Category: Food and Nutrition

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #465

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Snow House photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This felt like a longer week, but overall, it was good.

At work, I had a few meetings and lots of great patients. I had some good conversations with several coworkers and worked on some annual competencies. I also had several Veterans who were grateful to meet with me. Despite the political drama nationally, I am glad to be a federal employee and feel proud of my service role.

The weather was a bit warmer in the 40s. On Wednesday, I told a friend, “This is amazing for February…” and she reminded me that it was January! But, of course, today is the first of February, and we are getting a dusting of snow. 😉

I had a lot of good conversations with family and friends this week. I am so glad for all the people in my circle!

Today, I relaxed a bit at home and then ran around the VA kitchen, as I picked up an evening shift. I was filling in, but someone also called in sick, so it was good I went in. It always feels good to work hard!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot, Wisdom

Shopping Our Shelves

Here we are a week into the new year. How are you doing?!

This year, I am trying something a little different. Well, I have been meaning to do it for awhile, but just decided to go for it now, thanks to a little godly conviction. 😉

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6

I will probably never be a minimalist, as I have many interests and like to have options! Yet, the reality is that I have plenty of stuff, possibly bordering on too much. Ahem.

Over time, I have realized it is much easier to organize my stuff if there is less of it. I don’t need more hangers or baskets; I need to use what I have and be content. Having stuff is not bad, but I want to use my resources, not just collect them. Trying to maintain “all the stuff” takes time and mental effort, so in this case, less is more.

Last week, Lydia and I spent a little time organizing around the house. Here’s the problem: I like trying new things but don’t always go through them quickly enough. I might buy a few extras to save money (buy one, get one!) and then don’t have room to store them. So, things tend to accumulate or get wasted. On top of that, sometimes I forget what’s in my pantry… so I may buy things again. (Now you know why this blog is about grace, not homemaking!)

So, this year, we are challenging ourselves to “SOS” or “shop our shelves” (or stockpiles?!) before buying more. That applies to our food, toiletries, and, yes, even my books! If there is something we don’t truly need or won’t use, we will donate it to others. The main goal is to check our storage first and see if we can make do.

Hopefully, we’ll save a little money since I have already paid for the items on my shelves. I have already paid some bills and bought gas for my car, though it feels good to save time not going to the store or shopping online. I’m running low on milk and Q-tips, and they don’t have great substitutes. Still, I’ll likely hold off a little longer and start a list.

While my budgeting has been more manageable, it’s not about the money but the principle. I’m seeing God’s provision in a new way and creating space for Him to move in my life. We cannot experience His goodness without putting our faith in Him!

We’ll have to be creative as our experiment progresses and we run out of our favorites. However, I probably already have a perfectly good swap in storage. That said, we don’t want to leave ALL the beans for the end! So far, we have been using them for dips, salads, burritos, and chili.

Ultimately, God doesn’t want our stuff; He wants our hearts. I don’t know how long the experiment will last, but I am excited to see God move in our hearts. I feel grateful for His provision. It has been freeing not to be focused on “getting” and just relaxing and using what we already have. I’ll keep you posted!

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God, thanks for all You do to provide for me! All I have is from You and belongs to You. Help me be a good and wise steward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any big plans for the new year?

Task: Watch Madame Blueberry by VeggieTales and pray about your next steps.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #458

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Red Fruits Ice Crystals photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was an active week with lots going on! On Sunday, we attended the 98th Annual Concordia Christmas Concert. Our neighbor had extra tickets; we are glad she thought of us! We really enjoyed each of the choirs and the orchestra.

On Monday, I stayed home from work due to bronchitis. I just wanted an extra day since I was still coughing a bit. I went back on Tuesday and felt much better, though I still have a random cough.

This week, Lydia and I went to the chiropractor. Those visits are helpful and less painful now that I have been working on mobility in between sessions! My chiropractor is amazing, but she can only do so much for me! It’s my job to do the rest.

On Wednesday, I had a peaceful evening. I worked on the church editing project after taking Lydia to church. I was able to finish it on Friday, at least this round!

Thursday’s excitement after work was videotaping my testimony at church. I did this about nine years ago, so it was fun to see how their process has changed. I know I have changed too, so how I conveyed the story was also different. I was not as tearful, thankfully! I am not sure when they will show it, but I know it will bring God glory!

On Friday, I took the day off from work for Lydia’s holiday chamber orchestra concert! They went to a local nursing home late in the morning, and I was glad I could make it! I ran some errands and caught up around the house, using part of a time-off award I had earned previously.

