Finally!  A girly hairclip for those girls and women who enjoy looking pretty and feminine but still want something fully functional at the same time!  Isn't this amazing? 

    My 16-year-old begged me to order this for her today when I learned about it via email from Lilla Rose. 

    Begged.

    Real-ly begged.

    Because it's so unique, I thought it would be fun just to order and have for her.  I mean, to have a fully functional tool up in your hair is quite amazing, don't you think?

    So - of course, like a good mom, I clicked on the photo in the email, just like the one you see, above.

    It wasn't linked.

    What company advertises something like this on a large scale email advertisement...and doesn't have it linked?

    Do you see why? 

   ☺

    Have a wacky, fun, and crazy April Fools Day! 

    My family began using the low-glycemic, low-carb eating plan by Trim Healthy Mama in January 2013.  We have been so thrilled with the improvements in our health over the last 14 months!

    What we haven't enjoyed, since April 2013, was that the recommended alternative sweetener, pure stevia extract, made by NuNaturals, changed its formulation - and it no longer tasted good to us.

    In fact, we would rather have gone without any sweet treats than to use NuNaturals' updated version of pure stevia extract.  If you've been following any of my sweet recipes here at Joy In Our Journey.com, you know that this would be a huge sacrifice for me!

    Since that time, I've been able to "beta test" two versions of pure stevia extract for Pearl and Serene, the authors of Trim Healthy Mama.  And guess what?

    We've loved the new stevia extract that they've decided to start selling!  Truly, it is amazing.

    I thought you would want to know that the Trim Healthy Mama website will now be officially selling:

• THM Pure Stevia Extract
• THM Baking Blend (pure stevia extract + non-GMO erythritol)
• pure non-GMO erythritol

    The sales of these new products will begin on Monday morning, March 24th, 2014...so now's your chance to place your order for some amazing stevia products on www.TrimHealthyMama.com!

    More details about the THM stevia products:

    Pearl and Serene have sampled pure stevia extract from all over Asia, where it is manufactured.  They want to sell pure stevia extract, with no fillers or maltodextrin.  They have sought a product that is organic, of the highest purity, and has a nice rounded sweetness without that bitter high end taste most stevia is known for.

    One of their husbands flew to the area where this stevia is grown, and he documented the entire process from leaf to powder. Absolutely no bleaching is involved nor are any strange or unhealthy chemicals used. The leaves are soaked in water, and the end result is a fine, white, ultra-sweet powder perfect for all-day sippers, shakes, smoothies, and Greek yogurt, etc.

    In fact, the new THM stevia is so minimally processed, it has not even been granulated, which means it remains a fine white powder – like dust.

    When you receive your pouch, tap it on your counter a few times and then zip the seal before opening the bag, as the powder likes to plume a little when first opened.

    Trust me - it "poofs" a bit, so don't take a deep breath when opening up the package.  ☺

    You’ll find a tiny spoon (1/32 of a tsp.) inside the pouch. When adding the powder to your drink or recipe with your tiny spoon, turn spoon downward and gently tap it on the side of your glass or bowl as you empty it out. This will allow the stevia to flow out of the spoon.  Don’t put the spoon back in the pouch as you’ll have to dig around in the white powder to find it. Find your spoon its own special home somewhere else in your kitchen.

    Along with the pure stevia extract, Trim Healthy Mama is also excited to launch THM Sweet Blend which is a completely non-GMO baking blend – a mixture of their organic stevia and non-GMO erythritol – no other sneaky ingredients added. It is sweeter than sugar, and even sweeter than most other store-bought stevia blends like Truvia.

    Pearl and Serene know that mamas are on tight budgets, so they did their very best to make it affordable for the everyday mama to buy a full pound at a time...although smaller quantities are also available. 

    If you are used to using 4 tsp. of another blend like Truvia in your Muffin in a Mug recipes, try just 3 tsp. of their Sweet Blend and see if that is just about right.

    I'm going to hold a giveaway for the THM stevia products here, soon, so stay tuned for more about that in the next few weeks.  I can't wait to place my order on Monday, for the new THM sweeteners!  Place your orders here (not an affiliate link).

    Ann Gabhart has written a delightful follow up book to her series beginning with Scent of Lilacs and Orchard of Hope.  Summer of Joy continues the story of Jocie Brooks and her family.  Set in 1964, Gabhart wisks you back to a time when living was a little slower and a little less complicated, than it is today.  But still there are the problems, the hurts, and the difficult situations that are a part of life no matter when or where you live.

