Closer Than I Was Yesterday

I have had so many people congratulate me on my weight-loss and ask me what I've been doing...what program, what diet, what exercise plan. First of all, I need to thank everyone for their support. While I am not doing this for anyone but myself, it has required a lot of hard work and it is nice to have it acknowledged...so thank you! :)

Since several people have asked me what I'm doing or if I can coach them, let me first say that I am not on any weight-loss/exercise program.

Diets and Weight-Loss Programs...um, NO. In my mind, a "diet" is a quick weight-loss gimmick of any given variety (there have been so many fads over the years that I’m sure we can all name a dozen and have probably tried at least half of them) while they work when you are eating certain foods (or not eating certain foods), taking special vitamins or pills, drinking special nutritional drinks, or buying into a specific program; when you stop and try eating "normally" again you gain it all back, and sometimes more. (I will pause here to say that I have nothing against any of the current diet programs out there, and kudos to those of you who are doing them and they are working for...I am just saying they are not for me.) I prefer to follow the cico plan (calories in -vs- calories out) and to teach myself moderation. It might be slow, but slow and steady is better than quick and unhealthy. It's not realistic, at least for me, to say that I'm going to eat low or no carb for the rest of my life or to say that I will be able to afford to by special drinks and/or meals for the rest of my life.

To help me learn appropriate portions, I use the app from MyFitnessPal.com (for free) to track my calories eaten and earned from exercise. I try to weigh, count, and track EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth. I figure the only person I'm doing any harm to by not logging everything is myself. If I am unsure of a calorie count or an exact weight, I estimate on the high side (I'd rather log too many calories eaten than too few). I haven't cut any foods of my menu. I still eat out, I do not always eat salads, and I still enjoy an occasional Blizzard or candybar.

I track my exercises / calories burned using the app from endomondo.com and then log them in MFP as well, but I do not give myself credit for as many calories as they say I should because they seem quite inflated and I'd rather log a lower amount of calories earned just in case. (A good rule of thumb that I use is always estimate high for calories eaten and low for calories burned.)

I joined Planet Fitness back in February but it wasn't necessary for losing the weight (you can do this without a gym, but for only $10/mo, it's nice to have somewhere indoors to fall back on in cold or rainy weather). I did go at least 3x a week if I could, usually more, while the weather was cold. Even if it was just walking on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes or doing a quick run through the 30 Minute Circuit, I went. Key Point --> Getting some sort of activity in, no matter how small, is better than sitting on your butt. Once weather was nicer I moved to hiking the Mountain Bike trails at Wildlife and walking in various places. I also began taking various classes - dancing, boxing, water aerobics, and hula hooping. I love variety, keeps things fun and it keeps the weight-loss going in the right direction. I don't always make it to classes every week, but I try to make sure I’m doing something exercise related, even just walking, a few times a week. It's always fun to change things up a bit, so be sure to check out different classes offered at gyms, park districts, and rec centers that are near you. YouTube.com also has some great videos you can work through at home.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, find someone who is willing to do this with you. I cannot stress this enough! There are MANY days that I don't want to go walking or boxing or hiking, but I know that I have people who are depending on me to meet them somewhere so that their weight-loss journey stays on track as well. Accountability is my greatest motivator. Don't have anyone around you to work with? MFP, fitbit, and endomondo also offer "Challenges". Some of the Challenges are quite fun and it is just another group of people that are depending on you to do your part.

So, as far as coaching people - I'm not a coach by any means, but I am social. Come walk with me, work out with me, look me up on mfp or endomondo and friend me, please...let's motivate each other!

- myfitnesspal.com user profile: tizzylish1975 (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/profile/tizzylish1975)

- endomondo.com user profile: Trisha Robertson (https://www.endomondo.com/profile/6210984)

- fitbit user profile: tizzylish (https://www.fitbit.com/user/387FM6)

There you have it. It has been a long time coming and I feel so much better than I did back in February that I cannot wait to continue my journey to see how much better I can feel. Thanks so much to all of you for your encouragement along the way, it is very appreciated.

I'm not there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

Growing Grateful Kids

Growing Grateful Kids

Notes from the Hearts at Home 2010 Session

with Susie Larson

 

We cannot impart what we do not possess. ie: you cannot teach your children thankfulness if you are not thankful yourself.

