Wordless Wednesday - Coming Soon

Won't be much longer!

Hydration - Got Water?

so dry

So, today I was out in the backyard picking up toys that were laying in the summer sun.  The plastic was bleached, and the cheapest toys from the dollar store...I don't have to tell you how brittle they were.  They broke in my hands as I picked up all the pieces.

It made me think of a video I saw just this week by Dr. Mommy. She talks about the importance of staying hydrated, including some new information I hadn't heard before about the internal systems of the body. I really liked it because most of the time we hear about the symptoms of dehydration (tired, grumpy, dizzy), not the internal long-term consequences (kidney function and brain support). Our focus is on how we feel, not the other more serious effects.

In some respect, it's like the way we live our lives.  We know we need daily refreshment from God to stay spiritually hydrated.  The symptoms of  spiritual disconnect (lack of peace, joy, kindness, etc.) remind us to do something about it.  We can't forget, however, the system-altering effects of  long-term disconnect (a brittle spirit, a broken faith).

There is great hope and life in Jesus's words:
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 
John 7:37b - 38

Are you dry and brittle?  Do you break internally at a mere touch? Jesus offers daily living water.  All we have to do is drink.

Blessings for Balance,
Steph

P.S. Make sure to watch Dr. Mommy's video on hydration below. So important!



Health Tip: Water ~ It Does a Body Good from Daisy Sutherland aka Dr. Mommy on Vimeo.

Wordless Wednesday - Backyard Devotion

Dear Father God,
In the heat of life

protect my heart from being scorched.

I reach up to you,

the only source of real fruitfulness.

Thank you for keeping your eyes on me (as you do the sparrow)

and providing an oasis in your shelter.
Amen.

Hazelnut Cappuccino and Orange Julius Protein Shakes

So, who loves the taste of protein shakes?  Yeah, me neither.  We all know we need lots of protein after a workout, but come on...we've already exercised discipline enough!

Here are the recipes for the shakes I whipped up this morning.  It's good that I'm writing them down here, because I never remember my spontaneous kitchen creativity when I'm ready to repeat the yummy! Be forewarned, though...you may gulp them down so fast, you'll end up with brain freeze.  : )

Hazelnut Cappuccino Protein Shake
In the blender, pour 1 cup of skim milk.
Put on the blender lid, leaving the top hole open for adding the other ingredients.
Start the blender, adding these ingredients in order: (have them ready to go)
1 T Toasted Hazelnut Cappuccino instant coffee (Maxwell House International Cafe)
1 serving vanilla flavored protein shake
1 egg (optional)
1 cup crushed ice
Blend until ice has been reduced to a milkshake consistency.
Top with a dash of nutmeg

Orange Julius Protein Shake

In the blender, pour 1 cup of skim milk and 1/8 cup orange juice concentrate. 

Put on the blender lid, leaving the top hole open for adding the other ingredients.

Start the blender, adding these ingredients in order: (have them ready to go)

1 serving vanilla flavored protein shake

1 cup crushed ice

Blend until ice has been reduced to a milkshake consistency.

By the way, my favorite tasting protein shakes are Advocare meal replacement shakes and are yummy by themselves. Chocolate is my favorite. The protein is actually broken down to be used instantly by your muscles.

Enjoy a protein shake after your next workout and let me know if you try one of my recipes!

Love and Blessings for Life Balance,
Steph

Lazy Days of Summer...come back to bite me every time

I love to sleep in.  I'm not going to lie.

Staying up late is one of my favorite guilty pleasures, so morning often comes too early for me. During the school year I'm mostly out of luck, but during the summer Duane doesn't mind fixing breakfast for the kids and supervising morning tv watching. However, eventually around 8:30 or so the house fills with cries for mommy and I can't ignore the new day or the sudden emotional neediness of my youngest 3 kids.

For the rest of the day, I feel like I'm playing catch-up and realize -- once again -- it's just not worth it.

Staying up late only serves to borrow energy and productivity from the next day.

This week I read a blog post called 10 reasons NOT to get up early.  The title caught my attention because normally these bloggy moms are all about efficiency and productivity.  I thought, "See?  Someone thinks I deserve to get a little me time and extra rest."  Funny, I was well into the list before I got the tongue in cheek tone.  ; )

Here are a few of my own reasons not to get up early, ripped from the pages of my actual life story:
1 - I love it when my children bound onto the bed (and me) before I've had time to pee.
2 - I get warm fuzzies from the weird dreams (aka nightmares) as I drift in and out of sleep.
3 - Showers are always more fun with an audience.
4 - It's awkward eating breakfast while the hubby is having his mid-morning snack.
5 - When it comes to good habits, I think the mantra "Do as I say and not as I do" is always the best policy.

Needless to say, I have signed up for the free eBook Maximize Your Mornings and am now allowing God to school me on this subject.  I know the early bedtime, early morning routine maximizes my potential.  I've experienced it.  I'm ready to make it a life goal this time because frankly, my 10 reasons for not getting up early aren't all that funny.

Blessings,
Steph

Fun Friday - Easy Dressing/Marinade

This yummy balsamic vinegar dressing and marinade is extremely versatile and good for you too! I make it in small batches and we enjoy it fresh. It's the favorite go-to dressing around our house.  : )

Ingredients:
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t minced garlic (I use the jarred kind)
pepper to taste

Stir ingredients together and pour over:
cucumbers and tomatoes
pasta salad
green salad
cous cous salad

Or, use to marinate chicken or beef. Just substitute the extra virgin olive oil with a higher flash point, like olive oil, extra light olive oil, or canola.

Note:
This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or more.  The rule of thumb is to use twice as much vinegar as oil.  Increase the garlic accordingly, or to taste.

Enjoy!

Thar She Blows!

Are you on overload, about to blow?  Join the club, sister!  Sometimes I feel that if someone just looks at me wrong, it'll all come spilling out in a flow that could drown us all.

So how does one contain all that stuff boiling over the edges of our heads -- great ideas (yet realized), prayer needs, tasks undone, things we need to write on the calendar?  We don't!  Dump it!  One of the best techniques I've learned recently is the "brain dump" from HeatherO.  You can read about it in her blog. The idea is that you spend a few moments writing down all the stuff you have swirling around in your head, then take a few more moments organizing it into tasks that are easy to accomplish.

I've even started using this concept to help with my overflowing heart.  When I'm feeling overwhelmed emotionally, I can deal with it much more easily if I pour it out onto paper and look at.  Name it. Pray over it. Release it. It's a great tool.  I encourage you to try it.  Heavy minds and heavy hearts are hard to carry around.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (New Living Translation)

Blessings,
Steph