Firecraker & Gratitude

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In honor of the 4th of July, I thought I’d list some of the things I’m grateful for and celebrating by using the word:

F I R E C R A C K E R

No actual firecrackers will be launched by me today.  That was my past life.

F is for Freedom. Words cannot express my gratitude toward the men and women who have served our country in the past, present and future; who have fought to defend our country and our freedoms.  Thank you for doing what you do; for giving your lives in service to others, to our country, to your fellow Americans.  Freedom, and having it, is at the core and root of life as we know it and I encourage everyone to take a step back from the red, white, and blue food today and give gratitude for our freedom and remember those who fight for it.

I is for Ice Cream.  Vegan Vanilla Avocado Banana “Ice Cream”

Vegan Vanilla Avocado Banana “Ice Cream

And no, it doesn’t taste healthy.  It tastes far superior to and richer than real ice cream.  I wouldn’t lie to you about dessert.  Ever. Many people have written to say they’ve made it and agree with my assessment. 

R is for Respect. Have some.  For yourself, others, the planet, and for things greater than you.  Give respect and you shall receive it.

E is for Everything in Moderation. Including Desserts. What is the point of working out, of making healthy lifestyle choices overall, if you can’t have items you really enjoy, every now and then, in moderation.

Whether it’s buying a few new dishes, a fluffy camera strap, or a Fudgy Nutella Brownie with Cream Cheese Frosting, I think living life with a moderate attitude is a beautiful thing.

Fudgy Nutella Brownie with Cream Cheese Frosting

C is for Caring. Please care about yourself.  Care about others.  Care about a cause.  Care about the world around you, care about children, the environment, the state of the world, the state of your messy kitchen, just care about something.  Apathy is so unappealing.

R is for Raw Vegan Coconut Oil Chocolate

Raw Vegan Coconut Oil ChocolateThe easiest thing to make.  All of 1 minute and hardly any dishes. Bonus.

A is for Always Living with a sense of gratitude, purpose, compassion, and kindness.

Give a big hug and kiss to your loved ones and always show and tell them how much they mean to you.

Averie and SkylarPicture from the Taste of Adams Avenue last weekend.  We had so much fun!

C is for Cheesy Taco Casserole

Cheesy Taco Casserole on white plate with sour creamScott was really grateful for this meal.

K is for Ketchup & Mustard Lover’s Protein & Veggie Mash

Ketchup & Mustard Lover’s Protein & Veggie Mash in potKetchup & Mustard Lover’s Protein & Veggie Mash in bowlA healthy dose of ketchup & mustard and make beans, taters, and veggies come alive in a one-pot, 20 minute, complete meal.  I am always grateful for condiments, sauces, dips, and dressings.

E is for Everything Will Work Out. And in 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year you probably won’t remember what you were even stressing about, fighting with your friend/partner/spouse about, worried about, or had your undies in a bundle about.  You won’t even likely remember what you’re upset about or what you’re worried about Everything will be fine.

R is for reminding you about my Sticky Giveaway and to enter because it ends on Tuesday.

So there you have it: F I R E C R A C K E R

From my previous few posts, most of you seem to have pesky mosquitoes and bugs to deal with.  So sorry for the slap and swatfest.

And I am glad my Console Yourself treats looked good to you!

Questions:

1. What are you doing to celebrate the 4ht of July?  or Canada Day Weekend?  Or if neither, how has your weekend been?

I’ve been really, insanely busy.  And have been doing lots of work.  Like hard, physical work, manual labor.  Wasn’t planning on a worker bee kind of weekend but it has turned out that way.

We may go out to fireworks, or we may just watch them from our balconies because we can see at least 4 shows without leaving home.  <– Which sounds great to me, actually.

We watched them from our balcony last year.  No crowds, no parking hassles, no crabby and overstimulated kids (other people’s!) to deal with.

Young girl eating sucker sitting on red chairMine is always an angel.  Kidding. But I do think we’ll probably just watch the fireworks from home.

2. Pick a letter and tell me something about that letter that you’re grateful for or celebrating.

I am also going to pick the letter R

R is for Really Good weather. That always makes me happy!

Street with palm trees and cars parked with people walking

And this red plant + blue vase = nature got festive today

Vase with red and green plant growing out of it

Last reminder for the Sticky Giveaway.  Winner announced Tuesday.

Happy 4th of July!

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Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Comments

  1. This was such a great post and a great reminder to take a step back and see the positive things in this world.

    I’ll choose F for fun! Sometimes, you just gotta have fun. Especially when it seems like the last thing you’ll be able to do.

  2. Fun post!!!
    F – F is for finishing up the school year. It feels so good!
    I – I is for ice-cream (the creme brulee stuff I bought today!)
    R – R is for remembering info from my first reading for an exam tomorrow.
    E – E is for easy classes. I am glad that my grad class seems pretty easy.
    C – C is for coffee with a friend this evening. I had an iced mocha.
    R – R is for rest and relaxation, which I will get plenty of this summer!
    A – A is for arachnophobia, which I am convinced I have.
    C – C is for cake pops that I have to make for a wedding this weekend.
    K – K is for keeping myself busy this summer so I feel productive.
    E – E is for eating. I like eating :-)
    R – R is for rice which will be in my hippie bowl tomorrow at dinner.

    1. Aww, thanks for participating! I think the teacher in you helps you get into the spirit of these little creative things :)

      Your weekend sounds great…coffee with friend, ice cream,making cake pops…nice!

      Oh and your last comment re bug bites. Girl. I know, growing up in MN we got these HUGE mosquitoes that would leave welts the size of golf balls…I feel your pain!

  3. I love this post. I particularly love:
    C is for Caring… Apathy is so unappealing.

    So true. During my Eating Disorder, I cared about nothing. I loved no one, I eradicated all emotions. As I recover, I find a zest for life, love for my friends and family, and most importantly… for myself.

    I hope you had a great 4th of July and that things smooth out for you soon. As the saying goes: “Keep calm and carry on.”

    1. glad you got my drift with: Apathy is so unappealing.

      YES! I see so many people who are just ‘whatever’ about everything. I want to light a fire, any kind of a fire, under them :)

  4. What a nice idea for a post! I laughed that you used ketchup for the letter k. Love it! Hmmm…I’m going to be really obvious and say that F is for friends. I had a fabulous girls’ night tonight.

  5. Wonderful post, so sweet and great pics.

    1. Relaxing at home with stressed out dogs who do not like fireworks. :-) But had a lovely hike in great weather earlier.
    2. C for Compassion as we’ve been reaching out to family trying to alleviate stress from their health problems.