Family
Fall Food, Friendship and Gathering
Fall reminds me of family, friendship, food and gathering. Gathering beautiful leaves that have changed colors and have fallen off the trees. Gathering around the table to celebrate all the things we are thankful for. Gathering back the friends you have not seen all summer because people’s schedules get uncharacteristically crazy during the summer months. Gathering back with life groups or volunteer organizations you belong to that take a break for summer. This weekend, I did a little bit of all of the above. On Saturday evening, after a wonderful day of nourishing my soul at a retreat (I will write about it next week), I was privileged to spend a few hours with my daughter and two friends. One friend was one of my most valued friends and the other was her friend (a new friend to both my daughter and me). We were blessed to share a few hours together. It was a time of enrichment for all. We talked about the fantastic day we had spent together learning about a great work that is going on in Malawi, Africa and we shared about our lives and how God had been encouraging us in our walks with Him. Friendship and gathering together is medicine for the soul. Sharing with women who are committed to serve in their community and abroad and are involved in amazingly interesting activities is one way to be encouraged and to contribute to your own healthy mind and body.
We shared a meal together and the food was spectacular…nutritious and delicious!!! Here is my rendition of the dish that we all ordered…..
Bombay Bowl
1 yellow onion
20 large or 30 medium brussel sprouts trimmed and cut in half
1 head of cauliflower
4-5 carrots
1-2 parsnips
4-5 small red, white or purple potatoes…
Why Begin with My WHY?
Have you ever thought about WHY you do what you do? Most of us spend our time focused on our WHAT-tackling our “to-do” lists, taking care of the urgent needs in our daily lives and ultimately accomplishing some of our goals. The girls and I are currently participating in an online course called Healthy Mind and Body. (to find out more about this program click here). One of the guiding principles of the course focuses on developing our WHY. The difference between our WHAT and our WHY is very important to understand when developing a healthy mind and body? Our WHAT focuses on the tasks to be done, the end result of what we want to accomplish. Our WHAT involves logic, drive and behaviors that we use to obtain our goals. Our WHY, on the other hand, focuses on our vision, passions, beliefs and purpose. An example of the difference might look like this……My WHAT…..My daughters and I write a blog to provide “deep rooted wisdom for growing families”….My WHY….everyday is filled with amazing things that I am learning and I am passionate about sharing my experiences in our blog so I can help others. The difference is not in the results, but in the process. My WHAT is the task of writing the blog. When I approach my life from my WHAT, those things I want to accomplish and the tasks I need to do can become mundane and driven by obligation, responsibility, commitment. Those driving forces are not bad or wrong, they just lack the inspiration that comes from working out of my WHY. When I approach my life from my WHY, I am inspired to do the very thing I really want to do, deep down inside of me. I am driven by my greater purpose, …
Read MoreApricot Bran Honey Muffins
Need a breakfast idea that is packed with healthy ingredients, incredibly delicious and a great way to send your kids off with a nutritious start that first day of school? I reorganized a few of my favorite ingredients into this recipe and I know you will love these muffins.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups chopped dried apricots, about 7 oz (I used sulfur free organic)
2 Tablespoons butter (can use dairy free margarine)
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
½ cup apricot nectar
2 Tablespoons honey
¾ cup oat bran
¾ cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (8 oz) carton plain greek yogurt (can use soy or coconut yogurt to keep it dairy free)
1 egg
1 egg white
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly grease a 12 count muffin tin.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a small saucepan and place on high heat until it comes to a boil. Turn down to low and let simmer for 3 minutes until apricots are plump and mixture is thick. Allow to cool.
Mix flour, oat bran, salt and soda in a medium bowl.
Wisk brown sugar, yogurt, vanilla, egg and egg white together in a small bowl and add to flour mixture in medium bowl.
Stir together until just moistened.
Fold in apricot mixture and quickly spoon into greased muffin tin.
Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Watch carefully so tops do not brown too much.
Makes 12 muffins.
Serve warm or room temperature.
Store in straight container.
Reorganize your WHY!
The Growing Weisser women are taking this week off to spend some important time reorganizing our priorities. We are attending a leadership development conference and have an abundance of new concepts and information to digest so we can share much of it with you.
The keynote speaker was passionate about her faith in Jesus and she encouraged us in business development techniques that we will pass on to you in the near future. She ended her talk by handing out tiny bags of mustard seeds with a bible verse from Matthew 17:20 ” If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” She encouraged us to believe in ourselves and to set goals, dream big and to never give up on our why!
Do you know WHY you do the things you do in your life? Maybe you need to take some time to reorganize your WHY!
