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Friday, June 20, 2014

Beautiful Words

I had to share this with y'all. This post by Sweet Country Roots is just so profound, yet simple and truly spoke to my soul. This is how I want to live. My husband and I don't have the luxury of choosing where we want to live, so we will choose to make this our mindset, no matter where we are.  I am joining the movement towards a slower paced lifestyle and a more old-fashioned way of thinking and living. Enjoy!

I am intrigued by simplicity and the days of old. I love the thoughts of aprons around a mammas waist. The warmth of a kitchen with the enticing smells of  bread in the oven. I can see bare feet and mud pies lined in the driveway. To see feet dangling from a tree limb they just learned to climb. I can hear the static of a  radio playing in the background. It was a time when daddies walked in the door to a houseful and aromas of a homemade supper. A time when laughter was shared around the supper table and stories were told. Where kids learned their manners, how to eat what was given, and how to clean the plate. Where the food was real. It was mixed, stirred, and tasted. It was soaked, baked, and seasoned with love.

A time when you could spank your wild child then hug them after. A time when hard physical labor was a sought after character trait and the Gospel was the best story ever told. A time when they used their hands, sweat, and common sense.  Neighbors knew each other by first and last name. They were the first person you called when needing help. I love the thoughts of recipes being swapped and encouragement given. The days when being married to one person your whole life was just how it was. Back to the time when a swollen belly with life meant the marriage was content and blessed. Go back to the day when an animal was used for the good of the family, protection, not as an accessory. To go back when little boys could carry pocket knives. A time when the sports you played were all teams you formed in the backyard. When kids were called inside for supper and were filthy from a full day of play.

This is my mission.

To get back to family values and true quality of life. To live beautifully and simply and work hard to keep it that way. To slow down the pace and make something from nothing. To grow food and cook it with your own hands. To give the sweet gift of childhood to a generation that has lost it and to restore marriages back to what they are meant to be…forever.

Who wants to join me in this journey of reclaiming the best days of the past as we move forward in the future? Let us join together and show the world how to love on their husbands, children, and home. It has been placed on my  heart to reach more women in encouragement. If you feel led please share my page with others whom could benefit, like my Facebook page, and subscribe. My vision is to cut loose of unnecessary distractions and focus on all the God-given things that matter on the short time we all have.


Thursday, June 19, 2014

Thursday Randoms

1.) Oh my goodness. THIS DRESS! I just got it today, wore it today, and felt so so pretty! It just fits perfect and is the prettiest color (mine is a dark pinky purple which it looks like they don't have anymore) and just perfect for summer. It doesn't look super special but it is lovely.

2.) I got a surprise weekend with my hubby! It was so refreshing and just restored my soul. We got to meet our brand new baby nephew who is just beautiful and tiny and perfect, get lots and lots of snuggling in, slept in, cooked a yummy breakfast, watched some church, and then unfortunately had to sen him back. But the weekend just rejuvenated me and made me feel so content and blessed!

3.) Did I mention this breakfast? That was a happy husband right there!
Some homemade biscuits, both eggie-topped and butter/honey topped, and a beautiful bowl of fruit.
4.) Oh my. This just melts my heart. I can totally picture my hubby being like this with our future babes. 

5.) These just taste like summer to me. Off to Shandyland we go! 

6.) Have a great Thursday friends! One more day then the weekend! This weekend I will be attending my cousin's 5th grade graduation party. Don't you remember feeling like you were on top of the world when you were ready to go to middle school? No… just me? ok then...







What a beautiful friend day!

Read this. Right now, just read it.

#1: These are the best cinnamon rolls I've ever tasted or created. Courtesy of the one and only P-Dub… Pioneer Woman!

#2: This is probably one of the nicest collections of compliments I've been given by someone other than my husband.

#3: My friend Madi is beautiful and smart and witty and we are just two peas in a pod.



