"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'" ~Erma Bombeck


Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

Psalm 127

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.
It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.


Once in awhile in a flurry of excitement, I just want to SHARE something...really wonderful, really funny, really bad, really...anything...with someone...ANYONE!

But then I think:  Would *anyone* even care about this anyway?  Would *anyone* even have time to listen?  (The list is short.) Would *anyone* NOT think I'm a dork? (The list has just grown shorter...)

The hard, honest truth is:  Probably Not. 😏

When God shares a special insight with us, He gives us a pearl.  When we run with our pearls to just *anyone,* it often ends in disappointment.  We must be selective about who we share our heart's treasures with.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:6:

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Am I saying our family and friends are pigs?  No.  BUT...when we share things that are close to our heart, and then discover that people just don't "get it" or don't have time, don't respond, or even end up discouraging us, we must ask ourselves:  Was it worth it to share?  

So what do we do with all these pearls (and sorrows, and fears, and, and, and...)?
The answer to all of those questions above is the same:  Give them to God. God always cares...always has time...never thinks I'm a dork.  He already told me what He thinks of me:
I am His good work in progress...
I am His masterpiece....
I am filled with His Strength...
I am Fearfully and Wonderfully made...

That is TRUTH. Because He said so! :)

Philippians 1:3-6
"I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
and

Ephesians 2:8-10
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


2 Corinthians 12:9-11
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Sometimes we as Mamas (and humans, for that matter) forget how God sees us, and we base our worth/success/moods on "how good" we are being...or how funny or interesting we are.  I think at the base of our hearts we are wondering:  Am I special?  Am I making a difference?

The Enemy of our souls would love for us to be defeated in every way every day. I'm so thankful that God took special care to remind us that we are precious because we are HIS, not because of what we do or how far we have come so far. His Strength is Perfect in our weaknesses...I want to glorify Him in my weaknesses (which are countless...ever so many) so that His Power may rest on me!

~Grace and Peace from one of God's masterpieces to another

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Dear Someone

Dear Someone,
I am weary and worn. It's hard to describe it in words...I have multiple layers of myself.  There's the ME that I can be in front of my kids...and the deeper ME in front of my husband...which is a different ME than I can be in front of my sisters...or my parents...or my friends...or my facebook peeps...

Then there's the ME that I am when I pray and do my Bible study...and then...THEN...there's the REAL DEEP DOWN ME that no one--NO ONE--sees but God.  It's a secret society thing, because I know He sees...and He knows that I know...and we don't talk about it.  Or at least I don't.  I have trouble revealing myself to Him, but I know He knows me anyway, despite my best attempts to be a "godly girl."  And yet somehow, I still play the charade, knowing He knows the truth, and still somehow finding comfort in the fact that I don't go "all out raw" in my time alone with Him.  Maybe that's because I don't have it.  I don't have time alone with Him...almost ever. My tears fall silently down my cheeks as I type this. My life is filled with people...and barking dogs...and noise...and phone calls, and texts, and responsibilities, and schedules, and events, and homeschooling, and company dropping by, and laundry, and meals to make, and diets to fail...and STUFF. I can't even look at the computer screen as I type because I know it will slow everything down.  I look out the window as I listen to an airplane fly by...and a cat meow, and my bamboo wind chimes clacking in the breeze.  It's gray outside, which suits me fine.  I'm not really depressed, I don't think...just worn out.  I wish I could get past my quicksand.  I need a miracle...literally. I'm so stuck in my going, but I need and want REST.  Jesus said, "Come unto me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (proper verse with reference listed later, after feverish typing subsided...):

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Right now, I can't figure out how to have time/energy/"realness" to even come to Him.  I *know* that's where rest resides... Even as I type this, my phone is clanging a new text from one of my sisters. sigh. I can't silence my phone...I am the hub/contact person for the family...for my mom's caregivers...for my oldest kids who are in another state on a mission trip...for my hubby who needs me to take care of some business paperwork today that I don't even know all the answers to...for my friend whose son died and struggles every day with more grief than I could imagine carrying. So many family and friends with so much loss!  Break-ups, divorces, deaths, and devastations. I have no right to cry...no right to feel "done."  No right to want to give up, but I do...I'm exhausted emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I have swollen lymph nodes, and am drained.  Maybe I'm not writing this to the blogiverse...no one reads this blog anyway.  Maybe I'm really writing to you, God.  I know you're there.  I have faith in you, and I always have. I'm sad that I'm struggling, and I'm sorry...I'm sorry I'm having such a hard time having real time with you and in your word because it is what gives me life. I'm sorry that I play Farm Heroes instead of read Your Word...I'm sorry I listen to a sermon instead of You as I fall asleep. I'm sorry that I can only type this to "someone" instead of just pray to you during my "prayers."  Hold on...I better check that text, I guess...

