Monday, November 10, 2014

sharing what's good!

So much of our parenting is focused on sharing. We have 4 children. Not every single person is going to get an individual snack, toy, book, etc. on every single occasion. It just cannot happen. So we work on it. A lot. Lemme just say that sharing comes easier to some than it does to others.

I, personally, love to share and typically think I do a good job. Well, unless we are talking about chocolate. Then I get a little stingy. Ahem. But actually, I've seen my heart recently over some little things and bigger things, and I've actually been bummed out. Convicted. Nothing we have is really ours. Not our house, not our money, not our children. The Lord owns it all! Why do I want to keep my things or people to myself? Why would I not want to share all that is good??

None of the below are things I've been trying to keep to myself, but I just wanted to share a little about the sharing talks we've been having in our home and in my heart!

I plan to have my 4th or 5th or whatever it is Things I'm Loving Now post soon, so I can share some of my favorite tangible items, but these posts and links are to a few articles that I have really enjoyed lately. If you like to read goodness, then take a few minutes, when you get a few minutes and read away! And I couldn't not include a new quinoa recipe. Gotta share the good!

It's Okay to Stop Trying to Fix Those Kids by Lori Harris via Lisa Jo Baker
--I just discovered Lori Harris and am struck by her keeping it real (something I truly admire) writing and her church plant struggles as she and her family walk with the Lord.

When Strangers Become Your People by Allison Hendrix via Ann Voskamp's Only the Good Stuff
--This was incredibly touching and I just sat crying while I was reading it. In the best way! My favorite read over the past week for sure!

Turning Back Darkness with Gratitude by Steve Nash, founder of Advance Memphis
--I've read the excerpt from Ann Voskamp before, but I love Steve's new found view on gratitude and the story leading up to it. Love his heart for inner-city Memphis and the Lord!

And now for our newest quinoa recipe. . .
Red Quinoa and Black Bean Salad. . .
which I have renamed (gotta change it to something my kiddos remember). . .

Sweet Pepper and Black Bean Quinoa 



The dressing
5 Tbsps fresh lime juice
1 tsp salt
1 garlic clove, finely minced
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp ground cumin
⅓ cup olive oil
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
The salad
1 cup red quinoa (though you can use regular--just for appearance)
1 can (14oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1.5 cup corn kernels, fresh (or I used frozen, it's what I had)
1 cup finely chopped colored bell peppers (think red, orange and yellow)
1 whole jalapeƱo pepper, seeded, minced (I didn't use)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup finely chopped green onions
Instructions

Prepare quinoa according to package. Let cool. Combine in a large mixing bowl the beans, corn, remaining vegetables, herbs, and cooled quinoa. Toss gently with the dressing. Can be prepared a day ahead for flavors to combine or served immediately. Serve at room temperature.
Serves 6 (or 3 of my 4 children once and Hubby and me twice). Because quinoa has so much protein in it, I don't add meat to it. We have meatless Mondays with a quinoa dish every week. No need for meat with this meal either!

And how did my family rate it? Our oldest 2 (9 and 6 years old) gave it a 2 thumbs up, I think Miles gave it a 1 thumb up and Hubby loved it! I'd say it's in my top 5 favorites and in the boys' top 3 favorites! Thanks to the Tasty Kitchen for the recipe!

1 comment :

Unknown said...

Definitely love it! ...But everything's better with serranos. Oh, and btw, I just read that serranos are actually a tinincy bit spicier than jalapenos. I mean, there's such variety amongst them all that I'm sure I'm justified in having thought the opposite. I mean it's not like either of them is really all that spicy...but sorry about setting your mouth on fire Saturday.

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