Can I Have a Do Over?

I missed it... 

I totally missed the whole New Year hoopla of setting goals, making plans, lists and all that comes with a new year.  

I spent it, instead, flat on my back in pain for a week with muscle spasms.  LOL  

I am much better now but the healing time was longer than I anticipated.

It's ok.... I am ok with that because we just had the Chinese New Year this past weekend.  

New Year 2017 is saved!  

I have come to the conclusion, over the last several years, that plans and goals should be ongoing year round and I can start and stop anything I want anytime I want.

So, enter a new plan... starting in February!

I am taking some time off of social media.... 

Facebook specifically, for the month of February so I can do the following.  I am, however, going to be here.  I like my blog... it is a happy place for me.

For 2017... 

The details are in my Bullet Journal so this is the overview version.

1.   Read more... 2 to 3 books per month is the goal.

2.   Write more... blog more often here plus restart Morning Pages and work on a few short stories this year to practice writing fiction more in preparation for the NaNoWriMo 2017 challenge.

3.  Memorize more scripture

4.  Refine the diet more to be AIP compliant and gluten free completely... no cheating.

5.  Walk 4 days a week (or more but let's start there)

6.  More crochet and sewing and get the Etsy shop back up and running.

7.  More canning

8.  Picking up the Korean language study again.

9.  Learn to play this ukulele sitting in the closet.

10.  Reduce the stuff in my house more than I did last year.  It is an ongoing process...  

11.  Take a class in photography and play way more with my camera this year.

12.  Control the technology monster!

That will get me started.

Anybody else doing a reboot in February or maybe doing what 

I am doing and just kicking things off a month late?

What is something big you are tackling this year?

New Year Thoughts....

Much to my chagrin, I am still in planning mode for this new year.  I really am fine with that now.  A few years ago I would have been scrambling for a theme and pushing to get it all done by December 31st but I am not that person anymore.  It will come..... it will all get written down eventually.... and the days will still come and go and things will get done.  

I do have a few words I am being prompted to focus upon this year but the big word for me this year is 

Discipline

I will be reading books about discipline and focus more on God's word this year by reading it through from cover to cover.  I am quite aware that it may take me longer than a year to do this based on my track record but it will get read.... daily.... and thoroughly.  

I have been prompted to seek out a more disciplined life.  I am feeling the need to simplify and live more on purpose.  These are all "buzz" words in our culture today and so I am often reluctant to follow the trendy bits but the Bible is clear on the need for discipline in our lives. Wandering aimlessly is not productive.  I need to be more focused and set a better example for those around me.  I notice the daily routines of my children and see that they need their mother to set a better example of how to live a more disciplined life.  I cannot really tell them to be focused and disciplined if I am not out of bed before they are, reading my Bible and spending time in prayer each day, turning off the computer and television and putting down my phone,  or putting my things away and cleaning and clearing the clutter.  They imitate what they see not just what I say.

When we started our homeschool years ago we named it Academy 252.  We based all that we did on the verse Luke 2:52..... 

"and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man."  

I have taught them for years that it is important to follow the example of Luke 2:52 but now, it is my turn to add that to my list of scripture to focus on this year.  Dan preached his New Year message on this passage.  It kinda smacked me on the back of the head when I heard it. 

I am seeking out ways to be more like Jesus.... ways to increase in wisdom and understanding in the things of God... ways to be more physically healthy (stature)..... ways to be more obedient to the call of God in my life and ways to connect with His people and with those who do not know Him but need to.  

It is all taking shape.... it is a daily process of obedience and listening.  It is about taking time to study His word daily and to pray and seek His face.   I want to delight in His word and meditate on it day and night..... 

There will be book lists, practice charts, menu plans, chore charts, journaling and a whole slew of other things that I will make lists and plan for but the whole process and all that I do needs to come from an obedient heart.  I want Him on the throne giving focus to what really matters in this world and not just some trendy list from an article on Facebook guiding my days.

I started with Psalm 1 today.... I found this lovely artwork on www.Pinterest.com and you can see below for information on the artist and where to find her stuff.  It is beautiful! The passage is quite relevant as we begin 2015.  Happy New Year to you all and may God be King in our lives this year!

This particular verse is no longer available in her store (believe me, I checked) but you can see many more items like this at

To Such As These Designs on Etsy.

