Steep Yourself in God-Reality

Verse above my desk for the year —- Scripture: Matthew 6: 31-34 MSG

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax! Don’t be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know God and how He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.“

When I think of the word steep, one thing comes to mind, especially during the summer — iced tea.

Imagine making a perfect pitcher of tea. You start with hot water and add tea bags, allowing them to steep. There’s a magical moment during steeping when the water absorbs the essence of the tea leaves, patiently waiting until it’s infused with flavor. You can’t rush it; the process takes time. The longer the tea steeps, the richer and fuller the flavor becomes.

As Christ followers, Jesus calls us to steep ourselves in God’s reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. The very concept of steeping involves immersion, surrender, patience, and transformation.

So what does that look for a Godly leader?

Immersion — To steep in God’s reality means immersing ourselves in His truth and His Word, allowing God to fully permeate our hearts and minds. It’s about shifting our focus from worldly concerns to most often countercultural, heavenly perspectives.  We no longer see the world, our situations or our work as the world does — we are set apart.

Surrender — I don’t know about you, but this one is difficult for me. I tend to strive, perform, and achieve. When we steep in God-reality, we acknowledge His sovereignty and can, therefore, fully trust and REST in His care. In our roles as leaders, we often feel the weight of responsibility. But when we steep ourselves in God-initiative, we are reminded that it is His plan that will prevail. We are merely instruments in His hands, called to fulfill His purpose. We learn to see the God-provision in every situation and to rely on His sufficiency rather than our own efforts.

Patience – You can’t rush the tea-making process. If you do, it’s weak and lacks flavor and richness. In the same way, if we rush or force our own will, we risk missing out on the abundance that God has for us.

Transformation – When you steep a tea bag in warm water, can it later be filtered out? No, the transformation is complete. The water and tea become one, creating something entirely new. Similarly, as we steep in God-reality, His essence infuses our being, transforming our hearts, minds, and actions. This transformation empowers us to lead with His wisdom, love, generosity and grace, impacting our organizations, our teams and communities in profound ways.

So, as we go about our work and leadership, I challenge us to meditate on this concept of steeping.

I’ll ask you these questions as I ask them of myself — 

Are you immersing yourself in God’s truth –or the approval of others?

Are you surrendering or striving?

Are you waiting for the Lord to move or pushing your own agenda?

Are you sitting on the edge of the pot and only partially experiencing the goodness of the Lord or have you fully immersed yourself in the transformed, abundant life He desires for you?

Are you doing everything to avoid the “hard places”; the heat or pressure — or are you allowing the Lord to use the hard things to make you more like Him? 

The Lord is good and kind – may the work of your hands and the obedience of your feet be blessed and fully steeped in God-reality, God-provision and God initiative.    

Our Top Picks: San Diego, California

Are you a spontaneous traveler who prefers to freely roam with no established plan or do you tend to prefer to plan every detail before you arrive down to the minute? I’ve learned that my personality falls somewhere in between. My FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) nature keeps me from being too spontaneous, but my love of a good adventure & new experience keeps me open to seize opportunities as they present themselves.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tag-a-long with my husband on a business trip that we were fortunate to make into a west coast getaway. We took advantage of every minute of his down time and biked, meandered and even paddled our way through San Diego, California and the surrounding metro.

After some research and help from some San Diego bloggers (Thanks La Jolla Mom) & perusing online reviews from various suggested locations, restaurants and attractions, I scratched out a game plan on the 5 hour jet set from CLT -> SAN. If you’re thinking about visiting this beautiful area, hopefully the following list of our favorites will give you a head start on your travel planning:

Downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter

We stayed at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, which was adjacent to the Convention Center and a stone’s throw from the Gaslamp Quarter in Downtown San Diego. Lace up your walking shoes or grab an electric scooter (if you’re feeling brave) and peruse this colorful and vibrant commercial district full of restaurants, bars, clubs and retail shops. We also happened upon the Gaslamp Artisan Market that takes place every weekend all year long where art vendors of all kinds lined a street closed only to pedestrian traffic to sell their wares.  Petco Park, the home of the Padres Major League Baseball team is also located in this area of the city.  

