Protein Breakfast on the Go ~Pumpkin Pie Shake

I found this recipe on a Trim Healthy Mama FB group. I don't know who came up with this recipe but the person that shared it was a member by the name of Candace L. I know we are in August but I use this recipe year round and I love it! This can be a Low Carb, High Protein, Low Calorie, Trim Healthy Mama Recipe. If you want to make it Low-Cal, you can use Fat Free Half and Half instead of the Heavy Cream and Fat Free Cream Cheese instead of the Full Fat Cream Cheese..Enjoy!

Recipe:

4-5 Ice Cubes

1/4 cup Heavy Cream

1/4 Almond Milk

2 Tablespoons Protein Powder

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree (NOT Pumpin pie mix)

1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Sweeter to Taste (I use Stevia or Truvia)

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract

2 oz Cream Cheese

Directions:

Add Heavy cream to ice

Almond milk with 2 Tablespoons of Protein Powder

Pumpkin Puree, Pumpkin Spice and sweetener to taste

lastly add the cream cheese and blend all together


Breakfast never tasted soooo good! Who needs Starbucks? This will keep you full for hours!

Enjoy!

What I Wish I knew 25 yrs Ago When I got Married part 2

I want to apologize for taking so long in posting Part 2 to the What I Wish I knew 25 yrs Ago When I got Married. If you haven't already, You can read Part 1 Hear. Life took over at The Herrera household and 3 of us got very sick. We are out of the woods and I'm slowly trying to get back into the swing of things. August is full of college paper work and deadlines but I am determined to finish this series!

On July 28th  2015 My husband and I celebrated 25 years of Marriage and I can't tell you how amazing it felt! We decided to exchange new wedding rings and to kind of recite our wedding vows. 25 years ago we did not know what we were getting in to! My husband says that that's the way it's suppose to be. 25 years later repeating those weddings vows with stories that came along with them had a totally different meaning. We laughed, surprisingly enough, I didn't cry and we enjoyed a great evening. My husband said it meant a lot to him that we did that, just the two of this time.

Here are some photos from that night. I hope you enjoy getting to know me and my husband. Here is the second and last part of the Marriage series. Blessings!

UPDATE: SORRY BUT MY BLOG HAD SOME ISSUES AND I LOST MANY OF MY PHOTOS.
THE PHOTOS THAT WERE HERE HAVE BEEN DELETED. BECAUSE OF THOSE ISSUES I HAD TO MIGRATE TO A NEW BLOG AND TRANSFER ALL OF MY DATA BUT MANY OF THE PHOTOS WERE LOST.

These are our new rings. So blessed by my husband. My husband has been asking for this Tuscan ring for quite a while. I don't think this picture does it justice, since it's kind of dark.

Our nice attendant gave us this dessert when he found out we were celebrating our 25th. Anniversary. One thing I realized every time we shared how long we had been married with strangers was that they were surprised. The reply we kept getting was, "Wow, that's an accomplishment!" All we kept replying was, "Only by the grace of God!"

25 years together (and they said we wouldn't make it) I don't blame them though, I was a wild child back then and look...you've made an honest women out of me, Hahahah! I love how you look at me and how you tell me you love me EVERY DAY! I love how you make me a priority in our lives. We've always said that we started as two and we will end as two. Even when our kids came along, we made sure our weekly dates stayed the same...even if they had to come along. Life hasn't always been easy, but I'm glad it has been with you. I'm so blessed to be known as Mrs. Herrera Mom. I'm blessed to be yours. I'm blessed you are mine. I can't wait to spend the best days of our lives for the next 25 years. I love you Alex. You will always and forever be #myforeverboyfriend #25yearanniversary #loveconquersall #chooseloveeveryday[/caption]

Here we are 25 years later! This was my Instagram post.

