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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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    • Recipes
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
        • Pumpkin Spice French Toast
      • Breads
        • Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread
        • Cinnamon Raisin Bread
        • French Bread Pizza
        • Garlic Bread Balls
        • Liza’s Banana Bread
        • Pizza Pull Apart Bread
        • Pumpkin Whole Wheat Bread
      • Cakes
        • Frosting To Create Your Masterpiece
        • Fun -n- Easy Chocolate Cake
      • Cookies
        • Cake Box Cookies
      • Desserts
        • Brownies
        • Chocolate Trifle
      • Fudge & Candy
        • Chocolate Fudge
        • Peanut Butter Candy
      • 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
        • Christmas Mints
        • Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers
        • Chocolate Coconut Balls
        • Chocolate Covered pretzels
        • Hay Stacks
        • Homemade Hot Cocoa
        • Mini Apple Pie Bites
        • Gingerbread Men
        • Peanut Butter Thumb Prints
        • Snowy Coconut Balls
        • Soft Sugar Cookies
        • Soft Gingersnaps
  • Encouragement
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        • Peace Beyond Our Understanding
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        • Rest, Breathe, Repeat
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        • Rest, Rejuvenate, Refresh
        • Rest, Relax and Answers Will Come
        • Rest and Breathe Today
        • Rest and Recover
        • Rest and Rejuvenate Weekend
        • Relax and Rest in The Peace of Choosing Kindness
        • Rest Your Mind and Body
        • Rest Is Necessary
        • Slow Down, Breathe, and Find Rest
        • Stop…Rest…Breathe…and Repeat
        • Take The Time To… Rest
        • Take Time To Rest Your Mind And Your Body
        • True Silence Is Rest To The Mind
        • Walking Toward Peace and Rest
    • Random Thoughts
      • Raw Emotions
    • Strength
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • It is Never To Late To reset
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Breathe Through The Uncertainty
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Christmas, A Time of Reflection and Many Emotions
      • Darkness Turns to Sunshine
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Doors Open To A New Journey
      • Courage Is A Prevention To Fear
      • Faith Believes in The Impossible
      • Courage Pushes Through Defeat
      • Friday Night Comfort Food
      • Difficult Weeks Mean Extra Special Encouragement
      • Discouraged Today, Find Your Peace
      • God Always Comforts Those Who Isolate and To Those Who Help
      • Inspiring Your Heart to Shine Brightly
      • Encouragement For The Frazzled Mom
      • Let’s Get Moving
      • The Battle of Courage
      • Your Battle Will Be Won With Strength and Courage
      • Opinion Vs. Reality
      • Pain: WHERE DO I BEGIN?
      • Procrastination Leads to Difficult Days
      • Sharing Fall Vibes
      • The Battle of Courage
      • You Are Never In Total Darkness
      • Wishing You A Merry Christmas Eve
      • Challenge
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      • It is Never To Late To reset
      • Beauty Surrounds Us
      • Doors Open To A New Journey
      • Unexpected Moments
      • Facing Fears Allows You to Conquer Your Strength and Self-Confidence
      • 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
    • Decorating Tips
      • Fall and Christmas Tiers
      • Decorating A Winter Three Tier Platter
      • Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas
    • Organization Tips
    • Life Hacks
    • Organizing Christmas Chaos
    • Life Management

Tag: Recipe

Healthy, Recipes

Healthy Fruit Salad

IngredientsCantaloupe Strawberries Banana Granola DirectionsWash and dice the fruit and top with granola. It is a wonderful snack, breakfast, or dessert. Enjoy!

