Kelly, Author at The Nourishing Home

From Leftovers to Lunch … 3 Easy Lunches Using Leftovers!

When it comes to lunch, leftovers are one of my favorite ways to save time and money! In fact, I’m such a big fan of repurposing leftovers into lunch, you’ll often find lots of ideas on my weekly meal plans.

But rather than just mentioning it on my meal plans, I thought it would be a lot more helpful to share a few of our favorite ways to transform leftovers into healthy, delicious and FUN “lunchables” … all it takes is a little bit of inspiration and planning.

P.S. I’ve got a fun way to say I Love You! These little Lunchbox Love Notes are absolutely precious, and are such a heartfelt way to let your kids know how much you love and care about them.

Whether you have preschoolers, elementary age kids or teens, SayPlease.com has an amazing line of “love notes” for kids of all ages, even adults. The notes include an inspiring message along with cool trivia and funny jokes.

I love putting these thoughtful little notes into my boys’ lunchboxes, because I know it makes them feel loved and special!

Rainbow Bean Dip “Lunchable”

For example, if you’ve got leftovers from burrito or taco night, why not use them to make a savory layered bean dip that will have everyone saying olé to lunch! Better yet, plan for leftovers, so everyone can enjoy this tasty lunch that only takes minutes to assemble. And the great thing about this bean dip is it tastes great cold, so no need to warm it. We like to make our own refried beans using either crockpot cooked black beans (Also shown in photo, Homemade GF “Kind” Bars.)

By the way, this adorable bento-style lunchbox comes from Laptop Lunches. For more about finding the best lunchbox options, be sure to check out my post “Which Lunchbox Food Storage System is Right for Your Family?”

Chicken & Veggie Bowls

Another “leftovers-to-lunch” favorite are these flavorful chicken & veggie bowls. Simply dice up leftover Grilled Fajitas, Chimichurri Kebobs, or Pineapple Chicken Skewers and mix with leftover cilantro rice, or if you’re grain-free you’ve got to try my tasty seasoned cauliflower rice. Again, by planning for leftovers, you can toss this delicious lunch together in seconds. (Also shown in photo, Raw Cookie Dough Bites.)

Apricot-Apple Chicken Salad

It’s amazing how just a few simple ingredients can transform a mainstay like chicken into a scrumptious lunch in just minutes. This easy-to-make chicken salad works great with leftover grilled chicken, roast chicken or even canned organic chicken in a pinch. It’s great served alone, with your favorite crackers, over a bed of fresh mesclun greens, or rolled-up in a wrap with some lettuce. (Also shown in photo, Homemade GF “Kind” Bars.)

What are your favorite ways to transform leftovers into lunch? We’re always looking for new ideas to make lunchtime easy, healthy and FUN … so please share your thoughts below … Thanks, friends!

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Women Living Well – Real Nourishment for Real Women!

By Kelly · 2 Comments

(This book review contains an amazon affiliate link, see full *disclosure below.)

It’s not often that I do a Christian book review. In fact, since publishing the 5 Books the Lord has Used to Change My Life, I’m sad to say that I haven’t shared more of the amazing books God has used to continue to challenge and grow me in my walk with Him (and calling to love Him, my family and others more).

Well … that’s about to change … Each month (starting today), I plan to share with you one book that the Lord has used (is using) to continue to mold me into the image of His Blessed Son.

And this month, I couldn’t be more excited about sharing a new book by Courtney Joseph at Women Living Well Ministries. When this sweet sister mailed me an advance copy of her soon-to-be-released book, “Women Living Well: Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home,” I knew I was about to have my socks blessed off … and oh boy, was I right!

Women Living Well thoroughly equips women to joyfully, obediently and faithfully walk with the King by providing practical steps to:

• Enrich your life through studying God’s Word and communing with Him in prayer – to find peace and rest in Him alone, and to build deeper intimacy through practical ways to achieve quiet time alone with Him, no matter the season of life you’re in.

• Cherish and grow in your marriage – to love your husband more fully as the Lord calls us to do and experience the joy of growing in your role as His helpmeet to the glory of God.

• Purposefully parent your children – learning how to better handle anger, disappointment and less-than-perfect parenting days by following biblical principles that help you to love, discipline, teach and train your children through modeling a life centered in Christ.

• Embrace your role as homemaker – learning to find meaning in the seemingly mundane, making your home a haven, and establishing routines that bring rest and balance.

Wholeheartedly, I consider Women Living Well one book that every Christian wife and mother should read. And the great news is … Courtney has a wonderful gift she’s providing to everyone who preorders her book. It’s a 10 eBook bundle for FREE that you’ll receive when you simply email Courtney a copy of your Amazon receipt (offer available through September 30, 2013).

I’m honored that my Healthy Ice Pops book is part of this freebie book bundle! I wanted to support Courtney’s prelaunch event, because this book is so transformational and empowering! My prayer is that this special giveaway will encourage more women to purchase Women Living Well and reap the blessed benefits that come from putting Courtney’s biblically-based approach to Living Well into practice.

There’s nothing more important than fostering our faith, building our marriage, training our children, and creating a haven for our family within our homes. If you agree and are looking for an inspiring, helpful resource to help you walk more closely with the King and find true joy and contentment in Him and those He’s placed in your life, then this book is definitely for you!

Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly

*Please note: If you opt to purchase Women Living Well using the Amazon affiliate link above, a small portion of the sale goes to support The Nourishing Home at no additional cost to you. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do, you are helping to support the free resources, meal plans and recipes here at The Nourishing Home. Thank you!

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Apricot-Apple Chicken Salad (GF)

By Kelly · 2 Comments

Today’s post is about more than just a delicious, healthy chicken salad recipe … I’ve got some exciting news to share with you!

No, I’m not pregnant. (LOL!) But I do have a birth announcement (of sorts) to share … the birth of a brand new website.

My dear friends Pat and Ruth Schwenk (The Better Mom) are the proud parents of an amazing new site – For the Family – dedicated to encouraging and equipping families to build God-honoring homes for the glory of God.

And here’s the fun part – they’ve asked me to serve alongside them once again, this time as the Food Section Editor for this wonderful new site. So each Saturday, you’ll find a new whole food recipe from one of four real foodie contributors – Diana at My Humble Kitchen, Katie at Simple Foody, Tiffany at Don’t Waste the Crumbs and yours truly here at The Nourishing Home.

The real foodie team’s goal … to inspire more families to enjoy healthy wholesome food centered around building family traditions, sharing fellowship with others and living healthier lives in service to the King.

We hope you’ll take a moment to subscribe to For the Family, as we know you and your whole family will be beyond blessed by the wisdom and encouragement shared by this amazingly talented team of men and women who faithfully love and serve the Lord!

Oh! The chicken salad recipe … I’m pleased to share this delicious, easy-to-make recipe, as well as a couple of my favorite strategies for getting kids to broaden their healthy lunchbox horizons. So please pop on over to check it out, and best of all, I encourage you to enjoy a daily dose of the rich spiritual nourishment this wonderful site provides!

Joyfully Serving HIM, Kelly

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