5 Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Breasts

It's been a great week. Can I say that with a huge sigh?! Looking forward to the week, it was crazy busy with preparation for our trip, plus tax stuff, and lots of SPD stuff. (because we are going on a 2-1/2 week long trip to Spain)

But, God provided. God stretched time and multiplied efforts. God extended grace to let good enough be good.

Freckles got his braces taken off on Wednesday. He is thrilled. I am thrilled. Way less slurping is coming from his corner of the table at meal times.

Our annual winter party is tomorrow night. I reverted back to a Cheese Tasting Party, because it is so sophisticated. And it's easy to pull together. I am really looking forward to connecting with a bunch of our good friends before we leave.

This week marked our fourth weekly date. I think we are making this a habit. We are vacillating between Wednesday nights or Thursday nights-whatever works best for our family and schedule. This week we are picking out cheeses for our party.

Oh, and btw, this is my 800th post here. Wow! I think that is pretty cool!

Some links to make you laugh and think.

The pic my brother posted to my FB wall
when I described one of Meres' recent outfits.
Btw, this is absolutely true of Meres. Every day.

Let's Go Sailing...(America's Funniest Home Videos)

Tell Your Friends How Much Money You Have (Blake Mankin). This article made me think. He has some really good reasons to talk about something we consider very personal-finances. And there is a whole list of great (and practical) questions included.

Cluttered Lies (Becoming Minimalist). 6 lies that keep our homes and lives cluttered.

Use Your Words (Shauna Niequist) The power of the spoken word. Use them to breathe life.

So, today's recipe isn't even sort of healthy. Well. I supposed the chicken is healthy. But, oh.my.word.

Do you see that? Chicken wrapped with bacon, dipped in eggs and stuffing crumbs, baked, and then topped with Velveeta.

Big sigh...

So, selling points...

1. Everything is better with bacon.

2. Meres loves to participate by handing me slices of bacon to wrap around the chicken. So, your child can help you too.

3. Everything is better with bacon.

4. The chicken stays super moist on the inside, but has a fantastic crunchy outer layer.

5. Does anything not improve when wrapped in bacon?

6. This recipe is reminiscent of chicken cordon blue, but it's way easier to make. WAY easier.

5 Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Breasts
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds)
8-12 slices bacon
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 cup herb stuffing crumbs
1/2 lb Velveeta, sliced

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Crush stuffing crumbs with a rolling pin to make finer.
-Place egg in a shallow dish and beat lightly. Place crumbs in another shallow dish or a bag. Lightly grease a 9x13” baking dish.

-Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon.
-Dip each piece of chicken in egg and then is stuffing crumbs. Lay each coated piece in the pan without them touching each other.
-Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Top each breast half with a slice of cheese. Continue baking for 10-20 minutes or until the chicken is brown and the cheese has melted.

Nope, I can't think of anything not improved with bacon...including your weekend!

The Basis of a Woman's Worth

This is for my sisters. For my blood sisters. For my spiritual sisters. For my sisters who are sisters simply because they are female. This is my heart.

I started a novel on Sunday. I read a few pages, and said, "I can't read about this. I can't read this book." It hit a trigger that I didn't even know was a trigger.

The trigger was cutting.

I can't read about this subject in books because I know girls who have cut themselves. It is such a broken thing to do. My heart breaks for these girls and their broken hearts that makes them feel this is a good option. It makes me weep.

I don't pretend to fully understand cutting or the thought processes behind it. I just know that the  physical pain is supposed to somehow assuage or silence the guilt, hurt and shame we are daily bombarded with in our cultures...

You are not worthy. You are not enough.

To say nothing of the conflicting messages we hear that reinforce this unworthiness and plague our minds.

Be a certain (small) size. But, don't spend too much time exercising. That's obsessive and neglectful of priorities.

Be forthright and state what's on your mind, but don't be upset or hurt someone else's feelings.

Don't be too detached but don't be too emotional. Too emotional is hysterical. Too detached is cold-hearted.

Be confident and successful, but not too successful. Too successful means you are a b____.

Be modest-in dress and actions. Be a sex kitten in the bedroom and don't neglect your conjugal obligations.

Don't sacrifice your career and dreams for kids. But have kids. But don't have too many kids.

Find the perfect median in every activity and attitude and look and pursuit; but don't look like you are trying. That is the cardinal failure.

Finding that perfect balance should be effortless. Or so we are told.

But, not only is it not effortless, it is elusive. The tension is crazy. Flailing and failing eats at our sense of enough. Our sense of worthiness.

These ideas wiggle and niggle their way in from outside sources because its already the track that is playing in our own hearts. We are operating from a place of guilt and shame and not from a place of grace and dependence on God.

