devotions

bloom inward

dailystepsblog

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I found out something yesterday. I learned that a fig is really a flower. It blooms inwardly and the seeds you see are dozens and dozens of tiny blossoms. It is a miracle of nature to see the inside of these delicate buds daintily hanging from trees.

At first glance they, for the most part, blend in with the tree as a whole. But when the right person comes along and opens them up, their beauty is revealed. They grow and bloom, unassumingly doing their thing on the inside, until they are shared with someone and that inner beauty is exposed.

I read this AFTER I bought these delicious looking figs at Costco yesterday. And I just couldn’t stop thinking about them being flowers. It’s just cool.

I think God was giving me this idea… this is what I want to teach our girls. They are teens and an almost tween… definitely in a crucial stage of life, growing blossoms of beauty inwardly. Blossoms of kindness and compassion, self-respect and respect of others, honesty, strength, and love. They may have times where they just blend in with their surroundings and that’s okay. They just need to keep unassumingly blooming on the inside until what’s there needs to be shared. Those dozens of blossoms are there for whoever comes along in need. It could be a friend at school or a person they meet while volunteering. It could be a random act of kindness with a stranger. It could be a sister you live down the hall from!

Bloom inwardly. Keep nurturing those blossoms that make you YOU. And when that is meant to be shared, open up and reveal who you are. A beautiful inside really is a true thing of beauty.❤️

devotions

inspiration, information, transformation

dailystepsblog

This. I’m about halfway through the book “Uninvited” by us a Terkheursr and I want to both sit and finish it all TODAY and spread it out over the next month so it won’t end… it’s that good and that applicable to life for me (and my girls!).

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This quote in chapter 13 really jumped out at me as I read today. This is SO what I do. I’m a questioner and researcher and ask ‘why?’ about A LOT. I just have a curiousity to understand things better. And I am completely into encouragement and inspiration… Anything that is positive and uplifting…. sunshine and rainbows is what we call it with my daughter. ☀️🌈. I’m ALL about that.

But transformation? The DOING? That’s where I lack. That’s where either laziness or fear step in. Almost.every.time. The brainstorming and idea part is fun. The lets-make-it-happen freaks me out. This is true in every part of my life. I read and study daily. But applying it? That needs work.

I’m learning in this book that so much human emotion and repercution could be avoided if I would DO what His words tell me to do. I’m realizing the same is true in so many areas of life. Bible study, eating healthier, parenting, being a good wife, being a good friend… The list goes on. APPLICATION is what creates my TRANSFORMATION. Not good intentions. Not acquiring knowledge. Not motivation. I’ve got to DO.

For me, this was the perfect excerpt to read at this time of trying to practice intentionality.

Thank you, God, for finding me in the quiet and stillness this early morning and teaching me to apply your holy words to every step I take throughout the day. Every step matters.❤️

being mindful, daily moments, family produce project, healthy living

color us healthy

dailystepsblog

It’s a new school year, and I’m trying to start the school year with #goals. As a family, we have worked all summer to cook together and try new foods… Mainly produce items and colors but we tried cooking some new dishes, too.

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This pic here is my attempt to track our efforts. Tracking has become a norm for me since starting weight watchers. This is just a tweak of what I’m doing on my own, really.  Every month we will use this board to keep tabs of what we cook and eat- the proteins and colors we use. We will either color in or write in what we eat… The goal to keep it balanced and get all the colors in.  If we are lacking somewhere, then we will hunt through my  cookbooks or Pinterest to find something we could try.  I have come to love having our girls in the kitchen with me.  It won’t be easy with all of our schedules, but I’m hoping this board will be a visual for me to make more of an effort.  We had some good bonding this summer over peeling, grating, sautéing, and stirring the roux FOREVER.  You can have some pretty awesome girl talk in the kitchen!  Sometimes they’re more willing to talk when you’re doing something while you chat. 😉

But in all honesty, in thinking this through, I realized I need to keep a focus on health being all-encompassing.  Because it is so much more than salads and smoothies, right?   So, we also added a workout pyramid that I adapted from the bible study “Fit to Serve”. It will be a guide to follow for how often we do different types of activity during the week.  I can already tell this will need tweaking as we go… But it’s a good place to start.  It should get them thinking a little less about couch time with candy crush and a little more about getting out and about with Pokemon Go!  Fingers crossed …

We also added a big noticeable part to focus on:  random acts of kindness.  There is a grid of ideas to get us started, but also blank squares where we can write our own onto sticky notes. In an effort to live well, it can become pretty easy to become self-focused. That is understandably so, but it really should be in balance. Getting yourself healthier is really just a basis to live and serve in the world better. My goal is to have us, as a family,  point our eyes outward into the world and see where we can add just a little drop of goodness towards others in our day to day lives.