Now back to "What I wish I knew 25 years ago"

4. The Internet

25 years ago we didn't have to deal with the internet and social media the way we do today. This can be a blessing because we get to stay in touch with our friends and family from around the world but it can also be one of the biggest temptations all couples young and old face today. I personally know of marriages that have been destroyed because a spouse has found their long lost "high school sweetheart" on Facebook and has realized that he or she is no longer in love with his wife or husband and has left her/his and the kids to be with this other woman/man.  I am making it as real as possible to show you the dangers of getting in touch with your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend on these social sites thinking it's no big deal because you are happily married. "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)  Ladies, all the devil needs is a tiny bit of an open door. We may think we are strong but the flesh is weak. Let's not leave room at all for any temptation or misunderstanding with our husband. If you do have  an old high school friend on Social Media make sure that if they communicate with you they do it publicly on your profile for everyone to see. I don't see any need for an ex to be sending private messages. If they do, show them to your husband. If we have nothing to hide, we shouldn't have any issues showing them to our husband. The devil is the god of the secret, why do you think that is? We must protect our marriages at all cost!

FB Page Andie T: Stay off all social media for the first year of marriage. You don't need satan to manipulate you into thinking you don't have all that you need.



5. It's not My Husband's duty to make me Happy

Wow! That was quite the eye opener for me. I seriously couldn't believe it! I thought it was my husband's duty to make me happy! How dare he not make me happy? For years I made myself miserable and it meant that my dear husband was too. Think about it, putting the burden of your happiness in another human being? Another sinner, imperfect, trying to figure life out human being in charge of your happiness....let that sink in for a moment....Yeah, that's when the light bulb moment happened to me too. You see as human beings there are different things that make us happy right? Today is one thing, tomorrow is another and on and on. So when I put another human being in charge of my happiness and he can't deliver what happens? I want to change him for another that might be able to deliver! Be careful!!! Marriage is not about my happiness and it's impossible for my husband to carry the burden about my happiness. Marriage is about honoring God and seeking His will and mutual respect and love. We find our JOY in serving each other. "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." (Psalms 68:3)



6. Divorce is NOT AN OPTION

The Bible also tells us this “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”(Malachi 2:16)  God hates divorce and warns us to not be unfaithful! I have personally never experience adultery but, I know that when I had the mind set that divorce was an option my marriage was not working. Every time my husband and I had issues I saw the big EXIT sign with big red letters flashing, telling me to run. That is the worse thing I could have done! I was killing my marriage little by little and I didn't even know it! One day I made the decision that this was no longer going to be an option and it had to stop. I made a commitment not only to my husband but to The Lord and it was until death do us apart. The Lord knew that day 25 years ago everything we were going to live, the good, the bad and the ugly! All that is to come, God knows it. There is no Plan B! I have seen marriages that have been saved by the grace of God because of the commitment they made to each other and to God and in spite of the pain of adultery, addictions and other problems in marriage, these marriages with help and serious counseling have been fully restored. Your marriage doesn't have to end in divorce even when adultery has been involved (I do have to say that I'm no advocating for woman to take abuse or serial cheaters, but that when a man has truly repented there is hope for restoration in a marriage). The Bible also tells us "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Stop making divorce an option!



7. Dirty Laundry Anyone?

As women we love talking to our friends about all that is going on in our lives and many times we fall into the "complaining/dirty laundry mode". Don't don't tell me you don't do it. This is something I use to do all the time when I was younger and I didn't realize that at times I was making my husband look bad. As wives we have the responsibility of covering our husbands, on keeping their privacy...private. If you feel there is something that is hurting your marriage or you have an issue that needs to be dealt with go to your pastor or a mentoring couple that will give you good biblical advice. If it is venting you need, go to  your husband, not to  your friend. Not too long ago I found myself complaining about something dumb and oh my goodness I didn't realize it until I was done! I felt terrible about it. It was with a very close friend and I knew she was not going to judge my husband because she knows him well and she knew I was under a lot of stress but that didn't justify my fault in the matter. It wasn't anything big and what I said turned out to be kind of funny, but still! I'm a big advocate on friendships for women. I believe that as women we need those connections. God has put those needs in us for a reason, but we also have to be careful that these friendships don't take the place that only our husband is to have in our lives and that the relationship I have with my husband stays protected and private...always! Too much talk leads to sin.
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent". (Proverbs 10:19)



25 years later all I can say is, I'm still learning and I still make mistakes. Don't be so hard on yourself and don't think you know it all, because I guarantee you, you don't! If you are blessed enough to have older woman around you, ask them how they did it. Believe me, we are more than happy to share with you, what we know and what we are still learning. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment. You don't need to be subscribed to my blog to leave a comment.

