Like a fairytale

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
 He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;
yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginnng to end. 
Ecclesiastes 3:11

http://originalfreeclipart.blogspot.com/2010/08/fireflies.html

Dear Fireflies,

Tonight, I peered through my window
and saw dusk encroaching with a pinkish glow.
The night sky beckoned me
to step outside with a whisper from the tree.


I was enchanted by the colors and the fading light.
It was like the sun wouldn't go down without a fight!
And yet, as the colors fade;
among the fireflies a painting was made.


With the background of the pinkish purplish sky
the fluttering bugs were twinkling their good-byes.
The world seemed to pause at their will,
as all was hushed and very still.


All was still except for those dancing bugs.
There was a comfort within the scene echoed only by precious hugs.
So much in life taunts us that we most likely can and will fail,
but this fragile, delicate moment warmed the heart like an inspired fairytale.


This scene lasted a mere minute, or two.
And yet, it screamed a truth so true;
That beauty, kindness, and love continue to grow!
If we pause for just a moment, nature still offers a breathtaking show.

Bountiful fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

 faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

This verse of scripture literally sums up my first full week of being a "nanny".  The week was as amazing as I hoped and as exhausting as I feared, but most importantly I survived and am better for it.  We begin so many of our days with trepidation.  Will I have enough? Will I be enough? Do I want this enough?  We forget there is another side - that what we have will overflow - that we are more than we think - and that our want will only increase our love. 

I get to spend my days with six amazing youth ages ranging from twenty months - thirteen years of age.  We cover a lot of ground.  My mind, my body (so many aches ;), my heart, and my spirit are tested daily from so many directions.  Because each "child" (I believe we are all children) sees life from a different perspective and therefore has different needs I decided it was good to have a theme each day.  I also figured if I was to pull from any source to be our foundation, the Bible would be the best source.  This week and next we are diving into the fruits of the Spirit.  Each day  a "fruit" is the theme and we plan several activities around this.  And to make it even more diverse and fun I picked a fruit that I felt best represented the "fruits" of the Spirit to tie in the lesson and promote a lifestyle FULL of  Health for both myself and the kids who want to eat/live healthy (like many of us that at least say this is what they want :) 

What fruits would you pick for love? Joy? Peace? Patience? Kindness? 

I chose pineapple, melons (watermelon and canary), olives, pear, and oranges.  What I find a tad funny is the only fruit that I have not physically eaten this week?  Pears for patience.  I feel that it is pretty fitting :)  Also it was the one fruit that the kids all made faces and frowned afraid they would have to sample a bite.  Funny, how patience tends to be the toughest fruit to swallow.

Why my choices?  I picked pineapple for love because it makes me think of Hawaii that seems to have an image of pure bliss as it portrays a calm and loving environment that exudes utter relaxation.

Melons for joy because when I think of summer, fun, and family - we have shared many watermelons.  They are sweet, plentiful, and can get a little messy and everyone seems to have a smile after sampling a bite.

Peace using olives - olive branch anyone?

Patience with pears.  First I have to share my nerdy alliteration pleasure.  I like when beginning sounds play off of each other.  Next, I think it is easy for us to be the opposite of pears when it comes to patience.  We can start our day patient but as the day wanes so does our patience.  We need to be able to build our patience when we are at the point of having only a little bit.  Also a pear is ripe when it is.  It needs time and moves at its own pace and we as the consumer have to be . . .patient.

Last but not least orange for kindness.  I read somewhere that the color orange symbolizes friendship and kindness.  Also think about it - when you eat an orange it is one of the few fruits that once you start peeling lends itself to be easy to "share" kindness with a friend. 

This week has allowed me to sample many fruits - physically and spiritually.  Its amazing when we open ourselves to the world of possibilities - anything is possible and everything changes.

May your HealthFULL Journey include a large variety of fruit to sample- physically and spiritually so that our journeys can be as flavorful and as bountiful as possible. 'Til we meet again . . .

Hot Potato!

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 

 For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

-- 2 Corinthians 4:18

Isn't there something almost magical about farming? You plant these tiny little seeds, nurture that seed and it becomes a plant that with enough TLC learns to thrive.  Look closely at the picture above?  Do you see the bountiful harvest?  No?  Its potatoes.  A lot of potatoes! Enough potatoes to require the attention of three adults and five children.  Look closer at the picture.  How about now, can you see the potatoes now?  Probably not, but that doesn't make them any less real.

You don't simply pick potatoes - you have to dig for them.  Our top farmer would use the tractor to reveal the delicious vegetables hidden in plain view.  Then the kids and I would grab our baskets and begin to "play" in the dirt and capture our starchy treats.  And there were many potatoes to be found.  We sought, we dug, and we captured our bountiful harvest.

It was a moving experience.  The sun was shining and the as the soil was scattered - little jewels appeared ready to be harvested.  I have been like the potato which might prove the old saying true - You are what you eat :)  I have been waiting in the dark.  I have been growing.  I have sat silent avoiding early light afraid of a quick dismissal.  But with a few big upheavals ready to show myself and hope for the best. 