Monday, June 2, 2014

Meal Planning aka Savior of my Sanity

Confession time folks: I am a wanderer. No, I do not have that dreamy wanderlust that drives young people all over the world... I'm talking about the grocery store. Seriously, if I don't go in with a list, I will come out with a watermelon, some peanut butter, and a pack of bacon, and nothing for dinner. This girl needs a plan!


So here's the deal:
-Every Sunday after out big brunchy brunch, my hubby and I sit down with a laptop and some cookbooks and decide what's for dinner for the upcoming week. I'm working on incorporating some more variety in that plan because for a few weeks, I think we ate the same 5 things.


-While he cleans up from breakfast, I look through all the recipes for the week (some of which are in my head) and write down all the ingredients that are needed, plus some staples (like eggs and almond milk) and some other things we can have for snacks or treats.


-We load up and hit the grocery store and are surprisingly pretty good about getting only what we need.

-Since we shop at our local commissary, I don't dive much into the world of couponing. However, a couple weeks ago, Nate and I watched a lady spend $30 on like $200 worth of merchandise, so I'm tempted to try it out.


-Some people have found great success in prepping things for meals on Sundays, but since we do our shopping on Sundays, I like some lazy time between shopping and cooking Sunday dinner. Plus, I don't own enough tupperware.


-Right now, I'm not meal planning because I'm living at home, but I do search quite a few food blogs all the time. So I got the fancy pants idea of keeping a running word document with all the new recipes I've found, broken up into categories. That way, when we do get into a food rut, I can just pull one of those out and have a fab new dish for dinner!

I love this system because I don't have to figure out what's for dinner each night. I never have to dig through the fridge at 6 when we're both starving and hope I land on a delicious idea. All I have to do is look at my little listy!

Happy meal planning friends!

Friday, May 30, 2014

What's Your Perfect Day?

What would your perfect day look like? Now hold up, we aren't getting extravagant here. No jet setting to Paris, just a normal-ish day. Just picture this: You (and someone of your choosing) get the day off. What would your day look like?
My day would definitely include a whole lot of time with this guy! 
I would love to sleep in with my hubby (which is like 8am for us), get ready and go to breakfast somewhere super delish. I think my favorite is the Sheerwater breakfast buffet at the Hotel Del Coronado. Yum! Then we would either go home and take a little nappy nap and/or do something outside like take a walk on the beach or go for a hike or horseback ride. Then I would love to prep a good dinner and have some friends over for a grill out. Apparently that's southern for barbecue. There would be good drinks flowing, s'mores over the fire and some good guitar playing and singing by my fantastic hubby. Doesn't that sound wonderful?!

What does you perfect day look like?

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thursday Randoms


1.) I have a new favorite blog (not including, of course, the people who have blogs that I'm actually friends with.... like in real life…not cyberspace). Anywho, this is chick Jessica from How Sweet It Is and she is just the most fabulous lady ever. All of her photos and recipes look beautiful and I have been blog binging on all her stuff
for about a week! She does "Tuesday Things" which I always love reading so I'm jumping on board with "Thursday Randoms."

2.) I love love love this dress! I wear it to work all the time and I always feel so sophisticated and cute when I do. It's conservative, but super flattering and I love the little flare of the skirt! I usually wear it with black flats and a gold sparkly belt.

3.) This song came on the radio the other morning when I was coming home from the gym and it really resonated with me. It reminded me that we are all on a journey and that journey is set by God. God has great things planned for us, and I know I need to calm my mind and let God work in me.

4.) I am dying for some trashy frozen yogurt right now. You know, like a mess of yogurt piled with random toppings. Oh yeah. Trashy all the way.

5.) I took this selfie of my sock bun the other day at work (does it count as a selfie if it's of your back?). I am currently undecided on the hairstyle. I have so darn much hair that it makes a gigantic bun, and I kind of feel like I have a prom up-do going on up there. PS…see above outfit in the selfie.



6.) I really want a jeans jacket/vest. Are those still in? Also a knee length flowery skirt. I am a grandma at heart.

