Thursday, October 14, 2010

Practice Positivity

First things first. I have yet another confession. Sometimes, yes only sometimes, my chipper self can think pessimistically. You heard it, I’m a downer, but ONLY SOMETIMES. This is NORMAL! If I walked around extra perky all day everyday, I think my husband or friends might just think I’m annoying. Heck, I would think I was annoying. But what I’m trying to get at is when things start to get messy or chaotic in life, there’s a time to pout and then IMMEDIATELY stand up and start dealing with it, in a positive way! This week was just that for a lot of close family and friends around me. Cancer taking its toll on my Nana, a husband discouraged by an injury and nasty sinus infection, friends going through some difficult times with unresolved health problems. It just seemed like everyone around me was in the midst of stress. So what's a girl to do but to encourage and stay positive! In fact, this article made my day!

Step 1- make a chili/stew for the hubs so he’ll get better and feel nourished!

White Bean Quinoa Chili

Goes best with BLUE CORNBREAD!

(Thanks Heather for the inspiration)

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  • 1 cup RED quinoa ( drained and rinsed in a strainer).
  • 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup of water
  • 2/3 cup of each: celery, onion, green bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt and black pepper 
  • 1 tsp. of garlic and oregano
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes 
  • 1/2 cup tangy organic BBQ sauce or ketchup
  • 1 can of organic white beans drained (I used cannellini beans )
  • 2 Tablespoons of oil (opt, for added richness and taste. I used grapeseed oil)
First toss the celery, onion, and red pepper in a bowl and coat with 1 tbsp oil and a little extra garlic and oregano. Then throw the rest of your ingredients in the crockpot, cook on low for about 4 hours to 6 hours. Shred some cheese on top when done, and add a side of BLUE CORNBREAD! Makes about 6 servings and one HAPPY HUSBAND!

Step 2: Call your family, tell them you love them, and go visit! Tomorrow we’ll be heading up to Dallas to visit my Nana. She’s has an amazing and kind spirit. Not one negative bone in her body! I also hope to do some cooking up in Dallas so that my parents can relax. Plus I just love to cook at home in bigger kitchen!  
Call your friends and ask what you can do for them, if anything. Keep them in your prayers.

Step 3: Share the love! You see, my favorite RECOVERY DRINK (aka Honey Milk), has graciously offered a 50% discount for all readers plus a chance to win a 3 month supply of product!! This is amazing and POSITIVE deal for anyone and everyone.
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Here’s the scoop:
  • The coupon code is COTTER2, redeemable at Athletes Honey Milk online store: http://www.honeymilk.com/store
  • The 3 month supply contest can be entered by going to their fan page. Contest entrants need to become a fan of Facebook.com/HoneyMilk if they aren't already.
  • Fans then need to post "Cotter Crunch" on the wall.
  • The drawing will be held on 11-1.
  • GOOD LUCK!!
Let me know if you enter!
What's your positive thinking?
Cheers in GOOD HEALTH,
LC

23 comments:

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

It's so true - we can't be happy all the time. It'd be great if that were possible, but life happens. Hope the hubby gets well soon and I am sorry to hear about your Nana. The chili looks great - love adding the quinoa. Hope you have a safe trip to Dallas.

Kristina @ spabettie said...

oooh, thank you!! I just ordered TWO cases. :D

I always say if everything was always peachy it'd be like The Brady Bunch, and nobody wants that, do they?

I DO hope your husband gets better soon, and I am very sorry about your Nana.

<3

Kelly B. said...

YOU definitely helped me stay postive this week....you were a HUGE help! Thank you so much! My prayers are going out to you and your Nana! I just gave Keith a homemade fruit smoothie...banana, strawberries, apple and some apple juice. He is heaven! I told him it was your idea...he took a big sip, smiled and said, "Thank YOU Lindsay!"

Viviane said...

I agree, it's totally ok to be a downer sometimes. It actually makes you appreciate happy moods even more!