What I Wish I Knew 25yrs. Ago When I Got Married Part 1

I'm Celebrating 25 yrs of marriage to my Best Friend. I know we hear this a lot, but what many don't realize is that it really takes a lot of work for it to be this way. My husband didn't become my best friend the day we got married. It took time, effort, dedication, oh and let's not forget...lot's of tears.

I asked my friends on Facebook Page that had been married for over 20 years to give me their input on marriage. I have included some of their answers on this post.

I was only 19 he was 23. I came from a blended family (kind of). My mom was married they had a son. My sister and I were the step children, this is how it was blended. My husband was raised by his dad with his brothers and a sister and there was no mom in the picture. This didn't give my husband and I a good foundation. Our first year was one of the toughest because we knew nothing at all except that we loved each other and that we wanted this to work at all cost and that we had made a commitment for life and before God!

We went through all the premarital counseling with one of our pastors but as much as we read and heard and got counseling, it doesn't prepare you for the day to day life. Specially when you come with the baggage that both my husband and I were coming from. I really wish  they offered or made it mandatory that all married couples go to marriage classes for the first year of married life. I'm serious! I think we would avoid many divorces (I know they can't make us, it's just me being controlling) but don't you all think it's a good idea?

Once the Honeymoon Stage was over which typically lasts anywhere from 3-6 months we started having problems. I was extremely immature (hello, I was only 19!) and every time we would get into an argument I would storm out of our apartment and go to my sister's (my mom past away a few months before we got married) add that to the equation!

This is what I wish I knew 25 yrs ago

1. Conflict Could Make Your Marriage Stronger...IF you don't Run Away from it.

Conflict is always scary, specially if you come from a home that didn't deal with it or if you come from a broken home. When we run away from it (like I did, in the beginning) the problem will still be there when you get back. Running away is not going to solve it, it will only make it bigger, because now you are adding the fact that your husband is mad or  hurt to the mix.

What can you do different? Face the problem. Communicate how you feel. Will the conflict be solved? Maybe, maybe not, but the important thing here is that you didn't run away from it and you communicated how you felt. Keeping communication open is such a huge part of marriage and I can't emphasize this enough! Many times we are scared of conflict because we don't want to "rock the boat". But many times rocking the boat is what our marriage needs to deal with a certain situation.  Conflict is not bad as long as you handle it well. After some time, I learned that many times all it took was the right setting to open up to my husband. I realized with time that I just needed to wait for the right moment to tell him how I was feeling. Many times the conflict wasn't as big as I thought it was, I just needed him to listen to me and to validate my feelings.  Communication is key and don't let anger blind you Young Bride! This is what the Bible has to say about it: Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (Ephesians 4:26)  How many times have we read this scripture and completely ignored it? Let's do it no more!

FP Page said: Mercedes P: Never go to sleep mad:-)



2. Love is a Daily Choice

While we were dating I still remember when we couldn't wait for the day when we no longer had to say goodnight and go our separate ways. Do you know that till this day the one thing we still love the most is not having to say goodbye at night? We love waking up next to each other every morning and we hate it when we have to be apart and we have to say goodnight over the phone. But as time passes after the honeymoon period is over this changes for many couples and love becomes something else.