7.) I love this water bottle from Target and I could probably write a song about how much I love this thing. I fill it up at least twice a day at work and it helps me drink at least 64oz of water. Plus it's cute!

8.) I love all the "back to your roots" kind of country music that has been coming out lately. Songs like Tim McGraw's "Meanwhile Back at Mama's" and Miranda Lambert's "Automatic" call for a slower paced life, where you enjoy the little things. That's the kind of life I hope to lead, no matter where I'm living. See my life plan here.

Have a great weekend friends! I would love to hear what y'all are up to. Comment back or send me an email!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Update! Update! Read all about it!


Today, a lady in the department that I used to work in was sick and I happen to know her job, so it was a flash back to a slower paced day. But it did give me a chance to write, which I haven't done in forever!

Random update:
Everything is good and pretty darn normal.  I haven't seen my hubby in a few weeks (boo!)but we always have some pretty darn good adventures when he comes home (and lots of yummy food of course). A few weekends ago, we took some of my hubs' friends that he works with on their first Disneyland adventure! I love seeing the faces of people
who are experiencing the Happiest Place on Earth for the first time. However, we did have some 20 something year old complaining fellas by the end of the night. Poor little sore feet!
   
The next weekend Nate was home, we needed a little rest so that included some homemade chili, watching Frozen, a nice long nap, and just some great quality time together. Ahh I need some of that right about now!

We are gearing up for our move back down south... not quite physically preparing yet, but just in the planning stages. We are planning on living with some friends for a while so we can find our perfect home together and we can actually physically see it, not just in pictures. Good plan.

I've been going to the gym at 5:30am. Yes, I know, I'm nuts. But I'm always so tired after I'm done with work and I never want to go, so when my alarm goes off at 4:40am, I just tell myself "I'm going to be tough like Nate and get up and get it done." I'm pretty tired by the end of the day, but I'm always glad I got up and went.

I think that's all my updates for the time being!


PS... Check out my girl Madi's (seriously y'all, we're like sisters) blog Homegrown Hostess. She's pretty much the most fabulous thing out there.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

7 Hoorays!

1.) Hooray for my hubby coming home! Definitely number one on the list. My husband comes home for 10 days starting on Tuesday. Hopefully we will fit in lots of snuggling, laughing, time with family, kisses, and a birthday celebration for a particular (almost) 21 year old lady. (Me! Me!) 



2.) Hooray for my job! This new job challenges me so much. I have to talk to a lot of people that I don’t know, most of whom are looking to me for answers, which is not a natural comfort zone for me. However, I have faith in the fact that God is teaching me lots of lessons (especially in patience) that I will need later on in my life. That is what makes me look forward to going to work every day, because I know God is molding me into the woman He sees me as. Also, the senior volunteers I work with are hilarious. On Friday, one described to me how she was "jet propelled" after eating a bran muffin the day before, if you catch my drift. 

3.) Hooray for coffee dates with friends! Claire and I have been friends for over 15 years and nothing ever changes. It was so great to catch up since I haven’t seen her since right after my wedding!



4.) Hooray for chocolate covered coconut nuggets! These little beauties are the perfect treat at the end of the day. I just keep telling myself that the dark chocolate is full of anti-oxidants as I pop my 1,000th one of the day into my mouth



5.) Hooray for fresh fruits and veggies! I seriously went off the healthy eating wagon on Saturday night, accompanied with lots of red wine. This morning I woke up with a serious food hangover, but a nice smoothie and big salad and lots of water made me feel much better!



6.) Hooray for new babies! So many friends and family are having new babies soon. So along with belly pictures and bumpdates online, I got to listen to the grunts and coos of a beautiful 2 month old baby girl (with so much hair) behind me at church this morning. Talk about baby fever!!


7.) Hooray for a grateful heart! I am in such a great place right now and am so grateful for all the blessings God has showered me with. Things are not perfect, nor will they ever be, but things are pretty darn good. And I know it’s God! 


