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Avocado Fried Egg

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 16 January, 2014 No comment

Avocado fried eggs are incredible. I saw I picture of an avocado with an egg inside. “Brilliant” I thought to myself. I filled the center full of eggs and baked them to perfection. I topped them with a beautiful kale and roma tomato garnish.

Avocado Fried Eggs:

4 avocados
4 eggs
¾ cup chopped roma tomatoes
1 cup chopped kale
Dash of EVOO
Dash of Salt and Pepper

Split and pit avocados and place in a greased 8×8 baking dish. Break avocado a titch to allow a bigger hole for the egg and scoop egg into center.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes depending on your preference of cooked egg. Turn to broil and broil for 1 minute until the top browns slightly.

Meanwhile chop roma tomatoes and kale and mix with evoo, salt and pepper. Top Avocado fried eggs with this garnish and serve with hash browns and toasted English Muffin Bread.

Very simple yet very delicious.

Temptation

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 15 January, 2014 No comment

“I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Romans 7:18-19

How do we take hold of this formidable force of self-control to not live a life dominated by failure? Titus 2 explains a list of temptations to flee that result in gaining self-control. If we gain self-control, we can conquer life’s formidable choices that we believe takes away everything we enjoy in life. If we exercise self-control we begin to believe the essence of life has slipped through our fingers. We no longer have ‘control’ over our life.

This is actually the exact opposite, self-control is the beginning of life. If we can walk in a blameless dignity, we are enabling ourselves to meet our goals, declining the sinful temptations to unfold the depths of our soul to bring pure happiness. Without self-control we will all succumb to life’s evil rulings; sex, drugs, alcohol, greed and much more. We are built to feel wanted, accepted and good enough. We all are on a search to find the answers, whether that is faith, money, sex, drugs, food or gambling we are hunting and will devour our prey as soon as we can wrap our hands around it. We will seek and find but it’s what we find that will determine our destiny to be glorious or painful.

We are to flee temptations, not simply turn away or walk away but RUN away and flee from temptation. We are weak, feeble beings that end up conquered by our greatest fears if we are not continually, daily, moment by moment seeking the face of Christ to not succumb to our selfishness.

All of our choices drastically affect our family, friends, and people we encounter on a daily basis. What seems to be small sins for us end up ruining our life and have much larger consequences than what we had thought to be. We believe our selfishness is solely selfish, when reality is, it changes the lives of those we love and walk with. Did you hear that? Our selfishness dramatically effects the lives of those we love and walk with. That’s a powerful statement. Our selfishness is our own desires that will spread throughout the lives of our children, spouse, family, friends, co-workers, and even acquaintances. We impact history on some level or another.

For example remember a year and a half ago when the shooting took place in Aurora, Colorado and 12 people were shot at the Movie Theatre while watching “The Dark Night Rises?” 70 people were seriously injured, within those 82 people (which is a lot) all of them had families, friends and co-workers that were highly influenced on some level or another. History changed that night while that man decided to act on temptation; misery overtook him. History was forever changed in hundreds of lives.

Flee temptation and run rapidly to Christ! Ask and plead with the Lord to not succumb to the misery we create on ourselves and those we love.

Sweet baby and Me

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 14 January, 2014 No comment

I can’t get enough of him.

Deal or No Deal?

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 14 January, 2014 No comment

Costco is great, but there are some things there that simply aren’t a better deal. I am going to help organize your grocery list. I have three stores that are on my list every other week. Come pay day I head out on my shopping extravaganza with my meal plans prepared for two weeks and my grocery list in hand. I will do my big grocery shopping for two weeks at a time and then here and there step a foot into the store within those two weeks for produce.

