Strawberry Shake

Hi Everyone!

Thought I would share with you a very yummy recipe we tried recently for breakfast.  It was delicious--and what surprised me was how it really did keep me full until lunch time.  I didn't expect it to, since it is almost all fruit, but it did.  Of course, I do not have to eat my breakfast super early in the morning, so if you do you might want to try adding in something extra such as some whole wheat toast.  Either way, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.  My daughter loves it so much she has since asked me for it as a dessert at lunch time, and tonight she wanted it for supper!  Guess that means it is good any time!

~Susan

Strawberry Shake
serves 4

4 bananas (frozen--if they are small bananas, change it to 8 bananas)
8 c. strawberries (frozen)
4 c. unsweetened almond milk
1/2 c. quick oats

Add 1 frozen banana (or two small ones), 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup almond milk and 2 Tbsp. oats to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  Add more strawberries if desired or eat them on the side.  You can also add a few drops of vanilla extract.  Repeat 3 more times for 4 total smoothies.  Enjoy! :)

Busy, busy, busy!

Hi Everyone!

Today was one of those days where you try and catch up on everything, and are busy running around the whole entire day--but when you get to the end of the day your "to do" list hardly looks like you touched it!  Guess that's what I get for going away from home!

Most important things today were to get food made.  Knowing that I was going away, we effectively ate most everything that was in the house--good for not having food spoil in the fridge when you are gone, bad for having something to eat when you get back home!

Tried out some new recipes today--started with breakfast, making a Strawberry Smoothie.  It was absolutely delicious, and super simple.  I only regret that I did not take a picture! :(  But both Alison and I think it is an awesome recipe, so I will make it again SOON and take a picture then to share with you. Lunch time I made  "Easy Enchilada Bake", and also "Mexican Salad."   I had made the "Enchilada Bake" before, but never the "Mexican Salad" and I really liked it.  My menus for this week are focusing on salads, so I also made a "Barley Salad" to eat tomorrow.  Didn't eat a serving of it, but I did lick the spoon and it tasted good.  Maybe I can remember to take a picture of it tomorrow before we eat it for lunch!  Also cooked some quinoa to heat up tomorrow for breakfast.  I plan on topping it with fresh peaches and strawberries, and a tofu whipped cream that I make to substitute in places where you would normally use whipped cream.  It is not as puffy, but is made from real food--not a bunch of chemicals--so I am much happier feeding it to my family!  Normally I am not making new recipes all the time--I am quite the little "recipe rut" kind of person, so every now and then I get inspired to really try a bunch of new ones. . . this is that kind of week!  Maybe not the best planning, as I am also "officially" starting our homeschool year tomorrow as well, but oh well!  Salads did sound rather easy at menu planning time!

Also made four loaves of oatmeal bread, four batches of my home made rice milk, and did three loads of laundry!  It's no wonder I am tired!

Thankfully, not all Sundays are THIS busy for me!  But today it did feel good to get caught up on some things--and at least we have food to eat in the house now!

So--what are all of YOU up to????

Hope you have a great start to your week!

~Susan

True Love

Good Morning Everyone!

I realize I have not been around here much lately.  Part of that has to do with summer, and the business summer time brings to our family.  Part of it has to do with different summer schedules, and things not being the regular routine that they are during the school year.

For those of you who know our family personally, you have probably heard already that my mom is currently in the hospital.  One of those routine in and out in one day proceedures that did not turn out exactly as planned.  One thing led to another, which led to another. . . as of this moment, she is still in the hospital, though we are starting to see some improvements which we are VERY thankful for.  I do appreciate everyone lifting her up in prayer!  Current "new" problem is problems with her heart, and the doctors are trying to determine the best medication for her to be put on to help with that.

Watching all of this unfold over the past several days has made me think of several things.  Mainly, I have been thinking of true love--what true love really is.  I think every little girl loves those fairy tales where they "lived happily ever after."  The handsome prince comes riding in and swoops the princess (or soon-to-be princess if she isn't already one) off her feet and they ride off into the sunset together.  Can't you just see it?  The birds are singing, the bunnies stop their hopping around to watch the two lovers riding off together.  Can't you hear the music in the back ground as well?

Well, I used to think this was true love.  But as I have gotten older (I said older, NOT old!) I have changed my mind about what true love is.  Instead, I now think that true love is seeing my dad reach out and hold my mom's hand when she is in the hospital bed getting ready for surgery.  True love is him waiting at the hospital--even when he is not allowed to be with her--just waiting for those times when he will be allowed to be with her.

True love is not always pretty.  It is not always music playing and birds singing.  Sometimes it is helping to hold someone when they are throwing up.  Sometimes the specific circumstances surrounding you are ugly--but the true love itself is beautiful.

Sometimes true love is nailed to a cross.  But the beautiful thing about true love is that it never dies a forever death.  Because true love is from the Father, and He is greater than death.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son  into the world to condem the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16,17

That--is what true love really is.

~Susan

God's Purpose for Trials

God has a purpose in sending trial to His children.  He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling.  All that He brings upon them in test and trial comes that they may be strong to do and to suffer for Him.

Prophets and Kings, E.G.White, p.578