Spring is here!  We have had a busy few weeks.  School activities, church activities.   Bible study is coming to a close and boy has it been good!  We have our huge brunch on Thursday.  It is a feast and so delightful.  Such a terrific group of women that are seeking and growing a relationship with Jesus.

With summer coming I thought it would be fun to share tips and ideas for getting in shape, not only physical but spiritually too.   So whenever you see the logo above you will know that’s what we are chatting about.  I just want to toss out what has worked for me.  I am in no way certified, hold no degree’s and do not have any credentials behind my name.  I am just a gal that struggled with her weight, lost the weight (with lots of hard work and lifestyle change) and has maintained the weight.  I also have found that when I am out of bible study, because most studies take a summer break,  I tend to fall into pits.  With that said, let’s share!

First, I want to tell you that I am looking at new habits to toss into my daily schedule.  I don’t want to take things away cold turkey because I know I will fail, but if I implement a new good habit, maybe the old will fade. 

1.  Start drinking more water.  I am an ice tea drinker.  Not sweet tea, I use Truvia.   So I bought a new water bottle and drink 3 bottles a day.  Cut down on my coffee too.

2.  Start a summer bible study.  This is will be a new adventure.  I am going to host and it will be in the evening so dad’s can be with kids.  Gotta stay in God’s word.  It is crucial to our spiritual health and growth.

3.  I have started making smoothies in the afternoon to curb my munchies.  I like to toss in a scoop of protein, good for your muscles.  I found this website with tons Smoothy Recipe’s and this site for other skinny recipes.

4.  Sign up for a 5k.  Now, I am not an outside runner.  I can run on a treadmill but if I run outside I get horrible knee and hip pain.  So I will be briskly walking a 5k.  On the hunt for one in my area. 

5.  Resistance training with weights.  I have really come to enjoy tossing around weights.  I love to challenge myself.  Do you lift weights?  It is the best way to transform you body.   

Again, I am no expert.  I just want to share what I have learned in my journey to get healthy and stay that way. 

Have a wonderful week.  Share what you are going to do to get healthy, in your faith, nutrition and fitness!

The air is crisp, leaves are changing colors and falling and fall is in the air.  There is just something about this time of year.  It starts getting darker earlier and I have to say that I love it.  By this time in the year I am ready to slow down and spend some time in the evening relaxing. 

I wanted to share some ideas I have come across for making your home comfy and warm this autumn season.

1.  Decorate your home.  Pumpkins, acorns, pine cones, and leaves strategically placed through your home gives it that cozy feeling.  It also creates an atmosphere that says welcome.   Candle light is always a favorite.  Place a candle in the center of your table and light them at dinner.  It is calming.  You can use coffee beans or ground unmade coffee to help hold candles.  If you have a mantel (we will in our next home and I am so stinking excited)  decorate it with mini lights and all kinds of fall decor.  There are tons of photo’s on the Internet that can give you ideas. 

2.  Get together your favorite recipes, sit down at the table and plan your menu’s.  Pick out old and new tasty creations to try.  Invite some friends over for coffee, hot tea, or cider and swap recipes.  What a great time to catch up and fill your recipe bin.  Stews, casseroles, roasted veggies, pumpkin crunch, homemade apple butter, main courses and hearty breakfasts.  Fill up those recipe books. 

3.  It is time to clean out the freezer and fridge so you will have room to make and store meals, holiday cookies, and homemade gifts.  Also remember to clean out that pantry.  Look at expiration dates and half used bags of rice, cornmeal, flour and such. 

4.  Stock up.   When you go to the grocery pick up a few  items that you know you will be using this holiday season.  This helps keep your budget in check because you are not spending your entire grocery allowance on baking and cooking items.  Pumpkin, spices, apples, hot chocolate, cranberry sauce, flour, cooking spray, chocolate chips.  Start picking up plastic containers and ziploc bags too. 

5.  Go through closets and donate unwanted items.  There is always someone that can use something.  Coats, mittens, scarves, snow boots…look at what you have, what you don’t need and think of someone to bless with it. 

6.  Look for pumpkin patches and apple orchards in your home town.  These are great day trips.  I know that the pumpkin patches in our town offer hay rides, greenhouses, homemade goodies, some have petting zoo and than everyone gets to pick their own pumpkin.  I have heard that we have a great apple orchard that makes fresh, hot apple fritters on Saturdays.  Yum Yum

7.  Count your blessings daily!!  Remember to look at each day as a gift.  In some way or another we are all blessed.  Pray that God shows you how you can bless others.  Cultivate a thankful heart.  Each day write down 2-3 things your are thankful for.  It could be as simple as the crisp morning air.  The beautiful sunset.  Stop and be aware of your blessing and praise Jesus for what he has done. 

Hopefully you have some ideas to get your home in order so you can enjoy and relax this holiday season.  My next post is going to start a series of posts about the ways we can create a fun, creative, peacefull and memoriable  holiday season.  I really want to learn from one another and so please feel free to post ideas, recipes, thoughts.

So spring is almost here and with the warm weather comes one of our families favorite things to do….grill!  I thought it would be fun to share some recipes.  Send in your family favorite, weeknight time crunch recipe, side dish, dessert or snack.   Happy cooking and sharing!!

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

1/4 cup Sun -Dried Tomato vinaigrette dressing, divided

4 boneless skinless chicken breast

1 tomato finely chopped

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil leaves

Place a large sheet of foil over half of grill grate; preheat grill to medium heat.  Pour 2 Tbsp. of the dressing over chicken in resealable plastic bag and coat chicken.  Refrigerate for 10 min.  Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill 6 min.  Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil and remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing.  Turn Chicken over; place, cooked side up on foil on grill.  Top evenly with tomato mixture.  Close lid and grill an additional 8 min.   Enjoy with grilled veggies or pasta.

Blueberry Cheese Rolls

1 pkg. (8oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

4 oz.  ( 1/2 of a block of cream cheese) Neufchatel Cheese

2 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 cup blueberries, divided

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Unroll dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations together to seal.  Combine cream cheese and sugar; spread onto dough rectangles to within 1/2 inch of edges.  Top evenly with blueberries.  bring opposite corners of rectangles together; press together to seal.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake 11-13 min. or until golden brown.  Makes 4 servings, 1 roll each.