Costco Deal:

Eggs (5 dozen for $7.88)
½ and ½ (1/2 gallon for $3.29)
Milk (2 gallons of homogenized milk; no hormones added) (Whole Milk for $5.09)
Frozen Chicken (Foster Farms) ($21 for 15 pounds)
Rotisserie Chicken (Largest chicken out there with the most meat; no hormones added $4.99)
Bulk Boxed Butter (4 cartons for $7, great for freezing)
Salami Slices (2 for $10, more ounces than any other store)
Produce (Kale, spinach, cucumbers, grapes, Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, etc)
Carnivore lovers (if you want pure meat with no added hormones, their fresh poultry section is fabulous)
Chicken/beef Better Than Bouillon ($3.99)
Canned Diced Tomatoes, olives, kidney beans ($5-7)
Honey ($12 the best deal by far)
Coffee (Kirkland Symmatra Blend 1.5 lbs for $14.99)
Chips (Large than family size for $4.99)
Snack Nuts
Bread
Shredded cheese (freeze and use as needed)
Sea Salt and Pepper grinder
Toilet paper
Almond Butter (Best deal by far $7 for 26oz vs $5.99 for 8-12oz)

Costco No Deal:

Certain frozen foods; snack foods
Cooking Nuts (buy from bins rather than Costco)
Unbleached Flour (buy from bins)
Adult clothing for the most part
Appliances (depending on the product and the sale at the time)

Winco/New Seasons:

Bins:

Flour
Nuts
Spices
Pasta
Dried fruit
Bread Crumbs

Trader Joes

Mustard- they have the best mustards for dipping
Salsa- they also have really great salsa without preservatives
Cheese- Fred Meyer and Trader Joes have the best deals on cheese
Healthy Snack food options- as healthy as you can get for snack foods
Condiments as you will not necessarily need bulk for these items.

If you have enough room in your freezer it’s great to purchase in bulk, but for perishable items that seem to be a better deal will probably go to waste. Frozen snack food such as chicken bakes, ravioli, taquitos and so forth end up being the same price, just bulk items. Stay clear of snack items as you will need to watch your waist line because they seem to be a fabulous price. :) Just because the price seems great, don’t always spend the money cause the pressure to eat it before it goes bad will soon catch up to your jean size. Instead, choose the healthier options such as frozen beans and corn as they taste fresh and not frozen.

Costco honestly has really good deals and I have begun to purchase most my produce from Costco as they have organic deals and mixed greens for $4.99 for triple the size than Wal-Mart for $4.88. You will need to evaluate the amount of produce you go through to make the decision of whether Costco has the best deal without it going to waste. I use Costco primarily and then head to Winco or New Seasons for their bins and Trader Joes for items I love but cant find else where.

Making your grocery list for the meal plans becomes the best, honest way to shop for deals and what you know you need rather than want. I’m so big on my ‘lists’ that I don’t purchase much snack foods. My husband kept commenting on the lack of snack food in our house to the point we made a special trip last night to Costco to purchase snacks he would enjoy. :)

Stick to your lists. I shop every 2 weeks with a couple quick runs for produce to the store within those two weeks. I do this for a couple reasons. If you make your meal plans you keep variety within your dinners rather than getting stuck in those ruts. You also are sticking to your grocery budget and avoid spending more time than we prefer at the market.

Try this method and let me know how it works for you. Especially those of you with kids, I believe you will be amazed how much less time you spend driving to the store with your children.

Mommy and Me Time

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 12 January, 2014 No comment

I had a girlfriend ask me this morning for new activities to do with her 18 month old. She said she feels as though she gets stuck in a rut and the same routine can become challenging for her active little girl.

I decided to compile a list of structured activities that I do with my 18 month old. Here are a few:

Coloring: Cooper enjoys scribbling and most of all putting the cap on and off. I try and draw a picture and explain what I’ve drawn; sun, water, birds, grass, trees etc.

Sorting “puff” balls by colors. You can get them at the dollar store.

Kitchen bowls filled with different items i.e. different beans and pasta.
Letting them stir these items and transfer to different size bowls helps them feel as if they are involved while you cook. You can also use three or four different Tupperware containers that they can match the lids to as well.
Allowing your child to help bake with you.
Yes it becomes messy but is very enjoyable for them. I was rolling out pizza crust and Cooper sat on the counter playing with the flour. Mind you the kitchen looked as if a snow storm hit. It was actually really fun to watch him “measure” the flour.
Playing with my button jar. I have a jar full of buttons for decoration but Cooper has turned it into a toy. :)
This allows him to see different sizes and learn colors. Also teaches him how to sort and place them back in the jar

Playing with his farm
Learning which sound goes with which animal.

