So I have a confession to make. I thought organic was an interesting idea, but I was not sold on it and mostly thought it was a waste of time, money, and energy. Fruits and vegetables can be washed and meat must be OK after you cook it, right?
Well this all started when my husband thought we needed to do a four week health challenge. We chose to make better food choices, avoid fast food, and plan our meals on a graph. We also gave ourselves flexibility, not being crazy about the strictness. I was so excited! My husband was great accountability and encouraged me to work out and not eat candy. :) Well, it turned out well. We felt better and had more energy. (I did let myself have coffee with yummy sugar and cream as my one treat.) It was right at this time I also was really beginning to research fresh foods, healthy alternative recipes, and what the terms whole wheat, organic, refined, and processed actually meant.
After a lot of research, I found the definitions below (not all super scientific):
Whole wheat: All grains start out as whole grains. If, after milling, they keep all three parts of the original grain – the germ, bran and endosperm – in their original proportions, they still qualify as whole grains. http://www.wheatfoods.org/AboutWheat-what-is-whole-grains/Index.htm
Organic: Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers that the products maintain the organic integrity that begins on the farm. http://www.ota.com/definition/quickoverview.html
Refined: freed from impurities by processing http://www.thefreedictionary.com/refined
Processed:Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processed_food
I watched Food, Inc. and learned about how food has been changed, patented, and controlled. I also found out what CSA’s are (Community Supported Agriculture-see localharvest.org) and went to a local farmer’s market! I got local, home-grown, organic tomatoes, yellow squash, zuchinni, cantaloupe (my husband loves this), and a pumpkin that I can use for cooking when I am done enjoying its beauty this fall season. I am so excited! The food was delicious and I was so thankful God has blessed us with the finances to enjoy a few healthy alternatives. I also made homemade whole wheat noodles which we will be trying this week, and asked my husband for a bread machine for Christmas (can I say slightly ecstatic?!). I found one really nice one for a pretty good deal and he wanted me to order it right away. I am going to not use it until Christmas :( but just knowing I will be able to make healthy alternatives for just about every grain item is so wonderful.
I also read an excerpt from In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan, that “Corn contributes 554 calories a day to America’s per capita food supply and soy another 257. Add wheat (768 calories) and rice (91) and you can see there isn’t a whole lot of room left in the American stomach for any other foods. Today these four crops account for two thirds of the calories we eat. When you consider that humankind has historically consumed some eighty thousand species, and that three thousand of these have been in widespread use, this represents a radical simplification of the human diet. Why should this concern us? Be humans are omnivores, we need somewhere between 50 and a 100 different chemical compounds and elements in order to be healthy. It’s hard to believe we’re getting everything we need from a diet consisting largely of processed corn, soybeans, rice, and wheat.” (page 117-118). I am going to attempt to get these two books. Read an article here by Lindsay for a summary of this book:
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/10/in-defense-of-food-an-eaters-manifesto.html
I am also reading a lot about milk and homogenization. EEK. Our milk isn’t that great after all. I talked to Jon about this and we will have to decide what we want to do. There is not a VERY close farm with fresh, raw milk (closest 30 mins) but in the opposite direction of anything we go to now. If I can plan all my grocery shopping in the same trip in the same direction then we may make an effort to get fresh milk. I am also looking to simulate green tea with honey from the grocery store. My husband downs it quickly and I want to be able to give it to him, but in a healthy way. Any recipes out there?
I also started making kefir (DELICIOUS!), which is an effervescent, yogurt like, fermented milk. It is great in smoothies and for soaking grains and for using instead of oil/butter/sour cream in bread recipes. I eventually want to make some homemade yogurt too.
Anyway, this is our health journey so far. I want to be a frugal and health seeking wife so my family can have healthy, long lives, (God-willing) so that we can serve God in many ways and not be held back by anything like bad health or disease. However, I know our Sovereign God will always provide for us and care for us, organic or not, in sickness and in health. I am so glad He is so good to us! To Him be the glory always!
If anyone has any other adventures, tips, recipes, etc. that can help a family make healthy choices, I welcome comments!
