Simplified Life {Intro}~ Inward reality for Outward lifestyle

"God made man simple; man's complex problems are his own devising." 

~ Ecclesiastes 7:29 JB (from Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster)

My husband and I have had many conversations since dating and into our marriage about the value of simplicity, what it means in daily life and how to pertain that in marriage. The other night we wanted a mere simple walk, so naturally we hopped in the car to find a park (exploration team!) and realized we both didn't have our phone. My first thought? "Wait, I forgot something!" That turned beautiful.

This walk turned into a full sensory overload that left us completely aware of our surroundings, nature and beauty in a new way. We wound up at a new park with abundant land for miles and miles, pretty ponds, rickety old wooden fences, a few white horses and red barns. It was a perfect picturesque setting that any photographer or creative eye would adore. Now, if I would have had a camera or my phone, I would have been thinking of my next snapshot to take. Angle? Coloring? I would have viewed our surrounding as something to take a picture of, share to my whole social world and not enjoy it for the present moment.

I would not have noticed precious details that are now engraved in my mind and my husbands mind only; something we both share uniquely.

--> Don't get me wrong, there IS something positive about being able to share a snapshot to anyone and from basically anywhere. Storytelling in a new "technological" sense. The point is to not lose site of being present. To be fully aware. Still. Loving and serving the person you are with.

We both were in tune with each other, with nature and with God. It was a glorious and simple walk.

We pondered such questions:

How have we become a generation that needs connectivity at every minute?

What makes a life simplified?

What does the Word say about simplicity?

My husband read a book a few years back titled, "Celebration of Discipline," by Richard J. Foster (go buy it, it will challenge your faith tremendously!) with a chapter titled Discipline of Simplicity. This book changed his life. He has challenged and edged me to read the full book and this chapter specifically, because it changed his perspective on living a simplified life~ as worship, as a discipline, sacrifice and honor to God to ultimately become closer to God. Woah. Is this challenging.

Back to the verse from the top, we are simple human beings. These are pure and true words from the Bible itself. Our Holy God made us this way. It is our fallen sinful nature that causes complex problems in our brains. We create the noise. We create the need to own this or that. We create the other idols in our life that block us to "Be Still and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10)." We create the other nonsense that surround our thoughts and we let ourselves focus on things that really do not matter in the grand scheme of the whole of God's Kingdom.

Foster states that living a more simplified life is an inward reality that results from an outward lifestyle. This is one of the hardest disciplines because it challenges our lifestyle. We can not have an outward simple life without the inward change of heart and mind. We need a will to change. We need focus. We need to pray. We need to not conform. We need to not lust after attachment, things, power and greed. How?

"Seek first, the Kingdom of God AND His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

A really intelligent theologian and philosopher, Kierkegaard said, "Then in a certain sense it is nothing I shall do. Yes, certainly, in a certain sense it is nothing, become nothing before God…"

--> "learn to keep silent;" (back to "be still")

--> "in this silence is the beginning, which is, first to seek Gods Kingdom."

We need to rejoice in what has been given us. They are gifts. From our Father.
They need to be especially cared for. Enjoy them for what they are.
Be content, focus and delight in what you have.

"Simplicity sets us free to receive the provision of God as a gift that is not ours to keep
and can be freely shared with others," wrote Foster. Ponder on this.

10 outward simplicity expressions from the chapter ~ up next.

Think. Create. Grab a spoon. And, live simple.

Love, Alice

Read More »

Chipotle and Green Verde Chicken Tacos~ Fiesta in tortillas

When is the fiesta in our household? Tonight. Or, every night since these are so delicious. Tangy and hot chipotle sauce and green verde salsa on shredded chicken that has been broiled at the end for crispy perfection. 

Cue the salsa music.

Who said crock pot meals can't be gourmet? This is mouth watering goodness. You can add the chicken to tacos, or even make a burrito bowl with it. Possibilities are endless. This is a staple.

Let the fiesta festivities begin! 

Serves 4. Grab your crock pot.

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds of chicken breast or chicken thighs (seriously delicious)

1/2 cup cilantro

1/2 red onion

2 limes, wedges

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup lime juice

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup chipotle sauce

1 T. oregano

1 T. chili powder

1 T. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

12 flour tortillas

Sour cream, aalsa and jalapenos for garnish

Place the chicken in the slow cooker along with the mixture of the orange juice, lime juice, chipotle sauce, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and cook on low until tender, about 6-8 hours. Easy enough. 

OH MY. Does this smell amazing. Every neighbor will wish they were over for dinner.

Shred the chicken, mix in 1/4 cup of the juices (do not forget this part), spread it out in a single layer on a baking sheet, add a little more chipotle sauce and verde salsa, and broil until it starts getting crispy, about 5 minutes. 

Mix in 1/4 cup of the juices, mix everything up and broil for another 5 minutes before mixing in another 1/4 cup of the juices.

Assemble the chicken on the tortillas, along with the onions, cilantro, a few jalepenos and serve with the lime wedges, for a grand end.

Allow your mouth to experience the full tasty spices. Enjoy.

Think. Create. And grab a spoon.

