Starting a new week and a new six week school session after a Sabbath break. I'm feeling great and excited for a fresh start ahead.
I haven't made much time for blogging. It just hasn't found it's way to the top of my priority list these days. I do love being here, but the days are full and I need to pick and choose what is most profitable.
I am thrilled to report that I'm well into the 150s now. I'm down another pant size as well. I'm so thankful for the progress.
Now, for my motivation and goals this week:
"Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly." Proverbs 13:15-16
These verses are meaningful to me right now. I have some habits to deal with in how I interact with my children and meditating on this truth is valuable. I have some struggles I'm praying through right now to prevent bitterness and stress rooting in my heart with relationships with other believers. I have a battle over my flesh that desires to be lazy and self-indulgent. I have a wonderful, yet difficult season approaching. I need my eyes on the Lord more than ever.
As I read these verses, I'm praying that I would find good understanding that would produce favor before the Lord, my disciples (children), and his people. I'm praying the Lord would change me into a prudent woman that acts with knowledge instead of the folly that comes so naturally.
As I pray these truths into my life, I know I need some actions that will keep me in line with the work the Lord will do to cause them to come to fruition in the days ahead.
1. Morning worship
2. Bed by 9:30; wake by 6am
3. Breakfast with the children; focus on prayer, scripture, and listening to them
4. Diligence with my food choices and preparation
5. At least 15 minutes of activity each day; pilates before bed each night
6. Attending my Put On/Put Off notes for daily encouragement and discipline in overcoming my habits and desires regarding stress and comfort.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Tots-n-Teens Tuesday
February 11, 2014
I'm often asked how I handle introducing new foods to my children. That or the sister question, "How do you get your children to LIKE the food you are serving?"
First, and most important thing I've learned is to not make LIKING the food the battle. Here's a synopsis of how it *ideally* works at our house.
I require my children to try a bit of everything they are served. A bite I see them take. They are not required to eat it if they don't like it. They are welcome to eat more of what they do like that is served at the meal, as long as there is enough.
I don't allow them to make something other than what I've made.
If I am making a food I know someone doesn't care for or is new, I make sure to have plenty of something I know they do like.
I used to not allow dessert if they didn't eat everything on their plate, but now our dessert is our fruit, so I don't want to limit that.
If they try it I praise them. If they like it, I cheer. If they don't, I thank them for obeying and being brave to try something new. Then I leave it alone. I still serve the food to them again. And, I've found that after trying something several times in a row, most of my children eventually get to the place where they can at least tolerate a small serving of what they didn't previously like without fussing.
I don't allow fussing or complaining at the table. If someone worked hard to make a meal and you cannot be grateful or kind, you are excused from taking part in that meal.
Now, please understand, we still have our share of fits and tears and fears of That Big Green Pile On My Plate that occur every so often. There are certain foods that certain children have just not come around to liking, no matter how many times I cheer them on. But, my desire is that dinner time be a sweet time of fellowship at the table since it's one of those times we're all together, facing each other, and hearing each other's thoughts. In order to make that happen, I need to be proactive before we get there.
I give my children the knowledge behind the choices we make. There are good resources out there written for children to understand nutrition well. When my children understand the value of the foods we are choosing to eat, they are more willing to embrace it.
I also include them, regularly, in making the meals they eat. When they've helped to create (or grow) a new food, they are at least *torn* between excitement and apprehension on this new taste sensation.
Also, and this is totally a freebie that you may or may not want to redeem, but we started watching the reality show, Chopped, on Amazon Prime. I gotta say, playing Chopped in the kitchen has created some GREAT fun at the table. I'm sure many cooking shows would do, but when a child sees the science, art, and fun that food can be, well, they can't help but want to dig in and experience it to it's fullness.
Finally, Be Patient. My children's taste buds weren't redeemed in a day. Six months ago I didn't think my children would put away their picket signs screaming: "Give Us Cheese Else We DIE!!" but it happened. They still enjoy cheese and other foods we don't serve at home when we are out. But, I see those who resisted the most now showing much more restraint with foods that aren't optimal to their health. I think this mostly comes through knowledge, maturity and growing past the knee-jerk reaction to gorge on what you think will never come again.
The best thing I can do with a child struggling to build better habits is to pray, cheer, lead by example, and wait on the Lord for His work to be complete in them.
In the meantime, I serve them LOTS of what I know they love and keep dicing those mushrooms itty-bitty until they come 'round. :)
I'm often asked how I handle introducing new foods to my children. That or the sister question, "How do you get your children to LIKE the food you are serving?"
First, and most important thing I've learned is to not make LIKING the food the battle. Here's a synopsis of how it *ideally* works at our house.
I require my children to try a bit of everything they are served. A bite I see them take. They are not required to eat it if they don't like it. They are welcome to eat more of what they do like that is served at the meal, as long as there is enough.
I don't allow them to make something other than what I've made.
If I am making a food I know someone doesn't care for or is new, I make sure to have plenty of something I know they do like.
I used to not allow dessert if they didn't eat everything on their plate, but now our dessert is our fruit, so I don't want to limit that.