Water sensory activities
Fill a shallow tub with water and let your child play with different objects while not being immersed in the water.
Letting your little one help “fold” clothes or put them into the washing machine or dryer. Cooper enjoys handing me the clothes that I am folding and he enjoys me handing him socks or shirts to stuff into the dryer or washer.
Shapes and sizes. If you have a toy that is for matching shapes or wooden puzzles this helps them feel like they accomplished the task.

Just a few ideas! I used to teach at a Montessori school and engaging the children as young as 9 months made me realize how young children can be in order to comprehend activities that seem beyond their age. Every child is different and every child will learn at their own pace, but engaging them in activities helps you learn what they are soaking in.

The little children at the Montessori school were able to sit at a table and chair for meal time. They knew if they got up their food would be taken from them which reinforced them to stay sitting if they were hungry. We also taught sign language for basic concepts such as: please, thank you, all done, more and eat. I’ve taught this to Cooper and it has been entirely helpful.

The whole concept of Montessori thinking is to engage our children at a young age to do it on their own, ask for help and be creative with their toys and imagination. I agree with parts of the Montessori thinking and think some of the ideas are very productive while others can be, well- shall we say simply not my style. Every parent has to learn what is best for them and their child.

All in all I have noticed that routine can be challenging for our little toddlers when it comes to toys. They want to be played with, learn how to “do what we do,” and have different activities on different days.

Baby Weight Gain

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 10 January, 2014 No comment

This morning on Good Morning America there was a clip about Alyssa Milano and her weight gain of 55 pounds during her pregnancy. She was bashed by comedian Jay Mohr expressing that she “just doesn’t care.” He used some profanity while sharing his “feelings?” He did apologize later when Alyssa addressed him about it and said he went too far. But whose to judge and why do people do it? We are out to make ourselves “feel better” and more empowered.

This drives me to the brink of insanity especially coming from a man. No man could handle a pregnancy; gaining weight, mood changes, exhaustion, back pain, and nausea. Oh and a little thing called labor which requires a women to push a baby into the arms of their doctor. There are many times I do wish men could experience what we go through as they will never gain a full understanding on what it takes to create a little baby; a life is created.

There is a massive disconnect when it comes to pregnancy, unfortunately men simply can’t understand what takes place. Even though men can’t full gain knowledge over this circumstance, they still can support and watch the transition through 9 months of what the human body experiences. My husband was great! He couldn’t feel my pain, my nausea or my utter exhaustion but he was able to support me and take care of me while I journeyed through the unknown path called pregnancy.

All this to say, some people gain an immense amount of weight while others only gain baby weight. What does it matter? In the big scheme of things the most important factor should be caring for your unborn child by being healthy. It’s really hard work to grow a baby and to stop cravings. They say the exhaustion that occurs is equivalent to running a marathon. Being healthy is the most important part to growing a baby but there is also that fine line of gaining too little or not enough. How dare a man judge a women when they haven’t lost all their baby weight the day after delivery. They say it takes the same amount of time to lose the weight as it took to gain the weight. I really feel for the women in the media who are particularly judged because they are supposed to be anorexic and how dare they have a baby and not bounce back immediately.

Jessica Simpson was also in the spotlight for her weight gain. She has the best attitude and knows she has curves. She had curves when she was tiny in Dukes of Hazard and still has curves as a mama. I honestly believe women who don’t bounce back immediately like Kim Kardashian are real and show the world they are no different than us. We all have struggles and it’s entirely unfair for us to post judgment on a celebrity because they are famous.

Until a man can experience pregnancy and child labor they have no right to place judgment on women for their job at creating life and the transition our body goes through to create this miracle. It’s completely unjust for these women to be in the spotlight for weight gain. These women are real women who have feelings and are not exempt from struggles of life because they are celebrities.

There’s my rant of the day! :) I really struggle with media and that’s why I don’t read about it through magazines or watch much television. I can’t handle the gossip.

Curried Beef Pies

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 8 January, 2014 No comment

I first had these at my sisters one night and loved them. They are pretty easy and very tasty. She allowed me to have the recipe and share it with you all. I’ve made them a few times and have used both refrigerated and homemade pie crusts. I served this with Roasted Cauliflower and a delicious side salad.