And at the top… We will each pick a scripture for the month. Faith needs to be the foundation to it all. Each of us will choose one bible verse that we all will reference. So that means six bible verses for us as a family to learn about, talk about, and practice over the course of a month.

My hope and prayer is that we will stay focused and interactive with this. It’s a visible way to keep track of what we talk about often. We have four daughters that each learn in their own way.  Talking through things is good, but the visual of this is just another way to try and teach them how to live better…. to live well. I hope this helps develop healthier habits for all of us. It’s a way to be intentional, which is something I have been working on for awhile now.  I will follow up at the end of September with how we did.  #squadgoals in a mind-body-spirit kind of way.☺️

get active, healthy living, movement, working out

overrated comfort zones

dailystepsblog

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This is where I teach class from. It’s a jazzercise thing for us to be up on a stage. It allows our customers to see us better when we #movetothegroove.💃🏻.

There was a lot I had to do and learn to become a certified instructor, but this stage was the biggest obstacle for me to conquer. I’m not naturally a put-me-out-front kinda girl. But… I was at a point in life where I was ready for something new. Ready to set a goal to work towards. Ready to get out of my comfort zone, which is scary but fun once you get your mind on board. I was ready for a challenge.

That was almost five years ago. Since I made that decision, it has been life changing. Fitness became not only FUN but my job- a priority. I grew as a person. A lot. I gained a confidence that has helped me since in other areas of life and I have learned new things about myself. Good, good things can come from getting out of our comfort zones!

I still get nervous before every single class. Every one! But a fellow instructor once told me that those nerves just mean that I care. I still want to do a good job. I want to encourage and motivate others. I want our customers to have fun! Do you have a comfort zone you’d like to breach? I will be the first to tell you it is worth it. You are worth it. The lives you could encourage are worth it. You never know what can come from getting out of your box… Or hopping up on that stage.😊

daily moments, devotions, working out

the monotony of exercise

dailystepsblog

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Have you ever started a new workout- loving every second, going everyday- only to find yourself burned out months… maybe even weeks later? I certainly have. I still do! It takes intentional effort on my part to find variety. I will try a different format to teach in jazzercise. Last year I took some tennis lessons which I had never done before. I went back to yoga, and here lately I’m getting outside more to just walk. The change breaks up the monotony, it brings about excitement in me to try something new and exercise in a new way, and it gives me the desire to make it part of my routine.
Strengthening our spiritual life is very much the same. Monotony can set in quickly when we find ourselves following the same routine week after week. I am speaking from experience! A daily morning habit of reading and following a study all of a sudden has felt a little blah and monotonous over the last few weeks. In looking for a pen this morning, I found this bible study journal that I forgot I bought. It was tucked away in a drawer. The scripture I had on my mind this morning was 2 Peter 3:5-10. And the notes I had jotted down from a previous sermon talked about spiritual exercises we can do to participate in our faith- to grow. I could have just sat and read this scripture and notes and I would have gotten the message on how to supplement our faith. But using my journal prompts helped me to think and engage in a new way. I was interactive with scripture in a way I hadn’t been doing. I was studying in a new way. One new change felt like I broke the monotony of the last few weeks and I got to learn and process in a different way. My life in this simple moment was illustrating exactly what my notes said.
Spiritual exercise matters just as much as physical exercise. And sometimes adding variety to how we spiritually “workout” brings about a new desire to keep going and keep growing. But, just like planning a healthy menu for the week, or planning to teach a specific jazz class, it takes being intentional.
I’m so happy I came across this journal this morning. I feel like it is a new tool to help me continue to grow in a new way.❤️

daily moments, devotions

coffee grinder gratitude

dailystepsblog

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I woke up this morning and this coffee canister was empty. EMPTY. That is NOT a good feeling when you are an overly-dependent A.M. coffee drinker like I am. I starting rummaging around our pantry feeling quite panicked at the thought of no morning cup-o-joe.

It didn’t take long for me to find this bag of whole beans, tucked away since last Christmas, a gift from a jazzercise customer. Thankfully I still had a grinder, too, and within minutes I had the pot brewing.

I realize being without coffee is ABSOLUTELY a #firstworldproblem, but as I sat there happily listening to the whir of the coffee pot, I was reminded of the book of Matthew where he talks about being anxious:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

God met me right where I was this morning, a place I mindlessly operate every morning just trying to get my day started, and He jostled me awake with such a simple reminder of how He will always provide what we need.

I think every time I look at my coffee canister I will be reminded of His love for us and how He will always provide just what we need if we seek Him first. ❤️

healthy living, recipes

eggplant-carmelized onion flatout pizza

dailystepsblog

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Here is another recipe that I initially saw on a Pinterest link.  In an effort to save a few calories/weight watchers points, I have recreated it here, using a Flatout Bread wrap as the crust.  It was just as yummy as on a regular pizza crust, no doubt from all the delicious flavors that topped it.

