Day 12: The Secret to Abundant Life

"I am perpetually with you, taking care of you. That is the most important fact of your existence. I am not limited by time or space. My Presence with you is a forever-promise. You need not fear the future, for I am already there. When you make that quantum leap into eternity, you will find Me awaiting in heaven. Your future is in My hands; I release it to you day by day, moment by moment. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow. 

I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. Don't be distracted by future concerns. Leave them to me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abundant living spills over the time lime into tomorrow's worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant Life, which flows freely from My throne of grace."

Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Matthew 6:28-34

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 11: What Does Fall Taste Like?

Today, {Healthy} Living tastes like roasted kale. And I hereby declare roasted kale to be the official taste of fall! Remember what it's like to walk through a pile of crunchy fall leaves? Ever wondered what would happen if you baked them in the sun with a little bit of olive oil and sea salt and then popped them into your mouth like a potato chip? To me, roasted kale truly tastes like a glorious fall day. Do you believe me? I dare you to try it!

Kale was one of those vegetables that I secretly vowed to stay away from. Quite honestly, the big, course leaves scared me. But knowing how nutrient dense they are, when I heard about this simple recipe for roasted kale, I decided to get adventurous and get a little wild with dinner. {I was also secretly hoping that my family would not disown me.}

Imagine my surprise when the first words out of their mouths were,

"Wow! This really does taste a little bit like a potato chip!"

"It's not too bad, Mom!"

and

"Mom, are you making that new vegetable again tonight? It was pretty good!"

Someone help me pick my jaw off the floor!

photo credit and recipe for amazing Baked Kale Chips

My only hint: Make sure to get the leaves good and roasted, but not burnt. Some leaves were not toasty enough for me and I felt like I was eating a wet, soggy leaf on a rainy fall day. Gross!

Quick, go buy some fresh kale and see what fall tastes like. Now!

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 10: {Healthy} Living is...

This week, {Healthy} Living is packing a bag of snacks, putting on our tennis shoes, and loading in the car for a fall break adventure at the Gardens.

It's drinking in sunshine and navigating new paths and lingering by the Monet Pool to wonder at God's creation.
 

It's gazing into the water to reflect on our reflections of Him. 

And to notice His fingerprints everywhere.

It's slowing down to remember His deep, deep love for us, 

and how that challenges, inspires, and feeds our love for each other.

It's singing "In every change, He faithful will remain."
Today, it's believing this truth.

It's embracing the beauty of death and loss and it really is all beautiful.

 

What is {Healthy} Living to you?

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 9: Living Limited

It takes faith to say "yes."

Sometimes it takes even greater faith to say "no."

No.

No.

No.

Why is it that this simple word is the one of the greatest downfalls of today's modern woman?

It's. Just. So. Hard. To. Say. {And even harder to admit.}

No, I can't teach this Sunday School class. {Even though I know you have no one else to ask.}

No, I can't make a meal for this new mom. {Even though I know she could really use a break.}

No, I can't drop everything for you today. {Even though I love you dearly and would give my life for you.}

Why is it so hard to set limits and even harder to live this limited life?

Maybe because we were never made to be super woman after all. We are finite.

Or maybe it's because I'm still learning that I don't run the world and that it's not all up to me after all.

Today, healthy living sounds like fearfully, faithfully breathing the word "No."

And being willing to wait in the dark for His grace and His leading for when to say "Yes."

Sara Groves sings this truth...Listen and be encouraged.

 

Sara Groves "Finite"

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 8: Meatless Monday

Happy Monday! Happy "Meatless" Monday, that is!

In an effort to cut back on the amount of meat that we consume and increase the fruits, vegetables, and plant based foods, we're starting Meatless Monday today. It's all about {healthy} living!

So, what's on our dinner menu tonight?

Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Lettuce salad with Cinnamon Pear vinaigrette
Curried Couscous with Feta

I discovered this roasted potato recipe last fall and haven't looked back. Dressed up potatoes, my favorite!

recipe and photo credit

I've been waiting for the fall to pull out this flavorful balsamic vinegar to make a little vinaigrette for our salad. I found this in a specialty oil and vinegar shop in downtown St. Charles, Missouri. A little taste from "home" I say.

website and photo credit

A friend has inspired me with this simple couscous recipe. It looks so yummy. Can't wait to try it!
Check it out...

recipe and photo credit

Do you have any inspirational meatless recipes to share?
Help...I need ideas!

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 7: Rest

Today, {healthy} living is spelled R-E-S-T.

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

But you were unwilling...

Isaiah 30:15

May we not be among the unwilling today.

Rest in His love, and live.

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.

Day 6: A Recipe

Yesterday was the first day of fall break. But look what we woke up to...

There was a dusting of snow everywhere! Is it fall, or is it winter? Lovely Colorado weather!

Hot chocolate was in order to celebrate the seasons and the first day of vacation.

As I was making hot chocolate for the kids {no sugar for this mama}, I was inspired! Since I had only one packet of mix for one child, I decided to go old fashioned homemade for the other. {Just to keep everyone happy.} And then it hit me....I could make hot chocolate with stevia {a no calorie, plant-based natural sweetener} for me, and now this mama could be happy, too!!!

Stevia? I was first introduced to stevia years ago from my super inspirational college friend, Michelle. We share a lot in common. Grew up in the Midwest, raised with wonderful Scandinavian traditions {translation: very unhealthy foods!} and a love for people and yummy foods...not to mention gourmet coffee. We met each other {and Jesus again} at college. After college and getting married, she and her hubby moved off to beautiful Seattle, Washington. Must be something about the mountain air, because after she got pregnant with twins, she was determined to get healthy, run 5k's and triathlons, and climb mountains with her grandbabies someday. She was my first inspiration to healthy living.

So when she first introduced me to stevia, I honestly thought it was a little weird. But over the years it has grown on me slowly, and it's not new anymore so I'm not as scared. {Did I mention that I'm a girl that doesn't do too well with change?}

I'm thankful for Michelle for introducing me to stevia and the pleasures of hot beverages.

Stevia Hot Chocolate is soooooooo easy!

Here's the recipe:
1 cup skim milk
1 T. cocoa powder
1 small packet of stevia {I used truvia, which is from the stevia plant}
a few drops of vanilla
a pinch of sea salt
Combine in small saucepan and heat on stove to desired temperature. Just don't scald your milk!

Only thing that would make this any better would be some caramel to turn this into more of a Salted Caramel Mocha. But that would kind of be defeating the purpose, right?

Today we're off to football games, and now I can have this yummy fall drink!

Interested in Truvia, a zero-calorie sweetener made with the best tasting part of the stevia plant? Check it out and let me know how it inspires you!

I'm writing for 31 days of {Healthy} Living this month.

Join me and let's LIVE! Check out the end of Day 1 for the link to all the posts.