Unhealthy Choices

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Be Strong

My 14 Completely Different Outfits (And Why I May Go Capsule)

Everything to the right of the green hanger is acceptable for spring. The rest is "back up" for now. Camis, tanks, sweaters, tops.

I remember sitting in my bedroom when I was 10 or 11-years-old, making a list of the outfits I could wear so I didn’t have to wear the same outfit twice in one week. As I got older (like high school), that list expanded to two weeks.

Be seen wearing the same article of clothing two days in a row?! Never!

I think I’ve lived most of my adult life with the two-week, 14 outfit, self-imposed rule. My closet is jammed full of clothes; most of which I do wear, and a lot I don’t.

Well, those that I don’t were eliminated last week.

A couple of years ago when I discovered Joshua Becker and the minimalist movement, I heard about Project 333 - having only 33 pieces of clothing in your closet for a three month period - the four seasons.

The idea is to rotate out the pieces that don’t belong in the current season; store them or get rid of them. Then you’re left with the items to mix and match to create different outfits over the next three months.

Lately I’ve been reading and watching YouTube videos about capsule wardrobes. (Links below.) Some people have up to 37 pieces, some have 50 or more. Items include pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, layering pieces, shoes, coats, jackets. Accessories, pajamas, workout clothing, or “home” clothing (things used for sitting around the house or working in the yard) don’t count toward the capsule.

With this in mind I cleaned out my closet. I took out everything I no longer wear, no longer fits, no longer like or feel good in, and put it in a pile. When I was done I washed and dried the pile and dropped it off at Goodwill.

[That felt SO GOOD! It was amazing how it felt like a lifted weight!]

I took out the heavy winter items and some fall items and put them in another closet since I won’t use them for a few months.

Left in my closet now are things I love, are comfortable and I feel good in. I’m a long way from even 50 items (probably around 100), but all of it is useful and I know I can grab anything in there and be happy.

Last Saturday morning I took it a step farther. (I really want to try the capsule wardrobe, but just not sure I can do it. That’s a long way from 14 completely different outfits in a two-week period!)

After a week of paying attention to the things I pull out to wear, I counted out 33 pieces and hung them together at the front. (Along with 5 pair of shoes.) The rest of my items are still in the closet for “just in case”, divided by green hangers, to see what items I may still need along the way. Trial and error with a new system, especially as we transition from highs in the low 50s to highs in the upper 70s, so I don’t want to go too crazy cleaning everything out just yet!

Everything to the left of the green hanger is ok to wear. Jeans, dresses, leggings.

Currently in my closet are:
2 sleeveless turtlenecks (gray, pink)
4 pair of jeans
2 leggings (to go with the dresses)
3 dresses
1 pair gray dress pants
2 camis (black, white)
4 tanks (black, white, pink, teal)
7 sweaters (includes long and 3/4 sleeves)
2 long sleeve tees (gray, lavender)
4 tops
1 lightweight gray hoodie
5 pair of shoes (flats in black, silver, leopard print; heels in black, pink)

Why did I take the picture from this angle? Sorry!

I’m not sure I have enough short sleeve summer tops, and maybe too many sweaters, but I’ll adjust if needed.

I also noticed my go-to colors are black, gray and pink.

Project 333’s guidelines are to inventory your wardrobe at the beginning of each season to see what you may need to include, then shop (just once per season) for those things so you have them.

After cleaning my closet (and having lost weight this past year) I discovered I need to get a pair of black dress pants (everything goes with them!) and I could use a black cardigan for fall and winter. Also on my wish list is a trench coat, either white or stone. They look so great with jeans or for dressing up.

So what do you think? Have you heard of the capsule wardrobe or Project 333? Are you up for the minimizing challenge? Are you at least motivated to go clean out your closet now? Leave a comment and let me know what you think about the capsule wardrobe movement.

Here are links to a few places I’ve found about the capsule wardrobe, how to create one, and even a worksheet on how to get started and find your style.

