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Gratituesday: Monday Nights

February 17, 2014 by Laura 13 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

gratituesday[2]

Tuesday and Thursday nights the older boys have basketball practice. Wednesday night is Bible class. Fridays and Saturdays include basketball games. Sundays are full of fellowship and worship times.

And that leaves Mondays. 

Once basketball season ends and soccer season begins, we’ll shuffle everything around and our evenings will be full in different ways. But for now, I am really appreciating our Monday evenings off.

Monday nights lately have been so enjoyable. A fun dinner that we can enjoy together for longer than a “hurry and eat so we won’t be late.” Board games. Snacks. Movies. And the past two Mondays? We’ve gone to the gym together and played three-on-three basketball. So what if I’m stiff and sore for days afterward? Playing basketball with all six of us has been sooooo much fun!

Next Monday, we’ve invited a young college couple over for dinner. The Monday after that? Well, who knows? But it’s nice to know that we can look forward to being intentional about family focused time that evening too.

This season in life, with our teenage and pre-teen boys being so active in sports and church activities, we are having a blast. I love watching their character develop as they listen to and work hard for coaches, as they juggle responsibilities, as they interact with friends, and as they minister to others.

Monday nights bring moments with few distractions and lots of crazy goofing off. I cherish it all as I soak up my time with these amazing boys. (And I will continue to talk smack when we play games, because as much as I love them, I still like to win.)

Now your turn. Share what you’re thankful for!  Leave a comment on this post letting us know how God is working in your life. If you’ve written a blog post about what you’re thankful for, leave the link in the comments so we can visit your blog to read about it. We love sharing and reading about God’s blessings!

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Have Dry Hands? I Can Fix That!

February 17, 2014 by Laura 13 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Technically, I can’t personally do anything to help your dry hands. But I can tell you about my favorite, most loved hard lotion bar and remind you of how it has saved my hands from being dry, cracked, and bleeding winter after winter. I love MadeOn and all it offers.

My skin has been so much healthier ever since I began using the Bee Silk lotion bar. I used it every single day. My whole family uses it. I will never be without it. It’s made with three, wholesome ingredients that are completely chemical free. Love it, love it, love it.

made_on

The real reason I’m bringing this up – aside from the fact that I want your hands to be as happy as mine are – is that today only, MadeOn is offering free shipping on any order over $17.76.

Use code ‘1776‘ for free shipping on all orders over $17.76. Good only on President’s Day, Monday, February 17th. Ends at midnight PST.

Hurry and stock up! Your skin will thank you.

This post contains affiliate links.

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Menu Plan for the Week ~ And Why We Eat Hot Lunches Instead of Sandwiches

February 16, 2014 by Laura 20 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

This week, I plan to answer several frequently asked questions that I hear, you know, frequently. Clever idea, eh? I’ll be addressing the question of why I don’t have a Sam’s or Costco membership, how I store fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh, and this question:

Why do my lunches seem so involved? Why don’t I just feed my family sandwiches for lunch? So let’s start with this question since it relates to my menu plan.

The two main reasons we eat full meals at lunchtime instead of sandwiches are to save money and to save time. All six of us are usually home for lunch. We go through about two loaves of bread and up to two pounds of lunch meat and cheese in one meal – and that’s just the sandwiches. The cost of feeding my family sandwiches for a meal can really add up, so we save sandwich meals for times we’re on the go. There are many other meals I can serve at lunchtime that save us on our grocery budget. (Check out our Real Food Dollar Menu recipes for ideas.)

As for time? I find that if I’ve got food prepped in the freezer, it takes less than ten minutes to prepare lunch. A frozen casserole can be pulled out and put it into the oven mid-morning while we go about our school day. Foods like Chicken Patties or Popcorn Chicken freeze easily, and just have to be rewarmed in the oven. Serving fruits and veggies with these meals is easy as all I have to do is pull out the raw veggies that I’ve already cut, wash a container of berries, or steam veggies quickly. I also let my boys help with meal prep and clean up.

You like how I said “let my boys help?” Obviously, that means that I holler out their names and start giving out orders. Oh yes, I let them do all sorts of things around here. (Speaking of which, I really should let someone put the clothes in the dryer right now…)

Sandwiches work for many families – just not mine at this stage of life. What do you eat at lunchtime? 

