Strawberry Mango Salsa

Salsa is a totally fun food to me.  You can do so many things with it - as a dip, as a topping for meat, as a fun addition to a wrap or sandwich - and fruity, spicy ones are my favorite kinds.  When I heard about a strawberry-mango combination last week, I decided to try it.

The kids and I mixed this up last night.  It's super simple and has a great fresh, summery taste.  We ate it in grilled haddock wraps, and we're planning to scoop some up with cinnamon-sugar tortilla points next, and then on grilled jerk chicken after that.  I think it would be great in a salad, too!

Ingredients:

• 1 c. diced mango (about 1 whole)
• 1 c. diced strawberries
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 1/3 c. diced red onion
• dash of freshly ground salt
• dash of freshly ground black pepper

This is so simple to make!

1. Dice and combine all ingredients.
2. Allow flavors to meld in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.

I wanted to share a picture of our wraps, but we ate them too fast!  There was nothing left to photograph.  So how would you eat your strawberry-mango salsa?

"Need You Now" by Beth Wiseman

Darlene Henderson and her husband Brad recently moved from big city life to a farm in rural Texas, where the kids are turning over a new, peaceful leaf and they're all settling into life in the slow lane.  That is, until Darlene realizes that with their youngest child now doing well in middle school and less involvement with her children's activities, she has more time on her hands than ever - and nobody seems to need her.  She takes a teacher's position in a local school for students with special needs, and the family scrambles to fill her homemaking shoes.  In the commotion of the move, Brad's long daily commute, and Darlene's new schedule, however, nobody notices as each teen finds new temptations in small town life - and the Henderson marriage has trouble finding a new balance.  When the handsome dad of Darlene's new student enters the picture, will he be just another ripple in the pond - or the final straw on the camel's back?

I've been a fan of Wiseman's work for a while - you can read my reviews of some of her other books here and here - and this one is even better.  From the very beginning, although my children are still small and need much daily help, I could identify with Darlene, especially in her quest to be useful.  She wants her work, whether at home, with her family, in her marriage, or at a paying job, to be of significance to somebody, and her family no longer notices the effort she puts forth for them each day.  

As a wife and mom, I think that this is something that most of us can relate to: do we stay home?  Do we work outside of the home?  Is being available really that important?  Are relatively clean floors and healthy meals of value, and if so, to whom?  Today's American culture doesn't seem to value these efforts in the same way that it did 50 years ago, and Darlene feels the pressure to fill her time and be important.  This struggle initally made me identify with Darlene, but it was her quest to find a solid friendship in her neighbor Layla and the issues with her kids that made me unable to put this book down.

Books where you can predict the ending are not fun.  It's the question, the unanswered dilemma, the what-if that keeps the pages turning, and Wiseman has heaped them upon this book - in spades.  What makes this book completely fascinating is that each question is a pressing concern in our society today, and yet they're all woven realistically into a tapestry that looks like a typical, caring American family.  One wouldn't expect the Cleavers to have a rebellious son, a daughter who cuts, or a wife on the brink of an affair, and yet real families have real problems.  The Hendersons do, too.

That is the best part of Need You Now.  It reads like reality.  It's taken from today's headlines and written in such a way that these issues could be a part of anybody's family.  The script flows smoothly, so well written that it allows the text to fade away as the characters and scenes play out in front of you.  

That is the excellence of Wiseman.  I love her past work.  This is my favorite so far.  I can't wait to read the next one.

I received a free copy of Need You Now from B&B Media Group in exchange for an honest review.

Roasted Turkey and Brie Grilled Sandwich

With lots of leftover roasted turkey last week, I was looking for new ways to use it.   With the temperatures all over the place and busy birthday plans in place, we decided to put them in fun, new sandwiches.  Since I love Brie and hadn't had it in a while, this became our go-to cheese.

Paired with some yummy soup, this made a great meal for a chilly day, but it's hearty enough to stand alone or with a light salad, too.  With the richness of the Brie, the sandwich has a big, stand-up taste - and yet most of the ingredients are actually pretty light and healthy.

So try it and tell us - is this a keeper at your house?

