Archives for May 2021

Today, We Remember

May 31, 2021 Leave a Comment

Today, we remember. 🇺🇸

This past year has been a weird one, America. If I’m being honest I have struggled with finding the deep patriotism that I have always felt. So many things have happened in this country that I have not been proud of, especially in terms of our government. This past election season was the nastiest one of my life. I saw people acting in ways that made me shudder. Political agendas have been put before compassion and integrity. Harsh words that can’t be taken back. No, this has not been the America that I love.

But I do believe that we can get back there. If we go back to our roots, put the needs of our fellow brothers and sisters above our own and make showing love and compassion our priority.

So today, we honor the sacrifice of so many brave men and women who chose to give their lives so that we could afford the freedom to have a funky year. They did not ask if our behavior was worth their sacrifice. They simply put it all on the line so that we could have the freedom that we have.

Today is not about picnics or lake days or killer sales (although those things are nice, and a part of the freedom that we get to enjoy!). Today is about them. So I challenge you, as you go about enjoying your day off and making sweet memories with friends and family, pause for a moment and think about those who have died. Say a prayer of comfort for their families. And stop taking our freedom for granted.
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memorialday #freedomisntfree #americathebeautiful

Microwave Mug Brownies (The Easy Way!)

May 29, 2021 Leave a Comment

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As many of you know, I am a huge sucker for a mug cake, cookie, brownie- you name it! If I can whip it up in the microwave when my sweet tooth hits, I am game! Mug treats are so quick and easy, and the fact that you can make them in a single serving is a blessing and a curse. It can be a tad dangerous when you are trying to clean up your diet a bit. Recently though, I got turned on to Hunrgyroot and their Black Bean Brownie Batter, and you guys, it’s a game changer! You can keep their doughs and batters on auto ship (along with tons of other health groceries!) and whip up Microwave Mug Brownies any time you want!

This stuff is legit good, despite what you may think when you look at the main ingredient (black beans!). At only 100 calories per 2 TBSP, this batter is Vegan, Gluten Free and Soy Free, but you won’t miss them a bit! I’ll put the ingredients list and nutrition facts at the end of this post, if you care to read the nitty gritty.

More of a cookie person?! No problem! Hungryroot has tons of other doughs that are good for you, like their Almond Chickpea Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie dough and more! I’ve tried them all and they are all dang delicious. Plus, you can totally eat the dough with a spoon, straight from the container! No egg to worry about here!

Want to give Hungryroot a try? Use this link to get 40% off of your first shipment, plus FREE doughs for life!

Okay, you ready for me to rock your world with how easy this is?

Look at that gooey, chocolatey goodness! You wouldn’t have any idea smelling, looking or tasting it that it is vegan or that the main ingredient is actually black beans! And while it isn’t without carbs, the carb count is way lower than your typical brownie which means that it can be incorporated into a gestational diabetes diet a bit more easily, when properly balanced!

This is also a fantastic use for the Pampered Chef Egg Cooker! I use mine for almost anything from oatmeal to eggs to mug cakes…it is the most versatile product in my kitchen! If you don’t have one, run and grab one HERE. You won’t be sorry!

To turn this delicious, gooey dough into a brownie, all you have to do is scoop out 2 TBSP (shout out to the adjustable measuring spoons!).

Drop them in your mug. Okay, I did 3 here. I was skipping lunch and hangry! But the nutrition facts are for 2, and 2 is plenty!

If you are using the Egg Cooker, put the vented lid on. If you’re using a mug, you can skip that obviously.

Stick that bad boy in the microwave and warm for about 45 seconds. If you want it more gooey, stick to closer to 30 seconds. More cakes? go with 60. I prefer mine somewhere in the middle.

(Please ignore the rust in my microwave! It has been like that since we bought our home. I clean it, I swear!)

Remove, let cool for a second and enjoy!

Since we have been using Hungryroot, I have been enjoying these pretty much daily. I don’t feel one bit guilty about it though, and that is a huge win for this sweets-lovin’ girl!

Have you tried Hunrgyroot yet? If not, you definitely need to! Easy, healthy meals that come together in minutes, guilt-free snacks and sweets and fully prepped groceries that come right to your door? That’s a big fat yes from me!

Again, you can use this link to save 40% off on your first shipment to give it a try! Plus you get a FREE dough with every shipment, for life!

As promised, here are those nutrition facts!