If we had more time, we would have explored the Little Italy District, which we heard from a few locals is a must-visit for a foodie like me.  

Seaport Village

Seaport Village is a San Diego Bayfront quaint commercial district in downtown San Diego.  This was a short walk from our hotel and was peppered with retail shops, eateries, brew pubs and coffee shops.  It was a great spot take a casual walk, a heart-pumping jog or just to sit and watch the ships and yachts enter & exit the harbor. 

La Puerta 

This place was a whole vibe.  Give me some homemade salsa, guac and a fresh crafted margarita or a Mexican beer on tap and I’m a happy gal.  The atmosphere was killer (pun-intended), yet oddly romantic from the celebrity-mugshot wallpaper to the skeleton “Dia De La Muerta” décor & 90’s grunge music. Highly recommend!       

The Whiskey House

Don’t let the sketchy and dark exterior dissuade you – this was a great spot for a night cap (or a whole night, tbh).  In case the name wasn’t clear, maybe you’ll believe it’s a whiskey bar by the floor to ceiling backlit display of whiskey bottles that spans the entire length of the restaurant (and even down the hallway to the restroom).  They actually hold the Guinness World Record for the most varieties of commercially available whiskey in one place at 3,300 in 2019….& now has over 4,000! They carried over a dozen North Carolina-made whiskeys, which made my night, but as expected, Kentucky took the prize.

Coronado Island 

Coronado Island is a beautiful, quaint community that is surrounded by the San Diego Bay with a backdrop of downtown San Diego on one side & the Pacific Ocean on the other.  You can get there by car, over the iconic Coronado Bridge or by a short Ferry Ride. We rented bikes at Wheel Run Rentals and rode the Bayshore Bikeway & the Silver Strand Bikeway, which was an incredibly scenic 18-mile paved bikeway that connects Coronado Island and Imperial Beach to the south.  We concluded by exploring downtown Coronado and the infamous Orange Avenue.  We had lunch at Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint and enjoyed some gelato from Gelato Paradiso. Pro Tip: Parking is free on Sundays — learn from us and don’t pay for parking when you can get it for free!

Oceans Beach

Oceans Beach is located about 7 miles from downtown San Diego and lies right on the Pacific Ocean just north of Point Loma.  There’s a public pier & beach, as well as, volleyball courts.  We walked up the beach, watched some surfers catch some waves and sat a while on the rock jettie while being entertained by the dozens of locals and their dogs playing gleefully on Dog Beach (This public oceanfront dog park).

Old Town San Diego

We drove through, but didn’t have time to stop and explore.  Old Town San Diego is known as the “Birthplace of California” or the site of the first California Settlement established in 1769.  We both agreed that we would like to spend more time here if we ever made a return trip.

Sunset Cliffs Nature Park & Trail

The highlight of our trip!  Do you ever wish you could pause a moment in time?  This would have been one for me.  Breathtaking views & sounds —  from the 70 foot cliffs to the beach below to the rock jetties and waves breaking, to the surfers surfing and the onlookers looking.  Shew! Take a blanket, charcuterie board and bottle of wine and join the locals who gather to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean from atop the Sunset Cliffs.  Icing on the cake — We even spotted a couple whales spouting off in the distance.  

