God Answers Prayer!

Today I was sitting in my favorite local coffee shop The Buzz, sipping on a hot organic coffee, and reading my Bible.  All of a sudden something jumped off the page.  It wasn't the words of the Bible but the words I had written in the margin.  (My Bible looks more like a notebook than a book to read!)  In the margin there was a note that read, "Saw Dr. Healey today, 1/26/06," I had documented our very first step into the natural world, at that time I had no idea where this one appointment was going to lead us.  But God did, I never knew that this first baby step was going to bring us on a journey that would completely heal our daughter!  The one thing I do remember was that it was the first time in a long time that I felt a glimmer of hope!

I went on to read the scripture that I had highlighted next to my notation.  It read, "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.  May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.  May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans success.  We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May the Lord grant all your requests."  (Psalm 20: 1-5, NIV)

On the other side of the passage was more of my scribble it read, "Thank you Lord for pieces to this puzzle with Hannah, thank you for your help and protection, thank you for giving me the desires of my heart to help Hannah.  Thank you for the path you have revealed to us."

Looking back at all this 6+ years ago, I have seen this prayer come to pass.  This one step opened up many more that brought complete healing to my daughter who walks in perfect health!  Just like the passage said I was in distress and God protected us.  He sent help and support, he gave me the desires of my heart (full healing for Hannah) and all my plans succeed because HE was behind them all from the beginning.  And I am so thankful that I can take what I have learned on our journey and help others, that I can "SHOUT" for joy because we are victorious and you can be too!  So, if you are in a place where you feel all alone or that there is not hope for your situation, please cry out to God, he does hear you and he does answer!  This story could be yours, when you cry out to God he will show you the just like he showed us!

Water, Water, Water

Today is going to be a warm one! Make sure you and your little ones are well hydrated! On an average day you should consume 1/2 your body weight in oz. (ie. 120lbs, drink 60oz of water per day). When it is hot, if you drink sugary or caffinated beverages you should consume more as these thing dehydrate the body! Also, it must be PURE water only, no lemon squeezed into it, no tea, NOTHING added to it. Just pure water!

How I make sure that my kiddos get enough water is that I bought them each a water bottle.  If possible the exact size they need, but if you can't find the exact size you need buy a waterbottle (I use stainless steal or Britta filter bottles) and make on the outside of the bottle the amoun they need to drink for the day.  Then in the morning I fill up the bottle to the mark and that is the minimum they need to drink before bedtime.  If they drink all of it they can have more, expecially on hot days!  So, get those water bottles out and keep hydrated this summer.

Traveling Healthy- Victory!

I don't know about you, but when I think of traveling the adventurous part of me gets all excited, then the mom/chef inside of me cringes!  Having a whole host of food allergies makes eating away from home a bit of a challenge.  I have been in search of a way to make it healthy, safe, easy, and affordable.  This trip I actually did it.  (It only took about 7 years of trying)

In the past I have basically packed all our food and then picked up misc. things at Whole Foods, no cheap endeavor!  I am now blessed beyond word by having a Trader Joes just down the road from my mother in laws home.  I would do a menu plan for our time away, bring what I could, fill in when we were there.  I basically spent my time shopping and cooking, or so it felt.

This time was different!  We left at lunch time on Saturday for a 7 hour road trip to Kansas City for Grandma's 75th Birthday Party!  I packed a jar of peanut butter, sun butter, jelly and bread.  That was for lunch, it also gave me a fall back if in a pickle on our trip, you can always have PBJ!  We had strawberries, pea pods, carrots, and water with our lunch.

I let each child pick out 3 snacks they wanted for the ride.  Our snack bin included:  apples, beef jerky, onion ring chips, pistachios, cashews and craisins, bananas, granola bars, honey roasted peanuts, Annies Kettle Corn, and raisins, not such a bad snack list for "treats for the trip" I was expecting a lot more requests for the sugary stuff.

For dinner we had salads (I had the lettuce all cleaned and wrapped in paper towel, onions diced in a container, olives in a container, and the dressing made and in a leakproof container).  I took one bowl per person plopped in some lettuce, topped it with onions and olives, drizzled dressing over it and whala...instant salad!  We had grapes along with some dark chocolate covered almonds for dessert.  Everyone was pretty full from snacking all day, so a salad hit the spot for dinner.

We arrived in Kansas City 7 hours later.  No one complained about being hungry the entire trip and everyone was fully satisfied when we arrived!  Success in the car at last!

Through out the week I went to the grocery store as needed to pick up stuff to fill in, verses create an entire menu for our family.  At the family meals we were able to eat the meat, fruits, veggies, and I made appetizers, salads, and sides to fill in.  My grocery bill was cut is 1/2 if not more, by just adding to what we could eat!

So, the next time you hit the road.  Do a little pre trip planning and then just ride it out, fill in with what is already being served, and enjoy your vacation!

More Saturated Fat Please, WHAT?

This is a great article on good saturated fats and why they are a must in your diet and the diet of your children!  Read, enjoy and gleen more wisdom on how to truely nourish your body and be strong and healthy!  articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/31/coconut-oil-for-healthy-heart.aspx?fb_ref=fbLike&fb_source=home_multiline