Make This for YOU + What I'm Learning
Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #116 [vol4, 1.3]
A single foodie friend - who has 3 teen daughters - and I have been discussing the necessity to make good food for ourselves, even if we are the only ones to eat and enjoy it. Thankfully my husband is an adventurous eater but also he doesn’t tolerate gluten well so sometimes I make things just for me.
When I find myself sending a recipe to friends I realize it needs mentioning here. This recipe so easy. So flavorful. Even if you are the only one who will eat it, please make it. Basically it’s roasted squash on a bed of lemony yogurt with a drizzle of garlicky oil.
Notes: it calls for kabocha squash. I used two sliced acorn fit on one 13x18 sheet pan. Delicata would be amazing. I didn’t have capers. The chili flakes I used were Korean, which aren’t as spicy. Of course you can omit the chili flakes but maybe try some heat. When we lived in Fiji and ate more Indian cuisine, I discovered the lovely benefit of being adventurous and adding chili flakes. It really adds a depth of flavor without bringing discomfort.
An Article I Read
To the Bored All Things Are Boring from Comment Magazine. If you have teens this would be a great article to send them. Consider incentivizing and offer $20 to discuss.
Podcasts In My Ears
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys -- and it was so good -- for men, women, boys and girls!
The timing was especially interesting because a few days before listening I was in a small group and the majority shared that emotions weren’t talked about, encouraged, etc. in their homes of origin. That’s not to throw any parents under the bus. It’s just to illustrate that most of us are emotional infants and need encouragement in this area.
As a result of my listening one small step we tried at dinner was to talk about our day using one emotion we felt. Instead of answering "What did you do today?" we talked about something we felt. Here's Apple link & Spotify link to the podcast. Highly encourage a listen.
If those links don't work, search: podcast 347 wire talk with karen stubbs david thomas
Here's an amazon link for the book.
There's also a workbook for elementary boys (Julie bolded):
To Parents and Other Caring Adults--
This workbook was created primarily to help elementary-age boys understand themselves better and learn how to work through overwhelming emotions--all from a biblical perspective. This age group spans a lot of reading levels, so with younger boys especially, it's best to read it out loud with him and clarify concepts as needed. Let him take the lead, though. With relatable stories and writing and drawing prompts to guide him, your boy will learn for himself what it takes to be strong and smart, tough and tender, loyal and loving.
Raising Boys and Girls podcast with Sissy Goff and David Thomas - they’re counselors who specialize working with children. Sissy has been a huge help and encouragement to me as I help my daughter navigate anxiety. I follow her on Instagram as well. David meets with boys (thus his book mentioned above).
Ministry Wives with Christine Hoover
Granted, only a small minority on this list are in ministry. Christine is a pastor’s wife who addresses issues specific to women in ministry. It has been an encouragement to me.
Meditating & Memorizing
Proverbs 2
4 if you seek it [wisdom] like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
Books I’m Reading
Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky
I’ve been teased for my love of salt. There is a difference in the taste of salts. My cupboard is full of various kinds. When I taught in-home cooking classes we would start with a salt tasting. I brought back a few kinds from Italy; a friend brought some back from Israel. I carry a stash in my purse for when eating out. This book is interesting whether or not you love salt like me. SO INTERESTING. Got my copy from the public library.
Feeding the Mouth That Bites You by Kenneth Wilgus, PhD
My husband thinks this is the best book on parenting adolescents and we’re leading a small group of parents at our church through it. It’s written from a Judeo-Christian perspective and has Scripture sprinkled in but definitely not overly church-y. Mostly practical application. Highly recommended to buy a copy and take notes. If you reply to this email I can send you cliff notes.
Valentine’s Day
For the last several years starting on February 1, we have blessed our children with words of affirmation leading up to Valentine’s Day. I buy cut out hearts from Michael’s or the Dollar Tree and write one positive trait we see in them on each heart. (Don’t tell them I mostly use the same list of words I brainstormed the first year.)
Each day for two weeks I add a new heart (something I love about them) to their bedroom door. They ask if I forget. On Valentine’s Day we take them down and talk about how we are different from each other and how the world needs our differences.
Yesterday I bought hearts. Today I’ll mail a package to my college age son. I’m not so delusional to think he will hang them on his door but I still want him to know I value and appreciate who he is.
Freezer Meals
On Sundays when I meal plan, I grab frozen meat, beans, etc to thaw for the week. This week I grabbed a frozen burrito for my lunch. Highly recommend making and freezing burritos. I use leftover roast or ground beef, refried or whole beans, and cheese - sometimes rice and or sour cream. Roasted peppers and onions make it amazing. Don’t let the perfect combination of ingredients paralyze you from making them. I’ve made just bean and cheese before…be sure to salt and add taco seasoning.
Roll and wrap in foil. Once thawed, unwrap, slather on butter and bake. Momma-Mia! Delicious chimichanga. We’ve also eaten these for dinner on occasion.
Kitchen Reno
Tomorrow begins the second week of construction.
Next week paint then floors. It will be so worth it!!
Life is hard, food doesn’t have to be,
Julie
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