Chowder Time

Shrimp Corn Potato Chowder

4 white potatoes cubed

White mushrooms finely chopped

1/2 white onion

3 stalks celery

2 carrots

1 bunch green onions (reserve some for garnish)

Sautéed veggies in butter and

Cajun seasoning or seafood seasoning

Cut 4 ears of corn off cob

Sauté corn with 1/2 large jalapeño seeded

3 lbs shrimp or crawfish sautéed

Combine everything and add 1 1/2 cartons of chicken stock, veggie stock or seafood stock/broth

Add 1/2 cup heavy cream.

I place it all in a big crockpot and keep on warm so the family can enjoy it as they come and go.

For a special treat make some cheddar biscuits to go with the chowder!

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom

Healthy Restraint

Pulling from the Worthy Thoughts archives today regarding Choices.  

Remember- you don’t have to depend on your own will power. You have God’s power to help you choose Healthy Restraint when you need it. 
Our God is the Great I Am- not the Great I was! 

Read Choices  | Restored Ministries Blog now

https://restoredministriesblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/choices-2

Where’s The Meat?

We implement some Meatless Monday’s in our home. Really any day of the week works and sometimes we even do a couple days a week.   

We weren’t always like that. We ate our fair share of red meat until in 2008 we started eating better after a stroke forced us to. 

So we started eating more beans and legumes

  (which really what is the difference between beans and legumes? Can someone enlighten me?)

But Any Hoo- we have found our favorite meatless dinner.

At first I used brown rice and have slowly replaced the rice with cauliflower rice.

You take a bag of cauliflower rice and steam.  

(I tried to grate my own one time and am still finding it hidden around my kitchen, but if you are brave and just want to try it- knock yourself out. I prefer the pre grated already bagged version.) 

Steam the cauliflower and pour into a 13×9 pan. Season with cumin, chili powder, salsa, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Then add two cans of organic black beans rinsed. Stir together and add a little cheese and bake till cheese melts and beans are warmed.  
We like to top with shredded lettuce, avocado, ( or our Holy Guacamole ) and I let the kids eat with corn chips if they want.  

It is packed full of fiber and tastes — well you guessed it… #YummO.

         ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Perfect Fried Eggs

I read this trick recently and it works! 

When you crack your eggs in the non stick skillet place a plate over the skillet.  

Just for a minute or two and you will see the whites of the egg quickly are firm. 

 Makes for easier flipping and you salt and pepper and replace the plate again for a minute or so and you have perfect over easy eggs.  

You can leave plate on longer for less runny yokes.

Share your cooking tips or tricks with us.  

~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Holy Guacamole!

Holy Guacamole! 

Want to know how to get the perfect avocados? 

Buy then hard and green when cheap and place in a brown paper bag.

What? 

Holy Guacamole – it works! 

In 1-2 days they are perfectly ripe!

I learned this little trick years ago. 

We like to smash ours with garlic, lime juice, cream cheese and a spoon of our homemade salsa. 

And there you have the secret to the best avocados and guacamole.  

All your friends and family will be saying “Holy Guacamole” when you share this little trick!

#YummO 

~XXOO Michelle Bollom 

Meet and Greet @ Dream Big: 5/7/16

Join the meet and greets!  Connect with other bloggers. 

Thanks Dream Big-Dream Often 

     ~ XXOO Michelle Bollom 

It’s the Meet and Greet weekend at Dream Big!! Ok so here are the rules: Leave a link to your page or post in the comments of this post. Reblog this post.  It helps you, it helps me, it helps everyone! Edit your reblog post and add tags. Feel free to leave your link multiple […]

http://dreambigdreamoften.co/2016/05/07/meet-and-greet-dream-big-5716/

10 Truths for Navigating the Modern Dating Culture as a Christian

Oh my! I so loved this blog! Check out Beauty Beyond Bones.  So beautifully written and very funny too! ~XXOO Michelle Bollom 
We are living in unprecedented times. At least for those of us trying to navigate this nauseatingly complicated travesty that is the modern dating culture. The noncommittal guys, the “rules for communication,” the necessity for seeming like you don’t care, the casual approach, the ‘swipe right’ mindset of romantic relationships. But for me, there’s a whole ‘nother layer to navigating this […]

http://beautybeyondbones.com/2016/05/02/10-truths-for-navigating-the-hookup-culture-as-a-christian/

Choices

  

Worthy Thought:  Most chronic diseases are choices diseases. We don’t catch them; we develop them by consistently choosing wrong foods. ~By Don Colbert, MD bestselling author “Let food be your Medicine”

“Whether therefore you eat and drink or whatsoever you do do all in the glory of God.”