Happy New Year to you all!

I have been a little distracted with getting kiddos back into routines and getting myself back on track after a few weeks of being sick.  I wanted to share a few things I have found over the past few days.  If you are like me, you are getting back to normal eating after putting in too much "holiday food" and you might need some direction to help you get there.  I found some great places to help you eat better... more whole foods and real nutrition.  

The first one is an online free course that actually begins tomorrow.  It is a webinar...  Gnowfglins is putting it together for us and it should be online around 1:00pm Pacific time tomorrow.  Check it out and get on their e-mail list.  They will send you information to get you there.   UPDATE:  THIS IS A LINK FOR THEIR HANDOUT OF TIPS... GREAT STUFF!

Are you looking to eat more gluten free this coming year?  Here is a new website that has a great post to get you started.  It is called Balanced, Healthy Platter.  I am excited about this new venture of theirs.  They will be adding articles to help with all kinds of food allergies.  We recently discovered that our youngest has some more allergies and are adjusting the diet again for him.  This will be a great resource for lots of different allergies and how to deal with them.  They also have a great post on a detox smoothie and how to detox without starving yourself.  Great stuff!

One more resource I found is a 8 Week Plan to Real Foods.  You can get on their e-mail list at this page and then they will start sending you e-mails about how to do this.  I am excited about this one, too.  Take a look around their Vintage Remedies website, too... it is a nice site!  There are online courses and packages to learn more about becoming a home or professional herbalist.  

I am hoping to be here a lot more this year.  If there is something you would like to see here please let me know.  I am writing more about healthy, fasting, allergies, healing your body with food instead of medications and so much more.  There will still be fun stuff like baking and special seasonal treats.  I am currently working on a family cookbook for our 50th family reunion coming in 2013, too.  

Lastly, but certainly not least, I am working on some posts about food and the Bible.  God has me hungering and thirsting after righteousness and I want to spend some time looking at what all that really means.  I hope to share some of that journey with you, too.  

So Happy New Year... and lets get better together this year!

New Year Ahead...

I just completed my registration for my last semester of culinary school.  I have a restaurant class left and it is a ten week course and then GRADUATION!!!  

I will be continuing in my role as a sous chef at the catering business I work for as well as taking on some personal challenges just for me.

One of those challenges is the French Fridays with Dorie.  

I got the new book by Dorie Greenspan for Christmas and wanted to join in the fun.  

I am also working on my journal and recipes from my entire time at school as well as building my portfolio that must be presented at the time of graduation for review.  Ok, so that is required but I am doing it up right not shabbily like most of the students turn in.  LOL

Oh, and I am really and truly going to blog about soups this month.  I have pics and recipes I have been working on and hope to finally get all that up for you guys as well as blogging more frequently now that I am back from my parents.  (been out of town for nearly 6 weeks)

So, you guys have a very happy new year and we will see you on the flip side!  :)

New Year's Day Yum!

It is tradition in my family... the one I grew up in and now with my own children... to have cabbage, black eyed peas, ham and cornbread. My family said I did it as well as Poppy T this year. That would be as good as my Dad, btw... That made me very happy to hear that! :)

New Year Foodie Goals...

Dan and I are eating healthier still in 2008. Over the past few years we have gone whole grain, baked not fried and more organic. He has cut a lot of salt and fat from his diet due to hypertension issues and I have come along willingly with him. He will NOT be giving up meat but I am going to be going more vegetarian in this new year. I feel better when I am not eating such heavy meats and such. I feel better eating organic. I feel better NOT drinking milk and cheese so much. I still eat yogurt. I still love eggs but I am eating more beans, peas, nuts and seeds along with more grains and of course, fruits and veggies in abundance. I am experimenting and working on getting the meat out over the next 6 weeks and then making a plan from there. I am not against eating meat. I believe God created animals... certain animals for human consumption. I just don't believe He intended for us to eat as much as the average American eats. I still love chicken and fish. I might indulge in small portions of that along the way. Anyway, the only meat product I am planning on for today is the hambone that is flavoring my black-eyed peas.

I wanted to share this video and site with you, too. I LOVE Dani Spies!!! She has a great site and great energy and excitement about what she is doing. I think you will like her, too.

New Year Video

Dani Spies site