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Cheri Liefeld

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Stone Fruit Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

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It’s Labor Day Weekend and all the fruits we love are at their peak. Bring this Stone Fruit Salad to a party for an epic beginning to your meal. I mixed in peaches and nectarine. You could add fresh or dried cherries to top it off.

Platter of stone fruit salad with balsamic

The sweet fruit paired with the tangy dressing is so good! I used mozzarella balls but Burrata would be amazing too!

My plans will take me to the beach this weekend, my favorite place to be. Whatever you do relax and enjoy this last holiday weekend of summer. Don’t forget to sign up for my Savor Sundays email, where you get a little inspiration for making the most of your day, along with a few of my favorite things.

If you make this snap a pic and tag #clfood so I can see it!

Platter of stone fruit salad with balsamic

Stone Fruit Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mixed green salad topped with nectarines, peaches, mozzarella and candied pecans.
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 peaches sliced
  • 2 nectarines sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella balls,small
  • 1/4 cup candied pecans
  • 6 cups mixed greens
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette

Instructions

  • Place mixed greens on platter and top with peaches, nectarines, mozzarella and pecans. 
  • Toss with balsamic vinaigrette.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings

4 Keys to Plan Awesome Aunt Adventures

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I love my aunt adventures. It is time I spend intentionally with my niece or nephews. One of my favorite adventures is those in the kitchen with them. My niece and I  love to cook and create so making these Watermelon Ice Cream Sandwiches was a blast! Cooking together gives you time to talk and hang out. The boys and I would cook when I would come over to babysit back in the day. They would pull up the step stool and help me cook.

When Olivia was little she called me to a meeting at the family room table. We went through a new cookbook she had received and picked out recipes we were going to make. We made a list and prioritized our choices.   

Cooking is one activity you can continue to do as they grow up. I love having traditions we can revisit because the memories build. Bonds are strengthened in that repetition and creating something together.

When I started my weekly outings I couldn’t have possibly dreamed of how much those nights would matter, to all of us. From game nights to watching the latest Disney show we were building something magical. For my brother and his wife, it was a date night knowing the kids were being well cared for and spoiled rotten!

They aren’t children anymore, each is now in their teen years, from high school and older,  growing up and finding their way. My adventures look different with each of them. Some of them are shorter and more frequent in duration, others are quarterly trips to LA. My next adventure with one will take place in Waco, Texas. Times have changed but I cherish every minute.

Maybe your adventures are with your children or grandchildren.  The times we can carve out with intention, produce a foundation for a lifelong relationship. I grew up with aunts who loved me and invested in me so I couldn’t wait to love on my niece and nephews.

4 Keys  to Creating an Awesome Aunt Adventure

Be Intentional – If you don’t plan it, it won’t happen. Be willing to hear a lot of no’s before you get to yes as they get older because their schedules are busy. Don’t take it personally.

Be Consistent – Find a rhythm that works for both of you. Mine started on a weekly basis but has morphed over the years.

Be Flexible – sometimes the kids were tired, had a long day or just weren’t in the mood to do what we had planned. Find out what they want to do and if you can, do it. Some of our best Friday outings were adventures to Target where we would wander around and play with the toys. Before Christmas we would go and they would make wish lists by my taking photos of them and the items. So much fun! There was much laughter to be found in the dollar aisles and just being silly.

Be Creative – search Pinterest for a fun new idea. Go and taste the latest food trend. I have stood in a one hour line for overpriced but very Instagramable shakes we could barely put a dent in, they were so rich. But they looked cute in our photos! That hour in line, it’s gold, enjoy every minute.

Click here to get the recipe for our Watermelon Ice Cream Sandwich.

Summer Soul Care

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Growing up summer was a time to play and daydream, filled with friends and laughter. These days, summers look a bit different. I realized I needed a large serving of summer soul care.  I was going too fast and not spending the downtime in a meaningful way that would breathe life into my soul.

Vacation was a gift this year. I enjoyed every minute and planned a week balanced with activities and time alone. I realized during my quiet moments, my soul was thirsty.

It is hard to lead and inspire others when our own souls are parched.

Let’s approach the last days of summer with the intention to make the most of the time we have and enter fall feeling renewed. It’s fun to write out our summer bucket lists full of all the things we want to do. We schedule our time with back to back adventures, in the nooks and crannies of our week. Instead what if we balance whatever time is left with space to be quiet, spend times with friends and approach it with intention.