La Jolla

La Jolla is a seaside neighborhood 12 miles north of downtown San Diego with 7 miles of Pacific coast. We did a 90-minute guided tour of La Jolla Cove by sea kayak! I researched several companies, however, La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks’ reviews sold me.  This was an incredible experience – from spotting marine life, birds, multiple underwater marine habitats and even paddling in and out of two different sea caves in La Jolla Cove. This is a must-do if you like a fun adventure. We had lunch with an oceanfront view at Blue Ocean Sushi (delicious!) and then took a walk along the waterfront to visit Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the Point at La Jolla and the Children’s Pool La Jolla. It was also a treat to learn of inspirations that author of the Dr. Seuss Children’s books and long-time La Jolla resident, Theodor Geisel, drew from this SD suburb. I also recommend reserving some time to sit and watch the Sea Lions and Harbor Seals sun on the shore (in their respective spaces, mind you), play in the surf and carry on full “barking” conversations with one another.

When in doubt, take the trip. Spend the money. Don’t put it off. Take on a new adventure with someone you love. Pause and take it in. Be filled with gratitude for the opportunity.

San Diego, I hope we’ll be back to visit one day, but if not, thanks for the beautiful memories. However, just to keep the record straight, #eastcoastbestcoast.

(Some) lessons the year 2021 taught me

The turn of a new year always puts me in a reflective headspace. I find myself scrolling back through the memories and experiences curated during the previous twelve months. I pause for moments, or sometimes park for considerable time, asking myself what I learned, how I was challenged, or simply basking in gratitude to my heavenly Father. I think of the victories, as well as, the failures; the joy and also the grief.

In 2020. I began the practice of writing down some of the lessons that rise to the surface. (Here’s my 2020 list if you’d like to read it too) Those that I want to ensure I stamp into memory, but also those that I feel may encourage or inspire those around me. Here’s my 2021 list, in no particular order:

Sometimes you feel uninspired and it’s okay to be silent. However, the world needs and wants your voice and unique perspective.

See something in someone that they don’t see in themselves and tell them.

If you want to feel close to the Lord climb a mountain and breathe Him in.

It’s imperative to realize you are the only one who sees the world exactly like you do. Take the time to listen and journey to understand how others view it differently.

Rock music, you know, the harmonious melodies made from water dancing over and around moss-covered boulders, as if in full surrender, is most soothing to the ears, the mind, the body and the soul.

When offered a chance to take a glimpse, always accept the precious gift of experiencing the imagination of a child and viewing the world through their eyes.

To continue forward, even descending into the scary unknown, you must look at your feet. If you just can’t do it, listen to the voice from above to boldly and confidently direct each step. He can and He will…every time.

We are beings made for community. Never take being able to gather with other inspiring beings for granted.

Everyone needs an advocate – even those who seem to be the most powerful. Speak up.

When things are hard, you can be certain they are worth doing and/or enduring.

Even if you put off accomplishing a personal goal for far too long, when you get it done, it’s still an accomplishment.

God is always faithful. He makes beauty from ashes and moves when you are least expecting it.

Leadership often looks like problem, solution, problem, solution, problem, solution, repeat.

Life is sweeter when you have the privilege of doing it alongside of good and godly company.

Always learning, always growing, friends! Drop a comment and share some of the things you learned in 2021. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

How to Host a Virtual NYE Kid’s Dance Party

Yes, you read that right — Our family hosted a New Year’s Eve Dance Party over Zoom with our kiddos and our closest friends and their children. Global pandemic or not, most kids (12 or younger) can’t stay up to ring in the new year.

We dressed up in our sparkles, made the “ball drop” at 8:00PM, and sandwiched our new year countdown with a 90 minute high-energy dance party with all the best kid-friendly dance hits!

The best part — our party guests “zoomed” in and danced the night away from across town to over 300+ miles away at the farthest!

