Encouragement Thursday

From time to time I struggle with anxiety.  This week out of nowhere, I got anxiety, about nothing in particular.  Sometimes when I get this anxiety, I am scared that God is not with me or something is wrong with me to make me feel like this.  Today I was reading my Jesus Calling Devotional and it spoke directly to this anxiety.  Hope it encourages you like it did me.  Here is a little piece of the devotional.  Click here if you would like to see the whole thing.

April 18 Jesus Calling

Just as the Isrealites could not store up manna for the future but had to gather it daily, so it is with My Peace.  The day-by-day collecting of manna kept My people aware of their dependence on Me.  Similarly, I give you sufficient Peace for the present, when you come to me by prayer and petition with thanksgiving.  If I gave you my permanent Peace, independent of My Presence, you might fall into the trap of self-sufficincy.  May that never be!....Approach My throne of grace with bold confidence, receiving My Peace with a thankful heart.  

Thank you Jesus for this encouraging word to me today. 

Scripture reference:  

Exodus 16:14-20

Philippians 4:6-7, 19

Hebrews 4:16

Workout Wednesday

I am not sure how I am going to approach Workout Wednesday.  I think I will start by writing my workout plans for the week.  Over time I also plan to write about different go-to workouts that I enjoy.  There are so many great workout plans out there.  I typically do the same routine each week.  It varies depending on when I get off work.  Here is what it is looking like for me this week.

Monday:  50 minute walk on trail
Tuesday:  Weight Loss Yoga (I am not trying to lose weight but that is what the Biggest Loser Yoga DVD is called and I really like it)
Wednesday:  Body Combat at the YMCA or walk on the trail
Thursday:  Body Sculpting at YMCA (strength training class)
Friday:  Walk hopefully (may not have time)
Saturday:  Walk
Sunday:  Walk

What I Ate Tuesday

Are you ready for my exciting day of eats?

Breakfast:

Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Oats

(1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, 1/2 cup milk, 3 ice cubes, 1/2 frozen banana, 3 or 4 frozen strawberries, sprinkle cinnamon and blend.  Add 1/3 cup uncooked oats at the end, stir up and enjoy.  The longer it sits the better the oats taste)

Green Tea to go with it

Lunch:

 This is at lunch after I had added in my spinach, tomato and cheese

 This is the night before

Quinoa Salad from Breanna (she uses pasta but I use quinoa, both are awesome)

It turned out really good and the recipe follows

Snack:
Strawberries and 1/2 of a mango (sorry no pic, I ate it on the run)
Baby Carrots dipped in peanut butter (also no pic)

Dinner:

 Had a little corn tortilla with butter and jelly on the side

 This is the tricky part, I had to flip this, then add toppings

 Sauteed cauliflower, bell pepper and sausage

 Add cheese and fold over.  Then I put my corn tortilla in the skillet

Omlete

(2 eggs, ground sausage, cauliflower, bell pepper and cheese)

Snack:  Mixed nuts with dark chocolate chips (walnuts, dry roasted peanuts, slivered almonds, tiny amount of dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips.


Quinoa Salad
1 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to directions (makes 3 cups cooked)
1/2 package halved pepperonis
1/2 bell pepper, diced (you could use olives instead, that is how Breanna makes it)
3/4 cup Italian dressing
Cherry tomatoes
1/2 pound mozzarella, cubed
Drizzle olive oil

Combine all ingredients together and refrigerate.  Serve over spinach.  I made a few modifications to this for my lunch because I didn't have enough pepperoni (so I just used less) and I only had a roma tomato and shredded mozzerella so I decided to add them each time I eat it.
I added the cheese, fresh cut tomato and spinach at lunch when I ate it.  Delish

Menu Monday

Happy Monday!  I was at a Women't Retreat with our church all weekend.  It was a very good experience.  I did not have time to prep food this weekend so I am doing this menu on the fly, trying to use up all my groceries.  Tonight I made a yeast free Mexican Pizza.  The crust was super easy and I would definately make it again.  I want to try it with normal pizza toppings (but I needed to use up my refried beans).  Anyways, here is the menu for the week:
Monday:  Mexican Pizza
Tuesday:  Omelets with Sausage, bell pepper, cauliflower (weird but good) and cheese
Wednesday:  Sausage, Beans and Rice
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Dinner with Kourt and Keith
Saturday:  Open
Sunday:  Steak Potato Nachos

 Before baking

Topped with refried beans, bell pepper and spinach

 After it is baked

 With a little creamy salsa-yum!

Mexican Pizza
Yeast Free Crust for 1:
1/4 cup oat flour
3 Tbsp. almond meal
1 Tbsp. rice flour
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. italian seasoning
1 egg
1 tsp. olive oil, plus a little on pan
Toppings:
1/2 cup refried beans (I added cumin and chili powder to mine)
1/4 to 1/3 cup cheese
bell pepper
spinach

Preheat oven to 350 (I used toaster oven).  Line your pan with with nonstick foil and a little oil.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl and then spread onto your pan and shape into a circle.  It will be a little sticky, you can just put some rice flour on your fingers.  Bake for 10 minutes.  When it comes out of the oven top with refried beans, cheese, bell peppers and spinach (feel free to vary your toppings).  Bake for 15 more minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble.  Enjoy.
I dipped mine in yogurt salsa (greek yogurt mixed with salsa, it is like sour cream salsa)

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you," declares the Lord.

Jeremeiah 29: 13-14a

Hope you are all off to a great week.  See you tomorrow for What I Ate Tuesday.