A Healthier Life (Products we use)

The food we consume, the lotions we apply, our 'health & beauty' products (like deodorant) are all absorbed into our bodies.  Have we ever thought about what is in those products and how they affect us?  Since I have started moving towards a healthier way of living for my family, I now consider these things and wonder "What is in them?"

The other day for lunch, I made a Suddenly Pasta salad kit.  As I am mixing it all together, I begin to wonder, "How fresh are these ingredients?  How are these noodles made?  What all is in this?"  And I don't mean just the ingredients list on the box but the process it goes through. 

When you start to look at how much preservatives go into processed foods, it is no wonder we gain weight and have health problems.  I don't want my kids to have that life!  I want to feed them healthy natural food.  I want them to appreciate good home grown flavor; not synthetic, hydrogenated, hormone-filled foods (YIKES!). 

I watched a documentary and it talked about how Adam was put here to rule over and guard all of creation.  I think that was man's First Purpose.  I want to fulfill that Purpose.  I want to grow trees and gardens.  I want to heal and protect the earth, the forests, the animals, the environment.  And in doing so, hopefully heal mankind.  (Wouldn't that be truly wonderful!)

But first, I must start with me.  I am moving towards getting rid of the pharmaceuticals and preservatives and growing good foods with my family.  I am looking for natural remedies instead of pills. 

It will be a journey, but one worth taking. 

Compost, beautiful compost

My husband loves to garden.  I mean really garden.  He has peas, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, all of it, the works!  I tinker with trees, bushes, roses, ivy, rosemary (the easy or pretty stuff).  But I love to compost.  I compost everything I can: egg shells, coffee grounds, sawdust, sand and the like and I check on it almost everyday.  It gives me such fulfilment to see 'waste' become nutrient rich soil that goes back into the garden to feed our beautiful veggies (and flowers).  Maybe that is another reason we work so well together; the yin and yang, the composter and gardener.

Ode to Coffee

It just got better!  Recently I have been adding a dash of cinnamon to my coffee grounds before I brew it in the morning.  Oh my word!  To borrow a line from the great Robert Frost, "And that has made all the difference."

So I had to re-post my "Ode to Coffee" because I felt it was very fitting.  So without further ado....

It's Coffee! Oh heavenly coffee! My adoration abounds!

The rich aroma, the steam, the gurgling brew
My morning's greeting isn't complete without a cup or two

The taste, the texture, the color, the cream
I snuggle my mug and slowly wake from my dream

A sip or two to savor my precious elixir
I have another for this is sweet nectar

No matter the morning, come rain or come shine
My coffee starts each day just fine


....with a friend at a local cafe or around the world at a small bistro ....at home on the sofa all alone wrapped in a blanket...it comforts the soul, soothes the pallet, and awakens the senses.

Hurray coffee!!!

I'm So Full!

{Please Watch Video First}

 

 

Long before I saw this video, I was already saying it.  But after seeing it, I thought it truly put it all into perspective for what I had already been telling Marlin for years.  I am FULL!

 

God has truly given me a cup that runneth over.  A fountain that overflows daily.  Much like Nicole White, I have my days when I am tired and my patience is worn thin but when I lay down my head at night and pray to my Heavenly Father, my heart has so many things to be thankful for. 

 

I give thanks for my wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally and works so hard to be the provider for his family.  I give thanks for my two spirited and strong-willed daughters that are curious and stubborn and brilliant and precious and ask that God continue to give me wisdom and grace to raise them with biblical teachings and a love in Him.  I give thanks for the church family I have found and the amazing friends I have.  I give thanks for the spiritual family I have and wisdom my Mom and Aunt Trisa share with me as well as my spiritual sisters (Rachel, Misty, Brooke, Donna, Angela Brousard, ).  Just so many reasons to be grateful. 

 

This weekend has been just that, a Blessing!  Marlin's brother, Jon, came over and spent some long overdue time with us.  We were joined by my dear friend Misty.  We laughed and visited and told stories and truly enjoyed the company of each other and I couldn't have hoped for a more wonderful evening than that.  Sunday worship was just as rewarding with a moving service followed by communion.  How fitting that our call to service was Psalm 23: 5-6  "...You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." 

 

I am full.  I am so very truly happily full.  I hope that you can be full too. 

 

 

Rainy Day Blues

I found an old post that I really enjoyed re-reading.  I just wanted to repost it for any of you that have ever had a similar experience. 

What a beautiful sunny day.

The sun is bright, the temperature is right - it is a perfect day....

...and I feel miserable.

A storm is brewing.

It is heavy, dark and ugly. It is looming on the horizon and creeping slowly eclipsing the sun's warmth.

I hate these feelings that engulf me. It's like standing on the shore watching the tsunami build to a great force that will crash on top of you and all you can do is plant your feet deep in the sand and wait for the rushing waters to subside.

I have hope. "This too shall pass" my wise mother always says.

What surprises me is a single thought comes in and I just as quickly try to dismiss it. But somehow the sticky residue clings to my subconscious and stirs emotions and feelings and brews into physical ailments that begin to fester this hideous storm. I become depressed and sad. I feel irritated and tired. I have that rainy day feeling all over me; robbing me of my otherwise sunny day joy.

So what do I need?

A pity party? Perhaps a night of pizza, DVDs, and popcorn...

Or a delightful dinner with a friend and a glass of Moscato...

Alas this too shall pass.

 

In the mean time my road feels long and I am weary from traveling alone. I long for a companion to travel with. To share the beautiful sunsets and the glorious horizons. To lay in the open fields and ponder at the vast sky and make shapes of the clouds. To laugh and share stories during the journey. To lean on during the hard spots or help carry the weight.

To name the furry woodland creatures. To have picnics or make shelter for the night, gathering firewood, or fishing in neighboring streams.

 

{Landslide by Fleetwood Mac just came on the radio - talk about timing

"...I climbed a mountain and I turned around. I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'till the landslide brought me down ... Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life?"}