You know when you have those moments where writing is the only thing that feels right? Today is one of those days, please bear with me, today I'm digging a little deep and this could be a rambling of sorts.


Remember a few weeks ago when I told you about my epic fail? Well, it's been a few weeks since I felt the weight of that disappointment, a few weeks since I felt the anger. If I sit still and think really hard I can still feel my heart racing and my face getting hot. I can still feel the tears burning in my eyes as I try not to blink.

I can still hear the disappointment in other people's voices.

Sometimes when I fail, fall, lose or when something really bad happens I struggle. I have a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Doesn't everyone? Or is everyone else always cool, calm and put together? Regardless, I am the queen at self-induced pity parties. Something I'm really learning is that time, regardless of whether or not I want it too, it passes. The light at the end of the tunnel is eventually right in front of you and the dust eventually settles.

It's been three weeks, the dust has settled and now here I am, figuring out what I'm supposed to do with what remains. The plans I've had for my life have changed a little. I'm learning to rest on God's plan, well..backup... I'm learning to rest on God, because I have to be honest, I am 100% unsure of what His plan is for my life.

I think the worst part about failing, (now that I have all this clarity about failure - I hope you're picking up on the sarcasm), is failing to see my self worth. What am I worth when I fail? Where I am supposed to find my pride when the major thing I based it on is gone.

I'm learning that I find value in all the wrong places. I seek value in things that find no value in me in return. My blog for instance...while it provides me satisfaction provides no monetary value because I have yet to monetize it. (I'm a horrible blogger, I know). My job, well that's ever changing and while I love it, it will never love me back. What's next? My looks, my clothes, my things, others approval of me, instagram likes?

Why am I constantly seeking for value in things that are seemingly-valueless?

I think the best part abut failing is finding your self worth. (see, I told you I've found clarity). I'm learning to find my self-worth in things that find value in me. Amber, my blogging gal-pal, spoke (maybe yelled) right to my heart with her recent post. "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." If I ever questioned my self-worth, then I am silly, because God tells me in His word my exact worth. How much more reassurance can I get?

I am a daughter of Christ. I am a loved wife. I am a friend, a daughter, a sister, a dog-mom. It seems so silly for me to question my self worth when it's so right in front of my face.

Sure, it's natural to find value in my job, my circumstances, my possessions. But it's so much better and so much more rewarding to find my self-worth in things worthy of it. To say I'm a work in progress is an understatement, but I'm learning and I am so lucky to have others around me reminding me.

Do you have ever have those nights when you're cooking up a delicious meal and right as you take a bite you realize you forgot to photograph the entire experience? I mean, if you didn't photograph your food, did you even eat it?


Well, that is exactly what happened here. It was a brisk Sunday afternoon, football was on and the fire was blazing. I was cooking up some delicious sloppy joes and maybe it was the mix of fall in the air or the red wine in my glass but I completely spaced photos.

Looks like you lovelies are just going to have to take my word on how delicious these were. You could make these like regular sloppy joes, throw them on a fresh roll, or throw them in a baked sweet potato, or do what we did and just eat like caveman with a bunch of meat on a plate. Any way you do it, I promise these are delish!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs of grass-fed ground beef or ground turkey 
• 1/2 onion, chopped small 
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped small 
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped small 
• 1/4 cup of celery, chopped small 
• 1 clove of garlic, minced 
• 1 tbs of chili powder 
• 1 tsp of cumin 
• 2 tbs of coconut sugar or honey 
• 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, with liquids 
• 1 6 oz can of tomato paste 

 How to Make: 

Weekends are just the best. I wish they could they all be 5 days and then work weeks, 2, but since they can't why not just talk about them always!  My favorite thing about weekends is the ability to slow down and move really fast all while doing fun things, usually drinking delicious cocktails and they're always spent with great people. 

When I wasn't working weekends were just another day in the week. Sure, Adam was home but for me life didn't really change. Now that I work all week, counting down the days until Friday night is one of my favorite pastimes. 

I haven't done a weekend recap in a long time, so brace yourself, this is going to be a long weekend recap with tons of fun things and a bunch of weekends!