    Jocie has reached her freshman year in high school.  She still works for her father at his newspaper, taking pictures and writing the occasional article for publication.  However, her English teacher keeps giving her F’s and much criticism for the papers she turns in to him.  She can’t fail English; she needs an A to get the scholarships she needs for college.

    Jocie is still friends with her father’s employee, Wes, who has Jupiterian roots.  He arrived one day by motorcycle and is Jocie’s "best ever" adult friend. He is always there with good advice and a listening ear.  Very wise people must live on Jupiter!

    Jocie’s father seems to be interested in a serious way with Leigh.  Could he be maybe thinking of her as a wife?  Jocie sure hopes so.

    This is an altogether fun to read book, with a little nostalgia thrown in for those of us who remember the 60’s.  A cozy winter’s afternoon, a warm fire, a cup of hot chocolate and a copy of Ann Gabhart’s book Summer of Joy, it just couldn’t get better than this.

     I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading these books.

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    Our family stopped eating cold cereal for breakfast about three years ago. 

    Was it really that long ago that it took 10 seconds to make breakfast for my family each morning?

    At first, our motivation was that cereal was just getting too expensive - even though we weren't buying sugar-laden cereals in the first place.

    But then, we realized that it would be so much better to have a healthy hot breakfast every morning, one that rotated around simple, wholesome ingredients.  And we had friends who were trying to find buyers for their farm fresh eggs.  Yum!

    While it would be quick and easy to fry or scramble eggs each morning - which we did for over a year - we eventually got to the point where we were kind of sick and tired of eggs every morning. 

    I know, I know, first world problems...but it is what it is.

    ☺

    I will confess that there are mornings I really would prefer to have boxes of cereal in the house.  But that's just plain laziness.  I'm going to call it what it is.  Too lazy to get up early enough to fix a hot meal for everyone...too lazy to do the extra dishes vs. 4 bowls and 4 spoons (if we had cereal). 

    Thankfully, eating a low-glycemic diet has helped us figure out how to make a variety of breakfast foods that work well in the mornings.

    Here's one we just love!  Caramel Apple Pie Oatmeal works well for those on a low-glycemic diet, as long as you use old-fashioned oats and 30-calorie almond milk with it.

    And it only takes about 10 minutes, from start to finish, to make enough for you and 1-3 others:

Serves 2.  Double recipe if you want to make enough for four people.

• 1-2/3 cups unsweetened or vanilla almond milk (30 calories/serving)
• 1/8 tsp. full-mineral sea salt (like Redmond RealSalt)
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats (no quick oats)
• 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger (optional)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. caramel extract
• stevia extract powder or liquid stevia drops

    Core and chop one medium to large Granny Smith apple into 1" (1 cm) cubes.  Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan, except vanilla, caramel extract, and stevia.  Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low or low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla extract, caramel extract, and stevia (to taste), stirring well.  Cover and let stand for 2 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with additional ground cinnamon, if desired.

    If you are eating the Trim Healthy Mama way, you'll want to add a dollop of 0% Greek yogurt on top or on the side to boost your protein with this meal.

4.9 grams fat; 34 grams net carbs per serving.

    I have to update what I did tonight so my husband and oldest daughter could have some of this very quickly in the early morning tomorrow! 

    Thursday mornings are very, very early for my husband and my daughter since he takes her to Toastmasters at 5:45 a.m. or something. (I'm still asleep, so I don't remember exactly when it is...and she doesn't quite have her driver license yet.) 

    So tonight, I chopped up an apple, added some erythritol (maybe 2 Tbsp. per apple), and about a teaspoon of apple pie spice, and 1/4 cup water, and simmered those apples down for about 25-30 minutes on the stovetop on medium-low. There were still some juices left after 30 minutes, so I barely sprinkled some glucomannan into the apple mixture and stirred for another minute or so until it formed a thicker sauce.

     I placed the delicious smelling apple pie mixture into the refrigerator to cool down. Early in the morning, they'll just need to place a big spoonful of the apple pie mixture into their oatmeal and cook it really quick in the microwave. Easy - and delicious! 

    What's your favorite quick and easy breakfast recipe?

     In Holland, I began my life as a stay-at-home mom. For the first time in my life, I was able to seriously pursue my dream of writing full-length historicals. During my six years there, I completed three manuscripts. The second one gained recognition when it was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Contest in 1994.

     We moved back to the U.S., to the down east coast of Maine to a small village where I had spent childhood summers. Maine has been a place of discovery—from discerning the varying faces of the sea and likening them to the color of my current hero or heroine’s eyes, to observing the changing seasons and the wonders of a flower or leaf or icicle, to simply learning how to say, 'yes, Lord,' when I hear His still, small voice."