Ingredients:

• hearty, healthy whole wheat bread
• Brie
• fresh spinach
• shredded mozzarella
• freshly ground black pepper
• thin tomato slices
• red peppers, sliced thin
• a few tablespoons of Italian salad dressing
• melted butter

Here's how to put together your very own Roasted Turkey and Brie Grilled Sandwich:

1. Marinate the red peppers in the Italian salad dressing.
2. Grill in a grill pan until cooked through and almost caramelized.
3. Lightly butter the outside of the bread.  
4. Build the sandwich with thin slices of Brie next to the bread, then turkey, then a light sprinkling of mozzarella between each layer, with another thin layer of Brie on top.
5. Brown over medium-low heat for a few moments on each side until lightly toasted.  Using two flippers may facilitate the flipping process.  :-)
6. Serve immediately.  YUM!

What do YOU like to put into your grilled cheese?

Come back on May 7th for a fabulous new take on grilled cheese!

Strong Choices

My legs are sore this morning.

I watched Dancing with the Stars last night, and no, I wasn't dancing, but I did get some exercise.  I was jumping.

My husband brought our mini-trampoline into the living room, and while he went for a run, I hopped my way through the show.

I didn't realize a little bit of hopping would work leg muscles that way.

It's a small thing:  a small amount of hopping, a small amount of soreness, but I hope to make those small changes into big ones.

My family heart history isn't very good, and the trend seems to be that I'll fall prey to having heart issues within 15 years of my current age - and my children at the age I am now.

I want to change that trend, to break that history for them, and so I need to make changes.

It isn't always easy, but I could choose a different path.  One that involves more exercise and less chocolate and more veggies.

I'm trying to choose that path.  I'm realizing that it's not a choice I make daily - it's a choice I make dozens of times each day, when I choose between a banana or a cookie, when I choose to read or run, to sleep in get up, to be a couch potato or to hop.

Sometimes I make the good choice, the healthy choice, and sometimes my selfish desires get the better of me and I choose the chocolate-filled way.  For the first time ever, though, I've made enough healthy, good choices so as to feel physically yucky when I make a bad one.  My body is not only getting used to good choices, but it depends on them - and that helps me to continue making them.

I've never wanted to exercise - I've always seen it as a necessary evil - but I'm starting to like it; or, at least to like the way that it makes me feel stronger, healthier, more fit.

It's still not easy, but as I see changes happening, I'm more and more thankful that I have these choices to make.  God doesn't doom me to the past - though I can't change my genetic history and may not be able to avoid diabetes or heart issues - He gives me the freedom to care for the body that He has given me.  I can give it my best effort or be lackadaisical and increase my chances for health issues further down the road.

Two days ago I threw away my son's birthday cake.  At a week old, nobody had touched it since the first cutting on his actual birthday.  That hurt my feelings at first, since I worked hard on it and he had really liked it, when I realized that he wasn't eating it because cake wasn't a priority.  He was too busy enjoying apples and nuts and other yummy things - and isn't that the better choice?

I'm grateful that He's not only given me that choice, but forced my hand into making it now, when my kids are young.  I'm having to make the choice to be healthier as an adult - but they are growing up with a healthier lifestyle in front of them, with better eating habits and more information at their fingertips.

So today, I'm thankful for trampolines and sore muscles and thrown-away cakes and all the bananas you can eat; but most of all, I'm thankful for seeing truth and making good choices.


What about you?

For more GratiTuesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Menu Plan Monday - April 30, 2012

The weather is to be BEAUTIFUL this week, and we're going to be spending much of it outside!  With yard projects happening, a few playdates, and a field trip to a baseball game, we're going to make the most of the gorgeous weather coming our way.  Oh - and we're going strawberry picking, too!

With all of that in mind, I'm going to serve simple meals that I can prep ahead of time or pull together quickly to maximize our together time.  Since we ended up eating turkey all of last week, we're continuing our eat-from-the-freezer challenge, too.

