Tag: foodie

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Words

Gardens: Growing in Grace

Do you have a garden? I was considering the pros and cons of a garden this year. Though, after buying trees last week, routine car maintenance, and a few other expenses coming up, I decided to re-evaluate next spring. I could probably still do a small container garden, but the planting season is nearly over now.

But if I had a garden, I would plant leafy greens (such as kale, spinach, or lettuce), peppers, onions, and green beans, for sure! I could also grow zucchini and use it in my spiralizer. I love fresh garden tomatoes, but I haven’t had the best of luck in recent years!

tomatoes

There are many different kinds of gardens (vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers). Besides several flower gardens, my parents re-purposed some old tractor tires to make a raised garden for tomatoes. They also have large pots of basil, rosemary, and oregano. Like a colorful oasis, it always feels like a retreat to go back and visit!

Perhaps it’s good for me to wait a year and see what size garden is practical to maintain! In the past, I had a CSA membership… and I always enjoy visiting our local farmers’ markets. Last year, the grass in my yard needed help. This year, I’ll focus on my new trees. Maybe I just enjoy playing in the dirt, but I love how gardening connects us back to the earth!

grapes

From Eden to Gethsemane, it seems God has a special way with gardens.

He plants us in just the right “soil” environment so that we can grow. For each of us, those circumstances are different. You may be going through an exciting time of growth, or a personal trial to refine you. Whether in a lush garden or a desolate desert, stay rooted in the Lord. Don’t give up hope! Drink in the water of His Word. He is faithful.

Jesus promises if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit. Having fruitful lives is inevitable—if we remain close to Jesus (see John 15:1-17). We cannot bear fruit on our own.

Pruning isn’t fun, but take heart. It’s a good indicator that God is indeed working! In the process, the dead is removed and new life begins. Let Him do the work He needs to do in your life. He is the Master Gardener.

Galatians 5_22-23 with peaches

As evident in the verses above, the Holy Spirit plants seeds in our lives. Though if you look again, GRACE is not listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Why is that?

Could it be grace is like His warm sunshine? Like sunshine, His grace is always present. Even when we cannot see it or understand it. Spiritual fruit grows in the midst of God’s grace. Growth is not easy, but is always for our good. So, rest in Him with quiet trust.

By yielding to the Holy Spirit’s process and receiving God’s grace, we are changed from the inside out!

vegetables

If you think about it, we also plant seeds in the lives of those around us. As we work together, we help each other grow and cultivate good fruit. What a blessing!

 If we are growing in grace, people around us should notice. “I can see the joy on your face!” or “I appreciated your patience with me.” or “That was so kind of you to help me.”

Life is difficult at times—but God’s grace empowers us to live victoriously. Let’s offer His support to one another. And, hold on tight for some “miracle growth!”

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Father God, thanks for Your grace that brings growth in our lives. Holy Spirit, work in us with Your power that we may bear fruit. Help us when the growth process is challenging. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are your favorite items to plant? Do you see increasing amounts of spiritual fruit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23)?

Let me know in the comments below!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality

In With the New

My mom and I were on the phone recently, and we had a great conversation. Always my biggest fan, I count on what she says. Mom mentioned how much I have changed these last few years. She said, “This may not be the right word, but you’re not as uptight now!”

I got a good laugh out of that…you know it’s true if you don’t even mind when someone says it! I couldn’t agree more. And, I am so glad my mom and others have noticed!

2 Corinthians 5_17

Later, after some self-reflection and prayer, I retook an online personality test.

You can take your own short test here—I’d love to know your results!

I previously took this same test a year or so before Dave died. Some results were accurate, but others left me with questions I couldn’t resolve. This time, I was able to think of specific instances for each question. Some areas scored the same as before, validating my strengths. Just as I suspected, I received a completely different score for the final area.

I’m cautious to place too much value on “results.” But God showed me so much about myself! My doubts were cleared up when I realized the new results were a much better fit.

Now I have explanations for traits I wanted to overlook. I didn’t fully understand them before and considered them weaknesses. Now I can acknowledge them and use that information more effectively. What a relief as I switched my perspective. 

Psalm 139_14

At first, I didn’t know if I should laugh with joy or cry with gratitude at the new results. I love seeing myself in a fresh way. I think I was always meant to be this way because it feels so natural! It just took me a long time to get to a place where I could appreciate it.

Looking back, I think part of the tension from over-planning and perfectionism came from pushing myself to function in ways that were never my strengths. Wow.