    Nothing brings to mind beauty and romance more than a book set in England during the Regency Period.  Ruth Axtell, in her book A Heart’s Rebellion, sets the stage for a slightly different take on this time period.  It often wasn’t all beautiful gowns, dinners with many courses, dancing until the early hours, and above all finding the “right” man to marry.  It was often a time when the ‘wrong’ word, the wrong color gown, or - heaven forbid - the wrong partner, could destroy the hopes and plans of the fairest lady.

    That said, this delightful novel about two young girls, Jessamine and Megan, who have received a completely unexpected invitation from Lady Bess to have a London Season at her expense are thrilled.  Just imagine, a season! 

    But all is not as perfect as it seems.  Jessamine is still smarting over what she perceives is a broken heart when the man she thought would wait for her has married another woman; in her mind, Jessamine is still in love with him.  To make it all worse, he is the big brother of her best friend, Megan.  How this works out is part of this interesting book.

    When you are looking for a well written novel to while away a rainy afternoon, A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell will be an excellent choice.  Outside of wanting to shake some common sense into Jessamine’s mind, ☺ you will enjoy this look back at earlier times in Regency England.

    I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading these books.

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    I'm a shameless chocolate lover!  ♥  A little bit of chocolate every day is a great thing.  ☺

    Here is a super quick and easy no-sugar, low-carb chocolate nutty haystacks recipe that you'll love, with a free printable recipe page to download!

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, slightly melted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao powder
  
• 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter (no sugar or sugary sweeteners added)
• 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. Celtic sea salt or Redmond RealSalt(to taste)
  
• 4-5 tsp. powdered Swerve or Truvia/erythritol  (see directions)
  
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup walnuts

   

    Make powdered sweetener:  place sweetener in a clean small coffee grinder and blend until powdered, 8-10 seconds.  This is the coffee grinder I use for powdering sweeteners, and it works very well.  Or, place in high quality blender to powder.

    Line plate or cookie sheet with waxed paper.

    Stir slightly melted coconut oil and blend well with cocoa powder or raw cacao powder.  Combine remaining ingredients and stir quickly until combined.  Place dollops of mixture onto wax-paper lined pans or plate as separate "haystacks", or spread out over wax paper.  Place in freezer for 5-10 minutes.  Break into pieces, if desired.  Store in freezer or refrigerator...if you have any left.  ☺

    Find more low-carb, no-sugar recipes and helps for the low carb lifestyle on Joy In Our Journey!

 

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    Do you enjoy reading?  I do, too!

    From time to time, I'll share with you some book reviews of books that I've been reading, or that a couple of friends have read for me and written up a book review. 

    If you aren't big into reading book reviews, that's okay!  Just delete that email, and stay tuned for more content later that week that you enjoy receiving!

    Economies have fallen, freedom has been suppressed, and peace is a distant memory. The world is falling apart. Joshua Jordan’s protégé Ethan March, along with Jimmy Louder and Rivka Reuban have been left behind in a world that is rapidly coming under the complete influence of the Antichrist.

     Technology is growing by leaps and bounds, with BID-Tag implants, robotic police units, and drone-bots flying overhead . . . all designed to control and dominate those who resist the Antichrist’s reign of evil. As Biblical prophecy is fulfilled each new day, Ethan and the others in the Remnant struggle to eat, to procure necessary goods, and to avoid the Global Alliance---in short, to survive.

     But when the forces of evil attempt to pervert the world’s most powerful information system to their own sinister ends, eliminating everyone who gets in their way, it’s up to Ethan and the Remnant to subvert their dark ambitions. From New York Times best-selling author Tim LaHaye, creator and co-author of the world-renowned Left Behind books, and Craig Parshall, Mark of Evil is the final thrilling chapter in The End series.

     With high-tech thrills against a background of prophetic events that seem to leap from today’s news, this is the story of global tribulations bringing the world one step closer to the reign of the Antichrist and the return of Jesus Christ in glory.

    If you have been wondering if maybe after the rapture, things would be OK if you were maybe left behind, then you need to read Mark of Evil by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall.  It sounds far out and techno crazy, but the way our world is going, it could happen.

     Those who were “left behind” are working diligently to save lives and bring more people into a saving relationship with Christ.

     However, it isn’t easy!  Far out technical inventions that are so sophisticated that you are sure the enemy might be able to read your mind have been put into use! Then there is a decidedly demonic and murderous former Vice President who became president under very suspicious circumstances. She has now set her sights on being head of the Global Alliance for Region One, The United States, Canada and Mexico.  She will stop at nothing to reach her goal.  Can she succeed?