I just don't know where to begin. You know about Mom...3 cancers in 3 years...what is her prognosis going to be? Only you know.  Our finances...ugh. going through all the paperwork and hard work of pinching pennies, saying NO to things, missing out, so many demands, so little time to figure out what's next.  Do I work full time? Who will teach the kids? How will this work?  What's happening with Mom? Are we going to have to move out and let them move in so they have a one level?  Thank you for providing the Stair lifts.  I know they are broken...will you please provide someone and the money to fix them and install them right?  Jesus, I need you but I can't get to you...can you please come get me? I am lost...I am overwhelmed, I am hurting, and I am feeling alone. I KNOW you are with me, but I still need you to come get me and fix me. There's no one to talk to...no one to hear my hurts...no one who will just listen and not "fix". Their solutions are all wrong. I need someone to hear my heart, care about it, not judge me, and not try to tell me to stop doing what I know I must do. I can't see how to take care of myself better. I keep hearing that...HOW??? I can't get enough sleep to feel rested; I can't clean my house enough to make progress; I can't stay on top of anything; and I can't stop eating crap!  It's all I want right now...it makes me feel better...then WORSE after that!

Anyway...there it is.  There I am...warts and all.  Thank you for letting me cry and for listening, Lord.  Thank you for being my "Someone" and helping me pray for real...I love you.  And please remember to come get me to help me come to you.  I'm a little lost, I think.


Wednesday, June 29, 2016

MY LOVELY DAUGHTERS' ADVENTURES INTO TRIM HEALTHY TEEN COOKING!




One way to find out (or confirm if you're in denial) if you are a Type A Personality is to let your children cook and create without you. Every clatter and clang causes me to head that way, only to stop myself short...
It's crazy, but I find the teenage years harder for me than any other age! They're so much more capable than I am used to realizing. Letting go is my challenge.
My husband came home today, and knows these things are out of my comfort zone, and said: "Just pretend you're Elsa...'Let it go....let it go....'" 

You know what?  THEY NAILED IT!  And...I grew up just a little bit, too...I'm learning to Let Go...baby-steps at a time!

You
I PRESENT TO YOU THEIR MASTERPIECES!!!!



My 15 year old daughter invented this recipe last night when she was cooking! It was delicious!
So proud of these teenagers of mine who are learning to embrace and "own" THM now! 


ANNA'S CREAMY-CHEESY HERB CHICKEN (THM-S)
4 large whole chicken breasts
4 Tbsp melted coconut oil
****
Sauce:
4 Tbsp heavy cream
4 Tbsp almond milk
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (green can is fine) + more for sprinkling
1 tsp flour of choice (she used THM Baking Blend)
4 dashes Tobasco sauce
2 dashes of garlic powder
4 dashes of Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute**
1/ 2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp rosemary
1 tsp salt

Mix all sauce ingredients in bowl. In a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, place chicken breasts. Brush melted coconut oil over chicken. Spread sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with more parmesan cheese, according to your preference. Add a few more dashes of rosemary to the tops of chicken breasts. Bake at 425 for 40 minutes, or until juices run clear and internal temperature is 170.



**Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute is a smooth blend of onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice and lemon oil.Jun 9, 2014





I have to "brag" on my 16 year old Katie's "Trimtastic Zucchini Cake" (S) from the new THM cookbook! It was divine!  I love her personal flair in plating! They're cooking me out of a job...and I love it!
KATIE'S THM "TRIMTASTIC ZUCCHINI CAKE" from the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

(Recipe slightly altered, in order to avoid copyright infringement)




One last share...our sweet 13 year old Gracelyn wanted to make Texas Brownies (S) tonight, and we used this recipe from Beauty and the Foodie. She rocked it (with a little guidance from Mom). The icing seemed a little bit too sweet to us, but maybe some of you will enjoy it "as is.

~Joy and Deliciousness from our Home to Yours! 

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Confessions of a Trim Healthy Prodigal...


