Posts Tagged ‘Life’

• 15 minute day

  Date: 2011.05.14 | Category: Family Journal, Home Tips, Life | Response: 0

  Today I’m doing a 15 minute day.

  I find this a good way of getting things done without feeling like I’m working all day.

  I used to do 15min on 15min off when I was low in energy.

  Today I’m doing it a little differently because I have different objectives to accomplish.

  I want to read more bible, so that’s one 15min. I want to get housework done, so that’s another 15min.

  I want to limit my time on the computer, so that’s another 15 mins and I want to finish a jumper I’m crocheting, so that’s the 4th 15min per hour.

  I’ve set my timer for 15mins and am just starting it again at the end of each period.

  I’ve also allowed 30min break for food/doing nothing at the end of each 2 hour block of 15mins.

  So by about 7.30pm tonight I’ll have done 1hr 30 mins of work, bible reading, crochet and computer time and break for meals.

  I think that is a pretty productive day!

• A Lesson from my Hot Cross Buns

  Date: 2011.04.23 | Category: Christian, God, Life, Photos, Scripture | Response: 0

  The day before yesterday I attempted Hot Cross Buns in my Breadmaker for the first time.  All went well except the fruit dispenser didn’t dispense.  So we had fruitless Hot Cross Buns.  I went with it and made them anyway.  They were bland.  A bit boring.  We added jam to it for some sweetness but it wasn’t as good.  As Christians we have to remember the fruit dispenser in our lives to add sweetness to us, the Holy Spirit.  He gives us Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Kindness and Self-Control; the Fruit of the Spirit. Without them we can’t be a light in a dark world.  We are bland and a bit boring.  We try to add some jam for some sweetness, but it’s not as good as real fruit.

  

  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

• A Little Good.

  Date: 2011.04.21 | Category: Bible, Christian, Encouragement, Fitness, God, Health, Life, Photos, Scripture | Response: 0

  ^“For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.” (Amplified Bible)

  In 1 Timothy 4:8 The Apostle Paul writes that physical training is of some use then contrasts that spiritual training is useful in all things.  I agree completely, I couldn’t live a productive life without spiritual training.  I wholeheartedly believe that my life would be useless if I hadn’t found God.  I don’t even know if I would have been alive.  I have been a Christian for more than 17 years, in that time I didn’t just accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour then just do what I used to.  No I began a journey of renewal and change that has gradually improved me, my attitude, thinking and behaviours.  This will not end until I leave this body and go to be with Him.  There is no way I could do it without input from solid biblical teaching and taking up my own responsibility to further learn about what it is to follow Christ.  This is Spiritual Training.

  Physical Training is useful for a little.  It’s not saying it’s completely useless and does nothing.  It’s saying it does something.  I want to highlight the fact that Paul was writing this in the first century.  Life then was different to now.  What would have benefitted them a little, would probably benefit us a great deal more.  The household duties alone of a woman would have been an entire workout.  Think of it, carting water, grinding flour for bread, beating clothes clean, not to mention the processing of animals for food.  So you can see how physical exercise would have been of little use.  NOW, in my house water comes out of a tap, flour comes from the shops (that I drive to), bread is baked and ready to buy or otherwise I use my bread machine to make it.  Clothes are cleaned in a washing machine, a few pushes of a button and they’ll be ready within an hour to hang out.  We skip the processing of animals in our house, I process vegies, but still I buy them from a shop and could easily pick up a few prepacked slabs of meat from that section if I wanted to.  Gee – how hard is that?  Not hard enough.

  

  So I add exercise to my lifestyle.  To offset the calories I take in and don’t use and to add strength to my muscles to support my ligaments and bones as I age.  I hope that I won’t have any wasting diseases that effect our western societies as people age.  I don’t want to be bedridden and unable to support my own weight because a bone might snap.  I want to be strong and healthy in body, mind and spirit so I can continue God’s work until the day He takes me home.

• Grace, groceries and growth.

