Bible Readings: 1 Kings 19-20, Luke 23:1-25

The Day I Stopped Wearing Black

(all the time)

This morning Ray asked to paint. I set her up with some water colors and three different paint brushes. Usually she loves to use all the colors, especially green and red, but today she did something very different. She went straight for the black paint. I was immediately disappointed because I knew the painting wouldn’t turn out with the same vibrant colors that I love to see and that the water was mucked up right away. She continued to go for the black paint, completely ignoring my pleas to try another color. After a few minutes, she said she was done and handed me her painting. I said thank you, but I was honestly thinking “no point in saving this one for the binder” and immediately planned to throw it out at nap time.

Working away!

I put it back on the table and she pointed to it and said “Mom”. She started repeating it in her usual way and began to get a little upset. For those of you know don’t know her well, she will repeat something over and over again until you repeat it back with understanding. She pointed to me and said “mama, black, black mama” and it hit me that I was wearing all black, my usual “mom uniform” of black yoga pants and tee. Did my daughter just make a painting of me? Wow!

Gotta love that kissy face!

But when I looked at her painting of me it made me sad to think that this is how she sees me – a big black thing. In that moment, I realized that my 2 year old has very rarely sees me anything but black (or something dark) since the day she was born. I want her memories of me to be filled with bright colors, not this depressing shade of nothingness! I never thought about how the color of my clothing would affect her memory of me. I considered other things like displaying modestly and self-respect by covering up, but never thought much about the color of my day-to-day “bumming around the house” attire.

Yep, That’s me!

When your child thinks about you, what colors will they see? Are you as guilty as me for wearing the same old black gear? Today was a life-changing moment. I don’t have the money to just go out and buy a bunch of brightly colored items today, but when I am getting dress in the morning, I am going to make sure I am wearing my very few colored tops before reaching for the black tees. When I get around to doing some shopping, I am going to ignore the dark stuff and aim to add some color to my closet.

Coming Up This Week!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Beef and Acorn Squash

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Raccoon

30-Minute Thursday: Vegetarian Bean Stew

Forget the Meat Friday: Cheeseless Pizza

Sweet Saturday: Pistachio Lemon Biscotti

Extras Sunday: Soak & Sprout

Bible Readings: 1 Kings 6-7, Luke 20:27-47

Today is my 31st Birthday! I spoiled myself with some of my favorite forbidden foods, topped off with yummy Carrot Cupcakes after dinner. I had a quiet day at home with my family, but on Friday, I will be enjoying a fancy dinner with my best friend Phil who is also celebrating his birthday this week – Happy Early Birthday Phil!

As this year comes to an end, I am looking forward to seeing what the next year brings!

Coming Up This Week!!!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Mid-Western Style Chili

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Peacock

30-Minute Thursday: Shrimp Sauteed in Garlic and Mangos

Forget the Meat Friday: Crispy Sweet Potato Cakes

Sweet Saturday: Nutty Fruit Balls

Extras Sunday: Portion Control Chart

Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 14-15, Luke 17:1-19

Coming Up This Week!!!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Black and White Chicken Chili

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Narwhal

30-Minute Thursday: Mexican Black Bean Soup with Salsa and Corn

Forget the Meat Friday: Potato Pancakes

Sweet Saturday: Vegan Crispy Cinnamon Roll-Ups

Extras Sunday: Nutrients in Eggplant

Bible Readings:1 Samuel 27-29, Luke 13:1-22

Coming Up This Week

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Indian-Spiced Carrot Soup

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Monkey

30-Minute Thursday: Mexican Vegetable Fajitas

Forget the Meat Friday: Quinoa Salad with Grapefruit and Avocado

Sweet Saturday: Granola Bars

Extras Sunday: 7 Natural Products – Dozens of Uses

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 10-12, Luke 9:37-62

Luke 9:48 “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

This is a message I have been needing to remind myself of a lot lately. Right now, I am in a trying season of my life and most days, I feel like throwing in the towel and walking away for everything. But that is the devil speaking to me, telling me I am too weak to handle this and not worth God’s grace. I must remember to hold strong to my beliefs and push through the storm and never give up.

Coming Up This Week!!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Thai Pumpkin Coconut Soup

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Loin

30-Minute Thursday: Island Mixed Grill with Coconut-Banana Rice

Forget the Meat Friday: Three-Bean Chili

Sweet Saturday: Vegan Almond Butter

Extras Sunday: Food Craving and Healthy Fixes

Bible Readings: Judges 13-15, Luke 6:27-49

Luke 6:27-28  “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

It can be difficult to show love to those who hurt you, it’s even harder to do kind things for them. When we  are faced with people who hate, curse or mistreat us, we need to remember to say extra prayers for them.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby Ray! I can’t believe how fast these last two years have gone by. Everyday you amaze me a little bit more. Your curious mind keep you busy all day. You’re my little jokester who is always looking for ways to make us laugh. You brighten my world with your beautiful smile.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Coming Up This Week!!!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Moroccan Tomato Soup

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday: Handprint Koala

30-Minute Thursday: Avocado and Salsa Soup

Forget the Meat Friday: Broccoli and Red Peppers with Lime-Ginger Soy Sauce

Sweet Saturday: Vegan Apple Butter

Extras Sunday: Health Benefits of Beets

Bible Readings: Joshua 19-21, Luke 2:25-52

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope you and your family have enjoyed spending some extra time together, celebrating in all the wonders of life that we have to be thankful for.

This year  I am most thankful for new beginnings. Sometimes life can take you in  a direction that you don’t to go in. It can be bad habits or even an unhealthy relationship. Sometimes we can be so consumed by it, that we lose sight of who we are. Once you realize the problem, it can be very difficult to put a stop to it and rebuild your life. During difficult seasons, it is extra important to give thanks to God for allowing hardships to come into our world because it’s these trying times that will make us stronger, healthier people. We have to trust that God is bigger than any earthly problems and we must keep the faith that God will see us through it. We also have to accept God’s wonderful grace. We all make mistakes but God does not. If we are experiencing something, it is because God has allowed it into your life. He needs you to experience it in order to become the person he designed you to be. Keep faith because you will be rewarded in the end.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Coming Up This Week!!

Slow Cooker Tuesday: Ginger Carrot and Lentil Soup

Lil Ones Fun Wednesday:Handprint Jellyfish

30-Minute Thursday: Grilled Jerk Chicken with Orange Sauce

Forget the Meat Friday: Ratatouille

Sweet Saturday: Cornmeal Waffles with Blueberry Maple Syrup

Extras Sunday: Health Benefits of Exercise

Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 32-34, Mark 15:26-47