Project 333
The Anna Edit (England) Blog YouTube
Use Less (Denmark) Blog YouTube
Un-Fancy Blog
Capsule Wardrobe Worksheet (from Un-Fancy) (Awesome resource!) (PDF)
My Green Closet YouTube
Meghan Livingstone YouTube
For interest: One Year, One Dress interview with My Green Closet (a story about a woman who wore the same dress for 365 days!) Frock Around the Clock Blog

My Head vs The Ice (Spoiler: The Ice Won); My Concussion Story

5:30 am: I awoke to a text message saying schools were closed. Since I knew ice could be the problem, I got up to watch the news. Accidents and slide-offs all over.

6:45: I texted my son to be careful on his way from work. (Third shift)

7:30: I left for work after checking the ice situation on the driveway. Definitely a glaze, but didn’t worry too much. I even wore my flat shoes instead of boots. There was hardly any snow, so I never even thought of it.

Traffic moved slow, but people were smart on the ice. Mostly moved at 40-45mph in a typically 55mph zone.

8:15 Stopped at Starbucks. On my way back to the car I thought, “This might have been a good day to use the drive-thru,” as I navigated the glazed parking lot.

North of town the traffic moved a bit faster at 60mph on the highway.

8:45 I arrived at work. The parking lot was covered with snow and a layer of ice. I slightly slid sideways into my parking spot. Ah-hah. Be careful getting out.

I prayed, out loud even, “Lord, I’m afraid of falling. I know fear is not of You, but I have it. I also have faith that You will help me. Please just hold me up so I don’t fall.”

I made a trip into the building, taking small, careful steps with my purse and coffee. Made it in!

“Thank you, Jesus! Now I need to make one more trip to the car to get the rest of my things. Please just hold me up.”

Made it back to the car, grabbed my tote bag, laptop and bowl with my lunch in it.

“OK, Lord, now is when I need You, because when I close this door it might throw my weight and I don’t want to fall. Please just hold me up.”

Holding everything in my left arm, I closed the car door. Still standing.

“Thank you, Jesus. Just hold me up so I can get in the building.”

I took maybe three steps.

BAM!

Before I even knew what was happening I was landing on the back of my head. No time to scream. No time to try to grab for balance. No time to put arms out to stop myself. Just landing on the back of my head.

“Owww…Owww… Owww… Owww… Owww…,” on the ice for about 20 or 30 seconds.

I sat up and said, “God, you didn’t hold me up.”

While still sitting on the ice I texted my pastor, “I fell on the ice. Please check on me.”

I was scared. I know it’s not a good idea to be alone after hitting your head and I had no idea when Pastor planned to be in that day, so I asked hime to check on me in case I passed out or anything.

I managed to get in the building, and long story short, I called 9-1-1 so they could check me. They wrapped my head to hold a bag of ice in place on the goose-egg that had immediately showed up.

Pastor came and took me to ER. I checked out neurologically, so they wrapped my head with more ice and sent me home.

Pastor took me back to work, put me in my car, got my things from inside the church, and sent me home. In retrospect, driving that day was a very bad idea, but I made it.

And that’s where I would be for the next 9 weeks (and counting) - home.

The next week my doctor diagnosed me with a concussion, post-traumatic vertigo and told me not to go back to work for a couple of weeks. (Which has turned into a couple of months now, but I’m almost there!)

I had friends bring meals the first few weeks since it was too hard to stand and cook, and I got tired of take-out.

Most of the first 6 weeks was spent in my chair in front of the tv, resting and doing nothing. There were days I didn’t even get out of my pajamas. Normally I hate being in pajamas all day, but I just didn’t care. (No makeup most days either. Gasp!)

Driving was out of the question. I only started back driving a couple of weeks ago, and then only small trips on quiet roads.

My parents have been more than fabulous about taking me to all of my doctor appointments. I’m so grateful they like road trips because it’s quite a hike for them and time-consuming in their day. But when you have the best parents on the planet, it works in your favor!

(“Thank you, Mom and Dad,” just isn’t enough. I love their sacrificial love for me so much.)

