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Home Life & Encouragement

I am a Christian wife of 29 years, a mom of 25 years, and a daughter. It is my desire to encourage and inspire you as I share my life journey, struggles, hardships, pain, and joys. I want you to know you are not alone in life and if I am able to share some encouragement with you then my heart will be at peace.

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  • Home
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
        • Pumpkin Spice French Toast
      • Breads
        • Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread
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        • French Bread Pizza
        • Garlic Bread Balls
        • Liza’s Banana Bread
        • Pizza Pull Apart Bread
        • Pumpkin Whole Wheat Bread
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        • Frosting To Create Your Masterpiece
        • Fun -n- Easy Chocolate Cake
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        • Cake Box Cookies
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        • Chocolate Fudge
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      • Healthy Recipes
        • Avocado Egg Salad Spinach Wrap with a Caesar Salad
        • Chicken and Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry
        • Healthy Chicken Cauliflower
        • Healthy Chicken Avocado Spinach Wrap
        • Healthy Chicken, Quinoa, and Zucchini Recipe
        • Oven Baked Chicken with Garlic Mushroom Quinoa and Broccoli
      • Holiday Recipes
        • Gingerbread House
        • Apple Cinnamon Rolls
        • Christmas Monkey Bread
        • Ginger Snap Dip
        • Simple Pumpkin Pie Bars
      • Lunch
        • Tuna and Crackers
      • Meals
        • Homemade Chili
        • Mushroom Alfredo with Broccoli
        • Homemade Macaroni and Cheese 
        • Shepard’s Pie
      • Soups
        • Potato Soup For The Soul
        • Beef Stew
      • Seafood Recipes
      • 25 Days To Christmas Desserts
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      • Be Strong and Courageous
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      • Christmas, A Time of Reflection and Many Emotions
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      • Friday Night Comfort Food
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      • God Always Comforts Those Who Isolate and To Those Who Help
      • Encouragement For The Frazzled Mom
      • Inspiring Your Heart to Shine Brightly
      • Let’s Get Moving
      • The Battle of Courage
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      • Opinion Vs. Reality
      • Pain: WHERE DO I BEGIN?
      • Procrastination Leads to Difficult Days
      • Sharing Fall Vibes
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      • God Gave You Strength For Today
      • Grasping The Strength of A New Day
      • Hope Gives You Strength When You Can Not See It
      • Hope Provides Strength
      • Love, Strength, and Sunsets
      • New Days Brings New Strength
      • Rejuvenate Your Strength in Hope
      • Strength Overtakes Failure
      • Strength Has Power Over Shaken
      • Strength Through Tears
      • Your Battle Will Be Won With Strength and Courage
      • Your Strength Is Your Beauty
      • Welcoming Tuesday With Strength
      • Whether You Are Weak or Strong Strength Comes From Above
  • Life
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      • Fall and Christmas Tiers
      • Decorating A Winter Three Tier Platter
      • Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas
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    • Organizing Christmas Chaos
    • Life Management

Tag: Cooking

Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Seafood, Steak, Supper Ideas

Easy Heat Wave Supper Idea

I have a super easy supper idea for those who are struggling with this ugly heat wave? This idea is a great idea for an easy meal to prepare without heating up the house to do so. Grab a meat of your choice, some shrimp and your grill. Then barbecue away. It does not take … Continue reading Easy Heat Wave Supper Idea

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July 21, 2019July 21, 2019Cooking, Easy Recipe, Kitchen, Meal, Supper
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Supper Ideas

Summer Burger

Do you need a fresh supper idea? Try this one. Grilled angus burger topped with cheese. Place it on a bed of lettuce and add a fresh tomato to the side. Do not be afraid to add a few baked fries seasoned with garlic salt, onion powder, and basil. Lastly, add a few slices of … Continue reading Summer Burger

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June 23, 2019Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Kitchen, Meal, Recipe, Supper
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Supper Ideas

Homemade Steak Nachos

Healthy Steak Nachos. I made with sautéed onion, peppers of every color, kale, and steak. Topped with diced tomatoes, queso cheese, sour cream. Serve on a bed of lettuce, tortilla chips, or on soft taco shells.

