A Hike

There is a little "mountain" in our new town. 

Lots of hiking trails, biking trails and beautiful overlooks. 

We ventured onto a trail and had a great time.

David and I decided that Monday mornings are going to be our hiking family time. He does not go to class until 10am, and I'm off work on Mondays so it is perfect. 

Notice David's tall socks- there is poison ivy EVERYWHERE in the woods here. It's a miracle we didn't get any on us. 

Here are some shots from our hike:

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Anyone have fun things planned? 

We are planning to go to Lake Guntersville State Park here in Alabama. 

Camping!

Where We are Now

This past weekend we moved into our house in Huntsville. 

We had been living with my parents for about 2 months. 

Everyone was finally able to get a room functioning well enough for us to be able to set up a little home. 

We are living in a construction zone..no hot water heater, bulbs hanging from the ceiling, plywood for floors, and sheet rock dust all over the toilet. 

But it's already starting to feel like home. 

 

This is what the room we are sleeping in looked like before we started:

This is what it looks like now..when all is said and done this room will be my craft/sewing room!!:

Already a HUGE difference!!

This is what the kitchen looked like when we first started things:

 And this is what it currently looks like:

Can you spot the changes? It's like Where's Waldo.

I am so thankful that we no longer are commuting to work, and that we have our own space now. 

I am also so very thankful for the generosity my parents have shown us by opening up their home to David and I and letting us live there for the past few months. 

They are doing so much for us during this transition, and are helping make school a possibility for David.

I do not think I will ever understand the depth of sacrifice and generosity of a parent for their child until I am a parent myself. 

But right now it's overwhelming, and all I can do is be grateful.

Life as a Celiac

Normally I'm pretty positive about having Celiac's Disease. 

After all, it has changed my life.

No more bloated tummy and tummy aches after every meal, no more migraines, no more clumsiness, no more foggy brain, no more fatigue. 

But with all of these things I have gained, I have lost a lot in the process. 

And like I said, most of the time I am happy to give up things so that I gain so much more. 

But not today. 

Sometimes I get angry that even the tiniest bit of gluten in my food sends me straight to bed with terrible pains in my stomach. 

I get angry when we pay money (and lots of excitement) to go to a concert only to have to go sleep in the car during it because the restaurant we ate at cross-contaminated their food and made me sick sick sick.

I sometimes get jealous when I can't have birthday cake with everyone else. 

Or go get ice cream when something good has happened {it's always been my special treat}.

I get jealous when I smell freshly baked bread at family gatherings or restaurants. 

Road trips are harder because we can no longer stop at a fast-food restaurant at an exit. 

Now we either have to plan ahead with food in a cooler, or open up a can of Amy's soup and heat it up beside our car. 

Subway? I miss Subway. 

I get angry and sad when I know that one of the causes of my miscarriages and health struggles is Celiac's. 

Most of the time I don't miss gluten or bread or pasta or milk or eggs. 

But today I do. 

I hate being "that girl" who asks a million questions when someone tries to fix food for us, or having to decline offers of fellowship with friends when they are having a cook-out.

Or having to leave someone's house early because I am having a reaction to the food they carefully prepared for me. 

It's so awkward sitting at a table not eating anything while other people are enjoying their food. 

And when the waitress continues to ask me if I want something to eat. 

Yes I am hungry. 

No, I can't eat your food. 

Is this frustration worth it?

I'd say yes a million times over. 

If you have celiac's you understand. 

Would you trade bread, awkward conversations and occasional reactions for a life of better health? 

Absolutely!

Even with the frustrations and annoyances, I am thankful.

How To Tuesday: Tofu Scramble

Tofu Scramble. 

I have always been an admirer, but never a partaker in this wonderful dish. 

It's actually quite easy, and quite delicious. 

I made ours with this:

(I've actually been cooking a lot with these lately. They are SOOO GOOD.. add lots of nutritious flavor to EVERY dish)

and this:

I use sprouted tofu because it's easier to digest, and I know these soybeans are non-gmo, so they aren't going to pose threats to my body. 

You'll also need some veggies to add to your scramble. 

The process is simple:

1. Crumble up tofu into a bowl

2. Add 2 TBS. turmeric, 1 TBS liquid aminos, and any other spices you want to add..{many people use cumin and Indian spices- but I'm not one for heat}

3. You can use the scramble as a way to get rid of things that need to be eaten in the fridge. For example, we had beet greens, green onions and cabbage (all from our CSA) that needed to be cooked.

4. To cook, bring olive oil to a simmer and add onions, then cabbage and a bit of water.COVER and let cook for about 10 minutes. Add greens and cover for about 5 minutes. 

