| Recipe Card | Ginger Glazed Carrots

I love finding new recipes for basic everyday veggies.....not only are basic veggies budget friendly, but they are kid friendly too.

I will often grab the GIANT bag of organic baby carrots from Costco and some weeks its a marathon to get through them.

Here is a simple and delicious way to jazz up everyday carrots.  It only takes a few minutes to prepare and it is a nice spin on plain ol' carrots.  

I will often serve these carrots if I am doing and indian flavoured dish (butter chicken) or something with a strong curry flavour.

Ginger Glazed Carrots

1 pound of carrots - cut into sticks (or use the baby carrots)

2 Tbsp butter

1/4 Cup brown sugar

1/2 Tsp ground ginger

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp OJ

Cook carrots in boiling water for two minutes, meanwhile, cream butter, sugar and ginger - cook until melted and bubbly. Add carrots and stir well to coat.  Saute for two minutes, add soy sauce and OJ and cook for 1-2 minutes over high heat until mixture is almost gone.

YUMMO!

Enjoy,

*L.

| Recipe Card | Sunshine Muffins

We're home from our whirlwind trip to Toronto to celebrate Matt's sister's wedding (more on that SOON!)...sadly, we returned to a house full of sickies....poor Emma had been suffering with a tummy bug since Thursday night and Madelyne just started complaining of tummy pains the morning we returned.

Since we were home bound and taking it easy, I did a bit of baking yesterday afternoon while most of the house napped.

Here is a super easy muffin recipe I use often....I take no credit for the recipe...it's those ladies at "Best of Bridge" who came up with this winner:

Sunshine Muffins

Cut up one large orange into eight pieces (the rind & all)...I love this because you're getting all the good vitamins this way!

 Toss the orange pieces in your blender, then add one egg, 1/4 cup oil and 1/2 cup orange juice.

BLEND!!!!

Mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt. The recipe says you can combined dry ingredients and add to blender, maybe if you have a super-sonic blender this will work but my blender doesn't particularly like this idea - so, I just dump the wet into the dry (*and all the true bakers out there GASP!*) 

And stir to combine...the recipe calls for raisins and/or nuts - our family preference is dried cranberries.  They add a nice tang and some colour too.

So, toss in whatever you fancy...nuts, raisins, dried cranberries, etc....about 1/2 cup each.

Spoon into muffin cups and bake at 375* for 15-20 minutes.

And in just a few minutes fresh baked muffins that are sure the disappear in a jiffy! 

Ours are almost gone already.

Hope you enjoy!

*L.

I Can't Believe I Said THAT!

I have to admit, I shocked myself not to long ago with a phrase of words that came out of my mouth, maybe you can relate, maybe not, nonetheless, here it goes:

I was talking with my amazing MIL in the phone one night and sharing with her some of the struggles we're currently facing with one of our kids.  She is an awesome mom and grandma, filled with faith and probably has the same level of patience that Jesus had for his *oh so human* disciples....honestly...she is amazing and so wise.

It was during the conversation that I said a phrase I NEVER thought I'd say:

"I'd take the sleepless nights over THIS right now!"  

GAHHH, me, the girl who could sleep 12 hours a night, ready and willing to give it up in trade for a reprieve from some of the parenting woes you face as your kids grow up and start spending more time in a day at school with their teacher, and with their friends, than with you.  

It's not easy - duhhh - got that memo a while ago.....but there are sure days it wears you out.  Guess that's why when you have a baby you really have no clue what your in for! God's got a great sense of humour, hey!?

Today in my Women by Design class we talked about endurance...to keep on going, to persevere, to sustain, to have patience.....all of which are MUST have attributes in life and in parenting. 

So be encouraged today, have to patience and perseverance to finish well.  Cling to HIM for all you need in that situation that is pushing you to your limits.  I know I am.

Catching Up

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I am playing catch up on a few posts from the last couple weeks.  

I have been MIA in blogland the last while, but for very good reason; I look forward to sharing some great projects I'm working on with you soon!

I the mean time I have posted, and backdated, two posts for my Women By Design class, just to keep them in order.  

