"Foodie Fridays"...Chicken BBQ

This week on "Foodie Fridays," I'm going to post another recipe that I love! First, let me tell you about the website where I found it. Once a Month Meals is one of my favorite websites! It's probably the website I use the most for doing freezer meals, but sometimes I make her recipes without freezing them. This next recipe is one that I haven't frozen, but I'm sure it would be great! She has traditional menus, gluten-free menus, vegetarian menus, whole food menus, etc. I'm telling you, you need to check out her website!

Anyway, this recipe is for what she calls, "Chicken-Q" Sandwiches. This would be a great easy and tasty recipe for a Labor Day cookout! These sandwiches are delicious! The best part is that they are healthier than traditional bbq sandwiches! She states that you can use whatever BBQ sauce you prefer, but I make the one included with the recipe. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! This recipe is so easy! All you do is mix everything into your slow cooker, and let it cook for at least 5 hours. Shred your chicken, and you're done! 

Chicken-Q Sandwiches

Author/Source:

Christine @ onceamonthmeals.com

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 8 whole wheat hamburger buns

Directions:

Place tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, vinegar, hone, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, chili powder, salt and paprika into slow-cooker and stir until well blended. Add chicken breasts. Cook on low for about 5 hours, or until chicken can be shredded easily. Shred chicken in slow-cooker. Divide into 8 servings and place on whole wheat hamburger bun to serve.

Freezing Directions:

Once cool, place each sandwich in a pint-sized freezer bag, lay flat and freeze.

Nutritional Information:

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 sandwich • Calories: 315
Fat: 10 • Protein: 26 • Carbs: 32 • Fiber: 5 • WW Points Plus: 9

Thrifty Thursdays"... Purex Detergent Coupon - 2 days left!

Hi, all! I'm a little late posting this (I missed it in my e-mail), but I have a coupon code for you below that will help you get 10% off Purex laundry detergents at Target now through August 30th! That means you have until Saturday to use this. I have been using Purex laundry detergent since the beginning of the year, and I love it! I can't imagine using anything else now. 

Here is the link you will need to use: http://go.purex.com/Zb3x. You will also need Target's Cartwheel App. Have you used this app? It is awesome! It is especially great if you happen to buy Target diapers and wipes like me. I almost always get 5% off of those. Not to mention it has a bunch of other great offers that update regularly! Let me know if you have any questions about the app, and I will try to help!

Be sure to take advantage of this offer before it expires on Saturday night! 

"Word Wednesdays"...Know the Bible

This week on "Word Wednesdays," I am really speaking to myself, but perhaps you can gain something from it as well. This week's post is just a brief thought that I had while reading my Bible. It makes sense in my head, so I hope it makes sense once it is typed. 

I was recently reading Deuteronomy 30. Specifically, Deuteronomy 30:14, "But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it" (ESV). This verse is referring to the ability to keep God's commands. It states in Deuteronomy 30:11 that none of this is beyond our reach (ESV). God doesn't hide what he wants from us. He wants us to love Him, walk in His ways, and keep His commands (Deuteronomy 30:16, ESV).  He has given us the commands He wants us to keep through His word. We have no excuses.

Could this be said of me? Do I know the Bible so well that it is in me, and it naturally comes out to help me keep His commands? Not enough. Is this possible? Yes. Do I pray that God will help me with this? Yes, but not as much as I should. 

God wants us to know His Word. He wants us to obey it. He wants us to rely on it. He wants us to seek the answers to our every day struggles in it. I believe the more you read it and study it and pray about it, God will keep it in the forefront of your mind. That way when the need arises, it will be in your heart and mouth.

Travel Tuesdays"...Hilton Head Island Restaurants

This week on "Travel Tuesdays," I'm going to tell you about the restaurants we visited in Hilton Head Island, SC this year. When we arrived on the island, we decided we would revisit a few of the restaurants from last year, but we knew we wanted to try new places as well. Here are our thoughts...