Pick me! Pick me! I shout to the world.  Pick me Pick me - the kids say to me daily for numerous reasons:  "Pick me to read!" "Pick me to say grace!" "Pick me to love!"  Isn't that what we all seek?  Pick me to love so that I can show my talents. Let me display all of my growing and that it matters to someone.  That someone cares enough to stop, even for a moment, and say wow I might not have seen it earlier but I see you are ready to be picked, utilized, and loved. 

What stage of growth are you experiencing? Are you just planted eagerly awaiting the future possibilities? Are you in the middle of a deep growth and fear disturbance?  Or are you ready to be harvested and screaming pick me pick me! 

It isn't easy to decipher which stage a seed recently planted may reside.  But with faith and  a tad touch of common sense; we can cross paths with the unseen and harvest the ripened "fruit". 

May your HealthFULL Journey include all areas of growth especially answers of  peace and  revelations of the seen and the unseen.  "til we meet again . . .

I told you there was a lot of potatoes ;)

    

Goodbye SweetHeart Goodbye!!!

Goodbye Sweetheart, Good-bye :)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

 a time to be born, and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot, . . .

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance. . .

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,4)



How many celebrations have you attended?  Think, relish in these precious memories - weddings, birthdays, graduation parties, baby showers, celebrations for the any old odd reason - its a Tuesday, lost the last tooth, holiday gatherings).  Do you have an idea?  Are you laughing at the memories, the jokes that are retold still today about that occasion?  Now with those pictures in mind - how many sweets are present?  Be honest - no quick glances.  A lot right?  Pretty much every one of those memories has a cake battering (pun totally intended:) itself into those precious pictures.  Why? Because we want to make those memories sweet and special enough for those most delicious, outlandish, beautiful desserts.  Were these events about the cake?(I see some of you nodding - no these events were not about the cake!)  Would we have been disappointed as the host or the guest without that sweet treat?  Now you can nod. . .

We do like to celebrate with a sweet concoction to tie the event together.  We like the honoree to see we want to please all five senses - especially visual and taste.  We want this event to be filed under spectacular and fun and "sweet".  No one is grabbing the bitter melon to leave that nasty aftertaste of bitterness.  We want the event to end on a pleasing sweet note of aroma. 

I ponder this symbol of sweet gifts that we want to treat the occasion with a pile of sugar and to mark  that this day is worth the indulgence.  As I bid adieu to my co-workers of six years I picked up a few coffee cakes and orange juice and chocolate milk.  Even the healthy additions of fruit and milk are loaded with sweetness.  But why not? It was my last day and I wanted to thank them for being so "sweet" over the years.  This was a breakfast treat to say thanks.  They returned their gratitude with cupcakes.  Delicious, moist, mini  cakes topped with sugary mounds of frosting with even the selection of chocolate or vanilla.  Then just in case there wasn't enough sweetness a topping of swirly chocolate.  Remember first paragraph we want to especially delight the visual and taste senses.  I was touched my the gesture and of course showed my appreciation by diving in and even bringing a 1/2 dozen home.  (Don't worry these 1/2 dozen were shared with friends and when I say friends not just the me, myself, and I kind of friend :) 

Desserts are our go-to.  They say thanks and this moment is special.  They are easy to be made from scratch and even more simple to pick up from the store.  And say congratulations or farewell!  But another way to look at these sweet treats besides ahh sweet gesture wanting to treat me.  "Here is a pound to add to your frame as a reminder of us here."  And usually we respond through years of training - thanks for the extra pound I am going to carry this pound on my chest next to my heart :)  It is always nice to be remembered but maybe our indulgences for those special occasions have became a little too ordinary - and the occasional indulgence has become more of a daily excuse for excess.

I love the scripture that I opened with.  Ahh Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 you phrase life so eloquently - "there is a time to weep and a time to laugh".  Note how the scripture says that there is A time.  It doesn't say everytime or all the time we should laugh or weep.  Or in this blog eat every sugary treat offered.  Because you will be to many birthdays, many weddings, and many other "special" occasions.  It is okay to say no to the sweet treat offered.  It is okay to just cherish the memory without submerging yourself into the sugar induced coma.  I say all this to myself.  Because I like any excuse for indulgence.  It's "Janie's" birthday - happy birthday Janie pass the cake.  What its three o'clock Tuesday afternoon - where's the doughnut?  Happy Tuesday everyone!  You get the point? 

I loved that my co-workers took time and effort to say good-bye.  But the cupcake was gone within a minute.  The card that I had to read after work (My eyes might have started to water upon opening the card) will be cherished for a long while and the memories with my co-workers even longer. 

As the song goes:

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well,it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

May your HealthFULL Journey include many special occasions worth celebrating and may you truly celebrate to your heart's content. Because there is a time indulge but also a time to abstain. 'Til we meet again. . .

 

Show your Warts!!!

Show your Warts!!!

How can you say to your brother,

"Let me take the speck out of your eye.'

when all the time there is a plank

in your own eye.