Lessons are more often caught than taught.

Ways to Teach Thankfulness

1) Model Thankfulness: 1 Thes 5:18 "...give thanks in ALL circumstances". Don't wait for life to get better before you are thankful.

Practical Application: Refuse worry - God will come through!

Spend time with God

Let your children HEAR you being thankful to God.

2) Practice Restraint: Just because it's there doesn't mean we need it.

Partial fast - if something is getting too important in your life, take a break from it. When you get it back, it will inspire fresh gratitude.

Say "no" to yourself and deal with it.

Prov. 25:28 "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control" If you don't have self-control, it allows the enemy to get in.

What can you give up for a week and have more time to spend with God?

3) Take Time To Play: Playing shows your children that you have faith that God can handle the things you're struggling with. If we're too busy, our kids will think they're unimportant.

Take time with your girlfriends

Ditch laundry and take the kids to the park

4) Teach Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it's a permanent attitude.

Own your offense, humbly respond (make retribution), and ask / accept forgiveness.

Psalm 139 - Pray for God to find where you need to ask for forgiveness.

Forgive and then LET GO.

Daily receive fresh mercies - God knows you'll make mistakes.

When you blow it, use yourself as an example. Tell them how you should have handled it, ask for forgiveness ,and then teach them how to pray to God for forgiveness.

Even if you mess up, God has made a way for you. It's okay. Your identity is not tied in with the choices your children make. Your choices define you, but they effect your entire family.

Psalm 32:1-2 "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit." Actively teach them what forgiveness looks like.

5) Give a Blessing: Share what God has shown you, what you want Him to show you, and what you've learned.

Speak truth and life into your kids. Our children are like blank canvases, they don't know who they are - they only know what we tell them.

If you're unsure of who your child is, pray this: Lord, show me who my child is and give them a heart for it.

 

Always separate what your child does from who they are. She is not a bad girl or stupid girl, what she did was bad or stupid. Never let you child walk away with a closed spirit.

 

Tell the truth in love to your children. Be sure to confront laziness or below-standard efforts. You're not doing your child any favors by only telling them they're perfect at everything.

Measure your words - words have power!

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 

Remind yourself that God loves  you

 

Bless others - look for the good and tell them

 

Tell your child how much you love them and things you see good in their lives.

Am I Doing This Right?

Am I Doing This Right

Notes from the Hearts at Home 2010 Session

with Sharon Autry and Laurie Hillard (momandlovingit.org)

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go

train - aim at a goal or objective - decide what we want the end to look like so we know what to do now.

In America, we spend lots of time on the mind (school & tutors) and the body (sports at early ages), but what's most important to you?

What are three things you want your children to be known for when they're grown up? (List your own)

1) Strong relationship with Christ (faithful)

2) Respectful

3) Generous (helpful) with everything - time, talents, money

The HEART is most important to God

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Prov. 4:20-23

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Sam. 16:7

Shouldn't your child's heart be most important to you too?

How do we reach the heart?

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deut. 6:6-7

Rules without a relationship = rebellion

Kids don't care how much we know until they know how much we care.

Communicate Along The Way

Written notes, journal with your kids (http://www.momandlovingit.org/MeMs/MeM_2009-10w.html), e-mail or text if you have to because you need to be in THEIR world. Be creative and think outside of the box.

Laugh Along The Way - Lighten up!

Smile more - it's healthy for you and your home. Even say "no" with a smile.

Be a "yes" mom whenever you can

Dream with them

Do a "Pajama Run" (wake the kids up after you've put them to bed and go out to get ice cream)

Sometimes you just need to scream

Read books together

Sometimes you need to get on their level

Cook together

Be Patient Along The Way

Kids know if you're really listening

Don't see the stuff that bothers you - Lord, give me your eyes to see them as you do.

Find out your child's love language - touch and affection, encouragement, gifts, acts of service, or quality time - and make an effort to use it.

What you say about your children in front of someone else is what they'll remember.

Introduce your child in a positive way

Your children are more important and precious than a broken plate or spilled drink.

