Friday, July 27, 2012

Got a minute? Make a muffin.

Without a doubt my biggest habit is simplification, so when I find something that is satisfying, good for you and simple, I must try and share.

First I must warn you, this is a low carb, high fiber snack made with flax seed meal and if you're scrunching up your nose at the idea of flax seed meal don't shoot it down yet. Flax seed has multiple benefits including reducing bad cholesterol, it can reduce the risk of stroke, certain cancers and oh yes, ladies it will make you regular (cause no woman wants to talk about constipation).

Let's get started on the adventure of making a chocolate mug muffin...

Step 1:  Get your favorite mug (trust me shaped mugs can be fun with this one). Add 1 tsp (a pat) of butter (not margarine), melt in the microwave till liquid.


Step 2: Add one egg and a 1/4 tsp of vanilla syrup and as Michael Jackson once said "Beat It" until it is all one blend.


Step 3:  Add in 1/4 cup of flax seed meal (I did say this was a healthy snack right??), then a tablespoon of unsweetened chocolate powder, a 1/4 tsp of baking soda and one packet of Stevia (of Splenda...depending on your health preference)....and do the encore of  "Beat It."


Step 4:  Put it in the micowave for 60 seconds (I personally go 70 seconds, because I like a little more texture to mine). *Ding* and turn it upside down on a flat surface and presto! I let it cool for a little bit cause the edges harden up a bit, but then look, it's a muffin.


Ok so it looks like nothing you'd buy at Starbucks, I get that. The health options are important though. It's gluten free and high in fiber. 1/4 cup of flax seed meal is 120 calories, the egg is 70 and 1 tablespoon of Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder is 10 calories. So 200 calories for a healthy, low carb alternative. I can tell you I have craved these for 3 days in row and I can honestly say I have made it for dinner on the run and felt full until morning.

Stop scrunching your nose and ask me to make one for you. With a muffin in a minute, we would have even more time to fellowship.

Back to the cave for the moment.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

"Chores just aren't my thing mom"

Last night I got home minutes before my husband and the kids. When the minivan pulled up my oldest was crying her eyes out. I asked her what's up kitty? She said "I'm crying cause chores just aren't my thing mom." I looked at her and said "okie doke", grabbed a twin and went inside the house. Quick conversation with the hub, and I learned he told her she needed to go clean her room upon returning home, in which she had a completely different opinion on the matter. I've learned with Tessa that she craves confrontation and shock value at this stage in her life and have found a way that meets her goals and ours.

I am so beyond blessed to have been provided with years of working with multiple personalities people, and I have realized children aren't really different than some adults. I mean don't we have confrontations with people and think "wow, they really are acting like a child." However, everyone has their reasoning point and I have always believed that when you truly care to know someone, you know how to reach that reasoning point.

While my husband wrestled with the twins, I took a seat with Tessa on the couch and brought the conversation right to God. We talked about the blessing of having arms, hands, legs, feet and the strength to do what we can with them. How when we work we do it to glorify God, for it is He that has given us so much. Can I tell you, how comforting it is to feel the love your child has for God that she would do anything for Him. Tessa eagerly agreed that it is important to clean up for God. You see, God is her reasoning point.

Oh what a blessing this little girl is to me. I still get tears when I feel the emptiness of not having a relationship with God in my life at a young age. I am comforted in knowing that my loss is only for the gain of my children, as there is no way they won't know what it is to have God's love in their lives at a young age. I can't predict where they will take this knowledge and love as they enter their adult years, I can only pray they will always just know that it is His love that is needed first and foremost.

Tessa and I discussed a plan of attack. We'd take cleaning in stages, tonight we'd start with the bathroom and tomorrow her room, and we'll do it together. Our game plan was simple, she will toss her trash and I will do the scrubbing. She thought it was fair and got excited telling me "we're going to need a trash bag to put all my waste basket stuff into," (really, just one bag??? hardly).

We started with her bathroom. All I can say is WOW. How can a 5-year old do so much damage to such a small room. When we finished, the room sparkled and Tessa continued to clean her way through the house until she got to the trash can downstairs she also put all the toys away that the twins scattered through the house. She was on a roll and I couldn't have been any prouder of this newfound spirit. I also recognize, it is up to me to keep the spirit flowing and that my reasoning point is seeing my kid's faces beam when they realize God's love for them.

This morning when heading out to work, we hugged and I told her that I look forward to tonight and spending time with her as we clean her room. She smiled and gave me that bone crushing hug so needed before you leave. And truthfully, I anticipate that time we can spend together tonight even if I am uncertain of what I might find in her room.



After a tough cleaning,
we rewarded ourselves with a
free Slurpee from 7-11.