There wasn’t one big defining moment that pointed me to need for a little summer soul care this year. It was a series of tiny little instances, where I could see I was depleted. Soul care is something we all need more of in our life. Dallas Willard said, “Your soul is not just something that lives on after your body dies. It’s the most important thing about you. It is your life.” We excel at taking care of everyone and everything else and often forget to take care of ourselves.

Life is so fast-paced as we try to fill it up with work, church, family, friends and an endless list of need to do’s. How often do we take time to stop, listen and hear from the Lord? How often do we sit and just think about how we are feeling about things? We can fill our week doing good but not accomplish what we need to.

My quest to take better care of myself began on vacation. The salt air and the sound of crashing waves heals and energizes me. Walking along the beaches of Santa Barbara was everything. Time to think, process questions I have, examine emotions I have been feeling. I was doing a little research and found out the spray of ocean water or a waterfall creates negative air ions that boost our mood. No wonder it medicine to my soul. We all need to move to the beach!

Watching my dog Max run in and out of the ocean was therapeutic. Sitting with a latte, journal, and Bible I talked to God, spent time in gratitude and reflected on how blessed I am. I came home feeling like that was just the beginning of a summer of soul care.

If you are hungry for some soul care here are a few ideas to get you started.

Soul Dates

Make time for soul dates through the summer. What are soul dates you wonder? Soul dates are times you intentional spend renewing your soul and getting true rest. They can look different each time. Sometimes I just need to be still, others times being at the beach or doing something creative energizes me. Figure out what energizes you and what quiets your soul when the noise gets too loud. Calendar times to be still and carve out times to get away. Go to that favorite coffee shop or walk along the beach.

• Reading a good book and savor every word
• Take a social media fast
• Early morning walk or hike
• Listen to music
• List 10 things to be grateful for right now
• Cook yourself a simple meal and take time to enjoy every bite

Soul Audit

A Soul Audit is where you take an emotion and spiritual inventory of your life. Set aside an hour or two. Reflect on where you are and look at the direction you are going. Are you where you want to be or do you need to redirect and prioritize. Stay tuned for more on this.

This spring one of my co-workers, Greg, led an Equipping Huddle on the book 18 Minutes. We left inspired to review our goals and reset our calendars reflect those. For a more creative person like me, it is a bit of a struggle to stay on track but my days are always more productive and fruitful when I do.

The book helped me focus and look at how I am spending my day.

• Am I getting the quiet time with God I need?
• Am I actively listening to Him?
• What season am I in right now?
• What situation do I need to lean in to right now
• Does my calendar reflect what I say is important?

Journal

Sit down to write out your observations to the above questions. Consider what changes do you need to make to have a healthier soul. Is your calendar filled with your priorities or your should do’s?

Prayer

Spend time in prayer, asking God to give you wisdom and direct your path. Ask Him what his will for your life is. What do you need to see, that you are missing in the busy of your life? Ask the Lord to direct your path.

Proverbs 3:6 says, Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)

Spend time listening. Hold up all your dreams, your pains, your hopes and trust that He has a plan. Journal how you are feeling.

Chicken Parmesan

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chicken parmesan over noodles
5 from 1 vote

Chicken Parmesan

Recreate a restaurant classic for a great Sunday Supper or family meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs whisked
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup parmesan finely shredded
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Fresh Mozzarella
  • Basil thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Gather the ingredients together and create a little assembly line. Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them. Pound the chicken breasts with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/2-inch thick.
  • Put the flour in a shallow platter and season with . salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. In a wide bowl, combine the eggs and water, beat until frothy. Put the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and oregano on a plate, season with salt and pepper and mix.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high flame in a large oven-proof skillet. Lightly dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, and then dip them in the egg wash to coat completely, letting the excess drip off, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture. When the oil is nice and hot, add the cutlets and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crusty, turning once.
  • Ladle the marinara sauce over the chicken and place slices of mozzarella on top, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan, and basil. Bake the Chicken Parmesan for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Cheri Liefeld

Chasing Life

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I used to think time was my friend, that I could wait or let it just happen. Boy, was I wrong. Now I feel like I am chasing life, trying to make up for time lost. Time I frittered away when I didn’t realize how precious it was.

Yes this is March, almost April, when I am now sharing but each new year I reflect on the year past and look forward to the future.  In recent years, it seems more serious, like I can’t mess this up.

My niece and nephews have big dreams and they are chasing life too. Hoping 16 comes faster so they can drive or 18 so they can be done with school. I think my one nephew who is graduating this year is hoping time will stand still. Life is good and he wants to enjoy ever second left of high school. I think he knows, this is a season that will never come again and he wants to savor it all.

