It’s 5:00 in the afternoon.  You stand in front of the open cupboard doors staring at its contents hoping some grand  idea for dinner will pop off the shelves.  Oh, and it needs to be something that can be fixed quickly – and hopefully it will also be nutritious and satisfy the growling sound coming from your own stomach.

Been there?  We all have at one time or another.  How do we avoid this mealtime dilemna?  Two words – Plan ahead.  If you’re groaning, perhaps you need to read yesterday’s post about taking the prescribed medicine.  =)  There really are no easy options.  If you’re going to eat at home, stay within your grocery budget and eat nutritiously, you must plan!

However, there are a couple of options for you if it’s just the planning that you’re struggling with.  One of my sweet readers, Tami, told me abut E-mealz.  This is a menu planning system where all the work is done for you!  You choose what kind of menu list you want.  You can choose from:

• Gluten-free
• Low carb
• Low fat
• Meals for 2
• Vegetarian
• Points system

They create a weekly menu for you for $5 a month!  That’s an incredible deal if you don’t like making up a menu.  They will also make up your shopping list using your choice of grocery stores.  I don’t think it could get much easier, unless you hired an in-house chef!  Check it out!

Here’s a neat blog I follow that shares her monthly menu plan.  You’re bound to find some good ideas to add to your family’s list of favorites!  There is some yummy stuff here at Mommy’s Kitchen!

Here’s another great blog where you can learn the basics of planning your family’s meals (plus tons of other great ideas!).

Lastly, here’s a site that helps you come up with a recipe using what you have on hand.  You type in the ingredients you already have, then let them know if you’re looking for a dessert, main entree’, or side dish, and it will give you recipes that have those ingredients! 

Now we have no excuses!  The next time someone asks you “What’s for supper?” you’ll have an answer!

By the way, none of these sites have paid me to promote them.  I just know help when it’s served on a dinner plate! 

See you in church Sunday!

With love,

At a recent check-up at my doctor’s office, I was given some exercises to do for my knee that is “gimpy.”  The exercises are supposed to strengthen it and make it easier for me to go up and down steps.  Honestly, I sound like one of Cinderella’s step-sisters.  Remember the one whose knees made noises when she moved?  Yeah, it’s not pretty.  I came home and have tried to make the exercises a part of my daily routine…that is most days.  It’s not that the exercises are painful, it’s just hard to remember to do them. 

While I was in his office, my doctor told me how often he’ll give people a remedy for what is ailing them, but then they won’t follow his advice.  Of course,, then they end up having to make another visit later because they’re still suffering.  They return hoping for an easier solution to their problem.

Isn’t it easy to do the same thing in our spiritual life?  We read God’s Word about a command to obey, or something to avoid, and we know it’s the right thing, but we don’t obey.  Perhaps we went to someone for godly counsel and they gave us a guideline to follow, using God’s Word, yet it seems so painful – so hard to make a part of our routine, so we avoid practicing their advice.  We suffer the consequences because of our unwillingness to obey the directives we’ve been given.  “Just take the prescription,” we tell someone who won’t follow the doctor’s orders, but when it comes to our own spiritual ailments, we turn a deaf ear to the wise Doctor. 

There are no pills to replace physical therapy, nor are there quick fixes for a spiritual need.  Are you taking the Medicine that was given you?  Be smart – or you’ll suffer needlessly.

With love,

I have always loved the song, Day By Day.  It says,

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

strength I find to meet my trials here,


Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,


I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.


He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,


Gives unto each day what He deems best,


Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,


Mingling toil with peace and rest.

However, when I was speaking with a friend recently and she asked how I was doing I honestly said, “I’m all right at the moment!  Forget ‘day by day'”, I laughed.  “I need the Lord to help me each minute!”  I was referring to my migraines – I can be fine, then in an hour be struck low with a splitting headache.  I’ve learned not to say “I don’t have a headache today.”  One can pop up so quickly!  Yes, it’s trusting the Lord moment by moment for my very life.

Migraine sufferers aren’t the only ones in need of God’s grace each moment – every child of God stands with the same need.  One minute we’re being obedient, trusting His Word, standing strong in His Truths, the next, something happens and we’re filled with doubt, tempted to sin or disobey.  Moment by moment we need Him.  Moment by moment He sustains us.

It’s taken you a moment to read this – He still has you in His care.  In another moment, He will provide your needs as He did in the past.  The next moments will find His grace sufficient for whatever you’re experiencing!  Trust Him for each moment!

Moment By Moment – Daniel Whittle

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;

Living with Jesus, a new life divine;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Refrain:

Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;

Moment by moment I’ve life from above;

Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;

Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Never a trial that He is not there,

Never a burden that He doth not bear,

Never a sorrow that He doth not share,

Moment by moment, I’m under His care.

Never a heartache, and never a groan,

Never a teardrop, and never a moan;

Never a danger but there on the throne,

Moment by moment He thinks of His own.

Never a weakness that He doth not feel,

Never a sickness that He cannot heal;

Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,

Jesus my Savior abides with me still.

With love,

Cream of Wild Rice Soup

2 C cooked Wild rice
1 large onion, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 celery rib, finely diced
1 C finely diced ham
1/2 C butter – I reduced this to 1/4 and it was plenty
4 T. flour
8 C chicken broth
1 ! cooked diced chicken
salt and pepper to tatse
1 C light cream or half and half (I used fat free half and half)

Prepare the wild rice in a 4-5 quart dutch oven.  Set aside.  Saute’ onion, carrot, celery and ham in the butter about 3 minutes or until the vegetables have softened slightly.  Sift in the flour a little at a time, stirring and cooking until the flour is blended in well, but not browned.  Slowly add the chicken broth stirring until all the flour, butter and vegetable mixture is blended well.  Add the wild rice, cooked chicken and adjust seasonings to taste.  Heat thoroughly.  Add the cream and reheat gently, but do not boil.  Yields 12 servings.

What was cooking in your kitchen this week?

With love,