The only comfort I find to this daily conundrum, is that my worth is not in myself. It's not in my accomplishments. It's in one thing alone.

...the Son of God (Jesus), who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

That is the basis of my worth. Jesus loved me enough to give His life for me. The same is true for you.

So, I run miles and I pray. I pray for my sisters. I pray for my girl friends. I pray for myself. That this truth will overrule all the lies that are screamed in our faces and into our hearts.

Our worth does not lie in having a boyfriend or being married. Though our worth is tied to a man. It is based on a man's love. Not a human man. The God-Man, Jesus. Our worth does not lie in having a career or staying at home. Being skinny, or fat, or somewhere in-between.

Someone once told me that I should be doing all.the.things. It's my job because I am a stay at home wife and mother. Cooking, cleaning, home schooling, writing, reading, bathing babies, feeding babies, running, swimming, baking bread, baking cookies, making nutritious meals for my family every day, grocery shopping, laundry, sewing, gardening, yard work. Everything. Because I am a stay at home mom, and this is my job, and it is what I am supposed to do.

But my worth does not lie in my accomplishments. Whether I've finished my to-do list, or left a bunch of chores uncrossed. My worth is not measured by someone else's impossible list for me. My enough is not based on when I (or someone else) feel I've done enough.

Our worth is inexorably linked to the fact, to the truth, that Jesus Christ loved me and gave Himself for me.

Embrace it, sisters. That's worthy and that's enough.

Rejoicing in Hope of the Glory of God

I came across this verse a week or two ago as I was reading my Bible.

...and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)

And it just struck me like it never has before. Christians are able to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. So???

Hope, in the Bible, is not a nebulous idea. It's not a vague wishing for the impossible. It is a confident watching for something that is definitely going to happen.

The hope of Jesus Christ's return makes us purify ourselves as He is pure. (1 John 3:2)

The hope of Jesus Christ's return brings us comfort when believers die.

The hope of God's glory makes us rejoice.

We rejoice because we are certain-God is going to be glorified in every situation.

That sinner converted-God is glorified.

The gospel preached-God is glorified.

That mass shooting-God will be glorified.

That death-God will be glorified.

That cancer diagnosis-God will be glorified.

That infidelity-God will be glorified.

That financial crisis-God will be glorified.

Did you notice the change in tenses there? In some instances, we can see exactly how God is glorified. In other instances it may be more obscure. But, the fact of the matter is, we rejoice because we have the assurance that God will be glorified. He will be lifted up, worshipped, praised. In all circumstances. Even the horrendous ones. Maybe especially in the horrendous ones.

Of this I am confident.

For Thou hast created all things and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain. (Psalm 76:10)

Do we believe this? Do we live like we believe this?

Something to ponder on a Monday...

A Superbowl Broiled Pizza Burger Recipe

I've decided that I am going to share my favorite internet reads of the week here on Fridays. I read a vast array of things, so I am going to try and share 4-5 articles on a variety of topics. They may be funny. They may not be. I will give a teaser so you don't go into anything blind.

because: new lens, and cookies...

IHOD: The Art of Getting Dressed. Because I totally imbibe the idea of getting dressed. And dressing for the occasion. I may only be sitting at the library on my working Thursdays, but I always dress professionally. And I only camp out in yoga pants all day when I am sick or depressed.

Huff Post: I'm Not Pregnant, It's Just My Belly (warning: some language). As a person who gets asked monthly if I am pregnant, I loved this post about loving our non-pregnant bellies (and bodies).

An Open Letter to All the People Writing/Sharing Open Letters About What's Wrong with the Church by Witney Capps. My news feeds have been flooded lately with these kinds of what's wrong with the church posts. I think this author captures my feelings much more succinctly and accurately than I'd be able to articulate to you.

20 things I want my Daughters to Understand About Being a Woman by Your Mom has a Blog. Especially #1, 4, 18, 19.

7 Ways to Hate a Book by Modern Mrs. Darcy. Yes, yes and yes again. I'd add 2 more ways-"letter/email" format and bratty protagonists.

I love how you can easily tell what I was focusing on...now if life would only be so clear....

So, the other day, Mr. Hippie and I were discussing healthy eating. The thing is, we aim to eat healthy foods-fruits and vegetables, and the like, most of the time. Which allows us room to eat the not quite as healthy things at other times. Because, obviously, I'm not just baking and photographing cookies...

A good framework for us is about 80/20. Good, healthy food about 80% of the time, and then less healthy options the remaining 20%. It is a goal that is workable and sustainable for our family.