If you want to throw a shindig of your own, here are some how-to’s and other recommendations:

  • Choose your preferred virtual platform. We used Zoom because I have access to a Pro account and I also read that their audio sharing quality is superior to their competition. Tip: You will need to invest in a “Pro Account” – the free version gives you all the features you need, but it only allows you to host meetings that are a maximum of 40 minutes. Zoom allows you to pay for a Pro account month-by-month, therefore, sign up for the party and then cancel with no penalty. However, this far into a global pandemic — the odds are in your favor that a friend has access to a Pro account that you could use.
  • Schedule the meeting. Login to your account and select “Schedule a Meeting” (top of the page on the right). Here’s a link that provides instructions on how to schedule a meeting. I suggest that you disable the “Waiting Room” feature and enable the “Passcode” feature. This enables invited guests to enter freely without you having to stop dancing to admit them! Also, enable the guests “Video Settings” to “on” and default all guests audio to “mute upon entry.”
  • Warning: Only provide the meeting access link and passcode to invited guests only — never publish the meeting access instructions in a public forum. This puts your event at major risk for potentially nefarious behavior from a complete stranger!
  • Invite your friends to the party! I created a simple private Facebook event page and sent invitations to our closest friends. To lessen the risk that the event links would land in the wrong hands prior to the event, I posted the access instructions in the comment thread on the event page with a reminder on the day of the party.
  • I recommend running a rest event prior to the official event. Practice sharing your computer audio (instructions next); sharing your screen to show the “ball drop” video and running through your playlist. You can do this by logging in as the “Host” on one device and soliciting your spouse or friend to log in using the event links as a Guest” on a separate device.
  • How to share your “computer audio only” on Zoom for best sound quality: To do this, select the green “share screen” button in the bottom menu. That will open this pop up. In the top menu of this pop up, you’ll see “advanced”. Click on the “Advanced” tab. Select “computer sound only” and click “share” in the bottom right. Whatever sound that you are playing on your computer via Spotify or AmazonMusic…etc will be heard by your guests.
  • Find a “Ball Drop” video and have it ready to “Share Screen” — Simply search YouTube for your favorite from years prior. We used a video from Time Square from the year before. Tutorial on how to share your screen here.
  • Prepare your playlist. I used AmazonMusic to create our playlist, however, you may prefer Pandora or Spotify. I recommend you pay attention to ensure you download the clean lyric tracks. Also, consider the order of your playlist — mix in today’s hits that the kids will recognize with older classics that everyone loves! Check out our playlist below.
  • Create an event schedule — We started the event at 7:00PM, dropped the ball at 8:00AM and then danced until 8:30PM when we called it a night. 90 minutes seemed long enough, but not too long for your little guests to lose interest.
  • Party Time! This will truly be a night to remember! Get dressed up and be ready to shimmy, shake and twirl into the new year……and then call it a night in time for bed time!
  • If you experience any tech issues — don’t worry —no one has attended a glitch-free virtual event to date! However, I will stress again the importance of running a “test event” to practice before the real deal.

Our Kid-Friendly Music Playlist (1 Hr. 33 Min):

  • I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
  • Happy – Pharrell Williams
  • Get Yo Body Movin’ – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
  • Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
  • Gasolina – Daddy Yankee
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  • Hey Ya! – Outkast
  • I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
  • Uptown Funk – Kidz Bop Kids
  • Can’t Stop the Feelin’ -Justin Timberlake
  • Night Fever – Bee Gees
  • Roar – Katy Perry
  • You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
  • Everything is Awesome – Tegan and Sara
  • Jump – Van Halen
  • You’re the One that I Want – John Travolta
  • Old Town Road – Kidz Bop Kids
  • Footloose – Kenny Loggins
  • Legend – The Score
  • Celebration – Kool & The Gang
  • Dancing Queen – ABBA
  • We are Family – Sister Sledge
  • Astronaut In the Ocean – Kidz Bop Kids
  • Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
  • Levitating – Kidz Bop Kids
  • Shake it Off – Kidz Bop Kids
  • Don’t Stop Believing – Journey

Love & Serve Kid’s Christmas Party

The excitement and anticipation that the weeks before Christmas brings in a household with littles is undeniably magical and precious, however. it seems that every trip to the store and every commercial between cartoons pulls them deeper and deeper into a place of “all about me” and “I want.”

