Trista Laborn's Blog, page 10

Cranberry Orange Protein Muffins

I’m back at it again, working out. Getting my summer body back.

 

While I’m working out and trying to get my summer body back, I’m on the hunt to finding healthy breakfast and snack ideas. Here I created a healthy muffin you can eat for breakfast and still stay on track. I have some leftover frozen cranberries. Whenever I make bread with cranberries I need to have orange juice with it, So I created Cranberry Orange Protein Muffins.

Cranberry Orange Protein Muffins 2017-04-01 14:24:06 Yields 6






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Prep Time
10 min

Cook Time
20 min

Total Time
30 min

Prep Time
10 min

Cook Time
20 min

Total Time
30 min
Ingredients 1-scoop of Protein 1-1/2 cups of Oat Flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 eggs 3/4 cup orange juice 1/3 cup of coconut oil 1 cup of frozen cranberries 1tsp of orange zest 2 large TBSP of Honey (or sweetener of choice)
Instructions Combine all ingredients Pour into muffin tins (half way) Bake at 350 degrees Bake for 20 minutes Let it cool for 5 minutes ENJOY!
Notes You can use this in a mini muffin tin, I tried this as well. Protein I used was Vanilla flavored
By Trista A Purpose Driven Wife http://adrivenwife.com/

I have tried these in the morning drinking Herbal coffee, during those busy days when you don’t have time to cook, I can pack these up and freeze them. Take one out and heat up and I’m on my way to start the day.

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Family dinner made easy with Green Chef

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com), May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my honest opinion on my blog. The opinions posted are my own.

I am a busy mom of three children and a puppy owner! So, I am always on the look out to cook dinners that are quick, easy and nutritious for my family.

Not only am I a mom of three children, but I’m a wife, I go to school full-time, among many other activities. So whenever I hear 30 minutes or less, I’m all about quick meals for my family. When I got the opportunity to try out Green Chef, a meal kit delivery service, I was SUPER excited. Trying out different meals, ingredients at 30 minutes or less?! Yes please, sign me up!

About Green Chef

Green Chef is a USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service. With weekly deliveries, all the essentials for nourishing dinners, including pre-measured ingredients and chef-crafted recipes, are delivered right to your door. Members simply create an account and pick dietary and delivery preferences.

The 2 meals I made was Italian Meatballs & Orzo pasta and Greek yogurt & Lemon-chive Salmon both meals we’re made in less than 30 minutes and I was a little surprise by that. When I saw the ingredients in the bag, it seemed like a lot to do but when I started putting everything together, it was less than 30 minutes and dinner was on the table.

 

 

I can’t say enough, how good this company was. Very organized, the ingredients and meat with the recipe card, all we’re color coded and easy to make. It came in a Eco-friendly package, that my youngest daughter enjoyed.

More about Green Chef

USDA-certified organic meal kit delivery service with pre-measured and largely prepped ingredients, including homemade sauces and marinades

• Easy-to-master, chef-crafted recipes that use fresh, seasonal

ingredients from carefully chosen suppliers are ready in just about 30

minutes

• Family Plan: Wholesome family style dinners that appeal to parents

and kids alike

• 2-Person Plan (3 dinners a week for 2 people)

When you go to the website you will see a more user-friendly website, when ordering your meals. You get to choose your choice, of the type of meals you would like. Below is a walk through of the website, how you can sign up and get 2 free meals, how I made the meals, my family enjoying the meals and My daughter playing with the box.

 

 

•Omnivore: Crave variety? This diverse, flexible menu has meat,
seafood, and vegetarian dinners.
•Carnivore: Meat and seafood lovers, dig in. Every dinner includes
a land or sea protein plus veggies.
•Gluten-Free: Always gluten-free and flavor-full, with meat,
seafood, and vegetarian dinners.
•Vegetarian: More than just salads, every dinner makes veggies
the star in unique, delicious ways.
•Paleo: Eat like an epicurean caveman. This paleo menu is rich in
fresh produce and proteins.
•Vegan: Plant-based just got better. An innovative menu with
natural, specialty ingredients.
 
•Family Plan (2 dinners a week for a family of 4)
                 Omnivore or Carnivore
 

Learn more about Green Chef
Connect with Green Chef online to see their latest products and special offers!
 