February 8: I woke up at 3:00 am with the worst vertigo! I had some at the beginning, but never this bad. I was sweaty, nauseous and could hardly sit up to roll over. Same at 4:30.

At 6:00 my husband was getting his lunch ready for work. I texted, “Come back up here.”

I could barely sit up. I needed him to help me to the bathroom. He ended up staying home with me that day. Thankfully, I saw my doctor the next day which helped enough for me to be on my own.

By Saturday I was still quite dizzy. I went back to ER for a re-check. They did a CT scan and blood work.

The CT scan came back normal. No bleeding, no bruising.

The blood work showed hypothyroid. Not surprising. Doc diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue the week before.

So I’ve had some work to do and additional diet changes to my already increasingly restricted menu. If you’ve read me for awhile, you know I’ve already had to pare back some things. Now even more! But ultimately I want to be healthy, so I do what Doc says.

Last Friday I saw a neurologist. He said I’m normal!

Verified by two separate medical professionals, people! Normal! Hello!

Yesterday was the 9-week mark. I’m finally starting to feel my normal self again. I have energy. I’m driving on the highways a little more. I’m cooking dinner again. Shopping at the grocery store doesn’t bother me anymore. (Oy, the lights, the people, the noise, all the things to look at. Painful in the beginning.)

I still have to be careful about how I sleep, staying propped up because I don’t want the vertigo to come back. I still feel a twinge of dizziness when I roll over, but that will go away with time.

Somedays I wonder and ask God what the purpose is in all of this. Why did I have to fall when I asked Him to hold me up? Why did I have to sit alone - bored - in my house for the past 2 months? Why did I have to be dependent on so many others to help me? Why is this recovery taking so long?

But here’s how I know He held me up, just not in the way I expected.

The first time I went to ER, there was a 77-year-old woman who broke her arm falling on the ice. Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t break any bones.

The first time I went to ER, as I was leaving there was a woman about my age wheeled in holding a cloth on the back of her head. She fell on the ice too. She asked how many stitches I got. None! Never thought about that. Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t need stitches.

The same day I fell, my neighbor’s friend fell too. He broke the temporal lobe, stayed in the hospital overnight with vertigo and nausea, and had hearing loss for quite awhile. (I’m not sure it’s even back yet.) Thank you, Jesus, I didn’t break bones in my head or have hearing loss.

I didn’t lose consciousness, I never had vision or balance problems, I don’t have memory loss, I haven’t had cognitive issues.

There are so many more things I could have to deal with.

So here’s my bottom line to you. God may not always answer your prayer (“God, hold me up.”) the way you think He will, but He WILL answer your prayer in ways you may not expect.

He showed me how many people love, and are willing to serve me. Some not even being super close friends, but that’s what makes it all the more special.

I learned a long time ago, you find out who your friends are in a crises. I was surprised by a few of my friends who I didn’t know loved me so much!

I know this is a long post. Thank you for sticking it out and reading.

If you’ve had experiences with concussion, vertigo (check out the Foster maneuver), being homebound, dependent, bored, lonely, please leave your comments below and tell me what helped you get through it.

Mistakes Were Made

I’ve made some massive mistakes. Uh, just in the last month!

Mistake One: I quit my job. The one I love, have a passion for, and completely flow in my giftings of organization, typing, creativity and details. I resigned.

My husband and I told our pastors after service one Sunday that I had to resign. I was going to babysit my granddaughter 4 days a week. They were amazingly supportive, understood and prayed with us.

As Pastor Judy prayed, I cried. Not because I was sad to leave, but because already I had a clue I wasn’t doing the right thing.

The next week there were moments of, “Man, I’m glad I won’t have to do this [particular task] anymore.”

There were also moments of, “I don’t want to give this [particular task] up. I don’t want to stop doing this [particular task]. I’m going to miss the people in the community I work with. I don’t want to give my keys back. Who’s going to do this job? I know I’m going to criticize the work that comes out of this office now; I don’t want to do that. Are we going to have to leave this church?”

Endless thoughts and questions!

