How to Relax--5 Things to turn to before turning On Netflix

I often find myself at the end of the day wanting to decompress a little. Like most people, after dinner,  clean-up, and or putting the kids to bed, we often want to 'relax' with a little t.v.  Growing up television was a huge part of 'family time.'  We would all gather around and sit down on the couch to watch Seventh Heaven or some other show like VH1 'Pop Up Video.' I am not going to try to argue that t.v is bad, or we should completely ban it from our homes or anything, however I do think we need to reevaluate how we are relaxing, and if what we are actually doing is achieving that.

Television is a stimulant by nature.  The fast paced commercials and colors, sounds and images being flashed right before our eyes.  Comedy, drama or action-filled shows or movies fill up the channels between all the popular networks.  In our world television is the go to activity for evening time.  People long to dive into another scenario and forget the current stressors and worries in their own lives.  Now, is this bad to do this once in awhile?  No.  But are we really relaxing while we indulge in the world of television?

The average American watches 4 hours of t.v a day or 28 hours a week. Or think of it this way-a typical work day is 8 hours, which means that if you went to work for three days and all you did was watch t.v, that would equivocate to the average.

I literally cannot watch t.v and not have some thought pop in my mind like what are you doing right now?  You could be reading or writing or crafting or cleaning!  But the thought gently drifts away as I really think of the effort involved to do those tasks!  Ha!

 I think t.v does something to us that we don't really like.  It connects us to people we do not know, jokes that are really only funny for a moment, and honestly gives us false connections to made up characters. I absolutely love Glee, and honestly I sometimes may or may not talk about certain character like I know them!

We as a people long for community but don't get it, we long to relax from a day full of stressors, but don't quite know how to relax.  We long to cultivate friendships and build lasting relationships, but don't know how.  I have made a short list of some things that I will really try to do this weekend.  My go-to activity is watching t.v but I really want to try to switch it up.  

1. Light candles, and pray over day and week // meditate

2. Do yoga.  Get moving and stretch

3. Read a compelling interesting book

4. Craft-hand make some cards for people

5. Practice relaxation techniques

I completely recognize the relaxing part of turning on the t.v sitting on the couch after a long hard day.  Its one of the best parts of television, the mind-numbing, do not have to think, shut my brain off mode.  I guess the whole point of this is to truly find the way to relax and maybe really asking if watching t.v is really accomplishing that.  I am not even close to doing these five things in the evening time and I definitely have my shows that I like to sit down and watch.  I just wonder if I would feel more relaxed and revived in the mornings if I chose some different evening activities. 

What activities do you do besides t.v?  

Monday Mama Montage Vol. 14

I can see my frustrations starting to rise a little more now that Riley is a full blown toddler.  There are moments when I just want to do something, whether it be read an email, or do the dishes, and it is interrupted by a shrill whine or cry.  These are the moments that I feel awaken us all.  True wits are tested and I can either practice patience, (oh and is it a practice or what?!) or raise my voice and say "Riley" in that tone that I hate to hear myself do.  This week I want to breathe.  I want to breathe in all that Riley is and in the midst of moments where I just don't seem to have the patience I want to pray.  I want to invite myself and Riley into a place of peace.  This sweet little bundle looks to me for guidance, strength, peace and comfort and I want so desperately to do those things.

This week I want to be intentional.  I want to drink from the great well that Jesus said he gives in the gospel of John.  I want to come to Him for my strength so that I can do this job well. Be a Mother.  I am a Mother and I want to be intentional.

Now, this is not meant to be a note of discouragement or to say in the least bit that this will go as planned this week, but it is where I am right now in my head.  I want to be real with myself, with God and with others.  I want the out pour of  that to flow to my husband first and then to my daughter.

I was gently and also veraciously reminded this past weekend that worship is a lifestyle.  It is fluid and ever changing, but it is constant.  And with things that are constant, we have the ability to improve at them.  I want to take these powerful words in John 4 to come and worship as a reminder to embody Christ to Riley.  Raising the bar to a level that I can consistently strive towards coupled with grace and mercy.

This week I want to be a great Mom.  I want to love Riley and have fun with Riley.  I want to pray out loud with her and bring her into a place that goes deeper. The reminder came on so strong to me that worship is a lifestyle and wanting to pray with Riley more that I realized the reason why I hadn't been doing that with her was because I myself have resided and retracted away from a lifestyle of worship. I have not portrayed to her Christ because I myself have been hindered by certain obstacles that have greatly affected my daily worship of Christ.

I need to confess my sins and ask for forgiveness from the great Father who gives so freely.  My sins past and present have been fully paid for by Christ's sacrifice but that doesn't mean sin doesn't still have symptomatic reactions on our souls.

Confessing and understanding root sins will begin the process of regaining unity and closeness with Christ. Being able to worship Him in His fullness, not mine.  In the likeness of who he is, not who I am. Becoming more like Christ, and in doing so becoming a better Mom.

Cooking Through W I N T E R *Butternut Squash Ravioli*

I started a little series called 'Cooking through F A L L' in November, but honestly because I am from Southern California, I really didn't make a whole lot of 'cold' weather foods.  I am now re-titling my post to be cooking through winter, since we are now finally experiencing some cold weather. :) #40degress.