Here’s our menu plan for this week:

Sunday, February 16
Instant oatmeal, pears
Fund raising dinner at church (Asa is going with a group of teens to Ecuador this summer!)
Small group – Soups, breads, fruit

Monday, February 17
Fruit pizza, bacon
Chicken patty sandwiches, carrots and cucumbers with homemade ranch, fresh pineapple
Italian cream cheese chicken, tossed salad, green beans

Tuesday, February 18
Honey cinnamon muffins, scrambled eggs, oranges
Pizza casserole, steamed veggies, canned peaches
Teriyaki chicken and veggies (broccoli, carrots, zucchini), pineapple

Wednesday, February 19
Raspberry oatmeal bars, bananas
Taco corn fritters, sweet peppers and carrot sticks, apples
Chicken noodle soup, tossed salad

Thursday, February 20
Fried eggs on toast, clementines
Healthier cheese dip, organic tortilla chips, grapes, sweet peppers
Chili mac, tossed salad, peas, blackberries

Friday, February 21
Whole wheat waffles, blueberries
Beefy vegetable soup, cornbread
Cheesy salsa enchiladas, tossed salad, corn, raspberries

Saturday, February 22
Dark chocolate almond granola, pears
Leftovers
Beef stroganoff, tossed salad, roasted veggies

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Just Bought the eBook Overload and Couldn’t Stop Reading!

February 14, 2014 by Laura Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Did you buy the eBook Overload Package Deal yet? Here’s what Kelley said after her purchase a few days ago:

“Just bought this and am devouring all the great information. I can’t wait to try these recipes! I also bought your hardcover recipe book and can’t wait to get it in my hands!”

Linda had this to say:

“Just bought your ebook overload pkg. Couldn’t stop reading! Can’t wait to try your recipes. My Zaycon chicken breast arrive Saturday so I will be using your chicken recipes a lot!! Thanks!”

Yay – I love hearing that you are getting such good use out of these resources! This package includes ten of our real food recipe eBooks – and we’ve knocked a big chunk off the price tag. Get it this weekend and spend time getting fun new recipe ideas.

eBook Overload sm

You’ll find more information about this package here.

Heavenly Homemakers Ebook Overload

$51.49
$40.00
$20.00
(through Feb 19 only)

Add to Cart

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

What Do George Muller and One Child Matters Have in Common?

February 13, 2014 by Laura 3 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Ever struggle with worry over God supplying all your needs? You need to read about George Muller. Ever wonder how God can be using you to serve, give, and care for others? You need to read about George Muller.

george muller

This is for sure one of my favorite books I’ve read to our kids. Geoff and Janet Benge do a fantastic job writing about the lives of missionaries, and their book about George Muller is no exception. What an inspiration!

George Muller was a man who dedicated his life to caring for orphans in England during the 1800’s. He relied completely on God to supply everything needed to care for his own family and for thousands of orphans. The two biggest lessons I came away with (and tried to impress on our kids) while reading this book are:

1. Ask God

Anytime a there was a need – and there were definitely plenty of needs with houses full of hungry orphan children – George prayed. He had complete faith that God would provide, and God always came through. George’s faith inspires me to pray with confidence and with trusting belief.

2. Listen to God

Each time George asked God for help, God used a person to meet the need. Time and again, people would arrive at the orphanage doorstep to say, “I couldn’t sleep last night. I can’t rest until I give you this _____________.” Oh how God worked through people who were listening and open to serve! Money, food, cloth, tools – whatever it was that George and the orphans needed, God used His people. Not only do we need to trust God to meet our needs, we also need to listen to His call for giving and service.

As the boys and I read this book, I was so inspired to get on a plane (um, boat? hello, 1800’s) and head to England to help George. What could I give? How could I help? What can I share out of our abundance? Obviously, helping George with his orphanages is no longer an option, but I have definitely felt challenged to seek more ways to be a part of a godly change for children.

Remember this little sweetheart?

gladis head shot

This is Gladis, the little girl from Honduras we sponsor through One Child Matters. It barely costs us anything each month. It’s really not much of a sacrifice. I believe our family needs to continue to be open and listen for God’s call to serve and give in more ways than just this simple act.

