What's that?

I use this at least 2x a week. It is absolutely fabulous! I buy it here @ netrition.com it's $4.49 for a 16oz bottle.

What is it? Well.... 

Bragg Liquid Aminos is a certified Non-GMO liquid protein concentrate, derived from healthy soybeans, that contains the following essential and non-essential amino acids in naturally occurring amounts: Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine, Valine, and Lysine.

Liquid Aminos is an all-purpose seasoning that is an excellent, healthy, gourmet replacement for Tamari and Soy Sauce. It is great on salads & dressings, soups, veggies, rice & beans, tofu, wok & stir-frys, tempeh, casseroles, potatoes, meats, poultry, fish, jerky, popcorn, gravies & sauces, and macrobiotics. 

Bragg Liquid Aminos are made from health-giving, Non-GMO soybeans and purified water. It is not fermented or heated. Gluten-Free. No chemicals, artificial coloring, alcohol, or preservatives. Bragg's Liquid Aminos has a small amount of naturally occurring sodium. No table salt is added. If less sodium is desired, dilute with 1/3 distilled water or to taste.

Sometimes... I miss something I never had.

"God sets the lonely in families..."

What to do when you're in the mood for "comfort" food?

Well you could eat that whole bag of Oreo cookies in the pantry... or you could order out for a veggie pizza with extra cheese. But really, about 10 minutes after you eat that food you were craving, chances are you will be feeling worse, MUCH worse about yourself, then you did to begin with.

So, next time you want to shove your face full of the kids Christmas cookies remember, it's not about comfort NOW, it's about comfort LATER. In the long run what food choice is going to bring you more comfort? One that adds weight and gulit, or one that is just as satisfying, will give you energy AND a boost in confidence because you can be absolutely certain you made a good choice??

I'm talking to myself as much as I am to my whole, well, two readers... 

Today for example... I am in pretty melancholy mood.... I have this gingerbread cookie mix sitting on the counter that I promised the kids we'd make next week. BUT I could make it now, eat oh.... say 1/2 the dough and the kids would never need to know. 

However, I know that I am DETERMINED to run my first 5k for my birthday. I also know I am so close to my goal of an unassisted pullup I can taste it. And next on my list of fitness goals is a one arm pushup. Now, If I eat 1 lb of cookie dough is that going to make me feel better? Yes. For the 5 minutes it would take me to inhale it. But then I'd feel like crap the rest of today, tomorrow and all next week because ultimately I'd be sabotaging my goals.

So while I wondered back and forth between my kitchen to living room for oh, 3 hours deciding if I was more interested in my immediate comfort, or future comfort I thankfully decided on the future and made my home version of one of my favorite restaurant salads. 

Chipotle Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Salad.

You will need:

 Romaine Lettuce

 Salsa

 Vegetables to roast, you can use whatever you want. They use onions and peppers, I had onion, celery and carrots on hand so into the roasting pan they went!

 

I added some sea salt, pepper and Bragg's Liquid Aminio's which I use whenever I get the chance. YUM!

Then open up a can of black beans and microwave them til warm. I use about 1/3-1/2 can on each  salad.

I topped it off with some low fat shredded cheese.

If you're a meat eater add chicken or lean cuts of beef.

And if you're not as concerned about calories and carbs, add some low fat sour cream and guacamole for your healthy fats.

Yay! Now it's time to go run some intervals!

Keep breathing

 Job cursed the day he was born-so, I'm not alone.

I'll keep breathing-Lord you do the rest.

