Wednesday, November 30, 2011

It Could Happen

Have you ever been stumped by a huge problem, and though people offered you advice and ideas to overcome it, you shot them down every time? Every new option was immediately doused with a dose of your own reality and list of reasons why that couldn't possibly work. This turns even the smallest of petty problems into mountainous obstacles.

I've been there.
Confession: my Thanksgiving turkey would not fit in my crock pot... no pan was big enough... I wouldn't be home to watch it in the oven...all other stores were closed... the Holiday was ruined. Haha, how pathetic, right? As I cried on the phone to my mom, I knew I sounded childish and ridiculous. Yet, in that moment, that turkey was ruining my day and stealing my joy. After I took a chill pill, I realized that I was being dumb, and my mom is in fact a brilliant woman. All of her solutions would have worked. (PS - She ended up bringing the turkey this year... love you Mom!)

I love how life coach Scott Dinsmore (Live Your Legend) puts it: "As humans, our immediate reaction to someone’s new idea (or our own) often is to figure out why it won’t work. I know, sad but true. The problem is that when you get critical of something the moment the idea comes up, it gets stomped out immediately. It might not even make it more than a sentence or two before someone else yells out the reasons it ‘obviously’ won’t work. Then you feel stupid and move on. . . Imagine how many brilliant ideas get killed too soon due to premature criticism."

Next time, instead of smothering that flame of a new idea take a few minutes to give it wings. Let your imagination soar to all the positive ways it would turn out. Write your dreams and goals down daily, and take the time to visualize them actually happening. 

Further Proof

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind

Ephesians 3:20
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions.”
Albert Einstein

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way."
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
Walt Disney

Monday, November 21, 2011

Trump the "Funk"

Why live life like a grouch? Not only does it make you even more moody, but it brings down those around you.You have nothing to prove by being rude or cynical. I have found that chronic cynics don't even know that they are negatively charging the atmosphere around them. They wonder why everything goes wrong in their lives, all the while walking around like the world is out to get them... which it does. It's not like they are cursed, just that in that mindset they open themselves up to be impacted by all the negativity which might just bounce off of someone else with a more positive outlook.


We all have bad days and can get in the "funk". It is important to deal with the bad so we can be ready to help those around us. Here are my tips for shedding the grouch, brightening your outlook, warming your heart, and being prepared to spread love to those you meet:


1. Have some coffee, and lots of water.


2. Exercise - get those feel good endorphins flowing! Even just go for a walk and clear your head.


3. Delete negative talk from your conversations. Words are powerful, focus on the positive. Make it a mini-goal to not say anything destructive for a day, or even just an hour. If you slip up, replace the negative with something positive.


4. Do something nice for someone else. This helps us to be thankful, and get the focus off of our issues and see the bigger picture.


5. Learn to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes. Move on, determine to do better, but don't let yourself dwell on a failure.


From the Word


Proverbs 12:25 "Worry weighs a person down; and an encouraging word cheers a person up."


Proverbs 15:13 "A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day."


Proverbs 15:15 "A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song." (regardless of the circumstances)


Proverbs 17:22 "A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."


Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining and questioning and doubting."


1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Be cheerful no matter what."

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Silent Snow

Winter: swirling snow and crystal laced trees. This is the season of dreaming. Life seems to pause when the snow falls, and the only signs of life are trails of smoke from chimneys. Dreams are born in the quietness. Dreams that dance and take up existence of their own: when all else lays in silence. Snow covered fields pose as canvases to be dotted with footprints of those brave enough to venture outside. Each step leaves a clear mark, reflections of the past. The imprints are quickly filled, with a fresh outpouring. The world waits, it rests, it heals. The dreams of winter. The world waits – sealed in whiteness.
 
From my archives (Jan 7th, 2007)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Recipe #2 Crock Pot Adobo Chicken (Bonus Chicken Stock Recipe)

This is delicious, melt in your mouth, fall off the bones, give me MORE chicken! This is my version of the ever popular Filipino Adobo Chicken.

1 whole chicken - please de-feather your fowl.
1 Onion  - diced and put into crock pot.
1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar - pour into crock pot.
3/4 Cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or Soy Sauce) - pour into crock pot
4 cloves of crushed garlic - add to pot
1 tsp ground pepper - add to pot
3 bay leaves - add to pot
A Few dashes of cayenne pepper for a kick.