The Frosty Frog Cafe

The first restaurant we visited was The Frosty Frog Cafe. This happened to be the first restaurant we visited last year as well. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't your place. However, we love The Frosty Frog Cafe! The prices aren't unreasonable (which is the opposite of most other restaurants on the island). I had Rachael's Crab Cake Sandwich, which was delicious! The roasted red pepper sauce had some kick to it, but it was also quite good! Tanner and Eliana had RSA's Grouper Fingers. We had them last year, and I remembered them being tasty, but they really are great! The batter has a hint of sweetness.  Eliana ate this, and she isn't a big fan of fish. The Frosty Frog Cafe is known for their daiquiri bar. They have at least 25 different flavors! If you like daiquiris, I suggest you try this restaurant. Be careful...some of the varieties have a pretty high alcohol proof.

The Crazy Crab @ Jarvis Creek

Next, we tried The Crazy Crab @ Jarvis Creek for the first time. There are 2 Crazy Crab locations, andI haven't been to the one at Harbour Town, so I can't review it. I assume it would be just as good, though. We had heard good things about  this restaurant last year, but we never managed to make it there. I'm so glad we did this year! We loved it! We expected a long line because they don't take reservations, but we actually walked right in. Apparently we got there just in time, because it did start to fill up quickly. We shared the Broiled Seafood Platter. It came with shrimp, scallops, a crab cake, fresh fish fillet, and stuffed flounder. It was all delicious! We will definitely go back here! Not to mention Eliana sweet-talked us into buying this seahorse. Look how proud she is of herself.

Skull Creek Boathouse

Another favorite from last year was Skull Creek Boathouse (SCB). This restaurant was recommended to us because of the great food and the toys outside to keep children occupied while you wait for a table (note the Lego table in the above picture). This year wasn't quite as great as our experience last year. My main recommendation is not to go to SCB if there is a chance of rain. This is a restaurant that normally has a long wait. However, many of their tables are outside. When it rains, all of those tables are unavailable. When we arrived, there was a chance of rain in the area, so they shut down all of the outside seating. This made the wait extremely long. I believe we ended up waiting about 1.5 - 2 hours. Also, because they were trying to fit more people inside the restaurant, it was very, very loud. The food was still great, though! We split the Low Country Boil again because we liked it so much last year. 

The Old Oyster Factory

This was a new restaurant for us, and I'm so glad we went! Tanner and I both agreed that this was our favorite meal of the trip. The Old Oyster Factory sits on Broad Creek, and it features steak, seafood, and more. They open at 4:45 pm each day, but you can also make reservations through Open Table (look on the restaurant's website under "Reservations"). We decided to go early just in case, but we also made a reservation. We got right in, and we were even able to request a table by the window. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of what Tanner and I both ate because it was a special for the evening. It was some kind of steak and shrimp skewers, and they were delicious! The sauce that was on them is one that I would love to try to recreate at home. If you go here, it may not hurt to ask if they offer this entree. You won't be disappointed.

Hilton Head Brewing Company

This was also a new restaurant for us. The food was good, and the prices were quite reasonable, but I don't have a lot of good things to say for the service. We got a table right away, but we waited close to 30 minutes for the waitress to take our order. Part of this was our own fault. We had seen online that it was Kid's Night, and Eliana was supposed to be able to eat for free. We asked for a children's menu, and the waitress told us they had to print more. We asked if it was in fact Kid's Night, and she said she wasn't sure (she was new), but she would find out. She came back and told us that Eliana could get any kids' meal under $5.00 for free. Meanwhile, we were still waiting for them to print the Kids' Menu. Eventually she brought it to us, and then disappeared again. Needless to say, slow service with an antsy 2-year-old, isn't a lot of fun. However, our food was tasty. I had the grouper wrap, and Tanner had a burger. All in all the Hilton Head Brewing Company had good food at reasonable prices, but don't go there if you're in a hurry. 

Marley's Island Grille

My favorite thing about Marley's Island Grille is that it truly makes me feel like I'm back in the Caribbean. We went here last year, and we decided we would go again. One of the great things about this restaurant is that they have an Early Bird Dinner Menu. For $14.49 you get to pick an entree and it includes soup or salad. You can also make reservations here with Open Table. I had the Broiled Seafood Platter (are you sensing a trend?), and Tanner had the Baked Flounder Imperial. Both were very good.