We eat things like stir-fry and we eat things like Easy Broiled Pizza Burgers. They aren't dripping in calories, but they aren't exactly the picture of health either. They are the picture of ease and deliciousness.

I was able to whip these up one evening between grocery shopping and heading out to Bible Study. It was filling and enjoyable, and everyone was happy to eat their share.

I used Velveeta, since I had it. It worked marvelously.

I am pretty sure this would be a great recipe for Superbowl next Sunday.

Easy Broiled Pizza Burgers

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1-1/2 Tbsp minced onion
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 (14-1/2 oz) cans diced tomates, undrained
1-1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp onion salt
15 slices processed American cheese, divided
6 hamburger buns, split

-Mince onion.
-In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain. Sprinkle with cornstarch.
-Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, salt, and onion salt. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add 9 cheese slices, cook and stir until cheese is melted and blended.
-Preheat broiler to high.
-Cut remaining cheese slices diagonally. Place split buns cut side up, on a baking sheet. Spoon about 1/4 cup of meat mixture onto each bun and top with each with half a cheese slice.
-Broil 6-8” from the heat for 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
-Feeds 6. Great with potato chips, and carrots and celery.

How's that for any easy-peasy, delicious weekend recipe?

Back to the Basics

It's January.

For me, life boils down to one of two options...hibernate for two months, or get back to the basics.

I guess hibernation really isn't an option. Bummer. Though it is so appealing. Burying myself in my bed under my nice thick comforter sounds so warm and comforting. Besides, I have a sufficient view of the snowy outdoors from there...

Okay, okay...it's really NOT an option.

The thing about January, and winter in January, is that the scheduled existence that saved the day and allowed life to happen in the fall and through the holidays, suddenly becomes overwhelming. While in September and October and November and December, I could countenance regularly scheduled activities every night of the week, now it just becomes a never ending rhythm of busyness. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, because the tunnel has months still to go.

The scope and burden and unending makes for not many options. Some of which are more feasible than others.

1. Drop out of all activities. (refer back to the aforementioned hibernation idea)

2. Persevere through the craziness and maybe lose your mind-to say nothing of your sanctification.

3. Get back to the basics. Pare down the unnecessary. Stick to the commitments. Carve out space for what you love.

The thing is, I don't want to drop our evening activities. There are good reasons that we signed on for each of the activities, that still apply. So, we still have things scheduled for every Monday, Tuesday and Friday night.

But, beyond that, I am going to be intentional about how I use my time. I am going to fill it with what I love. I am going to fill my time with the things that challenge, grow, and encourage me.

I am going to fill my surroundings with beauty and with things that challenge, grow and encourage me. And this is how I will survive the winter. Because it's how I have survived most other winters.

My January/winter list looks like this...

Getting up early 3-4 mornings a week. By early, I mean 4:45 or 5:00. Conscientiously getting up early helps me be conscientious about going to bed on time. Regularly getting up early forms a habit and thus makes it easier to get up early. It's not the shock to my system that once a week is. Really.

Swimming 2-3 miles per week and running 3-4 days a week. I may not pick up my regular Monday runs again until late February, but I am working on running (slipping, sliding, plodding) 3 times a week-at least 3 miles, but also accomplishing at least two 6 or 7 mile runs before we leave for Spain. And the swimming is just good. The flip turns are whipping my abs back into shape. I also may be signing up for a Pilates class or just buying another Pilates dvd. It's also helping my core (they call it a power house-same diff). Physical exercise is worth its weight in gold as far as mental outlook goes, and the physical benefits are nothing to sneeze at either.

Reading. I read a lot over Christmas break and I am trying to continue the trend through the winter. This takes work. It takes self-control to shut down the computer and read. It takes presence of mind to remember to bring a book with me for the times I may be away and have some down time. It is worth it to find minutes in my day to feed my soul.

Dates. We are making Wednesday or Thursday nights our date night. It's just going to happen. Last week we took our Sequence board to Olive Garden (after 8:00) and played while eating dessert and appetizers. It was fun to just have fun together. To date again. The week before we went to a pizza joint, and then perused Barnes and Noble for an hour or so.

Buy the flowers, burn the candles, wear the lipstick, drink the tea, and apply the lotion. Its about surrounding myself with beauty in the midst of the gloom. It's about enjoy the luxuries I already possess. It's about reveling in the glories and small graces of the day to day. I go back to this theme every January. Because January is when schedule no longer reigns supreme. January is when I always arrive at the conclusion that these things aren't luxuries, they are necessities. They are life.

Hospitality. I am an introvert and I don't thrive on crowds, but I still need solid interaction with people. On a regular basis. We have been very intentional this month about inviting our people over and/or connecting face to face with our people. It leads to good, deep conversations, on which I do thrive.