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May 20, 2018Easy Recipe, Fruit Salad, Healthy, Recipe
Comfort Food, Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Lunch, Recipes, Soup

Healthy Chicken and Rice Soup

This is a healthy and easy soup recipe for your family if they don’t feel good or if you just want an easy lunch idea. Ingredients 2 1/2 c water (or chicken or vegetable stock) 1 chicken breast (cubed) 1 1/3 c rice of your choice (I chose whole wheat) 1/2 diced onion 1 stalk … Continue reading Healthy Chicken and Rice Soup

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March 29, 2018March 28, 2018Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Lunch, Recipe, Soup
Cooking, Home, Recipes, Soup

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Panera Copycat SoupDo you like Broccoli Cheddar Soup? Do you like to order the Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup and wish you could have it at home for lunch today? Check out this delicious copycat recipe from Lecremedelacrumb.  INGREDIENTS1 tablespoon butter ½ medium onion diced 3 cups water 3 teaspoons beef bouillon (or 3 beef bouillon … Continue reading Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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March 10, 2018November 1, 2021Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Home, Recipe, Soup
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Recipes

Baked Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Do you need an easy supper to make in advance? Check out this recipe I am using today for mine. Ingredients1 12 oz box jumbo shells 1 lb sausage of your choice 1 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese 2 c Italian shredded cheese 1 c grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg 2 c cut spinach 1 … Continue reading Baked Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells

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February 28, 2018March 1, 2018Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Pasta, Recipe, Stuffed Shells, Vegetables
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Recipes, Supper Ideas

French Bread Pizza

Are You Looking For An Easy Pizza Recipe? Check out this easy one, Ingredients 1 Loaf of French Bread 1 Jar Pizza Sauce (or homemade sauce - see recipe below) Toppings of your choice (I used mushrooms, pepperoni, fresh green peppers) Shredded Italian Cheese Garlic Salt Oregano Directions Pre-heat your oven to 390 degrees F. Grab … Continue reading French Bread Pizza

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February 10, 2018Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Pizza, Recipe, Supper
Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Journey, Lunch, Meal, Recipes

Avocado Egg Salad Spinach Wrap with a Caesar Salad

Are you on a quest for a new lunch option?Try this healthy option? Avocado Egg Salad Ingredients2 hard boiled eggs Dash of garlic salt Sriracha sauce to taste 1/4 to 1/2 avocado, smashed Approximately 1/4 cup fresh spinach, cut up (or to taste) Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), enough to bind your egg salad together Spinach … Continue reading Avocado Egg Salad Spinach Wrap with a Caesar Salad

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January 23, 2018January 23, 2018Egg Salad, Healthy, Home, Lunch, Meal, Recipe
Baking, Cake, Easy Recipe, Recipes

Fun -n- Easy Chocolate Cake

Are you looking for fun and easy cake for the candy loving sweet tooth person or child in your life. Check out this cake that I pulled together at the last minute today. This isn’t my ideal cake for a birthday cake, but time nor resources were available to me today so I made due … Continue reading Fun -n- Easy Chocolate Cake

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January 12, 2018January 11, 2018Cake, Chocolate, Easy Recipes, Home, Recipe
Breakfast, Comfort Food, Easy Recipe, Hope, Meal, Recipes

Friday Night Comfort Food

Are You Looking For A Comfort Food Supper? Are you tired and cold from a long winter day of fun, skiing, shoveling, walking, or surfing (if you are in a warm climate)? I have a “not” healthy supper option for you per my daughter’s craving request. French Toast with Bacon is what I am going … Continue reading Friday Night Comfort Food

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January 5, 2018Breakfast, Easy Recipe, Home, Recipe2 Comments
25 Day Christmas Treat Countdown, Baking, Christmas, Cookies, Holiday, Home, Recipes

Gingerbread House

25 Day Christmas Countdown Day 24 Amazing Gingerbread Houses  I didn't get one made this year, but we made this one last year. My daughter and a sweet adopted family friend made an amazing one that I am very proud of. I will add the directions to make it from scratch, The directions I will … Continue reading Gingerbread House

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December 28, 2017December 28, 201725 Day Christmas Day Countdown, Christmas, Gingerbread House, Holiday, Home, Recipe
25 Day Christmas Treat Countdown, Baking, Christmas, Cookies, Easy Recipe, Holiday, Home, Recipes

Snowy Coconut Balls

25 Day Christmas Countdown Day 22 December 22, 2017 Snowy Coconut Balls This is an amazingly easy recipe with few ingredients but strong in flavor. My family expects this simple cookie to be made every Christmas. It is also an easy cookie to add to a cookie platter. Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups … Continue reading Snowy Coconut Balls

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December 22, 2017December 22, 201725 Day Christmas Countdown, Baking, Christmas, Holiday, Home, Recipe

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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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