Here's Some Random

Happy Autumn!

So, I seem to be turning into one of those "health nuts/granola" people. I have always loved researching health and learning the nutritional facts on foods, etc., which has led me to several things I have started incorporating into my life. And though I should be doing a million other things right at this moment, I just have to get this post up, it's on my mind too much!

The more research I do, the more I discover that a plant-based, living-food diet is the most healthFULL way to eat. Which is what I want for my family. I have been eating more and more living (raw) foods and less and less sugar, gluten, meat, dairy (still have coffee and tea, though) and I gotta tell you, I feel the best I've ever felt, more energy, I feel light instead of that ugly heavy feeling and my skin looks better as well as I'm down several pounds (yipee!).

Here are two of the many tips I have to share with you on this new healthy lifestyle journey.

GREEN SMOOTHIES

The first thing and my most favorite are "Green smoothies". Start the day with a tall glass of lemon water and then have a green smoothie. Here is my most favorite recipe:
Let's call it THE GOOD MORNING SMOOTHIE
1 mango (if no mango add another peach and a frozen banana or two.)
1 peach
3-4 large kale leaves or substitute spinach, collards or chard.*
1 inch (or less) of fresh peeled ginger
and enough water to blend in your blender to the concistancy you enjoy.

~A few extras you could add in just to kick up the healthy:
Flaxmeal
Coconut oil (really tasty in this smoothie)
Bee pollen (that's what those little flecks are in the picture - a little bit goes a long way!)
Parsley
Chia seeds

*a high speed blender works best on the greens, otherwise you may end up with a chunky version - which, though not the most palatable, still doable

SOOO cleansing, tasty and full of energy. The kids like it too - especially my one year old - she fights me for my cup. :)

DATES
The other little tip to share is date paste. Buy some Madjool dates, or whatever you can find that are all natural.

Pit them, soak 'em in water over night and blend them with the soaking water in a blender or food prcoessor into a smooth paste.

This makes a delicious sweetener in your smoothies (in case you don't have sweet fruit, add some date paste to the above smoothie). I've put this date paste on toast, oatmeal, quinoa, in salad dressings, hummus... the possibilities are endless and they are full of minerals and are an all natural sweetener alternative.

Just remember, small changes can make a big difference. Here's to a lovely, healthy life!

Love

You know what I love about love? It's unlimited. It's boundless. It disregards a blemish or fault because it's pursuit is far deeper than the external, superficial or even the crack in one's personal character. It's able to move up, over and around the seeming ominous "boulders" that often stand in the way of our own mental and emotional capabilites.
It's faithful - matchless loyalty.

I've been pondering the many constant adjustments and irritants and disturbances that usually arise within a day as not just a mom and wife, but as a human being. The inner workings of my personality combined with my weaknesses and lack of self-control smacking head-on into the unforeseen circumstances of everyday life can be a very unattractive collision. I see myself reacting (in anger) instead of responding (in gentleness). It's not pretty. I feel my loved ones deserve so much better than what I offer, which is a revelation that leaves such a bitter taste in my mouth and soul.

And then, mixed in with all this daily business, there are these profound moments.
These moments of absolute, heart-breaking joy and captivation.
Such as a moment where I look at my husband from across the room as he's administering his infectious sense of humour and adoration to our kids and I am overwhelmed with my feelings for him, where it feels like a hand is squeezing my heart and I have to hold myself back from jumping the counter to tackle him.

A moment where, it's as though I see my children for the first time and it catches my breath because of the physical beauty I see.

A moment where a reflection of my child's inner beauty sneaks out of them in a gesture of compassion and kindness.

A moment when my sweet baby wraps her little velvety arms around my neck and hugs with ferocious abandon.

A moment where I feel the gentle kiss of Adonai to my heart where I know He is whispering his forgiveness and mercy in spite of all the ugliness I see in myself.

I think these moments are because of LOVE (not to mention a whole lot of sweet grace). It's such a small, little, four-letter, english word, yet it has the power of life and death, because without it in us, for us and through us, what on earth would life be?!!

I'm not writing about the love you hear frivilously spoken of everyday, everywhere. Where the meaning is usually characterized by a feeling or a physical lust or a desire for certain objects.

What I'm talking about is the LOVE that exudes from the eternal, everlasting, uncompromising, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, life-giving, living, holy, perfect Creator. God himself. Love.

What I love about love is Love. :) Peace in.

I Cor. 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.


1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Hello, Summer.

Well, it's Summer, finally. It's been such a cold and rainy beginning, but August came in with some heat and it cools off quite a bit at night still, which is one of the many things I love about the northwest. I am sorry for those of you who live in the south - wish I could send you some relief from the heat!

So, my wonderful husband surprised me on my birthday this July with the camera I have longed for for years - so look out! - I am sure pictures galore will show up on Facebook and this blog. Beginning today! I still have so much to learn - I haven't a clue about editing and such, but I am having so much fun - when I get the chance to play with it.