Ironically enough, this list closely follows my what worked for me, and what didn't work for me, in 2014 list. Except, cleaning is still not making a bigger cut of the pie. But, I am trying to continue the great things and shore up the needed things.

What basics are you working back into your life and schedule since the advent of 2015?

Emptied that Thou Shouldest Fill Me

The Hebrew word that we translate consecrate (consecration) means fill your hands.

Isn't that interesting?

When we think of consecration, we imagine giving of ourselves or resources to God. But, actually, it is receiving something from God.

In Leviticus 8, there is the account of Aaron and his sons being consecrated for the priesthood. The paragraph from verses 25-29 illustrates this consecration picture.

Moses kills an offering, and places parts of the animal in Aaron's empty hands. He then takes those parts from Aaron's hands and burns them on the altar as a burnt offering. Completely consumed.

The paragraph ends...they were consecrations for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the Lord.

There is nothing that we offer to the Lord that He has not first given to us. We approach Him empty. He fills. We give back as an offering.

...present your bodies a living sacrifice-holy, acceptable unto God; this is your reasonable act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

At every cross roads in my life lately I've had the mental picture of empty hands. I've mentioned that before. It's empty of my agenda. Empty of my resources. Empty so that God can fill me.

I'm at a crux again. Between churches. Between service opportunities. Between. Empty hands.

I have a choice before me. To try an ooch and scooch and fill my hands myself. Or, expectantly wait for God to fill them. With what He has in mind for me and mine.

Another tandem thought to the consecration idea: the burnt offering is completely consumed. It is completely for the pleasure of God. God fills, and we freely offer back our best. 100%. Without reservation. Without strings attached. Knowing that God's plan for the use of our offering may look entirely different than what we picture.

Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand,

With no power but as Thou gives, graciously with each command.

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.

-Mary E. Maxwell

This consecration process is a continual flowing of empty, filled, giving back, empty, filled, giving back.

So, my words for this year are both empty and filled. They seem opposite, but the one allows for the other. And that is what I am looking for.

Emptied, filled, giving back. Consecrated.

I wrote a post about goals for the New Year over at Womanhood with Purpose. Check it out. (here)

Happy Monday!

Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry

The internet is such a huge thing, with millions of voices and opinions shouting for your attention. But, it is no where near all bad. There is good content that encourages me, challenges my thinking, and makes me laugh.

Like this...

source because, seriously, who has time to do all this AND sew?

How to Stay Sane on the Internet by Emily Freeman. She includes a 15 point manifesto on what she will and will not do on the internet. So practical.

Burn the Candles by Shauna Niequist. A reminder to do the special for our own enjoyment.

Countdown to Church by Mornings with Jesus. I busted a gut over this.

When You Can't Shake, Shake, Shake it Off by The Gospel Coalition. I think the thought shared in this article about praying for another's pain when our own unforgiveness and and bitterness surface, is so practical. 

Surviving Whole Foods by Kelly MacLeari. I think there may be some language but it's satire at its best. 

this is just for fun because fresh baked bread is so beautiful...

I've been having fun these past few weeks playing with my new camera lens and many new recipes. We have tried 5 new recipes this week. I can't even remember what our old favorites used to be. We have so many new favorites that I have discovered in the past year or two.

One of our new favorites is stir-fry. I shared the Chicken Asparagus Stir-fry a couple weeks ago. I like stir-fry because they are generally fairly quick dinners. They are chock full of vegetables. And they are mostly gluten-free and dairy-free. Not that either are a factor in how I feed my family, but they are great recipes to have on hand for company.

Today I am sharing another stir-fry recipe. Sesame Chicken and Garlicky Broccoli. It only has 8 ingredients, so it is fairly streamlined and simple.

What I like about actually cooking this recipe is the smell of the sesame oil as you heat it in the pan. It is a slightly toasty scent, reminiscent of bagels.

So, for stir-fry, the most time consuming aspect is the chopping of the veggies. This one only had broccoli, which made it quick. I have another stir-fry to try one of these days. It has carrots, 2 kinds of peppers, onions, broccoli and maybe even asparagus. That's a chopping time commitment.

Sesame Chicken Breasts with Garlicky Broccoli (Stir-fry) 

1-1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup Chinese black bean garlic sauce
3/4 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
6 cups broccoli florets

-Cut the chicken into 1” pieces. Chop the broccoli.
-Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
-Add the sesame seeds and stir to coat the chicken with them. Cook 1-2 minutes, until the seeds turn golden. Add the broth, black bean sauce, and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
-Sprinkle the garlic powder over all the broccoli, and arrange the broccoli over the simmering liquid. Cover and simmer until the broccoli is crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Serve over rice (brown or white) with salad if desired.
*I actually used 8 garlic cloves instead of garlic powder, bc I didn't have garlic powder. It worked just fine.
-Serves 6.

