Check out my new blog!

Hello friends,
I realized that those of you reading over here may not be aware of my new blog, Nourished by Grace, where I have been writing for a few months. My apologies, but delay no more! I hope you will jump over there, take a look, and be blessed by this new direction that God is taking me. Think of it not as a totally new direction, but rather a slightly more focused approach to how the Gospel applies to self-care, relationships, and overall health. These are ideas that I've often written about here, but I hope that this new focused approach will make the Gospel as it relates to these areas a refreshing balm to your soul, as it is to mine.

Blessings to you!

Ruth

Sabbath is for you too {no matter how your week went}

Your week was probably very full. Mine too. Sunday arrives, and we think to ourselves - another week starts tomorrow, and I really need to get on top of XYZ if I'm going to feel 'ready' for Monday! This past weekend, I had worked hard to get most everything done on Saturday, so I could rest on Sunday. The afternoon was open to spend time with my man, read, journal, and then a Bible study / yoga class in the evening. I had a perfect plan to get the rest I needed. But then life happened. My tires needed to be rotated, we had waited too long already, and didn't want the tires to be damaged by waiting longer. So... I reluctantly agreed to give up my perfectly planned afternoon to go with my hubby and take care of my car. Grrr... I thought, this day is not going how I was hoping! My stress and anxiety level started to rise, and I instantly thought of the few things I still had to get done before Monday, which otherwise would not have been a problem had this need arose. Getting the tires done took much longer than we expected, and before I knew it, the afternoon was ticking away. When we finally got ready to go, I was a mess of tears and anxiety. "I didn't get everything done OR rest like I wanted to this weekend!" I lamented to my husband. I immediately planned on pushing aside the short amount of time I had to do restful things, so that I could be 'productive' and 'feel good about a new week starting'...

But as a good and loving Father would have it, and with the encouragement of my husband, I listened to the nudging within to let the dishes sit, forget about vacuuming, and not worry about the receipts that hadn't been entered. As I moved forward with the plans for rest I so needed (starting with a Starbucks date together (insert grin - isn't he sweet?)), Jesus reminded me that Sabbath is a gift for us all, regardless of what we have accomplished in the time leading up to it, what happens in our schedule, or who enters into our day unexpectedly.

Peace comes from connecting with God and allowing our souls to breathe, not by perfectly aligning our schedules and circumstances, or completing to-do lists.

I'm letting go of the idea that I have to perform well in order to 'earn' a day of rest. Perhaps you need to hear that too, and live in that freedom? Taking a day, or even a few hours of rest, is a gift from our Father - will you accept it this weekend? Let's let go of the expectations we have for ourselves and for others. Sabbath is a 'hard stop' to everything that tugs at us, everything that competes for our peace and joy. Sabbath is a time to do things that refresh us, whether that be creative, relational, entertaining, or simply quieting our minds and social connections online to make space for God. There's no formula! I have learned that it is okay, yes important to set aside time once a week (at least) to do something I enjoy and look forward to, even if it feels like a 'waste' of time. The love and grace of God, when understood and fully embraced, will always look and feel incredibly lavish and wasteful, in a sense. We will never deserve the gifts of God, so let's all commit together to receive from the Lord for a few moments today, a few hours this weekend, or even extended time away with those we love - without feeling guilty!

As it turns out, not only did our tires need rotation and general maintenance, but there was a nail in one tire! Letting go of my plans saved me from getting stuck on the side of the road, and that surely would have been a stressful Monday!! In just the same way, when we let go of our plans, and embrace the 'regular maintenance' and refreshment of a weekly Sabbath, we are able to quiet our hearts and see the deeper issues in our hearts, health, and relationships. Wouldn't you prefer to avoid a bigger issue that could have been helped with a little preventative care? Rest is what prepares and fuels us for a new week, not being productive. 

Sabbath is for you too, friend. It's for me, it's for all of us, regardless of whether we think we deserve it or not. 

Embraced by his lavish love, 

Ruth

Links for additional refreshment and joy from around the web: 

Blogger Lisa-Jo Baker & husband Peter bought their first home - at 40 - and what she learned as she waited - we are ALL waiting on something; this might be the word you need to hear. I know I did!

The Day I Realized I Had a Job (Hope*ologie Podcast from May 2, 2015 - encouragement to prioritize and adjust your life to make room for creative endeavors...)

