Mother of Seven + 2

Here is our new favorite fresh salad recipe.  Our family finishes off a huge bowl of this in one meal. Dressing: 1/2 c. white sugar 1/2 c. lemon juice 2 t. diced onion 1 t. Dijon-style prepared mustard 1/2 t. salt 1/2 c. vegetable oil 1 T. poppy seeds In a blender or food processor, combine, sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt. Process until well blended.  With machine still running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth.  Add poppy seeds, and process a few seconds more to mix. Salad: 1 head romaine lettuce or 1 bag with three romaine hearts in it 4 oz. shredded Italian blend cheese 1 c. sliced almonds (or slivered or whole) 1/4 c. dried cranberries 2 apples, chopped in bite size pieces. In large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, almonds, dried cranberries, and chopped apples.  Pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat.  Makes about 12 servings. Do not mix up more of this

This past month I've been on a quest to incorporate more healthful foods into our family's diet.  I thought I would begin sharing some of the changes we've been making.  My first priority has been to serve more vegetables.  I have tended to get stuck in the rut of serving green beans, corn, and every once in awhile peas. Here is one of our family's favorite ways to eat more fresh vegetables. We wrap them up. First, we take a flour tortilla and spread it with a thin layer of low fat cream cheese.  I like to use the whole wheat or whole grain tortilla shells.  However, in these pictures you will see the white tortilla. Second, we put a thin slice of deli meat on the tortilla. Third, we add our favorite fresh vegy's.  These can include cucumber, bell pepper (any color), fresh spinach leaves, lettuce leaves, thinly sliced tomato, etc. Fourth, we add some fun extras like black olives and dill pickle slices.  If you are watching fat or salt,

"Mom, has the mail come yet?" my son asked as he entered the kitchen where I was working.  This was the fourth time I had heard that question in the last two hours.  He had been waiting for some game cards he had ordered to arrive.  We had been going through this mail routine for three days now.  He couldn't get his mind off the coming mail.  Anticipation was literally keeping him from living life to the fullest each day.  He was caught up in the waiting for what was to come. photo from freedigitalphotos.net Just last week I realized I sometimes am guilty of the same thing.  I long for Christ to return.  I am waiting.  This world has lost much of it's appeal as I've seen evil and the consequences of sin run rampant.  Somehow, though, in the midst of the daily grind of life and in my anticipation of the future, I have missed what God wants me to see around me each day. This was brought home to me a week ago Sunday.  My husband and I were blessed to be abl