get back up

You know, life really is hard.

It's complex. Full of disappointing and dissatisfying experiences.

They are everywhere and affect everyone.

But you know what? Something that I'm learning with time is you just have to get back up.

When your heart breaks, and won't stop hurting...get back up.
When you can't imagine it getting any worse...get back up.
When all hope seems lost, and you want to give in...get back up.

Don't worry about anything else. There is a time, a place for that. Focus in on you and your inner strength. Pull from that place from within where you bottle in that secret strength that only you can draw from.

Get back up.

It's not until you're nearly broken, when you realize what you're made of.




(Dedicated for some close friends going through a rough time. And us all, because we need to be reminded sometimes of our quiet strength within.)

husband's in the kitchen

Actually, Mark is an outstanding cook, made even better over the last year as he was a stay at home dad aka "house husband."

This dish has been in my family for generations. We make it all the time, because it tastes good, duh. But also because it can go in the slow cooker and make the house smell so damn good all day long. That's the only drawback if you're not in school/work all day-you have to smell it's deliciousness and practically take out the cabinets finding a plate when it's finally time for dinner.

With that being said, here's the recipe.

Red Beans & Rice:

what you'll need:
-1 lb pkg dried red beans
-water (easy 'nuff)
-salt pork, ham hocks or sausage, cut into small chunks
-2 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper
-3-4 cups water (didn't I just say this?)
-6oz can tomato paste
-8oz can tomato sauce
-4 garlic cloves, minced (the jar of minced garlic works just fine-Hain tested :)

what you'll do:
1. Soak beans for 8 hours.
(We do this the night before, just put beans in a covered dish with water that is 1-2 inches higher than the beans)
2. Mix together all ingredients in slow cooker (morning of).
3. Cover. Cook on low 10-12 hours or until beans are soft and sauce is thick. Serve over rice. (White rice works best. Take a chill pill all you whole grain people-it won't kill you. Do you know how many people die from white rice a year? Like one, maybe. I don't know the statistics, but ridiculously low).

other quick option:
Using canned red kidney beans. Cook 1 hour on high, then 3 hours on low.

Calorie count: makes 8 cups. 375 for 1 cup red beans mixture with 3/4 cup cooked rice-and that's filling!
Gluten 0 (check your sausage to make sure it is gluten free-wow 5th graders, that was hilarious)

This is also a very filling meal. And it makes for a ton of left overs. You can freeze them as well for another week.

You have to use this...not even an option.

new series

Since the spice of life includes variety. So will my posts. There, said it.

I think I've told a lot of you of my new lifestyle experiment with gluten-free. Now, I'm not saying it's for everyone. Let's start out with that. But I think trying to let go of more processed foods and cooking with a healthy conscience is a good goal for us all. I don't know, just cause maybe I see a lot of heart attack's come through my path.

I'm going to start littering my blog with healthy meals, recipes, tips, ideas, ramblings. Oh wait, I always do that :)

So, to kick us off how about what our family ate last night for dinner (or some call it supper, whatever's on your table at 6 o'clock...ish).


Stuffed Green Peppers

what you'll need:
-6 large green peppers
-1lb ground beef, browned
-2tbsp minced onion
-1tsp salt
-1/8 tsp garlic powder (or I just do a few shakes, for our simplistic readers)
-2 cups cooked rice
-15oz can tomato sauce
-3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

what you'll do:
1. Core-cut peppers and remove seeds. Combine all ingredients except peppers and cheese. Stuff peppers with ground beef mixture. Place in slow cooker (or if time is crunched in the morning, it can go in the oven that evening-at 375 degrees).
2. Cover. Cook in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Sprinkle with cheese during last 30 minutes.
Or oven timer set for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and set in oven for 5 more minutes.

And this is what it looks like...

...on left-over day.

Sorry, we were so busy eating it that I didn't dare make everyone wait to snap a picture before diggin' in! And they are super filling. Mark and I thought we'd have seconds for sure, but it is filling with just one. You've got all of the basic food groups...meat, grain, vegetable, dairy. Pair it with some baked peaches for dessert and you have yourself a healthy well-rounded meal. And for all those calorie counters out there...360 calories per pepper. And 0 gluten.

Makes a very happy family.

so this is what it feels like...

I can't believe how fast time flies when you're having fun.

And the kids are in school.

When they were teeny, tiny, adorable tots I dreamed of  peaceful reading, going solo to the grocery store, eating a meal in more than a few bites. The day has arrived, my friend. And I am basking in it's wonderful light.

Without going into too much detail,
insert: my average day includes reading, writing, watching the Today show, pinning on Pinterest, learning how to crochet, ya-da ya-da ya-da
I've been taking full advantage :)

I promise I've not been on a total picture-taking hiatus. Close, but not completely. I figure everyone would just like to see pictures of the kids...and now that they're in school. Well, you get the idea.