Ingredients

Black Beans (Black Beans, Water, Salt, Calcium Chloride), Almond Butter (Dry Roasted Almonds), Coconut Sugar, Tahini (Crushed Sesame Seeds), Vegan Chocolate Chips (Cane Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter), Maple Syrup, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla Extract (Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Alcohol), Sea Salt, Baking Powder (Monocalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Corn Starch [from non-GMO corn]), Sodium Bicarbonate

Contains: Almonds, Coconut

Processed in the same facility as Peanuts

Nutrition

Servings per container: 9

Serving size: 2 tbsp (30g)

Amount per serving: Calories 100, Total Fat 5g (6% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 115mg (5% DV), Total Carbohydrate 12g (4% DV), Dietary Fiber 2g (7% DV), Sugars 7g (includes 6g Added Sugars 12% DV), Protein 3g, Vitamin D (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (4% DV), Potassium (4% DV).

The % Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

While you’re here, try out my viral Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie!

More uses for the Egg Cooker!

Grab recipes HERE!

Copycat Ruth’s Chris Broiled Steaks

May 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

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My husband and I absolutely love a good steak. It is one of our favorite “treat yo-self” meals. However, we are also in ministry, with two small kids. As most families probably do, we live on a pretty strict budget when it comes to splurging on fancy meals out. Ruth’s Chris is one of our favorite anniversary spots- and that is about the only time we go there. It is so pricey (but worth it)! I have spent the last year or so perfecting these delicious, flavorful Copycat Ruth’s Chris Steaks and you guys, they are every bit as good! And so much easier than you may think. Want to learn how? Scroll on!

Before we jump in though, let’s talk about your meat. Quality is important here! I personally prefer to use filets for this recipe and usually look for around 8oz per filet. If I am buying the better brands of steak at the grocery store, this usually runs me about $18-20 for two of us. When I look at my typical grocery budget, it seems a little pricey. But let me tell you. We went to Ruth’s Chris last week for our 11 year anniversary and it literally cost us $150. Ouch! When you put it into perspective like that, $20 on decent steak is no big deal!

If you want the really, really good stuff, Chicago Steak Company is the best steak delivery service I have tried yet! Everything arrives perfectly frozen and you just thaw it as you want to use it! They provide the same quality beef that restaurants serve, and for the price of a dinner or two at a fancy steakhouse, you can stock your freezer well. Use THIS LINK and get free shipping and 3 free gifts on your first order! I’m going to teach you how to cook them to perfection, so you won’t be sad!

Also, you are going to want to make sure that you have a good Cast Iron Skillet. I am obsessed with my Pampered Chef one and the quality that our brand offers. Plus it has a lifetime guarantee! The Lodge one is pretty great, too.

Ok, let’s get to it!

The first thing you will want to do is preheat your oven’s broiler. Heat that bad boy up as hot as it will go. I just set ours on high. You will want to allow it to heat up for at least 30 minutes, so plan accordingly.

While your oven is heating, remove your steaks from their packaging (make sure you thaw overnight if you do frozen!), pat them dry and season with salt and pepper to taste.

I like to place my cast iron skillet in the oven about halfway into the heating process to warm up. When the oven is hot and ready to go, remove the skillet and place 3 TBSP of salted butter (not margarine) in it to melt.

As soon as the butter is melted, place your steaks in the skillet and top with another TBSP of butter each. They will sizzle a bit since your pan is hot!

This next part will take some practice as you learn to cook the steaks to your personal preference. An instant-read meat thermometer is your best friend here! You want to cook them to your desired doneness, using this temperature chart (save and print it off for quick reference!). I like mine medium, which takes about 10-12 minutes in my gas oven, depending on how thick our steaks are.

Halfway through cooking, you will take the steaks out and turn them over, carefully, with a pair of tongs. I like these long handled ones because the butter is sizzling and popping when you take them out. So for your first time or two, let them cook 4-5 minutes and then remove them, check the temperature, flip them and put them back in.

Make sure you check the temp often so that you don’t overcook! Like I said, once you learn about how long it takes you to reach your desired temperature, this part gets so much easier. Another note- my husband prefers his medium-rare which obviously takes less time. Usually I will put mine in for a minute or two first and then add his, so that they are done at the same time. This is generally preferable to removing his early and it cooling off while mine cooks.

Your fully cooked steaks will look like this!

Plate them with a yummy chopped salad (I love the kits from Walmart Grocery!), baked potato or your favorite mashed potatoes! It really is that easy! A buttery, tender, delicious and so flavorful filet right in your own kitchen- no steak sauce needed!

You can totally do this with other cuts of steak, too. I just personally prefer the filet!

