Thriving on Milk and Honey

Easy Peasy Taco Seasoning photo by Heather I started noticing my husband having allergic reactions to some of the foods we were eating.  Every time my husband would eat something that had dairy in it he would wheeze.  I thought if a package said dairy free or lactose free it would be ok, but I was completely wrong.  I began to do a little research, and as I did I started him on the elimination diet. I narrowed it down to dairy proteins, and possibly gluten.  (Some food allergies are very dangerous. If you or a family member have any allergies or intolerances to any foods, please talk to your doctor about them. We did choose to try the elimination diet, but this may not be right for everyone.) This required me to do a lot of label reading in the store. It took me forever to read labels and find safe foods for my husband. I realized a ton of seasoning mixes I like to use had dairy in them, and so did many other items I used often. This lead me to start making seasoning...

For years, most Sunday mornings have started the same.   Always the rush to get ready and out the door so we won't be late for church. This would leave me stressed. I wouldn't be in the best mood, and my heart would not be ready for worship. Sunday mornings were like this for quite sometime. Then, our world was hit by Covid-19. Just hearing that word is stressful. I understand it has changed people's lives forever. Our family has lost loved ones due to this virus and I know other families have as well, but I don't want to focus on the downside of this right now. I want to be positive and look for the good God has done to work through this. I have seen him work in more than one way through the pandemic, but I want to share how it has changed our Sunday mornings. The first Sunday was very unusual as we got everything ready for online church. Our family gathered around the table where we placed the computer and worshiped together. Slow Sundays photo by Heather As the Sunda...

One thing I do as the keeper of our home is cook for our family. I try to make healthy meals most of the time. It has been getting cooler outside, so I thought I would make taco soup. It is simple to make, healthy, and my family gives it a thumbs up. Normally, I would cook it in my slow cooker, but I forgot to get it going this morning. That is ok, because this meal cooks just fine on the stove. I have used different types of meat for this meal. (ground turkey, venison, grass fed beef, ground chicken) Today I am using ground chicken because it was on sale at my local store. The first thing I do is brown 1lb of meat with one onion on the stove. (I do this even if I put it in the slow cooker.) Once it has browned, I drain the grease off and rinse the meat. Then I place the meat back in the pot. Photo by Heather Then I add one large diced bell pepper and two small zucchini that has been cut up. Photo by Heather Next, I add one can kidney beans, one can pinto beans, one can black beans (dr...

Prayer for Our Nation photo by Heather Our nation has been through so much recently.  Not just the pandemic, but we have had a confusing election year, shortage of paper products and food, violence, and more. In my neck of the woods, I have seen people go into panic mode over Covid-19. This is a time that our faith is being tested.  It is sad to see people who seem to have a strong relationship with the Lord easily swayed by fear. As Christians, we know we should fully trust God and not fear. However, we are also human, and that gets the best of us as we lose our focus on God and turn our focus on the issues of the world. I have often wondered this year if the Lord is trying to get our attention.  I know what Satan uses to destroy, God will use it to bring good.   And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 NIV I believe we need to pray for our nation. I also think...