Enjoy your weekend!

Profound Thoughts to Accompany Your Coffee

Well, maybe not profound. But these are some of the thoughts that have been accompanying my coffee this week...

-Meres has a cold. And she genuinely doesn't feel very good. How do I know? Besides the glassy eyed, runny nose thing she has going on? Well, she left the dinner table last night because she wanted to lie down. Pretty soon I heard her hollering for help. She wanted to get her conjammers (her word) on so that she could go to sleep. She was out, a mere 15 minutes later. At 6:30. She woke up about 9:00 for an hour, and then was out until 8:00 this morning.

-I've been reading Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Many of my friends had it on their best books of 2015 lists. I do have to say that I am enjoying it. One thought that I am pondering, but not settled in my mind about, is that we often operate from a position of scarcity. Not enough...time, sleep, audience, etc.

Another thought is to not parent by shaming. Guilt is one thing. Shame is a whole other. More fodder.

But, the thought that is really sticking with me-that I keep returning to over and over again-is the thought that anger is a secondary emotion. It is the socially acceptable emotion. But it is only indicative of a deeper problem. I think that is very true, so when I have been angry-annoyed-irritated, I've been trying to dig down to the why. What is really bugging me?

-I've been contemplating layers also. No, not hair layers. Layers of events and emotions. This past Sunday was our last Sunday at our church. This is the church I've been at my entire married life. It is the only church my kids have known. When we made the decision, there was a measure of relief and even excitement. The ending of one chapter and the beginning of another.

But, what bit me in the butt yesterday was just some profound mourning. Mourning for the end of a chapter. I totally didn't expect the mourning. I never do, for some odd reason. I spent the majority of Monday morning in bed, alternating between crying and crying some more. I was feeling rather lost, and set adrift.

I'm better today. I'm thankful for friends who pray for me when I can't quite formulate a prayer for myself. And I am thankful for friends who listen and say, it's okay. I was challenged in a great message last night that if we need direction, the place to look is the Word of God.

Regardless, yesterday reminded me that things are never as black and white as we'd hope. Life and actions are nuanced.

Also, I wrote a post yesterday filled with all the feelings. I decided to sleep on it and run it past Mr. Hippie before publishing. Which was prudent move. In the light of a less emotional state, it was probably good to have gotten it off my chest then and to delete it now forever...

-Back packing in Spain is taking up mental space. We know how we are getting to Spain. We know where we are staying in Madrid (and arrangements are in the works for Barcelona). Until yesterday, our travel arrangements from Madrid to our friends' town, and then from their town to Barcelona, were still up in the air. And I have no idea what we are doing in Madrid or Barcelona.

(if you've ever visited either of these cities, let me know what your don't miss, don't bother activities are)

And there is so much to do before we go. Like trip stuff, and life stuff. LC needs jeans. Meres needs jeans. 1099s need made for the 2014 tax year. Payroll needs finished before the 1099s can be filled out. Menus need assembled for She Plans Dinner. It is going to be a busy 3 weeks.

There is a reason we take off in February. Weather here is not conducive to roofing (or much else, for that matter). But, I always forget what a challenge it is to complete tax stuff before we go on our trips. I'm glad I didn't schedule this for January, like our trip to Indonesia and Japan, but still...

Btw, I am totally pumped about only taking back packs to Spain. Seriously?! How convenient and portable and scaled back. Hopefully my vision will pan out.=)

-Have you seen the viral video clip that someone took of a woman getting beat up by another woman? There is like a crowd of 9-10 bystanders who are watching and no one comes to the defense of the victim except her two year old son. I had seen the clip in my news feeds but have not watched it. While getting an eye brow wax I saw Dr. Phil on television talking with the victim.

And I wonder what our world has come to that a person's first impulse is to make a video of violence instead of stopping it.

It makes my spirit sigh with heaviness. Really.

Dr. Phil polled his audience-who would record, who would defend. No one raised their hands about recording. Everyone raised their hands about defending. But, I think that people aren't being honest with themselves.

I mean, we don't want to look horrendous by saying, oh yeah, that's what I'd do. But the fact of the matter is, this is not the first video recording of violence or even stupidity. By "normal" people of "normal" people.

It made me think of the similarity to this phenomena and that of the Colosseum in ancient Rome. People watching other people be attacked by still other people or by animals.