Today, I was on-call and was also scheduled for some additional hours. This morning, I went to work for two consults. Later, I went in to help in the kitchen for the evening shift. They are short-handed and asked if some of us dietitians would cover for awhile. I haven’t worked in food service since college, so being back in that environment was fun! I put on about 7,000 steps in three hours!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #456

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week! It started off busy and ended up fairly ‘chill.’

Monday through Wednesday was full of patients. It was a little hectic at times! But, it all turned out well. I also went in on Friday, but by then, it was fairly quiet!

Work was a bit slower, though still steady. I simply had less patients scheduled but still got a lot of things done. It was nice to have a lighter load. As such, I had time to call some extra patients and finish a few small projects.

We received a few snow flurries throughout the week, but no major accumulation. The temperatures were lower than usual, but we dressed warm and were fine. With no wind, it really wasn’t that bad! 😉

Thanksgiving was on Thursday. We had a really relaxing day with no real plans. It was a perfect day reading, watching movies, laughing, etc. I made a few dishes, including a delicious pumpkin pie tart.

On Friday, Lydia volunteered with a friend’s family to help at the combined annual Cookies with the Claus Family and Festival of Trees events by Fraser, Ltd. This organization serves several underprivileged groups around the area and is North Dakota’s oldest non-profit. She had fun passing out cookies and guiding people along. She even got to ride in a horse-drawn sleigh! She was gone most of the day but came home excitedly telling me about it all. I think it made a good impression on Lydia; she’s already talking about volunteering next year!

Today, I exercised and worked on a few simple projects around the house while Lydia hung out with a friend. It was a good way to relax!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #449

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was full of a special kind of grace, a sweet mix of work and rest.

Work was busy, like usual, but somehow, it all turned out well. I was able to stay on top of my charting and help a few of my coworkers. I am grateful for God’s help!

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet and listen to a well-known plant-based doctor and researcher speak at the Fargo Theater downtown. Dr. Neal Barnard lives in the Washington, DC area, but he grew up in Fargo! I have many plant-based nutrition books, but I bought one of his new ones so he could sign it. 🙂 He said he wanted to clone me as a dietitian! 🙂 He was very down-to-earth, and his sister and three brothers sat behind me. Dr. Barnard was an excellent speaker, so funny and relatable. Naturally, he talked a lot about fruits, veggies, and antioxidants! Indeed, I may use some of his examples for my own patients. It was a really cool event, and I will keep thinking about it in the coming days!

Before that, I went back to Trefoil Park and noticed even more fall colors since I was there last week. I spent quite a while walking around and taking pictures. In fact, this was a great week for nature walks! I went to Lindenwood Park (ND) and Gooseberry Park (MN) on Friday to do the same, and I also walked around my neighborhood on a hunt for pretty trees! It was a gorgeous week!

Today, Lydia and I have mostly relaxed. I worked on a few small projects and made some vegetable soup. We are rewatching The Chosen and might play a game, too!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Autumnal Antioxidants

It’s amazing how two days can make such a difference in autumnal colors! I took a picture of one of my maple trees on Sunday and then again yesterday. It was a much brighter red! You can see what I mean on my blog Facebook page.

Right after I took the picture yesterday, Lydia told me what she is learning in science class. She is learning about photosynthesis, cell respiration, and fermentation. She described aerobic and anaerobic processes, simple sugar molecules, and leaf pigments. Soon, we tied this back to our maple tree; as the chlorophyll reduces, all the other colors show through!

Lydia was shocked that I understood and use these scientific concepts several times a week in gut health and general nutrition. I explained that leaf pigments show us the antioxidants represented by their colors and how this carries over to plant foods. I always tell my patients to eat the colors of the rainbow when eating fruits and vegetables. They are helpful for cancer prevention, managing blood sugar, protecting the heart, calming down inflammation in the body, and much more! So, if you have pain or health concerns, consider how you can increase your produce!

Free Raspberries Blueberries photo and picture

Two examples of powerful antioxidants are carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids are a large family, and beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is found in carrots and sweet potatoes, for instance. Anthocyanins are found in red, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables. Think of eggplants, red onions, blueberries, blackberries, and dark grapes. Additionally, green foods contain chlorophyll and other antioxidants, as well as those in the red, yellow, and orange color groups. The darker the color, the more antioxidants. Thus, the blues and greens are among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! But, even lighter whites, like onions, potatoes, and cauliflower count!

Plants, such as fruits and vegetables, are nutritional powerhouses! In addition to antioxidants, they also have tons of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are low in calories, which means they can help someone lose weight while maximizing nutrients. Just about everyone should eat a wide variety of produce every day.