Skillets Cafe

Last, but not least was Skillets Cafe. This was a new one for us, but we wanted to try it last year. Skillets also offers an Early Bird Menu. The online menu says that it is $18.99 and it includes dessert, but when we got there it did not include dessert, and it was $16.99 (I think). It included a drink, soup or salad, and an entree. I had fried shrimp, and Tanner had shrimp and grits. My fried shrimp was good, but it's also hard to mess that up. Tanner liked his, but he said it wasn't the best shrimp and grits he's had. We would definitely go back here, though. They have an interesting breakfast menu that we hope to try some day.

"Mommy Mondays"...A Girl & Her Daddy

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. He is such a wonderful husband and father, so I wanted to take the time on this week's "Mommy Mondays" to write a post for him. This guy loves his family! He works so hard to provide for us, and he does it without complaining. Not to mention he's a pastor at a church plant at the same time! I don't know how he has time for all that he does, but I'm so thankful that he's ours. He makes us laugh every day, and we have fun together all of the time. He's there to support me when I need a shoulder to cry on, and he calms me when I'm worried. Last but not least, he points his family to Jesus, and nothing is more important than that! 

I hope you enjoy the pictures! 

Seriously, can you tell she likes him just a little? My phone is full of these pictures!

He likes me a little bit, too!

"Foodie Fridays"...Super Easy Roast Beef

This week on "Foodie Fridays" I'm going to feature another recipe that I love. It just so happens that like last week, I'm featuring a beef recipe. This is odd because we really cook chicken more frequently around here. 

This recipe is for a super easy roast beef. I got it from $5 dinners. Tanner loves this recipe. His favorite part about it is having leftovers to make a roast beef sandwich the next day. Eliana and I both love it, too. One of the best parts is how easy it is to make! I always serve mine with mashed potatoes because I'm a firm believer in the fact that roast beef and mashed potatoes always go together.

Below is the recipe with my comments added.

Saucy Roast Beef

Yield – 8 servings

Preparation Time – 15 minutes

Cooking Time – 4 hours

Ingredients

• 4lb beef roast, whatever cut is on sale is fine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 water - as the comments on the original post of this recipe suggested, I added closer to 1 cup of water. 
• 1 packet Zatarain’s Cajun Brown Gravy Mix (or sub a homemade gravy mix) - I just used a plain brown gravy mix because I have been unable to find Zatarain's.
• 1 packet Italian Dressing Mix (or sub a homemade mix)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons parsley

Directions

• Preheat your oven to 325F.
• In a dutch oven, heat up the olive oil over medium high heat.
• Sear the roast on all sides until browned.
• Fill a measuring cup with the water and then add in all of the packets and spices. Mix it well.
• Pour water mixture over the top of the roast.
• Pop the roast in the oven for 4-6 hours. You’ll know it’s done when it simply falls apart at the touch of a fork. If it hasn’t made it to that point, roast it a little longer and check again.

I have cooked mine as the recipe states, but I have also cooked mine in the crockpot. I still sear it on all sides first. I believe this is an important step, and it helps contribute to the deliciousness of the roast beef! I left mine in the crockpot for about 7 hours, but I probably could have taken it out sooner. Both cooking methods worked, and I really just decide based on whether or not I will be home in the afternoon.

"Thrifty Thursdays"... Tips for Creating a Successful Budget

I thought I would take some time on "Thrifty Thursdays" to write a few tips for budgeting. I know, I know. It's not exactly the most exciting topic, unless you're like me and find it to be pretty fun! However, I can say that if you start a budget, do it correctly, and stick to it, you will enjoy the benefits.

I never had a budget until right before I got married. I knew how much money I made, and I knew about how much I could spend each month without getting into trouble. When we went to premarital counseling at our church, one of the pastors did a whole session on budgeting, and I am super thankful that he did!

Now, let me clarify. I know and believe 100% that God provides what we need. I also believe He wants us to be wise with what he provides, and that's where a budget can help. So without further ado...

