Wordless Wednesday-Porch Fishin'

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New Testament Tuesday #2

Well here it is the second week and we have finished the book of Matthew and have started off this week with The book of Galatians and will finish it up with the book of Hebrews.  I have really been enjoying this read through and reading others thoughts and seeing how God is speaking to them. 

The passage that spoke to me the most was Matthew 12:36-37.
"And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgement.  For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned." (NAS version).

I don't know about you, but I have been careless with my words more times than I care to admit.  I deserve condemnation.  In fact, this is an area that I feel I am constantly being pruned in.  I have the words of Psalm 19:14 written on my fridge as a reminder.  (I go there a lot so I figure that is a good place to put it.)
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."(NAS)
I desire that what I say will reflect Him at all times.  In my joy, my sadness, my struggles, in everything.  I have 3 little boys watching me and even though I feel like they aren't listening to me...evidence shows that they really are!  So my plan is to keep reading the Bible and meditate on what I read.  To try to keep garbage out and pour the good stuff in.

Lord Jesus, I pray that you would restrain my tongue when it starts to wag and that you would fill me with your words and your life.  Thank you for your word that is life-changing and renewing.  In your Name, Amen.

Member One Boot Camp Week #7

Tuesday I walked down to the basketball court that is at our neighborhood park.  I did walking lunges across the length but I did a count of 20 (10 on each leg).  Then 20 squat pivots.  I then repeated.   So a total of 40 lunges (20 on each leg) and 40 squats.  Then I went to a park bench and did 15 knee ups on each leg and then 15 step ups on each leg.  I started feeling nauseous so I walked back home.  I had planned on doing some crunches and push ups but I didn't feel any better after getting home and by the time I rested I was out of workout time.  Oh well.

By Thursday, I was still super sore from Tuesday!  I made myself get out though.  I walked around my block twice and I carried my weights (5lbs each) and did different exercises as I walked.  I started with an overhead press and then a front raise with palms up and then triceps holding for a count of 3.  I did each exercise through 15 times and then repeated all three again.  Then I did bicep curls, tricep extensions and upright rows.  Again, I did each exercise 15 times and then repeated all three.  This allowed me to walk around my block twice.  I then went to the deck and did 10 pushups.  Then I did V-Ups, bridge ups with an over head press, crunches, lower crunches where you raise your legs up to 12 o'clock and then just lift your hips off the ground.  I did all four 10 times each and then repeated.  Then I did a front plank and a plank on each side, holding each plank for 30 seconds.  Then I stretched.

I'm glad I was able to workout for at least 2 days.  This week I will attempt 3.  I've got to get back in the habit of the 3 workouts a week.  My weight has stayed the same but I am going to try to set a goal of a 5lb loss by the end of October.  I should be able to do that and then that would take my total weight loss since March to 15lbs.  Of course I would still have 15 more to go but I think I do better when I set a goal. 

Recipe of the Week - Pasta e' Fagiole

This is a favorite at my house.  Well, it is for my hubby and myself.  My kids mostly just eat the pasta!  But I am counting on them one day really enjoying it as much as we do.  It's not really like the Olive Garden version.  At least in my opinion.  Make it and judge for yourself, that's the only way to know!  This recipe makes about 1 gallon so it serves 16 people or more. 

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
2 cups carrots, chopped
2 cups celery, chopped
1 cup beef bouillon
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon pepper
6 cups pasta sauce, chunky
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups water, or more if needed
2 cups pasta shells (small) cooked

Saute meat in olive oil.  I do it all in one pot. 

Saves dirtying up another pan.  I don't like doing dishes.

I chop up my onion, carrots and celery with my food chopper so that they are in small pieces.  It doesn't take them as long to cook and if they are smaller, there is a better chance that they will sneak themselves into my kids. 

Add onion, carrots and celery and saute briefly.

Add beef boullion, parsley, oregano, hot sauce, pepper, pasta sauce and water (4-6 cups).

Simmer 15 minutes.

Add the beans and sing the song.  **Beans!  Beans!  The magical fruit!....**

Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the cooked pasta shells.

Simmer for another 10 minutes.

And you are done!

Wordless Wednesday-An Apple A Day

I made these for the Kindergarten teachers at Josh's school.  I've gone into business for myself and I would love for you to check it out!  You can check out my blog Cakes Before Me and get all the details.  I'm going to being giving a discount every week for the next 4 weeks!  The first one can be found HERE. 

Linked up to Wordless Wednesday.