 

Roasted Eggplant-Carmelized Onion Flatout Pizza

 

1 Flatout Bread wrap

2 Tablespoons hummus (I used roasted garlic)

1 Chinese eggplant- sliced in thin slices

1 yellow onion

oregano

olive oil

salt and pepper

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Rub just a bit of olive oil on the flatout wrap and cut into smaller pieces (I cut mine into 8).  Place in the oven for about 5 minutes to let it crisp up.  (I used my Pampered Chef bar pan and pressed the wrap into it, making a little edge all the way around.  It worked great to give the pizza a little lift.  Sadly, my daughter broke it last night, so I’ll be hunting on ebay or somewhere to find a replacement.  It’s an excellent addition to anyone’s kitchen.)

While that’s baking, slice the onion and sauté in a swirl of olive oil.  Cook on medium heat until the onion starts to caramelize and the edges start to turn crispy.  This will take a good 20 minutes or so.

While the onions cook, lay the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and salt/pepper them.  Roast in the 450 degree onion for about 10-15 minutes, just watching to make sure they start to turn brown.

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Once the onions and eggplant are done, spread the hummus onto the wrap pieces, just as you would pizza sauce.  Layer the onions and then the eggplant onto each slice as well.  Top with oregano and bit more salt and pepper.

Place back in your heated oven for another 5-7 minutes until heated through.

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Serve with the leftover roasted eggplant slices (eggplant “chips” if you’re trying to coax a kid to try them) and fresh fruit.  Enjoy every bit because the flavors are so yummy!  If you’re following weight watchers this lunch for one was only 5 smart points (2 for the wrap, 2 for the hummus, 1 for the olive oil which is only about a teaspoon if used sparingly).  It’s a little bit of effort for “just” lunch, but if you’re having a day at home and want something that’s a little off the beaten track from the typical sandwich or cold-plate like I usually have, this is completely worth it!  Enjoy!!

 

**I’m learning as I go, here, so please bear with me- I promise to have photos to show more of the cooking/recipe process next time.  I realize that will be helpful :))

 

 

 

 

 

being mindful, devotions

the living word

dailystepsblog

imageI spent time getting caught up on my Women Living Well (an Instagram community) Ecclesiastes study this morning and learning more about haste and contentment. Both are good words for me to focus on while on this specific journey God has me on, right here and now in 2016.

It’s SO easy to get caught up in the comparison game, looking at what others have, how quickly they’re losing weight, how far they can run or how fit they are, and how fun their social life/friends seem to be. And in playing that game it’s equally enticing for me to be rash in my decisions on what to buy, what to eat, the things I pursue and WHY I’m even pursuing them.

This morning, I sensed God steadying my heart with His words. I feel Him centering me (yet again!) in finding peace in letting Him guide my path, my daily steps I take each day.

I’m so glad I copied this Pinterest idea and added this Hebrews scripture to my outer bible pages. His word IS living and active. It does find me exactly where I am in life and help me discern what is in my heart and the plans He has for me… not what I want for me.

Help me to keep seeking you, God, and thank you for your words that feel written specifically for me this morning. ❤️

get active, working out

1985 called

dailystepsblog

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I love, love the colorful workout pants… ON EVERYONE ELSE. They’re adorable and they catch my eye every time I see them on people. But when I put them on, it just feels like “1985 called and they want their pants back”. I just can’t do it. I like my plain, black, THICK workout pants.

I’m not giving up though.  I will try again to get out of my box on this. If you read my previous post about the mismatched socks, you may remember that I have found freedom in surrendering before.  There’s a carefree attitude than can easily sweep across us when we embrace the going-for-it.  Joy can be in the littlest of things like non-black spandex.

Getting out of our comfort zone can be good for the soul, so I’m going to keep trying.  Like I wrote about yesterday, I had fun coloring my world in a day. I just can’t color my bottom half quite yet.  Perhaps this could be a good exercise in perseverance and goal setting.  Colored spandex, I’ve got my eyes on you.  Legs, get ready.  🙂

being mindful, daily moments

color my world

dailystepsblog

Color makes me happy.  I have never done a bible study (picture below) where I marked over the words of my bible so much.  I mean, I LOVE my journaling bible but pretty much stay in the margins.  Color coding so many different colors on so much scripture just felt a little weird when I started.  But then I realized, the whole reason I bought this bible was to get more hands on.  I wanted to write, takes notes, decipher, and learn in a way I hadn’t done before.  I wanted to step out of the box of how I had always studied.

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Seeing the pages of my bible so colorful makes me smile.  So much so in fact, that I decided I was going to try to add more color all throughout my day, to get out of my margins a little bit and be more hands on.  I want to color my whole day happy.