It is kind of scary when you think about it.

-Pilates aren't for the faint of heart. So, my mailman (he is the quintessential mailman, seriously), with whom we have a very good relationship, suggested that I take up Pilates to help strengthen my core. I borrowed a dvd from the library, Easy Pilates. Snort. Either that woman has much longer arms, and way shorter legs than me, or she's made of rubber-but there is not much easy about easy pilates. Just sayin. I can feel the difference in my core after doing the exercise though. It makes me want to stand straighter and suck it in, up and down-respectively.

I'll leave you with that particular mental picture...What's been on your mind lately?

An Unchanging Standard of Holiness

Holiness is the most often mentioned attribute of God in the Bible. The word holy is used 546 times, with holiness adding another 24 times. (in the KJV) It even out paces love (used 442 times) by over 100 mentions. 

God is holy, holy, holy.

And God sets the standard of holiness. 

Be ye holy as I am holy.

God is the one who says, this is what I expect. This is my standard. And the standard is Him.

We do not look to those around us to set the standard of holiness. We don't look to those around us to define holiness. We look to God. Holiness is not something that changes from culture to culture, generation to generation, because God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, forever.

The final chapter of the book of Exodus and the first chapter of Leviticus vividly illustrates this fact. 

Moses and the children of Israel built The Tabernacle. After it was all put together, the cloud covered the tent and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The Shekinah glory, symbolizing the very presence of God, was smack dab in the center of the Israelites' encampment.

This event, at the close of Exodus, followed by the very next verses taking up the idea of offerings and sacrifices for sin and atonement.

Why?

Because whenever we are in the presence of God, in His light and holiness, our sin becomes oh so apparent. 

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21)

Our sin is apparent in the light of God's glory and holiness, but it has been atoned for. Leviticus is full of sacrifices and laws that emphasize the holiness of God, the standards of God, and the way an unholy people can live in the presence of a holy God. It's all in the blood.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Walking in the light reveals our sinfulness and the only real option we have for cleansing.

Thus, believers shouldn't shy away from the topic of God's holiness. We should not apologize for it. We should not try to amend God's standards to fit with current trends. 

We should walk in the light. 

Come let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

God's presence is not a burden. It is a blessing. It provides protection, direction, relationship.

Have you worshipped God for His holiness lately?

Bread Making 101

I am a serious fan of bread making. I love getting down dirty with my own bread dough. I actually think bread making is one of my most favorite activities in the whole wide world. Which is why I do it at least one to two times every week. It's why I've been making bread almost every week since I was 15 or 16.

Bread making is a sensual experience.

It's the feeling. Touching the dough. Kneading it with the heels of your hands. Finding the perfect spot of non-stickiness. Soft. Stretchy. Shaping the rolls and loaves with your fingers.

It's the yeasty smell-both while stirring and while baking.

It's the glorious sight of risen and baked, golden loaves. Perfectly baked, airy orbs and loaves.

It's the taste of the oven freshness-no butter required. There really is nothing like it.

I share my bread recipes on almost every She Plans Dinner menu. I share it because there is no taste like fresh homemade bread. I share it because there is no joy like successfully making your own loaf of bread. I share it because bread making is a tradition that spans all time and cultures. Bread making is earthy and awesome!

So, here's the recipe once again, and the pictures that explain everything.

empty mixing bowl all ready to go

Barefoot Hippie Girl's Bread Recipe (makes 3-4 loaves of bread, or bread and rolls)
 4 cups whole wheat flour
 5-7 cups white all purpose or bread flour
 1/2 cups white sugar or honey
 1/2 cups vegetable oil
 1 cup cooked oatmeal (optional)
 1 Tbsp salt
 2 Tbsp active dry yeast
 3 cups very warm water, around 120 degrees

 -Mix whole flour, yeast, sugar and salt in your mixing bowl.

-Add oil, water, honey (if not using sugar), and oatmeal. Mix together until combined.

-Then, if you are using a mixer with a dough hook, turn on your mixer to the lowest speed, and let mix for 3 minutes. If you are mixing by hand, just let the ingredients sit for three minutes.

-In mixer or by hand, add as much of the remaining flour as you can, kneading the dough until it is no longer sticky, but still soft. If you are using oatmeal, the amount of white flour you use will be closer to 7 cups than 5 cups.

 -Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about an hour. Punch the dough down, and let rise until doubled again, about 30 minutes. Divide into 3-4 equal pieces (4 if you used oatmeal).
Let rise about 1 hour until it doubles its size. Push down, and let rise again to double its size.

-Let rest for 10 minutes. You can then shape the dough into loaves by rolling out into a rectangle and rolling up jelly roll style, or into buns by rolling into small balls.