Thursday, March 27, 2014

Love my Bloggy Bloggers!

Okay so confession time: I love blogs. I am not the best at keeping up with my own blog, but I love reading other people’s blogs. I especially love Bloglovin because it puts all my favorite blogs in the same place. My husband may or may not make fun of me for how much I love reading blogs. 

I have this fantasy where all my favorite blog writers and I would have lunch together and talk about life and our husbands and babies (if we have them. Not I... yet) . Really, that’s what I feel like is going on as I scroll through my Bloglovin. I feel like I’m getting an update on all my friends, even though 99% of us have never met in real life! 

Here’s the point to this little ranty rant. I want to meet you! I want to have a real friendship with my blog friends! Any of you ladies down? Email me! emilysuewalrath@gmail.com Be my friend! Let’s share our lives! Hey, maybe sometime in this crazy life, we’ll really meet :) I hope so! 



Love always,

Em

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

What would I do without my God...

Today I give thanks.

I work in a job where people come in, step up to my desk, tell me their problems and ask for help fixing them. I have to know or figure out the answers to their questions. Some of these people’s problems are so devastating and the sadness in their face just hurts my heart sometimes. 

But every person’s problems remind me of one thing. No problem I have is really that bad because people around me are experiencing things that are so much harder. Furthermore, nothing I face is impossible because I have a loving, omnipotent, omnipresent God who is with me every step of the way. 



Sometimes I sit there and think about how much of a dark, black hole I would be in if I were in those situations without God. But then again, I would be that same black hole without my God, even in the best of times. 

Seeing these problems that other people have, first hand, makes me so thankful for what I have and helps me send up a quick prayer absolutely anytime I have a moment of difficulty.

There is always a way, through God. You can always find a way with His help and I truly believe He has a plan for us all. Be His light, not matter if you’re helping other people solve their problems, or trying to solve their own. 

That’s all for now my friends.
Happy Wednesday!

Em

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

10 things (I think) should be done the old fashioned way


1. Homecooked meals vs. microwave fare or eating out. Some of my favorite times at home with my husband were shared after a meal I or we had prepared. Home cooking just tastes so much better and is so much better for you. There’s nothing like a great meal to bring people together. Why do you think my blog is called Love Around my Table for Lord’s sake?!

2. Expressing your love. Most of my husband’s and my dating life was long distance, which gave plenty of opportunity for words to be shared because we didn’t get the opportunity to say them in person. And while it was nice to get them in an email, there was nothing else like getting a piece of paper that my husband had written his words down on and sent to me.

3. Pie crust. I can’t reiterate this enough. Never. Buy. Pre-made. Pie. Crust.

4. Courting the one you love. Courting is definitely an old fashioned word, but I think it’s just as relevant today. Courting is a term, typically attributed to the actions of a man in order to win a woman’s heart. But I don’t think it should be limited to just men, or to pre-marriage. I don’t think you should ever stop courting each other either. You should always be trying to win the heart of your spouse, even after you know you have it. It’s the effort that matters. 

5. Smiling at strangers. I don’t know if this is something old-fashioned necessarily but it seems to be lost. Maybe it’s just because I work with the general public who comes to me, wanting assistance, and sometimes they are disgruntled, but it seems like no one smiles at each other anymore. Or even says “good morning.” Wouldn’t the world be a little better if we just smiled at each other every once in a while?

6. Waiting in line. This is just a metaphor really. Seems like our generation has no patience for lines, waiting their turn, or anything less than getting something “right now.” 

6.5 Public service announcement: I think we should all quit pulling our phones our while we’re waiting in line or waiting for an appointment or waiting to meet someone. Carry a book in your purse, write scripture on index cards and carry those around, or just appreciate whatever’s around you. Ps... I’m totally guilty of this.

7. Baking your own bread. Yes, it’s a hassle and it takes a long time but it feels like such an accomplishment, plus (*bonus*) makes your house smell fabulous! 