Once upon a time...
In a galaxy far, far away...
In the land of winken, blinken, and nod...

There I was..."awesomeing" on my THM journey.  I was exercising, and drinking water, and cooking, and baking, and washing blenders, and pots, and pans, and counters, and sinks, and dishes, and...and...and...

And then my enemy accused me...he told me I was obsessed...and vain...and shallow...and legalistic...
he told me to take a break...to back off...not forever...just for a little while...just for a holiday...just a bit...

complacency crept in and stole my passion...
apathy arrived and robbed my joy...
For the next while, I was surviving.  Not living...just surviving...

and I got sick...and tired...
then my mom got cancer, and the world stopped spinning...
we took on added responsibilities, and my time kept dwindling...
I had to have surgery, and my strength kept fading...
I got sicker, and my health was disappearing...

Doctor appointments...
Ultrasounds...
Blood work...
Diagnoses...

mom almost dies...
she gets diagnosed with a second type of cancer...
sister is extremely sick and hospitalized...
I am going, driving, sitting, helping, not sleeping...
I develop more health problems...

I don't have time to be sicker and tireder (is that a word?).  My parents need me...my husband needs me...my girls need me...my sisters need me!

Where are you Jesus?  I need You!  Can you hear me?  What have I done wrong?  Where is my healing?  Where is my help?  Where is my strength? Where is my deliverance?  I AM WORN.

What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.


Then it came...a doctor's appointment with a slap in the face...scary words with scary possibilities...

WAIT!  I don't have time to be THIS sick.  Not slap-in-the-face-sick!
Not THAT tired.  Not hit-by-a-train-tired!

WAIT! I do think I can make a little time to keep "awesomeing"...a tad of time to keep exercising, a smidgen of time to keep drinking water, a dab of cooking, a smattering of baking, a bit of washing blenders, pots, pans, counters, sinks, and dishes, and...and...and...

Inch by inch, step by step, yard by yard, mile by mile...I came back...HOME.  Is Trim Healthy Mama "Home?"  No, but it's a room in my Home.  My Father was waiting for me...He left the Light on for me...He had a bed of REST with fresh linens waiting, and a hot HEALTHY meal ready.  He ran to me and CARRIED me through the door.  Because HE IS...He is Love...and Healing...and Strength...and Deliverance...and...and...and...

LIFE happens all around us, and we cannot control it.
We can only control the voices we choose to listen to.
I took a slight wrong turn once upon a time, and listened to the whispers of my enemy.
My life was wracked with pain and suffering...
Then...HOME.  Life, Truth, Help.

Don't do it...don't listen to anyone or anything else except HIM...

HE IS...
Liberty
Infinite
Freedom
Eternal.

HE IS LIFE!

Put on your Armor and Fight, young lady! (Ephesians 6:10-18)



~Grace and Peace to you, Fair Iron Maidens of Virtue

Monday, November 23, 2015

COFFEE BREAK


Today is the first Monday we've had off in months!  No homeschool co-op (even though we enjoy it); no doctor's appointments (I had surgery in September); no company coming over (of course we love it when they come!); and no hubby home (again with the love, though).  In fact, I am so excited for this week, I can hardly stand it!  So much to be THANKFUL for!!  AND so much to do!!  Yet I was reminded that Being Still...Taking a Coffee Break...is not a waste of time.  It is an investment in my day.  Every time I skip this stillness of my soul in the morning, the rest of the day is often chaotic and unproductive.  Mornings are hard.  I get it.  I also know that life is short, and skipping coffee with Jesus can open the door to mistakes, regrets, and discouragement.  Nobody needs that!

This year, Thanksgiving Day will be simple and sweet.  It'll just be the six of us and Mom and Dad.  We are making the main dinner this year for the first time....Mom has been fighting breast cancer for almost a year, and chemotherapy is an unkind companion along the journey.  Thankfully, Mom has been spared many of the most dreaded side-effects, but the nagging fatigue is ever-present.  This verse continually passes through my mind, as I think of and pray for her.  We cannot heal ourselves...that job is God's alone!  But we can be still in His presence. Life is a precious gift.  And it can sometimes be short.  I am so thankful for God's fighting on behalf of my mom right now, and I don't want to take it for granted!



