Cookie cutter!

If you came here looking for a good cookie cutter recipe you were wrong, but shouldn't be disappointed. :D

So I was going to post on my facebook wall what a great hubby I have for getting up with the kids and cooking a fabulous breakfast for all.... Then I thought but that's not the true heart of the matter. So I decided to write a blog.

The true heart of the matter is that my husband truly loves me the way that Christ loved the church. Christ didn't love people how he wanted to be loved, or the way someone told him how they loved their spouse, but he loved each individual in their unique way and circumstances. If they were blind he healed them, if they needed food he fed them, and because we needed a sacrifice to cleanse us of our sins he died.

See if I said that my husband needs me to clean, cook and take care of our children and stopped there then I would miss the unique way in how he desires to be loved. The Bible says to respect your husband and that's what I need to do. But if I only respected him and never looked at anything else I wouldn't be a very good wife and if my husband only loved me and didn't respect me then he would be missing the picture. Each one of us have different talents, personalities, gifts, desires and family backgrounds. If we look at people and say there's only one way to be a good wife, mother, Christian and friend we wouldn't be doing our best. 

If on a day that my husband comes home and just needs a nap I come running with all the "man jobs" he needs to do then I wouldn't be acting in love. And if my husband came home and I was a exhausted, sleep deprived and in need of a brake he demanded I needed to do my list of "wifely duties" then that would not be acting in love.

We're a team and each team member needs different things done on different days. Sometimes my hubby cooks, sometimes I take out the trash, sometimes I'm the one to say the prayers at night, at some point I worked a job outside of the home and my husband enjoys to sew. We are different and bring different talents to the table. I know women who love to work on cars. I know men who love to cook. 

All this to say. Don't let someone or some book tell you how to love your spouse, kids, family and friends. Don't get me wrong books and advice are great. I have favorite books. But if we don't ask God to reveal to us how to love him, our kids and our family we might just miss the mark. I love the fact that Christ gives me strength when I'm weak, wisdom when I need it, love when I'm feeling un-loved, direction when I'm directionless, and the ability to love others in a way I am incapable on my own. Be Christ to your husband. Seek to love in the way he needs to be loved on that day, that hour or that week. Allow your husband to love you and too take over your "duties" when you need it. Be each others help meet. Love each other without limitations. Be Christ where ever you are!

Lunch @ the Blowers

Thought today's lunch should be shared. We made cold chicken noodle pasta.

Ingredients:

One bag of noodles (I used brown rice noodles-they are gluten free & delish)
2 cans of organic chicken (this or already cooked & shredded chicken)
Peas (I used frozen)
Olives
onions
Dried organic black beans (or canned)
Dried organic garbanzo beans (or canned)
carrots (cut in tiny pieces)
Mayonnaise
Seasonings (use your favorite ones)


Cook noodles as directed, soak beans over night then cook, drain everything and mix together with mayonnaise and seasonings. Then enjoy!  :D

Who are you living for?

So these thoughts have been swirling around in my head lately. Sometimes I myself can get caught up in thinking, acting, dressing and eating to please man rather than God. Now don't get me wrong we should consider our brother and sisters in Christ in what we do, but they cannot be the only one or the one. Sometimes I find myself running around in circles thinking will the offend this person or that person and honestly this can drive one crazy.... First of all we cant make decisions based on what if's, because that list could go on and on.

I think if I simply ask my father God if something is okay and allow him to speak to me about what's okay I will be a lot better off. Because people are all different with all their own opinions and I can't base what I do on other peoples opinions. I must ask God and allow him to show me how to look, live, eat and be.

Who's approval are we looking for anyway? It must be God's! Don't get me wrong I love to hear people's opinions and God uses his people to speak and teach us also. I must know God's opinion first therefore when someone speaks out of jealousy, fear, anger or bitterness I can rely on God to combat those lies.

God shows us how to live each and every aspect of life. He teaches us how to live through his word, through his voice and through the example of himself when he lived here on earth. When in doubt search his word, pray and seek his voice. I desire to hear his voice as clear as I hear my husband speak to me. When we stand before the Lord, the opinions of all the billions of people in the world will count for nothing. Only God's opinion will matter in that day.

Jesus I ask that everyone who reads this would get to know your voice better and may it be as clear to them as there own earthly father's voice. Amen

Here is a little bit of of John Maxwell's words and scriptures to meditate on. Isaiah was one of the most powerful models in the Bible. The book that bears his name describes his consistent lifestyle, his uncompromising convictions and his clear vision that drove him to continue speaking out despite the unfaithfulness of his people. Isaiah led with integrity. Integrity means "oneness" the quality of purity and consistency. Isaiah's convictions teach us about avoiding ungodly compromise. He and his contemporary Micah, both raised the bar for the people by holding to GOD'S standards with unswerving determination.

