No, you read the title right. Wishful Thanking. This is my post-Thanksgiving post where I talk about all of the things I wish had done differently, but am thankful I didn't. As I scrolled through my Facebook feed this weekend, I noticed that a lot of the daily Thanksgiving had ended. It's as though, once Thanksgiving had come and gone, folks were done giving thanks. Ok, so I know that they are still thankful for things, but I wonder why not keep going? At least until the end of the month.
I did not talk about the things I was thankful for on Facebook this year. Truth is, I give thanks every day. Not necessarily about the things I should be thankful for. For instance, I often find myself passing by a police officer thinking "thank you for not pulling me over" or coming close to a stop light, when I'm in a hurry, and thinking "thank you for staying green." Sure, I daily give thanks to God for all that is right in my world, but it becomes repetitive day in and day out. I often find myself thanking Him for the same things.
Don't misunderstand me though, there is nothing wrong with that.
I guess I just feel that, when I *really* take a good look at my life, there is SO MUCH MORE to be thankful for.
So, here are a few things on my list of wishful thanking:
-I wish I would have started this health kick much earlier in life. But I'm thankful that the realization came sooner rather than later, and I'm stronger than I've ever been
-I wish I would have paid more attention in school, but I'm thankful that I'm an educated, successful woman with a strong work ethic
-I wish I would have been more patient while dating my husband (we dated long distance 4 1/2 years), but am thankful now that we waited as long as we did to get married
-I wish I wouldn't look in the mirror and criticize what I see. I'm thankful that I have my health, my senses, that all of my joints and muscles work as they should. I am perfect the way I am.
-I wish I had listened to my parents more when I was younger, but am thankful, that even when I didn't, they never gave up on me
-I wish I had said good bye to my grandma before she died, but am thankful for the 21 years I had with her, and the years I continue to have with my other grandparents
-I wish I didn't allow myself to complain about my day, as I am truly thankful that I have a job and am able to provide for my family
-I wish I would allow myself to dream bigger and not allow my life to be run by lists and details, but I'm thankful for a husband who pushes me more and fills my mind with life's endless possibilities
-I often find myself drooling over other blogs, wishing that mine was as elegant or the pictures as professional. Then I get an email from one of you, and I'm thankful that I've found my way into your home and into your kitchen. I'm thankful that you believe in me and what I'm doing.
Here's another thing I'm thankful for: veggie quesadillas
I adapted this recipe from Sprouted Kitchen, as I was making this for a baby shower. I added winter squash and replaced the soft cheese with a monterey jack blend.
Zucchini, Winter Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas
serves 6
12 corn tortillas
3 zucchini, diced
1 winter squash, peeled & diced
3-4 T olive oil
salt & pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed
1/2 red onion, minced
1 1/2 cups your favorite cheese, shredded
12 oz jar of your favorite enchilada sauce
2 avacados
Preheat your oven to 400. Dice your zucchini and peel and dice your winter squash. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 400 for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, toast your corn tortillas over the smaller gas burners. I light mine and, keeping them on low heat, place a tortilla on the open flame. When the tortillas begin to crisp, flip and toast the other side.
When the roasted veggies are done, let them cool for about 10 min and then mix in a large bowl with the beans and onion. Grease a 9 x 13 dish and spread some of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish. Spoon some of the veggie mixture in the center of your tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, roll up and place seam side down in the dish. Repeat until all tortillas have been filled.
Cover the tortillas with the remining enchilada sauce, sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.
Top with avacado and enjoy.
I did not talk about the things I was thankful for on Facebook this year. Truth is, I give thanks every day. Not necessarily about the things I should be thankful for. For instance, I often find myself passing by a police officer thinking "thank you for not pulling me over" or coming close to a stop light, when I'm in a hurry, and thinking "thank you for staying green." Sure, I daily give thanks to God for all that is right in my world, but it becomes repetitive day in and day out. I often find myself thanking Him for the same things.
Don't misunderstand me though, there is nothing wrong with that.
I guess I just feel that, when I *really* take a good look at my life, there is SO MUCH MORE to be thankful for.
So, here are a few things on my list of wishful thanking:
-I wish I would have started this health kick much earlier in life. But I'm thankful that the realization came sooner rather than later, and I'm stronger than I've ever been
-I wish I would have paid more attention in school, but I'm thankful that I'm an educated, successful woman with a strong work ethic
-I wish I would have been more patient while dating my husband (we dated long distance 4 1/2 years), but am thankful now that we waited as long as we did to get married
-I wish I wouldn't look in the mirror and criticize what I see. I'm thankful that I have my health, my senses, that all of my joints and muscles work as they should. I am perfect the way I am.
-I wish I had listened to my parents more when I was younger, but am thankful, that even when I didn't, they never gave up on me
-I wish I had said good bye to my grandma before she died, but am thankful for the 21 years I had with her, and the years I continue to have with my other grandparents
-I wish I didn't allow myself to complain about my day, as I am truly thankful that I have a job and am able to provide for my family
-I wish I would allow myself to dream bigger and not allow my life to be run by lists and details, but I'm thankful for a husband who pushes me more and fills my mind with life's endless possibilities
-I often find myself drooling over other blogs, wishing that mine was as elegant or the pictures as professional. Then I get an email from one of you, and I'm thankful that I've found my way into your home and into your kitchen. I'm thankful that you believe in me and what I'm doing.
Here's another thing I'm thankful for: veggie quesadillas
I adapted this recipe from Sprouted Kitchen, as I was making this for a baby shower. I added winter squash and replaced the soft cheese with a monterey jack blend.
Zucchini, Winter Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas
serves 6
12 corn tortillas
3 zucchini, diced
1 winter squash, peeled & diced
3-4 T olive oil
salt & pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed
1/2 red onion, minced
1 1/2 cups your favorite cheese, shredded
12 oz jar of your favorite enchilada sauce
2 avacados
Preheat your oven to 400. Dice your zucchini and peel and dice your winter squash. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 400 for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, toast your corn tortillas over the smaller gas burners. I light mine and, keeping them on low heat, place a tortilla on the open flame. When the tortillas begin to crisp, flip and toast the other side.
When the roasted veggies are done, let them cool for about 10 min and then mix in a large bowl with the beans and onion. Grease a 9 x 13 dish and spread some of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish. Spoon some of the veggie mixture in the center of your tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, roll up and place seam side down in the dish. Repeat until all tortillas have been filled.
Cover the tortillas with the remining enchilada sauce, sprinkle with more cheese. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.
Top with avacado and enjoy.
I didn't really get a picture of them after they were cooked, as I had taken them to the baby shower and we had begun eating before I could snap a shot! I ended up having extra veggies, so I made a smaller pan that I froze for a rainy day.
I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday, and that your hearts are full and grateful. I know mine is.
XoXo,
Nicole
I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday, and that your hearts are full and grateful. I know mine is.
XoXo,
Nicole
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