I am so excited to see this tribe growing. Women, we need each other. We long for community. Recently, I spent the afternoon with a group of homeschool moms and their young children at a nature preserve. There is something about slowing down and taking the time to basque in the wonder of nature.
We saw bald eagles in their nest and picked wild flowers- each mama was presented with her own bouquet. Truthfully, the fresh air and sunshine and my young boys laughing and playing with sticks for swords as they climbed and conquered every fallen tree, made my heart swell with gratitude. How often do we live in wonder? Or do we just all too often wonder what it is all about? For this reason, I encourage you to go out in nature, take your shoes off and feel the cool grass between your toes. Drink in the sunshine, and remember what it feels like to be young at heart.
Book I Am Reading:
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron is a fantastic book (12-week course) on discovering and recovering your creative self. So often we listen to the censor in our head, our logic brain, instead of that still, small voice. Not that the censor is bad necessarily, but more often than not, that part of our heart that wants to be comfortable and thinks that anything unknown is probably wrong, is usually our second, third, and even fourth thought. But what is our first thought, and do we ever really listen to it?
The Artist’s Way helps the creative part of the heart (to which we ALL have to some degree) discover it’s voice. Through morning pages and artist’s dates, the path back to a single, unified heart, is actually a possibility. Many times we struggle with being double-minded, or feeling one way and yet acting another. May I suggest that it is possibly due to the fact that the creative, artist, inventor-child part of your heart has been silenced and needs to be heard. Check it out.
Quote I am Pondering:
“What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it.” — Oprah Winfrey. This week I have been pondering this article by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, If You’re Not Getting What You Want In Life, Read This. Oprah Winfrey’s quote is just another way of focusing on whatever is true, nobel, and worthy of praise as Philippians 4:8 implores us to do.
This quote and the article have caused me to think of what I am actually thinking about. Am I focusing more on things I am afraid of, things I don’t want to happen, or conjuring up a plan B, C, or D? Or am I focusing on gratitude and specifically focusing on what I want to happen, beginning with the end in mind? God has given us His Word that we need to come into alignment with, as well as words specific to our calling. Don’t we want His truth and His blessings to be what are expanding in our lives?
Products I am enJOYing:
I have recently discovered a new chocolate for baking: Guittard. Not only is it Fair Trade Certified and non GMO verified, but it tastes amazing. Guittard Cocoa Rouge Dutch Process Cocoa Powder and Guittard 70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bars are my new go-to chocolate for baking. Admittedly, I am a chocoholic and use chocolate in a lot of my recipes such as I Forgive You Chocolate Mousse, Double Trouble Chocolate Ice Cream, and Chocolate Pumpkin Bundt Cake. Needless to say, the ingredients you use in your recipes can make the difference between something being just “good” to being seriously yummilicious!
What we are Eating:
Well, not that all we eat around here is dessert, especially having mentioned all my chocolate splurges above, but this week we pulled out the bunnies and bird nests from our spring decorations and placed them all over the house. I love bunny season!!! For some reason, the bunnies and their carrots got us in the mood for my Hit the Spot Healthy Spiced Carrot Cake.
We have actually made it three times this week. Hey, no judging. I was teaching my daughter how to bake. Nobody seemed to mind. And, because it is made with pure maple syrup instead of sugar, I felt good about eating it. Loaded with healthy spices (rich in phyotchemicals), and topped with a delicious maple cream cheese frosting with bits of ginger and orange zest, this cake is sure to please…without the sugar coma.
How we are Playing:
March 20th officially brought in the spring. So, it is only appropriate that I direct your attention to 30 Ways to EnJOY the Springtime with Family. These savor the season posts are my favorites, because they act as a table of contents for my blog site. Eventually, I hope to have posts for each of the ideas listed. If you have any ideas to add, feel free to comment below. Exchanging ideas and sharing life is what it is all about.
Ways we Can Love:
I thought I might show off my bunnies this week by showing you ways we are loving our home. In my post Transform Your Home Into a Seasonal Haven, I feature some simple tips on how you can create a little seasonal inspiration throughout the year. Spring is just such a fun time, full of life and pops of color…and of course, the bunnies.
Living Holistically:
I don’t know about you, but this going back and forth between 32° one day and 75° the next, has got my lips a little on the chapped side. This recipe for Love Your Lips Nourishing Lip Balm is so easy peasy you will never buy another tube of lip balm again. I have been making it for years. Why not give it a try.
That’s it for this week. I would love your response and what lights you up…lets keep the conversation going!
Remember…
In everything you do -eat, play, and, love- may it always be Seasoned with Joy!
Rebecca
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Unless stated otherwise, I will only recommend products I personally enJOY. See my full disclosure here.