Love is a daily choice. I had someone ask me not too long ago how do you know when you are in love? I don't think I gave that person the right answer or if I did I really don't think it mattered because when someone is looking for an excuse to not love, it will come in one ear and it will go out the other. Love is not a feeling. Love is an action. Love is a daily choice. There are times when you will not "feel" like you love your husband. Those are the times you will choose to love him. There are times when your husband will not be very lovable, that's when you will choose to love him. You will get annoyed by him and get this, he will get annoyed by you (NO WAY?!) I'm 100% sure that there is not one person in this world that will annoy me more than my husband. But, I'm also 100% sure that there is not one person in this world that I'd rather do life with. The enemy is out to destroy our marriages. He wants to see us fail. God hates divorce. “For the Lord God of Israel says
That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” (Malachi 2:16) This is specially for those young brides that also feel like they are feeling "out of  love" all I can say is this TOUGH COOKIES! I know it doesn't sound very spiritual but it's reality. You may be feeling like you got married too young, TOUGH COOKIES! I don't want you to feel like I am judging you or coming down on you. I am talking to you like I had to talk to myself 25 yrs ago. I had to choose to grow up, because I made the choice to get married at 19. No one put a gun to my head. I made that choice and later wanted to complained about it? No way! TOUGH COOKIES, is what I had to tell myself. I got married to an amazing man and the biggest blessing in my life and for a minute or longer than a minute, I was beginning to forget it and the enemy wanted to use this to destroy our marriage. It was by God's grace and much prayer and our love that it didn't happen. It is a daily commitment to the Lord and a daily choice to love, that our marriage is now stronger than ever. LOVE IS A CHOICE!

FB Page said: Jean O: Don't think you're going to change that person you marry. Marriage isn't 50/50 it's 100/100.



3. Learn to say I'm Sorry

"Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). I didn't  know how hard it was to say those simple words ..."I'm Sorry" until it was my turn to say them. At times it's going to feel like you are the one saying them the most. Other times it will be your husband saying it and you will like the sound of it. But I had no clue how bad I was at apologizing until I had to do it. The Bible teaches us that if we come before the Lord and we remember that someone has done something to us "leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matthew 5:24) . Yound Bride, it is so important for us to put our pride aside. I have seen so many great relationships fall apart before marriage because of pride and wonderful marriages also because of the same issue. Many times I've had to say I'm sorry to my husband for things I didn't do. This has touched his heart and has brought changes to our marriage. I know the same thing has happened to me. I don't want to paint my husband as a saint (although I sometimes think he is) but so many times he has apologized for things I have done and the Lord has convicted me. This has made me repent and has brought reconsiliation in an area that seemed like it was lost. "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21-22) Repeat after me I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY. Now you see, it's not so hard.

FB Page said: Dora R: We have been married 34 years and every day needs to be about Loving, listening, learning, and of course laughing together. Keep it fresh. It's work because sometimes life is difficult. But I would say Yes again and again to being married to my wonderful husband, even the difficult days. Keeping the Lord in center of marriage combats the battles of selfishness we all go thru. We are Thankful for what God gives us each day for eachother. We were both so young so we have grown up together. Lol Still learning as the seasons change in our lives!



The first years are an adjustment period. It's what you make of it. It's also a Honeymoon. Marriage is God's Gift. Enjoy the little things that you are learning together. The memories you are making. The fact that you don't own a dining room table and you have to eat on the floor with just a tablecloth and a candle in the middle of the living room. These are your first years. Your first every thing!

This is the First Part of "What I Wish I knew 25yrs Ago When I Got Married". This will probably be a 2 part series unless I see a need for a 3 part. If you would be so kind to leave a comment on my blog. It would be a blessing to me.

Go here for part 2 of this Marriage Series.

Pursuing MORE of Jesus Book Review

A few year ago my church hosted an event "The More Conference" and Anne Graham Lots was the speaker. To say it was a blessing is an understatement. I had just been diagnosed with seizures and was on multiple medications but I was determined to get out of bed and be there. I was so blessed to have my daughter with me as "my nurse" as a dearly call her and I was able to go. 

I bought Anne's book Pursuing More of Jesus and she took the time to sign it for many of us that day. She is a humble loving woman and reading this book has led me to know More of my Savior!

The book is based on the Gospel of John Chapters 10-17. Topics covered are:  More of His Voice in My Ear, His Tears on My Face, His Praise on My Lips, His Death in Life, His Dirt on My Hands, His Hope in My Grief, His Fruit in My Service, His Love in My Home, His Courage in My Convictions, His Nearness in My Loneliness, HIs Answers to My Prayers, His Glory on My Knees.

