Rest and Wine for Dinner

Rest. I know, it's unfamiliar to me too. For whom this word seems foreign, allow me to help. The definition of rest is, "1. the cessation of work, exertion, or activity 2. Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity 3. Sleep or quiet relaxation 5. Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance." Perhaps you're like me, after hearing it defined, it seems all that much more foreign to you. I'm not good at rest. It's probably the segment of my life and health that I neglect the most. I feel driven to get as much as possible done during my waking hours.And, if totally honest, maybe even see rest as weakness. Believing on some level that if I succumb to exhaustion I'm in some way surrendering to defeat. Crazy, yes. Prideful, yes. True, of course not. As mom's, we don't have the luxury of rest when our little ones are awake. However, there is that sacred hour (or two if you're lucky), when little feet are still and all is quiet. Yes, the hallowed hour called nap time. It is the one time of the day when we have a choice about how to spend our time. My typical MO is to start an all out sprint within the marathon of the day during that time. Working fervently to check to-do items off my list, launder this, scrub that. Sound familiar? I literally have a spreadsheet broken down into half-hour increments, beautifully color coded to make sure I "achieve" every day. There is time set aside to make sure everyone is loved on, played with, read to, cooked for, menus are planned and miles are run. Interestingly however, with all that I make time for in my day, nowhere on the sheet is rest. There is not a single pretty little colored square that says, "cease working" or "seek freedom from disturbance". Lately the Lord has really been impressing upon me HIS heart for rest -  for my rest. I've had an increased desire to order my day according to His plan, not mine. So, for the past week or so, at nap time, I've been mindfully asking the Lord, "OK, what do YOU want me to do with this time." Can you guess the answer? Rest. Ahem, "Lord, I'm sorry. I wasn't clear. I meant what do you want me to DO with this time, you know, like from my list." Again, rest. Not as a luxury, but as an act of obedience. I'm trying to honor that direction. You know what's stunning about God? When we listen He makes all things work together for good. Somehow on the days I've rested, He's made an extra half-hour somewhere else for me to tend to that list. He's good, He's good. How are you at making rest a priority?

OK, now on to wine for dinner. I love red wine. I love it in the same way I love coffee. Not for a superficial buzz (I drink decaf for Pete's sake), but because I genuinely enjoy it. I've got a bottle of red wine that is flirting with fermentation, so it had to be used. Enter today's recipe - Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon. This recipe is easy, aromatic and really flavorful. It will make your house smell so good you'll drool.

Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon

2 lbs stew beef roast cut into cubes (I cut it into cubes at the end when it was cooked, and put it back in for about 15 minutes, way easier to cut)
1 tbsp Ms Dash garlic and herb
2 tsp clove
1/2 cup GF ketchup
2 tbsp GF Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp honey
2 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 c arrowroot (or cornstarch)
4 large carrots sliced

Mix all ingredients but beef and carrots in a bowl and whisk well to combine. Place roast in crock pot and pour mixture over the meat. Cook on low for 5 or 6 hours. Add sliced carrots an hour before serving. Notes: I am not real fan of mushrooms, so I used carrots, but if you'd prefer a more traditional flavor you could use mushrooms. If you do opt for mushrooms think about steering away from the white button mushrooms (questionable for your health) and think about Shiitake or Maitake instead.

I served this over dilled cauliflower mashed potatoes, which was good, but Eric said it would be yummy over rice - he's right! That's how I'll serve it next time. Enjoy this warm, aromatic meal!