 -Let rise until doubled in size. Bake loaves at 375 degrees for 32 minutes, and rolls at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes-until golden brown.

wets and drys mixed. Letting it sit for 3 minutes to get the gluten softened and working.

Adding the additional 6-7 cups of flour.

Stirring With a Spoon, working in as much flour as possible.

Pour out of the bowl, and begin kneading by hand. Dig in the heels of your hands and then rotate about a quarter turn.

keep kneading, adding additional flour, until it is no longer sticky but is still soft.

all ready to rise.

place in the original bowl to rise covered with a towel. This is after it has risen, been punched down, and rose again.

shaped into bread and rolls, risen, and ready to bake.

the glorious finished product

Doesn't that make you want to knead up your own batch of bread?! I hope you do.

 

It's All Good-Balancing Eating and Exercise

-Do not give one or two hours of your precious time to the gym exhausting yourself. (THM The January Trap note)

I realize that I am sticking my neck out here by saying that I am not the biggest fan of Trim Healthy Mama.

I am not the biggest fan because of their rather derogatory attitude towards exercise.

I realize that I pulled one statement out of their January note. It is not the heart or focus of the note. But, it is consistent with the message in their book. I know. I read the majority of the book. They say something very similar in the preface or first chapters of the book. (I can't quote the exact page number, as I do not own the book. I only borrowed it from my library).

Everyone will tell you that eating less and healthier AND exercising is the key to losing weight and maintaining weight loss. My question is, "why would it be any different with THM and their diet/way of life?"

I cannot argue with the results of THM. It works. And it illustrates that you can lose weight without spending the equivalent of Biggest Loser hours in the gym.

I also know that there is no way to exercise yourself out of a horrific diet-unless you are Michael Phelps and eating 12,000 calories a day while in training. Then, you pretty much can eat anything. But, obviously there are still good calories and bad calories.

My point is that balancing exercise and eating has worked for me. Moderation has worked for me. And for most of the other people I know who have lost weight and maintained their weight loss.

So, please don't downplay my results. My results that have lasted for 17 years. Through 4 pregnancies with their resulting weight gain and weight loss. (I'm still waiting to see the durability and sustainability of THM. I have not seen any testimonies {which doesn't mean they don't exist} of anyone who has done THM for more than a year or two.)

Don't imply that exercise is a bad way to use our precious time. Maybe it is the best way to use our precious time-in the time slot we have allotted to it.

Don't imply that exercise only leaves exercisers exhausted. That's simply not true. If it was, there would be a whole lot less of us who did it.

Just because it's not your thing, don't put it down.

Don't sniff at my gym time and I won't sniff at your recipes, theories, ingredients or grammatical errors.

Regardless, I don't exercise to lose weight. I did. When I first dropped 40 pounds, it was through both diet and exercise changes. Now I exercise to maintain my weight.

And I exercise to challenge myself. The things I've done-the races I've run, the distances I've run, the triathlons I've completed-they give me confidence that I am stronger than I'd like to think. I can go farther-in exercise and in life.

I exercise to make myself strong. To keep my heart strong. To develop muscles.

I exercise because it raises my endorphin levels and thus makes me feel happy. Exercise has vastly helped my moods. If I am feeling blue, a good sweaty session makes me feel much better. Every time!

I exercise because it gives me time to think. Which gives me things to write about. (like the merits of exercise)

I exercise because it increases my energy. It does not leave me feeling exhausted. It does make me a good tired. Like I've earned a nap. Exercise helps me sleep well at night.

I am not an exercise fanatic. Not by a long shot. I swim, bike and run. During the school year, that all adds up to way less than 5 hours a week. During the summer, I am a whole lot closer to 12-15 hours per week.

I understand that young moms are busy and they really don't have the time to spend exercising hours and hours every day.

But, I think it is a travesty to downplay the benefits of exercise. I think it is a travesty to not realize that it is good to do both-eat healthy and exercise.

Moderation is going to work every time, with every diet or life style change. Ask yourself-what is sustainable? What can I do forever?

Which is why I am now pulling on my running tights, my mittens, my hat, my scarf and my shoes, and I am heading out for a run in the 12 degree blustery weather in my neck of the woods.

Because, it's all good. And it's all necessary. And you really should wonder about someone who says something different.

Like Solomon said, there's no new thing under the sun...

Why Introverts Blog

I used to wonder why 97.9% of bloggers claim to be introverts. Surely the correlating percentage of the population are not introverts. I wondered if it was a fad. Oils, introverts, quinoa, and gluten-free.