The next week was also the most trying time of babysitting my granddaughter I’ve ever had. Crying and screaming that would. Not. Quit! One afternoon was an hour and 20 minutes by the time my daughter came to get her. I love the girl, but I was ecstatic to hand her off!

That was the night I sent a text to Pastor Judy and said, “Please don’t say anything publicly yet. Can we talk Sunday? I’m feeling confused.”

How was I ever going to do this four days a week? I’ve always said I’m NOT cut out for daycare. I don’t like it. It’s definitely different with a grandchild - it’s more enjoyable, it’s easier, but it’s not the thing I enjoy most. (I feel like a terrible grandparent when I say that.)

My passion? Office work. (I’ve been in love with forms since I discovered them at 7-years-old!)

My husband and I did a lot of talking. I think we over-discussed it. But we were in agreement that I needed to revoke my resignation. Office work is life-giving for me. It’s my creative outlet. Where was I otherwise going to have that?

The next Sunday we had lunch with Pastors Keith and Judy and they were relieved when I revoked my resignation. I was relieved. I knew it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Mistake Two: When I arrived at my job the week before Christmas, I was trying to set up for the day. Unlocking drawers, setting up my laptop, switching from boots to shoes, checking email on my desktop…ah, the email.

With too many things to distract me, I tried to plow through some emails to catch up and get them cleaned out. There was one from USPS Same Day. It told me a package could not be delivered because nobody was at our office to receive it.

True. I’m only there two days a week.

“Click on the attachment for further instructions.”

You know where I’m going, don’t ya? Yep. I. KNOW. BETTER! But distracted. *Click* and a flash. What was that? Hmm, nothing seems to be happening so I must be ok.

Then my laptop (thank you, Jesus, I had my laptop on!) started showing notifications about Dropbox files being updated.

Long story, short, I downloaded an encryption virus. I had to delete my Dropbox account, but fortunately the virus hadn’t made it to the server yet, so all other documents were safe. Although I’ve lost all my contacts and calendars because our IT guy had to rebuild my desktop.

It’s been 3 weeks since I did that and I’m still fuming mad at myself. I know better than to click on attachments, especially from a Canadian email address that claims to be from the US Post Office. How dumb can you be?

What is my point in sharing these mistakes? Life goes on. We can go back and admit our mistakes, ask forgiveness, change the situation as best we can and move forward.

The world didn’t end because I resigned, then revoked it.

The world didn’t end because I downloaded an encryption virus onto my computer that inconvenienced people for days because they had to work around that.

I know you’ve made some mistakes too. Some are way in the past - over and done with. But some may be recent. The past year, the past month - yesterday.

What can you do to resolve the situation? Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and admit our mistakes - then apologize for the inconvenience we cause everyone! (A la computers with viruses!)

Sometimes the only thing we can do is move forward, having learned from our mistake.

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Philippians 3:13 [NLT]

Sometimes it’s just therapy to write about it and share your stupidity with the world! Because I know I’m not alone in making mistakes, and I want you to know you’re not either.

Care to share any mistakes you’ve made and how God redeemed them? Let's encourage each other.

Just Say No To Resolutions

When I was in school, my teachers would almost always check the box on my report card that said, "Makes wise use of time." These many years later, it still makes me crazy to waste time.

Over the past couple of weeks I did some goal setting for 2017. I want to look back and see some accomplishments so I know I made wise use of my time. I am intentional about living a life of purpose - to tell a meaningful story with my life.

In January 2016 a few goals I had written were:

• Clean cupboards, closets, clothes, bookshelves, and give things away to Goodwill.

• Have coffee dates with long-lost friends.

• Lose Weight

• Finish an online course I had started, then put aside.

• Publish my health journal book.

I listed specific goals for each area - exactly which cupboards and closets I wanted to clean, which friends I needed to reconnect with, how much weight I was going to lose (and specifically how I was going to do it), when I would finish the course, and set a deadline for publishing my book.

Results? My closets, cupboards, drawers and bookshelves have been pared down by around 60% (and I still look for things to get rid of), I reconnected with 5 long-lost friends, I lost 28.4 pounds and discovered which foods I need to avoid, I finished the course and published my book!

