Before we go any further, I have to say that you all crack me up! Here I go taking the time to write a thoughtful post on blogging numbers and then you all get riled up on my post about sports bras! This is why I love blogging as I do. I can write whatever my little heart desires so we have some fun…and still think a little too. Hint Hint: You just wait for the fun that’s coming your way around lunch time today. It’s a goody!

Last night we had another Grow Group session at church. Grow Group is basically a small group of twelve of us that meet together on a regular basis to share a meal and then dive into some discussion on our recent sermons to hopefully dig a little deeper and grow a little more in our faiths. It’s a fun time and does that thing of building relationships which you all know I love so much.

My friend Danielle who acts as the host of our group ran with the idea of a themed salad bar for last night’s dinner. This week’s theme = Santa Fe salads!!

Everyone contributed a couple different ingredients to help put together a great selection for a build your own Santa Fe salad. You know I chipped in some avocado and pineapple. Mmmm mmm mmm. It just wouldn’t be right without them getting invited to the party.

And a party it was with all the fabulous flavors.

Mixed greens, creamy avocado chunks, tomato, pineapple, corn, some cheddar cheese (still obsessed), and some red beans for protein. I used two heaping scoops of salsa as my dressing – one scoop of fresh black bean and corn salsa and one scoop of an artichoke garlic salsa. Mmmmm mmmmm. I lurve a good salad!

After getting food in our bellies, we finally got to the more in-depth discussion part of the night. You know we were talking up a storm while eating too, but part of the night is learning and growing with each other.

We’re studying the fruits of the spirit right now in our worship services and this week focused on patience. You know I don’t like getting all preachy up in here, but I think this topic is one we can ALL relate to so I figured why not touch on it a bit?

A few things stuck out to me in our convos that really hold such truth:

• We spend so much time hurrying from one part of life to the next that we can end up not fully living and allowing life to pass us by…missing the chance to notice our blessings and do the #1 thing we’re meant to do – LOVE!
• You have to practice patience! You can’t just expect to have it one day. You have to actively pay attention to what sets you off and then choose patience. Over and over again until it becomes more natural. <-- Have a feeling that is easier said than done!
• Have an attitude of understanding. A lot of our impatience comes from selfish desires. If we try to understand where someone else in the situation is coming from, we may gain an attitude of grace and more patience. Lord knows I have to practice that every time I’m around my father. He can get my teeth grinding in less than 5 seconds if I don’t remember he is his own person with his own “unique” qualities.

And lastly…this quote really struck a chord with me:

I have to be patient in so many goals I have for myself – being a good mother, making progress in my fitness, studying for personal training (Courtney – I know you relate!), and those goals I have for this little space on the ‘net. Hmmmm….I have a feeling God wants to teach me lessons in patience. He must know I need it!  

• What topping would you have to contribute to a Santa Fe or taco salad?
• What situation/person gets your blood boiling, making it harder to be patient?

I adore pot-luck style dining, especially the side items. I make a meal of those. I love the wide variety of casseroles and salads people bring. Unfortunately, most include either a) a lot of mayonnaise or b) a lot of sugar in vinegar-based dressings.

Looking for a way to lighten things up and brighten up the flavors at my get-togethers, I recreated a three bean salad I once fell in love with at a party. Filled with protein and bursting with flavor (not half a cup of sugar), this Three Bean and Feta Salad makes a wonderful side dish to add to any group gathering. Or to have as a meal at home if you wish to pump it up with either some added vegetables, pasta, quinoa, or protein.

Versatile, light, and delicious.

Sugar-Free Three Bean and Feta Salad

Servings: Makes 6 cups, 12 1/2 cup servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours or longer

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can no-salt-added canned, cut green beans
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans
• 1 15 oz can white cannellini beans
• 1 small red onion
• 1 small bunch fresh flat leaf parsley, yields about 1/2 cup finely chopped
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• sweetener to taste (I used 5-6 drops of NuNaturals Alcohol Free Liquid Stevia)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Step-By-Step

Drain and rinse all three cans of beans in a colander. Add to a large bowl. Finely chop the red onion and parsley. Add both to the beans. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and liquid stevia. Pour over the bean and onion mixture. Toss to coat. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Toss the mixture again and top with crumbled feta before serving.