another smoothie!

STRAWBERRY ORANGE SMOOTHIE (Serves 2)
1 container light mixed berry yogurt (100 calories)
1 cup orange juice (110 calories)
1 cup skim milk (90 calories)
10 frozen strawberries (100 calories)

puree! that's it. 200 calories per serving.

Tropical Smoothie

With fresh fruit pretty much dunzo for the season, I decided Chuck and I needed another option for getting fruit into our diets.

This tasty smoothie concoction kind of made me feel like I was on the beach for a moment. Except that it was a 45 degree morning in Ohio and I was sitting on my couch at 7 a.m.

Whatever.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE (Serves 2)
1 container light banana yogurt (100 calories)
1 cup orange juice (~70 calories)
1/2 cup skim milk (90 calories)
8 frozen peach slices (100 calories)

Blend on Puree for 2 minutes. Total calories per serving: 180

If you want to make the smoothie your actual breakfast, add two servings of vanilla protein powder. We had ours with whole grain English muffins and natural peanut butter.

just wanted to say...

that life is so beautiful. don't you agree? maybe it's because I'm still buzzing from a perfect Sunday morning message, but I'm really feeling good today.

our message was about making a comeback, and I am SO ready for a spiritual comeback. I'm ready to pour my life into the good things.

I think fall started last night. I could smell it this morning, and it. smelled. good.

if you know Gilmore Girls, you know how Lorelai can smell the snow. I can TOTALLY relate to that... I can smell the leaves changing. not just after it rains, or once they have fallen. I start smelling it the minute it happens, I swear.

fall is the best season. I'm going to make Shepherd's Pie and Pumpkin Bread tonight, and take a walk with my husband.

la vie est si, si belle.

in these tough economic times.

I was hoping this could uplift some of my friends.

---

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:26-34 (NIV)

good way to enjoy extra veggies.

if you grow your own veggies, or if you just hate throwing away food, this is a TASTY way to use those extra vegetables.

here's my recipe:

MEDITERRANEAN DILL SALAD

1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 Large Tomato, diced
1 Cucumber, diced
3 Stalks Celery, diced
2 Stems Fresh Dill, diced

3/4 Cup Light Sour Cream
2 TBS Lemon Juice

Dice vegetables, combine in one bowl. Add dill, sour cream, and lemon juice. Stir until each veggie is covered. Chill and enjoy!

Shepherd's Pie.

I "borrowed" this recipe from one of Chuck's friends Sara Arnold, who "borrowed" it from Paula Dean. Shepherd's Pie is the best kind of homecooked meal... meat and potatoes included! Here's my variation below.

SHEPHERD'S PIE

10 small red potatoes
milk, butter, sour cream, salt, pepper to taste

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

1 lb ground beef
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 clove garlic
Half one white onion, diced fine
Two tablespoons olive oil
Crushed Red Pepper to taste

1 bag instant biscuit mix

First Layer: Mashed Potatoes
Cut your red potatoes small, boil till soft. I left the skin on, because I prefer them that way. :) Mash with milk, butter, sour cream, then add salt and pepper to taste. I use about 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1/4 cup butter. To save calories and fat, I used Fat Free Milk, Light Sour Cream, and Canola Oil butter.

Second Layer: Mixed Vegetables
Microwave till soft, layer over mashed potatoes. You can really use any vegetable you prefer. I used corn, carrots, and peas.

Third Layer: Beef
Saute your diced onions in olive oil till golden. Add beef and chopped garlic, cook till brown. Add tomato sauce and reduce heat to low. Simmer until you're ready for layering.

Fourth Layer: Biscuit
Combine instant biscuit mix with 1 cup milk, should be thin. Pour and spread carefully over beef layer.

When you're ready for layering, here's how it goes:
Layer halfway with mashed potatoes, then add your vegetables. Spoon beef/tomato mixture next, using a slotted spoon to minimize extra oil. Finally, spread your biscuit mix carefully over the beef. Finish with some melted butter on top, to encourage browning.

Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees, until the biscuit layer is golden, but not too brown. No one likes dry biscuits.

We loved it! Thanks Sara.

10 things that make me smile.

1. my Tim Horton's iced coffee. a favorite Friday tradition.
2. the dozen pink and red roses on my desk. hubs sent them to me yesterday.
3. being married for two months. I really like twos.
4. sort of casual Fridays. makes me feel scandalous.
5. Thursday nights with our church friends. I love this new bond.
6. the weather outside, and the absence of humidity.
7. knowing that I will have a deck to enjoy by the end of this weekend.
8. a morning of good music on the radio, when I forgot my iPod.
9. the girls at my work, who make me smile all day long.
10. God's grace, His providence, and the blessings in my life.