The Big Boo podcast (Southern mom bloggers Big Mama and Boo Mama - I hope you laugh your head off! I know I certainly do every time I listen!! :-)

Living Well Spending Less - I've been waiting for this book to go on sale and it did this week, yay!! (sorry if you missed it, but go buy it anyway!) You won't be disappointed. 

Links & reflections for a lovely spring weekend

Y'all. It was so beautiful outside today! Yes, that is y'all worthy, even though I should technically be saying youins, yinz or youse guys, considering that I now live in Pennsylvania :-) Regardless, when you have dealt with snow and chilling temps for months, you can't help but be thrilled with gentle spring days. It's a happy feeling you can't understand unless you just faced a winter season in every sense of the phrase. This happy-spring feeling is also touching deeper parts inside me, and colliding with a certain hope that even though nothing is in full bloom (in nature or our circumstances), we see God on the move, small changes happening, and light shining in previously dark places. It's something worth celebrating! Add to that the fact that Easter + our anniversary were this month, and we've got quite a bit to celebrate...{smile} That's okay with me, as I've always been a fan of prolonged celebrations - what would Jesus do, right? But it would be only half the truth if I didn't admit it was a hard week with difficult news in our personal life that brought me to my knees. So thankful for a Father's love that woos, comforts, and satisfies me when nothing else can. The mixed blessing of pain is the joy that follows close behind! He knows exactly what each of us need and sends glimpses of love and hope at just the right time.

Here are some sweet joys around the web that have been an encouragement to me lately:

Make your own kefir (easy way to start fermenting at home - we're loving it!)

Emily Freeman on 3 Ways to Determine Success (not what you think)

Interstellar trailer - I'm not the sci-fi fan in our home (big surprise)... However, this movie has a very interesting storyline and subtle redemptive themes...see what you think?

Music - I Am Not Alone (Kari Jobe) and You Make Me Brave (Amanda Cook and Bethel Music)

Nine Natural Cleaning Recipes - Mama And Baby Love (ingredients needed are vinegar + baking soda + castile soap + essential oils - side bonus - cleaning is much more enjoyable without the nasty fumes)

Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study on What Happens When Women Walk in Faith  (Lysa TerKeurst) - Having a great time with this, and learning so much...

Strawberries - been devouring these lately (with kefir above) - some good reasons why you should too...


Warm Kale Salad - new recipe for our Easter dinner - and friends... I. am. in. love!

Sweet Potato, Cranberry & Quinoa Power Bowl - a bit more time-consuming than the kale salad, but really worth it! (Husband-approved)

Young Living Valor oil - apply to feet or diffuse at night for sleep aid - one of the many essential oils I've been enjoying lately (thanks, Lydia!)

May the Spirit of God fill you with hope, joy & peace as you rest in Him!

Gluten-free banana chocolate chip oat muffins

Hey friends!

Here's a quick and easy treat for you, complete with the option to try the muffins dairy and gluten-free if you so desire!  I whipped these up in less than 20 min with about a 25 min bake time, so no major fuss. I've decided that I will try to cook gluten-free when I can, but not spend an inordinate amount of time or money trying to do it. These muffins can be made by quickly grinding oats into flour, without having to buy expensive and hard-to-find flours. Cooking and meal planning need to be enjoyable and not too demanding or it is easy to just give up and go back to bad habits. Better to make a few healthy improvements, stay within budget, and enjoy food that your family won't total reject :) I've tried the vegetarian, gluten-free, and organic eating habits, and being too legalistic about it doesn't really help the healthy living cause in our home :)

So enough chatter.... here's the original recipe from A Mama's Story with my notes below. 

To make your own oat flour.... It's as easy as measuring about a 1/4 cup more oats than the recipe calls for in oat flour, and blend away in your blender! Wa-la, your have your own oat flour. Be sure to measure the flour again, because it's not an exact science. You also want to check that you are using gluten-free oats if you have a major gluten allergy, but I've read good sources that say oats really don't have that much, if any, gluten. Do your research. I used the olive oil the recipe calls for, but I might try coconut oil next time for a change and a little added flavor. I didn't have chocolate chips, but a chocolate bar chopped up worked just as well. My muffins were a tad gooey at a 24 min bake time, so depending on your oven and your preferences, you might want to consider that.

Enjoy your treat!

Ruth

A very Good Friday

Hello friends!