               Matthew 7:4

Dear World, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Toad.  Mr Toad meet the world.  This toad comes and goes as he pleases around our house.  He tends to live around the corner taunting and teasing my dog and then retreats quickly (or semi-quickly) to his home under the garbage can.  This may be Mr. Toad Jr.  as I remember him being bigger in the past.  He leaves me be except for the teases at my sweet puppy.  I try to return the peace to him though I do usually let out a scream when he makes his reappearance under our garbage can. 

But I do respect that he has never been afraid to show his warts. 

As humans we hear "warts" and get a bit squeamish.  We may also begin to recall of the directory of witches from our childhood fairy tales.  But really what are warts?  They're growths caused by infection.  However, we call them anything else to escape the rejection and outcast label that warts bring. We hide our warts through nicknames and harmless labels such as a bump, extra skin, a cut, a blemish, or we may use the ultimate magic tool - the band-aid.  Whats the worst offense we may commit if cornered? Throw someone else in as the target to zone in on by pointing out their wart in hopes to cover our own.

We have trouble claiming the truth and honestly using our words.  Perhaps you hear great news from a friend - promotion, wedding, baby on the way or even tamer news like a new car or a new haircut.  There is a part of you that wants to celebrate but somehow before the words leave your mouth a criticism or a backhanded compliment takes the lead.  Why do we do this?  I believe we say these hurtful words (even if they are not intentionally spoken but inadvertently shared) because we all are seeking acceptance and fear rejection.  We hear stellar news and instead of hearing and celebrating the fact with those we love.  We immediately think of ourselves; how does this news affect our likability?  If you are shining brighter; will that spotlight my flaws, warts and all even more?  So we take the defense to avoid the feared offense.  We make jokes that aren't funny.  For instance - you're having a baby?  That's great news as you're not getting any younger!  Or closer to the conversations I am having these days.  "You quit your job?  That's great - good for you.  I would like to, but I can't because I have bills to pay.  So what are you doing after summer?  Oh! *pause* *grimace* Well I'm sure something will turn up.  So, really you are quitting your job.  How long were you there again?  Six years! Wow - and you have only a summer job lined up.  *pat on shoulder with eye roll* Well something will happen for you.  Good luck *chuckle with glad I'm not in your shoes kind of tone*."

Yep I 've had that exchange more than once.  And I truly believe people are looking out for me and are nervous.  Why are they nervous?  When someone changes the status quo we check our own lives for the aftershock.  If we are worried that tremors may disturb our comfort levels we tweak theirs.  Have you had friend lose weight and without missing a beat offer them a highly caloric dessert treat.  "Really - you've lost fifty pounds! That's awesome - Can I interest you in a triple hot fudge brownie ice cream treat?"  

So by my quitting a good stable job (I cannot stress enough how good my company was to me through some stressful events in my life but that I've known for awhile isn't my passion in life) for a short term but high on my wish list kind of opportunity it disrupts other's point of view.  It reminds me people who are struggling in their job that it is always a choice where you work.  I'm not saying everyone should quit a job they don't like this instant.  But we need to check in and remind ourselves life is full of options. The only thing on everyone's to do list that is not optionable is death.  But everything before that is a choice.  Do the reasons for you to stay at your job outweigh your reasons to leave?  Then absolutely stay at your job and work towards how you can make the situation better.  My scales were tipping the other direction.  God gave me an answer to my prayers.  Which I'm incredibly grateful.  But this answer didn't appear overnight.  It has been a long process. 

We all have our own desires and what we consider prizes.  But in exchange for those gifts we have to put in our hopes, the effort, and the time.  This means there will be some successess and some failures.  But if we get too tangled up in other people's journeys while trying to cover our warts we will lose our own opportunities.  It is good to want to share knowledge, advice, and constructive criticism.  Beware though, because sometimes what it is meant as an encouraging word gets pushed to the back as envy, anger, fear bully their way to the front and escape your mouth without a moment's notice.  Let's share our journey, warts and all. 

May your HealthFULL Journey be aided by those who can help you remove the speck of sawdust from your eye without clocking you in the head with their plank.  "Til we meet again . . .

Water can Heal

Water can Heal

From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters.  The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had.

John 5:4

It never amazes me how soothing and restorative water can be.  When I am sick there is nothing like a hot shower or a cool bath to restore my energy.  When we get stressed at work we tighten almost to the point we turn into rigid stone but a couple of hours swimming in the ocean relaxes us to the point that it all seems to be part of a too-real nightmare.  Sometimes just looking at an aquarium can de-escalate our blood pressure. 


Scrub a dub - dub!

As I face this week of transition; a secure familiar job of six years being traded for a nine week nanny job I am feeling a jumbled bundle of emotions.  I have some frayed nerves that tumble into endless anxiety.  I have excitement that rivals Christmas Eve awaiting Santa Claus as I plan some activities.  I have sadness as I will be turning in a daily exposure of trusted peers and friends for five enthusiastic children/youth who have boundless and unlimited supplies of energy and creative messes to be had.  I'm having trouble concentrating because of part of me is ready to move forward while another part clings to what I know.