However, a few people do need to be wise with their choices. Whole fruits and vegetables are typically better than juices because of the fiber. Certain people have chewing difficulties, so maybe they need softer, cooked items. Or, if someone has kidney stones, they may need to reduce those high in oxalates. Some may need to choose lower potassium options, but most Americans simply don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables! Sadly, many people think fruit-flavored cereal or treats, or powdered vegetable supplements are the same.

Free Fruits Fresh photo and picture

I am so blessed that God makes nutrition so practical (and tasty!). Nutrition is not rocket science; much of it is common sense. God made it fun and pleasant to eat His provision. We can eat according to what is in season and save a little money (fresh, frozen, or canned). What grace! But, it can still be challenging since people get confused by what they see or read online. I often have to bust through nutrition myths. 

Anyway, I enjoyed connecting with Lydia on a topic we can both use and understand. I might have “nerded out” a little on her when explaining the glucose and fructose metabolism, but I know she still loves me. 😉

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God, thanks for helping us understand how You made the world, especially in ways that help our bodies. Thanks for providing us with good, healthy food. May we delight in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite fruits and veggies? How are you incorporating them into your meals this season?

Task: Aim to eat the best quality food you can afford across all food groups. Check out this helpful website for ways to eat more fruits and veggies!

 

 

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Waiting For Motivation

This week, I met a Veteran who was waiting for motivation before making some changes. Well, God showed up, and we had a great conversation! He walked into my office with some incorrect assumptions, and I had to help him work through them to find a plan that would work for him.

He started by telling me I had “such a difficult job” because most people, like him, are set in their ways and don’t want to make changes. He was nearly twice my age and was fed up with people “telling him what to do.” He misinterpreted some nutrition information years ago, and it seems to have set him back in his desire to follow through. Unfortunately, he didn’t think eating healthily was very practical and struggled to find any motivation.

Now, I usually start off by asking a lot of questions and taking notes. Then, I dive into the education piece and answer any questions. This time, I just prayed and rolled with his resistance. I listened and acknowledged that he must’ve done something right to reach his upcoming next decade of life. Then, I asked how I could help and what he needed from me.

Free Bench Meadow photo and picture

He continued talking and soon mentioned excessive snacking as he wrote a book about finding resiliency in people. He was surprised when I mentioned I had written a book, too! It was not about promotion but about connection. We talked quite a bit about writing, and he asked about my story. He was deeply affected and could tell I understood more than he had given me credit for.

We briefly talked about how, in the Old Testament, Joseph grew through his trials and kept following God. I tried to find a segue back to nutrition, but I also wanted to stay in the moment and meet this Veteran where he was. We talked about how life changes over time, and our nutrition needs do, too. I explained that it is good to be healthy and prepared since we don’t know what life will bring us. Eating nutritiously and adding some movement will also help us enjoy the good times as much as possible.

After a little while, I showed him my book’s front cover online, and then he excitedly showed me his. We started laughing because while mine has a bench set in some lovely woods, his had an antique chair set on the prairie. The sentiment was identical!! After that, we were on the same page, and I was able to put him on a good path nutritionally.

Free Bench Fence photo and picture

We talked about the futility of waiting around for motivation, similar to writers waiting for “the muse” to appear. The muse is always running late and shows up after we get started! Thus, no motivation leads to no action, which leads to no results. But, if we just take action, we will get results, which fuels motivation to continue. This really resonated with him!

We chatted about a few other topics, such as our career paths, psychology, and faith, all led by the Veteran. It was a bit of a wild goose chase, and I just jotted a few notes when I could. I smiled when, at the end, he said, “I can tell you are very practical and know a lot about this. You’ve been very helpful!” He even agreed to come back to continue our discussion!

It was so fun to step aside and let God kindly guide our conversation. It was nice to connect with another author and also help him in a ‘practical’ way. 🙂 It was good to pay attention to the Holy Spirit, too. He always knows exactly what we need!

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God, thanks for giving me a good job. Help me continue to honor You and do my best. Use me to make a difference in the lives of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has God been working in Your life this week?

Task: Don’t get stuck waiting for motivation or the muse. Just take action so you can get results; then motivation will come!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Our Daily Bread

I don’t know about you, but I have already gone to the store twice this week for groceries! The first time, I forgot bread, so I had to go back for it. I also picked up a few other things since I was there and all.

The bread reminded me of the verse in Matthew 4:4, in which Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” In context, He is quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, referencing the manna that God sent to feed the millions of Israelites after they were led out of bondage in Egypt.

Jesus is talking to Satan after a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Satan is tempting Jesus with grandiose (yet empty) promises if only He would bow down and worship him. And yes, the Bible does specify that Jesus was hun-gry!