Sorry to hear about your Nana, it's very nice of you to visit this weekend. Hope everything goes well in Dallas!

Dorry said...

That quinoa chili looks delish. Great combo. I love your cooking style! Been praying for your Nana - sorry there's a lot of stress in your life right now. I feel like it really comes in waves and can be overwhelming...but always a lesson to cling to God and count your blessings. Everyone in your life who is struggling is so blessed to have you around, my friend. <3

Anonymous said...

Girl- you LET IT OUT!! Sometimes this life SUCKS- thank GOD it is the worst it will ever be for us. I feel like these are times that keep us striving for the eternal goal, puts this world into perspective for us. you are amazing. Prayers your way!! I love you girl.

I really need to try that drink!!

Bre said...

Yummy chili recipe- it can initiate the crock pot I've had for 6 years ;)
Tell James to rest up (is it the achilles(?))and hope he is feeling better soon! Enjoy the time this weekend with your parents, and your Nana- I'll send lots of love and prayers down to Dallas. And while your busy taking care of everyone else, don't forget to take care of you!

Anonymous said...

Just dropping by to say hang in there - and I'll say a prayer for your nana, how sad. It's ok to be a "pessimist" sometimes - I know how you feel though, always feel like you have to be the positive one all the time, it's a lot of work and sometimes you just have to let it out. And that's totally ok, too :)

Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen said...

That looks DELICIOUS.

april said...

Haha, I know what you mean about being too peppy! Those people get on my nerves. ha! Send get well wishes to your hubby!

Mo said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Nana - enjoy your time with family. Chili looks amazing!

Caitlin said...

Entered! Thanks so much for holding this contest. I just started drinking Honey Milk and I love it! Just ran my first half marathon a couple of weeks ago and had some chocolate Honey Milk after.. so good! Thanks to The Running Couple for telling me about this!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

You and your family are in my thoughts girlie. I'm hoping hubbs gets better with the quickness and I'm praying for your Nana. Hugs!

Abby said...

I will be praying for you and your family. I know that they are blessed with you and your naturally encouraging personality. God will use you I know. And in the meantime, I'll pray for peace that passes all understanding. Love you much friend!

sophia said...

Am saying a prayer for you nana, right now, even as I type this. No matter what, everything is under God's hands, and all we can do is put our trust onto Him to do the best and perfect thing. I pray that you all have peace and faith within your hearts through it all!

(hugs)

Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice) said...

50% off?? I just might have to scoop some up, honey. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

Kelly said...

That chili looks amamzing!! Thanks for posting!

Kelly said...

Oh...and enjoy your family time. That time is certainly precious!

Lisa (bakebikeblog) said...

Stay strong sweetie :( It seems that the world likes to throw things at us all at once!
But hey - at least you had some AWESOME chili to come home to :)

Joslyn @ missfitbliss said...

Sending great positive thoughts your way in a trying time! I hope everything is better this week.

On a lighter note, quinoa scares me. I will consider myself a fearless cook once I tackle quinoa. Maybe this recipe will be the groundbreaker for me.

Texas Gunslinger said...

Love this post! :)

I'm all about the "get right back up" kinda attitude and forge ahead thinking of the POSITIVE in whatever situation. You're right, it's not normal to be that way ALL the time, but I sure know that when I "snap out of it", things don't seem as bad as they appear to be and I can focus on what I can do to change it and what I can learn from it! (Or at least focus on comforting others in the meantime)

God bless you, your Nana and your hubbs!

sophia said...

Am saying a prayer for you nana, right now, even as I type this. No matter what, everything is under God's hands, and all we can do is put our trust onto Him to do the best and perfect thing. I pray that you all have peace and faith within your hearts through it all!

(hugs)

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

It's so true - we can't be happy all the time. It'd be great if that were possible, but life happens. Hope the hubby gets well soon and I am sorry to hear about your Nana. The chili looks great - love adding the quinoa. Hope you have a safe trip to Dallas.