Fall is in the Air!

Man does it feel like fall today! I cant wait to start making soups, eating a ton of squash, and watching the leaves change! Fall also reminds me of running, it is perfect running weather right now. Which means is marathon season! Saturday morning I woke up to cheering, honking, and yelling as spectators cheered on runners, running in a 10k race downtown! It made me miss running, at the same time, I am really enjoying P90X!

Our pastor has a great devo today about Marathons, that I want to sare! I think it is very fitting for any circumstance in life.

SCRIPTURE

Col. 2:6-7

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

RUNNING A MARATHON

 Every marathon runner will tell you that there comes a point in the long journey when you hit a wall.  Your body aches and cries out for you to quit.  But that is the point where you must gather yourself and keep going until the finish.

The Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon.  It comes with many peaks and valleys.  It is a long run.  The words of the apostle Paul encourage us to keep going strong.  How can we do it?

Remember your start.  Remember that you have received Christ and that you welcomed him into your life.  Remember your joy and peace that you embraced at the moment you came to know him.

Gain strength from Christ.  Don't run in your own power.  Live IN HIM, stay rooted IN HIM, be built up IN HIM.  Maintain a close, personal, and vibrant walk with Christ.

           

Be strong in the faith.  Call to mind all the things you have been taught from the Word.  Recall his promises.  Be strengthened by the wonderful guidance and wisdom of the Bible.

Overflow with thanksgiving.  Spend plenty of time giving thanks to God.  Nothing does more for your spirit than to come to your Father and pour out your heart and soul to him in thanks for all his blessings.  Count your blessings and thank the Lord continually.

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Apple Crisp

Typically when I make Apple crisp at home... I use coconut oil, not butter. Agave not Brown Sugar, Stevia not sugar. Wheat flour not white...But when your cooking in a foreign kitchen it calls for drastic measures and A LOT of creativity. So what did I do without my stable swabs.

For the apples I tossed them in corn starch to create a goo (for lack of better word) Then I added a liberal dash of all spice and tossed it all with some knock off stevia (I don't recommend it). For the topping it was a bit more difficult. I didn't want to use butter, just not a fan of the fat or the diary. So I used 1Tbsp of Canola oil. I mixed it in a bowl with some white flour :( and Oats :). It wasn't wet enough for baking so I needed to get creative.... Honey check! Still not wet enough. As I searched the kitchen high and low for a healthy alternative to my loved coconut oil and applesauce. I found it! Orange Juice! My grandma uses OJ in place of fat in her pies! So I splashed some OJ in the mix! It was perfect. It added the liquid I needed and the sweetness it was lacking!


So all in all the crisp turned out... I just don't think I would do any of it again except the OJ.

In other news... Our beloved capital view was gone this morning! Its the first day of fall and you can tell by the low clouds and the low temps!

We are hosting a party tomorrow night so I am off to spend the day prepping for it! Cheers to a great weekend!

You know your tired when...

You fall asleep in the dentist chair... yup that is me! I just got back from the dentist where I took a nice nap while being poked at for 90 minutes. I cant say it was the best nap I ever had, but I guess I needed it! These past few days have been so exhausting... I have been up at 5 every morning this week, not sleeping well and didn't get to sleep till midnight on Tuesday. Put lack of sleep with back to back crisis counseling and I guess that is what I get... Nap at the Dentist!

Tonight we are celebrating my Mother-in-laws birthday and hers and Papa Rychs ANNIVERSARY!!! 37 Long blissful years! How wonderful! I am so lucky to have such amazing in-laws! Hubs and I are extremely grateful that both of our parents have been great examples of Godly marriages! We love our parents so much and respect them immensely!

I am bringing a Salad with all my yummy favorites in it... Feta, Tomatos, Peppers, Cucumbers, Walnuts... The list goes on of yumminess!

I am also bringing, in honor of apple week, an APPLE CRISP al a mode (of course) My apple crisp is a healthy rendition on a typical crisp. Since not everyone is as much of a health fenadic as I, I decided to make a peach cobler full of butter and sugar! It looks awesome!

