On Waiting

Timing is everything, right?  We hear this over and over.  But it's hard to remember - hard to accept when the timing isn't our timing.  When I'm waiting for something, I am so impatient.  Patience is a virtue - just not one of mine.  Yet, I have seen over and over in my life that God's timing is not my timing AND it is perfect.

Today I got a call from a friend who has finally brought home a child of her own.  After the heartbreak of years of infertility, miscarriage, and unfulfilled longing, she finally has a child of her own.  Needless to say, she is full of joy.  One of the first things she said to me was "God's timing is perfect."  Indeed it is. In spite of her waiting, in spite of the pain and loss she experienced in the mean time, she is able to see that His timing is exactly right.  I know how she feels.  I waited a long time for the miracle of becoming mommy to my son too.

I have other friends who are still waiting.  Wonderful friends that I know will be amazing parents.  Longing to have a child together, to double the love they have for each other.  God's timing is perfect here too.  One friend will go in for a D&C because she lost her baby...a baby she's been waiting for years to celebrate.  God's timing is perfect for her too, right?  Another who recently lost the child she had also waited for years to hold, then raised with love and joy, only to see him lost to cancer (that awful thief).  Some will ask, is His timing perfect here too?

I do not understand God's timing.  But I know the character of God.  He is good.  All the time.  He is faithful.  All the time.  When we stand with Him, He gives us strength.  His best for us is better than any good I could pray for.  We ask for pennies, but He has riches for us.  Sometimes we cannot understand the waiting.  Yet, I am convinced that some of the greatest work that God has done in me has been done in the waiting.  During the hard days - the days when I could not see any further than my own two hands on the ground in front of my bent knees.  If only we could find joy in the waiting, in the sometimes-suffering, in the longing.  How?  Paul knew the "secret"...

 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. ~Philippians 4:10-14

He seems to be talking about physical needs, but I think that our emotional and spiritual needs are no less important.  How can we manage when our hearts are hungry?  First, we find our joy in Christ and He strengthens us in times of need and in times of plenty.  Whatever we're waiting for, He knows and He is with us. He gives us the courage, determination, strength and peace we need.  Second, we share our burden.  We aren't called to carry the weight of our waiting alone.  God gives us to each other to provide support, encouragement, and love - to be His hands and feet.  Whatever you're waiting for, I pray you're not waiting alone.  And if you are not in a place of waiting, be an encouragement.  There are people all around you waiting.  Be a witness with them in their waiting.  Give them some of yourself, for you are sure to find yourself waiting eventually.  Be present and faithful.  Be healthy!

Kitchen Technique: Roasting

One of the reasons people often give me for not cooking and eating more vegetables is that they don't know how to prepare them - or that they take a long time.  I'm a busy girl these days and need meals to be simple, but always delicious.  Roasting is my go-to preparation for dinner many nights of the week.  As simple as scrub or scrape, chop, toss and into the oven.  Here's an example from this week...

Roasted Winter Veggies
3 medium carrots, scraped and chopped
3 parsnips, scraped and chopped
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and chopped
1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
2-4 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 tsp thyme
3 Tbs olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  While the oven heats, prep the vegetables.  Toss everything together in a bowl and then onto a lined or sprayed sheet pan.  Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes (until nicely caramelized and cooked through), tossing about every 15-20 minutes for even roasting.

A few tips:

1. Chop everything about the same size to ensure even cooking - but no need to get fancy.
2. Add additional spices, herbs and/or vary the veg to make an endless combination of roasted deliciousness.  Some of my favorite combos include sweet potato wedges tossed with olive oil, cinnamon and red pepper; yellow squash, zucchini, and onion tossed with olive oil, thyme and pepper; apples and potatoes tossed with a little olive oil, cinnamon and maple syrup; cauliflower tossed with a bit of olive oil, curry powder, salt and pepper; and colorful bell peppers and onions tossed with olive oil, cumin, salt and pepper.
3. Start this dish first.  Then, while the vegetables roast you can prep and cook everything else for dinner or just spend a little more time playing with your baby, dog, or internet.  

Leftover roasted vegetables are so versatile too.  They are fantastic added to scrambled eggs, folded into a tortilla for a vegetarian lunch, or even cold right out of the fridge.  What? Just me?  In addition to the fact that they are super easy and yummy, roasting instead of boiling helps retain nutrients since there's no water for the vitamins to leach out in.  So...what are you going to roast next?  Be adventurous.  Be healthy!