I wonder if Jesus felt that way before his journey to the cross would begin. At the last supper He is sitting around with his twelve disciples, the people he cared about most in this world, knowing his time was almost done on this earth. The way they were acting, arguing who is greatest, must have frustrated him. I wonder if he thought would they be able to live out their calling?

One of the questions on my goal planning book was “How will you feel about this when you are 85?”  What matters to me today and how will it impact my future. For me chasing life now, at my age, is to make the most of every day God gives me. Cherish the people in my life and not worry about things that won’t really matter.

I want to slow down and enjoy dinners with family and friends. Walk on the beach with my dog Max. I want to be able to be there for the people in my life when I need to be. I want to excel at the job God brought me to last year.

When I look ahead for the year what I want to cultivate is relationships and opening up my heart to love, if God opens that door. I want to invest in my leaders and thrive at work because if I do people will find a place, their tribe to do life together and pursue Jesus with. Chasing life means being intentional and purposeful. Starting my day with Jesus and time in the Bible, even if it is hard.

One thing that fuels my focus is my friends and acquaintances who don’t have the gift of time. The ones that are fighting for their lives or struggling with long-term illnesses. Saying to goodbye to someone my family loved. My Facebook page is filled with people who have lost a grandbaby, who are struggling to recover or said goodbye to someone they loved.

Two weeks ago today I went with my Mom and sat with someone very special to us, whose days were numbered. In those moments what really matters becomes very clear.

One of my friends, Wes celebrated New Years with the gift of a new heart. He is given a second chance to chase life and see what God has for him. A young friend of mine who survived the Las Vegas shooting has taken steps to make things happen, while working through the trauma of that day.

In the transition of returning to a full-time job I stopped cooking. A few weeks ago I spent the morning cooking and remembered the fun I use to have. My soul felt fed as I made Chicken Parmesan and snapped a few photos. Part of chasing life is balanced and carving out time for the things that restore us.

We are not guaranteed a certain amount of time here on earth. Each day truly is a gift from God. I want to run the race well and love the words of Paul.

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14

Today, the day I am finally pushing publish is Good Friday. It seems fitting to launch a site about Redemption on this day. Jesus died for us, said it is finished and two days later rose again offering life to us. It is a crazy and relentless love to die for us, who are broken, who make bad choices, who forget often just what God did for us.

That is the beauty of a new year or a new start. We can look ahead and cling to God. We can let him restore us and we can cheer each other on in confidence.

  1. What have you been putting off that God keeps putting on your heart? Take the next step, any step, just move towards that goal.
  2. What activity restores you, energizes you or inspires you? Now find time this week to do it!

If you like what you see, please share with your friends and family!  Look forward to gathering around the table.

Watermelon, Tomato & Arugula Salad

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Summer time parties are the best. I say that but honestly I have been distracted and have not entertained. I need to fix that and host a few small parties before summer ends. On the fourth of July, my friend Elizabeth, hosted a little gathering. I made my new favorite summer salad, Watermelon Salad on a bed of arugula with burrata cheese and heirloom tomatoes. It seems fitting to share this with you on National Watermelon Day!

It is everything a summer salad should be – cool, light, flavorful and fresh. Also, super easy. That is another summer must. On a hot day no one wants to be spending too much time in the kitchen.

I discovered this salad on my girls weekend trip to Santa Monica in June. We stayed at the which was right in the heart of Santa Monica, just a quick Uber to Third Street Promenade. We hung out poolside and I ordered this salad. I loved it and of course had to recreate for you!

Sometimes we just need to recharge. It was a low key weekend with walks by the beach, a little shopping and a great Lebanese dinner. A few friends joined us the next afternoon at Malibu Wines which is so fun but crazy to get. Think bumper to bumper traffic for 75 minutes from Santa Monica! But they had a great live band and we brought a picnic.

This summer has been full of ups and downs but getting away, even just for 48 hours was good for my soul. In ministry Jesus would get away from the crowds and be with his close friends, the disciples. When life gets crazy it can be hard to walk away and take a break but do it! Even if you can’t go away, take a day and go to the beach.

What’s your favorite summer salad?

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon, Tomato & Arugula Salad

Print Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes

Ingredients

  • Buratta cheese
  • 1 pint mini Heirloom tomatoes halved
  • 2 cups watermelon cubed
  • 3 cups arugula
  • Handful of basil thinly sliced
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette

Instructions

  • Break up burrata cheese on plate.  Place arugula in the center. Top with tomatoes and watermelon.
  • Spoon balsamic vinaigrette over the top.  Top with fresh basil.
Course: Salad
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Cheri Liefeld