Here is a little bit from the book:

"And in order to give God's Word out so that others can hear His voice in their ears, I must-it's not an option-I must...read it, study it, understand it, apply it, live by it. But that's not enough! I have to listen for my Shepherd's voice to speak to me through it. Personally. Then I must heed His voice. Personally. And when I do, His Word makes a lasting impact and bears eternal fruit, because it's powerful". Anne Graham Lotz

I learned from reading this book that God is speaking to us and we need to know His voice to know when He speaks. How do we know His voice? By knowing His word. His primary way of communication.

He loves us so much that our tears, become His tears, our pain is His pain. But the enemy wants us to think otherwise. He wants us to believe that He just doesn't care. Nothing can be further from the truth! God cares and God loves you, your grief is His grief, your nightmare is His, your shock is His, your tears are on His face.

I can go on and on but I hope this give you a glimpse on just how much you can grow on getting to know MORE of Jesus by reading and studying God's word with Anne's book.

FYI:  Just so you don't miss because I did. Starting on page 227 of the book there is a Devotional Guide to follow along with each chapter. I didn't see this until I was done with the book! I was so disappointed! Anne teaches us how to study a passage and apply it and get more from it. She did this at our conference and it's really a great way to study! It's separated into 4 parts.

1. Looking in God's Word

2. List The Facts

3. Learn The Lessons

4. Listen To His Voice

This is all laid out for us in the book and study Guide.

What books have you read lately that you love so much that you can't wait to share with your friends? Have you read this one? Did you buy this book and is still waiting on the shelf just waiting for you to read it? What are you waiting for? Go grab it!

Summer is a great time to start reading that book you were so excited to for, but it just landed on the book shelf collecting dust. Go Read!

Blessings!

It's My Birthday Month!!! Food FREEBIES you can enjoy during your Birthday Month

June is my Birthday and normally I hate getting promotional emails...don't you? But during My Birthday Month all I can say is, Come to Momma!
From free food to BOGOs, during My Birthday Month my inbox is full of FREEBIES I get to enjoy all month long!

Last year My Person (aka Bestie) got me started with celebrating My Birthday ALL month long! It didn't require spending money every day, it was just an acknowledgement that this pretty thang was born during the month. Wasn't I the cutest thang?!

Every day My Person would send me a text with a special quote or special picture. My family was like, "oh no, she is spoiling you! Like you aren't spoiled enough!" Hahaha, I loved it of course!

My Family has always been BIG on Birthdays and special days so getting extra treats during this month from my favorite places is just an added bonus that I have no reason whatsoever not to enjoy. I love FREE don't You?

Many of the promotions require for you to sign up 30 days before your Birthday, but others send you your FREEBIE within 24 hours of signing up!

Now...what you have been waiting for, My List of Favorite FREEBIES during My Birthday Month!
Each Link will take you directly to their sign up page. Enjoy!

RESTAURANTS:

Applebee's FREE dessert when you sign up for their email list.

Baskin-Robbins Get a FREE scoop when you sign up for the Birthday Club.

Cold Stone Creamery Years a go it use to be a FREE Creation on your birthday but they have changed it to a BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) Reward.

Dairy Queen Join the Blizzard Fan Club and you'll receive a BOGO Blizzard (Buy One Get One Free)

Denny's FREE Grand Slam on Your Birthday

Mimi's Cafe FREE Dessert (No Purchase Required) when you sign up for their email list.

Panera Bread A Surprise on Your Panera Rewards Card. I've been told that is usually a FREE Pastry or a FREE Drink

Ruby Tuesday Join So Connected and Get a FREE Burger

SBarro's  Free Slice of Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni) with the purchase of a drink

Starbucks Your Starbucks Reward Card will give you a FREE drink ANY SIZE you want or a FREE treat for your Birthday

These are just the Restaurants. Let's face it, this is the best part of My Birthday Month...FOOD!

Please let me know if you try any of these rewards for your Birthday Month and if there are changes that I'm not aware of. I will gladly make updates if necessary.

Note: I don't make any money off these businesses. I just like to share when I get FREEBIES and pass them along to you.

This is a Birthday Cake my good friend Carol made for me a few years ago.