If you want to really wow your guests, serve up their steaks in these adorable mini cast iron skillets! The are perfect to go from oven to table and make you look a bit more gourmet! I hope you absolutely love our Copycat Ruth’s Chris Steaks!

Copycat Ruth's Chris Broiled Steaks

Servings: 2-6
Time: 45 mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

Ingredients:

6-8oz quality steaks– as many as you like. We prefer filets, but sirloin and other cuts work too.
3 TBSP salted butter, + 1 additional TBSP per steak
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional- fresh parsley to garnish

Directions:

Thaw your steaks overnight if necessary. Make sure they are fully thawed before proceeding.
Preheat your oven’s broiler to high for at least 30 minutes, placing your cast iron skillet in about halfway.
While your oven is heating, pat your steaks dry and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the oven is hot, remove your skillet and melt 3 TBSP of butter in the skillet.
As soon as the butter is melted, drop your steaks in, and top with an additional TBSP of butter.
Broil to your desired doneness (See the chart below), turning halfway through and checking with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Remove from oven, plate and serve immediately!

Make sure you print off this chart for quick reference!

And don’t forget your wine! Winc will ship right to your door and personalize based on your taste! Complete date night right here!

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The Best Subscription Boxes for Men

May 25, 2021 Leave a Comment

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, I have set out to find you guys the best subscription boxes for men! Whether he is into beer, wine, snacks, grilling or more, there is something for everyone! Scroll on and click the pink links (or images) for more information.

Chicago Steak Company Meat Boxes

Is there much better than a good steak? I mean sure, if you are a vegetarian I suppose this doesn’t speak to you. But our family- especially my guy- loves good old fashioned meat. Chicago Steak Company delivers premium quality that is perfect for grilling season!

Dollar Shave Club

We made the switch to Dollar Shave about 2 years ago and haven’t looked back. And ladies! It is not just for the guys! Michael got me my own handle and we split the blade shipments. They provide a really high quality shave at a fraction of the cost. With easy delivery, we never run out!

Nature Box Snack Boxes

Men love snacks. It’s just a fact! And as wives, a lot of the time we wish they would snack a little healthier, am I right? Packed with better-for-you ingredients that keep wellness in mind, Nature Box delivers delicious goodies that you can feel good about!

Keto Krate

Along the same lines of better snacking, Keto Krate offers Keto friendly snacks made super easy. Even if he doesn’t follow a Keto diet, these low-carb alternatives are great options when cravings hit!

Universal Yums

This is just fun! Universal Yums delivers snacks from a different country each month, along with information about that country with trivia, recipes and more! Super fun for the world traveler, or the guy that wishes he was. This one is right up my dad’s alley and a really unique gift!

Bonus- this can be a really fun, unique way to teach our kids about different cultures, too. It makes a great homeschool activity!

Bespoke Post

If your guy really enjoys random, unique man things, Bespoke Post is a great option for him! They pride themselves on unique finds, and the things that come are so cool! Whisky kits, knives, bar tools, axes….it doesn’t get much manlier than this!

Death Wish Coffee

Good, strong coffee delivered right to your house each month so that you never run out is a dream! And Death Wish coffee is strong. They also roast with a special technique using organic, fair trade and sustainably sourced beans. If you haven’t given them a try, I definitely recommend. And I am a coffee lovin’ girl!

Grill Masters Club

Does he love grilling, smoking, and bbq? That means he probably also loves trying new things that will make him a better pitmaster. That’s were the Grill Masters Club comes in! Every month they send a box of sauces, rubs, marinades, wood chips, new recipes, and grilling accessories to your door. This is a fantastic gift, and goes great with a coveted Blackstone Griddle!

The Craft Beer Club

What guy wouldn’t want beer delivered each month? The Craft Beer Club searches out all of the best craft beers from around the country to bring new flavors with each shipment. It is actually a really cool concept that any man would love to have (if he likes beer!).

Wine of the Month Club

More of a wine drinker? No problem! The Wine of the Month Club has it covered! They carefully curate for the best wine and send it right to you!

There you have it! 10 of what I personally believe are the best subscription boxes for the dudes! There is truly a little bit of something for everyone. Have you tried any of these? Let us know in the comments!

You can grab more great Father’s Day gift ideas HERE!