Over the last few years, I have planned less and ‘flowed’ more. My stress levels have decreased as I have put less pressure on myself to do things ‘just so.’ I have learned to set better boundaries, say ‘no,’ and schedule downtime to avoid burnout.

Sometimes we need a shift in our thinking. Sometimes we need to do things differently. Sometimes we need to do both!

For example, I love cooking and trying new foods. However, I can easily get stuck making the same things. Even as a dietitian, it can be challenging to regularly think of innovative food options. With fresh summer produce just around the corner, let me tell you about one of my favorite foodie finds—a spiralizer. It has brought new life to my cooking routine!

spiralizer

A spiralizer makes spiral cuts on your favorite fruits and veggies. It can make noodles or other shapes and is a lot of fun! I use this one (pictured) from Amazon. No affiliate links. I’m not earning any money off this post—I just really like my spiralizer! 🙂

I have enjoyed making new dishes since I bought mine last year. My creativity flows while cooking and I enjoy the freedom that comes with God’s grace!

My favorite items to spiralize include apples, beets, carrots and zucchini noodles.

The first time I used my spiralizer, it was early afternoon and we had not eaten lunch yet. Excitedly, I spiralized some apples. Lydia started shoving them in her mouth! Realizing she was over-hungry, I melted some peanut butter on top and Lydia devoured them.

I love beets, though I recommend using gloves when handling them. I often purchase them already cooked. After spiralizing the cooked beets, I add a balsamic vinegar reduction, goat or feta cheese, and few chopped walnuts. Yum!

Carrot Noodles

Carrots (above) are so pretty when spiralized! I’ve added Alfredo sauce to Lydia’s carrot noodles and chicken with peanut sauce to mine. I have thrown them in with other dishes to jazz up leftovers during the week, too.

Zucchini is a great all-around vegetable. It’s versatile and can be used instead of pasta noodles. Or, you can chop the “noodles” to make something else, like muffins.

If you’re interested, Ali at Inspiralized.com has a great website. She has tons of recipes and tutorials for your favorite veggies. She used the same spiralizer from Amazon until she decided to design her own. I have not tried that one, but you might check it out!

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God, You are so patient and wise. You have made us wonderfully complex! Thanks for Your grace and love as You work in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever taken a personality test? What is your favorite kitchen gadget? Let me know in the comments section!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Peaches, Sno-Cones, and Unexpected Grace

Peaches are loaded with nutrients, like potassium, and Vitamins A and C. They are also a good source of fiber. And sno-cones? Ummm…Not so much! They are comprised of sugary syrup, and other not-so-great ingredients…

Now, I am not going to bash sno-cones, but as a dietitian I certainly don’t promote or recommend them. In fact, no real nutritional comparison can be made! So, why link them together with peaches? Because of grace.

 Peaches in a Basket

Peaches remind me of the grace that comes with hospitality. My neighbor, Melissa, lives across the street. She recently brought us some amazing, “juice-dripping-down-your-face” fresh peaches. Melissa had some extras, and didn’t want to waste them. So, she graciously shared them with us. It was totally unexpected, but so appreciated!

I could have made something out of the peaches, though we ended up eating them in all their fuzzy glory. They didn’t last long enough! Yum!

We’ve had great “neighbor-friends” over the years. To start, we’ve shared meals and good stories. Neighbors have helped with yard work and snow removal from time to time. Some have hung pictures or changed light bulbs around the house. They’ve watered my plants; checked the front door for packages; and kept an eye on the house when we travel. A few have even watched Lydia for me in a pinch.

I am so thankful for the help!

Sno-Cone

A few days after the peaches, Lydia and I came across a local park event. It was an outdoor craft fair with many family-friendly events. We enjoyed a horse and carriage ride, music in the park, and perusing the booths. And yes, Lydia had her first sno-cone.

Lydia was excited to be at the park, as it was a last minute decision after our original plans fell through. It was an impromptu event for us, but I realized something. Many of the best times we have are the unplanned, in-the-moment ones.

Part of the definition of grace is that it is undeserved. There is an element of surprise as well—like an unexpected bonus that yields something good that would have otherwise been missed. Grace is in the simple things we so often overlook.

Back to the sno-cone. Lydia didn’t do anything special to deserve it. I was savoring God’s goodness, and enjoying the unexpectedly beautiful and unhurried day. Buying the sno-cone was merely an extension of that.