8. We should speak more eloquently. Especially when it comes to ladies and swearing! I have tried to be better about this, but I feel like people take others more seriously when they speak clearly, make eye contact, use vocabulary from a level higher than a kindergartener, and avoid the words that would better accompany the saltiest sailor.

9. Taking care of ourselves. Ladies, that means good hygiene, and clean, put together appearance. You don’t have to spend hours on your hair and make up, and I am in no way a proponent of vanity, but I just feel better and more confident when I feel like I look put together.


10. Love fearlessly! I’m not saying to fall in love with everyone you meet, but when you find that one person, love them with everything you have and show it! It seems like today, people play coy, hard to get, or try to drop subtle hints that just don’t work. If you love, love with your whole heart.

Here's to the past! 
XOXO
Em

Sunday, March 2, 2014

A lesson in significance from the anointed king.

Anointing with oil is representative of God’s favor and power to carry out significant responsibility. Before Christ came and died for us, specific, very special people were chosen to be anointed by God. One of those people was King David. 

We can learn so much from the time that God sent Samuel to find the king that would be Saul’s successor. God sent Samuel to visit Jesse and his sons, for one of his sons would be the anointed king. What a beautiful example of obedience to God we have in Samuel. 

Lesson #1: Anointing is initiated by God. God sent Samuel to find the new king. 

Samuel looked over each of Jesse’s sons, including Eliab who looked like the typical figure that would become a king, but God said none of them were to be king.

Lesson #2: Favor from God is not just for those with the right looks, talents or gifts. God looks, not at our outward appearance, but at our heart. 

Since God told Samuel that none of these men were going to be king, Samuel asks Jesse if he had any more sons. He says that there was only the youngest (David), but he was in the fields, tending to the sheep. 

Lesson #3: Anointing can be found in the fields. Translation: it doesn’t matter whether you work in a cubicle, if you are a fire fighter, in the military, are a stay at home mom, are a starving college student, or if you feel stuck, not knowing what you want to do with your life. God sees us! God knows our hearts and he sees us, no matter if we have the proper age, experience, or occupation that society deems favorable. God sees each and every one of us and loves us beyond measure whether we are a CEO or changing our babies’ dirty diapers. 

Lesson #4: We must go back to the fields, even after being anointed. Translation: David could’ve been haughty and entitled after he was anointed by Samuel, but instead he was marked with great humility. We must do that same. As long as we have accepted Christ, we are anointed in God’s kingdom. But we must go forth, back into whatever we do every day and spread His light. We must be faithful and let God work on us right now, for whatever He has in store for us later. 

God sees you wherever you are. You are significant to Him and His kingdom. He will use you and He has great plans and promise for your life because you are anointed. Christ is in you. Be His light. 
XOXO
Em.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Some rainy day love. And a recipe!

Hello my loves! It is a cold and rainy night here in San Diego (unusual, I know), perfect for snuggling, movies, and soup. Unfortunately, my favorite snuggle buddy isn’t here (although I did get him for 27 glorious hours last week and get him for another 24 this week), but I am watching The Help and having some wonderful, hot soup! 

I keep checking and rechecking every time I type soup making sure I don’t write soap... 

Anywho, I finished out this week after seeing my hubby with lots of work. we are doing so well saving money and paying things off which is so encouraging. Getting ready for some very exciting things! I am loving being back at work and am switching between different departments wherever they need me. This morning I got to lift and workout with some lovely ladies I missed so much while I was in Mississippi and we planned a church date for tomorrow morning! I always love watching my Mississippi church online, but the church I went to here in SD before I moved left me wanting more after I visited again. So I am joining my wonderful friends Lizzie and Lauren at Lizzie’s church. Delighting in the Lord is even better with friends!  


Back to this being the perfect night for soup... What goes better with soup than cornbread?! Plus, I’m waging a constant battle with my will power to cut bread, and grains for that matter, out of my diet. This is a good happy medium!