  Date: 2011.04.17 | Category: Encouragement, Family Journal, God, Health, Home Tips, Life, Vegetarian | Response: 0

  Grace: Today I’ll be experiencing God’s grace.  The same as everyday, but on purpose.  I watched Joel Osteen’s message this morning on Australian Christian Channel (Foxtel) which seemed to condense a general message that I’ve been receiving for the past few months.  That God’s grace covers everything for those who believe.

  What is Grace? According to Dictionary.com grace is:
  the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God;
  the influence or Spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them;
  Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.

  So when I chose to believe that Jesus saved all of humanity, including me, when He took on the sins on the world and died of the cross He extended GRACE to us and now calls me one of the elect.
  Also daily the Holy Spirit operates with GRACE in my life (and body) regenerating and strengthening me (as I go from glory to glory).
  Both of these aspects of GRACE are freely given, unmerited favor and love of God which is more GRACE!  Grace upon grace.

  The crux of Joel’s message was that God’s grace is sufficient always but we only need it for today.  Today is where we live.  Our minds might be in the past where we can’t change things or in the future where we can’t influence things but today is where we live and where our minds should be.  Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawerence was one of the most influential books of my life.  It changed many things, but mostly it introduced me to NOW.  God is here NOW.  You are here NOW.  You only have this second. Live NOW.  God’s GRACE is NOW (yet eternal).  We can rely on His Grace always, especially now.

  My now is Sunday.  I am listening to quiet small birds enjoying coolness.  I am hearing the hum of the computer and the morning movements of people in the house starting their day.  I’m thinking of what to cook for the week as I shop on Mondays and I’m thinking of what I’ll be doing to relax today.  I try to treat Sunday as a rest day in my mind because otherwise I feel like I never stop.  In reality, the household needs never stop, of course, we eat daily, we do things daily and these things need to be cleaned up after.  But I give myself leniency on a Sunday to sit longer in between.  To do more crochet. To read more online.  To play more games.  To not exercise.  To do simple yet indulgent meals.  I guess it’s a kind of grace.

  Groceries: I like to think about the week’s meals in advance because as I become more busy on shopping day my mind tends to become stressed and overwhelmed and I just want to get the whole thing over with and get home again.  The girls could be in a talkative mood or want to show me lots of things I’m not even looking for or I’m feeling a bit off with a headache or something else, so I can’t really think clearly and forget things if they aren’t on the list.  So the list has to be finalised.

  I tend to be the only one to write on the shopping list now, even though it’s posted on the fridge, because it was becoming a wishlist instead.  Things that the girls wanted me to buy, not what we needed, started appearing.  Such as chocolate, soft drinks and other junk food.  Of course I do buy these things sometimes, but they’re definately not NEEDED.  I plan dinners down to the ingredients needed.  We are all pretty boring when it comes to breakfast and eat the same thing, so that is supplied.  Also with lunches, but not quite so boring, so I keep the fridge and cupboard supplied with enough ingredients for my family to get their breakfasts and lunches.  I ask what would be wanted for different meals and sometimes specific things for other meals are requested also.

  I try to plan according to weather, seasonal availability and recent meals. We go around and around on the same meals much of the time, but you can only eat so much of the same thing.  Recently I’ve be trying to introduce one new meal a week.  Something a little different to what we would usually eat, such as Polenta Stuffed Capsicum or Ratatouille.  This week I think I’ll try a Chili.  Something I’ve never made and only eaten a few times because my Mum doesn’t like and can’t eat spicy foods, so I have limited experienced with it.  Just this morning I read three different recipes for Vegetable Chili from three different sources!  I think I have to give it a go.  Hope the family likes it.

  Growth: This, trying something new each week, is a kind of growth for me because I’m a relatively new Vegetarian.  It’s so nice to have the energy to try new things and not be overwhelmed and too exhausted to do it.  My growth over the past few months has been mainly in the health and nutrition areas of life, but before that (and during) it’s been spiritual.  I’ve grown in many ways with God and am so thankful for it.  I’m glad He isn’t distant like people think He is.  I’m glad He cares for the little things in life and works it all together for good.

• Why I am dairy (and meat) free.