Website: greenchef.com
facebook.com/GreenChefPage
twitter.com/GreenChef
pinterest.com/green_chef
instagram.com/greenchef
blog.greenchef.com

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How to make homemade instant pancake mix

Making homemade recipes for my family makes my heart happy. I’m so happy to share with you this SUPER easy homemade instant pancake mix.

I didn’t grow up cooking homemade recipes, a lot of what I’m learning now is tried and true recipes I share with my family of 5. I LOVE experimenting with different ingredients, fruits, veggies and seasonings my family haven’t tried before and then it becomes a favorite. This recipe was inspired by a YouTuber I LOVE to watch and learn from. Her name is heather from “The Kneady homemaker She is very passionate about her family, which I love and makes a lot of recipes that are budget friendly and homemade. Definitely check her out.

How to make instant pancakes.

Now, why are they instant? It’s because all you have to do is add water. I’m all about quick and easy, nothing too fancy, just straight to the point and these fluffy pancakes deliver all that and then some. You can modify this recipe any way you want. I sometimes add chocolate chips, cinnamon, blueberries, etc. the list goes on. In this recipe, I made chocolate chip, its my husband favorite. My whole family loves chocolate. This mixture lasts me months. We don’t have it everyday. Probably once a week, on Saturdays as a family.

When you mix all the ingredients in the bowl, use a measuring cup to transfer to a container. The container I used below, I believe is a gallon size container and this recipe mixture makes a little bit more than a gallon. It’s so nice to be in control of making pancakes, super easy for breakfast. You can control the sugar, there’s no “instant” ingredient, and you can also use whole grain flour or whole wheat flour.

Fluffy homemade Instant pancakes 2017-02-04 10:08:45






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Save Recipe Print Ingredients 6 cups of All Purpose Flour 1 cup of sugar 3/4 cup of dry powder milk 1 Tbsp baking soda 2 Tbsp baking powder 1-1/2 tsp of salt 1 cup of Chocolate chips, blueberries, raisins, etc.
Instructions Add all ingredients in a bowl Mix with a whisk and pour into container ENJOY!
Notes Instead of All Purpose flour you can use whole wheat or whole grain You can also add brown sugar instead of regular white sugar. You can also use Honey or maple syrup when making pancakes, not for storing.
By Trista Laborn
Adapted from Inspired by The Kneady Homemaker
Adapted from Inspired by The Kneady Homemaker
A Purpose Driven Wife http://adrivenwife.com/
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Trim Healthy Mama cook book & recipe

I’m excited to talk with you guys about Trim Healthy Mama.

The authors serene Allison and Pearl barrett wrote an effective and biblical sound, to eat food in a health and weight loss way. They wrote the “Trim Healthy Mama plan” which talks a lot about enjoying all kids of food. From healthy Fats to protein and having energy with carbs and protein. It is a plan for anyone at any stage of life, great for families, pregnant and nursing mothers.

Then, the same authors wrote “Trim Healthy mama cook book.” They promote food as a freedom movement and you don’t have to be restricted, when it comes to eating healthy.

 

 

This one is more about the meals. Here are some of the things I LOVE about the cook book:

Most of the recipes shown in this book have pictures. When I look for cook books, I like for it to show what the food is supposed to look like and not just have the recipe.
I LOVE the freezer meal options. Meals I know my family will love.
This book also have healthy alternatives you can make with a meal.
I love the hot and cold drink options
I love the healthy dessert options
They even have slow cooker meal recipes you can make and freeze as well
They have TONS of dairy-free recipes
I also love the fun phrases they have for food: “Not naughty noodles” “Doonk” (1/32 teaspoon) and Troodles (Trim noodles: Zucchini made into noodles)

I made a recipe that was inspired my Trim Healthy Mama. I used the  “Not naughty noodles” and made a YUMMY meal out of it called: Lemon Shrimp with “Not naughty noodles”

Lemon Shrimp with "Not naughty noodles" 2017-02-01 18:22:17 Serves 1






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Prep Time
5 min

Cook Time
10 min

Total Time
15 min

Prep Time
5 min

Cook Time
10 min

Total Time
15 min
Ingredients 1 Tbsp of Vegan butter 1/2 cup of Frozen pkg of Shrimp (Peeled, cooked and devined) half of a lemon 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash lemon season Pinch of salt & Pepper 1 pkg of Miracle noodles Frozen pkg of Mix Veggies (optional)
Instructions In Med. heated pan melt butter added Mrs. dash in butter add shrimp salt & pepper mix together until pink Add miracle noodles (after washing from pkg, under hot water) mix together with shrimp In a small pot add mix veggies cook for 5 to 10 mins ENJOY!
Notes The Miracle noodles or "Not naughty noodles"does have a fishy smell coming from the pkg. Once noodles are washed under hot water, the smell is gone and the taste is AMAZING! This meals only makes one, you can easily double the recipe for 2 people or a family.
By Trista Laborn
Adapted from Trim Healthy Mama Inspired
Adapted from Trim Healthy Mama Inspired
A Purpose Driven Wife http://adrivenwife.com/
You can learn more about the noodles here. To learn more about Trim Healthy Mama, You can check out:

