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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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December 17, 2014

Dashing Dish Cookbook Giveaway!

Friends we have such a treat in store for you today…literally and figuratively!

Have you ever thought about food as a relationship? Well it is. And you have one with it. In fact, our relationship with food is so intricate and complicated that sometimes we aren’t even aware of just how much control it has over our lives.

book-cover-cookbook-special

Now, have you ever thought about the relationship between your physical health and your spiritual health? Well, recently we’ve connected with the incredibly talented and beautiful (inside and out!) Katie Farrell and we are so excited to be sharing her story here with you today!

I created Dashing Dish (dashingdish.com), a healthy recipe website and ministry to women. I am a registered nurse from Michigan, where I live in Brighton with my husband Sean. Dashing Dish is a combination of my passions—helping women find their identity in God and ending misconceptions about dieting and healthy eating. I want to inspire women to find the balance between spiritual and physical health, all while enjoying the journey! I teach and encourage you to put together simple and healthy meals with foods you crave, using everyday ingredients.  I focus on clean eating, gluten free and sugar-free recipes in my business where I work with clients every day through meal planning, teaching life skills for balanced eating, and nutritional counseling.
 

Katie Farrell

Katie’s road to healthy living was paved with many trials which she shares openly and honestly on her site. And her greatest desire is to come alongside women as they pursue both spiritual and physical well-being.

Along the way, though, she shares some absolutely AMAZING (and healthier!) recipes.

Like this one for Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.

chewy-peppermint-cookies-main

Katie’s book ‘Devotions for a Healthier You‘ focuses on the connection between mind, body and soul and is not only filled with fantastic meal plans and recipes, it also provides some ‘food for thought’ as Katie provides encouragement through simple devotions.

book-cover-devotional

We’re super excited that now Katie has put together all of her incredible, healthy recipes in one book appropriately called ‘Dashing Dish‘.

 

book-cover-cookbook-special

AND, we’re even more excited to be giving away two, count ’em, TWO copies!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

We just couldn’t resist signing off today with Katie’s own words which just resonate with us so much and we are sure will resonate with you as well.

I have found that everything in life comes to one principal: The more you seek Him, the more you have a revelation of His great love for you. As you begin to understand His love, the more you trust Him with EVERY area of your life! If you haven’t already surrendered your life to Him, He is just a prayer away! He loves you, and He has AWESOME plans for you, if you simply let Him work in your life.


Thanks so much for meeting us (and Katie!) today at the Fence,

dual-signature_thumb2

And click here if you would like to hear about Heather’s own journey to health

Heather before and after 100 pounds

 

80 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jenny says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:49 AM

    I love both of your blogs, can’t wait to check out the new cookbook!!

    Reply
  2. Alison says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:51 AM

    i like to have a bowl of yogurt.

    Reply
  3. Nancy Curitti says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:07 AM

    Greek Yogurt gets my vote for a healthy snack.

    Reply
  4. jo wyrosdick says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:07 AM

    I don’t have a favorite healthy snack. I do try to eat almonds and walnuts for my cholesterol, also a TBLS. of flaxseed a day.

    Reply
  5. JoeyfromSC says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:39 AM

    This sounds like a great book!! My fave healthy snack is almonds! Thanks for the chance to win this book! Reading the above & seeing the transformations is very inspiring!

    Joey J.

    Reply
  6. jenny s says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:40 AM

    I love plain popcorn as a low fat snack.

    Reply
  7. Mel says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:01 AM

    Love your blogs! Would love to try this cookbook!

    Reply
  8. Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:04 AM

    For the past 50 years I have said I’d eat healthier and exercise more. Some years I did better than others. This year I’ve figured is IT!! I am encouraged by all the wonderful bloggers who have made a difference in their lives.

    Reply
  9. April V says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:57 AM

    I love sliced apples with Cookie Butter from TJ’s!!

    Reply
  10. Mollie says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:18 AM

    My favorite snack would be hummus with either veggies or crackers

    Reply
  11. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:26 AM

    Sounds like a wonderful book and concept….Favorite healthy snack is a nut mix that I make for myself and hubby…containing a variety of unsalted nuts (no peanuts) and a small amount of dried cherries…this replaces my love for chips!!!…

    Reply
  12. Terri S says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:29 AM

    I love celery with peanut butter.