Matt 6:1 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them Otherwise you have no reward from your father in heaven.

Colossians 3:22-23  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life

John 4:34 "my food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                             

Granola recipe

Several people have asked for this recipe. I've made a lot of modifications, but still want to try to get rid of the need to put any oil in it, but for right now I do put the oil in.

Pre heat oven *350

5 cups organic rolled oats
2 cups of your favorite nuts (I use walnuts & almonds)
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup coconut
1 cup flax seed   (you don't have to add this, but adds nutrients)
1 TBSP cinnamon

Mix all ingredients above and then place on greased cookie sheets.

1 cup raisins
1 cup cranberries

Add the above after it's cooked.

3/4 cup oil (I use olive or coconut oil)
1 cup raw local honey

Heat oil, honey & vanilla in pan until blended. (5 mins) Then drizzle all over granola and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the oats and nuts are toasted. Immediately after it comes out of the oven, stir in the raisins and dried cranberries.


You can find almost all the above ingredients in the bulk foods isle in your grocery store. Stays good for about 2 weeks, but it wont be around that long I'm sure! :) This is a great alternative to boxed cereals which are not really healthy.

What about you?

Since I only have about one comment on my blogs and I know there's more of you that read my blogs than that I decided to turn it around to you... So I want to hear from you! I would love for you to post a few topics that you are passionate about. Please let me hear from you! :D

Do I think...

Do I think because I breastfeed, cloth diaper, eat mostly raw & organic and such that I am better person than you? Absolutly not!!!

Do I think that breast is BEST for ALL babies?. Yes. Do I understand that every women has her own set of circumstances? Yes. Do I think that a none breast fed baby is less loved by their mother if she chooses not too? Nope

Do I think cloth diapering is the best for our family? Yes. Do I think that it's best for all families? NO. Do I believe a mom loves the earth & baby less if she uses disposable diapers? NO. (I also use on occasion)

Do I think that eating a mostly raw & organic diet is best for people? Yes. Do I know that not everyone can? Yes.

Do I eat meat? Yes! Do I try to avoid non-organic meat and feel that all should? Yes. Do I think everyone can? No. Do I think your less of a person because you eat a McDonalds burger? NO. (I do on occasion too)  :/

Do I think it's best for everyone to eat less meat and processed foods? Yes. Do I think your a bad or unintelligent person if you don't. Nope.

What I do think.... I believe as a wife, mother and christian I have a responsibility to share what God and my life have taught me. I believe that growing, changing and learning should be apart of my life and yours. I desire to learn and teach others what I have learned. I think that if I'm passionate about certain things that I have a responsibility to share them. Does my passion come off Know it all, rude, pushy, better than you? Maybe. Is that my heart? Nope. I desire to serve God and do what I think he would want me to do for myself & family. In all that I do I strive for excellence.

Thanks for hearing my heart!

similarities

So here are some of my kids similarities. Again. M=Mercedes and I= Isaiah

M and I both seem to have very stubborn personalities. :) Which probably came from their dad. LOL ;)

M- never seemed to like standard baby toys. I- is the same way. Give him a piece of paper or string and it will keep him entertained for hours. (and yes I watch him the entire time he plays with these items)  B)

Mercedes always loved baths when she was little and now loves to swim. I- He loves to splash in the water like crazy!

M- never liked being rocked to sleep. I- now does not like this either only wants to be laid down! :D

M- She would live outdoors if she could. I- He is the same way. Loves to be outside and is happy when he is.

Both love rides in the stroller.

Both will sleep late if it's dark & rainy outside

Both hated sucking or chewing on anything cold/freezing when infants M- loves stuff that is cold/freezing now.

Both love music. M- will brake out dancing as soon as she hears music.

Both do not like playing alone. They always want someone to play with them.

Both have dimples when they smile!! )**(

Both were born with darker hair and now both have blonde hair

Both would rather stay naked all day. I- although he is much worse. Screams like he is being murdered while being changed and or dressed...

Both have pug noses. M- her's is more pug though.

Both love camping.

Both seem to love animals

Both hate loud noises. M- still does not like them and gets startled easily.

Both enjoy fire works with their ear muffs on

Both LOVE watermelon

Finally both of them LOVE their mommy and daddy. :D