Salad in a Jar

We eat a lot of salads. It’s one of my kids favorite vegetable sides to have with dinner and also easy so it’s often on the plate. The only reason we don’t eat them for lunch more often is because I have to pull everything out of the fridge… again. Why yes, I AM a lazy lunch person! Haha. I usually grab a protein shake or PBJ.

I saw ‘salad in jar’ while scrolling pinterest and thought it looked like a pretty easy solution for our school days lunches. So, last night before plating up our dinner salads I had the kids (and myself) make our own for the next days lunch. Bonus, I only had to pull out all the fixings once! They really enjoyed putting together their own thing and looked forward to their healthy lunch.

Faiths salad in a jar

These are supposed to last 3-5 days. We didn’t wait that long. obviously, but I will say that there was a definite seal on the jars and the lettuce was extra crisp so I wouldn’t doubt they last at least a couple days. The trick to keeping it from getting soggy is the layering.

You begin layering by putting wet on the bottom, so #1 dressing, and then things like sliced tomatoes, cucumbers or even eggs. I added avocado slices right in the dressing to keep it from browning. Worked perfectly!

Then add any meat, cheese, carrots, broccoli mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or things of the like to create a separation for the lettuce and the dressing. You could add your nuts, raisins or seeds here too if you like.

Last thing is the greens! Lettuce, spinach, whatever you’re leaf may be. Pack it in somewhat tightly but don’t crush the leaves. We then added croutons. Don’t do that…. if you want them crunchy. Save the crackers or croutons for when you’re ready to eat. Ours weren’t awful after a day, I actually enjoyed them but they weren’t crunchy.

We only stored for a day so I’ll update the next time we do this as to how many days they stayed fresh. Definitely making a few days worth soon! Tuna or chicken salad will be added to some of our next batch.

Lunch! Salad in a jar after pouring into bowl

Have you tried these? Are you going to try them? This is a keeper idea for us for sure!

God Reigns, Not Me.

We’ve been going through a lovely drought at my home. Every glimpse of rain has hit about half a mile a way. Our grass is dying and the garden needs some of heavens mist. Plants react differently to rain than a water hose. It’s obvious the hand of God has touched them with a bit of delight after a good shower. As I was watering the near dead grass a few weeks ago I was a little bit irritated with God.

Internal DIalogue:

Me; “Lord I know you know we need rain but just incase you forgot…we need rain!”

God: ….

Me: “What exactly did I do to You that’s making me miss out on blessings, huh? Did you forget? Take a nap? You do realize all your critters out here could use some rain too right? The hummingbirds are at the feeder multiple times a day and the cardinals are obviously relieved when there is a little water puddle left for them from watering plants.

God:….

Me: “God I just don’t get it. You’re not making any sense. The clouds roll in but still…no rain. It’s pretty depressing.”

God: “You do your job and I’ll do mine.”

Me: “chuckles”….silently waters grass and refills hummingbird feeder.

God didn’t send rain. He has given us a running well that I can use to tend to the immediate needs I see around me. What am I supposed to do when I see a need? Meet it the best way I can and trust Him with the rest.

What am I supposed to do when God isn’t answering my prayer just yet? Press on. Pray more. Not just praying on a personal whim but asking for His heart.

Work with what He’s given me. If He is showing me a need then He has likely equipped me to meet it.

Trust that He is on the throne and fully aware of all things. Much more so than I am. He sees the full picture and I just barely perceive a shadow.

Believe in His never ending goodness and faithfulness. He’s never left me on my own and it would be foolish to expect Him to now.

Even though His whisper wasn’t a downpour at my request, His whisper changed me. That’s what the voice of God does. It changes you. He reminded me that I’m not in control of the cosmos and stirred up sincere reverence for Him that my whininess had allowed me to step outside of.

He showed me that He heard me. The Maker and Tender of all the things hears me. It doesn’t matter if I get my way, the fact that He hears me is enough.

He pricked my heart to be about His business. If I can’t fill a bird bath how can I dream to work in His kingdom?

In every season, dry or other, God is working to develop the character of Christ in us. All we need is a word from Him to live a flourishing life and survive any drought. Real or spiritual.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

P.S. As I’m finally pushing publish on this post, I’m enjoying the most beautiful thunderstorm. Thank you, Jesus!