But after reading George Muller, I’m so grateful for this simple opportunity offered through One Child Matters to bless a child in need. I’m grateful that Gladis is not an orphan, but rather a child with a hard working family who simply needs a little additional financial support. Our family can be a part of that. Us! The Coppingers! What a blessing! And what else, Lord? Help us to be open and to listen to your call.

I really want to encourage you to join our family in sponsoring a child (or two or three) from One Child Matters. I want to snatch up them all. There are so many children with needs we can help meet. Together – your family and mine – we can help and make a huge difference! Please pray about joining our family in this ministry.

And never forget to ask God to meet all your needs, and to listen to the ways He is directing you to give and serve. God always answers His people. What a mighty God we serve!

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Just Today

February 12, 2014 by Laura 24 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

A female chaffinch sitting on a branch of a hawthorn tree.

Always the most profound truths are those that are the most simple. I am amazed at what God keeps teaching me based on scripture I’ve read and known my entire life.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). Ain’t that the truth? I know this, and you know this – but I believe that worrying about tomorrow (and today and yesterday and next week and 2016 and…) is one of our biggest battles as humans.

I’ve been wrestling tremendously with this the past few weeks. Mistakes of yesterday, fears about tomorrow, questions about the future, anger over what I can’t control – they threaten to take over my thoughts. Why, when I know better, do I let worry cripple me? Why, when I believe Jesus’ promises to take care of me, to provide for my every need, and to take care of all of my tomorrows do I still choose to let worried thoughts claim my heart?

Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief.

I was led to return to the truth of the passage above and read it within its context. Matthew 6:19-21 say, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Yep, I know. I’ve read that one my whole life too. Treasure in heaven, got it. I’m not much into material possessions. I don’t care at all about having lots of stuff. Thieves would roll their eyes and be bored in our house (unless, of course, they are interested in a loaf of homemade bread). Riches. Jewels. Nice vehicles and a bunch of flat screen TVs. That’s what the scripture is talking about, right?

Sure, if that’s what your struggle is. But who says treasure means stuff? The question I should be asking is, “What or who has hold of my heart?” because as the scripture says, “where my treasure is, that is where my heart is also.” If my heart is so caught up in the worries of this world that I fail to recognize that God is in control, that God is taking care of me, and that Jesus has already claimed the victory – then the treasure I’m claiming is my self. The thieves are the lies I am choosing to believe which hold me in bondage and steal my most prized possession:  The joy given to me by Jesus.

We can not serve two masters. Self cannot be our master, unless we desire to live a life of worry and fear. Our job is to lay ourselves down and eagerly seek first (not second or third) His kingdom and His righteousness. That’s it. God takes care of the rest. That is His promise to us.

So today? We choose to accept God’s gift of peace. He’ll give it to us tomorrow too, and the next day, and the next. Worrying about tomorrow (or 2016) offers us no answers – only misery.

Focus on today. Today only. Jesus is here, rescuing us from fear and frustration and replacing them with the greatest treasure to fill our hearts: His peace. Rest in this promise. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Healthy Recipes Galore!

February 11, 2014 by Laura 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Want healthy recipes, healthy recipes, and more healthy recipes? Want the healthy recipes to be easy and family friendly? Want to be inspired with fun ideas of ways to feed your family a great variety? Need a little dessert to top it all off? I’m so excited to share this great eBook package we offer, and to give it to you at a crazy high discount this week too!

We’ve packaged ten of our real food recipe eBooks and knocked the total price down to just $20. Yep, that’s two bucks per book. Here’s what you’ll get:

eBook Overload sm

Want to look at each eBook individually? Here are the links:

  • Have Your Fruits…and Veggies Too!
  • Have Your Cookie…and Eat it Too!
  • Have Your Cookie and Eat it TWO!
  • Think Breakfast…Outside the Box
  • Totally Tortillas
  • What to Do With the Kids in Your Kitchen
  • What to Do With the Chicken in Your Kitchen
  • What to Do with the Cocoa in Your Kitchen
  • What to Do With the Cow in Your Kitchen
  • What To Do With the Vanilla In Your Kitchen

Take advantage of this special offer. The $20 price tag will be good through Wednesday, February 19.