I heard a stat that only 8% of new year resolutions make it to the end of January. That means by the time you read this, if you've made resolutions you're already struggling.

Pastor MarkPettus (Church of the Highlands, Alabama) said, "Resolutions depend on me to fix a problem I caused," and that's not a good idea. He said we need more than willpower, we need a Higher Power - Jesus!

Our resolutions are meaningless if we don't depend on Jesus to change us. I also believe we need to pray and be intentional about the changes we're going to make.

"Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth." Isaiah 43:19 [NASB]

For the past couple of years I've read James Clear's Annual Review on his blog. He looks back over his year and discusses the good, the bad, failures, improvements and where he can use those lessons going into the new year. I love his overview-style and it has helped me consider my year and where I'm going.

I also recently read a great article from Chris Guillebeau, "How to Conduct Your Own Annual Review." He's more specific in his review style using a step-by-step process, listing distinct areas, what the summary theme is for each, which 3 or 4 specific action steps it will require, and checking in with yourself each quarter to see how you're doing.

Even though we're already into January, I encourage you to take some time to look over your past year. This may not be a quick process; it may even take a few days, but that's ok so you can put a good plan together. What are your wins? What are your losses? What did you learn from them? Where do you want to go in 2017? What will it take to get there?

Even if you don't meet all your goals (I didn't in 2016), at least you've got something to aim for. You'll have a story of accomplishment to tell on December 31, 2017. You'll be excited and proud of living a story of purpose.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Mary Kay Ash

A few of my goals for 2017 are to be consistent in daily time with God, walk at least 5000 steps per day, connect with 4 or 5 long-lost friends (the ones I didn't make it to last year), read 6-10 books, attend the Tribe Writers Conference in September.

Check out James Clear and Chris Guillebeau and let me know if you create a plan for 2017. Just say no to resolutions and yes to goals!

Happy New Year, Sweet Friends! Thank you for being on this journey with me.

And let's check in with each other on January 1 so we can see how well we did!

Pizza Quinoa

Continuing my accidental series of recipe creations, this week I give you Pizza Quinoa. It's the usual blah-blah-free: gluten, dairy, egg and tomato. Yes, I can't have tomatoes either.

I LOVE pizza and have been craving it a lot lately. I could eat it every night and be happy, but since I'm all-those-things-and-more-free, I can't have it. Gluten, diary, tomato - crust, cheese, sauce. Blah.

It's with pizza on the brain and a need to bring a dish to a potluck last weekend that I came up with Pizza Quinoa. It was a hit!

Of course, if you're not dairy-free (lucky), add some shredded mozzarella or cut some fresh mozzarella into bite-size cubes. It would be delicious. (Definitely do this after the quinoa cools.)

If you're not tomato-free, maybe about a 1/2 can of drained, fire-roasted tomatoes would be fabulous as well.

Pizza Quinoa

1 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to package directions

Add to the cooking water:

1 1/2 t basil

1 1/2 t oregano

salt

garlic, generous sprinkle (I like lots)

*I like to allow the quinoa to sit for awhile after cooking so it's fluffier, but you can certainly use it as soon as it's finished.

Chop

1/2 cup onion

1/2 cup green pepper

1/2 cup mushrooms

1/2 of a 3.5 oz package of pepperoni, sliced in half. 

Mix together and add the quinoa.

Drizzle with some olive oil. If you have access to the fancy olive oils (Fustini's in Holland is awesome), a basil or Tuscan olive oil would be extra delicious.

As always, make it your own. Add whatever you like on your pizza - olives, sausage, pineapple, etc.

I'd love to hear how you like this and how you change it up!

Happy Pizza-ing!

DON'T FORGET!

My book, Be Real Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down For Better Health will be a perfect jumpstart for your health in 2017! Click here to order!

Peanut Satay Chicken with Rice Noodles

Continuing with my crazy food-restriction-diet theme, here's another awesome recipe! Gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, blah-blah-blah-free.