Weekend Meditation: Abundance

During a period of intense transition in my life, I found myself seeking God's wisdom and direction (always a good thing to do - not just during "transition").  I adopted this passage as my mantra in considering what the next phase of my life might look like:

The thief comes to steal and destroy; [Jesus] came that [I] might have life and have it abundantly. ~John 10:10 (emphasis mine)

This morning, I was reading through some inspiration (Twenty Four Hours a Day) and came upon this:

Love the busy life. It is a joy-filled life. Take your fill of joy in the Spring. Live outdoors whenever possible. Sun and air are nature's great healing forces.  That inward joy changes poisoned blood into pure, healthy, life-giving flow. But never forget that the real healing of the spirit comes from within, from the close, loving contact of your spirit with God's spirit. Keep in close communion with God's spirit day by day.

Prayer For The Day
I pray that I may learn to live the abundant life.  I pray that I may enjoy a close contact with God this day and be glad in it.

Source

What a timely reminder that sometimes an abundant life is a busy life!  There is joy in busyness as long as there remains time to keep connected with the Spirit - as long as I take time to fix my eyes on the giver of this busy, abundant life.  Today, take a moment during your busyness to stop, breathe, and celebrate the abundance in your life.  It may not look like you expected.  It may not be all that you want.  Abundance can show itself in the most unlikely places - bulbs sprouting up from the cold earth after an especially long winter; the laughter of a child you love (yes, even while you are longing for your own); the warm nuzzle of a faithful furry companion; the filtered sunlight in the room where you find yourself contemplating this now; the knowledge that you have everything you need because Jesus is the lover of your soul.  My life is busy and it is abundant.  Gratitude helps turn the stress of a busy life into abundance.  Thank you, Lord for my busy life.  Help me make the most of every moment.  Praying this for you too.  Practice self-care for your spirit today.  Be healthy!

Busy Week! TGIF

Was it a busy week for you?  Man, this week flew by for me.  I had so much going on with work, construction, and some personal things that I was up late and early every day - and still didin't get it all done!  Balance is still a struggle for me.  Does it get better?  Lord, I hope so.

Here's a quick peek at what we were up to...

Baby G tried avocado and quinoa - we'll try again later.

I made a version of this recipe for breakfast.

I multi-tasked...a lot.

Baby G practiced feeding himself watermelon - messy success!

The dog napped.  I did not.

We had new tile installed in the bathroom.

I baked these banana oat teething biscuits for Baby G.

I enjoyed a yummy berry & kale protein smoothie.  Here's the recipe...

 Ingredients:
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
handful of mixed greens (I use Supergreens from Organic Girl)
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
a few ice cubes

Blend and enjoy!

TGIF!  Let's reconnect this weekend, k?  I missed you. Be healthy!

The Importance of Tracking

Research has shown that people who track what they eat - that is journal in some way what they eat each day - are more successful at weight loss long term.  Writing down or entering into your smartphone, laptop, whatever, forces you to be more accountable about what you eat.  Even if no one else looks at it, when you have to take the time to think about what you've eaten, you can't lie to yourself about what you've eaten. 

I have done this for years. I've done it for weight maintenance, but also just because it's fascinating to me to see how many calories, vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients that I eat each day.  It has helped me hone my diet such that for many years, I ate nearly the same amount of calories each day without even thinking about it.  If you're trying to modify your diet to lose weight or become healthier, I urge you to try this practice at least for a week.

For Valentine's Day, my sweetheart gave me two special gifts: a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream and a Fitbit Flex.  I wanted a Fitbit for Christmas, but it didn't make it under the tree, so I was thrilled when I opened the box and found this fun gadget.  There are lots of free ways to track your activity and food (I used this one for years), but this is a great little toy. 

I've just started using the Fitbit, but am enjoying checking to see how many steps I've taken and how my sleep was - although I already know when it's restless by the size of the bags under my eyes!  I'll share later how this tool works out for me.  So far, I think it overestimates steps.

Do you use a tool for tracking activity and/or food?  If so, which one?  If you have a Fitbit Flex, I'd love to hear your review!  Be healthy!