So, this is on the menu this week:

Breakfast:
- Strawberry streusel muffins
- cereal, bananas
- homemade breakfast sandwiches, fruit

- Hugs-and-kisses banana bread pancakes

Lunches will be our usual assortment of leftovers and sandwiches with fruit or veggies and yogurt or cheese.

Dinner:
- Sweet and sour meatballs with peppers and onions over brown rice
- A new take on the grilled cheese sandwich - recipe coming May 7th!

- Grilled fish wraps with mango salsa, baked corn, salad
- Mexican lasagna, salad

- Pizza, zucchini cakes
- Family dinner out
- Dinner at church

I think we'll need some snacks for the playdates and a possible road trip, so I think we'll try these semi-healthy bars.  Maybe we'll try these, too.

What are YOU cooking up this week?


For more Menu Plan Monday, visit OrgJunkie.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

This is one of my favorite quick-and-easy meals to throw together.  It smells great, comes together quickly, and it's fairly healthy.  Everyone in my family likes this dish, and it's versatile enough for them to customize it on their own plates.  THAT makes me happy!

Ingredients:

• bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed
• your favorite BBQ sauce

So to make your own slow cooker BBQ chicken, try this:

1. Put your chicken in your slow cooker and add just a bit of the sauce.  Doesn't need to be much - I pour on maybe 1/2 cup or so, just enough to be on the outside of the chicken but not enough to sit in the bottom of the dish.
2. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is done.
3. Turn off the slow cooker and allow to cool for 15 minutes or so.
4. Using forks or a stand-alone mixer, shred the chicken to your preferred texture.
5. Stir in enough BBQ sauce to flavor the meat.  I also add in some of the juice from the slow cooker.  Stir together.
6. Add to buns or tortillas with all your favorite toppings - onions, cheese, spinach, lettuce, tomato, etc.
7. Enjoy!

With some steamed broccoli - or even carrot sticks if you're in a big rush - this is a complete, hot meal that everyone will love!

"Cravings" by Carey C. Bailey

After having children, author Carey C. Bailey discovered that her previous devotional time just didn't happen anymore - and she missed it.  Wanting to find quiet time with God fit somewhere into her day, she created the Craving system - a cute resin cupcake holder with 40 mini devotionals, perfect for on a kitchen windowsill or bathroom mirror.  Each devotional features a scripture reference, a "thoughtlet" to get you started, and then an action step to help you carry that scripture into your day. Cravings.  We all have them.  Usually we think of pregnant women wanting pickles and ice cream or a stressed-out person screaming for chocolate, but we all have another, stronger, yet quieter craving within us: a craving for our Creator.  

I love the premise behind this devotional.  While spending hours with God is priceless, sometimes we moms just can't get up any earlier and still be functional with our families.  Sometimes our schedules is so erratic - with young infants, sick children, being the do-all for our families - that although we want time with God, we're not sure how to make it happen.  This devotional is the answer to that problem.

Because each devotional is so short, it can be read on the run - while brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or waiting in the car line after school.  The scripture references are printed right onto the card so it's not necessary even to have your Bible with you - with each card, you're guaranteed at least one verse with a question applicable in some way to a mom's life.  Best of all, there's an action step, short in time requirement, that you can ponder and pray about as you go throughout your day.

I love the cute, feminine appearance of the holder and set itself.  The fun cupcake shape is something that most moms can relate to, and the resin material is sturdy and appealing.  My set is going onto the windowsill just above my kitchen sink - and I look forward to reading through each devotional again as I do dishes in the weeks to come.

What about you?  Do you struggle to find time to spend with God in your day?

To read other reviews of this product, visit the blog hop schedule.  You can also purchase Cravings here.

Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog at www.carebaileyonline.com.   

One grand prize winner will receive:

• $50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)
• $50 gift card to Victoria's Secret® (For something pretty.)
• $25 gift card to Bath & Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)
• 2 Sets of Cravings - The Devotional (For you and a friend.)
• Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!



Win a Minute-for-Mom gift pack from Carey Bailey! "When I became a mom I lost my God time," says Carey Bailey. "I couldn't figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God's words of encouragement that I was starving for"

And Cravings--The Devotional was born. Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

I received a free copy of Cravings from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.