 Tips for Creating a Successful Budget

1) My #1 most important tip...pay God first. Give God your offerings and tithes before you worry about anything else. I promise you won't be disappointed. "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV). 

2) Method - Find the method that works best for you. It may take several attempts to get it right. You don't have to use the same method that your parents use, or your pastor uses, or whatever your friend uses. We've used a paper notebook, Microsoft Excel, and a budget app on my iPad (Budget Touch - ask me about it if you're interested. It has a learning curve, but it's great once you figure it out). Some people do very well with the envelope system. We don't like to carry that much cash around, so that's partly why we do not use that method.

3) Write down all of your income and every single thing you spend money on for 3 months.  Yes, I said EVERY... SINGLE... THING. This will allow you to average how much you make and spend over those months to get a more accurate budget. If you're about to get married, write down everything both of you make and spend. This will not be completely accurate until you get married, but it will be a start. Side tip: Did you know being married can lower the cost of your car insurance? That was a happy surprise for us. It lowered it pretty significantly. Be sure to call your insurance company after you get married to see if it will help you.

4) Don't stop writing down every single thing you spend money on. Once the first 3 months are over, you have to keep going. Don't give up! If you stop writing down your transactions, your budget will be inaccurate.

5) Categorize well. Once you've written down all of your transactions for 3 months, you'll be able to categorize everything. For example, we have around 25 categories in our budget. These include things like tithe, food, water, mortgage, car payment, car insurance, gas, household, medicine/doctor, gifts, Tanner's money, my money, vacation, etc. You get the idea. Make a category for all of the things you tend to spend money on. Try to be as specific as possible.

6) Try to write down your transactions daily. If not daily, try really hard to do it weekly. There have been times where I've made the mistake of being lazy, and then I end up doing a whole month of transactions at a time...not fun. Also, if you do not keep your budget fairly up-to-date, you won't have an accurate idea of how much money you have available in each category.

7) If possible, give yourself a line in the budget. What do I mean? Tanner and I each have our own category in our budget. We get a small amount of money each month that we can choose to do whatever we want with (okay, maybe not whatever, but you get the idea). We also buy each other's presents out of these categories.

8) Be realistic. You may not be able to afford a new boat and a new sports car right now. That's okay. Live within your means, and I promise you won't regret it.

9) Be flexible and reassess often. Some methods of budgeting suggest that once you've used all of the amount designated for a certain category for that month, then you are done spending for that category. I believe that is probably the smartest way to do it in theory, but it just isn't always practical. For example, let's say it's the last day of the month and my car's gas light is on. I don't live in a city with a subway. I can't walk to all of the places I need to go. I can't always get a ride from a friend. I need to drive my little one to preschool. In this case, I would tell you to go ahead and get gas. I would consider that a necessity. Here's the catch though. You have to take that money out of another category. If your gas budget is now $45.00 in the hole, take $45.00 out of the vacation budget (or whichever category you choose). Also, reassess often. Needs change. Income changes. Bills change. Don't be afraid to change your budget as needed.

10) Try to leave room for some savings. Even if it's just a small amount, try to save some. This is the part where I was talking about being wise with what God provides for us. It may not be wise for us to spend the rest of the money we have available that doesn't go toward bills on things we really don't need. Think about it? What do you spend money on that you could live without? Look at your budget and see if there is anything you could eliminate. I bet there is, and I bet you will be happy in the long run if you get rid of it.

"Word Wednesdays"...Oceans

If you want to read a description of "Word Wednesdays," check out this post. Just a reminder...feel free to comment and engage in friendly conversation. 

This week's post is about the song, "Oceans" by Hillsong United. Read the lyrics below, and then I'll explain why it's important to me.

"Oceans" by Hillsong United

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Good lyrics, right? This song seems to have become the theme song for many in our church right now. This summer has been a time of transition. Many of our members moved away because God was calling them to another city. Several moved to Knoxville, TN, one moved to Cincinnati, OH, one couple moved to Camden, NJ, and another couple moved to Florida. My sister-in-law moved to Birmingham, England to be a missionary! These people were like family to me. I usually saw most of them several times a week! 