Gluten Free Cornbread

Ingredients: 
1 1/2 Cup cornmeal
1/2 cup almond flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 Cup almond or coconut milk
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut oil or grassfed butter
1/4 cup honey (I like a little less since I put honey on top)
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Mix all ingredients in a large bowl just until combined. Be careful not to over mix.
-Pour batter into small cast iron skillet or 8x8 baking pan. Whichever you choose, be sure to grease with coconut oil.
-Bake for approximately 30 minutes. This is a rough guideline because all ovens cook differently and cooking time will vary depending on which pan you use. I just checked every 10 minutes.



Enjoy with a slab of butter and drizzle of honey of course! Isn’t everything better with butter and honey? Or how about honey butter for that matter! Enjoy my friends and stay warm and dry! 


XOXO 

Em.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Good News and Great Joy

  1. I am so happy to be working again. I love going to sleep at the end of the day knowing I accomplished something and I contributed to my family. 

  1. I have gotten to spend some time with great friends and family since I’ve been home. I’m not all caught up with everyone, but it’s a start. 

  1. I think I need to get some more aprons. I just love cooking in an apron. Mmmmm especially Anthropologie aprons... yes please! 


I mean come on… 

  1. My birthday is just over a month away and I’ll get my hubby home for 10 days all to myself! Best birthday present ever! Now what to do...

  1. I love seeing pictures of everyone’s new babies and baby bellies on Facebook and Instagram. Can’t wait to join the mommy club! (Haven’t gotten there quite yet...) 

  1. I have loved this series we have just finished up at church. “The Imperfect Family” is a great description for every family. Each sermon has been dedicated to something different including men, women, raising children, and resolving conflict. If you haven’t checked it out yet, definitely do! www.northwood.tv

  1. Last but not least, my hubby comes home on Tuesday! Hooray for weekends, not matter what day they’re on! Our plans include lots of kisses and snuggling, really good dinner my parents are going to make, fancy pants breakfast (I looooove me some breakfast), and just great quality time together. I haven’t seen him in about a month so I can’t wait to get my hands on him on Tuesday! 

Have a great rest of your weekend and start of your week friends!
XOXO
Em


Monday, February 17, 2014

The Imperfect Family

One of the biggest things I’ve missed about Mississippi (apart from our beautiful house... *tear*) is our church. But luckily for us, they’ve got technology down pat so I can watch live and past services all the way from sunny San Diego! 

The series they are in the middle of is called “The Imperfect Family” and it has included some of the best sermons I have ever watched. It has been wonderful and pertinent timing, being a newlywed and wanting to eventually grow our family. 

One thing I love about Northwood Church in Gulfport, MS is the music! Worship is led by the pastor’s son and usually includes one of both of his daughters as well. I always love worship, and it is evident that when these people sing, the entire room feels it. I’ve been in churches during worship before where everyone stands and stares at the band playing. Now you don’t have to go crazy, but have some joy! Rejoice! Praise your Father! 

Anyway, here is the link for the latest services at Northwood. I highly recommend the Imperfect Family series, but honestly, I’ve never seen a sermon there that I didn’t enjoy or get something meaningful out of. 



Here is the link for all the past services at Northwood.


Happy worship my friends!
God Bless,
Em.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

With This Ring

Last night was just a normal evening. I talked to my hubby on the phone, just chatting and recounting our day. He tends to get sleepy towards the end of our talk and we say goodnight, then I usually get up and hit my bedtime routine and then get some shuteye myself. After our talk, I got up and washed my face and brushed my teeth and took my vitamins. 

On my walk back to my bedroom, I just caught a glimpse of my engagement and wedding rings sparkling on my hand. How much I had always wanted someone to put that ring on my finger. But it couldn’t be just anyone, it had to be the person who was my best friend and my soul mate, forever and ever. That little glimpse just made me so thankful for that and so thankful for my husband.