So where do I go?  The bath.  The place where I can control temperature and change it instantaneously if needed or wanted.  A place where I can grab a book and stop the alarming pace of whirring ideas.  A spot where water can soothe the anxiety, heal the confusion, and restore my energy and balance my emotions. 

Surprise, Surprise!  It worked.  I remember when we were looking to buy our house I jumped into the tub (fully clothed) to get a feel - could this house be our family home?  Could this tub be my private oasis?  And needless to say - it was and it is.  I remember when my son's temperature was spiking to degrees that I didn't know were possible and not be fatal our first thought was to get him into a bath.  I remember as a kid thinking the tub was a magical place where I created a storyland that rivaled the cartoons "The Snorks" and "The Jetsons" (this may be why I believe my son is part Mer-man ;)  I remember that first shower after delivering my son and that it lasted roughly forty five minutes.  But that shower felt amazing!!!  And when I am beyond ill and I have no energy to climb out of bed to grab a glass of water regain my energy and feel almost completely healed after a shower or bath. 

This passage of scripture quoted above is when Jesus heals the invalid of thirty-eight years and tells him to pick up his mat and walk.  I heard this sermon a couple of weeks ago in church.  But I feel I lived the sermon today.  I was broken and confused and disheartened as I let doubts, worries, criticism circle my thoughts and bound my heart.  But a dip in the tub and peace is restored, refreshed with energy coursing through my body, and cleansed of the negativity. 

Amazing how we can feel downtrodden one minute and the next minute with a change of perspective, the miracle of water and its healing properties; feel restored and once again, at peace.

May your HealthFULL Journey include time to soak in healing waters so that you too can be restored, refreshed, and cleansed.  'Til we meet again. . .

What is that in your mouth?

courtesy of www.vectorstock.com

What is that in your Mouth?

Jesus called the crowd to him and said,

 "Listen and understand. 

What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean'

but what comes out of his mouth,

that is what makes him 'unclean.'"

Matthew 15: 10 - 11

"What is that in your mouth?"  As a mom to a toddler I ask this question more than probably any other question in a day.  And he giggles and continues to chew with a grin.  Nine times out of ten - its dog food.  Ewww!  And what's worse?  I know I am nine times out of ten going to have to go in that drooly mouth full of baby shark teeth ready to chomp because this kid teethes ALL THE TIME.  He has to be on his fourth set of teeth!  But as I asked this question for the umpteenth time today - it hit me.  I ask my son this question ALL the time and occasionally I ask my hubby as he has found something to snack and I am curious do I want that same snack.  But do you know who I rarely ask that question ?  Myself.  I put tons of junk in my mouth and then wonder why my stomach isn't shrinking?  Its amazing what a little clarity does.  The only person asking this question was myself and I got a little antsy as if this was a full on interrogation with a windowless room, squeaky chair, and dimly lit bulb swinging in front of my face.  (I really need to lay off the television cop shows ;)  

I am an adult, a mom even and I still eat as if I was in elementary school sneaking cookies and chips from the kitchen with an extra can of pop.  Who I am kidding?  I'm the one buying the junk food and still I act like an innocent victim of how is this junk getting into our house.  Well I don't want to waste food so I will cram it down my throat in a couple days worth of time.  Because that way I won't eat this guilty junk in the future.  Ummmmm that's still wasting the food but now instead of seeing the food in the trash I see it in the mirror.  The view is still quite disturbing and a bit even more unpleasant.   And what happens?  The cupboards look bare so it is time to fill 'em and wait for it!  Yup more junk food ends up in the cart that I pay for bring home and hide in the cupboards to sneak once again when no one is looking except me.  Ummmmmm anyone else see a problem here or there?  

I tell ya that toddler teaches me everyday, a little about him, a little about me, and a lot about the world.  As I mulled over this information because I didn't like the unsettling feeling it was stirring I googled-  Putting things in our  mouth scripture.  Googled was ever so helpful and changed my phrasing to what it felt I meant to say.  Good job Google!

It lead me to Matthew 15:11 - "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'.  It wasn't what I was looking for exactly - but better.  That happens a lot when you are in the middle of the journey and taking the path that seems best at the time.  You don't always end up where you think but instead find the best moments of the journey by accident. 

I was worried what was going into our mouths - my son Drew's maybe too much and mine not enough.  But my concern should be more on what comes out of our mouths because they come from our heart as we read in Matthew 15:18.  Could my words be kinder, more gentle?  Am I speaking in patience or from exasperation?  Do my words match my actions or are they hypocritical?  Are they too harsh?  Should they be more encouraging? For example, I say I want to get healthier and lose weight.  And yet, I don't ask myself enough what am I putting in my mouth?  And more so, what is coming out of my mouth? 

We may be what we eat, but we people know us by what we say?  What are you saying and sharing with the world?

May your HealthFULL Journey lead you to answers for the tough questions and  to questions that will help shape your journey. 'Til we meet again. . .

   

Mizpah

It was also called Mizpah, because he said,

"May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other."