If they try it I praise them. If they like it, I cheer. If they don't, I thank them for obeying and being brave to try something new. Then I leave it alone. I still serve the food to them again. And, I've found that after trying something several times in a row, most of my children eventually get to the place where they can at least tolerate a small serving of what they didn't previously like without fussing.
I don't allow fussing or complaining at the table. If someone worked hard to make a meal and you cannot be grateful or kind, you are excused from taking part in that meal.
Now, please understand, we still have our share of fits and tears and fears of That Big Green Pile On My Plate that occur every so often. There are certain foods that certain children have just not come around to liking, no matter how many times I cheer them on. But, my desire is that dinner time be a sweet time of fellowship at the table since it's one of those times we're all together, facing each other, and hearing each other's thoughts. In order to make that happen, I need to be proactive before we get there.
I give my children the knowledge behind the choices we make. There are good resources out there written for children to understand nutrition well. When my children understand the value of the foods we are choosing to eat, they are more willing to embrace it.
I also include them, regularly, in making the meals they eat. When they've helped to create (or grow) a new food, they are at least *torn* between excitement and apprehension on this new taste sensation.
Also, and this is totally a freebie that you may or may not want to redeem, but we started watching the reality show, Chopped, on Amazon Prime. I gotta say, playing Chopped in the kitchen has created some GREAT fun at the table. I'm sure many cooking shows would do, but when a child sees the science, art, and fun that food can be, well, they can't help but want to dig in and experience it to it's fullness.
Finally, Be Patient. My children's taste buds weren't redeemed in a day. Six months ago I didn't think my children would put away their picket signs screaming: "Give Us Cheese Else We DIE!!" but it happened. They still enjoy cheese and other foods we don't serve at home when we are out. But, I see those who resisted the most now showing much more restraint with foods that aren't optimal to their health. I think this mostly comes through knowledge, maturity and growing past the knee-jerk reaction to gorge on what you think will never come again.
The best thing I can do with a child struggling to build better habits is to pray, cheer, lead by example, and wait on the Lord for His work to be complete in them.
In the meantime, I serve them LOTS of what I know they love and keep dicing those mushrooms itty-bitty until they come 'round. :)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Monday Motivation: February 10, 2014
I've gotten behind on blogging. I figured I'd go through those seasons. It's not always easy to keep all the plates in the air, but I'm working on it.
First, I'm most pleased with my growing habit of an earlier bedtime. Most every night I've been getting to bed by or before 10pm. That's a great accomplishment for me. The fact that I'm so tired and can't keep myself awake later than that testifies to satisfying work I've been able to accomplish each day. It's only by His grace, and I'm thankful to see yet another positive physical change in me that reflects the work He is doing in my life.
Second, I'm only .5 pound from the next decade!! Over the weekend, I saw a good sized loss. That was so encouraging. I feel like I've been in this decade for the longest time. I even started to wonder if I was just meant to live here forever. So be it, if that's what the Lord determines. Yet, I don't think it is. It just makes perfect sense that I will continue to heal, by way of the excess shedding, when I return to His best plan. It took me nearly 20 years to build this mess. Waiting on the Lord's healing is not something I should begrudge. Their is growth and blessing in the wait.
First, I'm most pleased with my growing habit of an earlier bedtime. Most every night I've been getting to bed by or before 10pm. That's a great accomplishment for me. The fact that I'm so tired and can't keep myself awake later than that testifies to satisfying work I've been able to accomplish each day. It's only by His grace, and I'm thankful to see yet another positive physical change in me that reflects the work He is doing in my life.
Second, I'm only .5 pound from the next decade!! Over the weekend, I saw a good sized loss. That was so encouraging. I feel like I've been in this decade for the longest time. I even started to wonder if I was just meant to live here forever. So be it, if that's what the Lord determines. Yet, I don't think it is. It just makes perfect sense that I will continue to heal, by way of the excess shedding, when I return to His best plan. It took me nearly 20 years to build this mess. Waiting on the Lord's healing is not something I should begrudge. Their is growth and blessing in the wait.
So, to begin this week, I'll set a few goals.
1. Morning worship
2. Morning weigh-in
3. Chore inspection and breakfast WITH the children
4. Afternoon workout
5. Evening worship
6. Bed by 10pm
7. Strict on the 6 Week plan
8. Follow up on Friday to check with goals list.
I'm wanting to get back into reading through Dr. Stoll's book, Alive! this week. There is so much there for encouragement and blessing. I somehow need to better budget my time so that I can fit in more reading and learning. I'm at a place right now where I have many issues arising that need my focus and attention and it's getting a little challenging to know which has priority.
The best way to handle it is NOT to give up and be lazy, though. So, armed with my list of goals for the week, I'm off to greet a perfectly Mundane Monday and make it Maaahvalous!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Monday Motivation: February 3, 2014
This week can only be better than last week.
It's official that our family is fighting some type if virus. That must be what is making me so tired and worn out. I think I was asleep before 9pm last night.
Feeling better, mentally, today, though. Ready to tackle the day and the week.