Monday, October 25, 2010
My Calling
So, I am really excited to be a full time homemaker, even when I still am a full time out-of-home worker! Though when I get off work I am tired, I still am excited to come home and make dinner, do laundry, clean dishes (although this one is my least favorite!), and clean the house so it is nice for my husband. We may be in a 500 square foot, one-bedroom apartment, but it is still our home! :)
I really enjoy my full time job. I have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoy being in it. However, I believe my heart is truly one that God has shaped to be a stay at home wife and mother. My sweet Mama has made me want to be like her!
Now, I have this “wish list” of things I want to start doing or accumulating slowly over the years, so that I can better serve my family and others. I am going to list them all out, remembering not to desire earthly treasures, but if I am able to get these inexpensively and keep my focus on serving the Lord, then I will be very glad to! I will update as I add new goals and meet old ones:
-obtain a bread maker (maybe Christmas??)
-obtain an ice cream maker
-obtain a flour grinder
-start buying and grinding whole wheat flours/grains
-make kefir weekly
-visit local farms/markets for all natural, organic produce, meats, and grains
-start soaking grains
-start growing our own herbs and spices
-try one new recipe a week
-have a special dinner dessert day for my family
-have a garden
-consistent, tracked budget ran both by Jon and I
-Limit time of surfing blogs online to 30 mins a day!
I really enjoy my full time job. I have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoy being in it. However, I believe my heart is truly one that God has shaped to be a stay at home wife and mother. My sweet Mama has made me want to be like her!
Now, I have this “wish list” of things I want to start doing or accumulating slowly over the years, so that I can better serve my family and others. I am going to list them all out, remembering not to desire earthly treasures, but if I am able to get these inexpensively and keep my focus on serving the Lord, then I will be very glad to! I will update as I add new goals and meet old ones:
-obtain a bread maker (maybe Christmas??)
-obtain an ice cream maker
-obtain a flour grinder
-start buying and grinding whole wheat flours/grains
-make kefir weekly
-visit local farms/markets for all natural, organic produce, meats, and grains
-start soaking grains
-start growing our own herbs and spices
-try one new recipe a week
-have a special dinner dessert day for my family
-have a garden
-consistent, tracked budget ran both by Jon and I
-Limit time of surfing blogs online to 30 mins a day!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Weekly Menu
I am going to try to plan lunches and dinners weekly so we can save money, time, and energy. If I know what I need to do ahead of time, I won't be scrambling at the last minute to get dinner together, and of course won't need to keep my starving hubby waiting! I also am going to be flexible of course, knowing I am not perfect and things happen that may change the plans. Still, having a basic outline will be very beneficial.
BREAKFASTS:
Rotating oatmeal, yogurt and fruit, and kefir fruit smoothies (I am still looking for the natural kefir grains, though the starter powder has resulted in yummy kefir also!).
LUNCHES:
Rotating sandwiches, wraps, and salads with fruit sides.
MONDAY: tuna patties with fried kale
TUESDAY: burritos with whole wheat tortillas and homemade refried beans
WEDNESDAY: Curried chicken with vegetables and quinoa
THURSDAY: salad
FRIDAY: chicken soup with homemade whole wheat noodles
SATURDAY: lemon pepper chicken with vegetables
SUNDAY: homemade tomato soup with whole wheat biscuits
I will review some of these recipes and post them as well if they are good. A few of our eating goals are more fruits and veggies, less red meat, more whole grains, and fewer refined/fructose containing products.
**UPDATE** I got the kale out to cut and wash and it had bugs all over it. They looked similar to a tick-which I am NOT going to feed my family, so I will be paying the store a visit. I will have to figure out a new veggies to go with my tuna patties!
BREAKFASTS:
Rotating oatmeal, yogurt and fruit, and kefir fruit smoothies (I am still looking for the natural kefir grains, though the starter powder has resulted in yummy kefir also!).
LUNCHES:
Rotating sandwiches, wraps, and salads with fruit sides.
MONDAY: tuna patties with fried kale
TUESDAY: burritos with whole wheat tortillas and homemade refried beans
WEDNESDAY: Curried chicken with vegetables and quinoa
THURSDAY: salad
FRIDAY: chicken soup with homemade whole wheat noodles
SATURDAY: lemon pepper chicken with vegetables
SUNDAY: homemade tomato soup with whole wheat biscuits
I will review some of these recipes and post them as well if they are good. A few of our eating goals are more fruits and veggies, less red meat, more whole grains, and fewer refined/fructose containing products.
