Recipe Exchange

Here are pictures of  my last five pins:

The Ultimate Egg Sandwich

 

Butter Boiled Potatoes

 

 

Brown Butter Triple Chocolate Cookies

Chocoflan

 

 

Oreo Cinnamon Rolls



As you can tell, I love collecting (and trying!) new recipes.

I'm putting together an email recipe exchange. Each month, I will send out an email announcing the month's theme and sharing my recipe for the month. By the end of the month, all you have to do is hit "Reply All" and share your recipe that fits within the theme. This way we will all have new recipes to try.

Interested? Leave a comment with your email address or send an email to rrwrites@hotmail.com containing your name and email address. Please put "Recipe Exchange" in the subject line so that if you end up in my spam I can fish you out.


*This post inspired by a Mama Kat prompt.

01 02 12

Take a Break from the Treadmill

My walk on the treadmill goes a lot like this:

 

Let's drink some water to start.

Ok. Good. Warm up walk.

 Faster. Faster.

 4.0 is good.

How much longer?

Maybe I can bump up to 4.1.

Oh, I think I'm dying.

Back to 3.9.

Okay, breathe.

Am I finished yet?

Didn't this song play already?

This wall could really use a new coat of paint

do do do.............................

Oh, look 2 miles!

Forget the warm up walk! I'm done with this mess.

 

 

Yet, my walk out in the real world goes so differently:

 

Dear God, thank you for this beautiful weather and the opportunity to get some fresh air and sunshine....

Oh, look! I'm here. That was quick.

 

Ahh! What nice walk. I should really do this more often.

 

 

If any one this sounds familiar then maybe you too need a break from the treadmill of life. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning me wheels- going through the motions, getting nothing accomplished but still getting worn out.

 

I think I need a break from walking in place.

 

I need to do more than go through the motions.

 

I need to feel the sunshine and sniff the roses.

 

Pray. Act. Reflect. Pray. Change. Pray.

 

This  needs to be my new rhythm of life.  Life should be much more than just keeping pace. Life should be about living fully- experiencing, helping, loving.

 

 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

01 02 12

The Best Year Yet

I've set goals for 2015 but I've also been thinking about general ideas and principles that could make this year the best yet.

In the order they occurred to me:

1. Travel Korea/Asia as much as possible. I figure since we're here, we might as well take advantage of everything we can.

2. Experiment with stovetop desserts. I may not be able to perfect my baking skills in Korea but I sure can work on my frying.

3. Send more snail mail. Who doesn't love getting mail that's not a bill or advertisement?

4. Be generous. Giving makes everyone feel good!

5. Bite my tongue more. I really need to learn to think before I speak.

6. Learn to cook Korean food. Just another way to take advantage of being in Korea. I can learn to make our favorites for when we go home.

7. Learn to use the rice cooker. I think our food life will be richer if I can learn the buttons on this machine. I'm talking cakes and quiches here.

8.  Get in shape. I want to be able to play a game or go for long walks/hikes without being winded. I think this will greatly improve my quality of life.

9. Write more. Writing is one of my passions and I believe it is a gift from God. I think the more I write, the more likely I am to fulfill my purposes.

10. Finish my book. I've been working on a God-inspired book idea that I hope to complete in the coming months.

11. Complete my 7-7-7 goals. That's what goals are for, right? To be completed?

12.  Grow my blog. I enjoy blogging and would love to grow my reach,

13. Swim in the ocean. I think I was a mermaid in a past life. I love swimming in the ocean. It feels like home.

14. Spend more time outside. I think we could all use a bit more time in natural light.

15. Spend more time with God. How is this not a good thing? Spending more time with my creator sounds like the best way to make life better.

16. Use social media less. I think connecting in real life is much better!

17.  Eat better chocolate. Life is short. Don't spend it eating low grade choco!

18. Skype me friends more often. I miss our long chats.

19. Pray with my husband. I think this is a great way to strengthen my relationship with God and my husband.

20.  Complain less. I want to focus more on the good and less on the bad.

*inspired by a Mama Kat prompt

01 02 12

3 Week Meal Plan

Monday- Chili
Tuesday- Ham Steaks with Broccoli and Potato Wedges
Wednesday- Smothered Chicken with Mashed Potatoes (Fried Cookie Dough Balls)
Thursday- Chicken Curry
Friday- Leftovers
Weekend- Breakfast/Cheese Dun Cas/Out

Monday- Lamb Ribs and Potatoes
Tuesday- Ham Steaks and Fried Potatoes
Wednesday- Pork with Mandu and Broccoli (Sopapillas)
Thursday- Homemade Tuna Helper
Friday-Leftovers
Weekend- Breakfast/Cheese Dun Cas/Out

Monday-Chili
Tuesday- Country Fried Steaks and Potatoes
Wednesday- Leftovers
Thursday- Tuna Pasta
Friday- Dun Cas (Grocery Shopping Day)

What are you having for dinner this week? Do you have any meal plan strategies or good recipes to share?



01 02 12

2015 Word

For the last few years I've chosen a word to serve as my mantra for the new year. Inspired by From Chaos Comes Happiness, this trend takes over the internet as each December turns into January. 

In the past I've chosen words such as "love" and "bold" and they have served me well, even if I didn't always use them to the fullest potential.

This year, I've struggled to choose between two words, "God" and "me". Quite the dichotomy.  Therefore, this year, I am choosing a phrase- "God in me."

I want to focus on internalizing the lessons I've been learning about who God created me to be. For me, this is a year of self-discovery. I want to discover and live out my purposes. I want my faith to shine through me and I want to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit within.

I want to perpetually invite God in me, to guide me and guard me. I want to live knowing that He is within and that He would delight in my actions.

