I figured I would take a break from writing about food (even though I love food) to explain my new blog name.
My house is full. Absolutely, six kids, two pets, backyard chickens full. One hard working, evening school attending husband and one homeschooling wife. But, this house of mine is full of good things. Each child is a part of my household and as such, they are a blessing. They are full of good things. They are full of potential to be almost anything and to do almost anything. They are amazing. My pets are amazing, so peaceful and so lovable. My husband is also a huge blessing and joy. Plus, the love of the Lord abounds in us. I realized that my house is full of "goods." Not merchandise but good things, good people, good times and good memories.
I hope you can take a moment today to stop and take in all that is good in your life. Count those blessing a be amazed at how fast you run out of fingers.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Postpartum Clean Eating
Good Morning to all (in California, since it's not really morning here in VA anymore)!
But I want to talk about breakfast. Since my baby is now almost 3 weeks old, I have set myself to trying to eat healthy again. Less meats, more fruits and vegetables. But mornings are crazy because I go from nursing to dressing and tooth brushing and washing up to nursing again. Sundays are even crazier because we are rushing out to church. I am keenly aware of the need to keep proteins high in order to keep sugars low. So I searched the internet and ultimately found a recipe for oatmeal breakfast bites. But I just took the gist of it and made my own.
But I want to talk about breakfast. Since my baby is now almost 3 weeks old, I have set myself to trying to eat healthy again. Less meats, more fruits and vegetables. But mornings are crazy because I go from nursing to dressing and tooth brushing and washing up to nursing again. Sundays are even crazier because we are rushing out to church. I am keenly aware of the need to keep proteins high in order to keep sugars low. So I searched the internet and ultimately found a recipe for oatmeal breakfast bites. But I just took the gist of it and made my own.
I want to give you a recipe but I really didn't think about what I was doing. It's oats and walnuts and hulled raw hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds with Medjool dates, one over ripened banana and chunky peanut butter. The dates soaked for 15 minutes. Half of the oats were ground up with the pumpkin seeds, walnuts, dates and bananas. I added the hemp seeds and then the rest of the oats and the peanut butter. The object of the mix is to be a bit sticky so that it binds together. I baked rounded ball on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven until firm. They kept well in a sealed container. I ate one or two a day for a week. It really did keep the need for refined sugar away. Note that I said refined sugar because I know full well that dates and bananas are sugary.
Another favorite is my raw granola. The exact measurements are not listed because it's up to whoever makes it to determine how much. I make mine for one so it's literally a handful here and a handful there. It is full of buckwheat groats, dates, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, currants and cinnamon. I could have added flaxseed but opted not to. Soak and pit the dates and add them to a food processor with the walnuts and pumpkin seeds. I pulse until nicely combined, then add the groats, currants and cinnamon, about a tsp, and continue processing until it looks like it's binding together a bit. Delicious just like that. Sometimes I cut an apple in half and warm it and eat the granola over the apple like apple crisp.
Wonderful breakfast that leaves you feeling good and energized. I know that if I'm craving coffee, I need nutrients and so I seek to eat better. I am not a coffee addict, so that kind of craving is rooted in poor health that is causing me exhaustion.
By the way, new Mama tip. Birthing a baby leaves you very depleted of nutrient stores. Almost all of them. Don't forget to take your prenatals and your iron (separately to maximize absorption). Also, consider extra B12 and D because you're going to be holed up in the house more and possibly eating a poorer quality diet. I also recommend Chlorella tablets. I can't quite describe how they do something on a cellular level that makes you feel amazing. Just my opinion, but I know others agree with me. I've read the reviews. Just be sure it's the best quality.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Happy Police Week, We Appreciate Our Law Enforcers
I am probably going to step on some toes in this post, but it's my blog.
In this time of turmoil between law enforcement and communities, I think it's critical to point something out - police officers are people just like the rest of us. They have families who fear for them every time they go to work. They need time off, they lack rest, they love, laugh and experience sorrow just like everyone else. They are prone to bias and hatred and resentment and fear, just like everyone else. They, like everyone else, are lost sinners in need of the Savior. But I have had the pleasure of knowing some fine police officers. I have been pulled over by some fine officers who were right to stop me. I would not speak evil against them or teach my children to be against them because we need them to keep our neighborhood safe and keep us safe. It is unfortunate, downright sad, that there are those that abuse their authority and therefore abuse people, but please remember that that is just as much a part of being human. Without the love of Christ guiding our actions, we'd all be full of negative emotions and attitudes that would hurt others. I was full of hate as were many others I know. As Police Week draws to a close, how about we begin to focus on sharing some love with local officers. Smile at them, thank them, say something kind to them and teach your children to appreciate them. Right now, it feels like the world hates them and that is no way to open a much needed dialogue. That's no way to make a person who already feels threatened, feel safe. If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, share His love with an officer, if not in testimony, than through kindness and if you don't yet know Him, remember that you are as capable of those acts as anyone else, mostly because you don't know Christ.
One last thing...