Genesis 31:49

Do you crave silence to truly feel the moment?  Do you crave that connection between you and something bigger, someone important, yourself, or that peace the only God can give?  Its hard today to remove yourself from the noise and excitement of your surroundings.  It is common to hear the whir of electronics and fans especially here in the South. It feels borderline insane to turn off our cell phones. It is just too easy to flip on a radion, television, or computer for connection or even background noise (and let's be honest - some of us flip on all three :)  Even typing these words on the computer I have the music station "The Spirit" playing in the background and a fan whirring over my head. With another ear perked for sounds of my sleeping toddler. 

But two nights ago I sat in silence.  I am reading the book Women Food and God by Geneen Roth.  It is an interesting book that I picked up at the library because I am a woman who enjoys food and certainly loves God.  One of the activities she mentions is a twenty minute meditation to connect basically with your gut/stomach.  I had recently discussed with my pastor I don't take time to be silent with God.  And when I do take the time to sit down with the complete intention to be silent.  I end up turning the time into a prayer gab fest that then mutates into a random to-do list.  So with those thoughts I told myself it was time to be silent with God.  It was late and my hubby and my son were already submerged into their dreams.  I grabbed the kitchen timer.  The book mentioned twenty minutes but as it was late I didn't want silence to turn into my snoring and elected ten minutes.  I climbed the stairs and left the light on above the stairs.  Grabbed some pretty colorful yarn (a suggestion borrowed from the book) to create a space for me to meet God one on one.  I wrapped the yarn around my seated posture and realized my yarn could have been a tish longer and/or more honestly, that I still have some work to do on my bum size.  All in good time right?  Patience remains a virtue :)   

So here I sit, ready to be silent and meditate on wherever, however God wanted to meet me.  And almost instantly I could appreciate the silence that surrounds me. I could feel my breath connecting to my body.  Slowly, I began to breathe.  Time passes and I feel rejuvenated and then the lists began to form.  Words came to mind to share in this blog entry.  To-do lists started to organize as one thought connected to another.  And quickly I shushed my mind's ramblings.  The book suggests to focus on a repetitive word and when the mind starts to race shut it down by counting seven deep breaths.  I began my counting - one deep breath in and release.  Two - the breath fills the stomach even deeper and exhale nice and long.  Three the breath relaxes me and the departure of breath is let go through a yawn.  Four - five - six and on seven I choose to use the word Mizpah.

I love the comfort of that word.  It was great for a breathing word. Inhale on Miz - exhale on -pah.  Soothing that word flows through the body as it brings images of comfort and connection.  A wonderful feeling as I sink into this silent union with God.  And then I don't know the distraction - a stray thought a physical brush of discomfort and the union is broken as thoughts collide and crash through my mind.  What will I write? How can I share this moment?  What is my schedule tomorrow? Do I have to gather anything tonight? Any food to prep for tomorrow's menu?  Oh don't forget to fold the laundry. Should I do another load tomorrow and eek I wanted to sweep and vacuum tonight but then I didn't. But oh I am going to regret not having that done and yadda yadda yadda.  ENOUGH! ONE - deep dramatic breath in and hasty exhale to clear the clamoring words. 

I would count up to three and start to feel the prayers and thoughts and noises crawling around seeking entrance.  I would start the count over maybe hit the count of four and again the thoughts begin to whirl begging for attention.  By now I want to open my eyes and just peek at the timer.  There is no way it hasn't been ten minutes.  The timer must be broken.  And again INHALE - EXHALE - one. IN- OUT - two, miz pah three - miz. . . pah four....m-i-z . . . p-a-h. . . f-i-v-e; in-hale deep and ex-hale long - six and Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiz paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah seven.  Back to silence ready to just be with God.  Who knows how much time passed in the end maybe a minute (or ten seconds :)  and the timer begins to chirp.  And once again I return to my noisy reality.  With promises to God that I will return once again in silence - because everyone needs a chance to speak and for that to happen we must be willing to listen.

May your HealthFULL Journey include time to appreciate the silence and build you up so that you can take on the world full of noise. 'Til we meet again. . . 

Fit for a King

We indulged in our feast for supper last night.  It was a dinner fit for a king - steak, creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and King Oyster Mushrooms.  Sound yummy?  It was!  It was rich in every sense of the word.  But tip if you want to feast like a king but on a smaller budget - ribeyes might be the most flavorful steak but can get a bit pricey.  I highly recommend the Chuck Eye as a great substitute.  It resembles the texture and flavor, but for about half the price.  (As a meat manager's wife I feel I need to share a tidbit like that now and then :)  And this meal was rich in flavor and calories and by no means is an every night kind of supper.  It was a great night to try our newest find - King Oyster Mushrooms.

I enjoy mushrooms - especially cooked.  I enjoy them on my salads raw but when heat touches those "fun guys" they just share a yummy aroma and a succulence with a meaty texture.  I really love fresh thinly sliced mushrooms on a  pizza where the ends start to curl from the blistering heat - divine!  But don't fool me with canned mushrooms - they lose their papery crispness and carry a sogginess hard to render into a delightful chewiness.  (Not to say I don't eat canned mushrooms from time to time - when cooked thouroughly with some flavor enhancers I can make do - but I will admit I am a tish of a mushroom snob.) 

