Encourage One Another

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13 I have been feeling straight up encouraged this week. The Lord is blessing me and I am THANKFUL! So I'm feeling like I want to thank some ladies who have really encouraged me in one way or another recently. Hopefully you'll meet some new friends :) --> April from The Flourishing Abode and her super fun printable blog planner. I'm trying really hard to have some discipline and get a little more organization lately and this cute planner is really helpful! Plus her blog has tons of fun tips, plus she makes CUTE stuff! --> Kim from Oh, Sweet Joy! This girl shared her meal plan for the week with me. Might sound silly, but it really encouraged me to stay on track with planning and cooking instead of eating out! Again with the organization... Meal planning gives me such a headache sometimes and now I have a starting place for weekly meals and all I have to do is adapt it to what we have on hand :) Yay! Thanks Kim! --> Amanda at Royal Daughter Designs. I'm working with Amanda right now to create a custom hand-drawn logo which really freaked me out at first. Usually I just draw what inspires me and making something for someone else made me super nervous. Luckily she's so sweet and I have loved the extra challenge of pushing out of my comfort zone. Can't wait to show you when it's done!! I'm also encouraged by all of the amazing posts linked up at her Desire to Inspire link up each week :) --> Jessi from Naptime Diaries. I'm participating in her mentorship program right now and it's so exciting AND encouraging! I love Jessi's heart for community and helping mamas like me who are trying to bless their little fams with their creative gifts. I'm feeling challenged and inspired by her already and am so thankful for her willingness to share and give and help the rest of us find success :) Last, but most definitely not least, Gina at Acute Designs encouraged me to healthify my chocolate chip cookies this week :) I already looove this girl for her fancy earrings and now she's throwing healthy chocolate chip cookie bars my direction! I took out the dairy and gluten and baked a batch up immediately. I'm pretty sure Hunter and Lil were feeling encouraged too. And now, in the name of paying it forward, is my version. You're welcome. Healthy-ish Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars {makes about 16} -1 1/4 cups gluten free flour mix -1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder -3/4 teaspoon salt -1/2 cup packed brown sugar -1/4 cup Earth Balance vegan butter softened  -1 tablespoon vanilla extract -1 TB flax meal+3 TB warm water -1/2 cup all natural {no sugar added} applesauce -1/2 cup dark chocolate chips 1. Put the applesauce in a fine sieve and allow the water to drain out.  Let it sit for about 10 minutes and a good portion of the water will have drained. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside. 3. Put the softened butter {let the butter sit at room temperature until soft or microwave for 10-20 seconds....just until soft, not melted} and sugar in the bowl and mix with an electric mixer until well blended.  Once blended add the flax meal+water, vanilla extract, and drained applesauce.  Mix for another minute. 4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. 5. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand. 6. Line a square baking dish with parchment paper {or spray well with non-stick spray} and pour the batter into the pan.  Spread the batter out with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the pan. 7. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 mintes.

Enjoy it friends!
Who will you encourage this week?
(Linking with Jami for We Encourage Tuesday.)