I'm not even sure how I came up with this one, but it's so good I've made it a couple of times already.

As always, my recipes lend themselves very well to your own creativity. (And measurements never need to be exact.) While I used broccoli and peppers in this, if you share President Bush's dislike for broccoli, substitute something else. Cauliflower would be awesome. (Makes note to self - sounds delicious.)

Rice noodles are very easy to make and I like them just as well as pasta. But note they soak up sauce like a sponge, so unless you plan ahead, leftovers will be very dry.

Peanut Satay Chicken with Rice Noodles

1 pound chicken, cooked and diced

7 oz Rice Noodles (found in the Asian section)

8-10 ounces bottled Peanut Satay Sauce (found in the Asian section)

Vegetables of your choice: broccoli, carrots, onion, peppers work well

Begin by boiling water for rice noodles.

Chop and sauté vegetables in olive oil with salt, pepper and garlic for 5-6 minutes.

Combine together or serve separately on the plate - whatever excites you. Like I said, my recipes are casual!

Let me know what you think if you try this. What would you do different?

DON'T FORGET!

There's still time to get $5 off my book, Be Real Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down For Better Health.

Use the code HEALTHY17 at checkout before 11:59 pm, Friday, December 16! This would make a perfect Christmas gift! Click here to order!

Communicate In Love

I created this graphic a couple of weeks ago and put it on my social media. I'm so struck by the tone of our collective voices in this country lately.

There has been so much hate, anger, fear, concern - and rightly so in most cases. But yelling and violence isn't the answer to hate, anger or fear; I think it just adds to it.

Paul - you know Paul. Paul was a persecutor of Christians, he held coats while others stoned Christians. He called himself zealous and approved of it all!

That Paul. He tells us to speak truth in love.

Love.

OK, so something that is truth to you may not be truth to me. I'm thinking social-issue or politics-wise. What I believe to be true about something like abortion, is going to be different than what another believes. And we both believe we are speaking truth. Yet, in the disagreement, why is there so much hatred flung at each other? Why is there never a civil conversation?

Why aren't we speaking in love?

Why aren't we listening (in love), instead of being so quick to point out why the other is wrong so we can make our point?

When we argue and hate, nobody's mind gets changed.

Disagree, but don't be disagreeable.

My husband and I have an acquaintance who is gay. We love him to pieces and he's always such a joy to be around. I saw the fear on his Facebook page after the election, and that's what really got me to thinking about the way we talk to people.

As someone who believes the way he lives his life is not God's best for him, how would it help him, or me, or we as a society, if we told him how horrible he is and condemned him? No! I feel motivated to have a conversation with him and find out what his fears are and what I, just one individual, can do to help him feel a little less fearful.

And honestly, I feel motivated to love on him more than we already do, because he's such a loving, great guy.

I know some are pretty devastated by the election results. But ask yourself what you can do to help bring a healing narrative to your corner of the world. Whether it's abortion, gay rights, racial issues or just plain fear, what can we do to help bring love?

What words can you say in love?

How can you bring peace or hope to the fearful ones around you?

I know this seems off the topic of health. But doesn't it help us tell a better story with our life if we take time to listen? To understand? To just love someone and speak love over them?

Let's allow God to do the judging. Jesus just requires us to love.

God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything. Paul, Ephesians 4:15 [MSG]

Be Real Health Journal: Christmas Discount

I saw someone on Facebook gleefully announce there are only 5 Fridays left before Christmas.

What? No, just stop it.

Really. Stop.

But it's true. Only 5.

So I wanted to connect with you and let you know about the special offer I have on my book right now. BeReal Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down for Better Health is only $11 from now through December 16. That's $5 off the cover price!

Just use the promo code HEALTHY17 at checkout.

Click here to order your copy, and get some for your friends and family as Christmas gifts. They're all going to want to get healthy after the holidays anyway, so why not get them started?

This would make a great devotional for you to do with a friend or in a group as we enter the new year.

But don't wait! This offer expires at 11:59 pm on Friday, December 16.

