happy hippie life

It be day 6.... going good!

2011-08-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

Walnut fudge (raw)

Day numero seis! Actually, with this raw diet the days have been going by quite quickly and it's not as hard as I thought it would be. It's actually fun! Learning new recipes and being content and full with stuff that's good for you! Now, I have had my favs and ones that I may never make again (unless those are all the ingredients I have left ;)). Today, made a collard wrap... It was "ok", gave a lot of energy and you just knew you were eating a whole lot of goodness, but gotta say, collard leaves uncooked = not my favorite thing. I realized I think the recipe called for it because it was strong enough to keep all of the ingredients inside.

But, DID have the yummiest simplest raw dessert today! Walnut fudge...... wowzers! Have had a few people try it that have come into the shop and they all love them and cannot believe they are raw and healthy.

Also had some broccoli soup today, it was good and I liked it. I am very excited though about the opportunity to house sit for my friend Angel and get my hands on her dehydrator so that I can make some crackers, fruit chips and bread like concoctions!

All in all, I feel pretty amazing today. Very noticeably is that my energy level is high and consistent, no highs and lows. We set up our booth at First Friday last night, which usually tires you as is (setting up at 5pm after loading for two hours prior and then tearing down at 11pm), but it's August in Phoenix and that added a whole other element of harshness, but I actually felt good during the whole time and wasn't even tired once I got home at midnight.. yay!

As for the preparation of raw foods, I must say, you need to prepare. Meaning there's nothing really fast food about it. It takes thought and some things need to be soaked and/or marinated the evening before. When you are on a rush schedule (which its been the past few days) it gets really tough. Last night all I could throw together really quickly while going out the door were some cut strawberries, celery with almond butter, leftover mock salmon pate (very little) and put together some raw trail mix. Satisfies, but feels more like you are snacking all evening long. So, I know I need to start being more intentional. Not just with the raw and living foods meal plans, but also in every area of my life.

Being intentional with my time and day. I love to look up words in the dictionary to get their exact definition (especially when studying the bible). So in looking up intentional (or intention), here is a paraphrased meaning:

an act or instance of determining mentally upon some actionor result.an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.

Basically, to do it on purpose.... ;). So, when I get up to a new day, I want to live that day "on purpose". Not just giving into the mundane, living to get by, reacting to circumstances, but INTENTIONALLY! On purpose, focusing on the Lord and what He would have for me that day. Making sure that "on purpose" the people in my life know that I love them. On purpose living this life for God. On purpose seeing what I can do and what I cannot do. On purpose living a day even more fully because of what I learned the day before. On purpose forgiving. On purpose going all out without fear after the dreams and desires God has placed in me. On purpose, putting into my body what benefits it..... .and so on :).

That's all for today.... Live on purpose, I know I am going to try to!

Going Raw for the month of August!

2011-08-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, been saying I am going to blog about going raw, so here goes. People ask why go raw?

Well, going to give a little "history" on some health issues that I have experienced and how I believe God used them to show me how to better take care of my body that He has given me stewardship over and how to live better and longer.

Rewind a little back, I was on antibiotics for close to 15 years.... YES, FIFTEEN YEARS. Why you ask? Well, acne, yes, good ole acne. Both parents struggled with acne and me being their offspring, did as well. So, when you go visit a dermatologist, the only thing do for you is put you on an antibiotic. Nothing was ever asked about diet, stress, vitamin intake, nada. So, every few years they would stop working because your body will build an immunity to it and then they would prescribe a new one.

So, about 5 years ago, I knew God was leading me to get off of em. Now, no one in our family was into natural health and medicine (we grew up fast food and processed foods) but I knew that's the route I was led to go. So, I looked up natural approaches to acne treatment, which is actually your body just telling you somethings off, our skin is our largest organ and so when our body goes to trying to expel toxins, our skin is the first "alarm" that something is up. To try and cut this short, the new healthy eating lifestyle, getting the essential omega fats I was lacking, etc, it cleared up, yay!.... well at least for a year or so.

A huge disadvantage of taking antibiotics is that for one, it keeps from your immune system working on its own to help fight off things and weakens it, and the second and equally as harmful is that the good bacteria is killed off and the candida (which is bad bacterial yeast kept at bay by good bacteria) in our body goes to town and overgrows. Here is a good link for more information about Candida: http://www.nationalcandidacenter.com/candida-what/.

