What Does Your Floor Say About Your Diet?

 As I clean on Monday and throughout the week,

I can't help but marvel at how quickly the kitchen floor gets dirty.

It seems that it is always in need of a good sweep.

On Monday, while on my hands and knees,

I looked closely.

My floor says a lot about what we have been eating.

This little snapshot shows a piece of kale, a red onion paper, and a pepper seed.

Often there might also be rice, quinoa, or a stray pistachio or cashew.

The job seems endless,

but as I tidy the floor AGAIN,

I am thankful for the good food that God provides and the energy and strength it gives.

Flashbacks

 This past week was like a "flashback" for me.

About this time last year, I joined hubby in Orlando, FL while he had training.

When his plans were being made this year,

there were some events in my future that had not found a place on the calendar yet so I stayed home.

So for 4 1/2 days, I was reminded of my days as a military wife.

The days were long and quiet.

I did get a lot of cleaning, sorting, and "pitching" done.

I could be thankful for more communication than the "good ol' days."

I am so glad for cell phones!

And to greet hubby on his return this afternoon - 

a batch of cookies.

The blogger who gave me the recipe labels these the "Healthiest Cookies Ever!"

The ingredients were simple :

walnuts, dates, flax seed, water, vanilla, salt, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and chocolate chips

Healthy fats, unprocessed sweeteners, fiber ... Wow!

I halved the chocolate chips (using only a 1/4 cup) as well as grinding them a bit in the food processor.

And I used "cocoa nibs" for missing half of the chocolate chips.

Hubby ate 4 as soon as he walked in the door.

Score one for wifey!

Now it is time to serve up the "Eat the Rainbow" Soup for dinner.

If you haven't tried it yet,

this might be a great week with the plunging temperatures!

Life is Short

I just got out my cards, stamps, stickers, ...

I do this weekly.

There is such joy in the action.

Who can I encourage this week?

Which card will arrive "just at the right time?"

But today, it is a little bittersweet.

I began sending weekly cards in early 2020.

It began when a friend in our church started cancer treatments.

I had no idea what to say, I didn't know her well at the time, 

so I sent her a card containing a verse each week.

Sometimes I commented on the verse, 

but often times it was just a verse.

She became a good friend as I helped her navigate a small part of what was going on.

We became friends as we cleaned her house, traveled to appointments, and navigated city streets.

We became friends as we enjoyed piano duets when she felt well.

Soon I added more people to my verse card list -

the sick, the shut-in, and those facing trials.

The list grows, and the list shrinks.

People get well,

and people reach the end of a trial.

For 3 and 1/2 years,

her card has been in the weekly stack.

This week has been a reminder that we are not promised a tomorrow.

I have one less card to write today.

My dear friend is whole,

is not in pain,

is not balancing appointments,

she is "home."

Just a reminder that life is short -

a reminder that God left us in His Word.

James 4:14

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Lifestyle Medicine

 Many times, hubby and I are asked why we eat as we do,

why we walk as much as we do,

why our life is rigidly structured

After a time away,

I am reminded that sometimes a healthy lifestyle is the best medicine.

Medicine is sometimes necessary,

but there are many health struggles that are helped by routine, diet, and exercise.

It is hard to be away from my kitchen and exercise habits.

Following our NY trip, I was tired, stiff, anxious, and moody.

I was so glad to get home to the things that make me feel great.

I am glad to be back to my comfy bed and restful room.

I am glad to be back to the couch where I do my morning Bible reading.

I am glad to be back to a schedule where I can make time for walking, running, or strength training.

I am glad to be back to my Vitamix to make nutrient-packed smoothies.

I am glad to be back to a refrigerator full of dark greens and veggies.

And what smoothie did I make first?

This has become a regular for breakfast.

3/4 c Greek yogurt (plain, no added sugar)

3/4 c orange juice

3/4 c frozen strawberries

1/3 c rolled oats

1 scoop coconut protein powder (again no sugar)

And then for lunch ...

Tuna, white bean, and dill salad

and 

a green drink

1 c water

1/2 lemon

1 or 2 handfuls of spinach

a squirt or two of pureed ginger

honey to taste

I am feeling much better today after being back to some "lifestyle medicine."

Remember

 As the beginning of April rolled around,

a blog post also rolled around in my mind,

but it never made it into the blogosphere.

At the beginning of April, 

we celebrated an anniversary -

the anniversary of our move.

What a year it has been!

There has been a new location.

There has been a new job position in a new location.

There has been a new church.

There has been the purchase of our first home

and ensuing payments and lessons about home ownership.

There has been injury.

There has been healing.

There has been the resuming of old ministries

and the finding of new ministry.

We have been studying Deuteronomy 5 and 6 at church.

They are chapters on remembering, reviewing, and teaching about the past,

Hubby and I have rehearsed so many blessings - 

God is faithful.

Though we have no children to rehearse the blessing with,

we will share with anyone who will listen.

Change is exciting and hard.

But if God is leading,

if God is in the change,

if you will leave self and rely on Him,

He will show Himself faithful.

And just to set the record straight,

He is faithful even when we are not,

though the outcome may not be what we are looking for.

The Little Things

During one of my workouts, the trainer talks about our skewed view of self.

She mentions how we might be upset about our size or shape,

and yet, we can move about when others cannot.

Perspective is a beautiful thing.

 It is often when we lose something that we appreciate it more.

It is often when growth or learning is slow that we value it more.

I may appreciate a home more than some, not because I have ever been homeless, but because I have borrowed homes for years.

I appreciate my meals more after I have been to a place where there are fewer allergy-friendly options.

This week, I am enjoying each little activity that returns to my schedule.

I tied my sneakers again this week.

I pulled my hair back in a ponytail (albeit a loose one) all by myself.

I opened a can with the can opener.

I made a pumpkin pie while hubby was at work.

I ironed using my casted hand to hold the iron.

And ... I mowed the lawn today.

Though I was disappointed to be put in a cast instead of a splint,

I learned through the x-ray reports that I actually had broken both of my lower arm bones.

(I feel like a true overachiever)

While only one bone needed surgery, the other needs the help of the cast to set.

I also realize that the stability of the cast is making some activities possible again.

And the slow progress makes me appreciate each activity more.