(actually, our blog conference organizer made a funny this fall about how it seemed statistically far more likely that someone in our group of 450 bloggers was going to die of gluten and not ebola. At least, I thought it was hilarious. Like snorting laughter hilarious. But, I'm easily amused)

Frankly, I read these stats, about pages, and 3 Things You Should Know About Me posts before a blogging conference, and I half expect the meals and sessions to be almost empty because the bloggers are all introverts.

These ladies have huge blogs with thousands (even millions) of readers. They write books. They speak at all kinds of conferences. Yet a huge percentage claim to be introverts.

It doesn't seem to make sense. It seems contradictory. In common perception: Introverts=shy and mousy. Extroverts=out going and bold.

Right? Wrong.

The key is that they are introverts. Not hermits.

It isn't very odd. It's not incongruous.

In fact, it makes a lot of sense.

Consider this...blogs and social media allow introverts to interact with people and have a voice-on their own terms. From the safety and comfort of their own homes. Without being surrounded by flesh and blood people who are loud and touchy/feely and opinionated.

Blogging allows the deep conversations. It allows the close relationships and friendships. It also allows space and quiet. Blogging allows enthusiasm, and playing to strengths & interests, and confidence. It allows people who would normally not thrive at telling a group about their latest dyi project or recipe concoction or fashion find, to do just that.

Introverts get a bit squirrelly when online and IRL overlap. Like at blogging conferences. When they have to be around a lot of people and small talk with lots of people. The quiet blogger in the fringes may seem very different from their bold and friendly blog persona. (ironically enough, in my experience, some of the loudest interacters in online social media groups, are some of the most introverted IRL)

Which doesn't mean they are fake online or holding up a pretense. It's just that the online arena works very well with an introvert's strengths and minimizes their weaknesses.

All people need interaction-whether you claim to be an extro- or intro-vert. Extroverts want everyone and their neighbor with them. Crowds and noise. It makes them feel energized and ready to rumble. Everyone is their friend.

Introverts like hanging with people, but they prefer small groups. One or two people. A handful. Introverts consider it a good party or event, when they have one or two good conversations. Deep talks. That is how they are energized.

And, like I said, blogging allows for that. Which is why I am no longer surprised when a blogger tells me they are an introvert.

What do you think?

Chicken Asparagus Stir-fry for Post Holiday Eating

Some of my favorite posts from around the interwebs this week...

source

LIFE US TOO SHORT FOR DRAMA!!!

That sentence needs more than a "." after it.

I shared this on FB this week and lots of friends, even in person, commented on it. 

There are Better Things to Talk About Than Other People. This quote: "There is a 100% chance that you have not fully explored the deepest places of the heart and life sitting right in front of you. Rather than engaging in conversation about someone else, choose to ask deeper questions about the hopes, dreams, and fears of the people who are present." Written almost 3 years ago, this post is definitely worth a read.

5 Questions to Ask Before Posting to Social Media Social Media is amoral. It is neither good or bad. The users, we, are the ones who decide how we are using social media. I think these questions need continually revisited. 

George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Me by Tim Challies. It was just good. 

We've gotten into stir-fry lately. It is quick and the recipes I have are chock full of vegetables. My kids are loving them. Which borderline surprises me. Normally their favorite thing at the Chinese restaurant is the Crab Cheese Rangoon.

(Also, I've noticed that healthy food tends to be rather more colorful than comfort food. I'm seeing this in all my food photography stuff. I love these sauces and chicken dishes and pasta for the Classic Comfort plan, but they tend to be white, brown, grey and yellow. Rather mono-chromatic. The color in the meal comes from the vegetables. The healthier food oozes color. Greens, yellows, reds. So pretty. Shoot for color!)

look at that vibrant green

Chicken Asparagus Stir-fry

3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp honey
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces
2 pounds asparagus
1 Tbsp oil
8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
6 green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp sesame seeds

-In a bowl combine the soy sauce and honey. Cube the chicken and add. Toss to coat and refrigerate until ready to use.
-Trim asparagus, and cut into 1” pieces.
-In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the asparagus and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
-Thinly slice the garlic and the green onions.
-Remove chicken from the marinade and add to skillet. Sauté until nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, green onions, and reserved marinade to the skillet. Saute for an additional 2 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the garlic is fragrant.
-Remove from heat and immediately stir in the oil and sesame seeds and asparagus. Serve over rice if desired, with a salad to round out your meal. You could also serve with Crab Cheese, though that kind of lowers the health factor. (snort)

Plus, stir-fry seems to be an iconic New Year's recipe. At least in my mind. Though maybe I am thinking of Chinese New Year....

So, Happy New Year!