So, I have had a bit of a problem sticking to the Candida diet. I eat healthy basically for all meals (after all, I am a Nutrition & Weight Management Coach ;)), but I have a severe SWEET TOOTH. And a lot of that is due to the Candida overgrowth craving sugar. Not only does sugar feed candida (and we are talking about the bad sugar: refined white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, etc.), but it weakens our immune system, causes premature aging, feeds cancer, and more. You can read up more on sugar here: http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm.

I have been wanting to get the candida under control, so with a lot of prayer I know God had been directing me to going raw for awhile. Amazingly, a good friend of mine Angel (and she is true to her name :)) had become a Living Foods Chef and Teacher and I got to apprentice with her and get Living Foods Instructor certified... yay! And that's where I am now.... I wanted to go raw for all of the health benefits and to also be able to help family and friends and offer along with the nutrition and weight management coaching.

Alrightie, so there you have it... I will "now" be giving more of a day to day or week to week of what I am experiencing with the raw experience. Right now, it's DAY 4. Here's a brief rundown of what's gone down up until now:

Day 1: Excited and amped about going raw. All good, except for the soup I made had a bit too much onion and ended up tasting more like a good guacamole dip (which I will be making along with flax crackers down the road). My favorite thing for the day was banana ice cream! Going to have it again tonight matter of fact. Overall for the day, felt good, no drastic differences.

Day 2: Noticeably, I woke up much more easily than I usually do. I have a regular alarm and my phone alarm I set as a back up. I get up around 5am (usually press snooze until 5:15 -5:30am) so I can hike before it gets too hot, and I didn't even hit the snooze once. yay! Had a smoothie. Experienced 3 of my favorite things thus far: mock salmon pate (put in a lettuce wrap), a stuffed mushroom (wowzers) and a date torte for dessert. Seriously, I felt as though I couldn't have eaten better at a 5 star restaurant. Felt "ok" during the day... began feeling a bit "icky" near bedtime.

Day 3: Okeeee, detox setting in. Felt a bit sluggish and borderline flu like symptoms. Increased my water and took a small nap. Felt a bit better. Ate mock salmon pate leftovers and date torte... for dinner at an amazing raw pizza and salad made by Raw Chef Angel and at the end of the night still felt a bit icky. BUT have energy and no ups and downs that I usually experience daily.

Day 4: Alrightie, feelin pretty good! And it's weird, just more clarity and not so much of a foggy mind (thank you Lord!). More energy and not overly hungry. I have noticed that the meals more than fill me up and I am satisfied. Pretty cool :). And I look forward to what I am going to prepare, its fun and an adventure to see what things will be put together to put together something healthy and yummy. Had spicy jicama fries and I must say, pretty much ate a whole jicama (pretty large one) all by myself. Cool thing, that whole jicamashhhhhh.... ).

Okay I think that's more than enough for an introduction and the rest of the raw blogs will be way smaller, promise! And ask questions if you would like. We will probably be having an introduction class to Raw and Living Foods here really soon. We might have limited seating for the first one, but more details to come soon!

Have a great night! God bless and sweet dreams!

I'm back....

2011-07-18T17:01:00.001-07:00

Wow, it's been a while since I have written... quite awhile actually after reading my last entry. I don't even remember writing that last entry, but it is sure a clear picture of what life had been like for the past 3 years and the funny thing is, that it took me a year to put into practice what I had mentioned in the last one. Better late than never :).

Surrender, what a beautiful thing. Until late last year, earlier this year, I can honestly say I didn't have a full understanding of what that word meant. I could use it and sound pretty profound if I really wanted to, poetic and beautiful and all..... surrender. I could even make you think I was really going to "surrender" and that maybe I even had actually already surrendered... but it would be a lie, until recently, when I really did.

For me, there came a point, when the actual pain of staying in the same place was too hard to bear. My heart cried out to live my life for the One that had that redeemed it. I knew something that God had been telling me to let go of and until I was really ready to lay that thing down, I knew I couldn't surrender and until I was ready I was done asking for God's direction because He had already provided the next step.

One Sunday morning, at church (Church for the Nations www.cftn.com) during worship, I felt God's leading to surrender and I was done with holding on anymore. I didn't care what, who, where I had to give up, I was going to do it... and that was the beginning of a new season, actually feels more of like new life for me.