As a mom, how can I use the spirit of Christmas to point them to the needs of others, the joy of giving and sharing God’s love instead? After asking myself (and my group of girlfriends this question), the idea of the “Love & Serve Kid’s Christmas Party” was inspired.

Our family decided to gather our friends and spread God’s love and Christmas cheer together by making homemade cards that will be delivered to elderly shut-ins and nursing home residents in our community.

I set the date, identified a location that was COVID-friendly for gathering and invited our friends with a simple Facebook event. We asked our friends to bring their favorite holiday treat to share, but we provided the rest. I made several other kid-friendly snacks and provided apple cider, hot chocolate and bottled water.

I created 3 stand-up stations with a variety of art supplies, including card stock in several colors, fun holiday stickers, glitter glue and tacky glue, fuzzy poms, multi-colored jewels, decorative paper (patterns, plaid, metallic…etc), stamps./ink pads, plain scissors and decorative scissors, markers and crayons. I had some of these supplies on hand, but purchased some more seasonal items at Dollar Tree & Michaels.

The kids spent over an hour making card after card! Scribble, globs of glitter glue and many misspelled words — they were absolutely perfect! After their creative juices began wearing off, I had arranged for my mom to read several children’s books to them while they enjoyed a snack. Each book she chose emphasized giving and serving.

Each child left with a fun holiday headband or glasses and a treat bag, and hopefully most importantly, with a special memory and something to look forward to each year.

Later that week, my oldest son and I delivered the cards to a local nursing home. I pray each card, made with so much love, brought many smiles to each residents’ face and warmth to their hearts.

Shake-A-Sack Snack

“Shake up the happiness, it’s Christmastime!” Tonight, I had the opportunity to share with my little chefs a favorite childhood snack my brother and I used to make with my mom. We loved to measure the ingredients, pour in the seasoning and do a little jig while shakey shaking the brown paper bag to blend the goodness. Shake-a-Sack Snack is the perfect recipe for little chefs and is quite delicious! Here’s the recipe for you and your littles to give a try:

Ingredients:
3 cups of Cheez-its (We like the “Extra Toasty”)
3 cups of Oyster crackers
2 cups of pretzels (we used the sticks, but your fav kind will do)
1 packet of ranch dressing mix
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1 large paper bag

Step 1:
Open the paper bag, measure and pour in the cheese crackers, oyster crackers & pretzels

Step 2:
Sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix packet and the dill.

Step 3:
Pour the vegetable oil over the top if the ingredients in the bag.

Step 4:
Close the bag and shake, shake, SHAKE! Put on your favorite dance music and get after it! Keep shaking for about 5 minutes….and then shake some more! (This is the best part!)

Step 5:
Nom, nom…..it’s ready to chow! Make sure you store it in an airtight container to maintain it’s freshness.

I pray this creates space for you to make some memories with your kiddos. Who knows, maybe one day they’ll even share it with the next generation, like I did.

If you give it a try, be sure to let me know by commenting below or tagging me on social @LindsayKeisler. Bon Appetit! ❤

30+ Ways During the Holiday Season to Teach Children About Giving & Serving Others

Is it just me or is it one of the most challenging, yet critically important tasks as a parent to teach naturally selfish (by human nature) little people about humility, generosity and service to others?

Truth is, whether we have much or have little, we are called to give and to serve one another. This is something that I’ve been thinking about more recently as the holiday season is quickly approaching. The “season of want” can too quickly overtake the “season of giving.” However, if we’re intentional we can truly leverage the Christmas season to create invaluable teaching moments, while even starting meaningful traditions, to train up the hearts of our littles, point them to Jesus and bless and serve our neighbors in the process.

So, while calibrating my own intentions this holiday season, I issued a plea to my Facebook friends for assistance, and oh my, you all came through in a beautiful way.