A couple of weeks ago, Jason took us on a picnic in the mountains - which is one of my all time favorite family activities. So I just had to post the awesomeness that is British Columbia and the beauty that astounds me (if you click on the pictures, the clarity is much better). It was a perfect day, but the horse flies and mosquitoes were rather ridiculous - but we persevered. :)

<

Take a little walk with me.

So, I have been trying to upload the gazillion pictures I took when I was at my parents' place this April. I thought it would be fun to bring you all along with me to my old stomping grounds for a walk - where I used to explore/pray/vent and breathe so often as a child and young adult.
However, it has taken what seems like years to upload even these, so I am posting what I have so I can MOVE ON with my life! (for goodness sake!)

My parents home and the Grande Ronde Valley with Mount Emily.

I love mossy trees. Probably because they are only mossy in spring because of the dry climate here.

The driveway.

Pretty landscape below their house.

Sorry this is so blah, hopefully next post will be more interesting! Hope you all are having a great Spring!

It's only been six months...

Well, I tell you, this four-kids thing has sure slowed down my ability to put thoughts together that make any sense and/or are worth writing in a blog where other human beings (as opposed to what...idk) read.

I am stupified and mesmerized that it has been SIX MONTHS since my last post. Rediculous. So, thanks to some encouragement from a dear friend, I will try to pull it together...

I'm sitting here trying to think of a way to re-cap the last six months without boring you all to tears, and having a difficult time. So I will (try to) just give gentle descriptions of a few of the important highlights.

My Sweet Hope turned four years old. She pretty much planned her little party and the cake and had a list of potential gifts for months before her

actual birthday. Everything she saw (usually anything pink) she would add to her list... I was beginning to think she was going to be extremely disappointed when birthday time came, but, good grief - did she make out like a bandit! Love that girl!

We had the first of MANY snow fall's on November 19th. Not neccesarily a 'highlight' to me, per say, but there it is. And for those of you who know my absolute fondness (sarcasm) for winter, I want you to know I

determined in my heart to remain positive and try to rejoice in all the white, cold, miserable,
beautiful winter, and I feel I had victory. It was also a tremendous help that we purchased a new-to-us suburban that actually made it up our road in the snow without any intercession and/or multiple tries and driving backwards up the drive way! It was glorious!

We are going to church. [gasp]
Okay, let me back up a tad, Jason and I have been praying since we married about going to church, and neither of us ever had any real answers. We specifically prayed that we would meet the people He wanted us to be in relationship with for that much needed and longed for 'fellowship' (for lack of a better word) and if church was a part of that then so be it. Well, long story short - the Lord used Justice's kindergarten class and another playday event with the kids to introduce us to some wonderful new friends and church. :) We are sooo loving getting to know these dear people - there are several families with young children whom we get to hang out with on a weekly basis! This is so long in coming and we are grateful. The best outcome of this has been that our kids are making wonderful friendships with kids who have like-minded parents and values - that is such a gift to us.

Justice turned SIX years old! Holy toledo. He is growing so tall, maturing, learning so much, has so many interests and is such a good,

sweet boy. We are very proud of him. Although I'm struggling a smidge with all this maturity and growth - I miss my baby boy, yet, what a wonderful thing to see him become his own person. Thinking about it is exciting, because I know Yahweh has so many good things ahead for our kids.

Grace is finally starting to have words and sentences that we can understand. THIS is a big deal. It can be such a frustration to all involved when verbal communication consists of pointing, whining, pulling of hair (my own) and an occasional growl. She is getting there. :)

Mercy is growing so fast. She is such a joy, loves being with her siblings and her siblings ADORE her. She handles over-affection very well. That girl is loved. Although, her new thing lately - since having an ear infection and no longer breastfeeding - is to scream when she wants something, we're talking the kind of scream that makes you wish you were devoid of nerves and ears, and makes you daydream about some kind of device that could be placed over the child's head that would render her vocal chords temporarily useless until she can tell you what she wants and asks with a please and thank you, kind of scream. And she screams between bites of food, for pete's sake... anyway, we have NO idea how to stop this and are open to interventions
advice.

My parents came for two visits this autumn/winter (yay!).

I got my hair cut and colored (money saving tip: go 8 months between haircuts!)

Jason cut his hair [gasp]... not quite short enough, in my humble oppinion, but it's a start... He's handsome all the time, I know.

We've gotten quite a bit done in our basement, it's even got color on the walls and there's flooring!

I think I may be done breastfeeding... like for. ever... [let's just sit in silence and ponder that statement for a moment]

Because I'm no longer breastfeeding, I am now slowly starting to change my diet to a more vegetarian/raw diet and really loving it (even losing a few pounds). This is a great websight on the subject if ever you are interested. http://rawfoodrehab.ning.com

I got a steam mop.

It's SPRING. [can you hear the Hallelujah chorus?]

And that is probably enough. If you've read this entire post, well, God bless you and return all the time you lost ten-fold!! Thanks for reading. Until next time.... much love and HAPPY SPRING!

[side note: It's been so long since I've blogged, I can't find the spell check, so um, just ignore all the misspelled words, okeedokee? ty]