My rings are so unique and I think it represents our marriage well. We have been so fortunate to find “our person” so young and to have grown so strong through everything we’ve been through. They are my most prized material possession. 

They are beautiful, but most importantly they remind me of the blessed marriage we get to share for the rest of our lives. 

How lovely that one split second, one little glimpse, can make me so thankful and remind me what a beautiful thing my marriage is. 

XOXO
E.S.W.


Monday, February 10, 2014

5 Paleo foods I love most... at the moment.

This week my great-grandmother passed away. She was very old and led a wonderful life, but nonetheless, she was the matriarch of our family and loved immensely by family and friends alike. 

In my family, like most families, part of the grieving process is eating, and lots of it. And of course, it’s not eating things that are particularly good for you. For the first time in a very good while I ate lasagna, rolls, cookies, rolled tacos, chocolate cake, macaroni and cheese, a pulled pork sandwich, uhhh.... get the picture? It’s been a pretty awful week for Em’s guts. A few nights ago, my insides finally just had enough and I am back on the wagon of good, nutritious foods. 

I thought I’d give a list, just off the top of my head, of my favorite paleo/real food items that I will be eating in great quantities the next few weeks to heal and nourish my body after this time of poor eating!

  1. Bone broth. I just made this for the first time last week and it’s hugely hugely healthy. You cook beef marrow bones in the crock pot for at least 24 hours (I did mine for about 30 hours) with some hunks of carrot, celery, hunks or garlic, apple cider vinegar, and water. Cooking it low and slow like this helps extract all the wonderful vitamins and minerals and collagen from the bones. The collagen is wonderful for your skin and gut health (just what I need), and the amino acids that are extracted from the bones help the body detoxify. Can’t beat it!
  2. Coconut yogurt. I don’t handle dairy very well. In fact I never have. However, I feel very fortunate to have discovered coconut yogurt. It is delicious and you still get the benefits of the live, active cultures that good-quality yogurt contains, without any of the adverse effects that dairy may bring.
  3. Kombucha. My hubs thinks I’m crazy for this one but I love love love kombucha and it has awesome gut-healing properties. It is a fermented beverage, which I don’t think we consume enough of. Kombucha is essentially a tea, which is converted into a fizzy bottle of goodness by a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). It’s delicious and fun to drink!
  4. Almond butter. This one can get tricky. It is a great source of healthy fats but should be eaten in great moderation. You can go overboard with mindless almond butter eating very quickly! One of my favorite little snacks is a small bowl of frozen berries with a dollop of almond butter on the top and a sprinkle of chia seeds over the top of that, then microwaved for approximately a minute and a half. Stir that gooey mess together and oooohhh goodness... holy yum. 
  5. Turmeric tea. Kind of misleading because this doesn’t actually use a tea bag but it’s so yummy an comforting. All it takes is a mug full of steamed almond milk, a dash of turmeric, a dash of cinnamon, a dash of ginger, a splash of maple syrup and you have yourself a wonderful comforting drink to end your day with! Turmeric is packed with vitamins and minerals and has great anti-inflammatory properties. 


Eat well my friends! 
XOXO
Em

Sunday, February 2, 2014

A Grateful Heart and Self-Control

Life, especially this military life my husband and I live, throws us curveballs constantly. God likes to keep us on our toes and sometimes plans don't go our way. 

For example, my husband's phone got turned off by the cell phone company, leaving me with no way to contact him because his computer was dead and the charger was in my car. We went in before deployment, setting a date for them to hold his number. We realized we needed a little more time to get our ducks in a row and tried several times to stop his phone being turned off, but nonetheless, it happened. When we tried to get his phone turned back on, the company's whole system was down. Did I get frustrated at first? Yes. Do I realize this is a spoiled problem to have during a deployment? Yes. A lot of spouses get to talk to their service member very very sparingly during a deployment.

