Sensory Sunday - 4/28/13

Hey guys!  Welcome back to another installment of Sensory Sunday!  I'd hoped to get in an installment of Fair Trade Friday this weekend, but I ended up catching a nasty stomach bug on Thursday night, and have just recovered, so you'll have next weekend to look forward to hearing about even more awesome companies.  In the meantime, here's what's on my brain this week:

What I'm Listening To:

I have to thank one of my old co-workers for passing the word along on this band, An Horse.  Apparently he's seen them live before here in town, and was very impressed by how talented they are, and passed along a video of them via Facebook.  I haven't stopped listening to them since!  I'm hoping they'll roll through town again soon, I'd love to see them live as well.




What I'm Eating:

Did you guys notice the little green banner on the left side of the blog?  It's for a really cool little meal plan service called eMeals.  I'm really not a foodie, and putting together a meal plan and shopping list makes me want to pull my hair out on a weekly basis, but eMeals does it for you!  I chose the Clean Eating meal plan for our family, but there's a ton to choose from, including Classic, Slow Cooker recipes, and Simple Gourmet, with options for either two servings or family-sized meals.  There's even plans for Breakfast and Lunch, with recipes like Pepperoni and Provolone Sandwiches with Red Pepper Mayo, or Curried Quinoa Salad with Grapes and Radishes.

One of my favorite recipes I tried recently is this one:

Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with a White Bean Arugula Salad


Pork Tenderloin:

2 - 1 lb pork tenderloins
¼ c lemon juice
3 t Dijon mustard
2 T olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 sprigs rosemary, chopped
1 bunch thyme, leaves removed, chopped
2 t kosher salt
1 t pepper

Rinse and pat dry tenderloins. Combine lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Marinate pork tenderloin for 6 - 12 hours. Heat oven to 350° F. Remove tenderloins from marinade. Discard marinade. Heat ovenproof skillet over medium high heat. Brown tenderloins on each side for 3 - 5 minutes. Place skillet in oven and continue to bake for 50 minutes.    

Arugula Salad:

2 c dry white beans, soaked overnight and rinsed
¼ c chopped red onion
4 c arugula
Juice of 1 lemon
3 T olive oil
2 t salt
1 t pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
   
Cook beans covered with fresh water for 1 hour, or until tender. Rinse and drain beans. Combine white beans, red onion and arugula. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Toss salad lightly with dressing.

(Full disclosure, if you click through the link on the side of the blog and sign up for one of eMeals plans, I do receive a small commission, but I wouldn't recommend this service unless I loved it, don't worry!)

What's On Mah Brain:

These lyrics (from Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave) -

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then you look at this prisoner and say to me
"son stop fighting a fight that's already been won"

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed... I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear you whisper "child lift up your head"
I remember oh God you're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'cause his day is long dead and gone because
I've got a new name, a new life I'm not the same
and a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains and
Wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed you set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains and
And wipe away every stain
Now I'm not who I used to be
Oh God I'm not who I used to be
Jesus I'm not who I used to be

'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God redeemed

I couldn't fall asleep for the longest time last night, mostly because my brain wouldn't turn off.  You know those times that every regret you have just show up in your mind all at once?  Yeah, it was one of those nights, and I'm just glad I heard this song today.  Sometimes I just need an obvious reminder of the amazing things God is capable of in my life (ahem, and yours of course!).

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, I'll see you guys tomorrow!