I've enjoyed my Spring Break from school...hanging out with friends and family, getting things done at home, a surprise anniversary gift for my hubby (2 years next week!!), and schoolwork. :)

My Mom and I at Blue Springs park in January

I'm looking forward to having guests over for Easter and enjoying this meaningful day together.  Shout out to my mom who helped us develop a love for this special day with all sorts of fun memories like egg hunts, thoughtful readings and music for church, and of course, the extravagant meal.  I'm just happy that I figured out how to make a roasted chicken and veggies that seems to turn out well :)  Don't get me wrong, I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, but holidays can overwhelm me.  I put all these expectations on myself for Martha Stewart perfection, all the while hoping for a perfectly godly attitude.  Hard to do...impossible, actually!  :)  I've been resting in the perfection of Christ on my account, and it is so freeing.  I'm also learning that my joy is not wrapped up in my happiness....more on that to come.

Here is a link to a recent post on the Letters to my Sisters blog that I also write for.  Loving speech is a topic I really struggle with, and holidays and busy times can make that even more difficult.  I hope that it encourages you to know that the perfection of Christ expressed for us on the Cross covers over our sins completely and fully.  I tear up thinking about it.  To know that the fullness of my sin and yours crushed him, and He did that simply to have relationship with us?  Hard to comprehend and accept, but if you have not claimed this gift for yourself, please run to Jesus and have that conversation with Him.  Why did You do it?  Why did You choose me?  How can I live my life for You in return?  It will be the best decision you EVER make.

We adore you, Jesus, and bow at your feet with humble gratitude, on this very, very Good Friday.

Ruth

Fresh Spinach and Pear Salad

Last night we sat down and devoured this yummy salad.  Wow--I haven't had a salad I've enjoyed this much in a while!  But generally, we love our Emeals selections (click here for more info).  Sorry I don't have a picture, but you must give it a try (and let me know how it goes, in the comments.... :)

Fresh Spinach and Pear Salad

10 oz bag baby spinach (I used mixed greens)
1 shallot, thinly sliced
2 small pears, cut into cubes
6 T dried cranberries
4 T olive oil
2 T sherry vinegar
1 t spicy mustard (I used dijon)
2 small garlic cloves, crushed
salt and pepper to taste

Toss spinach/greens with shallot, pear and dried cranberries.  Whisk olive oil, sherry vinegar, mustard and garlic.  Dress salad lightly; season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!!

Ruth

The Redemptive Nature of Housekeeping

I tackled a week's worth of laundry today!

My legs ached from yesterday's workout, but I lugged the heavy clothes basket down two flights of stairs and across the parking lot to the laundry room.  The sheets needed to be changed, the bathroom was a mess and our home was in general disarray from having guests for a week.  I got a few things done, and sat down for a minute, looking over at the dirty dishes that were waiting for me.  And even when my home is set aright later today, it will last for just a few days before it all needs to be done again!

This picture always makes me smile--and yes, Paul does help!

Does any of this sound familiar?  Sometimes it is hard to have a joyful heart in the midst of cooking, cleaning, laundry, rinse and repeat!  But as I went about my tasks today, asking the Lord to give me a sense of joy and purpose as I worked, I realized there is more to housework than meets the eye.

1.  It changes me.  Doing mundane things is not my strong suit.  I'm just not a task-oriented person like my husband!  He could attack a list of chores happily, day in and day out.  Or is it just that I am a sinner?  Perhaps some of both.  Doing things that do not get much attention, but yet still need to be done, is the essence of humility.  Taking on the servant nature of Christ, and choosing to serve in some very menial ways, including toilet-cleaning!  (Also not my favorite :)  But I must be quick to say, though it does not provide worldly acclaim to be a homemaker, it is something my husband truly appreciates, and that is enough motivation for me (most days).  Even more, choosing to be a servant is what I am called to as a Christian.

2.  It provides a beautiful and relaxing haven for my family and others.  Paul and I just completed a New Members class at our church, and will be saying our vows in front of the church soon.  As part of this month-long class, we took spiritual gifts inventories, and I was not surprised that hospitality is one of my gifts.  I just LOVE having people over!  But it requires a lot of effort to create a beautiful, serene space for others to put up their feet and feel at home.  Cleaning, cooking, and meeting the needs of those in need are all a part of hospitality.  And even if hospitality is not your 'spiritual gift', it is something we as Christians are all called to.

3.  It is an act of redemption, returning chaos to order, over and over.  Redemption is very important to me.  I love seeing old, broken, or dead things brought back to life.  This could apply to hundreds of different scenarios.  But as I knocked down spider webs on my front porch (the spiders just won't stay away!), I thought about how these seemingly mundane tasks are quite profound.  You see, I am taking on the redemption nature that my Lord and God has, as He goes about making our lives, our souls, and a host of other things beautiful in their own time.  God is the God of Redemption, and caring for the beauty around me is a way to partake in my calling as a Christian.