5. Add tofu and some salt. Cook for about 5-10 minutes until all your veggies are cooked down to the consistency you'd like. 

 Easy peasy. 

Enjoy your scramble for breakfast or dinner! It's delicious any time of the day.

Serve God, Save the Planet

Continuing last week's theme on Environmental Stewardship, I wanted to share this book I've read several times by J. Matthew Sleeth: Serve God Save the Planet. I first picked it up at the library in Colorado (when we lived there), and have since purchased a copy for myself. It is a simple read that gives straightforward ways to lessen your family's impact on the earth, and also Biblical truths behind the reasoning

 I found that it really helped me find ways that we could live a slower, quieter and more peaceful life by taking away things that weren't necessary. 

For instance, he talks at length in the book why his family no longer uses a clothes dryer.

 We hadn't been using one for a while when I first read the book, but it helped me see all of the wonderful things that come from purging that luxury. 

Our clothes last longer, they smell better, we save money and are not using as much energy. Also, the actual "hanging of the clothes on the line" gives me time to pray. I'm pretty sure it's a win-win in all situations!

While I was looking for a photo of the book online I came across a great website I wanted to share as well: blessedearth.org. This is a great resource for Christians who want to dig deeper into stewardship of the planet God has given us. It's packed full of wonderful resources, articles and reads.

What are small steps you have taken to become a better steward of our home? 

Want to Sponsor for June?!

Looking for some wonderful June (is it already June?!) sponsors and add swaps! 

If your interested, check out the rate sheet at the top of the page, and shoot me an e mail! I'd love to have you.

Hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend.

New Job

This is what I look like after working a 9+ hour day, commuting 1 hour each way, a crazy morning routine of enemas, lemon water, juicing etc. 

See that drink? It's not grape juice. 

Which by the way, I got a new job! Horray!

 The months of job searching in Alabama are over, and the job is secured. 

I have found that the best way to land a job is to hand deliver resumes. 

Or in my case, leave it in a mailbox and get a call a week later from a nice man asking if I meant to leave my resume in their mailbox or if it was an accident?

I love love love my job right now. 

I'm going to be working at a Naturopathic Doctor's office.. running the front desk and doing all of the things that go along with that. 

I am going to learn so much. 

And be in a place of healing. Working with a husband and wife team who are some of the sweetest and most joyful people I've been around. 

I'm working Tuesday-Friday 8-6. Long days for someone who hasn't worked an hourly job in over a year. 

Lots of prayers that my body can handle everything thrown my way. 

I'm under the impression that my fiery red hair landed me the job. 

It was mostly likely my cool and charming personality. 

ha! (do you pick up the sarcasm?)

Either way, I am thankful. 

My postings may become a little less frequent (I think I'm going to shoot for about 3-4 per week), but I'm still thinking about all of you wonderful readers and friends even when I haven't written! ANNNDD may be able to gleam some wonderful knowledge from my boss (Dr. Jarvis) that I will be able to pass along to all of you!

 

The Travel Itch

For those of you who know David and I, we really really like to travel. 

Like, a lot. 

We are saving up for some mini-road trips, and also a big road trip this year. 

There are so many places I want to go in the U.S., I have a hard time pin-pointing where we should set our minds on for this year's road trip. 

I need your help!! 

Of course, we will go to all of these places, I just don't know in what order. 

And maybe you know of some pretty exciting places that aren't on here. I'd love to hear your thoughts and help me with our travel destination. 

Acadia, NP.

Grand Teton, NP

Boise, Idaho

Big Bend, NP

Missoula, Montana

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, Washington 

 

How To Tuesday: Coloring Hair Naturally!

I've wanted to be a red-head since I can remember. It's been a little secret of mine. I've NEVER done anything to my hair, except for the occasional sun-in in middle school. 

I've got a great sister-in-law who is a very talented hair expert. So, she helped me find a product that was not only gfcf, but also didn't have ANY chemicals in it. 

She also colored my hair for me. She's pretty great. 

 

The product we used is called  Surya Brasil. I found it at Earth Fare, but I'm pretty sure you could order it online. It was only $7! It's not a permanent hair color (which I guess it couldn't be because it's made completely from plants and henna). 

The process is fairly simple. You just follow the package directions, and allow yourself about an hour for it to sit in your hair. 

The only bad part about it was that it smells a bit like a barn. But other than that, it's great!  

Here's my before picture:

and... after!!

Goodness, it's so red!! It has faded a bit since we colored it, but it's still pretty awesomely red. 

The product has SO many color options to choose from. 

Now that I am a red headed, I need to start getting feisty! ha, I doubt that will ever happen.