Below is a list of things that added color to my day… to the everyday.  Things that ordinarily seem mundane, but for today became a little more vibrant and noticed.

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1-I used one of my favorite coffee mugs this morning.  I bought it on a stop we made in Luckenbach, Texas on a girl’s trip.  I love Texas, I love country music, I love time with my girlfriends, and I love Willie Nelson’s songs.  I smile every time I use this mug, which was handcrafted by a local artisan.

2-I grabbed a different pair of tennis shoes to wear to my jazzercise class.  I haven’t worn them in forever because I prefer the fit of my others, but I love, love, love the colors of these!  Every time I looked down while teaching class, I smiled.  I’m happy to be back with my jazz friends, getting stronger each day, and working on my physical health.  Coming off of an injury, I am feeling grateful that I can exercise.  On a different note, yes those are mismatched socks in the worst way.  You can check out my thoughts on letting go and living surrendered on one of my earlier blog posts.  All because of a pair of mismatched socks.

3-I listened to different music on my way to class today.  My ipod is my lifeline for jazzercise.  It is loaded with SO many great songs that I get to teach routines to.  I skipped around my playlists, finding songs I haven’t listened to in a while.  Good music always makes you smile!

4-I brought my water bottle with me while I had to wait on an oil change at the car place.  Any other day the red blinds probably would have gone unnoticed as just part of the whole car waiting room décor, but for today, they make for a nice contrasting backdrop for my pretty blue water bottle (I’ve got a previous blog post about that, too!).  I mean, really, when is the last time I’ve seen bright red blinds in a window?

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5-I easily noticed the green summer grass!   I walked out to our back patio this morning, to water a plant that my mom gave me for Mother’s Day.  When I looked over to this exact spot in the photo, THERE WAS A SNAKE!  It’s head was sticking up from underneath the edge of the patio.  I screamed and he went back under as quickly as I could get back inside.  The part of this that’s outside of my margins?  I took this photo after GOING BACK OUTSIDE.  I faced a fear (felt a little heebie-jeebie-ish while I did so) but I got the plant watered.  It was the fastest watering job ever, but for now I’m calling it Me-1, Snake-0.

6-These simple containers will be filled tomorrow with fresh fruit for church on Sunday.  I helped start a health and wellness ministry at our church a couple of years ago.  It is something near and dear to my heart.  One part of what we do is provide healthy alternatives to donuts on Sunday morning.  I LOVE our MOVE Ministry- what we do, the people that participate with us, and meeting new friends.  It makes me smile OFTEN.

7- Laundry!  Typically I would look at this table covered with clothes that I need to fold and think, “ugh!”.  But today, I just noticed the COLORS.  99% of the time I don’t look favorably at folding clothes.  But while focusing on coloring myself happy today, and thinking OUTSIDE of my usual margins, I felt grateful for this variety of colors.  They represent four healthy daughters and a healthy hubby.

8-My lunch today.  Yummy!  I had fresh summer foods and a shrimp burger (my new favorite that I will be blogging about soon).  Eating a rainbow- from God’s garden, not a skittle bag- made me happy.  It made my insides feel happy.  And how lucky am I that I can get all of this right down the street at the grocery store.  🙂

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9- A lovely gray rain shower. Gray CAN be happy. Summer showers are perfect for snuggles and movies and forts. Even the pups like to get in on it. And it leads to…
10- Snacks! Yummy yogurt dessert to be exact. It’s been my go-to sweet treat since I started Weight Watchers.  You can’t see the chocolate chips in it but they’re a must. The pretty colorful flower bowl made it all cheery and good, especially on a rainy afternoon.
11-  Like they say, our kids- they’re watching us. This is my youngest lunch plate- she wanted to make it pretty and colorful “like mom does”. She even cut one of her strawberry slices into a heart. My older daughter also snap chatted me a picture of her pretty food plate. (But I’m new to SC and still learning the ins and outs and did not get a screenshot).
12- Riding shotgun. This one could be bittersweet if I let it, but I’m not. It’s happy in a different kind of way, a color I really  haven’t used before.  My oldest daughter now has her permit and is wanting to drive us EVERYWHERE. On one hand, it’s great to be chauffeured after 17 years of driving. On the other, we are now THERE…. watching our child gain her independence and confidence to go out on her own into the world. Today, I’m coloring my world with the joy of watching her blossom. I will cherish this sweet spot of her getting-ready-to-fly-but-not-quite-yet. And I will enjoy the ride.

Today was a good day.  I went about my usual habits and errands with an intentional eye.  I noticed things and paid attention.  Little moments, big moments, mundane tasks… the everyday.  It was all highlighted in different colors that meant something to me, just like the page in my bible.  Yes, colors do make me happy.  🙂