What A Week! Amusing Tidbits of My Life

How do you achieve that "full top lip" look, you might ask? Accidentally give yourself a paper cut on the lip and watch it swell up. Not that I recommend it, but it did do the trick recently. Um, ouch.

We are officially on Summer Break, here in the Van Dahm household! To celebrate their great test scores, we took the kids to an outdoor zip-line and rope obstacle called Go Ape. How did I do? Well, my heart was racing and my knuckles were white. (Despite the fact that I was only on the Junior kids course). Yeah, I don't handle heights real well, yet I did have a good time. We plan to return in the Fall for the big adult course. Oh. Great.

I am excited to announce that beginning JUNE 8, 2013 , When Pigs Fly will be offering a Weekly Clean-Eating Meal Plan Subscription, delivered right to your inbox! PLUS, each week our meal plan will educate you on which foods can improve your quality of life. If you are tired of searching for healthy recipes or just want the tools to live a healthier life, then this is for you!

I'll leave you with one parting thought--
...that moment when you're too tired to adequately explain something to God, so you just sing Him a little bit of a Bon Jovi song instead. Been there. Done that.

Black Bean & Potato "Nachos"

A guilt-free way to enjoy this classic snack food!

1 bag of frozen potato wedges, regular-cut fries, or shoe-string fries

1/2 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
Sea salt, to taste

Additional Toppings:
Tomatoes, diced
Fresh cilantro, stems removed and chopped
Salsa
Gaucamole
Green onion, chopped

Cook potatoes according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet, over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and pepper in the oil for about 7-10 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

Stir in the drained and rinsed black beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Continue to sauté for another 5 minutes.

When fries are ready, transfer to a large serving plate, or you can serve it directly on the warm baking sheet.

Top potatoes/fries with the following-- bean mixture, tomatoes, cilantro, salsa, guacamole, and green onions. Serve immediately.

NEW Grace Adele Special Offers!

Our Grace Adele Independent Consultant, Dawn Bein-Rivera, is offering specials that you won't want to miss!

Host a qualifying Grace Adele party beginning June 1, 2013 to be eligible to purchase one (or more!) of EIGHT new clutches. And for good measure, we’re also offering a NEW Envelope-Chocolate Wallet. When your party reaches $150 or more in sales, you can get your hands on these limited-edition items with your Host Rewards.

 

Take advantage of an earned half-price item to get one of these sassy new clutches for just $20 (a $40 value) or the wallet for $17.50 (a $35 value)! Or simply apply your Host credit and step out in style.

To be a host, just call or text Dawn Bein-Rivera at (804)908-3296 or Email! 

COMING SOON! Weekly Clean-Eats Meal Plan

Tired of spending countless hours searching for new, healthy recipe ideas? Want to transform your life through healthy eating habits, but not sure how to get started? I am so excited to announce that beginning June 8, 2013, When Pigs Fly will be offering a Weekly Clean-Eats Meal Plan Subscription! This is no ordinary meal plan--Our goal is not just to provide you with meal ideas, yet we have a passion to educate you each and every week. We strive for you to feel good and look good too! We want you to have an understanding about the benefits of food, and how it is directly related to your health. We will give you the tools needed to know which foods to avoid and healthy substitutes for your favorites. So, join us and many others, as we improve our body, soul, and mind!

Bean, Barley, & Spinach Soup

Beans, vegetables, and barley make this soup both hearty and healthy. 

1/2 cup dried red kidney beans
1/2 cup dried pinto beans
1/2 cup dried white navy beans
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
2 large celery stalks, stems removed and chopped
4 cups (32 oz.) vegetable broth
4 cups water
3 bay leaves
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 cup dried green split peas
1/2 cup dried pearl barley
4 cups fresh spinach, stems removed, torn bite-size
1 tsp. sea salt
Few dashes fresh ground black pepper

In a large pot, combine kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, onion, carrots, celery, broth, water, bay leaves, and dried oregano. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender (about 1 hour).