So what to do with these long stemmed mushrooms with a medium thick stalk and slight paper cap? Where do I turn; but my trusty "Google".  I look up three easy and quick recipes - oven roasted, pan seared, or grilled?  Together my husband and I chose the pan seared.

The recipe encouraged coin thick mushroom slices as we quickly broke down the mushroom stems.  They also gave a hint to not add liquid into the pan and keep shaking the mushroom "coins"  over high heat.  I might have not shared all the details of the recipe as my husband questioned the method several times, especially as the bottom of our pan caked with blackness and the mushrooms quickly darkened as well.  Live and learn in the kitchen, right?  The recipe suggested that the high heat and continuous shaking would first make the mushrooms slightly squeak their delight.  And after the heat and continued attention would begin to release their liquid and then hit with a flavorful butter and some seasons and voila - instant side with a pow of earthy rich flavor and a thick chewy bite for texture. 

Our mushrooms didn't quite get the TLC they deserved and turned borderline black and then was hit with a so-so pat of butter instead of the flavorful butter they suggested.  The mushrooms did have a great char flavor to play into our grilled steak dinner but I was disappointed that our mushrooms didn't quite have that delightful crispiness while offering a nice dark, rich meaty bite.  But that is why it helps to pass on all of the details at the beginning of cooking dinner than instead of when I mentioned the tidbit during the after effect of our tasty dinner.

I would absolutely buy King Oyster Mushrooms again as they do have a variety of cooking methods to heighten their flavors    And the next time we pick up King Oyster Mushrooms I might be tempted to follow all of the recipe and not just wing it - but actually peruse and follow the advice shared.

May your HealthFULL Journey offer moments to indulge while scaling back on the everyday item list. 
'Til we meet again. . .  

A Step of Faith

Peter answered him, "Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."

He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat,

started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. --Matthew 14:28-29

When we have faith and by the power of God we too can walk on water.



The world can be scary and anxiety ridden.  If you watch the news on tv or read headlines you can spot how the world wants to shock us and sometimes downright frighten us.  But even when we are exposed daily to criminal statistics and the declining numbers of the economy we sometimes have to dig deep and hang tight to our faith and share our joy.  I work for a good company who has treated me well and supported me in ways I couldn't even imagine.  This was the perfect job for me when I started as I needed a quiet place to heal.  I had collected hurts and wore grief like a sweater.  I needed a job with enough responsibility to keep me focused and busy and protected from too many demands that could and would hinder the healing process.  However,  I have felt the stirring that this job is not my final calling.  And again I cannot stress how great many of my co-workers have been over the years. 

God gives us each gifts.  Gifts that will bring us joy as they fulfill the desires of our hearts that he planted when we were first created.  He allows us the opportunity to serve Him and glorify him with our talents.  I now feel it is time to develop other talents of mine before they get snuffed out.  Its scary though to leave the comforts of a company that I have known for six years.  It is especially frightening to leave a job of any type especially one with some nice benefits and enough money to help with those monthly bills when so many people are looking.  Logically, this is the time to hunker down until the unemployed storm passes.  But faith isn't about being comfortable. Because  stepping out in faith rarely includes a safety net.  And having faith and being logical aren't always synonymous. 

So, today I took a step of faith - I turned in my resignation letter.  There is one part of me that wants to cling to the boat - its safe, its comfortable, and most invitingly; its familiar.  But the major part of me is so excited to see what is happening outside this boat and to feel the water under my feet if it be God's will to grant me the chance to walk on water.  I have a summer job lined up as I will spend the majority of my summer with the most fabulous kids in the world.  In my heart I feel this will be a summer I treasure forever as I get the opportunity to view the world from six children's eyes - ages ranging from nineteen months to thirteen years old. 

Another gift I look forward to living - I get to live as one of my daydream figures.  I always thought I could make a pretty great nanny.  Here's my chance to not just imagine this thought; but to actually live the dream.  The saying goes - Our regrets are not the mistakes we make in life but the chances we never take.

You may be wondering where is the step of faith?  You already have a job.  And not only a job but a dream job that you have waited to try for years.  The faith is that I know I am giving up my "comfy" seat at an office that I have been a part of for the past six years to enjoy nine weeks of the summer dream.  Because then school starts and the job disappears.  I know a lot can happen in almost three months.  I know that it is silly to worry that far in the future.  But I also know there are realists who are screaming stay put because nine weeks goes too fast and there are people who have been seeking jobs for two years. 

But with peace in my heart and joy bubbling from within I am stepping out of the boat because I feel with every fiber in my body Jesus called and said "Come".  So I step.  Walk with me and if you have time I could use an extra prayer or two.  A prayer to stay faithful because "worry" likes to nibble at the toes.  A prayer to stay present so that I can remain patient, involved, and be blessed as six children share their excitement and frustrations.  And last a prayer for God's will when fall comes and that whatever the next step of faith is that I once again can clearly hear "Come" (a smooth transition would be a great bonus :) .

