{7QT} Food, Faith & Fingers

1)

Ahhhh, baby announcements are the best!  

2)

I am currently drinking this disgusting protein shake.  It's this Protein Powder + Green Superfood + 1/2 banana + almond milk + Ice + peanut butter = a green swampy thick gross breakfast.  But it does make me feel like I am starting my day out right.  

3)

I made an awesome soup in the crock-pot this week (based off this recipe) and I have to share, because it was so easy and delicious!

source

Chop 2 onions, 4 carrots, 1 celery stalk and throw them in the crock-pot.

Toss in 3/4 cup frozen corn and 3/4 cup frozen green beans.

Brown 2 lbs. lean ground beef, drain fat, throw into crock-pot.

In bowl - mix 1 can diced tomatoes, 2/3 cups dried barley, 1 T dried parsley, 1 tsp. dried basil, 2 tsp. salt.  Then pour into crock-pot.

Pour 2 cups chicken or beef broth and 4 cups water over everything in crock-pot.  

Do not mix!!

Let cook on low for 10-12 hours.

Enjoy :)

4)

I am reading this book because Theresa makes it sounds so great.  I think I am getting the hang of it and went grocery shopping last night to stock up on lots of their recommended food items.  As my Andrew watched me put Ezekiel bread, Wasa crackers, plain greek yogurt, stevia, and cabbage in the cart he asked "Are you buying all these weird foods because you have a lot of new coupons?"  Haha, no. 

 Don't worry, I'm sure I'll keep you updated on how terrible this new way of eating is ;)

5)

Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. 

 I am so devoted to my Guardian Angel, I just love him so much.  I pray to him every morning (Angel of God, my Guardian Dear, to Whom God's love commits me here.  Ever this day be at my side, to light and love, to rule and guide.) and often call upon him to help me when I'm feeling lonely or scared (which as a scaredy cat, happens frequently).  On runs when a questionable character crosses my path I tell my Guardian Angel to flex his muscles, and I feel safer instantly.  When I'm pregnant, I love knowing I have two angels with me all the time.  When I was a little girl, I prayed that God would allow me to learn my angel's name and I think his name is Gabriel.  Oh, and if you're confused on the difference between Angels and Saints and Souls, read my theology lesson for dummies here.

6)

It's been a rainy week here, which means no soccer practices, which means Mama is happy!!  Poor Eamon's broken finger is really cramping his athletic style, so he was glad that nobody else could play soccer this week.  Pretty immature, but nine year old boys often are.

The orthopedist thinks it will heal nicely on it's own, though it did break into the growth plate.  We have more x-rays next week.  I feel a little foolish because I won't let them play certain sports for fear of injury, and now it's soccer that caused the first one.  I thought soccer players just faked all injuries :)

7)

The Bishop is coming to say Mass at our school today.  Me and him are buddies from way back, he's so adorable.  Is it improper to call a Bishop adorable?  Oh well, guilty.  By tradition, when a Bishop says Mass at a Catholic school here, he grants us a day off for the future.  We call it Bishop's Day and Phil and I basically get a built-in Date Day while the rest of our minions go off to school (we don't even tell them!!).  It's fun to be sneaky every once in a while :)

And that's it, have a wet and windy weekend if you're in the storm's path.  Stay safe and visit Kelly for more!  To answer her Link-tober question of the week...here is my first 7QT ever on June 24, 2011 when I was 8 months pregnant with my 5th baby.  So glad I am not back there anymore!