{Photo Credit}

Monday ~ Chop Suey Hotdish

Tuesday ~ Chicken fajitas

Wednesday ~ Barbeque Chicken

Thursday ~ Kale quinoa with sweet potato tots

Friday~ Porkchops, mashed potatoes, and green beans

Saturday ~ Hobo packets with venison

Sunday ~ Jumbalaya 

This past week I’ve been inspired by two friends, Beck and Stacy, and a little ball with a handle on it.  I’ve been working out and doing a kettlebell challenge, and even though it’s hard it’s been SO good too.  I had forgotten what it felt like to chisel out a little time for me in a day and what it feels like to sweat a little, have fatigued muscles, and feel the soreness from a hard workout.

I’m gonna be a buff mama!  :)

What’s been inspiring you?

Inspirational Links to share~

::Murphy’s Law for Mom’s

::A list of free classic children’s books on audio

::Upcycled boxes for cute fabric “baskets”

::Arnold’s 6 Secrets of Success

{Photo Credit}

Confession: The last few days around here have been less than peaceful.  It’s been a whirlwind with the toddler and lacking in compassion, love, and patience.

I can blame the craziness on things, but I’m not sure that it holds any weight.  Sure, she’s vying for attention now that she has a baby brother.  Sure, she’s on the verge of three and as I’ve heard three is so much worse than two.  Sure, she’s old enough to know better but still wants to test her limits.  Sure, she wants autonomy.

Really though, I’m the adult here and I can process all of this stuff going on.  I can be more aware of it all.  I can be present with her.  I can show her compassion, love, and patience so that she will show it back to me and others.

I can let go of yesterday.

I did when I went up to her this morning looked her in the eyes and said, “I love you.  You’re a cool kid.”  She smiled at me kind of shyly and then I pointed at her.  She pointed back and made a funny face.  We did this back and forth making faces and pointing all around in silence.  We made a connection, a silly little connection.

I’m ready to start anew.

{Photo Credit}

Oh baby, it’s been cold outside!  I’m talking negative numbers and even bigger negative numbers with the windchill, and I swear one day I could feel the cold breeze move through our old farm house.  So.. I’ve been inspired by comforting foods, reading or working with mugs of hot tea, and preparing for new projects around here (like goat kidding season).

What’s inspiring you lately?

::Coconut chocolate pie.  It’s easy with 4 ingredients and super rich and yummy!  It goes good with hot coffee.

::Oat bread by SouleMama.  Bread is a comfort food in my book and goes so good on the side of some soup.

::Thoughts on Meaningful Consumerism.  Don’t give up having beautiful things around you because you are afraid of being too much of a consumer.

::Join the kettle bell challenge with me!  It’s a good way to stay warm and fit this winter.

Have a blessed Sunday!  Stay inspired, friends!

So… I’m a little late posting my meal plan today but hey, it’s still Monday and I have my meals planned a month in advance so I know what’s for dinner tonight already.  :)  What are you eating this week?

Monday – Beef nachos with cheese, lettuce, and homemade jarred salsa.

Tuesday – Gluten free spaghetti and salads

Wednesday – Stuffed zucchini

Thursday – Autumn Sausage Casserole

Friday – Jumbalaya

Saturday – Venison steaks with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies

Sunday - Minestrone soup and homemade bread

Yesterday I spent the afternoon giving a presentation about Reiki at my friend’s yoga retreat and giving mini-sessions to those there.  I always feel so blessed, renewed, and inspired after Reiki sessions – almost like I have given myself a treatment.

While, I was at the retreat I was served to a wonderful lunch of salad, ferment sauerkraut, and portobello mushroom pizzas.  So yummy!  I’ve got to add that to my menu and learn how to ferment my own kraut.

Sunday Inspirational Links

::Don’t have enough time?

::What happened to play?

::Your children do what they see you do!

::A funny video – new age girls

Monday: Tacos with all the fixings (cheese, spinach, sprouts, salsa)

Tuesday: Vegan healing soup and crackers

Wednesday: Homemade pizza and roasted cauliflower

Thursday: Crockpot Orange Chicken

Friday: Curried chicken cantonese in the wok with crab rangoons

Saturday: Sloppy joes and fries

Sunday: Creamy potato soup and oat bread from Rhythm of Family

For more meal ideas, visit Organizing Junkie

I have an app on my phone with affirmations, and I feel like this is the one of the day.

Today’s affirmation: I love and care for my body and it cares for me.

I have been focused on health the past few days after learning a friend has been diagnosed with leukemia.  Making time for moving my body through exercise a little more, being conscious of the food I eat, and planning check ups for myself and my family.  With the focus on the health and happiness of oneself, you realize what can slide.  What things aren’t as important as living and being with one another.

Here are some health centered Sunday inspirations:

12 Foods for a Healthy Immune System

Your Body is a Mirror

Conscious Health

And because I think my husband is pretty amazing and has some wonderful insights – here’s a link to a post he wrote called “Teaching Our Kids to Challenge Authority.”  I’ll need to re-read this and remind myself about the overall goal when my daughter tries to compromise with me.

Happy Sunday, friends!

Inspired by Soule Mama

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I am still planning my menu by the month so that I can buy in bulk only once a month and visit the grocery store for produce once a week.  Here is our menu coming into the new year.

Monday: Enchiladas

Tuesday: Spaghetti with broccoli and cauliflower in the sauce

Wednesday: Ravioli soup with homemade bread

Thursday: Lasagna in the crockpot with homemade garlic bread

Friday: Pheasant with root veggies

Saturday: Hamburgers and homemade fries

Sunday: Paleo meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans

For more meal ideas, visit The Org Junkie.