Love, Alice

Read More »

Peanut Butter, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars~ For true peanut butter and chocolate fanatics!

We are preparing for our mountain to coastal road trip next week. First things first. Bake for homemade treats in the car. What to bake? Of course! I chose something chocolate, sweet and creamy. Why not add my two other baking ingredients?… oatmeal and peanut butter. I made the delicious dough into one huge cookie spread out on the pan. We now have a peanut butter, oatmeal and chocolate chip cookie bar. Best trio ever. No doubt. This is for true peanut butter and chocolate fanatics.

Get ready to eat the largest cookie ever made in a home kitchen (at least that I know of).

Create your own ginormous cookie:

Ingredients:

1. 1 and 1/2 c all-purpose flour
2. 1 and 1/2 c old-fashioned oats
3. 1 tsp baking powder
4. 1/4 tsp salt
5. 1/2 tsp cinnamon
6. 1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
7. 1/4 c smooth peanut butter
8. 1 c packed light brown sugar
9. 1/2 c granulated sugar
10. 2 large eggs
11. 1 and 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips
12. 
    
13. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
14. Line a 13" x 9" pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
15. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking powder and salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
16. In another large mixing bowl, beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add both sugars and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
17. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one.
18. Add the flour in two additions, mixing well after each.
19. Stir in chocolate.
20. Spread the dough into the prepared pan.
21. Bake 19-25 minutes, or until the center is set and edges slightly (very slightly) browned. DO NOT over bake. I repeat, do not over bake.

Now, just sit and stare at your ooey-gooey cookie before you cut it. Cut and enjoy.

Think. Create. And grab a spoon. And a friend to share this with.

Love, Alice

Read More »

Creamy Fettucini with Chicken, Prosciutto and Peas~ Fresh as ever!

Sometimes you just want a ginormous bowl of pasta in front of you. White, creamy, slurp off your spoon pasta. Well, at least I do. Confession one of many. 

I want to share this pasta recipe I whipped up with some extra chicken I had. This is so perfect for a week night, it was amazingly good (will make again) and it easy to put together. I have never combined prosciutto and chicken before, so I didn't know what to expect…. MY OH MY. This was delicious. 
It is so fresh tasting. The perfect mixture of salty from the prosciutto and sweetness from the peas.

 

Here is how it goes:

Serves about 4. Still eating leftovers.

Ingredients:

Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

1 small white onion, finely diced

2 cups (10 oz./315 g.) fresh or thawed frozen peas

Zest of 2 lemons

1 lb. (500 g.) dried fettuccine

1/2 cup (4 oz./125 g.) lightly packed ricotta

A package of prosciutto bits (for me, it was in the fine cheese section)

1/2 cup (2 oz./60 g.) freshly grated parmigiano cheese

1/2 cup half and half

Add the fettuccine to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes or according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In the meantime, in a large frying pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. 

When the butter has melted and begins to sizzle, add the onion and chicken (lots of pepper and some salt on it) and saute until done, about 7 minutes.

In another pan, drizzle olive oil and add the peas, stir to coat thoroughly with the fat, and cook until just tender and no longer raw-tasting, about 7 minutes. 

Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, a generous grinding of pepper, and the lemon zest and remove from the heat. Combine this with the chicken and onion, not forgetting the juices in the pan.

Transfer the pasta to the pan with the chicken and peas and toss gently to combine. Add the ricotta and prosciutto and half and half and toss gently to mix. Finally, add the Parmigiano and toss gently again. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Time to enjoy.

Think. Create. And grab a spoon.

Love, Alice

Read More »

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread ~ Eat your veggies and chocolate!

I could never imagine a world without chocolate. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, melted chocolate, frozen chocolate, double chocolate, triple chocolate, quadruple chocolate, well, you get the point. For my first post, I thought it would be fitting to share one of my first simple breads I baked for my husband to nibble on during his vigorous study days.

It is a rich, gooey, ooey, moist chocolate and zucchini bread. You know your mom taught you to eat your veggies; today, it comes in chocolate form. Enjoy this delicous-ness. We ate my first loaf in two days.

And, yes, I inhaled the chocolate batter.

Here is the low down:

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Lather on some butter (better than spray!) to cover the loaf pan, a large one about 4.5 x 8.5 inches. Thank you gift registry! So thankful.

Mix the following in a large bowl, beating until smooth: DO NOT over beat it.

2 large eggs
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add the following, stirring to combine:

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon espresso optional
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1 2/3 cups (7 1/8 ounces) flour

Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips, and 2 cups shredded, peeled zucchini, gently pressed into the cup; this will be about 8 to 12 ounces of zucchini, about 1 medium one. 

Add all the batter to your loaf and then put this amazing batter (seriously, try it) in your oven for about 50-60 minutes. Check to make sure it is done, until a knife pulls out clean. When it's done, let it cool and then put the beautiful loaf on a cooling rack. 

I know, the hardest part is waiting. Or, just don't, and go berserk and eat right from the pan. I did.

Enjoy your chocolate loaf for breakfast or dessert, or both, to the full capacity your stomach can handle.

Think. Create. And, grab a spoon. And some milk, you'll need it.

Love, Alice

Read More »