flooding

So many are not aware of this, but Monday we had a tremendous amount of flooding here in GA. It had been raining for several days, but on Monday it was like the floodgates of heaven poured out on us. Because of this the abundant amount of water built up and collected in areas all across GA. Above are some crazy pictures I gathered from one of our news channels, to show the damage and devastation caused by the water. Pray for those who lost their homes, and those that suffered some damage from the rain. It is said that this is one of those floods we receive every 100 years or so. My husband and I are fine, and suffered no damage where we live, but the roads around us were closed Monday- I think there were around 96 roads closed, and 17 counties declared in a state of emergency by the governor. School was out for us yesterday, so we were home (yeah!) but also mindful of those that were trapped at home. Roads washed out, homes flooded, one school was completely flooded up to the ceiling (see pic. above, it's the flat looking building where all you can see is the roof), our Six Flags park had flooding (see the roller coaster pic) the interstates were even flooded. Metro Atlanta had some crazy flooded road pictures, I couldn't find one to post, but if you look at our local news here, there are tons of pictures.
Please keep our neighbors here in prayer as we dry out,praise the Lord for some sunshine today!

Books on nutrition

A fellow blogger friend asked me if I recommend any books on nutrition and health. I wanted to suggest a few for those interested. One book that I picked up at the library (and just recently reserved again for pickup) is a really interesting and thorough read about nutritious foods that are 'super' as well as overall health tips, called SuperFoods Healthstyle by Steven Pratt. I looked up his name on Amazon and found he's written several books. Very good resource, but keep in mind it's a thick one, so take what you can, and like me, you may need to reserve it a few times at the library.







Another book I like I actually own. It's a fabulous book with some really yummy recipes and I have yet to try so many of them. But I have found it to be a pretty good read with helpful content and lovely pictures and it's designed really well (always a HUGE plus for me the design nerd). It is called Body Foods for Busy People:
















And while I am not there yet, she also has two more books for babies and kids that look fabulous:
You may be able to find these by Jane Clarke at the library- I'd try there first, then Amazon. I know I ended paying premium price (I almost never buy books at full price, I like to shop for deals or use coupons at book stores) for my copy of Body Foods, but in the end it almost made me more determined to utilize it all the more. I'll try to include any more books if I find time to peruse some. I really do enjoy learning about what is good for me, and it can be kind of nerdy I know, but to me it's so interesting learning about what foods have in them and what they do to you. Did you know eating spinach can help lift your mood? Plus, it's loaded with vitamins and fiber that are oh so important for you. Blueberries are another great super food full of antioxidants- great for cold and flu season.
It's so much fun and a little empowering when you realize what foods do to you!
Happy reading, I hope this helps!

Thoughts on nutrition

My dear sister is embarking on a new journey- that of good health and good food choices. I am proud of her for making this decision. It's something that is close to my heart since I too have been on this road for a little while. It is definitely a choice you have to come to on your own, no amount of pushing or prodding from anyone else can make you decide to be healthier. I think for me it was the way I felt, hormonally as well as physically. I mentioned a while back that I had suffered from different health problems, which with different options in food, corrected some of these issues for me. Exercise also aided in helping me achieve a healthier, feeling better lifestyle. And when I let one of those areas go it is certainly reflected in how I feel and act.

My sister's post was titled 'Learning how to eat' and I can relate to that. It is truly learning how to eat- correctly.

The more I learn about what is healthy for us and what foods do to us, I am appalled at the food that we as a general mass go to for our meal choices. The preservatives, salt, sugar and processed content in most meals is enough to make your head spin. For some reason, from the days of Moses to our time in history we have developed these fast, easy foods that are basically of no nutritional value. Then we wonder why we are suffering from so many disorders, and pains and diseases.

I guess it's been a huge awakening to me over the past year. Granted I am not where I would like to be as far as our meal choices. In a perfect world we would have an unlimited budget and be able to afford everything organic, or as natural as we can get, and all of our meals would be from scratch.... But I have to work with what we have to the best of my ability. I believe this is what God has given me responsibility for in our home.

I do make mostly all of our meals- maybe not all from scratch, but I read what and why the foods I pick will be in our meals.

Okay I think I can go on and on, it's a topic I am passionate about. Not to say I am a natural- granola- earth loving- tree hugger. No way, I am just conscientious of our diet, and overall health. I think this is being a good steward not only in our budget, but our lives.

Creation by the Creator

Last night we had some weird channel on the tv while we both worked on different computers- I think it was the history channel. A channel we usually don't watch, but somehow it ended up there droning on in the background. It caught my attention when this lady scientist came on talking about the earth, and of course how it was millions of years old...and I just looked up and almost laughed. I still cannot fathom how scientists claim all of these false almost juvenile assumptions about the earths creation. They (atheistic scientists) try to push their theories on the public, and just looking in the Bible this morning, I am reminded again of how the earth came about. So simple, so true, and my heart smiles. I am so in awe of how God created everything into existence, and how detailed He is. Creation is amazing to say the least. It's phenomenal. Just looking at our sun this morning, I stopped to think how it is a star floating in space, and how their are so many stars that size just farther away...it makes my mind spin to start thinking of the largeness of space and how everything is held in place. I cannot understand how others seem to think everything just suddenly existed...
These verses encouraged me this morning, I'm so thankful God is our Creator!

Proverbs 8:27-32
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Meal planning?

I woke up late this morning and had too much to do in the small amount of time before we left for work. That is so frustrating. I get mad at myself for not allowing enough time, because it not only affects me but Jonah as well. So we ran late this morning.
In my frustration and grumpiness, I made breakfast, trying to provide enough protein in Jonah's diet since this is a workout day.
I have been cooking everynight at home, and in the mornings more since eggs have so much protein in them. It's about time to go grocery shopping again, and I am so tired of mentally thinking through a meal every night, as well as breakfast, so I decided to make a list for shopping (which I usually do) but to also make a meal plan for the next week.
I have a question for anyone that can help- Is there a good meal plan out there that I can download or print? Do you have one that you really think works well for you that you would be willing to share? I searched online but didn't find anything significant, there are many sites that require a 'login' and then turn out to be only "this amount of money"...that is irritating to me because it feels like a trick.
I would love to be able to be more organized without feeling overwhelmed right from the beginning and without taking three hours every week to think through meals.
I made a list last night of two different groups of food that I want to include in our diets. So there is my starting point. Tonight I will actually create recipes for dinners, then breakfasts. Then I'll make a grocery list.
I guess I get easily discouraged when it comes to this, because I haven't found a method that I have found to be dummy proof and efficient. I am a very no-nonsense, don't waste my time, kind of gal, and I strive to find the best solution in everything I do. If I find myself spinning my wheels it usually frustrates me and makes me abandon my original purpose....
So here is my plead for help! Anyone?