**UPDATE** I got the kale out to cut and wash and it had bugs all over it. They looked similar to a tick-which I am NOT going to feed my family, so I will be paying the store a visit. I will have to figure out a new veggies to go with my tuna patties!
Sermon Sunday-The Proper Response to the Proper Confession: Wes Mills on Matthew 14:22-33
I am going to make it a goal to come home from Sunday service each week and retype the sermon. Not only will it help me to review the lessons as I type, it will also be available to Jon and I down the road as we need to be reminded of these precious truths.
Matthew opens with a description of Jesus' Messiah-ship. As the book develops, we see many instances where people are "awestruck" or "amazed" at the things He is doing. However, the full recognition of Who He was is not seen.
Chapter 14 tells of the death of John the Baptist and the feeding of the 5,000. IMMEDIATELY after the miraculous feeding, Jesus sent the disciples into the boat out into the sea. Jesus then was "by himself" and went to pray "alone." **NUGGET: though this is not the point of the story, we should see this lesson of truth that Jesus prayed publicly, privately, frequently, and at times in length. We also must find time to be alone to commune with our God and Father.**
vs. 24 The storm was very rough; it was the 4th watch of the night and they were fighting the wind and waves for probably a long time, perhaps to the point of exhausted delusion.
vs. 25-26 The disciples saw a "ghost" and were terrified.
--Why did Jesus send them out? Did he not know a storm was coming? Did He know, but not care? Was He upset that even after the feeding of 5,000 people, they still did not know Who He was? Was He indifferent to their safety? What is this?
vs. 27 Jesus said to them "Take heart; It is I. do not be afraid." This "It is I" statement shows a strong identity, as if saying emphatically I. AM. ME. JESUS.
--Sound familiar? This echoes Exodus 3:13-15 when God identifies Himself as "I AM WHO I AM." Though not identical, the phrase ego eimi would show the reality that He was their Savior.
vs. 28-31 Peter asks that if it is Jesus, that He command him to come. Jesus commands him so, and Peter walks on the water! But when Peter saw the darkness and water and wind he began to sink and cried out, "Lord save me." Jesus immediately reached out and took hold of Peter and asked, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
--So many times we may look around and see the dark world. We begin to trust what we see. So many times we cry out to a spouse, family, money, social status, etc. to help us, but do we ever cry out to God? We must only turn to Him in times of faith or WE WILL SINK. Peter did not call to the disciples for a rope or life jacket. He called for help to the One Who had called him to come. We must do the same, and IMMEDIATELY Jesus will save. It is not our faith that saves us, as many teachers and preachers wrongly declare from this passage. It is He Who is the OBJECT of our faith that saves and is the One worthy of our faith and devotion.
Vs. 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
--Who ever had authority over the wind, sea, and storms? We see no one with this power in the OT. Only God, YHWH, had this power and authority. The OT is full of references to God’s omnipotence over nature.
Vs. 33 Those in the boat worshipped him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
--This answers the question in Matthew 8:27 when the people ask in the boat, “What man is this that even the waves and winds obey His voice?” It is God Himself; Jesus Christ the only Son of God.
--So why did Jesus send them out? He sent them out to have the recognition and worship He deserves. This is why He also sends us out to the ends of the earth. If we are trusting Christ, the true, living God, why would we ever doubt? It is an act of grace that God puts us in times and places that draw us away from self to God Himself.
C.S. Lewis states “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” Mere Christianity
Everything is pending on our confession of Christ as God, for Matthew 10:32-33 says “Everyone who acknowledges me [Jesus] before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” We have become so familiar with some of these stories and truths that when we hear them we nod in acknowledgment. But do we have a proper response to the proper confession in every area of life? Are we compartmentalizing our lives in a way that we do not really understand that Jesus is the Christ, God Himself? Do not trust your eyes, but know the truth and live it and worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). It is in this way that we will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4). As a teacher once said,
‘Memorize the Gospel.
Pray the Gospel.
Sing the Gospel.
Review what the Gospel has taught you.
Study the Gospel.
Never move on.”