Add the split peas and barley, and cook until the peas and barley are soft, about an additional 45 minutes.

5 minutes before serving, add the spinach leaves to the pot, cooking until slightly wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Oven Roasted Balsalmic Shallots

These mild, sweet onions taste great on hamburgers or added to any cooked vegetable!

1 Lb. shallots, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Few dashes of freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, toss the shallots with the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold and seal the foil to create a pouch.

Set on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, until tender, browned, and caramelized.

The Many Uses of Coconut Oil

Okay, so we all know that Coconut Oil is typically used in cooking. It is considered to be a great oil, as it has a high smoke point and healthy for you. But since my husband can't stand the taste of coconut, I find ways to use it personally! I buy Organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Here's how I use it, in everyday living.

1. Deep Conditioner for Hair- When my hair begins to feel dry or brittle, I take a scoop of solid coconut oil and work it through my hair (dry, not wet), concentrating on the ends. Once every strand is coated thoroughly, and you look like a greasy mess, run a hair dryer over it briefly (but do not dry it all of the way). The heat will open the hair shaft and allow the oil to penetrate the hair. Now, pull your hair up in to a bun. Place a shower cap over your hair. Leave it alone for 1 hour. Then, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. You may need to shampoo it twice, to remove the greasy oil.

2. Eye Makeup Remover- Take a pea-size amount of solid coconut oil and work it between your two fingers. As it softens, gently rub it onto your eye lid, lashes, and brow (while your eye is closed). Take a dry cloth and gently rub the oil and makeup off. I then typically take really warm water and a new cloth and wipe my eyes again, to remove any extra oil left on.

3. Skin Moisturizer- I have seen that you can use coconut oil on your whole face. I am not that brave, as I have heard it can clog pores for sensitive-skin people like me. However, I will take a small amount and rub it into my hands, feet, or elbows before bed, giving me soft skin by morning. Great during the winter months!

4. Foot/Body Scrub- Mix coconut oil with equal parts sugar, and use as a body or foot scrub.

*Coconut oil will remain solid at room temperature. If it gets too warm, it will turn to liquid and back again when cooled.

Strawberry-Banana Avocado Smoothie

Thick, creamy, and delicious!

10 oz. bag frozen whole strawberries
2 ripe medium-size bananas, peeled
1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
2 Tbs. pure honey
1-1/2 cup rice milk

Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

NEW Miche Promotions for May!

Organize it with Miche! When you host a qualifying May Party, you can get this exclusive Hostess Organization Bundle (pictured below) for just $20 (that's a $62.85 value)! It's easy to qualify. Schedule your party quickly, before it books up! This offer expires May 31, 2013.

When you make a purchase of $50 or more in May, you automatically are eligible to choose one or more FREE Shells from select styles. There are three tiers, and the more you buy, the more Shells you get free—up to three (3) designs!

New Releases for May!

Would you like to make extra money doing something you love? This is a great month to join the Miche Team—any New Representative who enrolls between May 1 and May 31, 2013, gets $50 off the Starter Kit of her choice! Contact Denise Watkins for details on how you can shine with your own home-based business. Visit Miche.com for products and more!

What A Week! Amusing Tidbits of My Life

Am I the only one who belts out a loud warrior cry, when preparing to kill a spider? A few days ago I was eating breakfast when my son nonchalantly pointed out a huge spider on the ceiling. The ceiling directly above my head, might I add. After spending a minute trying to bribe the boys to kill it for me, I had to succumb to my fears and do it myself. When all was said and done, I made Mel Gibson, from BraveHeart, look like a wimp.

So, my boys were gone one day last weekend for most of the day. How did my husband and I spend that cherished, quiet time? Watching Water for Elephants, while eating a potpie, of course. Yeah, we're spontaneous like that. Lately my personality has begun to resemble that of Kristin Stewart as Bella Swan, so I know it has been a long week! My list of things to do keeps getting longer, while I swear the hours in the day are getting shorter. Thus the relaxing movie/potpie night. Lol.