Heaven Won't Look Like My Little Baptist Congregation

This morning over my coffee, I was reading a story about a worldwide movement to end modern day slavery - to expose sex trafficking and rescue children and young people who had been captured and forced into servitude.  It's a travesty and it makes me angry to know that there are adults who prey on innocence.  As a mother, it makes me hold my baby closer and others at more of a distance.  The depravity of man (and woman) knows no bounds.

In the midst of this pondering, I look for ways to help.  What can I do?  I'm one person.  Not a politician, a leader, famous.  Here are some organizations that are helping and I can help them.  So can you:

• Not For Sale
• Street Grace
• Polaris Project
• The 21 Campaign

There are others.  I'm sure there are many - and there's probably one in your town.  Don't ignore this problem.  Teach your children about the danger and the opportunities to rescue others.  Pray for the children and adults in slavery being exploited and those recovering from the effects of sex trafficking.  Pray that the people involved would be convicted in their hearts (and in courts) about the wrong they are doing.

The global scale of this issue also leads me to a meditation about heaven. Many years ago, God blessed me with the opportunity to go to Burkina Faso to tell others about Him.  I was a young believer and it was really the only time I'd been to a third-world country.  My eyes were opened and my world was forever changed.  Before this trip, church for me was a stoic stand up, sit down, clap your hands a little and sing along with everyone else, while the BK believers danced wildly, sang loudly, shook tambourines and cried out in their faith!  It was frightening and exciting and connected me to a place of release and freedom for my faith.  I realized in full - for the first time - that heaven won't look like my little Baptist congregation (not that there's anything wrong with a little Baptist confeegation, per se).  It will be filled with people from all over the world - white, black, brown, yellow and every hue in between.  Languages will be strange, but we will understand each other.  The celebration will go on forever and the singing will never end. 

2Let Israel be glad in his Maker; Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. 3Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. ~Psalm 149:2-3

Praise Him today and pray for those who are lost.  The children and young people involved in sex trafficking may not look like you (although they might).  They may not be in your backyard (although if you are in Atlanta, they might be).  Yet, they are like you - wonderfully created and worthy of our prayers, intervention and love.  Be faithful.  Be healthy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I <3 You!  Seriously, if you're reading this it's probably because you're a friend or a family member and I really do love you.  If you are neither, then I bet I would love you if I got to know you.

Today is a wonderful day to practice loving others.  Jesus said that others would know us by the way we love others (John 13:34-35).  I hope that most of the time I do that.  Today, I'm going to try extra hard to be loving.  I love John Wesley's admonition to us:

It's also a good day to love on someone with a good meal.  Hopefully you have something special planned for yourself today, maybe it even includes someone else.   Make it a healthy one.  Today is also a good day to think about your heart and the heart of the ones you love.  Whatever you're putting into your mouth is impacting your heart too.  Choose wisely.  

While we were snowed in this week, I made a version of these delicious Snickerdoodle Pancakes.  I couldn't actually bring myself to making them just as the recipe is...too indulgent, too much sugar, not really breakfast material.  Instead, I tweaked the recipe like this - replace the AP flour with 1/2 cup buckwheat flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour; omit sugar (you'll add syrup and they'll be sweet enough); trim the butter to 3 Tbs; replace sour cream with plain yogurt and use buttermilk instead of milk.  They were delicious, cinnamony, light, and slightly sour from the buttermilk, slightly sweet from a drizzle or real maple syrup (not the fake stuff!).  And...no guilt for me.  Enjoy! Be healthy!

What's Cooking in the Snow

We're totally snowed in - ice everywhere.  We can't get out if we want to...ok,we might be able to if we had to.  But why bother?  It's toasty inside and there's plenty to eat.  So far...this is some of what being snowed in has produced from the kitchen:

This recipe but with butterscotch chips.

Chicken, Broccoli Soba Noodle Bowl recipe from Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

Hershey's "Perfect" Hot Chocolate

And One Simple Roasted Chicken recipe from How to Cook Everything

What's next? Roasting some beets, baking some bread, oh...and a special Valentine's dinner.  Are you cooking for <3 Day?  What are you making?  Be healthy!

More Snow?!

So here we are in Atlanta anticipating more snow.  Seriously?  I'm a native and I can't remember ever having back to back snowstorms.  And yes, 2" of snow is a snowstorm in Atlanta. 

