Last Sunday we witnessed my brother and sister-in-law dedicate their baby to the Lord. It was a sweet ceremony, filled with scripture and parenting advice. After the dedication, the pastor asked that we pray over the family. My sister-in-law’s dad prayed over them, then their mother’s offered their advice and wishes for the parents.
I thought about speaking but just kept it to myself. I write a blog, but offering my wise 4 years of parenting advice in front of parents that have been parenting for decades, isn’t the same kind of public speaking. Maybe I would have gotten talked over or gotten a few strange looks. For whatever reason, I felt it best to offer my advice on the side.
I told my sister-in-law that there are three things I pray for daily. I know, saying the same thing in each prayer might be frowned upon, but I do. I do pray for other things as well, but these three are constant things that will always need a little extra prayer:
Patience.
Wisdom.
Perspective.
All three of these I ask for daily to be the best mother for my children, wife for my husband, and teacher for my students. I also ask for these three things for other people, just in case they aren’t seeking them. I feel as though all three are equally important, but I told her that perspective, especially as a parent is huge and even more so with your first child. Most of us are a little over-concerned with things that don’t actually matter in the grand scheme of things and some of us are too lax on things that are very important. I like to be in control of everything or feel as if I am in control, so I know a thing or two about being a little too over-concerned. Perspective isn’t just important when picking your battles with your child or about your child, but with life in general.
Being able to take a step back from situations while you are IN them and evaluate whether or not it is important enough to lose your cool over is huge. Most people only have a perspective after the fact, not during the actual moment. To have clarity in the heat of the moment requires a bit of confidence and a firm stance on your beliefs. Whether it be an argument over who left the milk out last, whether your child can have a coke, or about your religious beliefs. You better be firm in your position or you will likely sway or come unglued.
The more firm I am in a belief the less likely I am to get upset over someone arguing with me or opposing my choice. If I firmly believe something to be true, it will not matter to me that so-and-so doesn’t agree with me. They don’t have to, because it is my belief and not theirs. The more firmly I stand in my position, the less I need someone else to affirm it. I can ignore those that have opposing views if I am firm on mine.
If I am unsure of my position then I am more open to other options. If you are going to have perspective, you had better know what it is you stand for. You had better know what is worth fighting for and what isn’t. I used to feel the need to defend my choices to be healthy…stupid isn’t it. Defending a healthy choice sounds like the most ridiculous statement, but that is how it goes.
People feel as though if you aren’t doing things the same way they have for years, then you are doing something wrong. Being different, even if that different is a good thing causes controversy. Just remember that you don’t need anyone’s permission to make a change in your life. If you know that you need to make a change, make it. Be firm in your decision and be prepared to have perspective in situations when people try to change your mind.
M E N U
Indian Coconut Curry Cauliflower
Sautéed Zucchini with Mint, Basil & Pine Nuts + Steak Bowl
Hamburgers
Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken + Garden Veggies
Indian Coconut Curry Cauliflower
This is a new recipe Josh sent to me this past week. I think in his spare time at work he likes to look up difficult recipes to see if I can make them healthy. Instead of cauliflower I am going to use chicken. There is an identical recipe with chickpeas instead of cauliflower if you are looking for vegetarian but with more protein.
*Changes I make to meet my macros
Ingredients: 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets *chicken breast 2 1/3 cups canned full fat coconut milk *lite coconut milk 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 inches fresh ginger, grated kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 1 tablespoon garam masala 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ,more or less to taste 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste 2 tablespoons coconut oil *omit oil 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped steamed rice and naan, for serving *rice
Steak Sandwiches
I prefer to use the cubed deer meat, but you can substitute with any thin lean steak. The key is to definitely have thin steak that will tear apart easily when you bite into the sandwich.
These can be as spicy or mild as you like them, depending on how many pickled jalapenos you put in the sauce. I don’t typically put avocado on my sandwiches anymore, but it is a nice touch of creaminess. Don’t get the prepackaged hamburger buns for this. Go to the bakery at the store and get some fresh brioche baked buns. I toast ours in the oven before we eat them and it adds a nice little crunch.
*Changes I make to meet my macros
Ingredients: 1 pound flat iron (top blade) steak 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 chewy, crusty rolls split *brioche buns 1 cup finely sliced romaine lettuce 1 large carrot grated *matchstick carrots 1 small avocado thinly sliced *omit for low fat 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt Juice of 1/2 lime 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeño peppers plus more as desired
Sautéed Zucchini with Mint, Basil & Pine Nuts + Steak Bowl
I have never made a bowl out of this recipe, usually the meat is on the side and I don’t add any other carbohydrates to it. This time I am going to make it into a bowl. It has such a good flavor and I don’t saute’ the zucchini until they are soft, I leave them a bit crunchy.
I am going to use cubed deer steak for the protein and jasmine rice for the carbohydrates. I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
*Changes I make to meet my macros
1 pound zucchini (or any summer squash), sliced into ½-inch rounds *3 zucchini 3 yellow squash 3 tablespoons (or less) olive oil, divided *spray olive oil 3 small cloves garlic 10 (or more) mint leaves 5 (or more) basil leaves 1 heaping tablespoon capers, rinsed 2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts, lightly toasted *omit for low fat 1 to 2 teaspoon red wine vinegar or white balsamic or whatever vinegar you have Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Additional mint and basil, torn, to garnish *add rice *add thin steak
Hamburgers
Finally some deer meat! “Free” meat as Josh would like to call it. My hunting-widows know better than that though. Regardless of whether it is “free” meat or not, it is some of the leanest meat you can have (depending on where you send your meat to). It is going to be nice weather this week, hello 80 degree highs, so it will be great grilling weather. We don’t typically cook these ahead of time if the weather is going to be nice. The kids love to be outside, so we slow down and bit and grill while the kids play.
We keep our hamburgers simple, but feel free to jazz it up anyway you would like. The more simple, often times the more healthy they are.
*Changes I make to meet my macros
Ingredients: 80/20 ground beef or ground turkey Brioche Buns (164 calories, 5g protein, 27g carbs, 4g fat) or Lettuce Wrap Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Onion Pickles Ketchup Mustard
Skillet Lemon Pepper Chicken + Garden Veggies
I used to cook this meal every other week. I gave it a break over the summer and tried some new recipes between all the traveling. These past few weeks have been pretty stressful so I am going back to some easy tried and true recipes that don’t add extra stress when I am meal prepping.
I love this dish. I did mess it up the first time I made it. I put way too much seasoning, which made it super spicy. To compensate we added some jasmine rice and it was just what this dish needed. I like to make sure I have all 3 macros in my meals, so I don’t end up too short on one at the end of the day. Since I keep my fat low, I need the carbs to make sure I stay full for several hours. Good snacks help with this too.
I have skipped out on the wine the past few times, just because I forget to add it to the grocery list. I am not a fan of white wine, so I only have it in the house to cook with. I also don’t use very much oil. I like to spray my pan with olive oil to minimize the invisible fats. If I use feta, I always make sure to get non-fat feta.
*- changes I make to fit my macros
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* I spray my pan with olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
zest and juice of 1 lemon
kosher salt and pepper
2 red bell peppers, sliced
1 zucchini or yellow summer squash, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup white wine, Such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
* I have omitted the wine before
4 ounces feta cheese, cubed
* I use nonfat feta
E N J O Y !