If you don't know much about CRC (Christ-Reconciled Church), let me first tell you that we are a Bible-believing, God-fearing, God-obeying church. Next, let me tell you that we are like a family. We live life together, "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:44-47, ESV). So when people move away, it's painful and sad. When more than ten people move away all within a few months of each other, it's even harder. It helps to know that these people are following the will of God. It may not have been easy for them; I think most of them would tell you it wasn't, but they listened, and they went. 

So what does this have to do with me? Why is this song my theme song right now? For one, this summer has been hard not only because of people leaving, but because of other things going on in our lives. Trusting that God would provide what we needed when we were looking for tenants for our condo wasn't easy for me, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble""(Matthew 6:25-34, ESV). I struggle to want to do things on my own. I want them to happen in my time, and not God's. "Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior" (Oceans, Hillsong United). This song asks God to take us places we would normally not choose to go in order to have more faith in Him and Him alone. 

Even when I am sad about friends moving, God is still there. He wants me to lean on Him. "So I will call upon Your name, and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace. For I am Yours and You are mine" (Oceans, Hillsong United). God is always, always, always, there for us. He doesn't leave us, He doesn't move away, He is there. Turn to Him, lean on Him, trust Him wholeheartedly. I'll be here learning to do the same.

"Travel Tuesdays"... Beach Tips for Toddlers

This summer we took a trip to Hilton Head Island again! I really love it there, and I hope we get to make it an annual tradition! I'll write a separate post about the restaurants we visited. Look for it on another "Travel Tuesdays." This week I wanted to write a few tips that I think will help you when traveling to the beach with a toddler. Some of these are obvious, but it's always good to have a reminder. Post a comment if you have additional tips! Let's help each other out!

Tips for Traveling to the Beach with a Toddler

1) Most importantly - SUNSCREEN. I'm sure this probably goes without saying, but I thought I should include it anyway. Don't forget to reapply! We found it easiest to put Eliana's initial sunscreen on as we were changing her into her swimsuit. Don't wait until you're at the beach...it's much more difficult once sand is involved! Sunglasses are important, too!

2) Umbrellas/Tent - We considered taking a tent, but we were never at the beach long enough each day for it to be worth it. Although, I did see people using tents, and it looked really nice. We ended up going with 2 big umbrellas, and it was exactly what we needed! We used one umbrella to shade our chairs, and the other shaded a play area for Eliana.

3) Snacks/Lunch/Water - For everyone, but most importantly for the toddler. We packed more snacks than we could ever eat. We also packed sandwiches for lunch. That allowed us to stay outside longer, and we didn't have to drag everything back inside just to eat lunch and drag it all out again.

4) Sand toys - Eliana loved for us to build a sand castle. Not because she thought it was neat that we built a castle, but because she wanted to knock it over. She didn't quite have the coordination to build her own yet. She loved the sand toys that were used for making turtles, sea horses, and fish, though! We also had a set of toy golf clubs!

5) Bubbles are great to take to the beach as long as it isn't super crowded!

6) A mesh bag! Throw all of your sand toys in a mesh laundry bag. Then you can hose off the bag to get rid of the extra sand!

7) A wagon! The townhouse we stayed in had a wagon to cart all of our stuff to the beach! Eliana loved riding in it, too! This saved us from getting sand all over her stroller or having to carry her.

8) Don't forget nap time! We try to stick to Eliana's schedule as much as we can when we're on vacation. I've just learned that she does better that way. We let her stay up later some nights, but we always try to at least give her a chance to take a nap.

9) If possible, rent a townhouse. The ones we've stayed in haven't cost much more than a hotel, and it is so nice to have all of the different bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen! We saved money by eating breakfast and lunch in the townhouse. We were also able to bake brownies one afternoon, and everyone loved snacking on them over the next few days.

10) If you are going to have a kitchen, try to make a grocery list before you get there. This will help you save money. Otherwise, you may end up with a whole lot of junk food because it is just so tempting when you're on vacation.


What are your tips for going to the beach with a toddler?