Pray Along The Way

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9

Pray about their fears with them, even the monsters under their beds. Pray daily and consistently!
Praying Daily for your Children Calendar - http://www.momandlovingit.org/MeMs/MeM_2009-10w.html

6 P's to Pray for your Children

Passion for God

For them to know their Purpose in life

That they would have good Peers that they hang around with

Future Partner

Purity

Praise - that they'll learn how to be grateful to God in all circumstances

Practice Along The Way

Spiritual Applications - use life illustrations to share Christ with your children.

Scripture Memory - Dry erase on mirrors

Scripture Songs - Hide 'Em In Your Heart - songs that sing the scripture.

Model It

Life and love today, because we only have these days!

Fruit Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
• 8 ounces raspberries
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
•  
• 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 cups cinnamon sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes

Ingredients
* 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
* 3 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided, plus additional for drizzling
* Salt
* 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
* 1 medium onion, chopped, divided
* Black pepper
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
* 1 cup smoked shredded Gouda cheese
* 1 pound ground sirloin
* 1 can mixed veggies (you can use fresh or frozen too)
* 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 1 1/2 cups beef stock
* 2 tablespoons spicy brown or Dijon mustard
* 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

On a baking sheet, toss potatoes with a hearty drizzle of EVOO and some salt. Bake in oven until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool. Turn off oven and switch on the broiler.

While the potatoes are cooling, place a medium skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon. Add the bell pepper and half of the onion to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the veggies are tender, 5 minutes. Transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut a thin slice lengthwise off of the top to expose the inside. Scoop out the potato flesh, taking care not to pierce the wall of the potato, and transfer to the bowl with the veggies (reserve the potato shells). Add the sour cream and paprika, and mash. Reserve warm.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the ground sirloin to the pan and cook until golden brown, 5-6 minutes.

Add the remaining onion and garlic to the pan and cook until all the veggies are tender, about 5 minutes more. Push all of the ingredients to the edge of the pan and add the butter to the skillet. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute. Add the stock, mustard, Worcestershire, some salt and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring up to a bubble and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes.

Fill the potato shells with the beef mixture then top each of them with the reserved mashed potatoes. Transfer to a baking sheet and sprinkle with the cheese. Pop the potatoes under the broiler until the cheese is melted and tops are golden brown.

H.O.I.S.D.A. Spaghetti Dinner

Sunday, March 7, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

ITOO Hall
4909 W. Farmington Rd., Peoria, IL
Take out orders available

Come on out Sunday, March 7th (11am-6pm) for the 21st Annual HOIDSA Spaghetti Dinner at the Itoo Hall on Farmington Road!

Kaylee's Krew will be working the Dinner from
1pm until 3:30pm, so come see us!

(...and no, we are not the entertainment!)

$7/ages 13-adult
$4/child 4-12yrs
Free/ages 3 and under

Take out orders available.

Invite your friends and family to come!

(If you'd like to donate a baked good for the Bake Sale, let us know! All donations are greatly appreciated!)


View Larger Map

Dinner provided by LaGONDOLA SPAGHETTI HOUSE of Decatur

Raffle • Bake Sale • Entertainment

(Click to view flier larger)

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter
12 Tablespoons Cocoa*
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil*
2 Cups Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Cups Sugar
4 Large Eggs
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla
Powdered Sugar
*or 4 Squares of Unsweetened Chocolate

Instructions:
Melt butter, then add cocoa and oil until smooth
Beat chocolate mixture and granulated sugar until combined
Add eggs and beat well
Mix in vanilla
Mix in flour, baking powder and salt and beat until just combined
Refrigerate dough until very firm, at least 2 hours

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease cookie sheet (or use parchment paper).
Place confectioner's sugar on a paper plate.
Roll dough into small balls and then roll in powdered sugar until completely covered.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until tops of cookies are set.
Cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to rack to cool completely.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Tis The Season!