*************************************

After relishing a few extra moments with my pillow this morning, my first stop was caffeine.  If you know me at all, you know how much I love my coffee...even if on crazy days it takes a never-ending cycle of reheating in order to get it done! ☺

Coffee creamer...this is an area of my life that I have had a death-grip on.  I have tried all sorts of bullet-proof coffees, Trimaccinos, half & half or cream/extract/stevia combos.  So far, none of them have been *bad* but none have really floated my boat, either.

Trim Healthy Mama has two new books out!  The original book was awesome, weighing in at over 600 pages.  I love it and still have it!  However, these new books are so very user-friendly.  The plan itself is in the first book (below - left), while the cookbook (below - right) has over 300 recipes, complete with color photos!  It's wicked awesome! ♥




So today, I was finally ready to try something new (again) for my coffee.  I love peppermint mochas this time of year (I am NOT a pumpkin fan in beverages!  GAG!)  Using the new THM Sweet Blend
I made a batch of peppermint Skinny Chocolate (S) disks.  It comes together in a cinch, and I can find most of the ingredients I need from any grocery store.  Thankfully, we have a Trader Joe's nearby!  I ♥ TJ's!

 If you don't like to use coconut-flavored coconut oil, you can purchase refined (unflavored) CO at most any grocery store!


(See the Peppermint Mocha creamer in the background?  That will hopefully fade more into the distance if this can make up for the flavor!) ☺
I plopped one of these into my coffee, along with a swirl of cream and YAY!  Although I'll probably still enjoy my other coffee creamers from time to time, this was perfect today! ☺



MOCHA-MINT SKINNY CHOCOLATE (S)
Print this recipe


INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c. coconut oil (melted)
1/4 c. cocoa powder
2-3 tsp. ground THM Sweet Blend
teensy pinch sea salt
Peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS:
Melt coconut oil until liquid.  Add cocoa powder, ground THM Sweet Blend, and salt, stirring well.  Add 2-3 drops of peppermint extract (or about 1/2 tsp), stir and taste.  Adjust to desired sweetness/flavor profile.  Pour into molds, onto lined plate, or into ice cube trays.  Freeze until solid.

~Blessings and Peace in Stillness (& a great cuppa coffee) from our home to yours!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

30 DAYS OF THANKFULNESS



Much has happened in our family lately that has given us a run for our money in the "give thanks in all circumstances" department.  We have been keeping busy with school, chores, family gatherings, and Bible studies; we have also had our share of health concerns, home repairs, and financial challenges. If we find ourselves continuously complaining, our focus is likely on our comfort rather than our Calling.  We must be INTENTIONAL about praising God and giving thanks!

 I THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 says~

"Rejoice always, 
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

In an effort to prepare my heart for Thanksgiving every November, I strive to make a list of 30 (at least) Days of Thankfulness.  Here's my list so far.


30 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING (2015):
DAY 1~La Famiglia! This family God gave us is a crazy, loud, sweet, sacrificial bunch!! 
DAY 2~A delicious, hot cuppa coffee with cream, cocoa powder, and cinnamon!
DAY 3~Daughters who bless us with their awesome talents...like pumpkin scones with cinnamon glaze!
DAY 4~ Being married to my best friend is awesome! We don't always see eye-to-eye (he's a lot taller), he puts up with my corny jokes and even laughs (most of the time). He makes me coffee, brings an occasional bouquet of flowers, and loves to surprise me (even though he usually gives it away accidentally)...I'm so thankful God blessed us with this journey together!
DAY 5~ We are so thankful God blessed us with our 4 Little Women! When the doctor told us we may never have children, we cried. And we prayed. And God chose to bless us with His gracious miracles. Though we have children waiting for us in Heaven, the ones God shared with us here are our earthly riches, indeed!
DAY 6~ My parents, who faithfully live out their marriage vows with grace...for better or worse, in sickness and in health...I love you, Mom and Dad!
DAY 7~ I am so thankful for my besties/blessed sisters! I'm loving growing older with you wild and crazy gals!!
DAY 8~ Today I am thankful to be able to live in this cozy house, where my grandparents used to live, and where we Live, Laugh, and Love!  This has been a hospitality house over the years...many special memories, family holidays, visits with friends, meals around the table, cups of coffee, and much laughter here!
DAY 9~ These kiddos are such fun & entertaining blessings! Having nieces and nephews and a "Cousin Club" 10 members strong is pure awesomeness!
DAY 10~ So THANKFUL for the privilege and blessing of being born in America with liberty and freedom we cherish so dearly! We are undeserving of so much bounty, but ever so thankful!
DAY 11~ What can I say about our Veterans that hasn't already been said today? In the words of George M. Cohan [composer of "She's a Grand Old Flag," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Over There," and many other patriotic songs], "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you..." including our own family...Daddy, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends who have served! 
DAY 12~ I'm thankful for humor and laughter!
DAY 13 ~Today, I am thankful for the truth and comfort of God’s Word!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." ~Philippians 4:4-9
DAY 14 ~ Today I'm thankful for the OMNIPRESENCE, OMNISCIENCE, OMNIPOTENCE, and LOVE of God!!
DAY 15~ God hears and answers our prayers! He is intimately involved in the affairs of men and governments! He sustains the universe with the same power that created it. God works through people and nations in great events and unnoticed details. All His actions demonstrate the gravity and brilliance of His justice and goodness.
DAY 16 ~ FREEDOM is never free...it always has bloodshed as the pricetag! Thank you, Jesus, for shedding your blood to set us free from sin's deathgrip! And thank you, veterans, patriots, and defenders of liberty! {"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."~Galatians 5:1}
DAY 17~ So thankful that we can KNOW where to find the TRUTH, even though the world around us is full of conflicting voices, beliefs, and ideologies!
TRUTH =Honest, correct, authentic, fact
HONESTY=Speaking the Truth
KINDNESS=Speaking the Truth in Love
DISCERNMENT=Speaking the Truth Wisely