So what is in my apple crisp... not sure yet... becuase I havent made it yet... that is next on my to do list! But here are few pictures of what I am going to try to recreate in a healthier version.



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Apple Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts, like Apples oats are very versatile and they go great with Apples!

Imagine warm Cinnamon applesauce swirled into hot oatmeal, cold crisp apples topping off over night oats! YUMMY!

Apples can be the perfect pair to so many wonderful foods

APPLES+Walnuts
APPLES + Yogurt
APPLES +Caramel
APPLES + Onions
APPLES + Peanutbutter
APPLES + Almond Butter


really an apple can be paired with anything!!!

My favorite Salad at Cheesecake Factory has apples in it! Yummy! The Factory Chopped Salad!

Enjoy an Apple for me today!

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Apple A Day... Keeps the Doctor Away!

I love Apples, I eat them almost everyday, you can imagine my excitement with fall coming!

There are several things I love about apples...besides the many health benefits (we will get to later) Apples are delicious, convenient, and versatile! Think of all the things and apple can be.

1. Snack
2. Dessert
3. Sauce
4. Savory (think sauteed onions and apples,  or turkey stuffing)
5. muffin

This list goes on... I will have apple recipes coming to you all week!

Now on to the health benefits of an apple.

1. Bone Protection
2. Alzheimer's Prevention
3. Asthma Help
4. Lower Cholesterol
5. Cancer Prevention (lung, liver, colon, breast)
6. Diabetes Management
7. Weight management (fiber packed)

Not to mention all the nutrients these babies pack (make sure to enjoy the skin)

One medium apple has about...

95 calories
4.4 grams of fiber
195 mg potassium
11 mg Calcium
20 mg Phosphorus
9 mg Magnesium
0.064 mg Manganese
0.22 mg Iron
2 mg Sodium
0.049 mg Copper
0.07 mg Zine

Enjoy these babies today as a quick convenient snack... they are portable, don't need to be refrigerated and always available... one organic large apple is only 69 cents at Trader Joe's! Think of all the money you can save from medical bills...

Coconut Popcorn

If you love fresh kettle corn and love coconut, but don't love the extra sugar...well I have the perfect solution for you!

Coconut Popcorn!!!! It is yummy and it is HEALTHY!!!

There are so many health benefits in Coconut and in Popcorn. Ready for the long list of how this yumminess is will help you!

Coconut Oil (source)

•  hair care, skin care, stress relief
• maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss
• increased immunity
• proper digestion and metabolism
• relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer
• dental care, and bone strength.
• These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

Popcorn is a wholegrain and when popped with Air it is considered a clean food! Yay!

Popcorn (source)

• Antioxidants are present in popcorn, most notably polyphenols, the much-touted antioxidant found in foods like tea, olive oil, and chocolate.
• Popcorn is relatively low in calories. Air-popped popcorn – that is, popcorn that has no added fat – has only about 30 calories and half a gram of fat per cup. It also has 1 gram of fiber.
• Popcorn is rich in B vitamins. Among the vitamins that popcorn contains, B vitamins are the most prevalent.
• Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber. The fiber in popcorn is reputed to help constipation and promote healthy digestion.

So how to make this wonderful snack?

If you don't have an air popper go buy one! They are a great investment! Target even sells a bowl you can put unpopped kernels in and pop in the microwave! Click here to find several options for air popping!

1/4 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels
1tbsp of coconut oil
1/2 tbsp of sea salt
1/2 tbsp of stevia

microwave oil in a small bowl till it liquefies, pop popcorn in air popper, drizzel coconut oil over warm popcorn. Toss with sea salt and stevia!

It is so yummy and tasty. You also get quantity which I always love when you are in need of a snack!

Look at the stats....