Chex Mix

Ingredients:
  1/2 c butter
  2 T season salt
  1/2 - 2/3 c Worcestershire sauce
  2T garlic powder
  1/2 T ground mustard
  1/4 - 1/2 T curry, to taste (optional)
  6-8 c chex cereal: 2 honey nut, 2 rice, 2 corn, 2 wheat
  2 handfuls (approximately 2 c) pretzels
  1 - 2 c mixed nuts

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 250. While oven is pre-heating, put the stick of butter in your large roasting pan and put it in the oven to melt the butter at the same time.
• Remove pan once butter is melted and combine the rest of the ingredients together with the butter and mix well to coat the majority of the ingredients.
• Heat for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Spread on paper towels to cool for approximately 30 minutes to cool.

Christmas & Birthday Lists 2009

This is a list of things the girls have asked for and things that have been bought (as far as I have been informed.) Hope it helps!

Bella - Size 6 jeans, not slim | Size 7/8 tops | Size 12 1/2 - 13 shoe

• Zhu Zhu Pets: Mr. Squiggles Brown Hamster, Fun House, and Wheel (from Santa)
• Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort (Kim)
• Veterinarian Kit (Trisha)
• Goldilicious by Elizabeth Kann (Kim)
• My Amusement Park Leapster (Kim)
• Denim Skirts (Sheila)
• Best Friends Club 18" Doll - Addison (Sheila)
• Best Friends Club 11" Doll (Barbie Size) - Addison (Trisha)
• Outfits for an 18" doll 
• Three Musketeer costume for her 18" doll
• Purplicious by Elizabeth Kann - hardcover, please
• Roller Skates (the kind that fit over your shoes)

Bella likes Junie B. Jones Chapter Books by Barbara Park. We own books 1-12.
She is also starting to read on her own a bit, so the easy readers (Step 1 books or equivalent.)
She loves to play dress up, so costume clothing is great.
She's just getting into Barbie Dolls and loved Barbie and the Three Musketeers (she got Corinne for her birthday)
She enjoys crafts and art and will spend hours coloring, cutting, punching and gluing paper.
Her favorite color is pink (today).

Lili - Size 4 Jeans (adjustable waist) slim is okay | Size 4 or 4/5 tops | Size 9 shoe

• Zhu Zhu Pets: Num Nums Gray Hamster, Fun House, and Wheel (from Santa)
• Three Musketeer Barbie - Corrine (Sheila)
• If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff (Kim)
• If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff (Kim)
• If You Give A Pig A Pancake by Laura Numeroff (Kim)
• Disney Fairies Leapster Game (Kim) 
• Best Friends Club 18" Doll - Calista (Sheila)
• Best Friends Club 11" Doll (Barbie Size) - Katilin (Trisha)
• Crib for 18" Doll
  
• Outfits for an 18" doll 
  
• Roller Skates (the kind that fit over your shoes)

Lili loves to play dress up, so costume clothing, dress up shoes, jewelry and stuff like that are all great.
She likes the Disney princesses and fairies.
She enjoys coloring, cutting, punching and gluing paper.

Either / Both

• Leapster Games: Ni Hao, Kai-Lan and The Princess and the Frog  (If you want one of these, let me know. They were on sale so I bought them already)
  
• Paper Punches (the ones that are a bit more expensive, like $7-$15...Martha Stewart type, are easier than the cheap ones for the kids to push down on to punch the shape into the paper) we already have a crown, a dog pawprint, a sprig from a plant, and a flower.
• Stickers
  
• Stencils for tracing
• UNO Moo Game
• Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure DVD (Trisha)
  
• Ice Age 3 DVD (Trisha)
  
• Build-A-Bear Gift Card(s)

Trisha

• Super Mario Bros Wii Game
• GE Crock Pot with Cool Touch and Locking Lid (Walmart)

Mike

• Green by Ted Dekker (Trisha)
• Long Sleeve, Turtle Neck Under Armor
• Jeans

Love and Respect Conference

Revolutionary wisdom for husbands and wives

Marriage expert and best-selling author of Love & Respect Emerson Eggerichs presenting live in person at Northwoods Community Church in Peoria

When:
Nov. 13, 2009 • 6:45–10pm | Nov. 14, 2009 • 8:45am – 1:30pm

Doors open 30 minutes before start each day. Auditorium seating is general admission and first-come, first-served with overflow anticipated. Due to the high demand for this conference, there will be no refunds. Childcare is not available during this conference.

