THE SEASONS OF CHANGE

Gosh, don't you wish life came with some type of simple rule book?? Sometimes, when things are really not going my way, I like to really pause and take about 5 steps back. I have recently done this regarding one of my relationships. When you start to see more negative than positive in the situation, I think that's when you know A.) something is wrong, and B.) you should probably re-evaluate the situation. I spoke to a lovely elder at my church, she not only helped bring clarity to my situation, she also gave me some wonderful insight. So the point of this blog is to remind you that if you know and love Jesus, then you know the person you marry should exude Jesus's light in everything they do. They should live and breathe Christ. They should be the reason you try to strengthen your very own relationship with your personal savior. I'm no relationship expert, that's for sure. But I know that if it isn't bringing you happiness and joy, and if it isn't pleasing to Christ, then it's probably NOT what is best for you.

In Peace and Love always,

Becky

Easy Apple Nut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Easy Apple Nut Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

This one is for the working Mama that wants to eat better! Do you ever have days where your body just craves a delicious salad?! I stumbled upon a similar recipe and was excited to put my own twist on it!

Ingredients:

• Romaine Lettuce (I bought the precut kind in a bag)
• One Apple (you can use whatever you have at home, I used Pink Lady's)
• White Cheddar (I bought a block and shredded it at home)
• Rotisserie chicken (I didn't want to cook, so this was an easier route)
• Any type of nut (I used almonds, walnuts would go great as well!)
• Honey Mustard Dressing (super easy to make at home, but I bought it

Directions:

• First I opened the bag of Romaine and just poured some in a large bowl
• Then I chopped up the apple in to small pieces - add to bowl
• I grated the white cheddar and sprinkled some in the bowl
• Sliced the white part of the chicken (breast) and pulled apart pieces and tossed in bowl
• I had whole almonds so I just chopped them to smaller pieces
• mix all those ingredients well
• Drizzle your honey mustard on top and enjoy!!!

Me and the hubby both went back for seconds!!

Super easy and super Delicious!

Gluten free Alfredo

I have to share this delicious recipe...Sometimes I really WOW myself with my creativity in the kitchen! I am a huge Aldi Advocate. I love their low prices and nowadays they have a really great selection of both Gluten free AND organic items! This recipe was yesterday's hearty Sunday dinner. I hope you try it and enjoy it!

Ingredients -

• Gluten free pasta (I used brown rice spaghetti noodles)
• Chicken sausage (Italian style)
• Asparagus (could sub Broccoli)
• Alfredo Sauce - 1 Jar
• Roma Tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Minced Garlic

Directions -

• Boil water and cook pasta (as package directs)
• In a pan add 2 TS Olive oil
• Slice chicken sausage to 1/4 in pieces and sauté in pan
• Once Sausage is cooked remove from pan
• in the same pan add minced garlic
• Cut end off asparagus and chop into 1 inch size pieces
• Add asparagus into the pan and sauté
• Chop tomato and add to pan cook for 2 minutes
• Remove and drain the pasta from large pot
• In large pot add all ingredients (including the jar of Alfredo sauce)
• Mix all ingredients well and enjoy!!!

Life can be unfair!

I'm having one of those really rough weeks, I put in my two week notice at my job and also found out my daughter's father would like to take her from the suburbs and move her to the city. At work this morning, I've been holding back the tears, swallowing the big ball in my throat so I can put on a fake smile. Sometimes being an adult is REALLY hard! I'm looking up to the Lord, and I realized something...not everything goes according to our plan! Sometimes we are given really REALLY hard choices to make! What we don't realize is that when we see the just the tree line, God sees the entire forest. He knows his plan for us, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a FUTURE." Now this text was actually directed towards the disciples God chose that turned their backs on him in order to worship idols. But you see, even when we turn our backs on him, even when we make bad choices, Our FATHER in heaven still cares. He still wants the best for us, he still guides us (sometimes on a different path than originally planned). So although my heart is burdened and heavy right now, I have to trust him. I know he has a wonderful plan.

Parfait Lunchable

SO this morning I had a super proud MOM moment! I always struggle with new lunch ideas for my picky eater. Well this morning, I opened the fridge I had some fresh strawberries, some gogo Squeeze yogurts and I had a AHA moment, I can make her a Yogurt parfait!

What I used:

• Fresh Strawberries (chopped in smaller pieces)
• One tube of GoGo squeeze yogurt (berry flavor)
• Mini chocolate chips

Directions:

• Chop up strawberries I cut them into quarters
• Put the strawberries sprinkled with granola or choc. chips in a reseal-able bowl
• One pouch/single serve yogurt
• Once they get to lunch class they can add the yogurt to the fruit and enjoy!

Ideas for Fruit: Fresh blueberries, chopped up peaches, raspberries, cut up apples

Ideas for granola: home made granola (super easy) mini chocolate chips, teddy grahams, pretzels, sliced almonds

****Don't forget the spoon like I did ;)

We are the Clay

Last Sunday at church the pastor preached on Jeremiah and God's teachings of how we are supposed to be seeking out HIS plan. As a hard working single mama, this can be super TOUGH! I am a planner by nature, I just have to know what's coming and be planned for it. Welp, we have got to remember that GOD is in control. Not you, not me, not our parents. Furthermore, we should be teaching our kids that they should also seek out God's divine plan. This leads me to my next point. What is OUR DIVINE PURPOSE? It's to grow God's Kingdom. It's to help reach all of the lost, weak and weary souls in the world. It's to share of the good news the Gospel that Jesus is still VERY MUCH ALIVE. He will always nurture and protect his people. And that my friends, is beautiful news and should be shared with each and every one of us.

Being a Mom,

For me, it's truly a learning experience each and every day. My Mother passed away when I was just five years old. I feel, because of this I lack in having any type of guidance other then my own instincts and the word of God. Even though Lily wasn't presently with me yesterday, I saw her twice. Once I saw her when I was at target on my lunch break. It was a father and his blind daughter that had just walked in the door. She looked to be about 8 years old and was carrying the stick to help her reach out and feel where she was being lead. He had her arm and guided her through the crowded store. My heart immediately sank. I though to myself Becky, when you feel stressed out because Lily is misbehaving or you have had a long day just think of this precious scenario. This LOVING father who has to be the eyes for his baby girl. The second moment was on my drive home from work. A Mother and daughter just arrived home and they walked to the end of the driveway, each carrying a garbage can back to the garage. This little girl looked to be exactly the same age as my Lily and I thought to myself that would be US. I am always trying to teach her life lessons, even simple things like cleaning up after herself. Isn't it fascinating? That even though our children leave, are separated from us and go out into the world....that we still see them periodically through out the day? The love between a parent and their child is so overpowering, so unlike anything else we've experienced...and by far the BIGGEST blessing we could have ever received!

This is my first post, So I thought I would let the readers get to know me. Who am I? My name is Becky. I am a hard working single mama! Most of my beliefs and inspiration come from my faith in the Lord above! I have a beautiful daughter named Liliana. I am recently engaged and just bought my first house. The past year alone has taught me so much. Through this blog I hope to share with many, my hard learned lessons, my awesome recipes, and how I've survived the past 29 years with out Earthly Parents. I hope you can find inspiration here, and on some days a little extra hope and encouragement.

In love always,
Becky