Click here to order Be Real Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down for Better Health, and use the promo code HEALTHY17.

Thank you for being a faithful friend and reader of my blog Be Real Health. You are a treasure and I couldn't do what I do without you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tropical Pumpkin

Tropics. Pumpkins.

No, it's not Opposite Day.

I promise, this is fabulous. OK, so the picture may not look so appetizing - I'm not much of a food photographer. But you will LOVE Tropical Pumpkin.

This was created because I had leftover pumpkin from my Pumpkin Chili, and because I can't have pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. You know, that whole no gluten, dairy or eggs thing.

So, ta-daa - Tropical Pumpkin. Let me know what you think!

Tropical Pumpkin

1-15 ounce can pumpkin (not pie mix)

1 large, ripe, mashed banana

2/3 cup shredded coconut

1 very generous tablespoon (4t) pure maple syrup

2 pinches of salt

2-3T hazelnuts (pecans or walnuts would be good, too)

Sprinkle the top with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves

Mix well.

Delicious at room temperature (as made) or cold (from the refrigerator). But warmed up = comfort food! My favorite.

This recipe is gluten-free, diary-free, egg-free, but definitely not flavor-free! I'd love to hear how you make it your own or what you serve it with!

Weekend Reads

Photo: Drew Coffman

It's been super busy at my house this week. My daughter and her husband were finally able to move into their new home, prayer meeting Monday night, election returns Tuesday night, leaders meeting Wednesday night, and here it is, Thursday afternoon, and I'm finally able to sit down to write.

Hurry up, inspiration, where are you?

**crickets**

Ever have weeks like that?

In my rush to write with limited time, I have no deep words or encouragement or inspiration for you. Ideas, but not time to develop them.

But I have friends who did, so I'm going to share some of their work this week.

I hope that's ok with you.

Finding Sanctuary: Christmas, Philip Stephen Allen

I've sharedPhilip's music with you before, and I still have codes left if you haven't gotten your free download from him. Let me know.

Philip just released his new Christmas album this week, Finding Sanctuary: Christmas. Oh. My. Goodness! LOVE! Naturally, it's beautiful, soothing piano music. Get your download here for only $8, or wait a couple of weeks for the CD for only $12. Both come with other bonuses.

Lost In Translation, Jeff Blackburn

"You might find yourself in a parking lot…risking conversation with strangers because you are desperate for help. And you might cry…not because they have the all the answers…but because they saw you. They heard you. They touched you. And they cared."

What Can You Change Today, Nancy Bouwens

"In a culture which feeds selfishness it will take a collection of intentional choices each day to create a way of living where you are not sucked into the vacuum of an out of balance life."

Buying Dirt, Joshua Mikeworth

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field." [Matthew 13:44] I'm buying dirt. With everything I've got. Because that's where the lasting treasure is.

Are We A Moving Target, Doris Swift

"Our mission may not look like Esther’s, but it’s every bit as important. Keep seeking the face of God, keep persevering in the face of persecution, and keep serving to glorify Him."

Apple Not-Pie

Recently I mentioned I've discovered I have many food sensitivities. Among them are gluten and cane sugar.

Cane sugar.

Doesn't everyone have a sensitivity to sugar? Doc said he's never seen it come back on the food sensitivity test. So I guess it's really bad if I have it. Great.

Problem. Thanksgiving is coming, which means pies. Apple pies. Pumpkin pies. Not sure how I'm going to handle that this year, but on the bright side, I won't overeat!

My Aunt Carole's apple pie is THE BEST! Like, if I lived alone I could make one and eat the whole thing in one sitting - or at least try!

But it calls for one cup of sugar. Must adjust.

This week I again used my power of improvisation. Here's what I came up with. Easy. Simple. Gluten-free. Cane sugar-free.

Apple Not-Pie

3 pounds McIntosh apples, peeled and sliced
2T olive oil
3T pure maple syrup
1/2t salt
1t cinnamon

Mix well and put into a pie plate.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Very gently stir when removed from the oven.