You wait in darkness
For answers that you can't see
You know what you deserve and
You’re wondering why your life is
Not what you thought it should be
When the night breaks, your heart still aches
How can you face the day, you just

Keep breathing, you'll make it
Don't give in, you're not done yet
Sometimes all that you can do is
Keep breathing and believing
Don't let go, just hang on tighter, a little longer
When you feel like you’re dying
Keep breathing

When every moment
Is almost more than you can take
You've got to know some tomorrow
Will bring you a breakthrough
That’s the reason why
You’ve got to get through today
When the night's gone, you will be strong

Keep breathing, you'll make it
Don't give in, you're not done yet
Sometimes all that you can do is
Keep breathing and believing
Don't let go, just hang on tighter, a little longer

With every breath you bring hope
You're letting go of all your doubt
When nothing is easy, you’ve got to keep going
Even when you don't know how
You don't have to know how, no

Keep breathing, you'll make it
Don't give in, you're not done yet
Sometimes all that you can do is
Keep breathing and believing
Don't let go, just hang on tighter, a little longer

Keep breathing, you'll make it
Don't give in, you're not done yet
Sometimes all that you can do is
Keep breathing and believing
Don't let go, just hang on tighter, a little longer

Keep breathing
Don't give up
No you're not done yet
Don't give up
Don't give in
Don't let go
No you're not done yet

Girls night in

Got my:

 Italian Stallion

Snacks

Sips

What more could a girl want???

Ok, a lot. But we're trying to be content and have a positive attitude here folks.

Aidan sings

Lamentations 3:22,24

"The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I have hope in Him."

^{Proverbs 18:10}

^{"The name of the Lord IS a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe"}

Sometimes being a child is a great blessing. Sometimes watching a child is a greater blessing. 

The boys have a pretty big event coming up tomorrow. Something, that as their mama just rips my heart to bits thinking about. I can't go with them tomorrow, I can't hold there hands. I can't take away the pain, fear, embarrassment or discomfort they feel. But what I CAN do is remind them that even though mommy can't be with them, they won't be alone. Aidan has Psalms 56:3 written on a piece of paper that he can tuck into his pocket and carry with him, and I told him to pick a song so he can sing in his head if he gets nervous or scared tomorrow... this is what he picked.... and this is the way we ended our night.

Kutless-Strong Tower

(click play button to hear my boy sing)
When I wander through the desert
and I'm longing for my home
all my dreams have gone astray
when I'm stranded in the valley

and I'm tired and alone

 it seems like I've lost my way

I go running to Your mountain


You are my strong tower
shelter over me
beautiful and  mighty
everlasting King
You are my strong tower
fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
and your face is all I seek


In the middle of my darkness
in the midst of all my fear
Your my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
and the thunders all I hear
You speak softly to my soul


You are my strong tower
shelter over me
beautiful and mighty
everlasting King
You are my strong tower
fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
and Your face is all I seek




What time I am afraid, 
I will trust in Thee.
Psalms 56:3

I love him

What a gift God gave me in this precious child. He light's up my life!

One day Aidan, you'll understand the significance of this year. You amaze me everyday with the way you handle yourself - the way you cope. I'm astounded by your unending love, compassion and grace. You teach mommy something everyday. I am SO very proud of you.

I remember years ago,
you were so little then.
Sometimes,
I can't help but wish,
that you were small again.
I've cried when you've faced heartaches,
and saw, that as you grew,
nothing broke your Spirit,
instead it strengthened you.
I'm filled with mixed emotions,
as I hold back all the tears
and, with much pride remember,
back so many years.
When I first held you in my arms,
if only I'd have known,
the years would feel like moments,
after you had grown.
You aren't a child,
though in my eyes,
I guess you'll always be,
that baby boy who changed my life,
and means the world to me.

-Synthia A. Sieving

What's for dinner...

So I totally stole last nights dinner from my friend MaryBeth, and her post here @ TheBrokenBohemian

Well, except for the eggplant... I think it'd gone bad, but I have to confess I'd never bought an eggplant before, so it could have been perfectly fine for all I know... it just smelled weird. Oh and I didn't have the zucchini, but I added spinach.

So, I started with a Boboli pizza crust, spread on some garlic and basil pesto, added spinach, and my roasted concoction of red onion, yellow squash and red peppers, and then topped it all with gorgonzola cheese.

It was AaaaaaaaaaMAZING!!! My kids even devoured it, though they did give it scornful glances upon first inspection.

Ok, and YES that is a muffin pan that I cooked the pizza on. Hey, when both cookie sheets were dirty from roasting the vegetables I had to get a little creative. A pizza stone is still on my "to get" list...