Friday Favorite: 7

A friend gave me the book 7: an Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, by Jen Hatmaker.  There is talk of a going through this with a group of women.  I was all jazzed about it, until I read it.  Now, I am convinced this is something I need to consider, but absolutely terrified at the prospect.

Let me give you some background.  The idea with the book is that each month, for seven months, Jen takes an area of her life prone to excess, and whittles it down to just seven things.  For one month she eats only seven foods, another month wears only seven pieces of clothing, and so on.  It encompasses food, clothing, shopping, waste, stress, media, and possessions.  Strategically she tackles each area and honestly reflects on her month.

I couldn't put the book down and pretty much read it in one day.  It was such an eye-opening experience.  While I don't feel as prone to excess in some of the same areas, some I'm sure I'm more prone and there are other areas I'm sure I need to take a long hard look at in my own life.  It brings you face-to-face with your own perspective on what is necessary and what is frivolous.  When in reality, most of what I consume and purchase would be classified as a luxury to the majority of the world.

So, for what it's worth, I'm going to walk with my friend through this experience.  I'm not yet sure where I will go with this, but if nothing else, it makes me far more aware of where my treasures are, there my heart is also.

Friday Favorite: March 9th

Since my husband and I are taking an impromptu road trip this weekend I started thinking about my favorite road-trip foods.  When we travel, we don't like stopping to eat at fast-food drive-thru's.  So, I usually try to pack some simple and somewhat healthier options (I know pizza is not that healthy - but sometimes it just sounds good!) for us to snack on along the way.  Below is a list of my favorites so far.

1. No-Bake Granola Bars (oats, almond butter, chopped nuts, and local honey)
2. Wraps (our favorites are cream cheese or ham and cheddar with some veggies)
3. Cold Pizza (bake the night before and slice so it is ready to go)
4. Chicken Strips (bake and slice chicken breasts the night before)
5. Hard-boiled eggs
6. Sliced cheese / ham / turkey

Friday Favorite

I'm such a coffee drinker, I cannot imagine starting my day without a hot cup of straight black coffee.  But, after the coffee is gone, I sometimes still want another treat during my day.

This week I discovered my new favorite drink: Chai.  I've always heard of it and see it at fancy coffee shops, but I'm such creature of habit sometimes I never ventured that direction.

But, this simple drink is my new favorite.  Just add a packet of the mix to hot water and you have a warm and yummy treat.  And I do mean treat.  The sugar content will prevent me from drinking this too often, but it is just the right pick me up when I need just a little something in the afternoon.