Like most people around here, I hit the grocery store today.  There were a ridiculous number of people there in the middle of the day on a Monday.  There was still plenty of bread, milk and staples when I was there at 11, but I heard (via Facebook, which is the most reliable place for news, of course) that the markets were cleared out before the evening.  I didn't buy bread because I always have plenty of ingredients to make fresh homemade bread if I need it...as long as we have power. 

Here's what I bought:

• 1/2 gallon of organic whole milk
• extra firm tofu
• bunch of organic beets
• bananas
• organic parsley
• beet juice
• organic broccoli
• whole wheat hamburger buns

I keep a very well stocked pantry and fridge.  I just wanted a few delicious items to round out what I have on hand. What am I going to make?  Burger buns are for black bean burgers (I <3 Morningstar Farms spicy black bean).  Tofu and broccoli will become stir fry.  Beets are for roasting to top salads and for pureeing for the baby.  Bananas for PB & banana sandwiches, banana bread, and mashed for baby.  Milk and beet juice for drinking.  Not together.  I'll share some recipes this week.

Did you hit the market?  What was in your cart?  Stay warm.  Be healthy!

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

Are you watching the Olympics?  Even thought its delayed, I'm watching.  It's so much fun to see the athletes perform at their best, hear the back stories, and to cheer on USA.  What's your favorite winter sport?  Snowboarding has been cool to watch.  I love figure skating - it's so beautiful to watch the skaters dance on ice.  Hockey is exciting too - oh, and downhill skiing and slalom.  Even curling is fun to watch in the Olympics. 

We wanted a treat to enjoy while we watched.  Enter the peanut butter rice crispy treat. Yum, yum, yum.  These aren't healthy, per se.  But if you're eating super nutritiously 80-90% of the time, there's room for the occasional indulgence.  Here's mine.  Hope you enjoy it! 

Ingredients
3 Tbs butter
1 1/2 packages marshmallows (10oz packages)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
7 cups rice crispy cereal

Start by preparing your 13 x 9" pan with butter or spray with oil.  Heat a large heavy bottomed pot over medium heat.  Melt butter, then add marshmallows.  Stir as they melt to incorporate butter and to gently press the fluffy marshmallows down.  Once mostly melted, add the peanut butter and turn off the heat.  Stir until completely smooth, then add rice crispies.  Stir until everything is incorporated, then pour into the pan.  Using a piece of parchment paper, press the mixture into the pan.  Once cooled, cut into 24 pieces and enjoy!

Do you have what it takes?

When I was pregnant, we decided to wait to find out if our child was a boy or girl until his birthday.  I love surprises and can hardly think of a more exciting surprise!  Most people were surprised to hear that we were waiting and often friends and strangers exclaimed, "I couldn't wait!"  Occasionally, we met another couple who had waited and they confirmed that it would add another level of anticipation to the baby's delivery.  At a baby shower, friends and family guessed the day they though the baby might come and gender. It was a lot of fun for me to dream about being mother to a baby boy or baby girl.  Most people were so kind and encouraging throughout my pregnancy. 

But someone along the way said to me, "You can't be a mother to a boy."  Has anyone ever said something to you that just got in your head and stuck there?  Maybe someone planted a seed of doubt about your ability to excel at school, or to be beautiful, or to overcome some disability.  Perhaps you had a goal to meet and someone told you that you'd never be able to do it.

I don't know why she said that to me.  In fact, I can't even remember who said it to me.  Thankfully, God has gifted me with a wonderfully forgetful mind.  It keeps me from holding grudges, but it doesn't keep me from remembering all ugly comments.  Maybe she thought she was being funny.   But then my son was born and her words haunted me a bit.  I began to wonder if she was right.  Of course, that's ridiculous.  I can absolutely be the mother to a boy.  I AM the mother to a boy!  A beautiful, smart, curious, growing, enthusiastic baby boy.

Seriously, I wondered, do I have what it takes to help my son be all that God has made him to be?  Can I teach him what he needs to know to navigate this world, full of evil?  How will I protect him, while allowing him to experience the right kind of learning through disappointments and mistakes?  And there are so many decisions to make about his health, schooling, who will care for him when I'm not around... It can seem overwhelming when I think of the awesome responsibility.

The kind of overwhelming that drives me to my knees proclaiming that I don't have what it takes.  On my own, I am incapable of being the mother my son needs.  But with God, all things are possible.  As I think of the things ahead - temptations, dangers, evil, bullies - I am reminded of what the Scriptures say in Exodus 14:14...

