What’s for Dinner? (¿Qué es para la cena)

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  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 4 oz ham
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp oregano
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup white cooking wine
  • 4 tbsp Pimiento-stuffed green olives (optional)
  • ¼ cup raisins (optional)
  • ½ cup capers (optional)
  • 2 small potato (peeled cut into 1/4 cubes)

1) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion, green pepper and garlic until the onion is translucent.

2) Ground the beef and ham together (food processor).

3) In a separate pan place meat mixture and add cumin, salt, oregano and garlic powder, brown lightly (then drain).

4) Add the cooked meat to the sautéed mixture and simmer for five minutes on low.

5) Add the rest of the ingredients and continue cooking until meat is tender and completely cooked through. About 20 to 25 minutes.

6) Fry potatoes until golden brown.

7) Serve over white rice and top with potatoes.

Serving Size: 4 to 6

*The secret to Cuban food…come close…(whisper) DON’T RUSH IT! Cuban food needs time to marinate or saute or simmer….whatever you want to call it…just take your time, then enjoy!

 

Is Your Glass Half Full?

Do you ever walk around feeling half full, like something is missing? There are times I battle insecurity. It is a battle I bring to my Heavenly Father monthly and sometimes weekly.

During my struggles I can feel alone and unloved. It doesn’t matter how much my husband says, “I love you or you are beautiful,” it’s never enough! Like a glass that has a crack in it, no matter how much water you pour in, it will never fill up. The same thing happens, when my husband speaks words of affection, they slip right through the crack of my heart. Which leaves me doubting my husbands love for me, even though he verbally and physically shows me.

You have to love yourself first before you can receive love from someone else. If you don’t, you will never be satisfied with the love you are given.

It is not my husband’s job to fill in the cracks of my heart. He cannot fulfill me. I must go to God, he is the only one that can bring light to my thoughts of darkness.

Friend, stop relying on your husband to fill your void, if you don’t, it will leave you frustrated, while putting stress on your marriage. Take your thoughts captive and lay them at your Father’s feet.

Power Verses:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~2 Corn. 10:5

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13

What’s for Dinner?

Ingredients:Baked Ziti
1 lb dry ziti pasta (Penne pasta also works well)
1 onion, chopped
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage (I use Publix Greenwise Italian Sausage)
2 (26 oz) jars spaghetti sauce (this night I used Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro pasta sauce)
6 slices provolone cheese (Sargento is my favorite)
1 1/2 cups sour cream
3 tbsp fresh basil (5 or 6 leaves chopped up)
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded (Sargento brand)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 6 to 7 minutes; drain.

2. In a large bowl mix together beef and sausage. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. In a large skillet, brown onion and meat, over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.

4. Mix the sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and basil together in a small bowl.

5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish (optional on the butter). Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream mixture, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, remaining sauce mixture, then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top.

6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

*Top with fresh basil before serving it to your family, friends, or guest.

It’s an Incredible Party…Josiah turns Two!

DSC_1383Three months ago my husband and I started thinking about a theme for our little guy’s birthday party. After throwing a couple of ideas around we decided on The Incredibles, mainly because our son loves to run just like Dash from the movie. When we say ready, set, he gets into a running position, as soon as we say GO, he starts running as fast as he can. It’s the cutest thing (in Mama’s eyes)!

SIMPLE DECORATIONS

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CAKE & CUPCAKES
The cupcake stand is from Smart Baker. My sister-in-law introduced me to this company a couple of years back. I waited awhile before purchasing one because of the price. I broke down this month and purchased the 5 Tier Round Cupcake Tower and it’s worth every penny. I recommend this stand to anyone that enjoys hosting parties. This stand is reusable, size adjustable, quality made, multi-purpose, all-occasion Cupcake Stand, Treat Tower, or even great for displaying individual cakes!

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FAVORS
For this party I decided to give out Incredible cookies as the favor and there is only one lady that can make a cookie pop, that’s Kim from The Cookie Cutter Creations. Kim, does a great job finding out exactly what you want and putting it on her delicious cookies. If you want to see more of Kim’s work click here and you will be directed to her Cookie Cutter Creations Facebook Page.
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BOUNCE HOUSE MADNESS
If you live in the Central Florida area and are looking for something exciting to add to your party, I highly recommend Leaping to Fun. We have used them over six years for all of our kids parties. They have bounce houses, wet slides, food machines and more. For more information click here and make sure to tell them Bethany Boy sent you.