May your HealthFULL Journey reveal those precious opportunities where a step of faith may be nerve-racking but so exhilarating.  'Til we meet again. . .



Feeling a bit Royal

I am feeling a bit royal these days as we fill our fridge with purple - the color of royalty.  Our household missed last week's new veggie so we doubled up our new produce this week and happened to pick two purple veggies.  This was quite noticeable as even our cashier asked if we were on a purple food spree.  It's rare to find a truly purple food.  I guess with the two items side by side it registered a comment.  What are the two veggies?  I am sure you have tried both these veggies but possibly not the purple varieties - cauliflower and bell pepper.  Both delicious! and Attractive! 

So PRETTY!

Both of these veggies are similar to their rainbowed friends.  So if you are looking to add a splash of color in a veggie tray - these are beautiful choices.  I don't know if I should admit this but the purple cauliflower was my muse for photography as I captured thirteen pictures (I know - crazy! but kind of fun!) and those were my keeper pictures as I deleted quite a few.  The purple is kind of intense.  I did sample the cauliflower raw.  I am not a huge cauliflower fan in the raw state - steam it, mash it, melt cheese and I am a happy camper. (My mom used to make the best cheese sauce for cauliflower when I was growing up).  I sort of like the texture as the florets have a crunch with give but the aftertaste just gags me.  The purple variety has a mild flavor where you can feel the texture more than the flavor but still had that afterbite.  We did what we tend to do with a whole head of cauliflower - quick boil until tender and then a good ol' mashing.  When we boiled the cauliflower it turned the water almost an intense purple - it reminded me of an old Kool-Aid flavor I enjoyed - Purple Saurus rex I think - ah the memories :)  I wish I could have thought of a good use for the water - it seemed such a waste to toss out the prettily interesting liquid.  The mash isn't quite as pretty but my toddler son was a huge fan of the purple mash.  It made him giggle.  But then most things do :) 

Look at this regal pepper!

Unto the purple bell pepper.  I enjoy a good bell pepper.  I remember teasing a youth about her taste for red bell peppers.  I let her and her sister pick their favorite fruit or veggie.  She picked red bell peppers.  At this time the only pepper I had tried was potently bitter green peppers.  (I think peppers are special to me because I can't think of green peppers without thinking of my dad.  He would grow them in his backyard garden.  And there were few things he dislikes eating but when as a family my mom would pick a family favorite that my dad just wasn't a fan she would make him these hideous stuffed green peppers. At least that's how I felt about them growing up - now it sounds like a tasty supper option :)  Back to this youth chose the red bell pepper.  I asked her what she was going to do with the pepper.  She responded like a teenager does - eat it with that questioning duh kind of stare.  Umm thanks what I meant is HOW are you going to eat it.  Slice it up and chew.  Huh.  Really?  Because I equate peppers as adult food and something you dice up for a recipe.  But just to eat the slices befuddled my nineteen year old mind.  My veggie intake revolved around the almight potato and corn for some color.  And sadly I was not eating red meat or pork at this time.  I had many many meals over that time span of five years that were just fries or mashed potatoes.  And I wonder why I have trouble with my blood sugar.  Well fast forward to now and I love bell peppers.  I am still not a huge fan of the green bell pepper.  But red, orange, yellow are always welcomed in my fridge and we tend to at least have one or two in the crisper.  To any dish they can add color, a little sweetness, and just a little kick, plus they are incredibly versatile for me as I eat them raw or cooked.  Well the purple can also be added to the mix.  Although they seem pretty rare and tend to cost a little more than their buddies.  I also would say the purple bell pepper (try to say that three times quickly!) is the closest in flavor to the green bell pepper.  It doesn't quite have the sweetness and had a tish more kick than the brighter peppers.  But we ate it sliced up in our big dinner salad Saturday night and I finished up the rest of the slices for lunch.  So definitely tasty! 

You may have noticed that both veggies brought back some cozy memories.  Thats what happens with food we romanticize and capture sweet memories.  It isn't the food that we crave for comfort - its what memories it carries.  We make memories around the dinner table with conversations, occasionally arguments, and we also make them in the kitchen as we share about our day and pass on traditions of our family and our culture.  I love to share in my husband's pride for New Orleans and the flavors and aromas that bring that twinkle in his eye of remembrance.  I like to think that there are veggies that remind me of my dad instantly - not just bell peppers but also spinach (because he hates it!) and radishes because he makes sandwiches out of just radishes.  I like to think of my mom taking the time to cook my favorite cheese sauce because she wanted to make me smile.  I remember we used to have this bear little figurine that either read you're a superstar or you're special on a star shaped mirror.  That would appear now and then as a congratulations to a job well done or a happy birthday. 