Website: http://www.trimhealthymama.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrimHealthyMama

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrimHealthyMama

Disclaimer: As a Blogging for Books member I agree to post honest and insightful reviews for the Blogging for Books program. All Opinions are my own.

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Embrace Grace: A story of an unplanned pregnancy

I am all too familiar with an unplanned pregnancy.

Years ago I wrote a story about the time I had  an unplanned pregnancy of twins, with no money, clothing that fit and I was home with my mom,with no direction. I walked through that Journey alone. I know what it’s like to be in that situation and feel so lost, alone, scared, a failure, shame and everything in between. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to share with you a ministry, called: Embrace Grace It was formed to equip, inspire and love on single and young women that is in the position I was in years ago.

About Embrace Grace:

(From the website) Embrace Grace is a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of providing emotional, practical and spiritual support for single, young women and their families who find themselves in an unintended pregnancy. The primary goal of Embrace Grace is to empower churches across the nation to be a safe and non-judging place for the girls to run to when they find out they are pregnant, instead of the last place they are welcomed because of shame and guilt.

Why Embrace Grace Exist:

Most churches advocate life and discourage women from getting abortions, but once a brave and courageous girl chooses life, a lot of times the church then step away and has nothing to offer her for support at that point. She is left with nine months of being scared, worried and feeling alone. She Journeys into a season of being a single mom without direction and guidance from a spiritual family. This is where the body of Christ can minister to women who are desperately searching for a savior. This is where we can speak into their lives and hearts that will have an impact for generations to come!

Unplanned Pregnancy statistics:

I recently just went back to school to finish my degree in business. One of my classes was health and lifestyle, where we learned how to get a healthy lifestyle in our day and age. One of the assignments was to write a 4 to 5 page paper on the different topics we have discussed in class. One of the topics was on pregnancy. I decided to share my story to my class. When writing my research paper I came across an interesting statistic.

A study was done in 2006 and published in 2011, that 49% of pregnancies were unintended. then to go deeper… Women more likely to experience unintended births include: Unmarried women, black women and women with little to no income. For more information on these statistics and where, click here.

LOVE in a box:

This box is a tool to reach, bless and encourage young women with unplanned pregnancies. Embrace Grace provides pregnancy centers with these boxes to give any young woman, with a positive pregnancy test, inviting them to join an Embrace Grace group.

The box is full of gifts that will inspire hope and impart love to a mom that may be scared for her future. Each box consists of a Fearless Journal and pen, a Bump in Life book, a baby onesie, testimonial letters of girls that chose adoption and chose to parent, an invitation to join an Embrace Grace group and a Brave Girl letter (See below).

By doing this, their hope is that through love in a box, babies will be saved as these young pregnant women choose life and realize through Embrace Grace that they are brave and not alone in this journey.

Conclusion:

I know if I came across something like this in my path, it would have been different. An Organization like this would be perfect in my church and will look into leading a group in my town (To be continued…). I LOVE everything this organization is about. Embrace Grace is a blessing and I am more than happy to share this with you guys.

Looking to partner with this AMAZING organization, Here are 3 ways you can:

Start an Embrace Grace at their local church so young women with unplanned pregnancies have a support group.
Partner with the national organization through prayer and support at www.EmbraceGrace.com
Download and print our brave girl letter (http://egrace.co/brave) and mail to address below for us to place inside a Love in a Box.

You can mail your Brave Girl letter to:

Embrace Grace, Inc.

Attn: Love in a Box

700 W. Bedford Euless Rd., Ste. G

Hurst, TX 76053

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How to make bread in the Crockpot

I LOVE making bread.

For my family, I love that it makes my house smells wonderful and my family happy. Now… why would I want to make bread in the crockpot and not in the oven? Because, I never made bread in the crockpot and wanted to try it.

