As part of our fitness plan for the new year, we participated in the second week of the Good and Good for You Challenge from the National Pork Board and their partner, Publix. We used boneless pork loin chops to make Braised Pork Chops with Peppers and Onions.

I’m moving right along with the 30 Day Shred, too: today was day 14!

This week’s theme is Game Day, but one of my kids requested this recipe and I couldn’t resist the peppers and onions. If you’re looking for a game day recipe, Game Day Pork and Chile Wraps sounds like a winner (pun intended).

This recipe is quick, easy, and a real crowd pleaser. The boneless pork loin chops are lean and cook in no time. I used chicken broth instead of wine in the recipe; I actually used more out of the resealable carton from last week’s Sage Pork Tenderloin Medallions with White Wine Jus.

More time was devoted to photographing the veggies than prepping them.

Braised Pork with Peppers and Onions

4 boneless pork loin chops, about 1-inch thick, trimmed
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 small red bell peppers, or yellow bell peppers, quartered and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 small red or yellow onion, quartered and cut into 1/4-inch slices
4 cloves garlic , thinly sliced
1/2 cup dry red wine, (for non-alcoholic, substitute chicken or vegetable broth)

In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, warm oil. Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove chops to a plate and set aside.
Add tomato paste to skillet and cook, stirring, for 15 seconds. Add bell peppers and onion to skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute.
Add wine and bring to a boil, scraping up and stirring in any browned bits in the skillet. Return chops to skillet, nestling them in the liquid, and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook 4 minutes. Turn chops, cover, and cook until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a 3-minute rest time. Serve pork with pepper and onion mixture spooned on top. Serves 4

Enter the Love Me Tenderloin giveaway through the Pork Be Inspired Facebook page for your chance to win $50 worth of pork tenderloin, given away daily. Just “like” the page and then click the Win with Pork link on the left for more details.

{I will be compensated for writing this post series and received coupons and a gift card for Publix. Opinions expressed are my own.}

Good and Good for You Challenge: Week 2 is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Do you struggle with issues that you can’t handle, that are simply bigger than yourself? Stop by (in)courage today and I hope my post will remind and encourage you to trust the power that lives within you: Christ Jesus.

The Power that Lives Within Us Today at (in)courage is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

I‘m trying to lose some weight using the 30 Day Shred, however it’s apparent that my diet needs to improve, too—a win-win prospect for both me and my family. Lean meat like pork provide the protein we need with less fat. I’m participating in the National Pork Board’s “Good and Good for You Challenge” during the four-week period of January 26-February 22 and I’ll let you know about weekly pork specials at Publix and recipes that you and I can try.

Check out this quote from pork, knife, and spoon:

Consumption of extra-lean protein like the flavorful pork tenderloin has been linked to a greater feeling of fullness, retention of muscle mass and a reduced urge to eat.

That’s exactly what I need!

This week’s special is pork tenderloin and last night I made Sage Pork Tenderloin Medallions with White Wine Jus. I’m a directions-follower and panicked when I realized that I didn’t have the dry white wine, only a sweet red and a sweet white. One of my best friends assured me that you should “cook with wine you’d drink,” so I used the sweet red. Here’s a picture in the middle of the cooking process. It wasn’t until everything was devoured that I realized I’d missed capturing the finished product.

Sage Pork Tenderloin Medallions with White Wine Jus

• 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pork tenderloin, (about 1 1/4 pounds), trimmed if needed
• 1/2 cup chicken broth, reduced sodium or organic
• 1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Chardonnay*
• 2 teaspoons spreadable butter with canola oil, or substitute butter

Stir together flour, sage, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a shallow dish or plate, and preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Slice pork crosswise into 3/4-inch thick medallions and arrange flat on a cutting board. Pound with a mallet to 1/2-inch thickness and coat pork in flour on all sides.
Add 2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Once the oil shimmers, place the pork in a single layer. You may need to divide the pork into two batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Brown on one side for 2 to 3 minutes and turn to brown the other side. Remove pork onto a plate and scrape the brown bits up from the bottom of pan with a wooden spoon, putting them into the measured broth or wine. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to pan and repeat the cooking procedure. Add the pork to the plate.
Remove pan from heat, add wine, place back on heat, and simmer for 4 minutes or until wine reduces down to a couple of tablespoons. Add broth and simmer 3 minutes or until reduced by half.
Remove from heat, swirl in butter, and add pork back to the pan to coat. Arrange pork on plates and spoon sauce on top.