Started out a little lower on the scale than Friday. That's encouraging. I'm eager to get back to building my habit of afternoon exercise workouts, too. I really saw how letting those go brought me down in my motivation last week.
I read this in my devotions this morning. I'm going to use it for my motivation this week concerning my efforts to regain optimal health.
"We must eat and drink to the glory of God, and then we wait on him in eating and drinking. We must receive nourishment for our bodies, that they may be fitted to serve our souls in the service of God, to his honour in this world. We must taste covenant love in common mercies, and enjoy the Creator while we are using the creature. We must depend upon the word of blessing from the mouth of God, to make our food nourishing to us; and if our provision be mean and scanty, we must make up the want of them by faith in the promise of God, and rejoice in him, as the 'God of our salvation, though the fit-tree doth not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vine.' " -Matthew Henry, The Secret of Communion with God
This week's goals:
Morning worship, prayer challenge, blogging
Breakfast on time and WITH the children
Follow 6 week plan strictly
Afternoon workouts at LEAST 3 times this week
Evening stretch
Evening worship and prayer
Bed by 10pm
Praying, Lord, that, by your mercy, I would taste covenant love in common mercies and enjoy you, the Creator, while I am using the creature. Amen!
It's official that our family is fighting some type if virus. That must be what is making me so tired and worn out. I think I was asleep before 9pm last night.
Feeling better, mentally, today, though. Ready to tackle the day and the week.
Started out a little lower on the scale than Friday. That's encouraging. I'm eager to get back to building my habit of afternoon exercise workouts, too. I really saw how letting those go brought me down in my motivation last week.
I read this in my devotions this morning. I'm going to use it for my motivation this week concerning my efforts to regain optimal health.
"We must eat and drink to the glory of God, and then we wait on him in eating and drinking. We must receive nourishment for our bodies, that they may be fitted to serve our souls in the service of God, to his honour in this world. We must taste covenant love in common mercies, and enjoy the Creator while we are using the creature. We must depend upon the word of blessing from the mouth of God, to make our food nourishing to us; and if our provision be mean and scanty, we must make up the want of them by faith in the promise of God, and rejoice in him, as the 'God of our salvation, though the fit-tree doth not blossom, and there is no fruit on the vine.' " -Matthew Henry, The Secret of Communion with God
This week's goals:
Morning worship, prayer challenge, blogging
Breakfast on time and WITH the children
Follow 6 week plan strictly
Afternoon workouts at LEAST 3 times this week
Evening stretch
Evening worship and prayer
Bed by 10pm
Praying, Lord, that, by your mercy, I would taste covenant love in common mercies and enjoy you, the Creator, while I am using the creature. Amen!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Saturday Set-Up: Pack A Lunch
We've made some decisions this week that will make some big changes in our family. Changes for the good, praise the Lord on that.
The changes will require a little more kitchen duty on Saturday, though. I will now need a packable picnic style lunch ready for Sundays. It may only need to be a snack size portion, but I need something packed and ready to eat since we will be driving a good distance for church each week.
I went over to my pinterest boards this morning and looked through some recipes to add to my Pack A Lunch board. I didn't add in all the baked goods since I know I could choose any of those. But, I did put on some things that will help me think outside of the box a bit for lunches.
If I can swing the time, I'd really like to try making some gnocchi to pack. Ya' think those would be something fun for dipping in a marinara sauce? Almost like a chicken nugget...but...well, GOOD. ;)
I need to get crackin' on my list for the week and see if I can fit those in. I'm also planning to branch out and make a new bean burger recipe. I just haven't decided which one yet. ;) Whatever I do, I'm hoping to make enough that I can freeze some for later use.
Today's List:
Granola Bars
Baked Oatmeal
Pancakes
Banana Blueberry Bars
Vegetable Broth
Marinara Sauce
Stuffed Shells
Gnocchi
Bean Burgers
Veggie tray filled
Salad dressing
Peanut Butter Munchy Squares
The changes will require a little more kitchen duty on Saturday, though. I will now need a packable picnic style lunch ready for Sundays. It may only need to be a snack size portion, but I need something packed and ready to eat since we will be driving a good distance for church each week.
I went over to my pinterest boards this morning and looked through some recipes to add to my Pack A Lunch board. I didn't add in all the baked goods since I know I could choose any of those. But, I did put on some things that will help me think outside of the box a bit for lunches.
If I can swing the time, I'd really like to try making some gnocchi to pack. Ya' think those would be something fun for dipping in a marinara sauce? Almost like a chicken nugget...but...well, GOOD. ;)
I need to get crackin' on my list for the week and see if I can fit those in. I'm also planning to branch out and make a new bean burger recipe. I just haven't decided which one yet. ;) Whatever I do, I'm hoping to make enough that I can freeze some for later use.
Today's List:
Granola Bars
Baked Oatmeal
Pancakes
Banana Blueberry Bars
Vegetable Broth
Marinara Sauce
Stuffed Shells
Gnocchi
Bean Burgers
Veggie tray filled
Salad dressing
Peanut Butter Munchy Squares
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