Excited and burdened about male and female communication, Emerson launched the Love and Respect Conferences in August 1999 to serve husbands and wives.

Sarah and Emerson are convinced that a truth hidden in plain sight for 2000 years can make a difference in every marriage. This truth is found in Ephesians 5:33. Husbands must love their wives and wives must respect their husbands.

Emerson writes, "You may remember how the Beatles sang, 'All you need is love.' I absolutely disagree with that conclusion. Five out of ten marriages today are ending in divorce because love alone is not enough. Yes, love is vital, especially for the wife, but what we have missed is the husband's need for respect. This Love and Respect message is about how the wife can fulfill her need to be loved by giving her husband what he needs -- respect. And the husband can fulfill his need to be respected by giving his wife what she needs -- love. Does this always work? No. But if one is married to a person of good will, I would bet the farm that it would work!"

How Can I respect That?

Emerson received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and Graduate school. He was awarded his Masters in Divinity from Dubuque Seminary. Later, he earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Child and Family Ecology. Emerson was the senior pastor of East Lansing Trinity church from 1980 to 1999. He loved the pastorate in this college town with nearly 45,000 students. When he came, the church had 450 in attendance, and when he left over 2000 attended. He oversaw a paid staff of 40. He also initiated a building program, relocating Trinity Church on 70 beautiful acres in the Lansing area. That was completed in the year 2000.

Focus on the Family is sponsoring many of the Love and Respect Conferences across the nation.

The book Love and Respect (The Love She Most Desires / The Respect He Desperately Needs) won two awards in 2005: the Gold Medallion and Retailers Choice.

The Love & Respect book has been selected as the 2007 Book of the Year for Family Christian Stores."

Northwoods Community Church
10700 N. Allen Road
Peoria, IL
(309) 243-1375

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant - Recipes - Recipe Search

Ingredients
3 cups milk
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup imported Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup imported Romano cheese, grated
12 egg yolks from fresh jumbo eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste

Procedures
1. HEAT milk and cream in a heavy bottom saucepan until it begins to simmer. Turn off heat. Slowly whip in cheese, then remove from heat.
2. PLACE egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whip in a portion of the hot milk and cream mixture. Slowly add egg yolk mixture back into remaining cream mixture. Place back on very low heat and continually stir until simmering. Take sauce off heat so it thickens. (This will increase temperature of egg yolks, known as tempering).
3. SEASON to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 8

Shared via AddThis

Italian Chicken

Ingredients:
Chicken breasts (6)
8oz Italian Salad Dressing
8oz Cream Cheese
14oz Chicken Broth
10.5oz Canned Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 teaspoon Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
Angel Hair Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Put chicken breasts in a slow cooker and pour the dressing over them. Cook on low 8-10 hours. Remove the breasts from the slow cooker and discard the dressing. Put the cream cheese, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, rosemary, thyme and salt and pepper in the slow cooker. Stir together as the ingredients melt. Meanwhile, cut the chicken into small pieces. Put the chicken back in the slow cooker with the sauce. Cook together another hour.

Prepare the pasta according to the package directions and serve the chicken mixture over the pasta.

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
1 small onion, chopped
1 tblspn beef bouillon granules
1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
8oz process cheese, cubed
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 tspn salt
2 1/2 cups milk (2 cups & 1/2 cup)
1/4-1 tspn cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tblspns all-purpose flour

Directions:
In a large saucepan, combine: water, potatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, bouillon and salt; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in beef and 2 cups of milk; heat through.

Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. While pot is heating, cube your cheese.

Reduce heat stir in cheese until melted.

Add cayenne pepper. Top with bacon just before serving.

TGI Friday's Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:
* 4 (4 ounce) chicken breasts
* salt and black pepper (to taste)
* 1 lb angel hair pasta
* 6-8 medium size roma tomatoes
* 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 minced garlic cloves
* 10tsp dried basil leaves or 10tbsp fresh basil leaves
* 2 garlic cloves, sliced into thin coins
* 1/2 cup tomato sauce
* 1 cup balsamic vinegar
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions:
1. Chicken Breasts: Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Grill 3-4 minutes per side for grill marks or until the chicken breasts reach 165 degrees F. Grill right before serving.