I made this soup last year due to my obsession with Chrissy Teigan and I totally botched it. I used thyme where basil was called for and basically it was a huge mess. Adam point blank refused to eat it and when I said I was making it again was very hesitant.

Well currently, in Denver, it's a brisk 43 degrees and has been raining for 12 hours. Nothing sounds better than hot tomato soup in that kind of weather. Okay, maybe some grilled cheese sandwiches too but anyways. I went back to the archives and pulled this baby out.

I posted a picture of the beautiful roasted tomatoes on Instagram last night and to my surprise a lot of you wanted the recipe! So, it's an oldie but now a goodie. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half 
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions) 
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or Ghee for paleo)
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28-ounce) can plum tomatoes, with the juice
• 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed 
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (I used 1/4 teaspoon dried) 
• 1 quart chicken stock

How to make: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss together the sliced plum tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes. 
2. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, butter and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions brown.
3. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme and chicken stock. 
4. Add the oven-cooked tomatoes, including the liquid from the baking sheet. 
5. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. 
6. Pass through a food mill (I used a blender for like 2 seconds)
7. I accidently mixed the dried basil and thyme up. Big mistake people. I added a can of tomato paste and more garlic. Don't do this people. Read the labels. You'll regret the mistake every thyme. haha. Get it? 
8. Okay...enough with the jokes, Enjoy!! 

I've decided that Tuesday's are the worst. Monday is Monday, you are back to the grind. Wednesday is the middle of the week (and almost the weekend) but Tuesdays are just boring. But... the thing that makes Tuesdays great is dinner. Let's just say this one did not disappoint. If you follow me on Snapchat (which you totally should - kgrace01) you saw a little sneak peak of this preparation!

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Lexi's Clean Kitchen has the best recipes. She is always creating the most delicious recipes and they're pretty easy too! I've made this one a couple times and this last weekend Adam even requested them!

The first time I paired them with a big salad and this last time, asparagus. It doesn't matter what you pair them with, they're so good! I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• Sticky Sauce
• 1/3 cup coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon grated giner
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha
• 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot flour
• sesame seeds for garnish

How to Make: 

1. Cut chicken into cubes and toss with sea salt and arrowroot flour.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet.
3. Add in cubed chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Once cooked and golden, set aside.
4. In a separate pan, heat coconut amino, raw honey, ginger, garlic and Sriracha.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. 
6. Stir in arrowroot flour and mix well to combine. 
7. Let simmer for an addition 2 minutes until thick. 
8. Pour sauce over chicken and toss. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. 
9. Enjoy!

Happy Monday everyone! Can you believe it is already October 19th! It seems like just yesterday we we're celebrating the start of October and now it's almost over. This weekend was such a fun one - I was able to spend some extra time with my family, more on that Thursday.

Yesterday really felt like fall in Denver. It was brisk, had some mid-afternoon rain and capped of the evening with a glass of red wine, the fire blazing and Sunday night football on. I'm pretty sure this is how life is supposed to be lived!

Enough about my obsession with fall - today is all about you! Today is dedicated to all those participating in #FallinloveOctober and to those considering joining, it's never too late!


#FallinloveOctober Instagram Challenge has been going of 19 days and we have over 150 posts! I love checking the hashtag every day and seeing all the things you love! To all of you participating, thanks so much! It's been a blast finding new followers and new friends!

We only have 2 more weeks left and I promise to be better in these last couple weeks than I have been! Remember you don't have to post the prompt, if theres something else you love, use the hashtag!

Here are some of my favorite pictures so far! They just made me want to curl up in a blanket and celebrate fall - Keep up the good work!

@lizzymorrishill

I hope you all are checking out the hashtag, using the hashtag and finding new followers and friends! Happy Monday everyone, let's make today rock.

The best part about this blog is the ability to share all aspects of my life with you. The good, the bad and the recipes! Another cool thing is that my paleo journey has encouraged some of you to find your own lifestyle that feels good to you!

Eating paleo has been such a wonderful experience for me (& Adam) but it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes i just want to stop and get McDonald's breakfast complete with a huge latte and whipped cream but then I realize that while it tastes good going down, it's doing only bad things for my body. Cue the delicious apple paleo muffins.

