Book Review: Plan B by Pete Wilson

Plan B was written by Pete Wilson, a young pastor in Tennessee who has a deep desire to see people grow in faith in God.  Throughout the book, he weaved dozens of stories in a casual yet fresh retelling of Biblical examples of men and women in circumstances gone south with present day stories of difficult situations that you and I face.  He addressed shattered or altered dreams of what path we thought our life would travel to lead us to depend on the God of the universe who uses our Plan B to draw us to complete trust and faith in Him.

I started reading this book thinking it was too simple for me as long time Christian, but as I read further into the book, I felt the honest and relevant illustrations would not only benefit me, but would reach a non-believer or seeker as well.  Pete admitted that he did not have all the answers and I appreciated his vulnerability and straight forward message to just focus on the cross.  I think anyone would gain insight from reading Plan B whether you had one, are in one or may go through one.  He also includes a section of thought provoking questions that would work well for personal study or small groups.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Recipe of the Week: Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know about you, but when I think of something to make I rush around trying to get the ingredients and my kitchen becomes a disaster in the process. I can't find things and I get confused about what I put in the bowl and ugh! then I start to hate cooking. So now that I have a son, my cooking time is limited, yet, I found a way to make things a lot easier for me. I have learned to set up all my ingredients before I start to cook/bake. At least then I'm not rushing around the kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off!

Today I'm going to make zucchini chocolate chip cookies. (Please click on the link to see the recipe) I have set out my ingredients and I am ready to go. Ah, relief! No mayhem here today.

My recipe comes from a great book I read at the library last spring called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I highly recommend this book. It tells of a family that takes a year off to eat from their garden. It has some great stories and interesting ways to eat from your garden. Also check out the website: www.animalvegetablemiracle.com.

God's Nuggets: So Long Insecurity Simulcast

I was so privileged to attend the Beth Moore Simulcast last Saturday.  My husband has been having to work weekends and we don't find out until Friday night if he does so I went ahead in faith and bought my ticket and PTL, he didn't have to work so he could take care of our son for me.

I just wanted to share a few points that really spoke to me.  First of all, Beth spoke from Ephesians 4 and 5 which talks about putting off the old and putting on the new.  She made an acrostic with SECURE to explain. (Also, imagine her speaking in a southern accent and emphasizing these words!)

A SECURE woman is...
1. Saved from herself- my biggest enemy is my own insecurity, it is also a form of pride.
2.  Entitled to truth- we must not listen to the lies, but believe God
3.  Clothed with intention-   Proverbs 31: 25 says we are clothed with strength and dignity, we "dress" on purpose, I can say to myself "that is the old me, let me put on the new me"
4.  Upended by grace- I have freedom to forgive and extend that grace to others, love, love, love!  Grace is the only thing we give away that we can keep.
5. Rebounded by love-  We are completely loved by the God of the universe, when we know we are loved, we love others
6. Exceptional in life- Have people see that there is something different about me! 

Death to the OLD- Life to the NEW! Your security is in Christ- claim it!!

Recipe of the Week: Breakfast Egg Casserole

This is for an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. (Recipe can be doubled for 9x13 pan)

8 bread slices, cubed
6 turkey sausage links, cooked and cut (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked broccoli
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard


Place 1/2 of bread cubes in a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Over bread cubes layer half of the cheese, sausage links and broccoli. Repeat layers, ending with cheese. Beat remaining ingredients and pour over pan. Bake 375 for 35-40 min.

(I took this from the 30 Day Freezer Gourmet and tweeked it to ingredients I had). You can use different kinds of cheese like swiss. You can use ham and add different veggies like sweet bell pepper or mushrooms.

Giveaways! Win a free night at a B&B!

Hi friends!  I just found two great sites that are sponsoring getaways to your choice of B&B.  Head over to Alicia's Homemaking (end today) or Katie's Blessed Femininity for details.

Works for Me Wednesday: Spring "Green" Cleaning Part 2

Here are some recipes for "green" cleaning: (from Green Clean Chic)
All you need is some baking soda, vinegar and essential oils. I also ordered the Green Clean kit that has the biodegradable cleanser and 4 essential oils.

Aromatherapy Gentle Scrub Cleanser- great for sinks and tubs
1/8 c. Biodegradable Cleanser
1-3Tbsp. Distilled Water (depending on desired consistency; I like 2 T)
3/4 c. Baking Soda
Mix together then add the following pure essential oils:
20 drops of Lavender (antibacterial)
10 drops of Eucalyptus (antiviral) (Rosemary is a nice substitution here!)
5 drops of Lemon (Orange or Pink Grapefruit oils also work great!)
3Tbsp. Distilled White Vinegar (ADD LAST!!!)
Mix - consistency should be creamy.

Antibacterial countertop spray
3 oz. distilled water
1 oz. distilled white vinegar
20 drops Rosemary essential oil
15 drops Orange essential oil
This is a wonderful countertop cleaner or a great replacement for your sprays that you
would typically use when cleaning stovetops, microwaves, refrigerators, etc….

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
½ c baking soda
10 drops Lemon essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree or Rosemary essential oil
Add these to toilet, then add about ¼ c vinegar, when fizzing stops, scrub and flush.
*Lemon is a natural whitener, and Tea Tree is antimicrobial and antifungal! Powerhouse
cleaning oils!!

Also, for carpet deodorizers...Try this natural remedy. Take an empty parmesan cheese container or spice container. Fill it with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (I used lavender). Sprinkle on carpet and vacuum up.




Take advantage of this!  I just placed my order.  Can't wait!

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Be kind to the environment inside and outside. 

Try green cleaning!  It’s easy, cost effective, and smells great!

FREE Sweet Orange essential oil with any online order placed now thru April 30^th.

Free sweet orange essential oil will be automatically included with order

www.greencleanchic.com

Floor Cleaner

15 drops Sweet Orange (antibacterial, good for sticky messes)

10 drops Eucalyptus (antiviral and disinfecting)

1 cup distilled white vinegar

2 gallons warm water

Gratituesday: Neck and Shoulder Therapy Wrap

 

These last several weeks I've been having some upper back and neck pain.  I went to our freezer to find our neck wrap and it smelled horrible!  So I decided to go shopping on Etsy for a decent neck wrap made with good ingredients and smelled good.  I found this wonderful neck wrap made with flax seeds and it smells like peppermint and lavender.  On top of all that, it feels great hot or cold!  I LOVE it.

So check out HomeGrown Pillows on Etsy for your own Therapy Neck Wrap!  Would make a great gift for a girlfriend, mom or sister.  :)

Also, bop on over to Heavenly Homemakers for more Gratituesday.