     Meanwhile, plans are being made to take over the internet and to insert Global Behavior Modification, with the goal of trying to control everyone’s behavior.  Well, you see what I mean.  You simply do not want to be here!  Reading about this is fun, but to have to live through it, No way!

     LaHaye and Parshall have taken The End series one step up from Left Behind and added complicated technology to write a compelling, scary tribulation story.  Could evil really be this evil?  Read Mark of Evil to find out.  But before you do, you will want to make very sure that you will not be “Left Behind.”  See John 3:16,17 for complete instructions.

    I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading these books.

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    Here is an Old Testament novel based on the time of the “famous” Jezebel, her daughter Queen Athaliah, and a young adopted daughter of Athaliah, Princess Jehosheba.  King Ahab ruled over Israel and the conflicts between Israel and Judah become more and more entangled with the web of Jezebel attempting to make Baal worship supreme over the true worship of Yahweh.  It is a time of huge conflict, intrigue, mystery, murderous conduct, unexplainable personality defects, and on the other hand, the overpowering love of God and of one woman (Athaliah) and one man, the high priest of the Temple in Jerusalem (Jehoida).

    There are many Old Testament characters featured in this story, and it is sometimes difficult to remember which one belongs to which group.  However, the story is totally Biblically-based and authentic, though of course there are many fictional pieces to fill in the missing parts of Biblical testimony.  In The Shadow of Jezebel is an exciting novel which was hard to put down and one that will surely enhance the Bible readings of this period!

    I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading these books.

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    Sometimes, a gal just really wants some chocolatey goodness...without the sugar and carbs.

    And a candy that is quick and easy to make is just the thing to fill that want.

    Or for some of us, that need.

    You chocolate lovers know what I mean.  There's no shame in that.  ♥

    Combining a few ingredients to make a decadent chocolate treat that contains no sugar and is low carb is a key goal in some of our lives!  Here's a quick and easy chocolate truffle recipe that can be easily modified to fit your flavor favorites:


    Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles

• 16 oz. softened cream cheese (full fat, 1/3-less fat, or nonfat)
• 4 oz. unsweetened melted chocolate, or 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp. powdered Truvia / Swerve / erythritol / xylitol (or more/less, to taste; use coffee grinder to powder.  My favorite is Swerve!)
• a few drops of liquid regular or chocolate stevia, to taste, if desired
• 1/16 tsp. salt or a "pinch" of salt (I love using Redmond RealSalt!)
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla (or 1/4 tsp. other flavoring - almond, orange, lemon, etc.)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut and/or finely chopped nuts, if desired

    In food processor or mixer, combine softened cream cheese, unsweetened melted chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, liquid chocolate stevia (if desired), salt, and vanilla (or other flavoring) until well blended. Using a small scoop or spoon, divide mixture evenly and roll into balls. Roll balls in desired topping – cocoa, coconut, or chopped nuts.  Place truffles onto wax paper-lined plate or cookie sheet and freeze or refrigerate until firm.

**Note:  1/3-less fat or nonfat cream cheese truffles will need to be stored in the freezer or they will become too soft.

 

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

    For those of you who are on low-carb, Paleo, or ketogenic diets, either because you're diabetic, or are just wanting to lose some weight using the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle eating plan or another diet, one of the common questions I hear all the time is, "I'm going to Trader Joe's.  What do you recommend that I buy while I'm there?"

    I've compiled a list of items over the last year that are great to shop for at Trader Joe's.  Some items may not be in your own personal eating plan due to food allergies or food preferences; a few items may not be in your specific diet plan at all depending on which plan you are doing (dairy products in Paleo, for example).

    Even though I've checked the labels of these items to make sure they are low-carb or no-sugar friendly, sometimes ingredients change...so please double-check them to make certain they are free of wheat (except for sprouted grain breads), corn, soy, canola oil, any form of sugar, and other unnatural additives that spike blood sugar levels, like maltodextrin, dextrose, etc.

    I hope this will be very helpful for those of you who need a free printable shopping list form you can print off for yourself and take with you to Trader Joe's!

    If you notice that I've left off something that's really important (ha!), please leave me a comment below and let me know.  I'll add it to future updates of this Trader Joe's grocery shopping list.

    Thanks!  And feel free to share/pin this with others so they also have it available for their own personal use.

    To download and print out your own copy, click on the image below.  Please remember that this is for your own personal use only - and not for distribution on the internet or in any other form, without consent from Joy In Our Journey.com.  Thanks!

 

    Some content includes links to sponsors or affiliates, which give me a small percentage of the sale without costing you any extra. You are not obligated to use these links when you make a purchase, but when you do so it helps to support this site, so thank you!