Serve warm and drizzle with honey! Pure, raw, local is best, of course. Oh, and use a spoon to get all of that gooey goodness that settles on the plate!

This is awesome by itself, over ice cream (if you're not dairy-free), next to chicken, on top of cheesecake, or whatever creative way you come up with. (I wonder if this would be good over a baked sweet potato?!)

Let me know in the comments what you come up with.

Happy gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free Thanksgiving eating!

Be Real Health Journal

NOW AVAILABLE!

ORDER YOUR BE REAL HEALTH JOURNAL TODAY

Learn how to slow down and notice the world around you, make memories with loved ones, drink more water, enjoy your food, get adequate rest and more. Then follow the 28-day health journal checklist to evaluate each area to get an idea of your overall health and where you may need to make adjustments.

I love checklists, they help me stay accountable to myself as well as help me remember what I need to do. That's why I've created the Be Real Health Journal, for other checklist-lovers like me!

The checklist provides reminders for getting enough water, sleep, nutrition, supplements, etc, as well as help you keep track of the food you eat and how it makes you feel, so you'll notice if a pattern emerges - either good or bad!

Here's to changing your health. You can do this!

There is no failure, just a learning process on the journey!

Order your copy of the Be Real Health Journal here.

Topics Include:

• Intentions
• Relationships
• Slow Down
• Food
• Activity
• Journal Pages (includes link to additional pages)

Get Your Copy: Be Real Health Journal: A Guide To Slowing Down For Better Health ($16)

Do You Need A Reason

…not to eat a gallon of ice cream?

…not to eat a whole bag of potato chips?

…not to eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies?

…not to eat a whole pizza?

…not to eat the whole pan of brownies?

…not to sabotage your efforts toward health?

Here are 9 reasons!

Because You Are…

Beautiful

OK, so you're no Audrey Hepburn. Neither am I. But I believe all women are beautiful in their own way. Whether you're skinny, pudgy, have long hair or short, wear glasses or not, dress in styles from Michael Kors or Wal-Mart, every woman has beauty. And the beauty of that is - God made us all different so we can reflect His glory in different - beautiful - ways!

Smart

I'm not college-educated; a fact I have lamented the past 30+ years. But I'm smart. I raised two amazing (crazy!) children. I know how to keep a household budget. I know about health and nutrition. I don't need fancy degrees or education to be smart. Neither do you! What are you good at?

Strong

You have endured deep pain, many trials and heartache. Things haven't always gone the way you think they should. Maybe you have even questioned God about why He let things happen. But in the end, you have overcome. You survived what you thought was un-survivable. You are victorious and know God to be faithful.

Special

There's no one like you. Anywhere. Ever. You can do things nobody else can do.

A Treasure

You make people smile. They are blessed when you use your gifts to serve others. They look forward to you being in the room with them because they always feel better when you part ways.

Worthy

You have value. You are important. Not because of anything you do or say, but just because you are.

Lovable

God loves you. God even LIKES you. The people in your life love you. Your words are always comforting and encouraging.

Needed

We need you! You are a friend to many. You make us laugh. You challenge us to be better people. You keep us accountable. You have things to teach us.

Wanted

I want you. I like that you exist because you bless my life. I would miss you if you were gone and there would be a hole if you weren't here.

Maybe you read this list over and say, "Yeah, right. I'm not any of those things. Pass the Bubba size fries and a pan of brownies because I'm just not worth it."

Long-term mindsets are hard to let go of. They're hard to change. It takes time and it takes work. But I want to challenge you to begin today to make just a tiny little change. Because I believe with all my heart you are all of those things above, and more.

Weight loss and health can be a struggle to accomplish. Don't be discouraged and give up before you even try. Enlist the help of friends in your life to keep you accountable, someone who can challenge you, someone who will tell you - you're beautiful, smart, strong, special, a treasure, worthy, lovable, needed and wanted - until you actually start to believe it for yourself!

Is there anything I can do to help? Comment below, or feel free to email me. Because I just gave you 9 reasons to change! YOU ARE LOVED!