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (NIV)

What is my job according to this scripture? To be still.  While I "be still" God will do what needs to be done.  He will fight the battle.  He will make a way.  I may not have what it takes, but He does.  As I place my trust in Him, He gives me peace and makes it possible to be still.  And suddenly, I do have what it takes to "mother a boy."  Where do you need God to fight for you?  Have faith.  Be healthy!

What the Wheat?!

Recently, I went to see a chiropractor - I have carpal tunnel syndrome, seriously, doesn't that suck? - and she asked me about wheat.  Specifically, she asked me about a book that talks about wheat and the midsection and pretty much blames wheat for all of the illnesses that people have, especially overweight.  I tried not to look at her cross-eyed, but I'm sure she saw the displeasure on my face.  Here's the deal on wheat:

1. If you do not have an allergy or sensitivity and don't have celiac disease, you need not avoid wheat altogether.
2. Wheat, in and of itself, is not evil or poisonous, despite the bill of goods someone might have sold you.
3. Too much wheat (and too much sugar) isn't good for you.  And when you eat it, it should be whole wheat, wheat berries, or cracked wheat - not highly refined flour.

Source: wholegrainscouncil.org

Expanding beyond just wheat, whole grains are a great source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and a variety of micronutrients.  Check out the Whole Grains Council nutrition page for detailed information on specific grains.  Again, enjoying grains in their whole form ensures that the nutrients are retained. 

Here are a few delicious whole grain recipes to try:
Ellie Krieger's Wheat Berry Salad via The Food Network
Miso-Ginger Wild Rice with Carrots and Cabbage via Whole Paycheck Foods
One-pan Farro with Tomatoes via Smitten Kitchen
100% Whole Grain Wheat Bread via Food.com (I bet you could make this in a bread machine)

Grains should be part of your daily diet, but not the bulk of your diet.  So, don't give up wheat or your favorite grain, unless you have to.  Do enjoy it in moderation.  Be healthy!

I didn't receive any compensation and don't have a relationship with the Whole Grains Council, by the way.

To Raise an Adventurous Eater

One of my primary goals as a registered dietitian nutritionist mamma is to raise an adventurous eater.  I want my son to enjoy food - to share my own fascination with colors, textures, flavors of food from around the world.  Spices, vegetables, exotic fruits, sauces, and soups...there are so many delicious dishes to try!  My little guy just hit the 6 months mark and I couldn't be prouder.

He's growing beautifully and enjoying new foods and flavors all the time. I started introducing little tastes of this and that at just over 4 months and his interest in food has continued to grow.  Early on, he still had a little but of tongue thrust and he would push anything put in his mouth out, but that's gradually disappeared.  Now he eagerly lunges toward the spoon lapping up whatever is on it.  Here are three ideas on feeding the adventurer in him...

1. He gets to taste whatever mommy is eating...the key is a TASTE.  I don't feed him very salty or sweet foods, although he did get a little taste of hot cocoa and a lick of a tortilla chip recently.  Not at the same time mind you.  Seriously, if I'm eating spaghetti, he gets a taste of the sauce, same for everything from scrambled eggs to tikka masala to oatmeal with molasses to peanut butter and banana sandwich (which he totally just gums at and can't eat, of course).  As the result, he will taste pretty much anything.
2. I add spices to his food.  For instance, G's "dinner" tonight was a bit of infant oatmeal made with breastmilk with curry spiced pureed pumpkin.  He ate it up.  He also really likes the flavor of cinnamon.  I'm not afraid to try these foods with him, since he's been tasting them through my diet since before he was born. He only eats a couple of tablespoons at a time and that's fine - I try to make that little bit extra interesting!
3. He gets to decide if and how much he eats.  If I make him something and he doesn't want it, that's fine.  He can refuse and I just toss it out.  He can take one bite and decide he doesn't like it yet - or today, if it's something he liked in the past.  Since he can't tell me how he's feeling, it's just trial and error.  I'm mindful to allow him to have some control, since he doesn't get to decide what or when he gets to eat.  If he doesn't open his mouth to receive the food or if he turns his head away, I don't stick the spoon in his mouth.

 That's an update on developing an adventurous eater.  Be healthy!