Life Is Challenging: Pistachio Salad

This is how I started my day on Sunday. Oatmeal flavored with sugar free Smucker's breakfast syrup.

Then I had to face this.....

Pistachio Salad

This recipe comes from my very dear friend Marsha Baker at The Better Baker. The recipe is on page 21 of her cookbook. And if you don't have her cookbook yet, you are truly missing out. Every recipe that I have made from her book is no-fail. Do you know why? Because Marsha has cooked every single one of the recipes that is printed in the book. She does not print something that she has not made herself (like some cookbooks that just want to print recipes....). Marsha's recipes are all TNT. Go here to get her cookbook.

Pistachio Salad

3.4 oz. pkg. instant pistachio pudding mix

2 - 8 oz. cans crushed pineapple, slightly drained

1 - 8 oz. tub frozen whipped topping, thawed (lite)

1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows

In large bowl, add dry pudding mix to crushed pineapple. Stir until dissolved. Add whipped topping and marshmallows; blend well. You can sprinkle chopped nuts on top if you like. Cover and refrigerate a few hours, or overnight, before serving.

This recipe is linked up at Sweets for a Saturday (*right here*), and you can also find the blog button at the right of my screen.

Do you know how hard it was for me to resist eating this? When it is one of my favorite salads? When I love all the flavors in this salad? When it is the creamiest, dreamiest, salad on this Earth?

Okay, I think you get the gist of my temptations....

I did sneak a little taste of this salad before I took it to the church carry-in lunch on Sunday (and I mean a pea size taste....)

As we were eating lunch, I noticed the Minister eating my salad.

Me: "Is that good?"

Minister: "It is the most awful stuff I have ever eaten in my life, and it has taken me three bowl-fulls to decide that I don't like it."

Me: "I'm glad you like it, because you are taking the rest home with you."

I started attending church regularly in mid 2010. I even volunteer/work at the church, geesh....

But my regular attendance is slowly building my tolerance to the challenges in life. I can take on almost anything now with God by my side. Life has been peaceful, life has been great, life has been enjoyable, and with the Creator, my Higher Power, my God walking through life with me, I am strong.

Last night I wanted a chocolate Pop Tart so bad.....I wasn't hungry, I just wanted the sweet chocolaty taste in my mouth. I over-came that desire (Thank You God).

And something else that helped me over-come that Pop Tart was this:

A message from a friend: I have touched one person on this earth, and I am so happy. That one person gives me the feeling of completeness, I am needed, and my direction/advice is being heard. What a great feeling!! Here is the note I received yesterday....

When I showed this note to Sean, this is what he said: You touch me deeply every day with everything that you do. Why do you think I am here?

Mike W. Crippen April 3 at 6:24pm

Hi Angie.As you know I am now attending church on a regular basis. The minister asked about my wife.I told him I do not want to pressure her to come.He told me not to, but she will get curious.Dee came to church this morning, I was ecstatic!One of the last songs we sang was amazing grace.This is one of my favorite songs,It almost got me choked up knowing that my wife was there and one of my favorite songs was playing,very humbling!I am working on making changes little by little.hope everybody on your end is good.And Angie,GOD IS GREAT! God Bless, and have a great week.

And this is where my post ends..... What a great feeling!!

"The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you."

Psalm 9:9-10