Friday, February 8, 2013
Restored
My church will be turning one on 2/12/13 and we are celebrating this weekend! As part of the celebration, each person was asked to write a word that described a part of their experience with Elevate and take a picture holding the sign. I did a lot of thinking about my word. There are lots of words to describe this past year! Bold, Blessed, Change, Moving...the list goes on and on. As I continued to wonder what would be the best word for me, I realized that this past year has been one of restoration. Scripture is full of warnings and examples of how it can be difficult to stay on track with Christ. We can often end up in situations that are spiritually debilitating without realizing how far in we are! I had my fall from grace about five years ago and it was one of the most difficult times of my life. This past year has been the first in those five years when I've walked into church without feeling like I have to worry about what others think about my past. I can be me, scars and all, and no one is going to judge me for it. I am truly free in this church because others understand that God's grace is for all - no matter who you are and no matter where you've been - period. No stipulations! God's grace is enough and it has been amazing to claim that in the past year. Happy Birthday Elevate Church! www.elevateerie.net
Saturday, February 2, 2013
What?
Most people think I'm crazy - especially now that I've started remaking our food choices after Unprocessed October. I am a firm believer that help from the store is NOT a problem, but there are foods I've fallen in love with that I make at home. I'm also an avid reader of food labels now, which is great - except it has caused me to question some items that were always "no brainers" into my cart.
Enter my current concern over yogurt. Ales is not taking to milk very well and it's not a taste thing, it's a texture thing. So, as we are getting her accustomed to this "new" item in her diet I have used yogurt to supplement and make sure that she is getting enough nutrients. Last week I allowed Caleb and Ales to pick out a flavored yogurt (I normally buy plain whole milk yogurt in a big tub from Stoneyfield Farms). I was proud of their choices as they both went for fruit yogurts and not the dessert flavors and they picked out organic, which I'm sure was because of the cow on the front!
Feeling pretty good about myself and the kids choices I went home and the kids enjoyed the yogurt. I then took a look at the back of the container and almost choked! The second ingredient was sugar (first ingredient being milk) - that means there was more sugar than fruit in the cup of yogurt!!! Then I saw that there was 27g of sugars in the yogurt - a snickers bar has 29g (www.nutritiondata.self.com).! (I understand both milk and fruit have natural sugar in them, but after I researched other yogurts this week I feel this is still pretty high.)
What to do? I don't mind sugar - but I want there to be balance. So, I set out this morning to make my own fruit on the bottom yogurt. I blended 2 cups of raspberries, 2 bananas, and 11oz of coconut water with a tablespoons of maple syrup to make my own fruit concoction. The bananas were not fully ripe so if they were I doubt I would have needed the maple syrup to take the edge of the tart berries. I added a bit to some plain whole milk yogurt and the kids thought it was great! The best part is there is still plenty for other yogurts and for on top of peanut butter pancakes tomorrow!
Caleb informed me that I needed to start my own yogurt and smoothie company - so I guess it was a hit! (To show me he as serious he began naming all of the possible yogurts for me with Star Wars related names.) Ales ate hers and mine - so it's toddler approved.
This just happened to work, but I'm sure it could have gone the other way. I was lucky, and while there is still sugar in my "bottom fruit," I took comfort that fruit was the main event.
Enter my current concern over yogurt. Ales is not taking to milk very well and it's not a taste thing, it's a texture thing. So, as we are getting her accustomed to this "new" item in her diet I have used yogurt to supplement and make sure that she is getting enough nutrients. Last week I allowed Caleb and Ales to pick out a flavored yogurt (I normally buy plain whole milk yogurt in a big tub from Stoneyfield Farms). I was proud of their choices as they both went for fruit yogurts and not the dessert flavors and they picked out organic, which I'm sure was because of the cow on the front!
Feeling pretty good about myself and the kids choices I went home and the kids enjoyed the yogurt. I then took a look at the back of the container and almost choked! The second ingredient was sugar (first ingredient being milk) - that means there was more sugar than fruit in the cup of yogurt!!! Then I saw that there was 27g of sugars in the yogurt - a snickers bar has 29g (www.nutritiondata.self.com).! (I understand both milk and fruit have natural sugar in them, but after I researched other yogurts this week I feel this is still pretty high.)
What to do? I don't mind sugar - but I want there to be balance. So, I set out this morning to make my own fruit on the bottom yogurt. I blended 2 cups of raspberries, 2 bananas, and 11oz of coconut water with a tablespoons of maple syrup to make my own fruit concoction. The bananas were not fully ripe so if they were I doubt I would have needed the maple syrup to take the edge of the tart berries. I added a bit to some plain whole milk yogurt and the kids thought it was great! The best part is there is still plenty for other yogurts and for on top of peanut butter pancakes tomorrow!
This just happened to work, but I'm sure it could have gone the other way. I was lucky, and while there is still sugar in my "bottom fruit," I took comfort that fruit was the main event.
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