For a long time I made these Chocolate Banana Muffins. For a long time I loved these muffins. But, you can only eat things for so long before you start to get a little sick of chocolate banana muffins. In need for something new, I hit the internet to find a new breakfast muffin recipe. After searching and combing various recipes, I found and created these! Apple Muffins.

The thing I really love about these muffins is they taste like real bread muffins. They're easier than my chocolate banana muffins and they're more filling. I hope you all enjoy these as much as I do!

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 large apple, grated
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

How to Make:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a muffin tin. 
2. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Toss grated apple with lemon juice in medium bowl. 
3. Add remaining wet ingredients and combine. 
4. Stir wet ingredients with dry ingredients. 
5. Fill the muffin cups with 3/4 full. 
6. Bake for 25 minutes until a clean toothpick. (I usually add an extra 5 to crisp them up!) 

First, I have to start by saying thank you. So many of you reached out on Friday to send your thoughts, your encouragement and some of the best were those of you who told me how my post and my experience encouraged you. When I first started this blog, my main goal was to create a space that inspired people. And the fact that some of you were encouraged by my words is just so wonderful. So, to those of you that reached out, those that read my words, thank you, you made me feel so loved.

The cool thing I've learned (since Friday) and just in life in general is that there are certain things that are so much more important than other things. Sure achieving goals and going after those goals are important, but theres so much other stuff thats more important.

Helene did a post like this a while back and it's so hilarious. While Helene is hilarious, I am not, but I loved the idea of her post. [shamless plug] if you're not reading Helene in Between, stop what you're doing and head over. Or maybe, finish reading this post and then head over.

These are 7 Things that are More Important:

1. My niece turned three this weekend and all I know is that I really hope my next birthday is a cool as hers. Her birthday party was complete with a Little Tykes bounce houses, a Peppa Pig cake and lots of presents. It was pretty much the coolest birthday I've ever been too, plus for the coolest little 3-year old. 
   
   
   
2. Amy Schumer was on SNL this weekend and pretty much killed it. I just love how unashamed she is and proud of who she is. Plus she is so dang funny and I think she'd be a great addition to my celeb BFF list. 
3. Taylor Swift performed two nights in Omaha this past weekend and I was there with my 2 best girls. I know there are a lot of haters on Taylor Swift, but dang that girl knows how to put on a show. I'm not even ashamed that I spent the evening singing every lyric, dancing with my girls and totally fan-girling over Tay. More on my weekend recap, Thursday! 
4. This video of these guys wearing high heels. Cracks me up. There is nothing better than watching grown men strut around in red patten leather heels. 
5. McDonalds has breakfast all day. I know what you're thinking, don't you eat paleo? Um, yeah I do, but really is there anything better than McDonald's hash browns? I'm just saying if someone gave you a free McDonalds egg McMuffin, would you really turn it down?
6. Snapchat is my new thing. Guys, I love it. Where else can you take selfies with mouse filters and post random videos. I love it. Oh, and you should follow me, it's fun. 
   
   
   
7. This article from my blogfriend Amber over at Cupcakes and Coffee Grounds. I'm not a mom, but this post made my crack up. Saving this one for later when I think I can venture to Target with a kid :)

On Wednesday I told you that Thursday was a big day. Well everyone, it's Friday. Thursday has come and gone and that big thing I was wishing for resulted in a fail. Yes, I'm being cryptic, so take your guesses at what it was, that's fine. But all you need to know is that on Thursday, I was told I failed.

I hoped I would never have to write those words, but here we are. This post might seem all over the place, but I hope you find a little nugget that maybe you relate too, maybe you've felt, or maybe your life is awesome and you've only read about failure in others. Regardless, today I go back to my blogging roots, today is one of those posts where I just write.


Failure is such a funny thing. Maybe funny is the wrong word, failure is so ironic. Failure sucks. Failure is a mean word. Failure is discouraging. Failure is inevitable. Failure creates strength. Failure creates motivation. Failure creates success.