So friends, here are 30+ ideas to seize teaching moments during the holiday season to teach children about generosity, service to others, and the true meaning of Christmas:

  1. Go caroling at a local nursing home, assisted living facility or from the front doorstep of elderly homebound individuals in your community.
  2. Make homemade treats together and deliver them to the local hospital for nurses, the police station, the fire station, or EMS hub as a small way to thank them for their service all year-around.
  3. Have your teen select a Bible verse or encouraging quote specifically for each of their friends and/or extended family members, write them on a notecard and drop them in the mail.
  4. Drop off homemade cards or small gifts for children who will spend the holidays in the hospital….and make sure their support persons feel remembered as well. Gifts from the local dollar store or dollar bin will bring a smile.
  5. Shop for and pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Have your child compose a handwritten note or color a picture page to include inside, pray over your box together and then watch the short video on YouTube to explain the ministry to them. Pay for the “Track Your Box” label and read together about the country or region of the world that it ends up and pray for them.
  6. Start a list of things you are thankful for and display it in a central spot in your home. Add one thing to the list each day (during breakfast or dinner) and stop to thank God specifically for that thing.
  7. Keep some bills or spare change in your wallet and allow your child(ren) to drop a donation in the Salvation Army red kettles.
  8. Volunteer for a shift to ring the bell for a Salvation Army Red Kettle project. Help your children understand the work of the Salvation Army that the donations go to support.
  9. Contact you child’s school administration or guidance counselor to “adopt” and shop for an anonymous classmate in need.
  10. Make homemade cards for elderly individuals in your church congregation. Have your child address the envelope and take them to the post office.
  11. Introduce your children to your favorite non-profit agencies in your community by teaching them about the valuable work they do and the people they serve.
  12. Select an “angel” from an “Angel Tree” (whether within a church, DSS, United Way Christmas Bureau, etc) representing a child similar to them in age and interests, and take them shopping for a child of their choice.
  13. Make “Blessing Bags” equipped with non-perishable food items with pop tops, bottled water, gloves, toboggan or warm socks and basic hygiene items. Keep them in your car to give to the homeless at a stoplight. Your child can also decorate the bags or make a homemade card to enclose for encouragement.
  14. Make homemade goodies together and randomly deliver them to your neighbors or special people in your child’s life.
  15. Make homemade cut-and-tie blankets, pray over them and deliver them to an oncology office for patients undergoing chemo treatments.
  16. Prioritize experiences with loved ones over gifts – instead of toys, plan something to do together as a family. Better yet, have your children plan the events of the day you’ll spend together.
  17. Make a calendar for the new year with their family and friends’ birthdays on it so they can think up small ways to make others feel special throughout the year.
  18. Perform a “Random Act of Kindness” to a complete stranger and challenge your children to think up ways to randomly bless others – leave a note with a word of encouragement under someone’s windshield wiper, leave coins in a laundromat, anonymously pay for someone else’s lunch at a restaurant, help a mother with small children put their groceries in their car…etc.
  19. Volunteer to walk a dog at the local Humane Society.
  20. Challenge each other to perform an act of service to someone else each day and at the end of each day discuss how we each intentionally served someone else. Mom and dad, you participate too!
  21. Have your child make a homemade card to include with a gift for their teacher(s). If they are old enough to write, encourage them to write a letter expressing their thanks.
  22. Send a care package to a deployed military service member.
  23. Attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at your church.
  24. Read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible as a family.
  25. Make a homemade Advent calendar (or purchase one) and make a routine to read a passage every night leading up until Christmas.
  26. Sing together as a family the traditional Christmas hymns they don’t often hear anymore.
  27. Take your children individually to the Dollar Store and let them select a gift for each of their siblings.
  28. Have your children to select three toys they don’t play with anymore and donate them to a local charity of your choice. You can use this act of kindness to tell the story of the Magi and the three gifts they presented Jesus after his birth.
  29. Read the Christmas Story from the Bible and ask your child to illustrate it in their own way after you read it.
  30. Take them to a “Paint-Your-Own Pottery” store and have them paint ornaments for their grandparents.
  31. Volunteer to serve a meal together at an area Soup Kitchen.
  32. Go grocery shopping and fill a community “Blessing Box” that contains complimentary food items for those in need.
  33. Challenge your child to pay a friend a sincere compliment.

