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BBQ Chicken Skewers with Homemade Cilantro Lime Ranch

August 31, 2015 • 16 Comments

Each summer, the Mr. and I bike the Chain of Lakes in downtown Minneapolis.

The lakes are undoubtedly beautiful, but they are also full of memories between the two of us, making them all the more special. When I moved to Minneapolis, I spent my first morning running around Lake Harriet. Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles also became places where I read, swam, biked and kayaked almost daily. The lakes were my safe haven — a much needed place of rest for a college intern.

When Alex and I moved here permanently in 2014, he proposed to me less than week later, on the Lake of the Isles. Three months later we took our engagement photos in that very same spot.

No matter where life takes us, the lakes will always hold a special place in our hearts and biking around them allows us to relive the memories. Once we finished biking this weekend, I knew I wasn’t going to be up for an elaborate dinner. But I also was craving meat BIG TIME to replenish my energy.
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Holding Fast to the Word

August 26, 2015 • 8 Comments

It’s only Wednesday, but this week has already been filled with uncertainty and chaos for not only myself, but for a lot of people surrounding me. Friends. Coworkers. Family members. I’m amazed at the stress that many of us seem to be under lately. And while I am slightly comforted knowing that I am not the only one that experiences stress, it’s difficult to witness and sustain so much strife and madness.

In this season of life, I know many people who are struggling to make sense of their purpose. They either don’t know what they are passionate about, don’t like the current job they are in, or are under so much stress that they can’t see a way out. Even for me — someone who feels like she has a sense of God’s purpose for her life — lately the path has not been clear.

Sometimes our purpose and the path before us is clear and smooth. But there are times when circumstances muddy the waters. In these times, our flesh wants to hold fast to our grievances and problems. We hold fast to the stress, as if clinging to it will make it go away. But there is another way. A better way.

A few weeks ago, I blogged about what it means to surrender our lives to Christ. We talked about how surrendering isn’t a one and done action — it’s a daily choice. Every day we have a choice to live for ourselves or surrender to our Father.

But when it comes to tapping into God’s will for our lives … surrender is not where the action stops. Surrender is only the beginning.

When we surrender, we stop holding fast to our grievances and problems. From there we have to make another conscious effort. We have to give up our troubles and hold fast to the Word of God. We let go of our stress to lay hold of Jesus: The name that saves; The name that calms the storm; The name that has the power to lift us from the grave. One Word. One Name.Read More

Paleo Blackberry Bars

August 24, 2015 • 24 Comments

A few years ago I spent a summer living on Bainbridge Island, Wash., where I was the editorial intern for YES! Magazine.

Many days were full of the stereotypical rain that you would expect out of living so close to Seattle. But as the locals say “when it’s sunny, it’s one of the most beautiful places on Earth.” And I couldn’t agree more. Aside from the rain there was nothing not to like about Bainbridge. Chain businesses were restricted on the island and as a result a local community had flourished, giving the island a certain charm not afforded to most cities these days.

During my short three months on the island, I even became friends with one of the local shop owners, Lisa of Bon Bon Candies. Lisa inspired me because she had opened up her own fudge shop, against all odds. I cannot wait to return to Bainbridge someday so I can see her now upgraded storefront (congrats m’dear!).Read More

Am I Expecting God to Show Up?

August 18, 2015 • 7 Comments

A few years ago I dove into the local pool like any other morning, happy to swim some laps while resetting my focus on God and conversing with Him in the silence of the water.

This morning was different though because I was swimming with a heavy heart. A heart full of dreams, desires and wishes left unfulfilled. A heart full of longing. A heart full of wonder. A heart wanting so desperately to tap into the will of its creator.

God, I need you to show up here. I need you to make the way clear. I need you to show me what steps to take next.

With each flip turn I waited, expecting Him to show up and speak to me, but all I heard was silence. And so the day went on and with the distractions of work, I stopped listening. I stopped expecting Him to show up. I stopped looking for Him.

Later that day, I had the pleasure of getting coffee with a friend. We sat a talked for nearly an hour and I told her about my experience in the pool and the crazy workday that followed.

“I just feel like God is silent lately,” I said.

“I know what you mean … but can I ask you something? Why did you stop expecting Him to show up?”

I believe God used my friend to speak something into my life that I really needed to hear. I smiled as she spoke, and looked up the heavens. You showed up! I whispered to God. (As if there was reason to doubt that He would.)

Today I still have unanswered prayers in my life. I still don’t always know what steps to take or where the road is leading, but I do know one thing: I live in full expectation of God.

I expect to meet God today and every day. I live in full expectation of God.

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I expect to meet God today and every day. I expect Him to show up. I expect Him to do great things.

Focaccia Pizza With Pear, Manchego + Caramelized Onions

August 17, 2015 • 19 Comments

You just can’t go wrong with pizza.

The cheese, the dough, the endless topping combinations … what’s not to love? That’s right. Nothing! I’m not going to lie, when I found out I needed to go dairy and gluten free to fight my fibromyalgia and chronic daily headaches, I cried because that meant: 1) No ice cream and 2) No pizza.

But oh, how wrong I was. Going gluten free didn’t mean I couldn’t have pizza — it just meant I had to get creative and try new things. There are a lot of great gluten-free crusts out there, and places like Canyon Bakehouse even make focaccia that you can use for a doughier, thicker flatbread-style pizza.

Coconut Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

August 10, 2015 • 5 Comments

Kids are going back to school and the days are getting shorter, but I refuse to acknowledge that summer is more than halfway over.

I’m optimistic like that. On the other hand, I’m a total pessimist when it comes to winter. I can’t wait to see family again this Christmas, but whenever someone mentions December I plug my ears and sing la la la don’t know what December is. Snow? No. Not happening.

The fact is my husband and I love being Minnesota transplants. But we also laugh at the fact that neither of us really cares for frigid winters. Because let’s face it — weather truly affects our mind, body and spirit.

So yes, I’m going to be in denial about winter coming until the first snowfall. And I’ll cook like it’s not winter for however long I can too! So long as watermelons are fresh and flavorful, you bet I’ll be making these tacos too — a new favorite in our house.Read More