Jesus often used common everyday items to point to profound truths. Interestingly, in John 6, Jesus multiplies five loaves to feed 5,000+ people, and soon after He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He is all we really need!

Free Bread Loaf photo and picture

Anyway, I have been thinking about bread this week and how God often shows me grace and provision before I even realize I need it!

Lydia goes back to school today, and this week, I’ve had several other random tasks on top of normal priorities. Each night, I have at least two obligations—last night, it was three!

For example, I left work an hour and a half early yesterday (Tuesday) to write this post before going to Lydia’s school to meet the teachers. Then, we needed to eat dinner, before I edited my blog and attended an online workshop—all that before trying to go to bed early!

But, it all turned out well because God made sure I didn’t have a late patient scheduled. In His wisdom, He knew I would be crunched for time before I did. So, He made me aware of the opportunity to leave, let my manager agree, and helped me finish some charting that was due all in the nick of time.

God also reordered my steps a few times as the night progressed. By His grace, I accomplished everything that needed my attention and time. As in the Lord’s Prayer, He really does give me my daily bread!

Free Loaf Bread photo and picture

One “God factor” that has helped me is that our church added an earlier Sunday service, which matches my Monday through Friday start time at work! Thus, I’ve decided to stay on the same basic schedule by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each day. There are days it still feels like I’m running around, but it feels good to be consistent.

Thank God for His grace because I have had the goal to wake up early (trying on and off) for well over a decade. Sometimes, it’s a struggle, and I am tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. The difference now is that I have wanted to get up early, and generally, I haven’t felt like it is a chore.

I enjoy spending time with God in the quiet mornings, and putting Him first is always a good idea. But when I am short on sleep, it is hard to focus. This time, I don’t feel I am just relying on my own feeble effort. History shows that doesn’t work well!

I may need to adjust my sleeping pattern a bit, but I’m currently doing some gentle movement and stretching while I connect with Jesus. It’s been a great start to my day!

All in all, I am grateful for God’s help in pivoting and persevering. He always knows exactly what I need!

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God, thanks for feeding us with Your Word, and for giving us Jesus, the Bread of Life and Your Word made flesh. Help me keep my priorities in the proper order—You first and foremost, while trusting You for bread and everything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite kind of bread? Where else do you see the significance of bread in the Bible? (Among other things, Jesus also uses it to signify His body in Communion!)

Tasks: Let God direct your path today. If you need a little daily encouragement, check out “Our Daily Bread” online or in print. You can learn more about these short, encouraging devotions here.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #435

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Flower Dahlia photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was pretty calm, but that is a good thing! Practically each day had a “chance” of rain. Even if it was only for a few minutes. So, it was warm, but cool at times, with both the sun and beautiful clouds.

Work had a good ebb and flow. It was busy, but I had some downtime to get caught up. It was really nice to have less stress! Plus, I was able to take a walk most days. Perhaps that’s my ideal work week!

On Thursday, Lydia and I had a quiet Independence Day. We pretty much relaxed. I enjoyed coffee on my deck and did some reading, cooking, and exercising. Lydia joined me a bit and also packed for camp next week. We were grateful to have the freedom to do all that in peace.

Today, we did a few chores, and tonight, Lydia and I are going to a friend’s house for dinner. They are hosting us and a couple of other families from church. I’m bringing a tossed salad with blueberries, mandarin oranges, honey-roasted sliced almonds, and a homemade vinaigrette. So, I am looking forward to good food and fellowship!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #420

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fairly normal week. It was good and routine, perfect for the start of Spring!

Work went well with everyone back in the office! I am returning to my half-day on Fridays, which is good for me! We transitioned to our usual duties, though we will probably still include some of the streamlined methods we picked up over the last few months of making do. It’s a win-win!

I put together a nutrition bulletin board (above) for the hallway outside my office. Two other dietitians helped bring my idea to fruition. It is as if we are looking down at a table from the top. And then, underneath, you can lift the “placemats” and read some nutrition facts. I am pleased with how it came together!

On Thursday, Lydia started another round of orthodontia. She decided against braces and opted for the clear trays instead. It is nice that she can take them out to eat and brush her teeth. She’s also glad it makes her mouth look normal, especially since she must wear them for several months (a new tray every week).

Today, we mostly relaxed since Lydia felt weak, thanks to POTS. This is somewhat typical for Saturdays, unfortunately, but her teeth were also a little sore. Nonetheless, I took some time to watch a webinar, exercise, cook some food, and make some phone calls. Lydia and I are going to watch a movie next. It was a good day!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!