  Date: 2011.04.14 | Category: Family Journal, Health, Life, Vegan, Vegetarian | Response: 0

  I have been on a journey over the past 5 or 6 years to become completely dairy-free.  I’d always had sinus problems really all my life.  Mum used to say we should tie a bag on my nose.  Little did we know, until only 5 years ago, that I had an allergy to dairy.  More specifically the caesin, or the protein in cow’s and goat’s milk.

  It all started when my Mum got a virus when I was a baby, breastfeeding.  She said the doctors at the time told her to feed me on a corn-based syrup formula and that I would grow out of the symptoms.  To an extent I did.  But I always had a blocked  nose.

  Fast forward about thirty years.   I still had a permanent blocked nose plus felt like I always had a cold,  infected throat, achey joints, bloating, acne/bad skin, Endometriosis, poor concentration, foggy brain and extremely fatigued.  I didn’t know this was not normal and couldn’t understand how people did so much.  I decided to go off milk for a week and see if this was the cause.  My throat dried up.  It hurt.  It was weird without the post-nasal drip, but I could breathe!  And smell! (not so good when you have pets).  My endometriosis seemed gone too (symptom free) for a couple of months.  Of course my love of cheese, chocolate and milk made it hard to stay off them and everything went back to the way it was only worse.   Every month was hell.  I would be in so much pain it was excrutiating (just ask my family) I couldn’t walk or do the normal daily things without a lot of effort, I’d just sit on the couch for about a day, sometimes crying.  It made it hard to plan things, or follow things through.

  Now I have been dairy free for nearly a year, I also decided in October 2010 to follow my husband’s lead and give up eating meat.  I still had eggs and fish (I’ve since stopped eating fish as well).  I have substituted some things, like having soy milk or almond milk instead of cows milk for my coffee and tea, but other things I’ve just eliminated, like cheese.  I did try soy cheese, once.  I’ve lost about 8kg since being vegetarian. I have energy, a clear mind, clear sinuses, less painful months, joints less achey, no bloating or water retention, no sore throat and clear skin.  Whether it’s the lack of dairy or meat in my diet, I don’t care, I’m just glad I’m healthy now and I can function!

• Old Testament Minimalism

  Date: 2011.04.13 | Category: Bible, Christian, God, Life, Scripture | Response: 0

  I was reading Ecclesiastes 5 last night and it struck me that this is a take on minimalism.  To find what satisfies you and to not be running after material things.  Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, was right about this too.

  Riches Are Meaningless

  ⁸ If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. ⁹ The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

  ¹⁰ Whoever loves money never has enough;
  whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
  This too is meaningless.

  ¹¹ As goods increase,
  so do those who consume them.
  And what benefit are they to the owners
  except to feast their eyes on them?

  ¹² The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
  whether they eat little or much,
  but as for the rich, their abundance
  permits them no sleep.

  ¹³ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:

  wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
  ¹⁴ or wealth lost through some misfortune,
  so that when they have children
  there is nothing left for them to inherit.
  ¹⁵ Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
  and as everyone comes, so they depart.
  They take nothing from their toil
  that they can carry in their hands.

  ¹⁶ This too is a grievous evil:

  As everyone comes, so they depart,
  and what do they gain,
  since they toil for the wind?
  ¹⁷ All their days they eat in darkness,
  with great frustration, affliction and anger.

  ¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

• Training for…?

  Date: 2011.04.12 | Category: Fitness, Health, Life | Response: 0

  Lately I’ve taken up exercise to compliment my healthier eating. I’ve always admired triathletes so I thought I’d do a modified training program.

  Swim – Bike – Run

  I don’t enjoy swimming in recent years and I don’t have a pool I can do laps in, so I do a weights workout to work the whole body. For the Bike component I do bike riding, usually on my exercise bike, but now that it has cooled down I do go for the occassional ride with the family. For the “Run” I don’t. I walk. Sometimes I’ll take the dog for nice meander around our local park, which now has nice paths around it. Other times I’ll leave him at home so I can walk at a faster pace. I went into town once (2km there and back), but to keep up the pace I looked a bit loony so I don’t think I’ll do that again, maybe just a casual walk for there.

  So I “train” (for what I don’t know, but it’s fun.) Monday through to Saturday then rest on Sunday.