Heavenly Homemakers Ebook Overload

$51.49
$40.00
$20.00

Add to Cart

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Peppermint Cream ~ A Non-Guilty Pleasure in Coffee, Hot Cocoa, and Crio Bru

February 11, 2014 by Laura 10 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Peppermint Cream on Crio Bru

Yum

I super love this pick-me up and treat in the afternoons while I’m working at the computer. If you haven’t tried the Peppermint Cream recipe I shared at Christmas time, you really must take a few minutes to whip some up (literally). It has zero sugar, is all real, and it tastes delicious in hot drinks.

My favorite use for Peppermint Cream is in and on a hot mug of Crio Bru. What is Crio Bru, you ask? It is ground cocoa beans, which you brew just like coffee. Yup, straight chocolate, no sugar. Sounds bitter? Actually, it really is delicious all on its own without sugar. (You can also doctor it up with maple syrup and milk and make it into the most delicious hot chocolate you’ve ever had.)  I love it all by itself – but topped with this Peppermint Cream? Well, it is amazing. Rich, hot, creamy, and all real. Delicious!

I order Crio Bru from Amazon, iHerb, or Azure Standard. It’s a little pricey, so I definitely consider it a treat. But it’s a no-sugar treat that warms me from the inside out. Love it!

Peppermint Cream

Have you tried Crio Bru? And more importantly, have you tried Peppermint Cream?  Yum, yum, yum, and then some.

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Gratituesday: Kitchen Time

February 10, 2014 by Laura 15 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

gratituesday[2]

Many people assume that since I love to cook and since I focus on feeding my family healthy food, I must spend hours and hours in the kitchen.  Quite the opposite.  Sometimes days go by and I’ve barely found time to pull out a freezer meal and throw down some vegetables. (That’s okay though – that’s what the freezer meals are for!)

As I talked about in the Let’s Do This! eCourse, I have to grab any spare moment I have to try to get ahead in the kitchen. Working ahead is the only way I’m able to keep up with all these big appetites and our full schedules.

After several weeks of barely keeping up because of basketball game travel, colds and flu we’ve been passing around, and just life in general – I finally found some time this morning to get a few extra recipes whipped up. Wow, that felt good!

monday cooking

I got out my cookbook (so handy to flip open and use quickly instead of running back and forth to the computer) and made two batches of Whole Wheat Quick Mix. I made a double batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie dough balls for the freezer. I made two batches of Homemade Instant Oatmeal. I made a big mess. I cleaned it up. The short time it took to make these simple recipes will save me a lot of time during the next couple of weeks.

Hooray for time in the kitchen! It’s therapeutic for me and productive too. :)

Now your turn. Share what you’re thankful for!  Leave a comment on this post letting us know how God is working in your life. If you’ve written a blog post about what you’re thankful for, leave the link in the comments so we can visit your blog to read about it. We love sharing and reading about God’s blessings!

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Easy Ways to Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies ~ and Our Fruit and Veggie Challenge Check-In

February 9, 2014 by Laura 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

How is the Fruit and Vegetable Challenge going for you? Here’s hoping you loaded up your kitchen with lots of fresh and frozen produce and you’ve been enjoying a wide variety the past few days!

Easy Ways to Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies

To encourage you on this journey, I wanted to share a few tricks I’ve learned to help my family get plenty of colorful, nutrient-filled, fruit and vegetable variety. It’s obvious that you should be serving side dishes of fruits and/or vegetables at every meal. But sometimes, that’s still not enough servings each day. We often eat them for snacks, so that gives us bonus fruits and veggies. But how about these ideas to get a wide variety and a large quantity:

1. Make Stir Fry

Our favorite recipe is this one: Easy Noodle Stir Fry. All four of my kids gobble this down, and there are usually three or four different vegetables included.

2. Eat Salads Often

There are so many different variety of greens, and so many fun and delicious add-ins to a salad. Homemade dressing makes salads amazing.

3. Make Smoothies

There’s no limit to what you can toss into a smoothie. (Okay, fine. I wouldn’t blend in a piece of steak. Tuna, maybe. Kidding! I’m talking fruit here.)  You can get several servings of fruit and even veggies (by adding spinach or other fresh greens) in a smoothie.

4. Make Soup

Vegetable soup is an obvious way to get several servings in one meal. But any soup can be a great veggie source if you just add them in.

What other ways have you found to get lots of fruit and vegetables servings into one meal?

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!
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