    Reply
  13. Melanie C. says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:29 AM

    My favorite healthy snack is frozen blueberries. I’m hooked on them. I buy cases of them at the end of the season and enjoy them all year long.

    Reply
  14. Kristen Shields says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    I would love this cookbook and of course, I could stand to shed a few pounds!

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:46 AM

    My favorite snack is 5 soda crackers and a tablespoon of low fat sour cream

    Reply
  16. jan says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    apple slices dipped in peanut butter

    Reply
  17. Alison says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    Almonds and cashews

    Reply
  18. Katie says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:45 AM

    You girls seriously made my day! Thank you for blessing me with your sweet words, and for sharing the wonderful things that you did about my books! You gals have captured the heart of why I do what I do- and that is being spiritually and physically fit so that we can serve the Lord and honor Him with our bodies! So blessed by all that you are doing here as well! Keep up the amazing work! xo Katie

    Reply
  19. Stormy says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    I would LOVE to win her book!! I am about to begin a weight loss journey myself. My ultimate goal is 100 pounds. I would love any tips you can offer. And a lot of prayer!! ~Merry Christmas~

    Reply
    • Stormy says

      December 17, 2014 at 7:53 AM

      My favorite healthy snack is oranges.

      Reply
  20. Krista says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:55 AM

    I love her recipes

    Reply
  21. Veronique says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    Veggies and homemade hummus! SO GOOD.

    Reply
  22. Renee says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    Apples are my fave healthy snack!

    Reply
  23. Jamie says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    My favorite healthy snack is veggies and hummus! But I also love the Dashing Dish Chocolate Banana Protein Bread – so yummy!

    Reply
  24. Traci says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    My mom strongly suggested I subscribe to dashing dish. I had weight loss surgery and was looking for healthy recipes. I made the Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake for our school Christmas party (and an extra one for me 🙂 I was a little nervous about the cottage cheese, but my aunt (who is also a subcriber) assured me it would not look like cottage cheese after a run through my Vitamix! Yum! Would love to win the cookbook!

    Reply
  25. Stacey says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:15 AM

    My favorite healthy snack is greek yogurt.

    Reply
  26. Jodi says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    My favorite healthy snack is apples. I can’t wait to get the recipe book. Love your blog!

    Reply
  27. Daniela says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    I absolutely love to snack on carrots and hummus! This cookbook looks amazing and I’ve loved keeping up with Dashing Dish!

    Reply
  28. Rachel Brown says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    these books look awesome!!

    Reply
  29. Linda says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Healthier snack…has to be nuts. ANY kind of nuts makes me happy. Next best snack is an apple. I’m a total apple addict. Thanks!!

    Reply
  30. Lauren Lehmuth says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:49 AM

    Love Dashing Dish! So excited for these books!

    Reply
  31. stacey says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    veggies and hummus are my favorite snack 🙂

    Reply
  32. Amy says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Katie has come up with some amazing snacks that our whole family has loved! Can’t wait to see her cookbook!

    Reply
  33. Alana Cummings says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Please enter me in the drawing!

    Reply
    • Alana Cummings says

      December 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM

      My fave healthy snack is a handful of nuts!

      Reply
  34. Sonja Loyd says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:17 AM

    i make a fruity snack with granola,and yogurt,Thank you for a chance to win a delicious book!

    Reply
  35. Cheryl Blatchley says

    December 17, 2014 at 10:23 AM

    My go-to healthy snacks are pistachios and lightly buttered popcorn, whether together or stand-alone, they are my two favorite snacks! Both my husband and I have a desire to lose weight and eat healthier, but never do well with the “diets”, so this book would be perfect for us! Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  36. Kayla reitzler says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    Love the Dashing Dish and honey crisp apples with natural peanut butter!

    Reply
  37. lesley says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    i love edamame

    Reply
  38. Nancy M says

    December 17, 2014 at 11:29 AM

    Fruit and nuts are what I rely on for a healthy snack.

    Reply
  39. Julie says

    December 17, 2014 at 12:25 PM

    my favorite healthy snack is a chocolate protein shake!

    Reply
  40. Misty Brown says

    December 17, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    I have been waiting for this book to release and for a chance to win a copy! I plan to buy a copy if I don;t win, but if I do, I can bless someone with the purchased copy. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Kaye Killgore says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:12 PM

    I really like Greek Yogurt and nuts

    Reply
  42. Kayla says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    My favorite go-to snack is apples or cashews! Both satisfying and tasty!

