How can you love more and live more?

Is that a question you have ever asked? Perhaps this one: How can I be more?

It seems we are plagued with the desire to do better, be better, look better, live better. Is that a product of our culture? It is a good product or a by-product? I am pondering that question deeply of late.

Here is my humble conclusion — we are made to improve. We are encouraged in Scripture to “fulfill” “race” “fulfill” and many more inspiring words. It is built into our DNA to try to be better.

Do What is Right For You aka Eat The Broccoli

Everyone is different. We all know that. HOWEVER, we feel uncomfortable when someone does something “different” than us. Doesn’t really make sense, though. If we are all, in fact, different; then we will do things differently.

And it is not just our personalities that are different. Our bodies are different, our minds are different, our purpose is different.

What is right for one person, may not be right for someone else.

And what someone has to walk through may not be something you have to walk through. And vice versa.

Best Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie EVER!

I don’t mean to brag, but seriously. . . SERIOUSLY! It is just so good. So good, in fact, that I thought I would share  it with you. I’m not a food blogger, so I’m not skilled at taking photos every step of the way. In fact, I find it a little frustrating to scroll through a dozen pictures to get to the recipe (sorry food bloggers). So, I’m just going to share it with you.

Why?

Because  it is the end of Thanksgiving week! And I am so thankful for discovering that cooking this way can be delectable. For me and for meat-eaters as well.

I DID IT!!!

Seriously, I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am. I made it the entire length of the 60 Day Challenge I set for myself.

ALL THE WAY TO THE END!!!

YAY ME!

 

Sometimes you just gotta stop for one second and be proud of yourself. Sometimes you gotta just pat yourself on the back and say YAY ME!

That’s where I am. However, I am absolutely not stopping here. I have set a Challenge for myself for the next 30 Days. AND I am joining with a friend for a series of 10 Day Challenges where we are pushing ourselves in one or two areas and holding each other accountable.

There is nothing like the feeling of success. Not. One. Thing.

Are you challenging yourself in an area right now? Please comment on this blog (below). Share it with the world. Make it public. It seems a little more real when you do.

I can’t wait to encourage you back.

Pat Meyers
Day 61 of the 60 Day Challenge!!!

Hiding Vegetables

Do you hide vegetables in food? I have over the years.

Tons.

Shredded carrots go into my spaghetti sauce.

Shredded zucchini or summer squash are a part of my meatloaf.

Pureed butternut squash is a major player in my lasagna.

Instead of plain mashed potatoes I use one large potato, ¼ of a head of cauliflower and one large turnip.

Every single one gets rave reviews by family and friends alike.

I make the best ground turkey veggie soup. I get requests for it. I’ll put my recipe here for you. It is super yummy. You’ll love it. (I hope.)

One of my secrets is that I make homemade broth. Here is how I do that.

Sometimes stuff is hard, but …

It really doesn’t matter if something is hard. Does it? It just means it is difficult; not impossible. While this may seem unrelated to that statement, it isn’t:

I would like to share with you my best grain free muffin recipe.

Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

The best grain free muffin ever. And I make them every single week. My husband cannot function without his muffins. It reminds me of our fat cat, Howard. (My husband is not fat. Just the cat.)