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A Week of Budget-Friendly Meals

May 24, 2021 Leave a Comment

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Taking it in a little bit different of a direction for this week’s Meal Plan Monday! After an extra long vacation and a few other expenses, I wanted to focus this week on delicious, home-cooked but budget-friendly meals. Eating well doesn’t always have to mean spending a fortune on groceries! Try out a few of these to freshen up your meal rotation. Even better, go claim your FREE two week trial of eMeals and pick from hundreds yourself! If you haven’t read my complete review yet, go do that here!

Scroll on, and click the pink links for the recipes!

Monday: Turkey-Bacon Roll-Ups with Sliced Apples and Potato Chips

It’s been a minute since I made a pizza dough roll up, and this one just sounded too good to pass up! Filled with crispy bacon, turkey and melty cheese, it sounds like a big winner and I can’t wait to try it out!

Tuesday: Tex-Mex Pork Tenderloin with Smoky Potato Tots and Tangy Green Beans

I know I have mentioned before, because it is the funniest thing to me, but of all of the “kid” foods that my children won’t eat, they love pork tenderloin! It is a meal that I can typically count on them devouring, and it’s a healthier option! Those smoky Tater Tots sound delicious too. I’ll totally be making those in our Ninja Foodi for the fried taste!

Wednesday: Barbecue Chicken over Spicy Cheese Grits

I absolutely love grits, but I always forget about them when I am planning our meals! I will probably just use regular Colby Jack for the girls instead of pepper jack, but I’ll do the spice for us grown-ups!

Thursday: Lasagna Roll-Ups with Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread

Lasagna is my sweet husband’s favorite meal. Lasagna roll ups are a fun twist, and I love that these ones incorporate spinach to help sneak a little extra veggie into my kids!

Friday: Sausage and Sweet Pepper Pizzas

Fridays are pizza nights here a lot of the time. I love that this recipe is basically dressing up a simple frozen cheese pizza! You could go wild and make your own dough from scratch, but I am all for quick fixes this week! We actually really like the taste of the cheap $2.50 Great Value rising crust cheese pizzas. Why have I never thought of this?!

Saturday: Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu with Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli

Chicken Cordon Bleu is so delicious, but I am loving the idea of doing grilled chicken instead of breaded! We went a little more carb-heavy than usual this week, so cleaning up a favorite is a win. I am hoping I can sweet talk Michael into firing up the ol’ Blackstone Griddle for these!

Sunday: Grilled Chicken with Colorful Tomato-Corn Salad

Finishing off the week light! The simple flavors in this dish are a great way to end one week and start another. I’m going to have Michael go ahead and grill the chicken on the Blackstone on Saturday when he does the cordon bleu. Then I will just re-heat in minutes in the Ninja Foodi to make this simple, healthy meal a little quicker! Easy dinner means more family time, and maybe even a trip for ice cream after!

All of the flavor, without breaking the bank this week! I hope that these budget-friendly meals inspire you to branch out from your typical cheap dinners. Let me know what you’re trying!

While you’re here, check out my favorite meal planning hack that saves me hours every week!

It is Never for Nothing.

May 23, 2021 Leave a Comment

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“It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”- John 9:3

If you’re in a painful season, I want you to hang out with me here for a sec. Someone needs to hear this truth!

After I lost my first child I struggled hard with trying to understand the “why” of it all. I felt like God was punishing me for something I had done to allow that kind of pain into my life. Being in ministry with women who are going through that loss, and infertility, I can tell you honestly that there are many well-meaning Christians Who would tell a woman that if she just has more faith then she will be given the desires of her heart. That if she would just go to church more, then maybe God wouldn’t have allowed her baby to die. Horrible, I know. But I know real women who have been told things like this, and honestly my heart felt that all on my own after losing my baby.

But Jesus. Jesus reminds us in the story of the blind man who received his sight that our pain has a purpose! Sometimes in life we are allowed hard things because that very thing may be what helps the next person to see Jesus. Now, we can either sit and wallow in our hard, or we can choose to take that pain and use it for God’s glory.

Over the last decade of my life, I have learned this lesson firsthand. If you’re struggling through a hard season in your marriage, financially, in your singleness, the loss of a child, the loss of a parent, whatever your hard may be- be open to what God might want to do through you. Share your story. Talk about it with others who are experiencing the same thing. Be a giver of hope. Being willing to talk about our rough first year of marriage, I have seen help young wives to make it through their own. Sharing about our miscarriage has helped countless other women. I say this not to brag on myself, but as a testament to Jesus.

If you’re still sitting in the throes of that hard season, I simply want to tell you to hang in there! Better days are ahead. It will get easier. Just know that even though it may not feel like it right now, God can use this pain for good! it is never for nothing.