I've started reading A Purpose Driven Life, loaned to me by a coworker, and it's been very inspirational. If you haven't read it before I suggest checking it out. It's meant to be read day by day but I've been stretching it out further, letting the ideas mellow and meld into my mind and heart.

I see this a bold new year filled with love and learning and I'm ready to embrace the adventure of discovering God in me.

Do you choose a word of the year? What did you choose this year?

01 02 12

Valuable Advice

This piece of advice was first given to me, in high school, by a controlling and mentally abusive ex-boyfriend. He belittled me and tried to keep me away from my friends.

When I finally ended our relationship he  set out on a mass mail campaign in which he alternated between sending me "love" letters and hate mail. In one such note he railed against me friends and suggested they had encouraged our break-up (of course they did!) and advised me to "never let anyone control you".  I cut out that sentence and pasted it into my inspiration journal, just in case I ever needed a reminder.

As it turns out, I would. And the person I would need it for would give me identical advice after I rejected one of their many suggestions for my personal life. An employer gave me much "advice" and suggestions for my daily (personal) life.  The employer is offended when I don't take the suggestions and sometimes demands to know why. After telling them I wasn't going to follow their marriage advice that I should control my husband, they rewarded me with the gem, "Don't let anyone control you".

Now, that's a piece of advice I can follow- starting with you!

*Inspired by a Mama Kat prompt 01 02 12

Simple Woman's Daybook: Jan 12

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...sunshine!

I am thinking...I want some okra!

I am thankful... for my sweet husband

In the kitchen...beef and cheesy potatoes

I am wearing...workout clothes but I am about to change back into my work clothes

I am creating...a list of gift idea for the bestie's birthday present

I am going...to work

I am wondering...when I should go grocery shopping

I am reading...Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini

 

I am looking forward to...eating chicken spaghetti

 

 

Exercise today? Yes. Day 7 of Skinny Ms. Summer Abs

 

Around the house...laundry is hanging and dry but I haven't gotten around to folding it yet

I am pondering...the best fried dessert....any ideas

 

One of my favorite things...real cheese....something Korea has a shortage of

A few plans for the rest of the week: get back on the writing train

Join the fun at :http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ 

01 02 12

7-7-7

This year I decided to forgo resolutions and set 7 goals for myself in 3 different areas of my life. I always make culinary goals because they are fun for me to accomplish and I get the satisfaction from checking an item off my list.

This year I decided to also make faith and writing related goals because they are very important areas of my life.

What about you, did you make any goals or resolutions for the new year?

 

 

Faith

1. Read Bible daily.
2. Read Keep it Shut.
3. Keep a prayer journal.
4. Go to church regularly.
5. Practice being kind.
6. Weigh what I want to say against Scripture before I speak.
7. Share my faith with others

Writing

1. Write the final chapter of my book.
2. Do a weekly Mama Kat prompt.
3. Do a biweekly Daybook post.
4. Do 3+ blog posts a week.
5. Write 104 pages of Patience.
6. Write 24 new Westbound poems.
7. Keep up more with my inspiration journals.

Culinary

1. Make vegetable stock regularly.
2. Learn to make beef gravy.
3. Make a fried dessert.
4. Make a rice cooker cake.
5. Try brownie pancakes (with peanut butter sauce?).
6. Learn to make tortillas.
7. Learn how to make a Korean dish from scratch.

What did you accomplish in 2014? 01 02 12

Jeju: It's No Hawaii

But it is a good time.

Jeju Island is always referred to as "the Hawaii of Korea". If Hawaii is like Jeju, I will be sorely disappointed.

However, Jeju was a very nice place to visit, even if it was a bit tourist trap-y. (Much like Niagara Falls. After you've seen the Falls, everything else around is quite gimmicky).

My boss' family were lovely hosts.

We all took the ferry over together. The entire 4.5 hour ride over "a three hour tour" echoed in my head. But we made it safe and sound. I was especially proud of Mike for riding the ferry despite his fear of water.

We drove all over the island and saw the beach,  caves, waterfalls and climbed a small mountain. We visited the chocolate museum and the shooting range. We considered riding ATVS but it was awfully muddy as the snow was melting.

Chocolate Museum 

We visited a body museum at my boss' instance and it was a huge waste of money. Think several preserved body parts. The main attractions seemed to be preserved pubic hair and a fetus hall, which thankfully I was able to see the small sign before I entered. We passed on Hello Kitty Island, Teddy Bear Safari, Mini-world, Memory Theme Park and Greek Culture museum.

We also went into a really cool cave cafe.

Jeju island is famous for its citrus and wild boar meat. We went to a popular restaurant and tried the wild boar. It was delicious! 

Statues of this man are everywhere on the island!

01 02 12

The Simple Woman's Daybook: Jan 6th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...wind

I am thinking...my abs hurt

I am thankful...for a safe and fun trip to Jeju

In the kitchen...leftover pork stir-fry and tuna noodle casserole

I am wearing...workout clothes but I am about to change back into my work clothes...for a few more hours

I am creating...a healthy lifestyle

I am going...back to work

I am wondering...when I should mail my best friend's birthday gift

I am reading...Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini

 

I am looking forward to...bowling on Wednesday with my adult students

 

 

Exercise today? Yes. Day 2 of Skinny Ms. Summer Abs

 

 

Today's Bible reading...Samuel 18-20

 

 

Around the house...laundry is hanging to dry but it is to cold

I am pondering...what job I want to have when I return home

A favorite quote for today..."You can't do everything but, by damn, you can do something"- Dr. Dunn (my former college professor)

One of my favorite things...hot chocolate with milk

A few plans for the rest of the week: to go to the post office and to meet a new friend for dinner

Join the fun at :http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/ 

 

01 02 12