(For the record, Lydia really wanted to slurp up the leftover liquid (not juice!) at the bottom of the sno-cone cup. But, I declined since she was wearing a white shirt, and I knew would make a mess… And of course, she didn’t need it anyway!) 🙂

Thank You, God, for unexpected grace. Thanks for wonderful neighbors and friends, delicious peaches, and even sno-cones to remind me of the beauty and joy You provide. Help me slow down and notice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous

Grace for Food Choices

We need a lot of grace when it comes to food. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), I often work with people who are confused about what to eat. Nutrition is not rocket-science, though it has become more complicated than it needs to be.

People may wonder why I don’t discuss major nutrition concepts on my blog. While I may decide to share an occasional recipe, there are several reasons not to discuss nutrition here.

1. I am not a fan of unsolicited advice, and hence, I don’t like to provide it. If you would like some input on what you should eat, I will certainly point you in the right direction (and suggest you connect with an RDN who has access to your personal medical records).

2. It is unwise to assume everyone has the same needs or goals—or that we all need to eat the same foods. I prefer to make nutrition personal. As a professional, I tailor each session to the individual, helping each person reach their goals (which may differ from my goals from them). I may tell several people to eat the same type of food—but the amount, method of preparation, and timing might be different. So, it would be difficult to meet anyone’s goals while providing general statements on a blog.

3. Each food topic is complex. I could spend several pages discussing background, pros and cons, and possible solutions. I don’t have the time nor is that my intent for this blog.

4. Food trends change often in the food world. So, my post may not be relevant for long. This week cucumbers are good, next week they might be less desirable. (Fickle pickles!!) Research, politics and culture can cause change to happen overnight. For the most part, that is not interesting to me. But eating well is in season every day!

5. There are many nutrition myths, and in the length of my typical post, I probably won’t convince anyone to change their thinking. So, I’d prefer to focus on other things.

6. I will always love nutrition. But after Dave died, I took a huge step back. I have spent many years in healthcare. I have seen several worst case scenarios. During the year that Dave was sick, each of those worst case scenarios ALL seemed to manifest symptoms on Dave’s body. I was thankful to be able to advocate on his behalf. But, I lost my taste for it all, and it took some time for the passion to return.

7. I love teaching people how to eat well (in person) but here, I am happy to write about life, fun food facts and metaphors. I don’t need to add to all the confusion. I am focused on giving and living in grace!

Fruit baskets in marketplace

I will share just a few thoughts, however:

Good Foods vs Bad Foods
Foods do not have morals! They don’t provide a moral benefit upon consumption.

Example: I am not a good person if I eat an apple, nor a bad person if I eat chocolate cake. I think both are delicious, but on a deserted island, please give me the cake! Precisely because it has more calories, fat and flavor! 😉

I like to think of the health or nutritional benefits to each food and start there.

Fitness vs Health
First, they are not the same thing.

Second, you can be really fit and still be unhealthy (physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually).

Know the difference for you as an individual.

Organic vs Conventional, Whole vs Processed
These topics cause a lot of debate, which is not necessarily bad—but in my opinion that leads to more division and even hostility at times. Not cool…

By all means, please buy, prepare and eat the best quality food you can afford. But, don’t overspend your budget and go broke. Be healthy. Be realistic.

Read labels and make choices that meet your goals.

Eat in season, buy in bulk, clip coupons, get a crockpot, join a co-op…do whatever you can!

Food vs Supplements
I am a fan of food first, and then supplements if warranted. But once again, do what it takes to reach YOUR goals.

On Sugar, Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Moderate Protein, Low Carb, Low Fat, Vegetarian, Omnivore, etc
It is your responsibility to steward your health. If knowledge is power, prevention is key.

Food choices are one piece to the puzzle. Learn some solid cooking skills.

Eat a wide variety of foods–and eat what you like!

Food Journals and Fitness Trackers
Are they the end-all be-all of tools? No. Are they helpful? Yes, if used in the right context.

I love using both a food journal and a fitness tracker, as they provide helpful feedback and accountability. I may be a nerd…but I think they are fun! 🙂

Final Thoughts
One of my healthcare friends likes to say, “You’re a one-rat study. What works for you, might not work for the next person.”

Listen to your body. Know what makes YOU feel best. It may or may not match your initial beliefs. So be open to trial and error, change and new tastes.

Set goals for yourself, and revisit them on a regular basis.

Seek professional input as needed. Let me know if I can help. 🙂

**I may update or add to this down the road. But that’s it for now!**