I have always had to take care of myself. I was Miss Independent and didn't understand how to totally rely on anyone, I mean anyone..and so it was difficult to comprehend trusting in a loving God and Father. This is all so brand-new to me, but so absolutely wonderful. I have always felt extremely grown up and serious, even as a child, but God has given me a childlike delight. I delight in knowing Him and seeking Him as his daughter. I have expectation. That may not sound huge in itself, but for someone who never really had that, trust me.... it is! To "expect" God to move, to "expect" Him to show me something new, to "expect" Him to love and provide for me... and so on... it's life and life more abundantly. I can't fully even explain it in words... but He has completely captured my heart.

So, now, here I am. In a place new and unsure and scary at times, but so insanely thrilling and wonderful at the same time. Thank you Lord! I am so along for the ride!

My life is a mess

2010-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

My life is a mess. I am wondering where I am going, what I am doing, what I am GOING to do and just lost & displaced. But, now that I know that, it's actually a good thing, because I know Who I need.

Without a Savior, I am destined for hell. Without a relationship with that Savior, my life is quite empty and literally dead and dry if that makes sense. There are a ton of things I could do.... I could stay in a career and be successful. I could open a really cool resale boutique (just did it) and express myself through clothes and accessories. I could get an RV and drive drive drive. I could look into the stock market. I could buy a house and settle down. I could get married and have kids. I could make that happen faster than God wants if I put my mind to it. I could keep eating and gain weight and just sit at home. I could hike all the time and be a nutritional nut (which I am). I could leave and never look back.

These are just some things I "could" do. Things that run through my head at times.... I can see how I might confuse myself and then end up in the exact same place, because I have no direction.

Oh, the sweet sound of the words from my Father:

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will direct your paths" Proverbs 3:5-6

This has always been one of my favorite verses, being the analytical person I am. But, it hasn't really applied lately since I was not (all up until this morning) following the doing the first three things in order to live the promise. I was not trusting, I have definitely been going off my own understanding and if I even said I sought His will, that would be a lie.

I can say all day long "I am praying, I am seeking God", but until I am at that place, that whatever He says I will do, I will never move past where I am right now in my heart. He doesn't take half of me, and He does not bend to my negotiations with Him. It's all, or not at all. I have gotten such a tight grip on my life, that He knew what needed to happen. He knew He needed to let me go to myself and that I would come back. I have experienced the true love of God and true life in Him, so it would just be a matter of time before everything else would no longer satisfy.... and that is what has happened.

Nothing has happened particularly, no horrible event in my life, no disease, no loss of job, nothing I could just put my finger on and say "that's it!".... nope. Just a continued life of just living the motions and adding more and more to my day so I don't have to think about or deal with anything else. Being busy, but not productive. Post its full of "to do's" that are never satisfied. A journal of the possible maybes of what I may do next....

I have to give up.

I have to give up my life to God. That's where I want to be. He is who floods me with His love and holds my life in His hand. I need to be willing to lay it all down... all of it. Not just whats easy for me, not what is comfortable.

That was my day today.

Psalm 37

2009-08-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

I had a really good day off today. Woke up - attempted to make it to breakfast - didn't make it :). So, just at breakfast at the house and then attempted to read on the recliner and crashed for another hour (didn't get much sleep last night, I think there is a mouse in my room and I kept thinking he might crawl up on the bed and run over me or something, totally different story) and was a little late for church :)..... but, still, an amazing day.

I went for a hike to one of my favorite places - Bridal Veils waterfalls in Telluride. Perfect weather, not to hot, not to cold - just perfect. Got there, and as always, my breath is always taken away with how beautifully God creates.

This time was a little different for me, because it wasn't cold at all by the falls (normally you are blasted with the mist from the mighty waterfalls, but not today) and I could get right up to the base and just gaze right upon it. There were times where there would be a little bit of a wind change - and I would get some nice mist, but it sure was refreshing after that hike.

So, I had this perfect little nook I could just sit in at the base of the falls.... amazing. I was about to just hike up and then hike back, but I knew God was telling me to just sit and spend some time. So, I did. I felt led to read Psalm 37. Let me back track for just a minute, I am leaving here in about a week and my mind has begun to wonder what am I going to do when I get back to Phoenix. Sometimes it seems like I think up a hundred options for myself for what's next, but in all of it, I feel as though they are all my own plans that come out of my worry I think and no clear direction.

So, back to Psalm 37 - These are the verses that really hit home, verses 21 & 22:

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand".

The whole chapter is really good, but for now, those are what spoke to me. He WILL direct my steps - He didn't say how He would, or in what time frame (definitely not mine :)), but that He would and for me, that's assurance enough. He has told me the next step and I will enjoy walking with Him every step of the way - That He delights in EVERY detail of my life (and yours too :)) - just keeps getting better! His love for me (and you:)) is so incredible and I am so grateful that He loved me enough to bring me to that spot to speak that - He knew what his daughter needed to hear.