Here's a few random shots to close out this very random post.

A little bit of childhood nostalgia with this antique store find-fruit and tea not included.

And on that note...gluten free just keeps gettin' better.

New haircut. Anytime I go to a new person I'm always a little hesitant. But he did great :)

Mark and I are insanely proud of our kids. Both got "caught-ya's" for good behavior!

What do I love about Georgia...hmm, lemme count the ways. Blooms in August? Yes, please.

Vine love.

I guess that's all for now. 

Oh, wait. Let's end on a quote.

"If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk."

-Robert Baden-Powell

Have a great week y'all!

be happy

I never realized how important it is to focus your life on one thing: be happy.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to make some changes in my life. And it wasn't until I was able to make these changes, that I realized how unhappy you can be without even knowing it.

Now, don't get me wrong. Sometimes we can't make changes. Sometimes our options are limited. It is in those situations that we have to do the very best that we can to make ourselves happy. We may have to pretend some days, may have to fake it on others so that we can make the best of a situation that may not have to be a forever thing.

But when an opportunity comes to you, where you can make life happier...do it.

Case and point:

Changing jobs-It may be the same work, the same outcomes. But if you aren't in a job where you can grow, where you can be who you want to be...do your best to improve that situation. Our jobs are where we spend so much of our time, and it should be a place that you enjoy going to and enjoy what you do.

Intake/Output-This is a term in the health care industry that we take very seriously, it is looked at by nurses, doctors, dietitians, etc. Why don't we pay more attention to it in ourselves? I started making it a priority to eat right-and by this I mean putting good things in your body. After all this is what we give ourselves to work with. To function in every single moment of the day. Another just as important priority is to exercise. Now I'm not talking about hard core...what do they call it...P90z or something? No, I mean getting out and making your heart pump. This could be walking, running, biking, going to the gym...whatever you can do to make your heart work for you.

Get more sun-This is very simply put, but for someone who works night shift, and for everyone else-soak up the sunlight. It's how we connect with our environment. Be outside, breathe fresh unfiltered air. Take time out of your day to appreciate the simple act of being. Watch the world around you with "easy eyes." Appreciate leaves on a tree, clouds in a sky, or as I tell my kids-always take time to smell the flowers.

Unlock your true potential-So maybe I watch Lego Ninjago with my kids, or hear them talk about it all the time. But this is true within ourselves. We each have a creative soul. Some may have louder speaking souls in that regard than others, but we all have it. Find it, nurture it, and for heaven sake let it out once in a while. I've found that if you can give yourself the benefit of the doubt, the silence to urge it forward, you will never live in regret. Instead you will be at peace with yourself. And that is worth so much.


Just be happy, y'all :)

little things

These days we're just hanging out.

What I'm loving right now...

Crocheting.
The dance and pull of the hook, an elegant and peaceful rhythm that keeps my hands busy and my mind still.

90s alternative station on Pandora.
My husband and I spending a Saturday night belting out old lyrics and playing air guitar while head banging. Yes, we're all that and we know it :)

Pre season football.
Not so much for me, but my fall adoring husband.

Best friends coming to visit.
One month and counting....

Licorice tea.
Ok y'all, you've gotta snag this somewhere that sells it. I found it at our version of "whole foods" market. It's delicious and the perfect ending to a day. Sooo sweet and no sugar.

Speaking of sweet. I've started going gluten free this week. Some health issues got me looking into it and if you're in the market for a good read, check out 'Wheat Belly'. It's definitely got me rethinking "whole grains." Just something to think about. I'll keep you posted on my progress.


Well I'd better get back to life at the Hain house. Which is actually kind of quiet with Mark and the kids going back to school. That's okay, somehow I'll manage :)

back to school...

The most anticipated event of the fall...

That's right, it's back to school!

had to have a "backpack" shot

They're excited, they're ready. We have our pencils, crayons, and paper. It's official, school has begun!

Katelynn: Pre-K              Caleb: 3rd grade

What we did last night to celebrate...

So, let the school year begin. Mark will be starting up next week. But today we have something we've anticipated for a long, long time. Both kids are in school, all day long. It's hard to believe. They really are growing up so fast. We got home after dropping them off and the house has never been so quiet. We'll be waiting for them to come home and share about their first day :)

beach days

We're wrapping up our beach trip, so I think I'll keep this short on the words and fill up the space in pictures. That's what y'all want, right?

What we're loving right now.


Sand and water...

Come to think of it, we're really loving the water...

Digging in the sand, like it's goin' out of style...

And we can't forget the ice cream...

We sure have been enjoying ourselves, and couldn't think of a better way to end the summer.

Have a great week y'all!