homemade cards (spend time on a nice picture or words)
• small/inexpensive trinkets
• well thought out large/expensive gifts
• items from nature (rocks, leaves, etc.)

Quality Time

• Go on a one-on-one date
• Read books, make crafts, adventure outside, play
• Put away distractions, get on their level, and just BE with them (for at least a half hour)
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage conversation 

Physical Touch

• hugs
• hand on shoulder
• hold hands
• back/foot/hand rubs

Us parents have the difficult task of shaping and raising future generations.  

 Thankfully, the Beatles make it sound easy when they say, "all you need is love."

They still bring up this "magical adventure meal"
when they got to eat in the window seat
because we sold our dining table.

Love well, friends! 
Love well!

Gyro Meatball Bowl

Super Gyro Meatball Bowls

Ingredients

For the Meatballs
• 2 lbs ground lamb
• 1 Tbsp Super Gyro spice blend (or 1 tsp each marjoram, thyme and garlic powder)
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 C almond flour
For the Tzatziki sauce
• 1 C plain coconut milk yogurt, grass-fed greek yogurt or mashed avocado
• 1/4 C cucumber, diced very fine
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped fine
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
For the Bowl
• 3 zucchini, spiralized
• Super Gyro Meatballs (above)
• Chopped fresh dill
• Cucumber slices
• Super Gyro Spices for garnish
• Crumbled organic feta cheese (optional)
• Other toppings of choice as desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix by hand the meat, spices, eggs and almond flour. Form into 1 1/2" meatballs.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown top and bottom of meatballs, about two minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet.
4. When every meatball is browned, bake for 9 minutes in the oven until cooked to medium. 
5. Meanwhile bring a pot of water to boil. Blanch spiralized zucchini for 30 seconds, then strain.
6. In a small bowl, stir together tzatziki sauce ingredients until thoroughly mixed.
7. To assemble bowl, start with zucchini noodles, then add meatballs, sauce, dill, feta and cucumber. 

Notes

Don't be afraid to play with toppings! Other choices here that would be excellent include diced tomatoes, avocado, olives, and pickled onions 

http://realeverything.com/super-gyro-meatball-bowls/

***I followed this recipe except for the meatballs; as our local store didn't have lamb. I ran out of time to thaw ground beef. So, I ended up finding a ground turkey meatball at Walmart. 

***I would also add that the zoodles were only enough for Zach & myself. And the sauce is a plenty! 

Butternut Squash Breakfast Hash

Butternut Squash Breakfast Hash

Ingredients:
cubed butternut squash
a dash of cinnamon
a dash of cumin
salt & pepper
tomatoes (diced)
avocado (diced)
a handful of spinach

Directions:
1. Drizzle olive oil in your pan and heat on medium high.
2. Sauté the squash (sprinkled with cinnamon, cumin, salt & pepper) until tender (about 15 minutes).
3. Add in tomatoes - then avocado - then spinach.
4. Serve with your choice of egg (I do fried).
*I also ate this with bacon.*

Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl

Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1lb ground pork
1/2 tsp ginger
salt & pepper to taste
1 small head of cabbage
1 carrot (chopped)
1 zucchini (chopped)
1/2 a head of cauliflower (chopped)
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

Directions:
1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
2. Add garlic. Sauté until garlic is fragrant.
3. Add ground pork, ginger, salt & pepper. Sauté until pork is cooked through.
4. Add remaining ingredients and cook until the cabbage is tender.

I had already made a shredded pork roast so I used that instead of ground pork.
I had turned the cauliflower into "rice" already, so I used that.

This recipe is adapted from :
http://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/pork-egg-roll-in-a-bowl-crack-slaw-paleo-low-carb-whole30/

Tips & Tricks to Help Your Budget!

Ever since I became a full-time stay-at-home mom I realized how much we waste on the daily.

Finally, I decided to make tons of small conscious decisions and suddenly I noticed big changes in our budget.

10 small things I do that impact our budget in BIG ways!

1. I cut our sponges!

    Exactly how it sounds: I take scissors and cut our dish sponges in 1/2 or 1/4's.

    

2. I keep minimal cleaning supplies!

    I have two spray bottles : 

1-a couple drops of dawn dish soap then fill with warm water. 

2-a couple drops of dawn dish soap, a 1/2 cap of bleach, then fill with warm water. 

    A Dollar Tree toilet bowl cleaner called The Works.

    Bar Keepers Friend for the extra grimy.

3. I keep paper towels out of sight!

    Out of sight, out of mind. It really works for us! We end up using less, so we spend less.

4. I always try the store brand!

    I have one exception, I won't compromise on our toilet paper. 

    I have found for the most part it's the same product you're just paying more for the brand/label. 

5. I meal plan!

    Also, I never go to the grocery store hungry. 

6. I shower every other day!

7. I try not to put makeup on unless I know we're going somewhere!

    Using less make-up = purchasing less often!

8. Laundry :

    I bought a hanging rack and have an outdoor clothes line for the summer months.

    I made my own dryer balls but wasn't satisfied with how they turned out, so I want to buy some

    and see if they make a difference. 

9. I try to only go out for errands once a week.

    I love driving, but I knew we needed to save on gas. 

    I map out my route so I'm not driving back-and-forth across town.

10. I thrift shop first.

     If there is something we need I head to the thrift stores. If I can't find it there then I'll buy new.

Do you have any tips or tricks to share? 

Happy budgeting!

Nicole

Encouraging Others

Hello all!

It seems to be the trend that "2016 was a horrible year."
I hope you can look back and at least see a few positives.
Let's work toward looking back at 2017 and calling it at least a "good" year.

I often think, there is no way I could get through 

'this' 

if it weren't for my relationship with Jesus.

Some of my friends went through big trials last year, I sent encouraging words to them and wanted to compile the list.

If you ever find yourself in a tough spot I hope you remember this blog post & read a couple of these bible verses &/or quotes and feel a little peace.
Or if a friend is going through something you can point them this way, or copy some of these encouraging words to share with them.


Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 46: 5 God is within her, she will not fail.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, you have only to be silent.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 29:6 Jesus looked at them and said, "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Psalm 4:8 In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.

"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides come out, and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction." Cynthia Occelli

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." Dolly Parton

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Keep your head up, keep your heart strong.

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness in front of them into light, and level out the rough ground. This is what I will do for them. I will not abandon them.

Peace, love & joy,

Nicole