There's a lot to be said about the dinner table movement.  Don't lose your family to schedules.  Remember to take that time to discuss your day and share in each other's lives.  Its hard to turn off the television ban telephones and sit face to face it what has become an electronic world.  But do you want your children's memories to be electronic based or the aromas and flavors and laughter filled memories of sitting around the table and really sharing your lives by breaking bread?  So yes after our purple cauliflower and purple bell pepper I am feeling a bit royal as I remember how my parents allowed me to feel like a princess and now how my hubby and son treat me feel like a queen. 

May your HealthFULL journey show you the blessings of living like royalty.  Cherish your treasures of love, friendship, joy, blessings, adventure, and time. 'Til we meet again. . .

Dual Journeys

Do you ever feel split?  Are you being "real"?  Or are you living as a fictional character? How can you tell?  Great philosophers and comic relief paraded on television has pondered what is real?  And now so do I.  It is no secret that I play the "what if" game often.  But tonight I got caught up in the movie "You've Got Mail" starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.  Who have had phenomenal romantic character history (Sleepless in Seattle, anyone? ;)  I didn't get sucked into this movie once but twice.  There are just some great lines.  And as I mentioned this to my husband for the second time tonight.  I mused out loud how this movie really is one of the best romantic movies for this sap right here. 

First it features a love story where the couple meets online.  That's my love story.  I randomly met my hubby in a teen chat room at seventeen and him sixteen.  I guarantee neither of us thought that first conversation full of laughter and jokes would be the start to our happily ever after - especially with him at that time in Lousiana and me up in the cold tundra of Minnesota and that somehow fourteen years later we would be married for nine years with a toddler in South Carolina.  But here we are and I couldn't be happier.  Or could I?  That's where the dual journey takes place.  The other part about You've Got Mail besides the sappy, cheesy lines that are pure genius (that's not my dad that's my nephew.  or "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms.")  but it takes place in New York.  Oh, how I <3 NY!!!

That was my dream university.  I applied nowhere else as a senior in high school except for NYU.  This sounds arrogant or flighty but I never pictured a reality where I didn't get accepted to the Tisch School of Arts.  I remember opening that thin envelope - so hoping that the envelope only SEEMED small.  Nope it was my rejection letter.  Talk about true heart break.  But the next piece of mail I opened was my acceptance into a traveling theatre ministry.  And though New York rejected me Los Angeles beckoned.  It was a God moment and I know I took the right path (especially as there seemed to be very few other options :) .  But oh how I have relived that moment.  What if I had a better audition? Or what if I had sent my tape in sooner?  What if I had flown out to the school? What if I had moved to New York without college? 

I have been to New York twice.  Once as a sophomore in high school - although my love affair with this amazing city started far earlier in the romantic language of books and the visual poetry of movies.  And once driving through.  Seriously - we drove straight through.  Maybe I knew if I stopped I wouldn't get back in the car. . .  Sometimes I watch movies and it makes me wistful for the romantic independent heroine I could have been in that amazing city.  Carrie Bradshaw meet Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan's character in You've Got Mail) with a bit of Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale in Serendipity).  I envisioned myself writing, often seeing the best theater perhaps acting now and then.  Loving and living in my cute studio apartment eating Chinese food and enjoying the characters of the street and the events that randomly appear and occur in this city that never sleeps.  But thats not realistic is it?  Oh how it has been in my heart and thoughts for years these daydreams of what could've been, perhaps even the occasional should've been.  A more accurate portrait would be me crying that I can't scrape together rent to sleep in my roach infested not so quaint studio apartment.  That I have been eating ramen noodles for two years straight and when I feel big spenderish I splurge for hot dogs.  The only theatre news I catch is picking up playbills littered on the street.  This may be a closer picture of reality that I might have made a nightmarish daydream to comfort myself.  But you get the idea.

Instead I am blessed with the happiest little boy who giggles all the time.  You should have seen him strut his stuff today as he was given the all important mail duty of carrying the mail from the mailbox to inside the house :)  A husband who is tall dark and handsome and so incredibly kind and supportive and brilliant and loving and so much more.  Friends I adore, family who is near and supportive.  A job that takes care of my needs.  A church that is growing.  So many more blessings than I can count nor deserve by any means.  That's real.  That's tangible.  And yet there is still a piece of my heart and thoughts that wander usually to New York.  But that grabs memories and holds them up to the light of what ifs.  Or future scenes to create "ideal" situations and opportunities. 

I think it is this dual journey that causes me grief.  Because as I push on in my real life the fantasy life of memories, daydreams, alternate endings has a way of pausing reality and hiding the screen of true blessings.  I get derailed from my goals to live a healthier version of my life because I get confused what's real and what's not.  The what's not sometimes is so tempting and "perfect" that even though we know we're dreaming we can't quite shake ourselves "awake".  But then we miss the opportunities that can be so much richer if given the proper attention.

Its good to dream.  Its good to remember.  But don't get stuck. Don't get confused which is real and which is not.  Don't lose today because of what was or what could be.  Today holds the treasure.

May your HealthFULL Journey be an intense journey filled with wonder, dreams, successes, failures, heartbreak.  Because it is the FULL Journey that is real and not just the illusion. 'Til we meet again. . .