Sunday Scripture and Something Sweet

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7

This is easily one of my favorite verses and one I've really been trying to lean in to over this past week, and will continue to do so. Sunday mornings are usually very restful and centering for me. In between flipping pancakes and making tea, I read my devotional for the day with a less hurried heart than I would on a weekday.

However, isn't that the point of it all? To REST in Him? Why is it on Sunday I will take the time to do this (as it is Sabbath) and dwell in the Word, but during the week it seems to be more of an obligation? Thoughts to ponder....

And with that, here is my something sweet for the week! I modified this recipe to suit my allergies and added a few extras to appease my taste buds. The result is a ridiculously good, healthy cookie that really satisfies.

These babies are organic(in my case), low in sugar**, packed full of protein and other good for you ingredients like amino acids, healthy fats and fiber. Even when you're gluten-free (like me) there is that tendency to overload on carbs and sugars. It's important to get your recommended daily intake of protein along with learning to get it from sources other than meats and dairy. Plant based sources of protein are everywhere and are very easy to incorporate into your diet. Mix it up! This cookie is a great start! Enjoy!

Giant Everything Cookie
3/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 cup of coconut flour
3/4 cup unrefined brown sugar (**avoid refined sugar! Use coconut sugar for a low-glycemic option)
1/2 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Dash of sea salt
3/4 cup almond or coconut milk
1 Tbsp ground flax
1/4 cup agave nectar or raw honey
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup almond butter (peanut, cashew etc)
1/2 cup raisins or cranberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, and then mix the wet ingredients (except the coconut oil & nut butter) in a separate bowl. Mix wet and dry together. Add the oil and nut butter. Mix well. Add walnuts, raisins, pumpkin seeds and chocolate. Gently fold into dough.
Roll a hand-filled-sized ball of dough and flatten it to about 1/2 inch thick. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let sit on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Makes 12-16 cookies.

Happy Sunday! :)

Cold buster juice - cold/flu bugs beware

It's cold/flu season and I'm usually safe from the nasty flu bug (and no, I never get the shot) but 99.9% of the time I get at least 2 colds.
This morning I woke up feeling like a cold was beginning to make itself at home...no good!
So, I'm loading up on Oil of Oregano and making my favorite vitamin C filled, virus fighting juice to ward this thing off!

Toss the following into your juicer and enjoy!
1/2 inch ginger
1 apple
3 or 4 large carrots
1 orange and 1/2 grapefruit

Ginger: relieves cold and flu symptoms, improves circulation and eases stomach upset
Apples: just an all-around great fruit full of fiber and sweetens the juice
Carrots: full of carotene which converts to Vitamin A which is fabulous for our immune system. They are also high in vitamin C and Potassium.
Oranges: the ever faithful orange/grapefruit is all about the Vitamin C.

Drink up!!
If you don't have a juicer, many smoothie/juice places will make something similar.

Fear and the career choice....

On Friday afternoon I told my boss that I was quitting my job in June, taking the summer off....and going back to school in the fall.

On Friday night I told myself I was crazy, that I shouldn't have done that....and what on EARTH am I thinking! Quitting a financially stable, full-time job with benefits and security to go back to school? Who DOES that?

And that's pretty much where I've been since then. My weekend was full of reading about the schooling I want to do and then looking at my bank account and listening to the "you CAN'T and SHOULDN'T do this" taunts inside my head. I woke up at 2am on Saturday in a state of sheer panick because of my decision.

Fear.

That one little word dictates almost every single thing I do. I let fear run my life - I always have. The few times I have made decisions and ignored the fear have ended up being some of the best I've ever made. However, those decisions are few and far between because more often than not - my scaredy cat side gets the upper hand. My rational/comfortable personality thrives on this.

By constantly giving into fear (which, let's face it - the Enemy adores) I am denying myself a life of knowing the PERFECT love that God lavishes on me and the joy that comes in answering His call for my life. Instead, I choose to dwell in the doubt, uncertainty and hurt because it's easier.

One of my favorite bible verses is 1 John 4:18 "...perfect love casts out fear.."

It's easier to dwell in the darkness of fear because it keeps us from taking that leap of faith - a leap requiring our complete trust in God that He WILL catch us when we fall.

Ironically, I haven't even given my notice and won't be for at least another 5 months. But putting that decision out there and telling someone (whom I respect a great deal) has made it 100% real. It's terrifying and exhilerating all at once. I will be trusting in God completely for my finances, education and most things!

I imagine that as the next few months go by I'm going to be attacked from all angles and want to change my mind (as usual) - but leaning on the Lord and recognizing His love will help me to stand firm in my decision.

At least in this one. Baby steps.

5k+ training - Week 3

It's -30 with wind chill and blowing snow right now and all I can think about is:
a) wanting to stay home from work on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, tea/Baileys and dogs asleep on my feet;
b) if the pipes in my house will freeze again; and
c) Running outside. Spring - come onnnnn!

Trying to train inside on a treadmill while watching reruns of Dawson's Creek (don't hate - it's my highschool obsession) at 6am just isn't the same as crisp morning air and pavement. I'd rather be laying on the couch watching TV - not running in front of it!

That being said, so far I'm slowly on my way to getting back into form. I'm hoping to be running a 5k by my birthday in April (or sooner) and a 10k by June. AND - if I'm seriously feeling it, maybe even a half-marathon in August.

Quite honestly though, if I can make it to the 10k mark without wrecking my knees/back again I will be beyond happy!