It's amazing the feelings you feel when you fail at something, especially when its something you really wanted.

My first emotion was, oh shit. My second emotion was to cry, because failure is feeling let down, but failure is also learning how to come to grips with a new idea. My third emotion was utter frustration. How, why and no were all in my thoughts. My fourth emotion was anger. How could I possibly fail. I worked so hard. My fifth emotion was what's next? Where do I go from here, what do I do? Where do I stand.? How do I stand? My sixth emotion was peace. 

Want to know the worst thing about failure? It's so dang embarrassing. I cannot tell you how much I hate calling my family and friends and telling them I failed. I mean, luckily for me, they're the most supportive people in the world. But I hate feeling like I let them down. I hate having to tell them I failed. And as much as I need their support I hate the feeling that they have to text me or call me and voice that support. I wish I could call with exciting news and celebrate with them.

But, like I said on Wednesday, the funny thing about my plan, that I'm finding out, it's almost always not God's plan for my life. One of my most defined characteristics is that I plan my life out like you couldn't imagine. I know what I'm doing next year, swear, ask me what I'm doing in June. I had this upcoming weekend planned out last year. It's in my genes. But then God has this plan that usually seems to contradict what I have planned. I'm not gonna lie, I've fought Him several times and sometimes I win! (or at least I think I win). And then I realize that while I 'won' in the short-term, God's plan is what wins and it's the life I'm living.

Yesterday sucked. It was not what I planned. But today, I'm realizing that when I don't have a plan and I trust in Him, things are so much better. So yeah, it's safe to say, I'm struggling a little. But luckily for me, I have the best husband, family and friends imaginable. They pick me up when I fail and I'm ready to succeed for them and me. I can't wait to share with all of you the good things that will come out of yesterday. It might not be for another 6 months, but it's gonna be great and it's gonna be so much better than what I had planned. I'm never going to stop moving forward.

So for now I'm going to head to Omaha to spend the weekend with those fabulous friends and family of mine. I'm going to celebrate my niece turning three, I'm going to sing at the top of my lungs at the Taylor Swift concert and I'm going to enjoy this unknown part of my life. I'll keep ya posted.

My emotion now is contentment.

Thursday is a big day. I'm not quite ready to tell the blog-world why it's a big day, but it is. Trust me, I don't like passive aggressive, alluding statements like that either, but I'll tell you soon, I promise.

I know everyone has those moments, big life moments, big moments that change things, so maybe wishful Wednesday can encourage you too! In preparation for a potentially big Thursday, I'm placing my wishes into the world in hopes they're heard. Today is Wishful Wednesday and these are the things I'm wishing for today.

• I wish for world peace.
• I wish my ACL would immediately heal and there would be no more pain. 
• I wish Henry would live forever, oh wait, he's bionic. 
• I wish things would go my way.
• I wish for wine. Wine Wednesday, I wish for Wine Wednesday. 
• I wish I could lay on the couch and catch up on all my DVR recordings. 
• I wish Trump would go away.
• I wish Justin Timberlake would show up at the Taylor Swift concert this weekend. 
• I wish a place existed where all my family, friends and everyone I love lived in the same place. 
• I wish I could win Fantasy Football just once. I'm currently second in my league. Here's hoping.
• I wish I could sing. 
• I wish some certain celeb couples would get back together (ahem, Britney & Justin, Blake & Miranda... I'm looking at you!)
• I wish my phone battery never died.
• I wish Tori Kelly and Jennifer Lawrence would realize they should be best friends with me and my best friends. 
• I wish I could work out again and ski this winter.
• I wish either Adam or I or both of us won the lottery so we could spoil the people we love and retire. 
• I wish candy was good for you.
• I wish instead of instead of pointing fingers and blaming others for the "problems" going on we would get together and figure out a solution. We are stronger together. 
• I wish for no more senseless acts of violence. 
• I wish for contentment.  

The comforting thing about wishing is that it's hopeful and the even better part? Regardless of my wishing, God already knows whether these wishes will come true now, later or never. Knowing that is better than any wish I could ever make. So today I'm resting in God's plan for my life and trusting that His plan is always greater than mine.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6