treat yourself well.

alright, I'm going to try to get on here as much as I can before the big trip. try, I said. no promises.

but this coming Friday, Chad and I head to Michigan via air for the week [yay!]. I'm doing hair for a much anticipated wedding on Saturday and then we'll get to spend lots of time with our wonderful families which is wayy long overdue. hopefully I still have my formal styling skills.. (; it's been a while. THEN on August 30th, I head to Romania! I can't even believe it is almost here already.

for now, I just wanted to share my most recent kitchen favorites. maybe this is old news for you guys, but anyone else just learning of all the the benefits of turmeric? my goodness it is so good for so many things. and I don't feel like it has a strong flavor so I can sneak it in lots of different dinners. (: I'll let you do your own research but next on my list is this recipe [the top ten reasons to incorporate it into your diet are listed there also]. at least have to try it. with almond milk of course. which is my other new favorite..

I recently decided to cut most dairy [not all, because really, I like the occasional ice cream just too much] out of my diet for a few health issues. nothing to be concerned about really, it just happened by process of elimination. so almond milk has been a great replacement. I really didn't use milk a ton, but it is in a lot more than I realize. and I found a dark chocolate almond milk at the store one day.. too yummy. yeesh.

[remember to]

one more thing. I know this post is all over the place, sorry.

as I prepare for our trip to Michigan and Romania, I just wanted to hear what your favorite packing tips and tricks are. I know so many of you are creative and organized, so lend me your favorites in that big empty comment box down there! [side note: you don't have to have a blog to comment. so I want to hear from lots of you!]

hope you all had a great weekend. and hopefully you got to do lots of this..

ali.

black bean tacos and ballerinas.

okay, I normally don't do food posts.. it feels like everyone has a "right" way to do things and conversations can get way too opinionated sometimes. nothing like being bullied into eating healthier. no need for that. but on our journey of eating a little bit better (we're making a big effort, for us), I'm finding some delicious recipes from some healthy eaters in the internet world.

we made these tacos tonight and they were delish. we didn't use the optional mayonaise and it was great just that way. super quick and easy to throw together and made a good amount for us with just a tiny bit left over (so-side note-if you're making this for more than two, maybe double the recipe).

we cut back on our meat intake just a bit. but I'm just going to say this.. I like chicken. and my man loves steak. so we're comfortable with eating alllll of the the things God has given us, in moderation. but I'm also loving finding other ways to get protein as well. (quinoa, anyone?) so there's that.

I wish I had a photo of the tacos for you, but the ones with the recipe are great, so just look at those. or you can just look at this, which has nothing to do with food, for a minute. even better.

have a wonderful night, everyone. I'll be around soon for some thoughts on faithfulness, hopefully.

continuation of a journey of contentment in all circumstances.

Made these today..

We have very little food at the moment. It's not that we don't have enough money for it. It's that I have a flat tire. So when I was reading this recipe from this blog that I like to follow sometimes (she has such lovely things to post, maybe you've heard of her. and her etsy shop, which is a favorite of mine), realizing I had everything to make these (and not much of anything else!), I decided to whip them up.

I've been on a journey of learning all things natural and healthy. I'm sure as I learn, I will be sharing the things we have started to change around here (ie. toothsoap.. still working on that). But when I read this recipe I got a little excited. Everything in these little balls is good for you. Healthy fat, good protien. Not to mention it is a great option for the snacker with a sweet tooth (me). I encourage you to give them a try.

So about the contentment in all circumstances. And that flat tire.

Chad has been working longer hours (oh I don't think I've mentioned his new job! okay, I will later). A few days ago I was out for a bit with Emily and Gideon and then came home; the usual. But later that night, Kyle got home and told me I had a flat tire. Bummer. It was late so Chad said he would look at it the next day.

I guess I ran over a nail. Or a screw? Whatever it is.

We tried using our little air pump to fix it and it worked, but you could also hear the air coming right back out pretty fast. And it turns out, my spare is very tricky to get out of the trunk, mostly because it's old, so every night he works on getting it out and then dinner is ready and it's not finished. I don't expect him to get it finished, he is super tired. Can't really blame him.. crazy work hours. But at the same time, we are running out of food and I haven't been able to go grocery shopping. Or take Tina to work like I told her I would. So, the other night, he got home and we were going to run to the store to pick up a few things so I could make dinner. When I went to get in the truck, the passenger seat was soaking wet. There is a leak and it has been absolutely pouring the last couple days.. some intense storms. Sooo he went without me.

As I was walking back up the stairs to go inside, after a moment of feeling bad that he had to go by himself, I started laughing to myself.The whole situation is comical really. Thank you Jesus for continuing to teach me contentment. I didn't feel like everything was terrible. Car troubles can be lame. But I know God is taking care of us. I just thought it was funny that we BOTH had car troubles at the same time and every time we try to get to the store, something else happens. I feel like it would have been really easy to get super discouraged. I think the Ali a couple of years ago, or even just a year, would have. But that night, I didn't. And the contentment just came. Like it was natural. I was so busy being grateful for my reaction, that I forgot about the somewhat crummy situation and before I knew it Chad was already back from the store.

I hope that all made sense. It's the little things that make BIG differences in your life.

{don't let the rain (or a flat tire) keep you from experiencing abundant life}

I also wanted to share this today. If I've left you with any down time. I love what she has to say in that post and what she is doing with her life.

feedback {greatly} appreciated.

Okay wonderfuls, I want to know your take on Stevia.
See that little comment box down there? Take full advantage of it!
Good? Bad? Happy? Sad? Favorite brands? Liquid or not? Lend me your brains.
Love yous.

speaking of sweetness..