Drop a comment to keep adding to this list!

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” -Luke 12:48

“Then a poor widow came and dropped in two coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.” -Mark 12:44

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” -Hebrews 13:16

“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” -Philippians 2:4

Cook with me: Chili

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about a nip in the air, leaves changing and crunching under my feet and even little ghouls scampering through the neighborhood that makes me crave a hearty bowl of Chili. (Or, I’m curious to know, does your family call it “Chili Beans“? This is a domestic dispute in our household!).

This recipe is pretty basic, but at the same time has some robust flavor that puts hair on your chest (as my Poppy would say *wink*). The best part: it’s ready in about 30 minutes. This is a perfect meal for a busy week night for your family or to enjoy with a group of friends.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
  • 2 small green peppers, about 2 cups diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, about 1½ cups diced
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 15 ounces of water
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 3 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper

Step 1: Dice your onions and green pepper and saute them with some oil in a large stock pot until they are translucent (2-3 minutes).

Step 2: Add in all your seasonings (chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper & cayenne) and continue to saute, stirring constantly, for 1-2 extra minutes.

Step 3: Pinch your ground beef into bite sized pieces while adding it to the pot to brown. Keep stirring until most of the pink is gone. It will continue to cook in the pot as the other ingredients are added.

Step 4: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water & tomato paste. Stir it in and then allow it to simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Drain your beans and add them in! I always use kidney beans, but you can use pintos or even black beans (or some of all), if you prefer.

Step 6: Give it a taste and season with salt to your preference. You can also add a little baking soda to cut the acidity, if needed.

Top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos or diced green onion. Our family pairs it with some skillet cornbread. Enjoy!

Watch the Reel I made on Instagram and cook with me: @LindsayKeisler

A handful of “Must-Dos” in Wilmington & Wrightsville, Beach, North Carolina

This week I snuck my boys and mom in my suitcase for the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Annual Conference in beautiful Wrightsville Beach, NC. While I enjoyed some long overdue quality time with my colleagues from North and South Carolina soaking up best practices, my crew explored this beautiful eastern NC coastal region.

Here are a handful of family-friendly “must-dos” if you have limited time. I also threw a few things that were highly recommend, but we’ll do next time we visit.

Blockade Runner Beach Resort: This quaint boutique hotel is sandwiched in between the Atlantic coastline and the intercoastal waterway was where we stayed during our brief visit. We had a “Harbor View” room where we could watch boats passing by and the gorgeous sunset in the evening. It’s generic and bland curbside appearance doesn’t do justice for the adorable interior design, the nice pool area & other beach front amenities, the tasty food, the cleanliness throughout the entire property and the hospitable and accommodating staff. Some of the fixtures in the rooms could use an upgrade, but all in all, I would most definitely come back.

Historic Wilmington Riverwalk: On the way down to Wrightsville Beach, we stopped to do some exploring in nearby Wilmington, NC. The historic Wilmington Riverwalk borders the Cape Fear River and features a mile-long boardwalk with retail shops, restaurants, bars and more. There are also great views of the USS North Carolina Battleship. We enjoyed a locally brewed beer and a “Mug-o-Bacon” (yes, it’s about a half pound of bacon crammed into a beer stein….and magical) at Front Street Brewery and some delicious gelato at Gelarto.