2. Pasta: Boil pasta as per directions on box until al dente.Drain and transfer to bowl.

3. Tomato Salad (Step 1): Wash, core and dice tomatoes to 1/4" pieces, save juices and place in small bowl. Wash, dry and cut basil leaves into thin strips. Combine tomatoes, basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic and hold for 2 hours before use.

4. Tomato Salad (Step 2): Heat heavy bottom saucepan under medium-low flame. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, heat oil for 20 seconds. Saute cloves of garlic, that are sliced into thin coins, in oil (if small use 3) for 45 seconds on each side until soft and tender - do not brown garlic (if brown DISCARD and start over). Increase heat and add tomato salad and stir.

5. Tomato Salad (Step 3): Add plain tomato sauce to pan and bring to a boil. Add pasta to sauce pan and toss with fresh sauce (sauce should just coat pasta). Transfer to a service platter or plate individually. Garnish with balsamic glaze.

6. Balsamic Glaze: Bring to a boil vinegar and sugar in small pan and turn down flame to a simmer Reduce by 75% until sauce turns to a thick syrup, hold at room temperature

7. To serve: Slice chicken breast into strips on a bias (45 degree angle) and place on top of pasta.Enjoy!


45 min | 15 min prep
SERVES 4

Sausage Gravy

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (12 ounce) package maple flavored sausage
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3 cups whole milk
* salt and pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS

Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown.
Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan.
Stir in the butter until melted. Add flour, and stir until smooth.
Reduce heat to medium, and cook until light brown. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook until thickened.
Season with salt and pepper, and stir in cooked sausage.
Reduce heat, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. If gravy becomes too thick, stir in a little more milk.

BBQ for Pulled Chicken or Pork

2 1/4 c chopped onion
3tbs oil
2 1/4 c ketchup
2 1/2 c chicken broth
1 c lemon juice
1/2 c + 1 c brown sugar
1/2 c + 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c + 2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp salt
1 1/2 tsp black pepper

Here's the bbq part of the recipe:

Saute onion in oil. Add to that the ketchup, chicken broth, lemon juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Cook 15 minutes and pour over meat.

Tastes best when cooked a day ahead so the meat can marinate in the sauce overnight.

Herb Crusted Pork Loin

Ingredients

1 (4-pound) boneless pork loin, with fat left on
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 teaspoons fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

Place the pork loin on a rack in a roasting pan. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. With your fingers, massage the mixture onto the pork loin, covering all of the meat and fat. Sprinkle with brown sugar, about 2 tablespoons or to taste.

Roast the pork for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 425 degrees and roast for an additional hour. Test for doneness using an instant-read thermometer. When the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, remove the roast from the oven. Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes before carving. It will continue to cook while it rests.

Love Believes the Best, Day 7

Challenge: For today's dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

Journal: Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?

So, what room do I spend more time in? Yikes...Not sure I want to think about that, so lets move on to the journaling.

For me, the positive list was easier to make. I take this as a good sign!!I really am so lucky to have him as a husband. The list of positives by far outnumbered the negatives. And the list of negatives that I came up with were so very minor, that it hardly was worth it to write them down, tho it did make me realize how inconsequential they were in the grand scheme of things. I won't bore you with the entire positive list, but some of the things listed included the following:

* Patient
* Kind
* Hard working
* Trusting
* Loving husband and father
* Forgiving
* Thoughtful
* Honest

I won't bore you with any of the negatives, because I'm believing the best in my husband and not going to focus on them.

What does this reveal about my thoughts? I realized that if I were making the lists about ME, it would be easier to write negative things over positive things. It seems I spend more time in the Appreciation Room when it comes to my husband, yet when it comes to me I tend to hang out more in the Depreciation Room.

We were then supposed to thank our spouse for something on the positive list later in the day. Tonight when he got home from work, I thanked him for being so trusting. He never questions anything that I do or who I'm with.

Now to hide the lists and see what's in store for them!

Love Is Not Irritable, Day 6

Challenge: Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

Journal: Where do you need to add margin to your life? When have you recently overreacted? What was your real motivation behind it? What decisions have you made today?