I had been looking online for some great butternut squash recipes, since I love butternut squash, and came across a ravioli recipe that sounded perfect.  I hope you can enjoy it as much as my family did!
(This recipe would also be great for a date night for those of you looking for a fun cheap date) :)
Here is the recipe for those wanting to look at those pictures as well.

My beautiful butternut squash

Wonton wrappers with mixture inside

The finished product!

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (1lb-about 5 cups peeled, seeded and chopped)
1 clove of garlic (peeled and smashed)
28-30 whole wheat wonton wrappers
1/2 cup water

Sauce:
1/4 soy sauce
6 slices ginger (smashed)
1/4 sliced green onions
4 tbl sesame seed oil


Honestly the longest part was pressing the sides of the wonton wrappers together.  The garlic, chopped squash, and water boil for 20 minutes.  Take off stove and mash. Return to stovetop for 3 more minutes stirring constantly and set aside.  Take a tbl of squash mixture and place in the middle of the wrapper and wet all sides with water and your finger.  Take another wrapper wet all sides and press together forming a ravioli style.  (I folded mine so mixture would not come out when being boiled.)  After doing 30 or so, place in separate pot of boiling water for 3-4 minutes and then they are done.  Go ahead and make the sauce and enjoy!

This Time of Year // Switching it Up

Oh the holidays :)  :(  Christmas time can be such a wonderful time for so many of us, but for most, if not all, it can also be equally stressful and maybe even a little sad.  Being surrounded by so many family members all in one day, or being away from loved ones and having to work.  All of these things can add to an array of emotions during the holidays making it difficult to 'get into the spirit."  (whatever that means.)

Maybe as you sit and get your last gifts packaged and cards sent out you have a heaviness on your heart.  Maybe you are excited about all the family time, and getting to see the surprised looks on faces with presents you have purchased, the food and warmth, but maybe there is a looming within.

As we all gather this season with expectant hearts for having the best Christmas day ever, lets not forget that it is just another day.  It is another day to celebrate what God has done, it is another opportunity to grow deeper with a sister or brother, it is another day to give in an unexpected way to a stranger or a friend.  Wherever you may find yourself this Christmas remember to bloom where you are planted.

Here is my Christmas Challenge 2014:

Pick out a few different people from your family, church, or workplace and then read up on Love languages and try to pin what love language best fits those people.  It will be challenging as well as eye opening and hopefully fun.  I think going into Christmas with new challenges and perspectives is a great way to be intentional about our time.

Here are a few ways to 'switch it up.'

• clean up the mess-wash those dirty dishes so the regular person gets a break- give the gift of a clean kitchen. (acts of service)
• Give a few people a hand-crafted encouraging note. (words of affirmation)
• Pull someone aside and ask them how they are really doing (quality time)
• Give someone a present (gifts)
• Surprise someone with a warm long hug. (physical touch)

Good luck!

5 Facts About Coffee // Whole Bean, Grounds, Roasters

1. Types of Beans:
1. Arabica: 70% of the world consume Arabica beans.  These beans are mild and aromatic-indigenous to Ethiopia and well known as 'mountain coffee.' This kind of bean is known to be the first discovered species.  (We are still talking coffee people ;) This bean has an overall more pleasant taste due to the 50% less caffeine than the Robusta bean.  
2. Robusta: Commonly known to be indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa-this type of bean  is now found mostly in Vietnam being its biggest exporter.  Robusta coffee has 2.7% caffeine compared to the 1.5% in the Arabica. Because this bean is easier to grow, yields more per plant, and is not susceptible to diseases, it is cheaper.  However, due to its bitter taste, many prefer and uphold the Arabica flavoring. Many coffee companies will put the Robusta in low grade coffee, giving it an extra bitter flavoring.  This coffee is described as strong and full-bodied, with earthy tones.
2. Longevity of Whole Bean
1. Beans are perishable once bag is opened and exposed to air.
2. Keep whole beans in air tight container in cool pantry
3. Refrigerating coffee does NOT extend shelf life.
4. Unopened whole beans are good for 1 year
5. Whole Bean will stay fresh for 21 days
6. Ground coffee stays fresh for 7 days
3. Caffeine vs. Decaf
1. 1 cup of decaf coffee contains roughly the same amount of caffeine in 5 cups of regular.
2. 10 ounces of coffee contains about 200-300 mg of caffeine; which falls under the normal range for caffeine consumption
3. Darker roasts usually contain less caffeine because the roasting process burns off caffeine.
4. Fair Trade Coffee Companies
1. America's Best Coffee Roasting Co.
2. Archer Farms
3. Bear Mountain Coffee
4. Boston Common Coffee Co.
5. Look Here to see if your coffee is fair trade
5. Tools
1. For those with bigger budgets-I recommend This Coffee Machine
2. This Air Tight Coffee Container
3. This Coffee maker is a little more reasonable and super nice

There you have it!  

What things/facts do you know about coffee?  What is your favorite brand? 

Oils and Their Smoke Points

Oils

Smoke Points 

Cold Pressed