When the Temperature Climbs

 

By the end of the day, it is easy to be grumpy when the temperature climbs.

The day starts early so that the outside work and any baking can be done by 8 or 9.

Running and/or walking, strength workouts, yardwork can all be unsafe in the high heat of the day.

My quiet time this week has reminded me to focus on God's nature.

The Psalms are full of reminding me of His mercy, His care, His protection, His strength.

I am thankful that He is faithful regardless of the temperature.

I am thankful that when the heat "zaps" me, His strength is unchanged.

I am thankful for His provision of a cool home (even 78 feels cold after being outside).

I am thankful that hubby is no longer in a hot mechanic shop when temps are high.

I am thankful for His provision of water and cool meals.

Make it Fun

Laundry is one of those jobs that seems to never end.

Even with just two family members,

the laundry builds up quickly.

With the high temps,

it seems even more so because every workout, walk or run deems an outfit worthy of a wash

and even the good clothes can't make it beyond a day.

I use wool balls in the dryer.

They are supposed to help things dry faster.

They can add scent if you put a few drops of essential oil.

They keep the laundry from clumping up so that it dries more quickly.

My last dryer balls were falling apart,

no longer removed static,

and were just begging to be replaced.

So I added some fun to my chores.

Now these little penguins greet me when I finish a load of wash.

Doesn't that make you smile too?

 

Enter Thy Closet

Today I am thankful for quiet times

and the creation all around me.

 Some folks have to have a literal closet to have Bible Study and Prayer.

My house is usually so quiet, that I have my choice of locations.

Both today and Tuesday morning,

I chose to have my time with the Lord on the back patio.

On Tuesday morning, it was COLD as I watched the sun come up during my time.

Today it was warm with a cooling breeze as I enjoyed the shade in the afternoon.

I love being outside - 

to hear the rustle of the plants,

to hear the birds,

to watch the insects,

and repeatedly I have read this week - 

I am the LORD, there is none other

I am the LORD, there is none else

Who else is there?

Great and Marvelous is our Lord.

Who else could create such a beautiful creation?

Who else could create the beautiful sunrise?

Menu Monday ... And Another 30!

 Yes, I did complete another 30-minute "run" this morning,

but 30 refers to 30 different plants each week.

I have been reading a few different health books recently 

(Whole Body Reset and Forever Strong)

and they both are stressing a little more protein and 30 different plants a week.

Maybe that seems crazy - but the protein is needed to prevent muscle loss as one ages

and the plants help to keep the gut healthy.

So we have been trying to keep a variety of plants in the diet.

Quinoa, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes

red pepper, yellow pepper, green pepper (yes, each pepper has different health benefits)

blueberries, strawberries, blackberries,

broccoli, radish, cucumber,

apples, peaches, bananas, grapes, cherries

chickpeas, lentils, black beans, navy beans

cucumber, tomato, carrot, celery

avocado, artichoke hearts, 

spinach, spring mix, sprouts ...

There's 31 without too much effort.

Challenge yourself this week - 

even coffee counts and herbs too!

Our lunch on Saturday knocked quite a few off the list.

We tried a "new to us" restaurant in the middle of our Saturday walk.

We also enjoyed their beautiful patio.

My bowl had quinoa, carrot, sweet potato, zucchini, summer squash, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, greens and lemon tahini dressing.

That's at least 11 in one bowl!

This week's menu:

Fast Food Friday:  BLT's and Strawberry Milkshakes

Saturday AM: Smoothies and Seven Sundays Sunflower Cocoa Cereal

Saturday Lunch:  New Restaurant Burger & Bowl

Saturday Dinner:  Red Lentil Pasta, Sauce and Italian Sausage

Sunday AM:  Smoothies

Sunday Lunch:  Leftover Pasta

Sunday Dinner:  Eggs, turkey sausage and toast

Monday AM:  Smoothies

Monday lunch:  Quinoa Deli Salad

Monday Dinner:  Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Salad

Tuesday AM:  Smoothies

Tuesday Lunch:  Chef Salad with leftover grilled chicken

Tuesday Dinner:  Salmon, rice, Asparagus

Wednesday AM:  Smoothies

Wednesday Lunch:  Salad with chicken tenders and eggs

Wednesday Dinner:  Eggs, Turkey Sausage, Toast

Thursday AM:  Smoothies

Thursday Lunch:  Green goddess Salad with shrimp

    Thursday Dinner:  Beans and Rice

Friday AM:  Smoothies

Friday Lunch:  Perfect Burger or Sardines

What's 30 Minutes?

30 Minutes!

It can be a "lifetime" or it can be a "blink of an eye."

To me, public speaking for 30 minutes is a lifetime (at least in front of adults).

To me, 30 minutes of extra sleep can be a lifesaver.

30 minutes can be the time it takes to make a batch of muffins.

30 minutes can be all it takes to burn dinner.

30 minutes can be one encouraging podcast.

This week, I reached the final "week" of the couch-2-5K program for the 3rd or 4th time.

This week, 30 minutes meant 30 minutes of jogging/running with no stops.

I don't think I ran quite a 5K in that time,

but I did succeed in sticking with it.

30 minutes this week is meeting a goal.

30 minutes is an investment in my health.

And if you are interested in the challenge,

I recommend the "Just Run" app.

It is just that:

It starts at week one with simple intervals

and works to week 9 with a 30-minute run.

The app includes no music, just a simple timer and a voice to tell you when to walk or run!