Stir Fry!!

YUMM, I think our favorite meal in this house might be stir fry!! My favorite because I can load it with tons of veggies and my son will go to town on it!! I've been making this recipe for a long long time and not only my sons favorite but my sons Godfather Brett's favorite along with a few other of the boys!!

Ingredients:

For the meat:
1 pkg stir fry steak (Walmart sells this pre-cut) -- BINGO!
2 cups "Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce"
1 green pepper (cut into strips)
1 head of broccoli (diced)
1 yellow onion (diced)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

For the rice:
3 cups of white instant rice
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 zucchini (diced)
1/2 yellow onion (diced)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2-3 eggs

Instructions:
** Hint: before starting: cut all veggies up and place have ready to go!
1. If you have time soak the meat in the teriyaki marinade for a couple hours; if not its okay!  Place meat in stir fry pan with the olive oil and marinade sauce. Let this cook for about 2 minutes.
2. Place all the vegetable for the meat in the pan and cover; let cook until vegetables are soft.
3. Start on rice; In a microwavable bowl place: rice, soy sauce, butter and water, cook until rice is fluffy!
4. In a separate pan from stir fry scramble the eggs (I say 2-3 depending on how you like your rice; we use three) and place in the rice bowl. 
5.  With heat still on place 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and put in diced zucchini and diced onions and cook until soft.
6. Place rice mixture in with zucchini and onions and stir together for about five minutes. 

By the time you get done preparing the rice the meat and veggies should be done! To plate place rice on bottom and top with meat and vegetable mixture!!

HOPE YOU ENJOY!!


Ashley

Patiently Waiting...

This house has had such a turn around in the last few weeks; it speaks in volumes to me.  We have been working on just spending time with one another and laying back letting God take control.  I'm so anxious to graduate school; its making me antsy!  Yesterday I worked and went to school almost 22 hours straight.  My feet were tired and I was ready to just give up; I was tired and beyond frustrated.  But God gave me strength to pick this morning and continue on with my day! I forget sometime that I need to be more patient with God.  To allow his ways to truly work in my life, not only letting go and letting him lead my life, but in being patient with the plan he has set forth for me.  I know all these things will come but some days it's hard to wait for it to get here.  Like I said this is a long journey that wont end till I'm at heavens gates, but getting there should be a patient and forthcoming experience. 
My verse for today was out of Romans 8:24-25 :
 "For in this hope we are saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."

As much as I want everything right now and I'm letting go of a lot of hurtful things in my life, I really want to work on my patience.  It's teaches us to be calm and up lifting.  I know he has a plan; I have no idea what that plan is, but I need to practice my patience while waiting for him. 

I read a quote by Joni Eareckson Tada today saying: " The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the lord."

I think that summed up how I felt the last few days, I'm waiting for everything to happen and I need to learn to wait for patiently.  While I wait it would be better use of my time to help others and do God's work then constantly planning my future for which he has already planned for me. 

Ashley

Crock pot Cherry Pork Loin

Mmmm.... if you want something to warm your soul this is the perfect meal!! My dad and I like to experiment with recipes! This one we had found and kind of tweaked it here and there and its is still one of our favorites along with anyone who has tried it!

Ingredient:
1 pork loin (plain)
1 bag frozen veggies (your choice; we do a variety bag)
1 can cherry filling(yes, the pie filling cherries)
 1 Tbsp chili powder
 salt and pepper to taste

 Instructions:
 1. Throw all ingredients in the crock pot on high for 6 hours. Shred the meat with two forks and serve however you would like. ENJOY :)

Ashley

Enchanting Beads for Pergola!

This summer after I graduate I am doing and overhaul on my back yard!! We are putting in a Pergola with a hanging daybed! Of course I am adding lights for that twinkle, but I thought how cool to have some beads hanging down.  I looked in the store for some decorative outdoor beads... to expensive for outdoor beads is you ask me!! I am a bargain shopper for the most part and if I can make it I will! So I went the craft store and bought some bracelet wire and beads. So while I'm cooped up inside for winter; I figure why not start on the small odds and ends.. I took the bracelet wire and cut it into different lengths and started adding beads!! Super easy and all about $6, and I still have bracelet wire left.

Ashley

Shredded Taco Lime Chicken

After working all night at the hospital, I'm to tired to cook for dinner!! This took me next to no time to throw in the pot and is a family favorite around here!







Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen)
1 cup Salsa of your choice
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 pkg taco seasoning
1/2 lime juiced
1 cup white rice
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Place frozen chicken, salsa, chicken broth, taco seasoning, salt and pepper, and lime juice into crock pot on high heat.
2. Let chicken cook for 3-4 hours. Take two forks and shred chicken.
3. Add rice and let cook on high for another hour. Serve any which way you like; tacos, enchiladas, salad, etc..

Ashley

Close your eyes, clear your, heart, let it go.....

I think to often in life I try to hold on to things, whether it be people, things or time. I often get this gut wrenching feeling when I think I might never get to see someone again or talk to them. I often worry that I didn't get to explain my side of the story or that someone is mad at me (when its just my own paranoia). I think of all things that will go wrong, this is the worst thing about me. I WORRY. I can't trust and it makes it hard for me to have a relationship of any kind because I worry from the moment it starts I'm going to loose it. My reaction- hold on tighter and fight harder. I never give up. <------ all of this is WRONG. I shouldn't be fearful or live in worry. God has made it clear that he will provide and keep me strong. Which he does, but maybe I wouldn't hold tighter each time if I just learned to let God handle it, like I should have in the first place. This place we call earth isn't our home- it's no where near the place God promises us. GALATIONS 4:7 reads: "God will give you what he promised, because you are his child." My life is promised to me and my life with everything I need is promised to me. I have to learn to TRUST God first- I often find myself doubting him- even though I know that is wrong- I question him "why is this happening, again?" I realized that after all this, how can I seriously trust others; when I cant even trust my God, My creator, My rock. I think back now how stupid I was to doubt his every move. I find it funny I have such a big issue with this because one of my favorite verses that I read almost once a week had the answer- Proverbs 3:5-6 reads: "Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." It's funny I have read that verse a million times and still haven't trusted him with my whole heart. I started last night packing away old pictures that I didn't need of my sons father- things I've held on to. I want to have a healthy relationship with him and I don't think forcing a friendship or making myself upset because it's not going a certain way was helping. I figured out its time to let go, time to let God go through with his plan for me. Time to stop holding on to things that make me worry. There should be no worry or fear. PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. So before bed last night I closed my eyes, cleared my heart, and let it ALL go. I have been using an amazing APP called "myfittnespal", its awesome- I have not only lost 6lbs in 3 weeks but I'm learning this time what is good for me and what not to eat. It's going to be a working process on the working out thing, but I've found some exercises that last about 15 minutes that I do- which I think will be fine for starting out. I started two weeks ago to 150lbs and i am now down to 144lbs! Have a blessed day, Ashley