Today's chapter talks about how selfishness can take other forms, such as: lust, bitterness, greed, and pride. Out of this list of 4, I know that I have an issue with bitterness. I hold onto things and let them leak out when the smallest thing sets it off. I sit and I stew. I can hold onto things for days before either finding a way to let it go or go off. Grant it, usually I can end up letting it go, but there are those occasions that that doesn't happen. Since starting the Love Dare, I have tried to not hold onto things if they are not important.

Where do I need to add margin to my life...whew...most of you girls have seen my schedule! Is this question a joke? :) I probably need to add in some more "at home" time...the time where I just say "no" and stick to it. (This will probably kill me, so pray for me girls!)

When have I recently overreacted? That's a tough one because I'm a pretty easy going person. I suppose last week when Mike told me he was going to have to set up for VBS right after church instead of Sunday evening. That was not his fault, other than he didn't say no. He didn't plan that time, it was told to him. I did let it go and got over it...and I apologized for my reaction. My real motivation behind it was selfishness...that sounds so ugly.

What decisions have I made today? I'm going to let things go...not sweat the small things and not make mountains out of molehills. I also need to prioritize things and stick to my schedule, whether it's busy or has nothing on it.

Love is Not Rude, Day 5

Challenge: Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

Journal: What things did your spouse point out about you that need your attention? How did you handle hearing it? What do you plan to do to improve these areas?

Okay, I didn't want to do today's challenge, of course, who does? Who really wants to find out what irritates their husband about themselves? Should I just take a fail on this one? Should I just blow it off...yeah, that's it! Okay, I didn't blow off the challenge all together, because I know how important it is and I really do want to better my marriage, I just went about it in a different way...I e-mailed him. I figured it would be easier for him to answer me honestly if he weren't telling me my faults to my face...I'm just hoping that he limits my faults to only three! I'll update with the results once he responds to the e-mail. Good luck with this one girls!

Update: Here was his response:
I don't know if I have three things that really bother me, but I'll give you what I've got.

One thing that bothers me (that you already know) is how you leave things lying around instead of putting them where they go. To sum it up lack of order.

As far as personality traits/character stuff, there really isn't anything that bothers me much. It used to bother me how you didn't think ahead or get stuff ready ahead of time, but since the girls have come along you seem to get better about that all of the time.

Do you HAVE to have three things?

Love is Thoughtful, Day 4

Challenge: Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

Journal: What did you learn about yourself or your spouse by doing this today? How could this become a more natural, routine, and genuinely helpful part of your lifestyle?

First off, I'm going to start by finishing off yesterday's challenge. Today I bought Mike a lovey-dovey card and put a little coupon in it for dinner at the restaurant of his choice next time we're going out together.

Now to Day #4...I must confess that this challenge is super duper easy for me because we do this already on a regular basis. We normally talk on the phone several times a day while Mike is at work. He calls to check on me and the kids, and I fill him in on the day's activities. I hate that he misses out on so much that we do, so I do my very best to help him feel connected, even while he is at work. Someone asked me a couple weeks ago if my hubby was very controlling because I call him to let him know what's going on...No, I don't call him because he wants to know where I'm at every second of the day or everything we do all day long...that would take more time and energy than it would be worth, I do it because I love him and because I want him to know that no matter what we're doing I'm thinking about him. (I also sent him a message on Facebook today, so do I get extra credit?)

Love is Not Selfish, Day 3

Challenge: Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."

Journal: What did you choose to give to your spouse? What happened when you gave it?

Okay, first off, I have to laugh because Friday I was feeling selfish...should have looked ahead in the book!

Day 3, and I have already failed a challenge. I did not buy Mike anything today. Nothing. Nadda. Zippo. Zilch.

Today Mike had to help set up the sound system for VBS so I went with my parents and the girls to the Air Show. There wasn't too much opportunity to buy something that Mike would need there. I should have planned ahead. I should have made it a priority to go buy him a gift. I didn't. I have my reasons that would completely validate why I could not follow through, but the raw truth is I did not make him a priority today, the Love Dare a priority.

Honestly, buying anything for Mike scares me...what in the world would he want or need? So, in the spirit of honesty, maybe I did not follow through not because of all my "valid" reasons, but because I have a hard time with this anyway so I just used those reasons to validate my failure.

