Today was a snow day.
So is tomorrow :)
We're working our way towards a foot apparently ...

The good thing about these days is that I get down-time. Down-time for me includes spring-cleaning/rearranging our master bedroom - yes, I actually get enjoyment out of this. Down-time also included my husband today! He had a snow day from work too so he graciously helped with the deep-clean; then we got out the Jeep and played in the snowy streets! So much fun to drive around [easily] - see the world as it comes to a near halt. So peaceful. We were able to help some who were stuck on slick streets or in big drifts. The world is both great and humbling in these moments.

Of course, food is a fun part of these days. I decided we would try to make our own tortillas for Shrimp Quesadillas. I borrowed the recipe from the Pork Avocado Enchiladas from a week or so back and voila! - one of our favorite foods is back in the house :) Of course, it's not entirely Paleo (that darn yummy cheese) but I'm pretty sure it'll become a once-a-week-er recipe around here. Life on the 80/20 keeps us cheery, for sure!

Weekends ...

Kale Bacon Egg Pie.
Pork Avocado Enchiladas.
Stir-fried Shrimp in Olive Oil.
Paleo Pie Crust.

This is how I spend my weekends. You wanna come eat with us?!

So one of the tricks I've learned in making a family switch to Paleo-eating is planning/thinking/cooking/baking ahead. I like to spend my weekend days doing this; most of all, it helps keep my sanity throughout the week given a family that is ultra-busy with cheer, football, teaching Financial Peace University, leading community events with our church, and - oh yeah - Paul and I try to contribute to the GDP throughout :)

I wouldn't want it any other way tho; really. Life is a gift and we are making our way beautifully - mistakes and all.

Be encouraged this week, friends; one of my favorite encouragements is the Psalms/songs of the Bible. May you find it blesses you this week, too:

Psalm 4: 6b-7a
"Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy ..."

Animals and Plants

Know what has excited me most the past two weeks?! Making my own mayonnaise ... thank you Melissa Joulwan! Paleo Chicken Nuggets ... Finding a Paleo Ranch Dressing recipe ... Paleo Zucchini Bread ... Catching the theme?! :) I'm seriously enjoying this food journey. I must give a shout out to the amazing recipe books, "Eat Like a Dinosaur" and "Well Fed". I've focused myself on these two books, just so I don't get overwhelmed in choosing recipes for my family. But, I'm excited about getting into http://paleomg.com/ - I ran across an amazing recipe there a couple weeks ago, Avocado Chicken Enchiladas. Haven't tried it yet but stayed tuned ... For now, I thought I would share my Feb menus. I spend an hour+, each month choosing recipes ahead of time in hopes of one, saving money and my sanity, and two, helping my kids love Paleo cooking with me :) Enjoy!

Happy 2013! My motto this year is "Eat well. Run well. All is well." We are becoming a Paleo family and are functioning on the 80/20 concept currently; 80% Paleo, 20% other. I'm very proud of my husband and kids for jumping into this with me - I feel so strongly about our family's heath and wellness, and truly feel the Paleo lifestyle is one we all 'get' and agree we can live! If you're not too familiar with what it means to be a Paleo family, I would encourage you to start with www.paleoparents.com. This family is awesome but super low-key & practical as well :) My husband and I are in the beginning stages of getting our running legs back aka building the base in prep for an April 20th trail half-marathon. I'm excited, and have also realized how much ground I've lost since the marathon we ran in November 2010. But, I am determined. One of my spiritual encouragements comes from Hebrews 12:11. It says, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (NLT) It applies to every aspect of who I want to be as a person, friend, wife, and mother. I've come to accept that nothing I truly want of long-term value in life will happen without the encouragement of this verse. May you find spaces of peace in your life as well as you journey on your strongest life!

What an exciting last 6 months for the Sidwell home! We really have hit the ground running; on 04 December 2011, I was challenged by my Pastor - well, really by God through my Pastor! - to pray daily for two specific miracles, one being financial and one being family-oriented. What a journey it has been! God has lead my husband to a new full-time career in manufacturing for a local tech company while continuing his construction business on the side. We have paid off over $20,000 in debt in the last 6 months and are right on track for being debt-free in December of this year! I am a new aunt - my nephew, Ezekiel (Zeke) Dekker, was born on January 27, 2012 and he is truly amazing! Check out this 4-month pic! This summer will be a whirlwind; Brendan will be a 6th grader in the fall and is super-ready to be in middle school - it's going to be a great fit for him. Summer School and Agility Camp for fall Football season fills his days. Lauryl will be in 8th grade this coming year and has her first 'real' job this summer; she is working at Northridge Horse Farm in the stables with some really beautiful horses, and getting a taste of farm life! Aubry will be our lone ranger at Renner as a 4th grader in the Fall. She and I are cooking and baking up a storm this summer, and she has made several new neighborhood friends lately that are keeping her bunk bed full on sleepover nights :) We are a truly blessed family and are looking forward to continued miracles!

Summer to Fall

It's a testament to how much my new job has taken over my life when the last blog entry is the 13th of July! Wow!

It's been a lovely, beautiful, crazy-busy Fall in the Sidwell home. I am teaching gifted children again and LOVE my new job even though it requires all my mental energy just to keep up! This fall, Paul and I helped host the first annual Helping Heroes Challenge - a trail run at Platte Purchase Park to benefit Wounded Warriors. Everything from building and designing the trails to course marshalling to picking up trash; we were in the thick of things and loved every minute. It was a thrilling learning experience; put 10 November 2012 on your calendar for the 2nd annual HHC!

November and December are fast-moving months with our anniversary, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all within 6 weeks of each other! We went to the Plaza III (a steakhouse on The Plaza) to celebrate our 2nd anniversary this last weekend and reflected on how grateful we are for the life we lead. 2012 looks to be a BIG year for us - lots of faith and trust and hard work are in store for our third year of marriage. The starting line is just up ahead; we're about to hit the ground running!

Happy Holiday season to all!

It's a Cupcake World

I can't begin to guess how the cosmos lines up to makes these things happen but ... I baked cupcakes two months in a row. I know. Totally weird, given my non-cake thing. But, once again, we've found a beauty in these babies: Root Beer Float Cupcakes for my sister's (shortcakessweettooth.blogspot.com) June theme.

Recipe: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/04/hot-fudge-root-beer-float-cupcakes/

These cupcakes were extremely simple to make. Simple batter. Simple frosting.

Simply, go for it!

A couple things I learned/would change:

1) More root beer flavoring! These 'cakes weren't nearly as strong on the root beer flavor as I thought they would be, given the amount of extract I put in. My official note to self was: look for STRONGER extract for next time.

2) Make is super-easy on yourself and eliminate the separation of frostings; just make it all root beer flavored! Of all my taste-testers, it was unanimous that this change would be make the 'cakes even better :)

Perfect for hot summer days when you'd rather be eating than running outside in 147% humidity! Enjoy to the hilt :)