DAY 18~ I am so thankful that HE IS....
The Breath of Life,
The Passover Lamb,
Our High Priest,
Living Water,
Bread of Life,
The Lion of Judah,
The Lamb of God,
Our Savior,
Our Shepherd,
Our Mediator,
Our Salvation,
The Way,
The Truth,
The Life,
Our one and only way to Heaven,
The Alpha,
The Omega,
Our Everything....

DAY 19~ Our pets!  They keep our house wild, noisy, cuddly, and entertaining.  Two pugs and two Siamese kitties are more than enough! 
DAY 20~ So thankful for the Voice of Truth reminding us of 1 John 1:9 ~ "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
DAY 21~THANKFUL that God is our Helper and our Sustenance! {Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul. ~Psalm 54:4}
Thank you, Lord!

DAY 22~ No matter how good the words of men sound, no matter how the promises of men fail, I am so THANKFUL that God's Words are ALWAYS good and true, and His promises NEVER fail! Don't live as those who have no hope! Our hope is found in Him alone!  
DAY 23~


 So let me ask you:  WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR????

Thanksgiving Blessings from our home to yours!

Saturday, September 5, 2015

BREAKFAST BLESSINGS {CRUSTLESS QUICHE} (S)



Breakfast is one of the most difficult meals to meet all the important criteria in our house.   We want our breakfasts to be quick, easy, affordable, nutritious, and sometimes portable, too! When you add in the Sunday Morning Scurry for church in addition to trying to conquer the weekly breakfast battle, I need a fool-proof, protein-packed plan.  If a recipe can meet all of the above, we consider that a Breakfast Blessing.  I present to you:  "Crustless Quiche Two Ways!" 

This is a basic quiche recipe that can be adapted by changing the meat, veggies, cheese, and even the serving style.  The Crustless Quiche Master Recipe is listed at the end of this post.  For all you Trim Healthy Mamas out there, this is an S meal!

Today, I chose 2 options with 2 different preparations to illustrate: 





 SOUTHWESTERN CRUSTLESS QUICHE (S) ~ Family Style


Basic Ingredients:  Eggs, shredded cheese (fiesta blend), Ro*Tel diced tomatoes/green chiles, small can roasted green chiles (mild), sliced black olives, 1 lb. mild pork sausage;  also, milk/almond milk, salt and pepper


 I use gloves when I deal with the sausage, because I find it easier to pull apart for easier frying without getting my hands all gooey!  Highly recommended!


 Break apart sausage into skillet preheated on Med to Med-High heat...

 I cut the thumb off an old oven mitt and rubber banded it to the handle of my cast iron skillet...not fancy, but it works great!


 Have you seen these handy-dandy things for breaking up meat?  I use it all the time now...TA-DA!

 Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray--I used coconut oil spray
 Layer the cooked ground sausage in the bottom of the pan
 Sprinkle a handful of cheese on top--1/2-1 cup
 Crack 9 eggs, 1 at a time into a measuring cup (so you can retrieve any broken egg shells before adding them to your master quiche mix!)

 Add 1/2 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk (or your milk of choice)

 Salt & Pepper as desired
 Add 1 c. Fiesta blend shredded cheese
 Dump into a blender (or whisk by hand in a bowl); Add 1 can Ro*Tel diced tomatoes/green chiles + 1 small can (or 1/2 large can) mild roasted green chiles (or hotter if you prefer!)  Blend briefly, or  "pulse" a few times to incorporate well, but not puree` your tomatoes and green chiles!

 Pour over sausage and cheese in baking dish
 Only 1/2 of our family like olives, so I put them on 1/2 of the quiche
 Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until center comes out clean when tested with a butter knife.
This is delicious plain, topped with sour cream, or this tangy Greek yogurt dip form Costco!
I added a few chopped fresh tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream.  Ole`!
For you Trim Healthy Mamas, this is a wonderful Sastisfying Breakfast (or lunch, or dinner) for your whole family!


BACON-TOMATO MINI-QUICHE (S) ~ Individual Style

 Basic Ingredients:  Eggs, shredded cheese (colby-jack blend), 2 Roma tomatoes, diced, 12 oz to 1 lb. bacon or turkey bacon;  also, milk/almond milk, salt and pepper
 Line a baking sheet with heavy duty foil
 Lay bacon on the foil...clean up later is so much happier this way!  Bake the bacon at 375 for 12-15 minutes, until desired brownness...

IN THE BLENDER COMBINE:
9 Eggs
1/2 cup milk or almond milk
 Salt and Pepper
 Line muffin tin with silicon baking cups--my recipe filled up 18 muffin cups--and spray with cooking oil if yours are sticky like mine are!  I used coconut oil.
Bacon is delicious!


 Get ready to cut your tomatoes...my knife was a little dull, so I did a quick sharpening by using the bottom rough edge of a ceramic coffee mug, gliding the blade along at a slight angle from hilt to tip a few times, then flipping it over and doing the same on the other side...

 Slice tomatoes in half...then seed your tomatoes.  I used a baby spoon to scoop out the seeds and insides.
Mostly.  I see a few seeds left, but anyway... ☺
2 diced, seeded tomatoes
Here's the difference in the liquidity in seeded (L) & unseeded (R) tomatoes.  Big difference in outcome of the recipe...
 1 cup frozen pepper/onion blend
1 cup colby jack shredded cheese
 Dump it in the blender and blend briefly or "pulse" a few times, so you don't puree` your peppers too much.
Add about a tablespoon of diced tomatoes
Some chunky bacon crumbles
And a pinch of shredded cheese on top...
Fill muffin cups with egg mixture about 2/3-3/4 way full...
Pop in the oven at 350 for 20-25 minutes
 Until butter knife inserted in center comes out clean
 Pop it out of the silicon cup & enjoy as is...OR..........
 FALL IN LOVE WITH SOME Sriracha Ketchup on top!! *Swoon*



CRUSTLESS QUICHE MASTER RECIPE (THM -S)

Ingredients:
9 Eggs
1/2 c. milk of choice
2 c. shredded cheese of choice, divided
1 lb. meat of choice
Veggies of choice
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 9 x 13 baking dish or 18 muffin cups.  Cook meat (or use Kirkland bacon bits, leftover meatloaf, chopped sausage links, etc.).   Layer meat on bottom of baking dish or muffin cups.  If using fresh veggies (diced tomatoes, pepper, onions, broccoli), add on top.  Add a little more (1/2-1 cup) shredded cheese on top of meat/veggies if desired.  In a blender, mix together 9 eggs, 1/2 c. milk of choice, 1 c. shredded cheese, any frozen veggies, and salt and pepper to taste.  Pour over meat/veg/cheese mix in prepared baking dish or muffin cups.  OR...omit meat and make a veggie-packed quiche! Bake at 350 degrees for: 40 minutes for 9 x 13 baking dish; or 20-25 minutes for muffin cups.  ENJOY!

Can easily be reheated and enjoyed if prepared as a make-ahead meal!  I like to make these on a Saturday evening, and enjoy them for a fast breakfast on Sunday before church and throughout the week! (Or Lunch...Or Snack...Or Dinner...)

~Blessings and Peace from our home to yours!