I will complete this task, it just has to wait until tomorrow when I am not spending the day at the Air Show getting sunburnt. :) On to Day 4! Bring it! :)

Love is Kind, Day 2

Challenge: In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Journal: What discoveries about love did you make today? What specifically did you do in this are? How did you show kindness?

Okay, in my effort to accomplish Day 2, I was thinking about discoveries about love that I made today and I realized how we really need to make an effort to show acts of kindness to our spouse. I mean, if you think about it, we seem to really go out of our way to do this for others, even complete strangers...we will hold the door for someone entering a store, drop everything to reach out to others in our lives and communities, take on too much for others, but when it comes to our husbands and children we tend to give them the "leftovers". I feel like I try hard NOT to do this, but today I realized I am guilty of this as well. I get busy with anything and everything in my day to day life, I tend to be very tired or stressed or just too lazy to make an effort to give my family what I am more than willing to give to others, even complete strangers. Makes lots of sense, doesn't it? Why in the world do we do this?

I wanted to do something out of the ordinary today as my "unexpected gesture of kindness", but it didn't happen quite like I was hoping. Saying nothing negative to my hubby today was extremely easy, but I didn't see Mike for most of the day today. :) As an unexpected gesture of kindness, since Mike worked on a friend's garage all day, we went out for dinner as a family. It was a nice evening. I also left a note on the bathroom mirror,

"Mike, I appreciate all you do! Love, Trisha"

I know that doesn't seem like much, but as much as I do appreciate Mike I really don't tell him near enough.

I feel like today, as far as the Love Dare stuff goes, was a success. Day 2 down, life to go. :)

Love is Patient, Day 1 cont...

Okay, just got home from going into town, let me just say that the patience I have with my husband and my kids is tons more patience than I have for idiot drivers, but that's a entirely different issue to work on! LOL

Love Is Patient, Day 1

Challenge: The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.

Journal: Did anything happen today to cause anger toward your husband? (What about your kids?) Where you tempted to think disapproving thoughts and to let them come out in words?

Today is Day 1, Love is patient. Oh boy...here we go! Patience is not one of my strongest virtues, it is something I know, and have known it is an area I need to really work on. Patience with my husband does not seem to be that much of a challenge for me, but patience with the girls ,and with life, well that is the real challenge.

The book states, "Love will inspire you to become a patient person.". Hmmmm...I never thought about it that way, that patience and love go hand in hand. I mean my mind can grasp the concept, but have I really led my own heart to make the connection, to inspire patience within me? I mean, I know it is the right thing to do, I have been taught this from the Bible, but it never really sunk in, and it is much easier said than done!

As I write this I realize what I said is not true. I do have issues with patience with Mike at times. (An epiphany perhaps...where's that little light bulb that's supposed to be above my head?) God speaking to my heart once again. I vowed when I took on this dare that I would be real. I would face things head on and acknowledge the truth about myself. Honestly, I have a tendency to try to seek the positive in everything and I sometimes neglect to realize the reality of things as they are versus how I want them to be.

Ok, so back to Mike. Let me rephrase what I stated above, most of the time patience is not an issue for me in regards to him. Now, from his perspective about me, well that's probably a whole different story, so we'll not ask!

My morning for Day 1 started off with a bang...Mike has been asked to help out with some of the setup for VBS at Harvest and that was fine. This morning he told me that the setup time is now following church. This didn't sit well with me and I as far as the dare goes I was successful in not "saying" anything negative to him, but my attitude was all wrong. Actions speak louder than words, right? The Lord reminded me again just how selfish I am and when he gets home from work, I know that I need to ask his forgiveness for being so selfish.

As far as how I did with the girls on the dare, well considering they weren't with most of the day I did great. My parents met me at the library and dropped them off at lunch time, afterwards we ran some errands and they've been playing great together all afternoon. Praise God! But I wasn't perfect, I did react in anger a time or two when they were getting on each others nerves (not taking into consideration how tired they are), and therefore getting on my nerves. The Lord is really working on me with my short fuse and I know that as I yield to Him that He will allow me to improve in this area.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what is in store and I am going to keep on working on Dare #1 until I get it right. (It could be a while!)