Serving Other Masters is Stressful

I had a tough week. One valuable realization that I received from this painful time was that I have been serving two masters that are NOT my sweet, loving, and powerful God. The two masters I've been serving? Let me try to name them:

1. The Impression of Other Women on My House Appearance

This master tells me that I am judged based on how my house looks; if my house is messy or dirty, then I must not be doing my part as a stay-at-home wife and mother. And this master also holds things over my head, like how I should fit-in with modern women in the décor and style of my house being 'up to par.' My response to this today = who cares anyway?! Somewhere along the way we started judging someone else (perhaps based on our own inadequacies or self-judgment) that in-turn makes us feel that we have to live up to a standard/expectation that doesn't actually exist. Giving-into this viscid takes away the ability to be free to live - playing hard with the kids, being creative and making messes, cooking a great meal from scratch and sharing it with loved ones amidst a now messy kitchen, and other enjoyable activities of people really living with no "walls" around them!

2. Worry

I have heard it said that worry is perverted thinking; it is a warped way of thinking based on fear of worst-cased-scenarios. We are called to think completely the opposite - with security and assurance that we are God's children, and He will take care of our needs as a Loving Father would do. I overwhelmed myself with two different money-making opportunities this week based on worry that I won't be able to have enough without them. What did it cost me? It cost me peace with my children, myself, my husband, and God. And it probably took my immune system for a big loopy crash! My response to this today = prioritizing is helpful when you are raising a family; if you can keep focused on the top 3-5 most important tasks/people in your life, then you are better able to filter in the rest of your "to-do's." And then peace is the aroma of your day :).

Put It In a Basket

Oh, the clutter. And, oh, the piles of stuff! I either have to plunge into that clutter or take a deep breath and walk away from it as I'm on my way to attend to something or someone else. But, don't think for a second that I can just walk away from a mess and not think about it in the back of my mind. I like order and neatness in my surroundings. I have found this to be true for a lot of women, especially mothers with busy little feet and hands moving about the house. The Solution? Put your annoying clutter in a basket! A basket gives the stuff a collected space that allows you to see/access it but not let it push on your "neatness nerve." I have included a couple baskets that I have recently found and purchased that you might be able to use for yourself too. The reasons I like these baskets is because they are trendy, affordable, good quality, and don't take-up too much space. Check out these great baskets:

This strong canvas basket was a great solution from TJ Maxx for only $6.

I found this seagrass basket at Wal-Mart for only $4.50 (In stores only). It looks good on my kitchen counter instead of the clutter of car keys, sunglasses, mail, and knick knacks that used to be where it is now.

Katie's Super-Power Peanut Butter and New Cookie Recipe!

I think Peanut Butter is a staple. Don't you? It's just SO yummy, and you can do so much with it! I have experimented with it in my laboratory (the kitchen) and come up with what I call, Katie's Super-Power Peanut Butter (inspired by my son who loves peanut butter and loves super-powers): The Recipe: pure peanut butter; coconut oil; local honey - stir it up and voila! Now, eat it :-)

I served this to my children yesterday along with cut apple sticks, cheese (grass-fed of course), and pecans.

Would you believe I made a cookie without flour and sugar that is actually delicious? Ha! I did, and I'm just so excited about it. The Recipe is so simple: blend 2 mashed bananas, about a 1/3 cup of coconut manna or coconut cream concentrate, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/3 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup almond milk, and 2 cups whole rolled oats, then add chocolate chips or raisins or chopped dates. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Mmmmmm, yummy!

Living By Diamonds

At a recent women's lake retreat (which was just oh-so-a-dream-come-true), I had the blessing of being read an important passage from the book, Start by Jon Acuff that spoke about defining the areas of your life that are either "diamonds" or those that are "rocks." 'Areas of your life' could include: activities; hobbies; chores; marriage; motherhood; work; etc. The areas of your life that are truly most valuable & profitable for your well-being or for your life's purpose are the "diamonds." The rest are just "rocks." The latter could even be distractions in your life. As I sat thoughtfully to consider my diamonds and rocks, I dwelled mostly on the area of housework...was it a rock or a diamond? Of course I would like my diamonds to be something fancier, of which I won't list ideas for because that would take away from the point :). At the end of the day/week/month, your house needs attended to. So as I considered this lovely area of my life, the word "house" became a clear "rock." The word "home" became a clear diamond - crystal clear and shiny and sparkling. I believe women are the (ooh, let me phrase this very carefully and not stereotypically) 'makers of the home' (homemygoodness I said it!). Women are vibrant, beautiful souls who usually have the talent and knack for decorating, organizing, aromatics, flower-gardening, nurturing and so on. Housework can be done by anybody - male or female. So, then housework is a bland rock. Rocks do exist in our world and aren't always bad, so that means that you don't necessarily ignore them. But the shiny diamond of making your home a place that people want to be is something to be focused on.