It would be so easy to get angry about these inconvenient little plan changes. You know that angry, bitter feeling where all your insides just seem to be in knots? We have to fight that. I know I do. and I feel so much better when I let those things go. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Keeping a grateful heart is so important. It allows us to see more clearly and hold on to that self-control that God instructs us to have. 



I love watching 19 Kids and Counting and I think Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's example of self-control is something everyone can learn from. In an old episode I caught the other day, their area in Arkansas was hit by a devastating ice storm. When Jim Bob was outside assessing the damage, he acknowledged that the children were watching to see what his reaction was going to be. His display of self-control was crucial in keeping his family calm and secure, but also thinking through a solution for the problem. Michelle's patience and self-control in raising so many little ones always inspires me. It is something I hope to come close to (even remotely on the same spectrum would be glorious) when I have our own little one. 

Displaying these characteristics takes a lifetime of learning and adjusting, but our God is a loving and merciful God. He knows we make mistakes, and is waiting with open arms to grant us forgiveness. The sooner we learn that fact, the more at peace we will be. 
Have a blessed week! 
Lots of love,
Em


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Be Nice to Yourself


Ellen Degeneres end each show by saying “be kind to one another.” We tell kids to “be nice” to their siblings and peers. But how often are we reminded to be nice to ourselves? 

I had a bit of a stressful day the other day. I was not being very nice to myself at all. My hubby calmed me down, thankfully. I am always so thankful for him. He is definitely the only person who can bring me back down when I’m up, and vice versa.

Anyway, I finished out that day with lots and lots of prayer and needing to hear from God. I truly believe that he speaks to us. Sometimes, something in particular sticks out of a message that we’re hearing. Sometimes a song gives you the words you need to hear. Sometimes, something just pops into your head completely out of the blue. I truly believe that all these things are God. All of these situations are God telling you what you need to hear. Now mind you, it’s not always what you want to hear. 

The next morning I woke up and immediately what I opened my eyes I heard “be nice to yourself.” I don’t quite know how to describe how I heard it. It wasn’t quite audible but it wasn’t quite completely in my head either. I know it was God. 

The thing is, I try to set these lofty goals for myself. To try to do this more or not do that as much. The thing I realized, is that those aren’t very tangible. However, anyone, including small children can understand “be nice.”

Why are we so quick to be kind to others and take care of others, but not to ourselves? I know I am.

Take this opportunity to set little reminders in your head. Make a trigger, of sorts, for yourself; just little check ups to make sure this is happening. This helped me so much and any amount of stress I encountered, I could deal with and work through by making sure that I was being nice to myself. So simple, but so effective and meaningful.  

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What's your {Un}Word?

I’ve never been big on New Year’s resolutions, but I read a blog post today about an {un}word. This is a word that ideally, you would want to remove from your vocabulary. What is weighing you down? What is keeping you from having a closer relationship to God? To your spouse? To your family? How about with yourself? 

Mine is 
{un}worry

I have a tendency to let little things weigh me down with worry. I know these things will not matter the next day, week, month, or year but nonetheless, I worry about them. This causes stress within my mind and body (hmmm, wonder where that terrible sickness I had came from?) and spreads to the people around me. 

God’s word says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in any situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. I wonder why I have so much trouble with this? 

The only remedy, as the verse above says, is prayer and investing time in learning what God has to say to you. God’s word has an answer for any question or problem, whether it is direct or indirect. Everything we need is in there. We essentially have an instruction manual for how to live life, so where is the need for worry? That is what I am trying to tell myself. 

I am going to try to achieve this goal through more prayer, both in quality and quantity. I will make it a habit to pray about the most simple things, like what my weekend plans should be. You can learn more about this beautiful process in Walking With God. Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. by John Eldredge. 


{Un}worrying will be a process. But it is one that I am willing to take head on. Today I will get done what I need to get done. Today I will be nice to myself. Today I will be the wife I need to be for my family. Today I will learn as much as possible for what I have coming soon. Today I will react appropriately to challenges and take care of business. Let’s do it friends!