(1 Corinthians 10:31) 

“Do you know your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost in which you have of God and you are not of your own. 

( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

Apostle Paul calls the body “a temple of the Holy Spirit” and urges, “You are not your own . . . glorify God in your body.”

Honoring our bodies as sacred temples certainly includes eating healthy balanced foods that keep them functioning well.  

While the Bible doesn’t prescribe any specific diet plan, it does highlight the principle of balance—between healthy restraint and enjoyment of rich foods.

In other words, make a habit of disciplined, healthy eating, but on occasion let yourself enjoy a feast of God’s good gifts. ~ Angela Lipe-Pattengill 

A Quiet Growth

  
Today’s title could not have summed up what I am feeling any better. This Fasting Experience has been amazing! Today is day 14 and we are 14 for 14 on the downloads. 

I have to say the last two days have had me day dreaming of food. The kind that is not beneficial and the kind definitely not on my fast. I wrestled and wrestled it seemed with temptations on all sides!

Last night I did choose to deviate for one small item and I confessed it to my daughter before I ever did it so it would not be something done in secret. She cheerfully gave me grace to make that decision. I also took it to God and did not feel like He was beating me up or even upset. I felt completely at peace.  

That one bite did nothing, it didn’t take the edge off of feeling deprived, it gave no sudden rush to my brain. Nothing, it was actually quite boring. But the biggest thing I noticed was my heart motive….it was very different. I believe because I confessed prior to my daughter, that was a move of being held accountable. I took it to God and He did not seem to indicate anything wrong, and afterwards there was no quilt or beating myself up over it either. It was a very controlled moment and then I moved on.

So you could say that I am learning a quiet growth in character and grace through this experience. It is not about perfection; it’s about progress. Keep keeping on friends! 

                                 
                  XXOO Michelle Bollom 

 

Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening – it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.~ Hebrews 12:11 TLB 

It may hurt when God removes our defects, but this in itself is a display of love. God’s correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share His holiness. Our recovery is a time of correction; it is a time of facing problems and character flaws and changing incorrect beliefs. There may be seasons when we do have to pay for our past. God will use this time to redirect our life toward something better. His correction isn’t arbitrary or abusive, but it is still painful. Knowing that God’s discipline demonstrates His love for us can be comforting in the midst of the pain. It helps to remember that His love will allow only that which is for our ultimate good.~ Life Recovery Bible 

Intimate And Organic

  
When I started this fast on 10/4, I asked the Lord to download deeper truths and show me each day some encouragement to carry me along. 
God has been so faithful, He is 4 for 4- 

4 days -4 revelations/encouragements so far.

How do I know these revelations and “downloads” are from God?
I added almost two years ago these two practices to my morning quiet time routine. 
From my dreams, I write down all the people in my dreams. I then use The Name Book by Dorothy Astoria. It lists a bible verse for each name. 

The 2nd place I go to is Waking Words of Ancient Wisdom by Barbie Breathitt. It lists correlating Bible versus to times. 

When I awake during the night, I jot down the times and look them up the next day. Sometimes it is nothing more than that person on my mind or something too spicy for dinner or just having to get up and pee. But usually 99.99% of the time, it is God having me unpack something He is trying to teach me.   

So by now I recognize when a download is coming on, kinda like needing to go potty. I can feel it rumbling and stirring and there is no stopping it. (my son will be so proud I used a little bathroom analogy and humor today) 

So back to today …
God took me to this verse:

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing.” ~ John 15:5 MSG 

Afterwards God usually sends me to the dictionary and/or bible commentary.  

The two words that stood out were:
in·ti·mate

ˈin(t)əmət/

Closely acquainted; familiar, close. 

n. A very close friend

Or-gan·ic

\ȯr-ˈga-nik\

Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms

Right then I knew that God was downloading to me. As He also lovingly whispered to my soul:

It may get rough some days, it may make you want to give up Michelle, but cling to Me. Keep your relationship with Me and with food, intimate and organic. Keep it simple. Keep it Pure. Rest in Me. My burden is easy and light. The harvest is sure to be abundant if you stay linked up and aquainted with Me. When you separate from Me, you won’t produce a thing. You can’t do it without Me. I got this girlie! I got you in the palm of My hand. I am the true living God. All things are possible with Me. 

Yes! I am sticking close. I am clinging Lord! Today I am pressing on and thanking God for His Word and His downloads and for a light and easy burden. Instead of food being my Best Friend, God, You are my new BFF.  
I am believing with joyous hope that all things are possible and that soon I will also be lighter too.
                 XXOO Michelle Bollom