I put everything together and let my chicken marinate all night in the fridge.

In the morning, I turned the crock pot on low and let the chicky goodness cook.
About 10 hours later I came home to an amazing hot dinner.
You can either pan fry the chicken at this point for a crispy skin, or pop it under the broiler for a few minutes.
Hubby and I devoured the whole chicken!

**Bonus Recipe** Homemade Chicken Stock
After you have devoured your chicken throw all the scraps and bones back into the crock pot.
- Cover them with cold filtered water.
- Add in some veggies. I used some carrots, celery, and onions.
- I also added some salt, pepper, and seasonings: basil, oregano, other randomness.
- I let this stew on low for 24 hours.
- Strain the veggies and bones out and put the liquid into containers. (You can either scrape off the fat that rises to the top as it cools, or leave it to help preserve your stock for longer. It acts as a natural barrier against bacteria. Just lift it to the side and scoop out the goodness when you need it.)

Take a look at this blog post from Kelly the Kitchen Kop on the benefits and uses for your homemade stock. Health Benefits of Homemade Stock

Enjoy!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Though The Earth Should Change

Pressing through the change
Something's bound to break
I am not afraid
In the pain there is a gain
A place I wouldn't go
Faces I come to know
I don't always want to move
Sacrifice of my life
To thrive something has to die
Irony of life
Nothing stays the same
It's meant to be this way
Ride the change 
Live with grace
Know your place
In His embrace you are safe.


Psalm 46:1-2
GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Recipe #1 Chocolate Hazelnut Mug Cake

This is so yummy and rich! It is sugar-free, gluten-free, and made with healthy ingredients!


Grab your favorite mug and let's get baking!
Mix together:
4 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour
3 Tablespoons of Stevia (about 8 packets - can be adjusted to taste)
2 Tablespoons of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Add in:
1 egg
3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
3 Tablespoons of Milk (regular, almond, coconut, ect...)
A dash of sugar-free Hazelnut syrup. (I used Torani brand)


Mix all together, adding more milk if you need to. (I did add 1 more Tablespoon at this point)


Microwave on high for 3 Minutes.


Be careful its HOT when it comes out. Enjoy in a mug, or flip over and out onto a plate. Yummy in my tummy!!


Enjoy solo, share with a friend, top with whipped cream, fruit... possibilities are endless!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Devo #1

Isaiah 43:18-19
New King James Version (NKJV)
“Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;”

I love this verse. Take the time to read this entire chapter sometime.

Here's the summary: God just got done reminding His people of all the amazing and mighty ways that He delivered them. He was just showing them how precious they are in His sight, how He never left them. Then he switches gears and tells them to forget all that, because what is coming is even better! He tells them to stop going over old history and mistakes.

Take heart, knowing that as God has been there in the past, He will be even more present in our new lives when we invite Him. New life and opportunities will spring from what seems like desolate and lifeless areas. He will create paths for us and sustain us on our journey. We will thrive! It doesn't matter what was done in the past, what horrible things you may have seen or been a part of. God goes on to talk about how He is the forgiver of all sins. He has cleared every one, wiped the slate totally clean. That is who He is, that is what He does. Want more than that? He tells us that he doesn't keep lists of what we messed up on, that's humanity's tendency. God's heart is for us to come to Him, forgiven, free, and excited about the future.

New Action: What new things have been on your mind lately? Journal about them, and ask God to show you where He is taking you. Go a little crazy with it, dream extravagantly!

Extra reading:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Revelation 21:5
Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

What's This New Thing?

It is time for a new thing, a new season, a new collection of wonderful! I have been wanting a space to dedicate to all this newness, so welcome to the New Thing Cafe! It is birthed from my own person hopes and dreams, life changes and growth. It is to be a dreaming, hopeful place where all can come for their daily dose of inspiration and rejuvenation. Like a shot of espresso for the body, this is to be a place to awaken the imagination and stir up all sorts of goodness that will spill into all areas of your life. 

Through time I will cover topics such as marriage, dating, family, faith, health, fitness, music, education, food, photography, and whatever else has inspired my fancy. I find beauty in the small things in life, and enjoy sharing my joy with those around me. Welcome to my little project, be inspired, and let’s do this New Thing together!

~Megi