Love Languages and Temperance

I find it interesting that these two topics came together this morning.  I wasn't able to get back to sleep after Sydney was up this morning asking for milk.  This voice kept nudging at me to get out of bed, I had something to learn.  I had started to read the "THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES" book by Dr. Chapman and have found it very interesting.  I knew we all had different learning styles and each of us our unique, but I hadn't associated it to love.  I always thought since I was sucha verbal person, I am a verbal affirmations girl, but the more I read, the more I realize how many of the love languages are similar, but different in intent.  I love "quality time."  Anyway, enough about me.

I have been praying to find the way and path to help my children and be more patient with them.  It has taken me many places, and to many books, but this one clicked. My children have love languages too!  I hadn't thought of that.  This changes so much. I am so excited to find out what they are.  I desire so much to show the love I feel inside for them.  This may be a very personal blog, due to the very nature of the topic, and that it is so raw with me.  I love to share what I learn. It invigorates me.

Before I sat to read more from this book, I had picked up the Ensign and started to read the talk given my Elder Kent Watson, "Being Temperate in All Things,".   I found myself recieving personal thought to my mind from a loving Heavenly Father who wants to teach me how to figure these things out with my family and loved ones.   He used this 4 o'clock hour to enlighten my mind and send me a message of love and understanding.  It became clear that temperence is a gift of the spirit.  I love the gifts of the spirit. I have been blessed to have those gifts when I have prayed for them in my life and as Heavenly Father has seen fit to give them to me in my particular time of life.  I feel blessed to understand these things, and to practice what I've read.  We can all practice temperance in the economic and social enviroment we face everyday.   I have really been hit by it this last week.  My coat was taken, hopefully by accident (and it's really cold here in Utah.)  I've learned to appreciate warmth and have been working on letting go of something that really is a necessity.   I've prayed that whoever has it returns it, or gets better use of it than I did.  Either way, it's been a challenge, and may not be for the rest of the world, but I've learned from it.  It's not coincidence that at the moment it was taken, I was listening to someone speak about charity.

So, have a wonderful day everyone.  To whomever even reads this, may you blessed with the gift of temperance.  I am thankful for all the gifts our Eternal Father has bestowed in my life. 

Be Still My Soul  One of my favorite hymns.  The words are great!

I recorded singing it this morning.  This is a big step for me to let go of my perfectionism and share how I feel with song.  It's is early and just sung in the quiet of my kitchen...hope you feel it too!
Download the audio here!
 or click here if you don't have itunes
Create a great day!

Recipes: sugar free hot cocoa and pudding

Have a new recipe for pudding that is healthy and doesn't have aspratame or sugar wanna-be's.  I used Stevia and it's in a class all it's own.  Love the stuff.  I am so thrilled.  I'm have the hot cocoa recipe as well tonight for my birthday treat.   It won't keep me up late with a sugar rush.  Sugar is not bad... we need it to rise yeast, and it's fun every once in a while, but I have been off the stuff for a while and feel free.....free to choose and feel like myself with out needing to have a soda or pop a candy ( the candy being my old preference).  Try this out!  I found these online and tweaked the sugar.

Vanilla Pudding Mix:

3 cups nonfat dry milk
Stevia (8 tbps. for 4 c. sugar)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups cornstarch
(1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to be added when you make the pudding)

Mix all except the vanilla, and store in an airtight container.

To prepare, mix 1/2 cup of mix to 2 cups milk. Heat and stir constantly while boiling. Cool, then add 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract.

Chocolate Pudding Mix :
2 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk
stevia (10 tbps for 5 c. sugar)
3 cups cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa

Mix and store in airtight container.

To prepare, add 2/3 cup mix to 2 cups milk. Heat and stir constantly while boiling. Cool, then serve.  


Fat Free, Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Recipe:
Ingredients

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
Stevia (2 tbps replaces 1 c. sugar)

1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 (1-oz) package fat-free sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place.
To make, use ¼ cup mix to 1 cup hot water.

Original Recipe

What a great day!

Sooo...... this week I have created a sugar free yummy pudding,  a sugar free hot cocoa, and fit into my special red velvet dress. I have pushed myself beyond what I thought possible with my body and my mind.  I have had some wonderful realizations about who I am and what I'm worth.  I have found comfort in the words of the scriptures and solice in the counsel from the prophets of the Lord.  I have been granted some really sweet and powerful moments and desire more.  I'm just very thankful and hope you all decide to create that kind of day for yourself... because it really is what we make of it.   It doesn't have to be what we call "perfect," just perfect for our now!  Life will keep coming and we will keep moving along and learning as we allow it to teach us what we are suppose to learn. 

Thanks to all of you. I really enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday because it reminds us what we are thankful for, which allows our hearts to be open to the gifts we recieve each day.

Here's to a great day!

Feeding Your Kids with a New Attitude!

Ever try feeding your children when you are seeking after a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your family?  There are many who find this a challenge, and as a mother of three girls, I have experienced this myself.  I have found a great deal of introducing food and change to our children is in our attitudes.  It lies within us to have a good attitude with our children concerning food and experiencing new flavors, textures and combinations of food.  I had a neighbor who sent her daughter over because we had "Trees with snow," (i.e. Broccoli with healthy ranch dressing).   My daughters are still convinced that eating beets make their hair soft like a princess and that it's red/pink because it's royal food.


I have tried adding, substituting, and replacing many things in my families food choices, but the key is doing it slowly and with excitement.  If you are trying to feed your kids fruits and veggies and won't touch the stuff yourself, don't expect them to chow down and enjoy it either.  Get yourself feeling good about your food choices and then start with your family.

Remember that children like to choose, just like we do, what they want to eat.  Fill your fridge with the fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats and dairy that your family enjoys.  Give them options and let them help you prepare the food. 

For example: You are packing your child a lunch and there are choices between a lean turkey and cheese on whole grain bread (or a wrap)  or whole grain chips with salsa and a cheese stick. Carrots or broccoli?  Apple or banana?  You get the idea. I have seen so many lunches with sandwiches, chips, cookies or treats, fruit snacks (full of sugar, might as well be a peice of candy), and sodas or juice boxes that are not 100% juice. If you ate that everyday,  how would you look, feel, or behave?  I would be droopy by 1 or 2 after eating like that, let alone the sugar drop and irritability I would experience.  Every wonder why your kids are more ornery, or tired, after school?  Check out what they are eating for lunch! 


Hope this sheds some light.  Keep moving forward.  When one experience with a new food choice is a challenge, keep trying.  When introducing babies to new food, they may spit the carrots back at you, but we don't give up.  We keep giving it to them to try and eventually their taste buds become accustom to it.  Be good to yourself and eat for health, and create positive attitudes about food and eating with your children. Someday, they might be feeding you!

A New Kind of Sugar Free Pudding

Well, I tried my hand at making that pudding recipe with stevia for a sweetener and it turned out great!  It is one you get to cook, but made ahead, it is good and good for you.  I have made it into protein pudding and had bananas,.....should have taken a picture.  None the less, it was successful and I had a good time researching it and EATING it.  I will have the recipe up soon so you can have a try for yourselves.  I want to try a few things to get it just right.  Check back this week, and happy substitutions!