It was a really good day.

Nite Nite. P.S. I think I hear the mouse in my room......

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-08-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

I love the simple things of life and try to live simply. There is a really cool blog http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/, which is where the below is from. Here are my simple things of today :):

FOR TODAY (Tuesday, August 25th)...

Outside my window... a horse corral and a LOT of rain

I am thinking...about my family

I am thankful for...my friends and family

From the kitchen... cookin up some rice pasta

I am wearing... ripped jeans and a shirt AND warm socks

I am creating...a roadtrip hiking adventure

I am going... to go make Jubilee's din din (she's the dog)

I am reading... So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobsen

I am hoping... my Mama feels better

I am hearing... Jubilee snore and thunder

Around the house... hunting season is beginning

Of my favorite things... spending time by the river.

A few plans for the rest of the week: continue being Dish Girl at the ranch :) and do some new hikes

Here is picture thought I am sharing... (from a recent hike at Bear Creek)

Hope you are having a simply great day!

My new nickname is "Dish"

2009-08-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Jita, Trish, Lauren and Allison (Lauren's sister) just came up here this past weekend. It was sweet spending time with them... We chilled, took a horseback ride (see the pic to the left), went to Telluride, and church was amazing. Miss and love you guys.

Okay.... things are going beyond good here in Colorado. I do have a new nickname though, it's Dish...Miss Dish if I don't know you :)... Ha ha, just kidding.

I do dishes all the time it seems - but no complaints. I think some of the other staff feel bad for me, so they are always chipping in to help, I do love that about this place.

In addition to dishes, there are things that I do (dishes were my worst habit of not doing in my apartment) here and things that I am exposed to, that I don't experience at home.

Here are some of them:

-Wearing a watch. I cannot be without a watch here, cell phones don't work (which I am learning to really love) and I would have no idea what the time is.

-Mouse Death. I have witnessed a lot of mouse death (should it be mice since its plural? Not sure, but you know what I mean). I understand people not wanting mice in their houses and in the lodge, they really do cause problems. But, I still feel bad for the little guys - I try to warn the little ones I see outside - to stay outside! Your little lives depend on it! :).

-Chipmunks barking. I took a nap on the bench by the river today (amazing by the way) and woke up and began watching a little chipmunk (one ran up my leg the other day, so cute - they call me the Chipmunk Whisperer...ha ha) and he climbed up onto the tree and began barking. I wonder what he was saying and if he was saying it to other chipmunks (since I didn't see any others around), to himself or maybe me? Who knows.

-Slowing down. Things are way slower here. Doing dishes is laid back, although they should be done in a timely manner, there still isn't that "rush". Not a rush to do anything really. I think I am getting pretty used to this laid back lifestyle.

-Sitting down and eating all three meals with "the ranch family". I really love this. Everyone sits down for each meal and eats together. I love the talks and the time we all spend together...

-Naps. I usually take a nap a day and I love it. For the first couple of weeks I felt guilty about it, but now, nope, sure don't. :)

-Reading. Was never quite the reader, but without the distractions and busyness of everyday life, I have started picking up some books and really do enjoy it. Right now I am reading Hinds Feet in High Places (thanks Rexina)....wow, an amazing book that God has already used so much in my life.

-Pockets. Okay, I realize, I really love shirts and jackets with pockets. If my jacket or sweatshirt doesnt have pockets, well then, it's not getting worn. Just love em.

-Silence. There is a silence here that I can't find in Phoenix. No sound of cars, no sound of sirens, no sound of barking dogs... just the river and wind..... sometimes some critters, but its still amazing. Sometimes, I can't believe I am here and every morning and every day get to be surrounded by it.

There is a lot more, but that's what's on my mind today. It's crazy to "know" that I am right where I am supposed to be at this moment. I am not worrying about what's next, not trying to plan for what "may be" next, just enjoying right now and being. Enjoying getting to know more and more the One who made me and waking up looking forward to each new moment..... I am one blessed girl.

My Colorado Adventure....

2009-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well, I am in Colorado (the picture above is one I took a few days ago up the road-amazing I know), to be more specific, I am about 26 miles north of a town called Dolores at the Circle K Ranch in the beautiful San Juan mountains (you can check out their website, if you ever want to visit http://www.ckranch.com/).

