It's me, it's me....it's Ernest T!

I am here to SERVE, I am here to INSPIRE, I am here to LOVE, I am here to live MY TRUTH ~Deepak Chopra

Since starting this blog, and after reading my dear cousin's fabulous post (check her out, she has a lovely blog!), I realize I haven't even introduced myself.  Many of you know me, and all readers know that I am a believer in The Daniel Plan, but I thought it was time I share a bit more.  Ten things, to be exact. Since becoming a busy mother and wife, I spend little to no time thinking about who I am, but really, it's important.  Right, ladies? so, here goes...

1. I'm totally type-a, first-born in every way.  Because of this, I battle being a stressed perfectionist at times.  It's only because of my relationship with Christ and relying on his promises and believing in his love that I am experiencing freedom! Thank you, GOD!

 

2. God is my number one love! A year ago, I heard someone post this question, "Do you love Christ or are you IN LOVE with him?"  It struck me as the oddest, most ridiculous question, but through the past year of major change, I can say I am in love :)

 

3. I am a wife and a mother. Married for 15 1/2 years to my best friend (for real) and mother to one son, age 9 (failed adoption), one daughter, age 9 (miracle adoption) and one son who is in Heaven. Who knows what GOD has planned for our future...we look to the future with excitement.

 

4. Part-time librarian, dream job.  When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a librarian, and have been blessed to be given the opportunity.  My daughter swears I am the perfect librarian as I am mild, well-read and slightly boring.  Lol.

 

5. My family is in a season of change.  Good and bad, frustrating, exciting, scary...all the feelings. In the last month I've given birth to a still-born, my husband has accepted a ministry position and I've had to make big career and financial decisions. After burying a child, decision that once would have worried me to the point of illness don't seem quite as life shattering.

 

6. This girl is a serious foodie...perhaps a food snob. If time allows, spending the day in the kitchen due to a tedious recipe is my idea of a perfect day.  Cooking has always been a hobby, hence the need for the Daniel Plan. Still love to cook, just making adjustments as I go.

 

7. My last meal would include Crab alfredo, The Pioneer Woman's Cheesy Olive Bread, a Caesar salad, cherry limeade, and oreo cheesecake. I am now officially drooling :)

 

8. Music. Music could easily be my life.  I'm the girl who has a shameful amount of music on her phone, has surround sound in every room, always has a song on her lips.  I hum in the car, play the piano at odd times and ya have to love it or leave it.  Piano, flute, piccolo, and ukulele are my fav instruments to play.

 

9. I really hate technology.  We embrace it when we have to, and are skilled, but UGH I so hate the way it rules our lives via addiction.  My family deserves so much more of me than seeing my with my face plastered to my phone. 

 

10. Gardening is awesome.  Love, love, love my little garden.  It is peaceful--even when overtaken with weeds. IF it will ever stop raining, I will start putting seeds in the ground.  Not holding my breath.

 

So, there ya go, I few things about me.  Please leave a comment and introduce yourself to me!

Simple Sides

First things first, go to Kroger or Whole Foods as quickly as possible and buy Tamari.  The stuff is awesome, especially if you crave salty, savory things.  What is Tamari?  It's gluten-free soy sauce and completely kosher on The Daniel Plan.  It can be used for so many different things...I've made a dipping sauce with Tamari, red pepper flakes and stevia...it's great for tossing veggies in before roasting in the oven, and perfect for a stir-fry sauce (will post a recipe soon!). Tamari and balsamic vinegar are used almost daily in my kitchen now.  The only true downfall is price, it is more expensive than regular soy sauce AND in my neck of the woods (redneck all the way), we don't have any low-sodium versions available.  Truly, I have no idea if low-sodium is even available, but we would love the option.  This is the Tamari that I use...thankfully, Kroger is much cheaper than Amazon.  I'm going to include a few recipes that we enjoy!


Roasted Asparagus

1 lb of Asparagus, trimmed
1/2 lb baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 TBSP parmesan
Pepper to taste
1 TBSP of tamari (a little goes a long way, and remember this is salty, so go VERY, VERY easy of adding salt)
2 TBSP olive oil

Toss asparagus and mushrooms with tamari, olive oil, and pepper, throw on a sheet pan and sprinkle with parm.  Roast in a 375 degree oven until parm starts to brown. Baby carrots can be used instead of asparagus.


Roasted Broccoli

1 lb fresh broccoli florets
Salt and pepper
red pepper flakes
1 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP tamari

Make sure broccoli is evenly coated with all ingredients and place evenly on a sheet pan.  Roast at 375 until broccoli barely starts to brown.  This is really individual, we like the flavor of the caramelization, but remove whenever you choose.

Stovetop Asian Green Beans

1 lb haricot verts
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, ,minced or pressed
small amount of olive oil to cover pan
1/4 cup water
1 TBSP tamari
stevia to taste (completely optional)

Add oil to pan, add green beans, shallots and garlic.  Cook over med heat until the garlic releases it's oils (when you start to smell the garlic), add water, tamari and stevia ( if you prefer a bit of sweetness).  Cover pan and allow the beans to cook until crisp tender...only takes a couple of minutes.  While cooking, make a slurry with cornstarch and water.  When beans are cooked, add a bit of slurry mixture to thicken sauce.  I often make this same recipe with whole baby bella mushrooms.  it's delish.  Chopped water chestnuts can be added for texture.