Better Than Kashi

I bought these Kashi cookies for $3.99 (for a box of 8) the other week while perusing the organic aisle at the grocery store. I wanted to have something healthy on hand to eat when I wanted something sweet. :)

I like the cookies. I think they are really good. But, kinda dry. So I thought...hey I can make something similar that won't cost a lot. I've never made low-fat or low-calorie cookies before, so I was a bit apprehensive about trying applesauce in a cookie recipe. I decided to look for a recipe online that I could try.

They were a hit! Everyone in my family loved them, including Addison. Ron thought they tasted similar to the Kashi brand but they were much more moist. I'm so pleased that I found a recipe I can use in place of paying the high cost of a name brand. AND I added flax seed and a bit of wheat germ to boost up their health value. :)

Super Savings Saturday!

Today was a fun day. Super fun for me in the savings department. I've been inspired by one of my friends (Jessica Ives) at all the savings she finds and coupons she uses. I thought, I really need to get on board with this savings stuff!

Before Christmas Ron and I had decided that this new year were were going to make a few changes financially to get ourselves in better "shape" so to speak and so we can give more. I usually have a nice grocery budget for each month but rarely a month goes by where I don't go over that budget. But these last four weeks I've been working really hard at staying our under $100 (every two weeks) budget. I've managed to do it, and I'm so pleased with myself!! I keep track of every cent I put into my grocery cart (with a calculator), so I know where I'm at as I go along. It's been so fun! Actually kinda like a game as to what's the best deal I can get for an item. It also keeps me from putting random things in the cart that we don't need. AND I've been able to do this by choosing healthier options on food products.

So...today I was so happy to find a type of "Lean Cuisine" meal at Aldi (Fit and Active) for only $1.79 compared to the usual $2.99-$4 I spend on each meal. I don't like to eat these types of meals often but I made a promise to myself that this year, since I work two days a week, that I will only eat out one day (with colleagues), and take my lunch to work the other day each week. I just love Aldi and the Fit and Active Brand! Great job food makers out there!

Then my second steal and I mean steal was when I used three coupons at CVS to buy a pack of Pampers. My cost: $3!! AMAZING! Woo hoo for coupons!

Finally, my third deal of the day was from Michael's. I usually get a 40% off coupon when I buy items there, but last week I got a 50% off coupon! So today I bought Addison a Melissa and Doug puzzle for only $6! Gotta love that. Originally it was $12.99. And it even makes the animal sounds. Addison's going to love it.

I feel like I was being a better steward of the money God has entrusted Ron and I with today. I am so pleased with myself! I know, I know, this may all sound silly to someone who's been using coupons for years...but for this city girl...it's a lesson well learned and lived out!

I Lift My Hands

I've been listening to my new CD by Chris Tomlin this week, And If Our God is For Us (if anyone knows me they know I really enjoy his music~he's my favorite Christian artist). There is one song that really touches my heart and the words have been ministering to me all week long.

"Be still there is a healer,
His love is deeper than the seas
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me

So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, you are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever"

God is just so good. So very good. I just can't help but share!

Health-Filled New Year

Every year I make New Years resolutions. I usually don't achieve these resolutions. I know, it's sad. I decided this year that I would view things differently. I decided to take things slow. To savor life, treat myself gently, and draw closer to God. No specific goals. No timelines. No pressures. Just trying to slow down and work on becoming a healthier me.

One of the first recipes I made this new year was Black Bean and Salsa Soup with Veggie Quesadillas. It was a hit! Sometimes I think it's hard to make low-fat food taste good (or at

least good enough for my family to enjoy). But this recipe is really good. Good enough to post about. :) So here it is....enjoy~!

http://http//allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Bean-and-Salsa-Soup/Detail.aspx

Savor every moment!

Addison is growing up so fast! Way too fast for me :( I want to enjoy every moment and not miss a beat. During the week between Christmas and New Years we went to my mom's in Maryland for a 6 day visit. It was so nice to get away from work and all of life pressures. I also LOVE when I go visit my mom and dad how much support we receive with Addy. :) It's so nice to sleep in and take a break from the daily stressors of parenting. My mom is a SUPER awesome help with Addy. A few days she let Ron and I sleep in, which is so nice! She rocked her to sleep a few times and just spent time playing with her. One of my mom's favorite things to do is put Addison to sleep-she just loves the time when the baby (or so we call her...hehe) is asleep in her arms. She soaks it ALL in...sometimes holding her for 30-45 minutes after she's asleep!

One morning she woke up EARLY and needed a short morning nap because of this. So my mom rocked her and just held her.

Their bond is beautiful to me.

Reflections...

2010 brought:

Love so immensely deep; which I had never experienced before

Fun filled or should I say Hilarious days full of play

Rewarding work relationships

New Friendships

Special visits from friends out of state

Many a new recipe tried and tweaked

Love shared

Challenging parenting moments

Stressful scheduling changes

Parental disagreements

Sleepless nights

Sleep-filled nights

Rest

Much needed support from my family

Tears

Restoration

Healing

AND most of all... JOY.

I look at 2010 as a year of changes and challenges. The way God used certain situations to grow me in my walk with Him are sometimes fought at first, and then surrendered. When I look back, I see where He's brought me and where He desires me to go. At times it brought tears. But the more I let go of the struggle and rely on Him, the quicker He can do His work in me.

My hope for 2011 is that God will continue to do an inner work in me by teaching me to slow down, savor life, and become more aware of what my body is telling me about what it needs. I hope my faith will grow by leaps and bounds! So I say this year:

"Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise you

Jesus, bring the rain." Mercy Me

Happy New Year!

Christmas Gift Goodies

I've been planning for a long time (months) what I would be making as Christmas gifts this year. Each year we throw a huge fancy dinner for the leaders in our church. Our party is next Monday so I decided tonight was time to decorate the gift jars. The other day my foster kiddo and I made the soup mixes and put them in the jars and set them aside for decoration on another day. I love receiving a handmade gift myself so I was so excited to make these to give away to such amazing people at our church who dedicate so much of their time to our local body of Christ.

I made creamy potato soup mix and chicken noodle soup mix. We will pair these soup mixes with pewter ornaments my husband buys for each leader every year. It's been a tradition we've had for these last six years.

Recently, during a shopping trip to Target (love that store!) and a shopping trip to the outlets with my mom on black Friday, I found some great deals on small packets of Ghiradelli and Godiva coffee and chocolates. I have a lot of friends who love, love, love coffee. Last year I had picked up some really cute mugs at Wal Mart after Christmas for only 50 cents a mug! So I decided to wrap up these mugs which are filled with gourmet coffee and chocolate. Perfect! I think they turned out pretty cute and the total cost to me, per mug, is only $3.50!

Love this time of year! Just love it!!