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SUPERHERO MASKS
Last but not least, I cut out masks from craft wool, and then sewed elastic by hand on each mask. You can find detailed instructions on SlowMama.com, but they were a too much for me, since I haven’t used a sewing machine in twenty years! 🙂

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Commitment more than a Word

“Commitment is more than a word, it’s a choice you make everyday to honor your word.”

Finding people today that stay committed is rare. When things get difficult and adversity comes, most quit…their jobs, friendships, church and even their marriages. Commitment is not for the weak or selfish. Commitment goes beyond our own strength, to stay true to our word we must rely on God for that strength. I guarantee, there will always be opposition, complications, and obstacles that come into your life. I encourage you in those moments to take refuge with your Heavenly Father, ask Him to give you the strength to overcome and stay committed to the decisions you have made.

My husband and I were talking the other day about a couple and then he turned to me and asked, “is there hope for that marriage?” I said, “there’s always hope!” Friend, I know life is difficult at times, but don’t give up! When the clouds look dark on one side, turn to the other side until you find the blue sky…it’s there, it just might take a little time to find it! Take hope in knowing today, God will never give up on you. Pray often, stay committed and believe we are more than conquerors through him that loves us!

Power Verses:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ~Romans 8:37

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:13

What’s for Dinner?

Rasta Pasta (inspired by Rainforest Cafe’s Rasta Pasta)

Ingredients:

    • 16 ounces bow tie pastaRasta Pasta
    • 2 teaspoon garlic, chopped
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
    • 1 1/2 cup broccoli flowerets
    • 1/2 cup sliced Roland Roasted Red Peppers (or 1/2 of a Red Pepper)
    • 10 to 12 oz chicken breast, cut into bite size
    • 1 jar prepared Alfredo sauce
    • 1 Knorr Creamy Pesto Package
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
    • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite sizes. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
2. Heat two tablespoon of olive oil in a 10″ saute pan, cook chicken until light golden, then set aside.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
4. Cook the  Creamy Pesto Sauce according to the package.
5. In saute pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Add spinach, broccoli, red pepper and chicken; toss to combine. Stir in Alfredo sauce and pesto; simmer an additional 5 minutes.
6. Pour Alfredo sauce mixture over bow ties and gentle stir.

Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan or my favorite, Red Pepper Flakes!

*Feel free to add and adjust measurements to your likely 🙂

Do you know you are beautiful? “Kind of…”

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The other night as I tucked my daughter into bed, I looked into her eyes and said, “Do you know you are beautiful?” “Well, kind of” and then she put her head under the covers. “What is it? Why do you say kind of?” “Well, there’s a girl at church in the second grade that is really pretty.” “Oh, I see.” I explained just because someone else is pretty, doesn’t mean you aren’t. “God made each person beautiful in their own unique way.”

I enjoy telling the girls stories of what God was thinking when he designed each of them. For example, God thought to himself…I’m going to make Victoria with beautiful, long, thick eyelashes and eyes that can brighten up anyone’s day, and a heart that is more valuable than any piece of gold. After a few sentences, their faces always brighten up.

I know beauty on the outside is not the most important thing in life, but it is something little girls and big girls think about. As parents,we can tell our children they are beautiful everyday, but they have to believe it themselves.

Encourage your little ones today and everyday. Speak life into the inner and outer beauty, but make sure you ask them what they think of themselves. Don’t over look or take their thoughts lightly. To them their feelings and thoughts of their self-image is as real as the skin on their bodies.

Power Verses:
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ~1 Peter 3:3-4

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ~Psalm 139:14

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. ~Proverbs 3:15-18

Kill or Build…it’s your choice

#215 Marriage Builders
(from Pastor Chris Hodges)
-love yourself first
-start each day with a hug
-say “I love you” before you part ways
-compliment freely and often
-slow down
-go on a date once every week
-kiss unexpectedly
-apologize sincerely
-be forgiving
-let her give you directions when your’re lost
-laugh at his jokes
-Men- ask her to marry you again
-Women- say yes
-never go to bed mad
-always work it out

10 Marriage Killers
(from Pastor Chris Hodges)
-over commitment and physical exhaustion
-debt and conflict over how money will be spent
-selfishness
-interference from in-laws
-unrealistic expectations
-alcohol or substance abuse
-pornography, gambling, and other addictive habits
-“grass is greener” syndrome
-business success