Little Dipper Fondue on Front: After our stroll on the Riverwalk, we found our way to Little Dipper Fondue Restaurant for dinner. This dining experience was a 5 out of 5 in our book! The Little Dipper menu includes premium meats & fresh seafood, cheeses, vegetables, several cooking styles to choose from and a plethora of homemade sauces for dipping. We chose the three-course deal for two which included a cheese fondue course, a soup or salad course and a main course, which includes up to four different proteins and an assortment of vegetables that you cook yourself at your table. The portions were plentiful enough to split with our littles. The service was well-paced and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly.

Gulfstream Restaurant Wrightsville Beach: This is a great little spot in Wrightsville Beach for a traditional southern breakfast. Our crew enjoyed french toast, waffles, avocado toast & a basic two-egg your way breakfast with some country ham and bacon. Reasonably-priced and the coffee was hot!

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher: My mom and the boys enjoyed the morning at the NC Aquarium in Kure Beach, NC and it was a hit for my marine-life loving boys. They explored the various exhibits, including the Otters, sea turtles, sharks and more. A must-visit if you’re travelling with kids.

Dockside Restaurant, Wilmington, NC: A great spot to enjoy some fresh seafood! This is flagship location that’s nestled on the bank of the intercoastal waterway and marina. Dine inside or enjoy lunch or dinner al fresco on the deck. We were there off-season, but I imagine it’s a busy spot during the summer months.

Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and the surrounding area is quite the destination to visit in North Carolina. It was a privilege to get to spend several days there with my little crew. We’ll definitely be back!

The Most Powerful Tool for Good

“You truly don’t know how valuable something is until it’s gone.” This well-known axiom has taken on a new meaning over the last week as I’ve struggled with laryngitis. Now bear with me if the following sounds a bit melodramatic, because I am going somewhere with this! At one point, my voice was completely gone and left me with only a breathy whisper, then days later improved to a mouse-like squeak and a blurted bark sound with every third word I attempted to mutter. If you’ve ever lost your voice you know the feeling. You possibly even understand the frustration. The need to speak, compounded with knowing I couldn’t, was inconvenient, uncanny, unproductive and, to be honest, during certain circumstances, evoked unexpected feelings of insecurity within me. However, this annoying interruption gave me pause to reflect on the true privilege it is to have a voice.

My reflections over the last week haven’t necessarily centered around “voice” in the literal sense, although the ability to utter words is a true gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted. It allows us to make meaningful connections, give important instructions, articulate a viewpoint or cheer on our favorite team. It enables us to give a deserved compliment, read bedtime stories to our children, seek feedback, negotiate an important business deal, or say “I love you” to one you hold dear. You can engage in debate, offer up solicited advice, worship your Creator or teach someone a new skill. One’s voice, in the literal sense, often holds the key to fulfilling our needs and desires.

The “voice” I thought about most is the deep-seeded part of one’s soul that empowers an individual to realize that he or she has value in this world. The voice recognizes that you have a seat at the table, a space in the conversation, or a say in the decision. Your voice is your unique identity, your values, worldview, and your personal brand. It has an opinion, a personality and a position. It has passion, restraint, strength and empathy. Many have not yet discovered their voice or they have chosen not to use it. Others’ voices have sadly been marginalized, excluded or dismissed altogether. However, to have a voice and use it for good (or even for bad) is the single most powerful tool we have been given.

At this point in my life, I feel like each day I become more and more aligned with my own voice, however, in reflection, there was a transformational moment when I realized I had a voice and furthermore, that I could use it to impact change in my community. Although I didn’t realize it until several years ago, this moment occurred when I was just a teenager. I found myself in front of the Conover City Council requesting that a City Ordinance be amended in order to conduct my Girl Scout Gold Award Project. After deliberation, the council voted in favor of the amendment, which still stands to this day. I remember leaving the meeting with a sense of pride and accomplishment, having pushed through nerves to use my voice to influence change. Little did I know, that moment was preparing me for the work that I do today. It served as the flint that created the spark of empowerment to use for good the powerful tool I have been given- my voice.