I have the opinion that we must teach our children to behave in a way that does not lead the law to assume they are guilty of something. Don't walk around at night with your hood up if it's not raining. Don't enter a store with your hands in your pockets or your hood up (or both). Sagging pants look like you're hiding something. Be courteous and respectful when approached by police. We must at least equip our children to try to be a disarming factor, not an alarming factor.
Once again, thank you to those who serve as police officers and to the families of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
In this time of turmoil between law enforcement and communities, I think it's critical to point something out - police officers are people just like the rest of us. They have families who fear for them every time they go to work. They need time off, they lack rest, they love, laugh and experience sorrow just like everyone else. They are prone to bias and hatred and resentment and fear, just like everyone else. They, like everyone else, are lost sinners in need of the Savior. But I have had the pleasure of knowing some fine police officers. I have been pulled over by some fine officers who were right to stop me. I would not speak evil against them or teach my children to be against them because we need them to keep our neighborhood safe and keep us safe. It is unfortunate, downright sad, that there are those that abuse their authority and therefore abuse people, but please remember that that is just as much a part of being human. Without the love of Christ guiding our actions, we'd all be full of negative emotions and attitudes that would hurt others. I was full of hate as were many others I know. As Police Week draws to a close, how about we begin to focus on sharing some love with local officers. Smile at them, thank them, say something kind to them and teach your children to appreciate them. Right now, it feels like the world hates them and that is no way to open a much needed dialogue. That's no way to make a person who already feels threatened, feel safe. If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, share His love with an officer, if not in testimony, than through kindness and if you don't yet know Him, remember that you are as capable of those acts as anyone else, mostly because you don't know Christ.
One last thing...
I have the opinion that we must teach our children to behave in a way that does not lead the law to assume they are guilty of something. Don't walk around at night with your hood up if it's not raining. Don't enter a store with your hands in your pockets or your hood up (or both). Sagging pants look like you're hiding something. Be courteous and respectful when approached by police. We must at least equip our children to try to be a disarming factor, not an alarming factor.
Once again, thank you to those who serve as police officers and to the families of those who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
A Shout Out to a Few Faves
First of all, yesterday was International Midwives Day. So I want more than anything to say thank you to all of those women who choose the midwifery profession. My life has been so profoundly changed by midwives. My first three children were c-sections and when I was thinking of having a fourth child, I thought I didn't want to get cut again. That was a true test of faith. A dear friend introduced me to her midwife that had delivered four of her babies. So it was, with a great deal of prayer and amazing support, my fourth baby was delivered at home with the careful care and watchful eye of midwives. My fifth and now sixth were also delivered at home with midwifery care. I was even more blessed to be able to have the same midwife for all three. She attended the first two with the main midwife while she was training. This third delivery was hers along with her assistant. She now has her own midwifery practice. But I tell you, midwives not just women at your birth. They are a wealth of love and comfort and wisdom that makes birth so incredible. It is painful and challenging, it requires you to go to strength only God can provide. But their gentle voice and firm resolve really push you through. I trust the midwives who've cared for me and my precious babies and I thank them for giving me a different kind of birth from what I had known.
Second, this week is Small Business Week. I want to thank all of those who create goods and resolutely set themselves to selling them. Midwives are also small businesses. But I have been known to browse Etsy and I have purchased lotion from a friend that was incredible in my hair. Here are a few links to my fave Etsy shops:
www.etsy.com/shop/LuxNaturesSupplies
www.etsy.com/shop/MamaBearBabyWear
And one on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/AlongCameNovemberDesigns
Hopefully, you find a chance this week to show some love to a small business owner by spending some money with them. That's what this great nation was built on, capitalism at its best.
Second, this week is Small Business Week. I want to thank all of those who create goods and resolutely set themselves to selling them. Midwives are also small businesses. But I have been known to browse Etsy and I have purchased lotion from a friend that was incredible in my hair. Here are a few links to my fave Etsy shops:
www.etsy.com/shop/LuxNaturesSupplies
www.etsy.com/shop/MamaBearBabyWear
And one on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/AlongCameNovemberDesigns
Hopefully, you find a chance this week to show some love to a small business owner by spending some money with them. That's what this great nation was built on, capitalism at its best.
Here I am!
I have moved over from my previous blog to hopefully one that works with my google plus.
So now that I'm not pregnant, I can function. Those sleepy days and sleepless nights got in the way of my desire to sit at the computer. However, like the many other wonderful creatures birthed in Spring, my lovely son (by no means a mere creature) was birthed into this world safely in my own home. This has given me much to reflect on and much to be thankful for. But this post is mostly a test post to see if it links to my Google Plus. Then the many topics I have listed will follow.
So now that I'm not pregnant, I can function. Those sleepy days and sleepless nights got in the way of my desire to sit at the computer. However, like the many other wonderful creatures birthed in Spring, my lovely son (by no means a mere creature) was birthed into this world safely in my own home. This has given me much to reflect on and much to be thankful for. But this post is mostly a test post to see if it links to my Google Plus. Then the many topics I have listed will follow.
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