Calories		188.6
Total Fat		8.3 g
	Saturated Fat	5.9 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	1.1 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	0.4 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		590.0 mg
Potassium		110.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate		25.0 g
	Dietary Fiber	5.0 g
	Sugars	0.0 g
Protein		4.0 g

Cheesecake = Discipline

I seriously had to practise some major discipline yesterday! "Oh My" as my husband would say! You see, I have two long time co-workers moving... one to Africa (yes AFRICA, read his family blog here) and one to Ohio (not as jaw dropping, but equally disappointing) So like always we decided it was a good reason to go out for dessert to see our good byes and have a great time with co-workers friends.

We decided on Cheesecake Factory... duh... its all in the name. Now Cheesecake is not where the discipline comes into practise. I myself am not a fan of cheese (except goat an feta) But... I am a fan of Carrot cake, Red Velvet Cake, Apple Pie and of course ICE CREAM!!!! But I resisted remembering a) I celebrated my dads birthday with cookies and ice cream, b) I split of scoop of ice cream Sunday night with hubs at a friends house (yes just one little scoop) c) I have to stand in front of hundreds of peeps Saturday at my brother-in-laws wedding and read scripture... which means I better feel decent in my dress... so DISCIPLINE had to pay a HUGE roll in ordering this....

Strawberries and a little pile whip cream (I didn't even eat half the whip cream)

instead of ordering this...

or this...

or any of these....

I am happy to say I was and am very happy with my decision!

I love You Ibuprophin

Do you ever have a week where you live on Ibuprofen... if you are a girl, you sure do! Ugh!

This morning, Hubs and I got the morning started of right with some Coregenistics from P90X! It was tough and I was dripping sweat by the end! But I L-O-V-E-D it!

First recipe for the family cookbook Turkey Sliders. YUM!

Ingredients
1lb lean ground Turkey (I use 93%)
1/2 can black beans
1/2 can corn
2-3 slices of pepper jack cheese
3 Tbsp fresh cilantro
1/4 cup Feta
1/4 cup chopped Kalmate olives
3 Tbsp of chopped pepperochinos
1 cup of sauteed spinach
1/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers
1/2 cup of chopped sauteed mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste
Slider hamburger buns or hot dog buns cut into thirds

Instructions:

divide turkey into thirds.

Mexican Slider
Combine 1/3 of turkey with Black Beans, Corn, and Cilantro. Form 5 small turkey patties (slider size)
     reserve pepper jack, avocado and salsa for toppings once grilled

Greek Slider
Combine 1/3 of turkey with cilantro, feta, olives, and pepperchinos

Veggie Slider
Combine 1/3 turkey with spinach, red peppers, and mushrooms

Salt and Pepper each slider, Grill till cooked through!

ENJOY!

YUM!... these are a favorite for the Lake! Everyone gets to choose what kind they want or have all three! always a crowd pleaser!

P90X

Today starts week 5 of P90X... Really we are only on week 4 due to our trip to CO. This week is more of a rest change up week. The difference in work outs this week is suppose to keep you body guessing so you don't get used to your routine. Today I started the morning off with some downward dog! 65 minutes worth. I was sweating by the end of it!

I felt great at the end of it, but I also miss my all out sweat fest of a work out... like sprints, or the elliptical, or a long run. Cardio holds a special place in my heart!

I have decided on what recipe's to send to my aunt for our family cookbook...

Turkey Sliders
Coconut Popcorn (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G)
Hummus
Appetizer Platter
Kale Chips
Bread
Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce
Broccoli Slaw

These are a few of my favorites...I tried to go with a healthy alternative to decadent favorites! Recipes to come!

In other news... I had Saturday night to myself! It was great! Sometimes  you just need those nights!

It consisted of watching Keeping up the Kardashians, Coconut Popcorn, and a meatless dinner (shh don't tell hubs) Huge pile of Hummus topped with carrots, celery, pita chips, and spinach! Most the Hummus is hidden by the huge mound of spinach.

PS... I don't condone the lifestyle of the Kardashians, but I must say I love their hair and clothes! I also love their sisterly relationships! Reminds me of my relationship with Ann and Jenn

Dinner... More Favorites!