I hope you are able to approach your mundane tasks with joy, knowing you are impacting the Kingdom of God in a powerful way.

Blessings,

Ruth

I'm thrilled about my new Chewy Granola Bars!!

Source

You must know the feeling.  You've been looking for a recipe, a particular recipe, for a long time--like a word that is on the tip of your tongue.  You know the perfect {insert food item} is out there waiting for you, you just have to get on your super-sleuth hat and find it!  Well, that's the story of my newly discovered Homemade Chewy Granola Bars.  My, my are they delish.  And Pinterest, I have to thank you personally for this discovery.  I guess you aren't a waste of time after all!  :)  Okay, so with no further delay....introducing....

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars!

Makes 16 thin bars

Adapted from Joyful Abode

Ingredients:

1 cup whole almonds

1 cup pecan halves (could use walnuts)

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup dried cherries {any dried fruit will do, mix it up!}, chopped if large

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds {I used flax seed, any small seed is fine}

1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons honey

3 Tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

dash of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add 1/2 cup each of almonds, pecans, and old fashioned oats into a food processor. Process until fine (not too long or it will start to turn into nut butter!) then pour into a large bowl. Roughly chop the remaining pecans and almonds, then add the bowl. Add remaining old fashioned oats, cherries, and sesame seeds, then mix well and set aside.

2. Combine honey, coconut oil, salt, vanilla & almond extracts, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture melts, then foams, then cook for 15 seconds longer. Pour over nut mixture and mix thoroughly to coat all the ingredients.

3. Line a half sheet pan or 8×8 pan with enough saran wrap or parchment paper to let it hang far over the sides, then pour in granola. Press very, very firmly with your hands or something with a flat bottom (may need to spray it with non-stick spray.) Wrap the overhanging saran wrap or parchment paper up over the sides and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut chilled granola into bars. Wrap individually in saran wrap and store in the fridge or freezer.

{credit where credit is due:  I found this recipe on Iowa Girl Eats, an awesome food blog.}

Paul and I love these, and they taste like a dessert!  You can't beat a healthy granola bar that is super-yummy to boot....

Enjoy, and have a {sweet} weekend!  (or is that s-weet?} :)

Ruth

Baked Yams Topped with Black Bean Stew

Okay, prepare yourself for some yummy goodness!  I'm about to share one of our new favorite recipes, and you will {hopefully} love it!  It does take a little bit of extra time, but it is far and away worth it!  Just made it again last night for company, so I thought I would share with you too.

Source

Ingredients:

4-5 small to medium yams
1 tbsp oil (coconut, olive or canola)
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked black beans
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3 cups water
1 tbsp "Better than Bouillion" broth mix (Walmart has it)
1/2 cup brown rice, short or long grain, uncooked
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar (optional, but I do include coconut sugar)

Preparation:

Baked Yams
Preheat the oven to 375.  Scrub the yams, then poke them all over with a fork and rub them with a tiny bit of oil, so they are just shiny.  Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 45-60 minutes.  They are done when you poke them with a metal fork and the tines slide in easily.  You can bake these potatoes up to two days in advance and refrigerate them.  They can be reheated in the microwave or oven.  Consider baking a few extra when you make these to top with more black bean stew (there is usually leftovers) or other chili for a meal later in the week!

Cuban Black Bean Stew
While the yams are baking, heat the oil in a medium soup pot over medium hight heat.  When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until translucent, 3-5 minutes.  Stir in the bell pepper and garlic and cook for an additional 3 minutes, until peppers begin to soften.  Add the black beans, oregano, water, broth mix, rice, and salt.  Stir to mix.  Cover, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer.  Simmer for 35 minutes, then test the rice for doneness.  Simmer another 5 minutes if needed.  Turn off the heat, add the cider vinegar and the sugar, if using.  Taste and adjust seasonings.

To serve, slice each yam open lengthwise.  Break up the flesh of the yam with your fork a bit.  Ladle half a cup of stew over each yam.

Delicious Additions and a Variation
Chopped cilantro, sour cream, grated Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, lime wedges (my fave); serve on the side in separate bowls for diners to add to taste.

This recipe also works well with baked russet potatoes in place of yams.

Recipe is from the Common Ground Food Co-Op in Illinois.  Thanks Aunt Ruth, for sharing!

Enjoy and share your results!!


Ruth