Yummy raw food dessert!

So I had mentioned earlier how I wanted to actually start eating simply, meaning eating foods as close to their raw state as possible. I started researching raw food diets for a while now and I'm amazed at what I've learned. Many people have been healed and cured (by eating raw) of so many diseases that majority of people either die from or spend their life on medication for.

So here is a fun dessert I just tried today, I found the recipe from Hallelujah Acres, a ministry that is all about teaching/training people about healthy eating.

"An avocado-based, dairyless yogurt with blueberries, but you can make it using strawberries, raspberries, or any other fruit, too!

Ingredients
1 cup blueberries
1 avocado (medium size)
2 Medjool dates
Directions
Set aside 1/8 cup of blueberries. Then place all remaining ingredients in a blender and blend, adding enough distilled water to obtain desired consistency. Remove from blender and stir in the “set aside” whole blueberries. ENJOY

*If you desire a sweeter tasting yogurt, you can add a teaspoon (or to taste) of agave nectar. A few drops of vanilla extract adds a lot of additional flavor."

Have fun experimenting!

First homemade clothing item!

I love my Tuesday nights that I have blocked off to use for doing something creative. I'm starting off simple and slow on making clothes and here is my first item! I'm super excited about it!  I need to fix up the arm holes but other than that its a super easy beginner sewing item.


I found this plaid fabric on sale at Joanne's and was plaining on making a scarf with it but then found a tutorial from "P.S. I made this"(an awesome DIY site to check out and they have books) and thought I would give it a try.

After I made it I needed some sort of pin to hold it together so I took apart a necklace that I love but haven't seemed to wear it much and made a fun broach.

Now I have a fun new outfit!!

Kid clothing exchange

I just found out about this website, ThredUP, where moms can buy, sell and share clothes, toys and books!  A great way to save money and not have to buy something new.

Free2work app

This is an amazing app that everyone should have. It makes learning about the story line of products easy.

All you have to do is scan a barcode!!

what is looks like:

2012 Challenge

Hard to believe 2011 has come to a close and 2012 has started!  2011 was a year to remember and worth celebrating!  I experienced some great things for the first time and was changed in ways I totally wasn't expecting...Thank you God for being in control of my heart!

I have several new challenges for myself in 2012 and one of them is to focus on the Spiritual Discipline of Simplicity.  This past year I went through the book, Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster and was challenged in many areas.  By Gods grace I am slowly learning that disciplines bring freedom and balance in life.  The chapter on Simplicity was one that tugged my heart and began realizing I want to live simply in all areas of my life not just how many pieces of clothing I own.  When I think of the meaning of simple I think of something that is streamlined.  When things are streamlined you are focusing on a few things.  I believe when we are only focusing on a few things we gain an appreciate for those few things than if we were to have many of the same things.  I want my diet to consist of simple foods- fruits,veggies and breads made from scratch, I want my schedule to be simple -open for the Lord not filled with my stuff and a simple daily routine that isn't this complicated mess of me running around all over the place.

Foster has a list of ten outward expressions of simplicity and how we can flesh out the meaning of simplicity.  All ten are really good and need to be focused on but there was one he brought up that I had never thought about or even considered would be under this discipline.  The ninth on the list is "to reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.... This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for us to face, but face it we must...In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others?"  After reading about this expression I started researching more about slave labor and it opened up a whole can of worms.  I was saddened to think about all the injustice going on so that I can have the latest fashionable clothes, have my choice of fruits and vegetables year around and any toy at the drop of a hat.  

So this is my challenge this year: to learn more about the products I use, support my local farmers regularly and buy nothing "new".  There are plenty of ways we can shop and support our local workers through thrift and consignment stores, Ebay, Etsy, garage and estate sales to find fun clothes,shoes, things for the house, gifts,etc.  I want to learn how to sew more things and spend time making gifts for friends.

I'll keep you posted on my fun finds, my revamps of olds things and any information I find on the topic of Slave Labor.

Happy New Year!!  May all areas of our lives be an outward expression of our grateful hearts for Jesus' unending grace.