    Reply
  43. Carla says

    December 17, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    Favorite snack is poms or halos.

    Reply
  44. Katie Ault says

    December 17, 2014 at 2:24 PM

    I love fruit.

    Reply
  45. Donna Smith says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:00 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway. I enjoy her recipes. I like to snack on almonds and apples and natural peanut butter.

    Reply
  46. Christy Spurlock says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:13 PM

    I love walnuts and/or fruit

    Reply
  47. Alicia Boarts says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    I love apples and peanut butter.we have a great local one called Sea Salted Caramel by Blind Spot nut butters. So good.

    Reply
  48. Kate D. says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:24 PM

    My favorite healthy snack is greek yogurt or apples.

    Reply
  49. Elizabeth G. says

    December 17, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    I like cashews.

    Reply
  50. Aimee W says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Anything dark chocolate! Or pomegranate seeds. Or chocolate covered pomegranate seeds!

    Reply
  51. Nicki says

    December 17, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    My favorite healthy snack would be apple slices and peanut butter. 🙂

    Reply
  52. Cindy Jochims says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    This sounds like a great book to win!! My favorite healthy snack is almonds! Thanks for the chance to win this book!

    Reply
  53. Erin says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    I love to eat yogurt with strawberries and blueberries!

    Reply
  54. Abby F says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    Fresh fruit!

    Reply
  55. Jennifer says

    December 17, 2014 at 5:45 PM

    I think my favorite snack is yogurt, string cheese or apples with peanut butter!

    Reply
  56. Tania says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:02 PM

    Fruit is go to snack.

    Reply
  57. amy says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:20 PM

    My favorite healthy snack is to make a smoothie. Looks like a wonderful book!

    Reply
  58. Debbie S. says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:36 PM

    My absolute favorite snack is Greek vanilla yogurt with a handful of raw almonds!! Yum yum!!

    Reply
  59. Nancy H says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    My favorite snack is apples and peanut butter…

    Reply
  60. Christina Luther says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    I love her recipes!! All in one book would be awesome!

    Reply
  61. Sylvia says

    December 17, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    Sliced bell peppers

    Reply
  62. Diana K. says

    December 17, 2014 at 8:10 PM

    My favorite healthy snack is fruit and cottage cheese.

    Reply
  63. Liz C. says

    December 17, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    Nothing beats apples and peanut butter

    Reply
  64. Steph says

    December 18, 2014 at 5:38 AM

    Fruit

    Reply
  65. Alina says

    December 18, 2014 at 6:02 AM

    Some carrot sticks with jalapeno hummus. YUM!

    Reply
  66. Sharon says

    December 18, 2014 at 6:24 AM

    I love Greek Yogurt with a bit of honey and fruit! yum!

    Reply
  67. Sean C says

    December 18, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    Love eating Dried Snap Peas. They are yummy and come in a variety of flavors.

    Reply
  68. Amanda Ecklar says

    December 18, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    I love granola! I made some almond joy granola from Dashing Dish yesterday it hit the spot! So delicious!

    Reply
  69. Cori says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    I like sliced apples and almond butter with a dash of Cinnamon.

    Reply
  70. Cara says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    Absolutely love almost all of Katies recipes. Our favorite snack… that’s a tough one – we definitely enjoy the buffalo chicken bites!

    Reply
  71. Ellen says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    Yogurt and granola or cottage cheese with pineapple chunks

    Reply
  72. MARTHA says

    December 18, 2014 at 8:46 PM

    Mango is a favorite !!!

    Reply
  73. Phyllis says

    December 19, 2014 at 3:48 AM

    I love bananas with a bit of peanut butter.

    Reply
  74. Rachel Garcia says

    December 19, 2014 at 12:27 PM

    Almonds

    Reply
  75. Aly says

    December 19, 2014 at 2:52 PM

    Apples and peanut butter, carrots & almonds

    Reply
  76. Dezi A says

    December 20, 2014 at 5:41 AM

    Nuts. Fruit. Carrots with a wedge of laughing cow cheese.

    Reply
  77. Vickie says

    December 21, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    Fresh fruit salad..and for a real treat I do avocado or black bean brownies.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  78. Annette says

    December 23, 2014 at 9:52 PM

    My favorite healthy snack is a smoothie. I love nuts, but they don’t love my tummy.

    Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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