Makes 4 servings

*or substitute with 1/2 cup apple juice + 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

On the right is a picture of it from the Pork Be Inspired website, because apparently they have the patience to photograph the food before someone eats it.

I’ve also had a request for Roast Pork Tenderloin with Asian Dry Rub and I’d like to try the Apple-Pecan Tenderloin Medallions. I tend to get in a rut in the kitchen, so I’m thankful for the fresh inspiration.

Do you cook with pork? Are you trying to eat healthier this year?

{I am being compensated for writing this post series and received coupons and a gift card for Publix. All shopping, cooking, eating, and opinions were done or made by me.}

The “Good and Good for You Challenge” is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

I was in a state of blissful ignorance when I ordered the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred on a late September day. I’d heard it was effective, but not much else. I lost my innocence in a hurry when I ran out and threw up in the middle of Day 1.

Yes, I did.

Obviously, that first day scared me a bit and I only did the workout 3 more times until a couple of weeks ago when a doctor’s appointment made me realize that I’m actually having health issues—primarily excessively swollen ankles, which can lead to blood clots—from lack of exercise. My doctor recommended walking 2 miles a day, but winter temperatures brought Jillian and the Shred (what does that mean, anyway?) to mind.

I watched the DVD counter carefully: it was somewhere between the 15- and 16-minute mark when my body decided it had had enough on that first day. When I finished and lived to tell, I posted it to Facebook, as I have every time since then. The crazy thing is that other ladies are jumping on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon with a growing number either ordering it or dusting off neglected copies.

It’s a personal victory every time I pass that 16-minute mark and it’s getting easier. I finish stronger than I start and my ankles improved by the second day.

I’d thought of starting a private Facebook exercise support group, but then we wouldn’t keep adding new members. We sometimes exceed 50 responses in the comment thread on a status update. It’s fun to laugh, compare notes, and encourage. Believe me, I need encouragement to keep slipping that DVD in the player each day.

I’ve currently punched and lunged and crunched and jump roped and chest flied/flew/flown and listened to Jillian talk about “phoning it in” for 7 days (not counting the original 4) until I think I could recognize a “false message of lethargy” just as quickly as the next gal.

I won’t name my fellow Shreders here, because there’s “no shame” in bailing (I turned that one around, didn’t I?).

Have you ever tried the 30 Day Shred? Did you finish? Did you switch to levels 2 and 3 or stay at 1? Are you doing it now? (Do you want to?)

[Yes, that's an affiliate link up there. If you decide to order the 30 Day Shred, feel free to click!] and my

The 30 Day Shred Facebook Support Group is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Did you know that today is National Delurking Day for blogs? Delurking means leaving a comment, especially if you never have. I know that work “lurker” makes it sound kind of shifty, but really, we all do it. I do. Today I’m going to make a point to leave a comment on every post I read. Join me?

Most of us blog because we’ve got something we want to share or document, either in words or images. We’re also looking for community. {Aren’t we all?}

Sometimes I’m looking for adult interaction. Sometimes I’ve got a photo that just begs to be posted. Sometimes I want to capture and record a memory. Sometimes I hear a sermon or read a verse and a truth is revealed that’s so beautiful it must be shared.

I’d love to know more the people who stop by: What do you hope to find here? What would you like to see or read? How could I serve you better? {Or are you a first time visitor? Please stop and make yourself at home!}

Please tell me something about you.

[If you love (in)courage, you can delurk there, too!]

Today is National DeLurking Day! Won’t You? is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Have you heard of Blessings Unlimited? It’s a division of DaySpring that enables women to set up their own small businesses and sell quality, meaningful Christian products either face-to-face or through their own online website. These goodies are all so lovely that I’ve signed on as a consultant. Now I want to show you some of my favorite items, how to find my store, and how you can start your own Blessings Unlimited business!

Personal Favorites

These first two collages are of favorite items that we have in our home. Click the links under the pictures for each product’s page.

1. If You Seek Him Weathervane - I love the aged, distressed look.
2. Proverbs 31 Box - I keep my wedding rings in this.
3. Door Knocker – Yep, it’s on our front door.
4. Lazy Susan – This is possibly my favorite Blessings Unlimited product. It’s been in the middle of our dining room table for about a year and a half. Not only is it beautiful and functional, it’s strong, too. Ours regularly gets loaded down with books and it’s never tipped or dipped or anything else it shouldn’t do (in other words, it’s a very well-behaved Lazy Susan).