Here is a list of what I value in my diamond of "home:" 1. organizing the clutter so that people can find things 2. bringing home healthy food that I can prepare for my family...affordably 3. being kind, loving unconditionally, and offering grace to those that live with me 4. receiving God into my life and spreading His Holy Spirit throughout 5. happiness and fun times.

I recommend defining diamonds and rocks in your life. Start by listing 5 diamonds, and then you will be able to identify the rocks.

Know your Kale Ways

A great friend and super-informed naturopath that I know told me during our time together working in the health & wellness industry that you really should steam kale before consuming. She told me that a light steam is all you need to help calcium absorption. While I have not read that exact information, my friend/colleague has always been correct on various topics and "ahead of our times." So, before you throw some green goodness into your next smoothie or green drink or salad, check out this info: Kale. Another GREAT read on steaming Kale I found here.

This is black kale, and I like it best because it seems to last longer in the refrigerator AND can blend into a fruit smoothie in such a sneaky manner that little mouths and picky mouths don't notice!

And this fluffier version of kale is obviously greener and resembles that at which you will commonly find at your farmer's market. I like to use this kind of kale for quiches, rice dishes, and less in smoothies. It is just fine in a green drink, though, in my opinion.

Shut Out The World and Trust

My day has been intense and near non-stop already. My feet hit the ground and it's been "on" ever since; my children turned their switch on before their feet even hit the hardwoods. AS I finally sat down to embrace some peace, I felt so thankful to God for the gift of breastfeeding - for both baby and myself. For me, it's a 'have to sit down and be still' time. It is also a time to do one of the most cherished of all things in this entire crazy world - hold a baby. Oh bliss. A chunky, soft, sweet form of heaven on earth...in my arms, turning to me for comfort and food and trust (that what he needs will be there every time he turns to me for it). A baby is thrust into this world from a sacred, secret place and then what? What on earth do they do once in this world? Here's a great idea: be held closely in love by the arms of the sweet person who carried him while he was made. Then partake of the very thing that feeds and nourishes him that is always there in ABUNDANT SUPPLY. Is this not a picture provided for us to see how we can do the same with our "supplier," our "nourisher?" As a baby physically turns away from the world and takes what it needs for the moment, nestled at the breast, so do we do the same thing within ourselves as we turn into Yahweh's Mighty Wings! It's a phenomenon. Mom learns to trust too in this process; she learns that the supply will keep coming over and over once signaled. No fear, no worry - just trust :) Can you think of a better way to learn trust? Maybe you could come up with one, but I can't see how it would be any sweeter.

The Rush of Freedom

It's 1:34pm, and I have to pick up my first two children (one very busy toddler and a strong-willed preschooler)in an hour. Didn't I JUST drop them off? I'm scanning through my to-do list in my brain right now to make sure I am knocking-out as much as I can. My breath is shallow, and I am quite amped. The next thought that comes through my mind is: "Why do you have to work so hard when the "yayhoos" are gone...how about you just totally relax?" I mean, I'm almost always working. Even when I'm sitting in the presence of my children with no cleaning solution or laundry or food-prep in my hands, my "on-switch" is activated. Surely another mom out there can hear what I'm sayin? Anybody feeling me? It's at this point that, as we rush through our free (of kids) time that we need to instead, FEEL THE RUSH OF FREEDOM. Freedom from "doing." Freedom from serving any master that pushes its way to the top above simply being in peace and quiet within. Now, with 45 minutes remaining until pick-up, I will take a deep breath in & out over and over......and ride the wave of this hour of my life. :))