Simple right?!

I’m always up for trying new recipes, new foods, new things and more. I LOVE how the bread came out and if you we’re wondering if you can make bread in the crockpot, here’s a way you can try it out.

I was afraid at first when making bread. When I was able to score a working bread machine at Goodwill, I became excited about making bread from scratch. So I started the process and made MANY mistakes. If this is you, if your nervous about making bread in a bread machine or even from scratch, know ahead of time that you’re going to make mistakes and once you get past that, you will start to create your own recipe for making bread for your family.

Check out this video on how I made bread in the crockpot and prepared my home for my family.

 

Make Bread
Ingredients:

3 cups warm water

2 tablespoons instant yeast

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

6 to 8 cups all purpose flour (I used 7 cups)

Directions:

This can be done by hand, using a stand mixer or bread machine

Add warm water to bowl.

Add yeast.

Add sugar.

Add flour.

Add salt.

Add oil.

Add seasonings which are optional.

Blend until well incorporated and a dough ball forms.

Knead 5 minutes.

Remove from bowl and shape into pretty dough ball.

Add oil to bottom of empty bowl then place your dough ball in the bowl and cover in oil.

Set aside in a warm area and allow to rise until double in size. This can take 30-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Punch dough down.

Divide into 2 round balls.

Spray Crockpot with olive oil or any oil of choice

Shape dough in Crockpot

Layer toppings of your choice.

Bake on high for 2 hours.

ENJOY!

Make bread in the Crockpot 2017-01-30 11:53:05






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Save Recipe Print Ingredients 3 cups warm water 2 tablespoons instant yeast 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon salt 3 tablespoons olive oil 6 to 8 cups all purpose flour (I used 7 cups)
Instructions This can be done by hand, using a stand mixer or bread machine Add warm water to bowl. Add yeast. Add sugar. Add flour. Add salt. Add oil. Add seasonings which are optional. Blend until well incorporated and a dough ball forms. Knead 5 minutes. Remove from bowl and shape into pretty dough ball. Add oil to bottom of empty bowl then place your dough ball in the bowl and cover in oil. Set aside in a warm area and allow to rise until double in size. This can take 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Punch dough down. Divide into 2 round balls. Spray Crockpot with olive oil or any oil of choice Shape dough in Crockpot Layer toppings of your choice. Bake on high for 2 hours. ENJOY!
Notes You don't have to put toppings at first but try out the bread first then you can modify from there. This dough recipe is versatile, you can use this dough for any recipe: Pizza, bread, garlic knots, etc.
A Purpose Driven Wife http://adrivenwife.com/

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New year, New Beginnings in 2017

Before the new year 2017 rolled around, I checked out my goals for 2016 and What I accomplished.

 

Here’s a 2016 recap video

 

I had a good year in 2016… It started off with me going to bible college for a few months. I started going to tourists places in CA I wasn’t able to go in years past, (because funds was tighy) My two oldest children graducated elementary school, which was a HUGE step for them heading into preteen years (Pray for me), we did a week long cross crountry trip from California to North Carolina as a family, while traveling to cool plates, we ate some awesome southern BBQ, met up with blogger friends, saw some cool sites along the way, It was AWESOME!

The best thing about 2016, was that my husband and I… brought our  first home! I’m so in love with our new house. As a family we went house hunting, when we found our home, we fixed it up as a family, it was so nice to experience this as a family, which was my prayer and one of my goals for 2016, I’m so thankful and grateful I was able to catch it all on video and I took lots of pics.

Another cool moment I did in 2016… was cut my hair! Yup, I decided to cut my Locs and I feel AMAZING! I’ve been wanting to cut my locs for years now and I’m so happy I did. I feel beautiful with out my locs and more confident in myself. I’ve had different women complement me and share that they always thought their particular head size wouldn’t fit their face and I always thought that about myself as well. This year I made the leap tand I’m so happy I did.

Ok, so now that, I’ve updated you on 2016, here’s what God put on my heart for 2017. The word for 2017… Forward. I feel God encouraging me to continue to press forward with what He already gave me to do. Which is… focus on my time with Him, my marriage and family.

How He gave it to me like this: 

Build-

Proverbs 14:1 (amp)- ” The wise woman builds her house on a foundation of godly percepts and her household thrives, but the foolish one (who lacks spiritual insights) tears it down with her own hands (by ignoring godly principles).”