1. Ever Grateful Memo Board with Easel – Stand the memo board in its easel or hang it on the wall. Write on it with dry erase markers. We have two.
2. Ever Grateful China – A little while back I decided to simplify and I got rid of our old dishes and replaced them with plain white; however, I was smitten when I saw the Ever Grateful line of china and have been adding one place setting at a time (I think we’re up to five). It blends in just fine with the white, so we use them together.
3. One Thousand Gifts Gratitude Journal – A lovely place to record the ways God blesses your family.
4. Abundance Pedestal and Glass Dome Set (each piece is also sold separately) – This set sits on our dining room table on top of the Lazy Susan. It is impressively heavy and substantial. It’s fun to put different things inside of it; at Christmas ours was filled with round red tree ornaments.

These drool-inducing products are on my personal wish list:

1. Emerald Vase Set – These vases are so beautiful (and I would love to know how to make those paper flowers).
2. Grace and Gratitude Apron – I have a thing for aprons and this one is to die for! Check out its full-length, layered glory in the picture below.
3. Psalm 90:17 Square Tray in Antique Teal – I really love the color and distressed finish of this tray. Everyone needs a good tray, right?
4. Large Pathway Globe – Clever, isn’t it? The kids are a bit geography-obsessed this school year. I can’t wait to get one of these and watch them try to find New Zealand.

My Store

Any of these product links will take you to their page on my Blessings Unlimited site. Click here to go to the home page.

How to Start Your Own Blessings Unlimited Business

If you’re interested in starting your own Blessings Unlimited business, just hop on over to this page where you’ll find out about ordering the business kit for $99. It includes over $400 worth of goodies to get you started. (Look—the apron!)

My New Blessings Unlimited Business is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Monday I told you about my word for 2012: create. Today I’d like to highlight some blogs that inspired me to think outside of my own natural set of “tools” and experiment with new ideas and mediums in 2011.

Easter Grass Table Decor

These posts from Your Homebased Mom and Urban Comfort gave me the idea of growing grass in an Easter centerpiece. I purchased this wooden bowl at Walmart and lined it with plastic wrap so that I wouldn’t damage it with the dirt and water. After Easter—when the grass kept getting taller and looked like it needed mowing—I emptied the arrangement and filled the bowl with decorative balls similar to these at V & Co. (I actually purchased the supplies for this project, however I saw a pre-made set at T.J. Maxx and bought them, so I never completed it).

Magnetic Chalkboard

This post at Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss showed me how to make a magnetic chalkboard, which lead to my own creation: our Instagallery.

Painted Canvas

This post at Two Girls Being Crafty showed me how to paint a knock-off of a $100+ canvas. I gave three of them to family as Christmas gifts!

Paint Drop Cloth Curtains

This post at A Soft Place to Land showed me how to make curtains from an inexpensive pack of pain drop cloths. Making these curtains actually killed our iron, which had to be replaced, but I love the fact that I actually made curtains and for such a low price.

I initially selected trim which turned out to be $17 per yard (ouch!), so I checked the clearance section and found a good choice for under $2 a yard. We needed an extra long curtain rod, which I found at Ross for much less than a comparable size elsewhere. Also, I got the clip rings for 40% off at Jo Ann.

It seems like whatever supplies I need—from blank canvases to backless picture frames to curtain clip rings—are always on sale at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Jo-Ann when I need them. I like to think of this as more than coincidence, but rather God’s way of encouraging my creativity and enabling me in these projects.

What about you? Are you a natural at crafts and projects or do you need a little inspiration? Have you stepped outside your comfort zone and made anything based on a blog post, tutorial, or other form of creative nudge?

Things I Learned to Create from Blogs in 2011 is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

A new year arrives and an old pattern repeats as we walk a worn path, yearly trodden: emerging from the Christmas season with spirits lifted and hope renewed, expectant… ready.

Ready for change. Ready to make a difference.

Please click the link and read the rest of this post today at (in)courage!

Compassion in a New Year Today at (in)courage is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Create is the word that’s been on my heart recently and suddenly I see it everywhere. Creating was God’s first recorded act:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” ~Genesis 1:1

The New Testament begins with a description of Jesus Christ as the Word:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ~John 1:1

Ideas are swirling around in my head incorporating graphics, photography, and words. I’m praying for the time, ability, and inspiration to create in this new year!

Do you have a particular word or resolution for 2012?

My Word for 2012: Create is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
~Psalm 51:10

Hop on over to (in)courage to download January’s desktop calendar!

January’s Desktop Wallpaper Today at (in)courage is a post from: My Home Sweet Home
© 2012 My Home Sweet Home | All rights reserved