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June 22, 2019June 23, 2019Cooking, Easy Recipe, Easy Recipes, Healthy, Home, Kitchen, Meal, Recipes, Supper
Comfort Food, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Humor, Journey, Lunch, Meal, Soup

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup Made Out of Leftovers Are you looking for an easy recipe to make with left over chicken and spaghetti noodles? This soup recipe is an easy one and great for a lunch or a supper on a cold rainy or snowy day. Ingredients Left over chicken (or fresh) (amount is your preference) Left over … Continue reading Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

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October 26, 2018October 26, 2018Chicken, Cooking, Home, Kitchen, Lunch, Recipe, Soup, Supper
Appetizers, Bread, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Meal, Recipes, Supper Ideas

Caprese Chicken, Fresh Green Beans, and Fresh Bruschetta

Are you looking for a healthy and delicious supper option?Check out this meal. Just for laughs, my Kiddo gave me an ”A” for presentation tonight. What you do not know is I really do not like cooking main meals. They are burdensome to me and very boring. I love baking and place more emphasis on … Continue reading Caprese Chicken, Fresh Green Beans, and Fresh Bruschetta

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June 20, 2018Bread, Chicken, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Easy Recipes, Healthy, Home, Kitchen, Meal, Recipes
Comfort Food, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Recipes, Soup, Supper Ideas

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Are you looking for a side to go with your left over ham from Easter dinner? Try this simple baked macaroni and cheese. IngredientsElbow noodles 1 can of cheddar soup 3/4 can of water 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese garlic salt (to taste) smoked paprika (to taste) DirectionsPre-heat the oven to 390 degrees F. Spray … Continue reading Baked Macaroni and Cheese

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April 3, 2018Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Casserole, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Supper Idea
Comfort, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Recipes

Apple Pie Oatmeal

I made this oatmeal for my family who seems to be struggling this morning. It is healthy and flavorful. Ingredients 2 1/2 c water 2 c whole grain oatmeal 1 medium apple 1 Tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp pumpkin spice (optional, I was missing nutmeg and cloves) Directions In a medium sauce pan, … Continue reading Apple Pie Oatmeal

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March 28, 2018March 28, 2018Breakfast, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Oatmeal
Comfort Food, Cooking, Crock Pot, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Meal, Supper Ideas

Homemade Chili

ChiliThis is a great recipe to make on a cold and rainy or snowy day. It is a really easy and can be made in a crock pot ahead of time for a no work supper meal for later. It can also serve as left overs if you make enough. Ingredients1 bag red beans (or … Continue reading Homemade Chili

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February 7, 2018Chili, Comfort Food, Cooking, Crock Pot, Easy Recipe, Home
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Journey, Recipes

Healthy Chicken Cauliflower

Are you hungry and looking for a simple healthy option? Check out my Chicken and Cauliflower Meal Ingredients1 package of chicken fillets, cubed 1 head of cauliflower, riced Salt to taste Parsley to taste DirectionsIn a sauté pan on medium heat, cut up chicken fillet into cubes and cook. When chicken is half way cooked … Continue reading Healthy Chicken Cauliflower

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January 18, 2018Carrots, Cauliflower, Chicken, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Meal, Supper
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Journey, Recipes, Supper Ideas

Shepards Pie

Supper Idea Shepards Pie December 14, 2017Do you need a supper idea tonight and you like casseroles, try this easy recipe. Ingredients1 lb ground turkey approximately 5-7 small potatoes frozen corn (I used frozen green beans as a replacement because my husband can not have corn) Salt to taste Pepper to taste Paprika to taste … Continue reading Shepards Pie

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December 14, 2017July 23, 2019Casserole, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Kitchen, Supper

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About Me

Heidi Benson

Heidi Benson

I am a wife, mom, and daughter. I served in the United States Army, went to college, received a Batchelor's Degree in Criminology, homeschooled my daughter every year from start to finish, started working at a Christian school after being out of work for 20 plus years while I raised my daughter and now I am currently a volunteer assistant to the director at our local hospital. I married my husband when he was in the United States Army so I have the unique knowledge of what it is like to be on both sides of a Military uniform. While we were stationed in Germany, my daughter, who is 27 years old now, was born and I made the difficult decision to put my career on hold to be her mom. The past 25 years have been wrought with many struggles, but as a result of those struggles, this blog was created. As the years passed and the struggle kept coming, I would say, "I'm not sure why we have to go through all of this, but if we have to then it is my desire to allow my story to serve as a means of encouragement to others so all this pain isn't for nothing." The years passed and the struggles did not. However, I feel now is the time God wants me to share these stories of hardships with the hopes they provide encouragement to you if you are struggling in the same way. It is my prayer they will serve as a healing opportunity for you. I want you to know you are not alone. There are others who know where you are and what you are feeling. Cling to the hope this won't last forever and that God is standing beside you while He holds you up and dries your tears. He is showing you the way, you just need to follow Him. Big Hugs, Heidi

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You are…”enough.” Ps 139:14 NKJV

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Heidi :) @homelifeandencouragement.com

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