Focus- 

Matthew 7:13-14 (msg)- “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easy-going formulas for a successful like that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life, to God, is vigorous and requires total attention!

Lastly, Rest-

Mark 6:31 (NASB)-

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.”

I will explain more in detail in another post. I hope you guys had a safe holiday and a happy new year. I’m looking forward to what 2017 has to bring.

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Healthy snacks in 2017

I’m looking to get healthy and back into shape in 2017. Snacks is always a weakness for me. Here are some snack ideas you can try to help you in your health Journey.

A few months into 2016, I’ve gained quite a bit of weight. Almost 200lbs (193 to be exact). So as I’m gathering information and resources for my plan in getting back into shape. Here… comes Daily Goodie Box with AWESOME samples you can try for yourself.

Daily Goodie Box is different from other subscription boxes I’ve tried. When you sign up it’s free, shipping is free and trying out samples…FREE! All you have to do is review the products and share it on the website.

You also fill out a profile when you sign up, if you meet the requirements, based on demographics, interest, various other things and availability. Each box will feature a drink, snack or personal care items you can try.

Check out January’s Daily Goodie Box:

Here’s more information about each product. I LOVED that all of the products are healthy, some was under 5 grams of sugar and under 100 calories. I would definitely recommend these snacks to my friends and family and those who also have a hard time with snacking during their health Journey.

RawRev – Raw Superfood Bars

http://www.rawrev.com/products

Herr’s – Tangy BBQ Popped Chips

http://www.herrs.com/product.php?id=78

Dream Water – Sleep Powder

https://drinkdreamwater.com/collections/all/products/sleep-powder-5-pack

Natralia – Anti-itch Soothing Cream

http://www.shophaba.com/search/?term=soothing%20cream

Gary Poppins – Simply Sea Salt

https://www.amazon.com/LITE-Gary-Poppins-Simply-Popcorn/dp/B01LY21QXG/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483443601&sr=8-1&keywords=gary+poppins+lite

EM+PACT – Protein & Energy Bars

http://empactbars.com/products/

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Easy homemade orange cranberry bread

I LOVE super easy baking recipes. Actually I thrive on it. Whatever makes my life a little bit easier, I’m all about it.

Here’s a fun and easy recipe, I have in the archives, I pull out during the Holidays. This is made as a bread but you can make this into muffins as well. It’s so easy, I made a video of my son making this in the kitchen for Christmas. I LOVE holiday baking and making my family so happy about bread, muffins, cookies and more.

In this recipe you can use fresh cranberries or frozen. You can also you any kind of sweetener as well, such as maple syrup, honey, no calorie sugar, etc. You can use what you have on hand, if you don’t have brown sugar, this is a very versatile recipe you can turn into anything you like.

 

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Encouragement for moms during stressful times

During the holidays, as moms we can be stressful at times. With a lot of planning, cooking, serving and more! Here are some scriptures from the word of God, that can help encourage you during hard times.

Proverbs 11:16 (NIV)

“A kindhearted women gains respect.”

Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)

“Your kindness will reward you but your cruelty will destroy.”

Proverbs 11:20 (NLT)

“The Lord detests people with crooked hearts but He delights in those with integrity.”

Proverbs 14:1 (AMP)

“The wise woman builds her house on a foundation of Godly precepts and her household thrives but the foolish one (who lacks spiritual insight) tears it down with her own hands (by ignoring godly principles).”

Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)

“He tends his flock like a shepherd, He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart, he gently leads those that have young.”

Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks him.”

Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the amorites, in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV)

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all-sufficient in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.”

Matthew 7:13-14 (MSG)

“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easy going formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life, to God, is vigorous and requires total attention!”

Mark 6:31 (NASB)

“Come away by yourselves to a secured place and rest a while.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man (and woman) of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Proverbs 22:6 (AMP)

“Train up a child in the way he/she should go (teaching him/her to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents) Even when he/she is old they will not depart from it.”

1 John 3: 18 (NASB)

“Beloved, Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed (action) and truth.”

Psalm 62:8 (AMP)

“Trust (Confidently) in Him at all times, O people, pour our your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Psalm 119:143 (NLT)

“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find Joy in your commands.”

Jeremiah 31:25 (MSG)

“Celebrate God all day, everyday.”

Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)

“He gives power to the weak (weary) and strength to the powerless.”

Psalms 16:11 (NASB)

“…In your presence is fullness of joy.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He’s the one who will keep you on track.”

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