Vs. 34 “And when they crossed over to the land of Gennesaret…”
--They made it to the other side. We must trust we will make it to the other side, to His glory and His honor and His praise.
Matthew opens with a description of Jesus' Messiah-ship. As the book develops, we see many instances where people are "awestruck" or "amazed" at the things He is doing. However, the full recognition of Who He was is not seen.
Chapter 14 tells of the death of John the Baptist and the feeding of the 5,000. IMMEDIATELY after the miraculous feeding, Jesus sent the disciples into the boat out into the sea. Jesus then was "by himself" and went to pray "alone." **NUGGET: though this is not the point of the story, we should see this lesson of truth that Jesus prayed publicly, privately, frequently, and at times in length. We also must find time to be alone to commune with our God and Father.**
vs. 24 The storm was very rough; it was the 4th watch of the night and they were fighting the wind and waves for probably a long time, perhaps to the point of exhausted delusion.
vs. 25-26 The disciples saw a "ghost" and were terrified.
--Why did Jesus send them out? Did he not know a storm was coming? Did He know, but not care? Was He upset that even after the feeding of 5,000 people, they still did not know Who He was? Was He indifferent to their safety? What is this?
vs. 27 Jesus said to them "Take heart; It is I. do not be afraid." This "It is I" statement shows a strong identity, as if saying emphatically I. AM. ME. JESUS.
--Sound familiar? This echoes Exodus 3:13-15 when God identifies Himself as "I AM WHO I AM." Though not identical, the phrase ego eimi would show the reality that He was their Savior.
vs. 28-31 Peter asks that if it is Jesus, that He command him to come. Jesus commands him so, and Peter walks on the water! But when Peter saw the darkness and water and wind he began to sink and cried out, "Lord save me." Jesus immediately reached out and took hold of Peter and asked, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
--So many times we may look around and see the dark world. We begin to trust what we see. So many times we cry out to a spouse, family, money, social status, etc. to help us, but do we ever cry out to God? We must only turn to Him in times of faith or WE WILL SINK. Peter did not call to the disciples for a rope or life jacket. He called for help to the One Who had called him to come. We must do the same, and IMMEDIATELY Jesus will save. It is not our faith that saves us, as many teachers and preachers wrongly declare from this passage. It is He Who is the OBJECT of our faith that saves and is the One worthy of our faith and devotion.
Vs. 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
--Who ever had authority over the wind, sea, and storms? We see no one with this power in the OT. Only God, YHWH, had this power and authority. The OT is full of references to God’s omnipotence over nature.
Vs. 33 Those in the boat worshipped him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
--This answers the question in Matthew 8:27 when the people ask in the boat, “What man is this that even the waves and winds obey His voice?” It is God Himself; Jesus Christ the only Son of God.
--So why did Jesus send them out? He sent them out to have the recognition and worship He deserves. This is why He also sends us out to the ends of the earth. If we are trusting Christ, the true, living God, why would we ever doubt? It is an act of grace that God puts us in times and places that draw us away from self to God Himself.
C.S. Lewis states “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” Mere Christianity
Everything is pending on our confession of Christ as God, for Matthew 10:32-33 says “Everyone who acknowledges me [Jesus] before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” We have become so familiar with some of these stories and truths that when we hear them we nod in acknowledgment. But do we have a proper response to the proper confession in every area of life? Are we compartmentalizing our lives in a way that we do not really understand that Jesus is the Christ, God Himself? Do not trust your eyes, but know the truth and live it and worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). It is in this way that we will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4). As a teacher once said,
‘Memorize the Gospel.
Pray the Gospel.
Sing the Gospel.
Review what the Gospel has taught you.
Study the Gospel.
Never move on.”
Vs. 34 “And when they crossed over to the land of Gennesaret…”
--They made it to the other side. We must trust we will make it to the other side, to His glory and His honor and His praise.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
A Journey
Our names are Jon and Alicia Brewer. This blog will be about our journey as we seek to glorify God in all we do. There will be joys, trials, failures, lessons, and many other things that we share, but ultimately my husband and I want to share our love and joy in God, Who sent Jesus Christ His Son to save us all. We hope you enjoy learning as we learn and growing as we go through life, pursuing a passionate lifestyle that speaks the Good News.
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