Last Night I had a TON of time to make dinner... So I ENJOYED the process! It was YUMMO

Started with my FAVORITE ... BASIL! My Basil Plant is one of my Kitchen Best friends! Along with my Olive Oil Spray and Salt+Pepper! 

 Apps for Hubs when He got Home! Roasted Tomato's with Basil and Fresh Mozzarella on top of Garlic Bread!

Then I chopped Banana Peppers and Roasted Red Peppers Mixed them into ground Turkey. Then Stuffed the Turkey Burgers with Cheese! Mozza for Him, Goat for Her!

Homemade Tomato Basil Hummus that I tossed the roasted Parsnips and Broccoli in!

Healthy Whipped Banana Dessert with a little added Protein Powder. Topped with Cool Whip and Fiber One!

It was a YUMMY NIGHT of Eats!

Favorite Recipe

What is your favorite recipe? What are your favorite foods?

My Aunt is writing a family cookbook, which has made me think about special recipes I have created? Well the problem is, I typically don't follow a recipe and if I do, I change something in it. The other problem is I never write anything down when I make something tasty! Never been a big deal until now when I am scrambling to think about recipes...

I can think about what other people are known for...

My mom: AMAZING chex mix (secret recipe) summer sausage (secret recipe) Any meal fit for a King
My Sis Ann: Paella, Meatloaf, CousCous-- pretty much amazing mom and cook!
My Sis Jenn: Soups of all kind!

So what is my specialty... healthy baking? millions of ways you can use ground turkey? I don't know!

I must decide by the end of the week!

I know my favorite foods...



Oatmeal
Nut Butter
Qunioa
Veggies of all sorts!
Apples
Frozen Banana
Almond Milk
Fiber One
Avocado




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Good thing I just ate or this post might send me into a binge of my favorite foods! Also a Good thing God blesses us with opportunity to eat several times a day!


Hope you have a great day!

This week is going by really fast, but oddly enough today seems to be dragging on! I don't like days that 5pm doesn't come fast enough!

I think its because it is so beautiful outside and because I have fun plans tonight... this always makes me more eager to leave the office!

It will come soon enough...

Enjoy the beautiful day!

I just typed an entire post about our amazing time in Colorado and then deleted it! UGH just my luck!

here are the highlights... I will type more later with Pictures!

Denver Omelette's
Celestial Seasons Tour (hair nets included)
Boulder YUMMY food
Hike of a lifetime (including a cinnamon roll the size of my head)
Time with Hubs!!!
Great Host and Hostess!

We ended Labor Day weekend with a day at home, running errands and the best part a Picnic in the Sculpture Garden! It was so romantic and a real treat! All Hubs idea! He is AMAZING...

This is the only pic I got, its not the best picture, but on the menu was...

Smoked Salmon

Sushi

Goat Cheese and Crackers

Olives

Grapes

Wine

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Hummus

ALL of our favorite things! It was the best ending to a perfect weekend!

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

My best "girlfriend", Brooke, got married over the weekend and it was an absolutely perfect wedding! It made me appreciate the many best friends I have in my life. My ultimate best friend: My loving husband! Brooke's ceremony reminded me how important it is for your spouse to be your best friend and Hubs sure is mine! It was a good "check" to make sure we are always having fun together and investing into each other lives, making sure to set aside quality, loving, fun time with each other. How could one not want to have fun with this good looking man!

I cant wait for Brooke to get back from her Honeymoon so we can have girl time and I can hear all about it. Here is a picture of the beautiful bride!

It also reminded me of some other best friends I have in my life. My mom, and two sisters... they were so beautiful this weekend and I had so much fun with them all weekend. These three women beauty radiates from the inside out! They are some amazing women who I know I can always call on for a good time, good accountability, and good counsel!

Friends are amazing gift from God... I think this is why I am so overjoyed for my friend Brooke. She was a beautiful bride and so excited to get married. She was the essence of purity and I loved seeing her so excited for marriage! It is a wonderful thing I get to experience with my hubs and now Brooke and I can truly encourage each other on the path of being a wife.