I am going to start writing more on this blog, because its hard to keep in contact with everyone with email and facebook letting you all know whats going on over here :). But, I do want to share - so here goes.

For some, this will be a recap, but I felt I should bring others up to speed. I have quit my job and have come up to this amazing ranch to stay here for two months. I knew it was risky (heard over and over about the economy and jobs and blah blah blah), but really did feel as though this was what God was leading me to do. I honestly think I thought it was going to be just a great time, getting direction from God, surrounding myself with some of the most amazing people you will ever meet (they are often called "angels in the mountains" and rightfully so) enjoying the beauty that surrounds this place (and seriously, it is TRULY beautiful, words find it hard to express) and living the simple life for a while.

While, that has all happened and was true, so much more has happened in my brief time here. I am about a month into my two month stay and I feel as though more has been accomplished in this short time than anything else in my life, if that makes sense.

When I came here, I was in such a "busy" mentality, but for me, that was just life. Always thinking of the next thing I need to do, if I am not doing something, then I am just wasting time. Just busy, busy, busy.

Well, when I came here, that came to a halting stop. I didn't have anything to do! The little work they gave me, hardly kept me busy and I was begging people to give me projects, SOMETHING to keep my mind going and to keep me from having to just sit and be still. But, I realized that is exactly where God wanted me to be.

SO, SO, SO much came up within just the first few days here, I was ready to abandon ship, abort mission, abort mission! I had pushed so much down in all my busyness, I think I kept busy unintentionally, to not deal with it. But, it all came up and it..... hurt. Pain, I have realized can either make you run completely from it, or you have the choice to run to the only One that can heal you of it.

So, me being me, of course I attempted to run from it, because I find that do what is more comfortable and then getting uncomfortable even though it's what's needed..... but I have amazing friends that kept speaking Truth to me and wouldn't let me do it - which NOW I am so thankful for.

It's been a few weeks since then and it sure has been a ride! I will share more at another time, this is already long as is. But, I will say this, God is faithful....beyond my wildest dreams, He is faithful.

I am in awe.

Till next time....

Going back to my roots

2009-04-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

I went to Mrs. Juanita Benson's funeral today. An amazing woman. I remember how much I loved being around her and her family. When I was at their house, I was "home". They always made me and my sister feel so at home and like family. I remember watching how their family operated and how they were together and getting a glimpse of the type of family I would want some day.

Seeing everyone from my old church today (Agape Christian Community Church in Tucson, AZ) really brought me back. Even though it's been years since seeing them, it was just like being right back with family. They were who God used in my life (and my sister's life) during some really really hard times. Seeing everyone, I just felt like letting out a big sigh, "aahhhhhhhhh", I am with family. I only got to be with them for a few hours, but it did my heart so much good.

I have to say Thank You, to a wonderful Pastor, Pastor Moss. I love you very much. You were there for me and my sister during some of the hardest times of our life. You loved us and showed us the love of a father, which showed us the love our heavenly Father. And Jenni, you were my first Christian friend and I love you dearly. I remember how we first became friends, hanging out at the pool at a God's Woman Conference... and from then on, well, we became true sisters.

I wanted to write this to share, but also to look back on, because I don't want 5 years to pass again before I visit my Tucson family. I am so grateful for seeing you all today. mwa.

It's my first time.... :)

2009-03-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

It's my first post and I must say, I am a little nervous. Not sure why, just am.

I have been wanting to do this for a while, but I am finally doing it. I want to be able to share what goes on in this complicated mind of my mine :) and invite you to do the same.

Right now, I just want to get into my car and drive, drive, drive. Has anyone else ever wanted to do that? This is a re-occurring urge that always seems to resurface. Sometimes, I just want to drive on a short trip to no where, but sometimes I want to just pack up what will fit in my car and drive until I run out of gas. A little weird, I know, but we're sharing right?

I talked to a gentleman on the phone the other day (didn't know him or anything, was a customer) and as we ended the conversation, he didn't say "have a good day", "talk to you later", but he ended the conversation saying "enjoy life". And maybe it's where my heart is at, but God really used it to touch my heart. You knew he meant it when he said it and in speaking to him, you knew he was doing it himself.

Right now, as I write this, I am sitting in cubicle at work, responding to work emails, but thinking about that statement. While, I am EXTREMELY grateful for my job and the amazing people I work for, I just know I was not created for this.

I believe God is leading me out onto another adventure, but I am having a problems letting go of the "security blanket" of this job. All the while, just putting myself through more agony I think, than just stepping out.

I think it's time to really trust God and stop being afraid.