Here's the link to my review of Chapter 3 & 4 in "Can I Have and Do it All, Please?"

Here's the link to my review of Chapter 5 in "Can I Have and Do it All, Please?"

There are some great truths in these chapters, I know my recap is no where near reading the book first hand, but it will give you an idea and hopefully some food for thought.

If you're interested in reading the book let me know, I'm sure I can get a hold of a copy to lend you.

I'm off to finish getting organized for a special 2nd birthday party for my favourite boy.

Have a great Friday!

Lisa

Friday Fabulous | Chicken Enchiladas

Here's a great recipe for chicken enchiladas...its a family favourite in our house and is loved by both kids and adults.

This recipe works well as a make ahead freezer meal; great if you ever do a "big cook" or "once a month cooking."  I have also made a double batch of this recipe and given half away to friends.

I had photos of the step by step assembly but for some reason my photos will not load.  Gah! Technology is making me crazy this week!

| Chicken Enchiladas |

Mix:
3/4 C. cream cheese
3/4 C. sour cream
3/4 C. salsa
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder

Then Add:
1 1/2 C. shredded cheese
1/3 C. green onion
1/3 C. parsley
5 chicken breasts cooked and cubed

Extra Notes:
To add extra spice, add one more tsp chili powder and one tsp red pepper flakes.
I usually use three large chicken breasts and find its more than enough chicken.
I will also layer in fresh spinach to up the vegetable and vitamin quota.

* Spray bottom of 9"x13" pan with PAM
* Layer spinach and filling in tortillas and roll
* Place in pan close together
* Top with salsa and grated cheese
* Bake at 350* for about 20 minutes - or until hot and bubbly

Makes 8-10 enchiladas

Serve with a fresh green salad.

| Can I Have & Do It All, Please? | Chapter 5

In the true theme of this week's chapter, simplicity, this recap is going to be short, sweet and simple.

Do you have those days, or weeks, that blur into one another? I know I do! Do you put more pressure on yourself that anyone else does? (yep, hello!)  Do you feel so busy but don't feel like you're getting anywhere?  Well, maybe this chapter is just for you!

"Our lives are full of activity but with little forward motion or progress.  Inevitably, our friends, families, colleagues and often God, bear the brunt of our over committed lifestyles."

Christine Caine - pg 86

Ultimately, Jesus modelled the perfect example of simplicity when he summed up the Mosaic Laws into two simple commandments:

* Love GOD

* Love your neighbour

Simplifying isn't always easy, nor is it fun.  It means looking at your life through different eyes and being critical of what you do, why you do it and what type of reward it brings.

Don't get me wrong, its not really the quantity of things we're doing, but instead, its more the types of things we're doing.  Maybe you can ask yourself the following questions when you look at your commitments:

* what is the purpose behind this?

* how much time is it monopolizing?

* is it creating an eternal reward? 

* does it align with God's commandments?

Now we don't need to over spiritualize things, from a physical perspective maybe there are things you just need to let go of.  Do you colour coordinate you sock drawer or vacuum three times a day...well, maybe there's a bit of room there to simplify and free up some time for greater things.

Here are a few things Christine Caine suggests as a way to simplify and stay spiritually fit:

* Breathe

* Learn to Say NO

* Be Yourself

* Trust God 

* Let Go of the Past

Take courage, start simplifying and start enjoying life more!

| Change by Choice Isn't Any Easier |

Hello Lovelies! 

I hope this week has been kind to you...three days in and I'm feeling a little beat up...and a little tired.

Ya know, those weeks where the memory stick with all your back-up files dies and there's no hope of reviving it.  That was the kick off to my Monday. Ouch!

Anyways, the rest of the pain I'm whining about is mostly my own fault and by choice...but no one said change was easy, right?

This week in my class we are talking about "simplicity" and focusing on the things that matter.  Last week we talked about "value" and "purpose" - so, on the heels of those topics - and God really speaking to me - I'm making some big changes to what I do, why I do it and how I do things.

Geesh, the labor pains are the hardest part...the final results are the big reward.

Here's to the big reward!