• Menu Planning Monday

  Date: 2011.04.11 | Category: Family Journal, Health, Life, Menu Plan Monday, Vegan, Vegetarian | Response: 3

  This weeks weather is going to be a little warmer this week compared to last.  Nothing extreme so I don’t need to warm us up with hearty meal.  Maybe Saturday I’ll look at doing something with little cooking to reduce the relative heat in the kitchen.  33c will feel hot after it being so cold.

  Monday: Easy Night

  Tuesday: Pasta, Garlic Bread & Side Salad

  Wednesday: Polenta Stuffed Capsicum & Salad

  Thursday: Potato, Baked Beans, Spinach & Garden Salad

  Friday: Vegie Burgers & Chips

  Saturday: Salads

  Sunday: Vegies

  Of course there is every chance that we’ll eat these in a different order, but that’s the meals for this week!

• Vegan Porridge

  Date: 2011.04.08 | Category: Health, Life, Recipes, Vegan | Response: 0

  Good morning.  I’m pleased to report that it was 6c this morning!  It was 35c a couple of days ago.  Autumn has finally arrived.

  Though I have been eating porridge most mornings summer through I have been missing the creaminess of milk with it.  I tried it with soy milk, once.  I remembered that I made almond milk a while back and thought to give that a try.  So I made up  a batch of almond milk and YUM!  It worked.  So my new morning porridge routine is as follows (all measurements are Australian).

  Vegan Porridge

  1/4 cup dry rolled oats (Black and Gold are only $1.30 per 750g!)

  1/2 cup almond milk (instead of water)

  put into a highish sided microwavable bowl

  heat on high for 1.25 min (1100watt)

  let sit and soak

  drizzle pure maple syrup over to sweeten.

  
  

  Almond Milk

  Soak 1 cup almonds (raw) in 2 – 3 cups water 6-8 hours

  Blanch almonds (pour hot water over) and let sit for about 30 – 60 min

  Peel almonds

  Process almonds with 2-3 cups water in a blender/food processor.  The more water the thinner it will be.  Use less water for an almond paste.

  Strain through cheesecloth into a bowl.

  Store in airtight bottle/jug in fridge for 2-3 days.

  Save almond meal for baking.

  You can sweeten it at the processing stage with some honey, maple syrup (which has calcium) or stevia to taste.  I don’t because sometimes it’s ok by itself, depends on the nuts.

  Porridge in the morning has helped me to feel fuller and stops me from getting hungry fast.  If I get hungry quickly I tend to grab for junk food.  If I find it’s not enough for breakfast I have a couple slices of toast with 100% fruit spread as a second breakfast and a cup of tea.  This good start to the day helps me have the energy to get the housework I want to do done and actually exercise, voluntarily!

• The Bible is the Key

  Date: 2010.12.22 | Category: Bible, Christian, Encouragement, God, Inspiration, Life, Scripture, YouTube | Response: 0

  Today is the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice.  The sun rose quietly behind the clouds at around 4.55am.  At about 4.54am, on of my cats, Oscar was walking on my hair, purring loudly about how hungy he was.  While all this was going on, God was reminding me of two things by way of a song in my mind and a scripture in my heart.  The song is this one below by Casting Crowns and the scripture is Psalm 24:1 (read the entire Psalm below).

  The Bible and all it contains is the key to learning about God, growing in Him and being with Him.

  Psalm 24 (New International Version, ©2010)

  Psalm 24

  Of David. A psalm.

  ¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
  the world, and all who live in it;
  ² for he founded it on the seas
  and established it on the waters.

  ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
  Who may stand in his holy place?
  ⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
  who does not trust in an idol
  or swear by a false god.^[a]

  ⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
  and vindication from God their Savior.
  ⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
  who seek your face, God of Jacob.^[b][c]

  ⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
  be lifted up, you ancient doors,
  that the King of glory may come in.
  ⁸ Who is this King of glory?
  The LORD strong and mighty,
  the LORD mighty in battle.
  ⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
  lift them up, you ancient doors,
  that the King of glory may come in.
  ¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
  The LORD Almighty—
  he is the King of glory.

  Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 24:4 Or swear falsely
  2. Psalm 24:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts face, Jacob
  3. Psalm 24:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.