Show Hope

On this day before Thanksgiving, I thought that I would share a blog post with you that touched my heart. It is from Show Hope, an adoption- and foster care-aid organization started by the Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman, and his wife Mary Beth.

Lifting my eyes

This week, I have been reading some amazing posts by Christine over at Grace Covers Me about hospitality. This is a subject that is close to my heart, and something that I'm still learning and practicing. Please read the posts on this website...they will inspire you toward the true heart of hospitality.

It's Amore...

I've been gluten-free for ten months today.
And yes, I have finally fallen in love with a recipe for Gluten Free pizza.

Food is not the enemy.

I was reminded of this revelation while having a wonderful, fresh salad for dinner tonight (it's been too hot to cook).

Then I diced a beautiful, ripe plum for dessert, just because I wanted to :)

Food is not the enemy.

Meals that Freeze Well

This has been on my mind lately, so I thought I'd share it:
Father's Day four years ago was a time I will never forget. And it didn't really have much of anything to do with the actual holiday, except that it made it a day where I always remember. Four years today, actually. Read more in my previous blog post here. Then you can come back to this page :)

When Friends Gather

Having just finished a week-long vacation with my family, of course I wanted to come home and immediately duplicate some of the yummy things that I tasted there. Over the next several posts, I'm going to share some recipes that I felt deserved special recognition.

My own tips for traveling GF

I've been out of the loop when it comes to blogging, because my family and I have been on our "summer vacation" this past week. This was our first trip to Cancun :)
(More travel posts to come...)

A small glimpse at how my family travels...

A time to laugh...

I wrote this post before reading today's Joy Dare, but considering that, I think this is appropriate:

Did you know that laughter can lower blood pressure, decrease harmful stress hormones, strengthen your immune system, and increase creativity and motivation? It also just feels good :) So, with that in mind, I thought I would share with you a few laughter moments of my week.

Learning gratitude...

 Permit me to diverge from my normal blog pattern for a moment, and share a little of what's been on my heart (nudged by this post on gratefulness, and this beautiful site that inspires me to try to "capture beauty" with my camera).

Sharing the wealth...

Sorry, I never got around to writing a Mother's Day blog post...Although I read some very inspirational ones (food blogs and not). Here are a few of my favorites that I thought I'd share:

It's the little things...

OK, so I was so excited that I had to post this...!

Tonight, I just finished putting together this chocolate "pudding" from Sugar Free Mom. It's mystery ingredient? Avocados.

Six months :)

Yes, I have made it gluten free for six months :)

As a celebration, of course I had to do something having to do with tea...Although it's spring, and some may be transitioning to drinking more cold tea, I think hot tea is still good in the early morning chill, or as a calming ritual before bed.

An inspiring miracle story...and a recipe

"The practice of giving thanks...this is the way we practice the presence of God, stay present to His presence, and it is always a practice of the eyes. We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see" (One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp, p. 135).

We've been discussing this at my church..."practicing the presence of God"....Keeping our eyes open to His presence in our everyday lives. I like what is said here: it's not about changing what we see, but how we see it. Looking for joy, even in the pain, tears, and heartache--looking for God. Knowing that He is for me, and feels my pain, sees my tears, and still speaks His kind words and brings healing...even if it's different that I thought it would look like.

Thankful

Let me introduce you to a book that, personally, I think everyone should read.
But that's just my 2 cents ;)
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
I'd heard from several people that this was a good book, but really had no idea what it was about, except that one friend told me, "It's about being thankful." I could always use help in that department. And honestly, half the reason I bought it was because of the pretty picture on the front...and it was on sale :)
It was well worth it.

"Might I have a bit of earth?"

"Might I," quavered Mary, "might I have a bit of earth?"
..."Earth!" he repeated. "What do you mean?"
"To plant seeds in--to make things grow--to see them come alive," Mary faltered...Mr. Craven got up and began to walk slowly across the room.

Flowers and Chocolate...Need I say more?

This is my attempt at a Happy Valentine's Day post...well, sort of. It's also my excuse to post this really yummy recipe for Chocolate Banana Bread, from Gluten-Free Girl.

About Life and Healing

Fair warning: this is a lengthy post. I think it would be worth reading. But if you don't want lengthy, then you need not go on from here...or come back when you do have time to read it. :)

Yes, I must have that...!

Let me show you this neat book that I recently ordered:

There are numerous books out there that are similar to this, and maybe even better, but this is the one that I settled on. What I like about it is that it is a quick guide to all sorts of fresh fruits, veggies, and other foods--it gives an up-close look at what nutrients are in each food and how they help your body. It also gives tips on foods that may help you boost your immune system, fight disease, and lots of other things.

Mishaps and Mmm's....

The Do's and Don't's of Cooking a Plantain

Today I went to an Hispanic grocery store that opened up fairly recently in my town. Having never been there before, I spent a good part of my lunch break perusing the aisles and examining all the authentic cuisine that was available. I picked up some unsweetened (!) shredded coconut, sesame seeds, and a couple of lemons for some lemon poppyseed muffins I'm making later this week. Also, I found plantains (for more on plantains, click here).

Road Trip!

My family and I are spending this week of Christmas in Colorado skiing.
Wait, let me rephrase that:
My family will be skiing, I will be inside enjoying my hot tea and books :) Incidentally, skiing is not my thing--at all.

However, it is very beautiful here!