Ingredients:

Pie crust (can use refrigerated pie crust, but I prefer homemade)
1 cup diced potatoes (optional)
½ cup chopped onion
8oz ground turkey
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp minced garlic
Salt and pepper
1 cup peas and carrots
½ cup chicken broth
1 large egg slightly beaten

Heat oven to 400 degress and coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Let pie crust sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Meanwhile sauté potatoes, onions, garlic, salt and pepper and ground turkey. Once cooked stir in curry powder, peas and carrots and broth. Cook two minutes and remove from heat.

Roll crust on cutting board and cut into 4 equal wedges. Place 1/3 cup filling in middle of wedge (moisten the edges with water if needed to keep from tearing). Fold in half to make a triangle. Press edges to seal.

Transfer to a baking sheet and brush lightly with egg. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Pictured with roasted cauliflower

Thought of the Day

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 7 January, 2014 No comment

Anxiety in and of itself isn’t wrong, it’s what we do with anxiety that can be handled incredibly wrong. How are you handling your anxiety?

Waiting on the Lord

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 6 January, 2014 No comment

What does it mean to wait on the Lord? The first resolution should be to be obedient to Christ no matter the cost. This is the decision of being driven by fear or faith. The outcome will take place whether we choose our own direction or let Christ lead. The outcome will be the same, it’s the path in which changes; we can make the path longer and more painful or trust in faith that God will come through.

Gods design isn’t to make us happy but to make us holy. When we are made holy is the moment in which sincere happiness can occur. When we trust on the Lord, we will wait on him in anticipation to fulfill His promises.

We need to be thankful for what God has done and what we have. When doing so our attitude will become that of a thankful heart rather than a vindictive bitter heart. Are we seeking revenge on others or a thankful peaceful heart desiring self growth?

I’ve noticed how quickly it is that one bad thought can lead down a spiraling path of anger, revenge and much more. Allowing these thoughts to even enter in, requires self-focus with a prideful attitude believing we are deserving of something better than whom we seek revenge. I’ve noticed in the work force while talking with a few people who feel betrayed in their positions, how quickly these negative thoughts seek vengeance and bad “Karma” to those who are incredibly difficult to work with. For some reason there is an entitlement within ourselves that these people are below us and we are so much more ‘put-together.’ This attitude comes within our self from a prideful insecure mentality that we ‘deserve’ better. Stop! Think for a second! These people are in the same shoes as us; trying to make it through their day, struggling with lifes circumstances on so many levels. Everyone ultimately wants respect and appreciation. If we treated those around us who we don’t believe ‘deserves’ respect, how would that change their day? How would that change their perspective of you? How can you help change their outlook for that particular day, all by being nice and respectful to those who don’t deserve it.

Yet who are we to judge who deserves what? Our pride seeks happiness, yet again, God didn’t create us to be happy, but to become holy. Our goal should be to understand we are all wandering through life looking for something greater.

Take time today to treat those you encounter with high respect, love and appreciation. Whether that comes in the form of a smile to a stranger you pass, opening the door for a customer walking into Starbucks; paying for their drink as a nice gesture. Or in the work environment, remind yourself of the top three people who make the hair on your neck stand up and ask them how their day is, put a smile on your face and treat them with utter respect even if they toss disrespectful comments your way. Your integrity will shine for who you are when you don’t ‘fight’ back. Your actions do speak louder than words.

Ultimately, does it really matter? We never feel better about ourselves after the revenge takes place. Ultimately we just stooped to the same level as them, lowering our integrity and respect to those who are watching. It is never worth it. A silent heart speaks truth while our mouths seek ourselves. Wait on the Lord, ask Him what he wants from us. Ask Him for a heart like His, and ask for patience and love. RENEW YOUR MIND ALL DAY LONG.

Choose Faith not Fear and watch your life be transformed.

The question we need to ask every day is: Am I driven by faith or fear?

Thought of the Day

Posted by Delightfully Doable on 4 January, 2014 No comment

Until we realize the deep need for Christ we cannot understand why our focus needs to remain on Christ. Our society is quick to distract our focus yet He is the one who created us.

When we let our focus be self focused rather than Christ focused our pride will be crumbled by what Christ is trying to do: take the focus off of ourselves to allow for hope and healing. Our ‘self’ will always fail us no matter how driven you are to disprove this statement.