All the Weisser Women…
Read More5 Ways to Reorganize Your Life for a New School Year
The new school year is upon us and is coming fast – or for some…has already started!! For those of you who still have some time, here are 5 ways to get reorganized after a busy summer to be ready for the new school year! And, if you have already started, get on these tips before your new schedule gets too busy and hectic!
1. Buy a Planner!
A planner will really help you stay organized with appointments, lunch dates, kids sports practices, church events, etc.
My favorite places to get planners are Target, The Container Store, and Barnes & Noble. Each of these stores has all different types and sizes to find exactly what you need. Amazon is also a great place to look for different styles of planners!
I would also recommend getting your kids their own planners. I used a planner from a young age for school and it helped me immensely stay organized and on top of all my school tasks and homework. I definitely would not have been as successful at school without a planner! I always liked having a larger size planner for school to have plenty of room to write down all my assignments and upcoming tests. This one is fun, too, because you can personalize the front with a name, pictures and other stickers! (Laminate with contact paper once finished)
2. Go through clothes that don’t fit OR sell or donate clothes that are tired/won’t wear anymore to make room for some new school year clothes shopping!
It was always fun to get a new first day of school outfit or a few new staples for a new year of school. Having a special day to go shopping can be a great incentive to clear some space in your kids closet! And, …
Read MoreReorganize your Heart and DO SOMETHING!
Have you ever had an experience where something moves your heart into action? When you hear of a pressing need and you just can not stop thinking about it and you feel compelled to DO SOMETHING? Are you willing to allow that pressing need to motivate you enough to REORGANIZE your life so you can DO SOMETHING? Read on and you will understand what I mean and why I am reorganizing my life to follow my heart and DO SOMETHING!
There are 15 million orphans across sub-Saharan Africa and their 20-40 year old parents have died of HIV/AIDS. This year the numbers are expected to increase to 21 million or more due to the drought and severe food shortage. One million of these orphans live in Malawi, Africa, where some very special “Gogos” (grandmothers) are caring for these orphans in the rural villages. Many of these “Gogos” are caring for 2 or 3 children or more. They each have a small plot of ground to cultivate and grow enough to eat if the maize crop is good. This year, the lack of rain and poor harvest mean there will be hunger and starvation in the months ahead.
SAFE (Sub-Saharan African Family Enrichment, a registered NGO and approved 501©3 non-profit organization) facilitates partnerships between poor gogos and groups in the U.S. called Gogo Grandmothers. The Gogo Grandmother groups raise funds to provide the grandmothers with seeds, fertilizers, mosquito nets, blankets, preschool for younger orphans and school fees and supplies for older orphans. The Gogo Grandmother groups gather to pray for the Gogos regularly. The Gogos in Africa are given spiritual encouragement, nutrition training and education in child development and hygiene. This is a fantastic heart-to-heart relationship that brings joy to Gogos in Africa and is an opportunity for LOVE in …
Read MoreReorganize Your Thoughts on Fear
“Fear, in any form, is crippling and life threatening. But we must realize that fear does not come from the Lord. And if we entertain that fear, we are rejecting the peace and protection we have been given through Christ.
Where do you see/feel fear creeping up in your life? Is it in your job, your marriage, are you afraid for your kids? Or maybe you’re afraid to chase after your dreams and take a leap of faith?
Whether or not you pray or read a Bible, I encourage you all to read through theses mental shifts on how to overcome fear. Say them outloud whenever you feel fear sneaking up on you, and commit to no longer being controlled by it!!” – Lori Lasco
Though we might not always be fearless, by praying specifically for qualities found in God’s Word, we can fear less. If you’re battling fear on any level or in any area of your life, I’d like to invite you to do the same.
Instead of praying that fear will be far from us, we can ask God to give us strong, bold and courageous hearts (Joshua 1:9)
What Recharges YOU?
One of my favorite things about summer is having time to read! I love books and I love setting aside time each day to read. It is not as though I don’t read during the other seasons but there is something very special to me about summer reading…it might be the opportunity to read for pure pleasure or maybe it’s the memories that come to mind as I sit for an hour in the afternoon sun and read a novel. I love to listen to audio books, podcasts and learn about the lives of interesting people. We just spent hours in the car last week listening to a dramatic presentation of the life of C.S. Lewis during the war, then we listened to the unabridged audiobooks of Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters. My mind was challenged to think outside the box and was filled with mind boggling questions. I am RECHARGED by having my mind opened up to new ways of thinking and discovering concepts about life and eternity. C. S. Lewis was a brilliant thinker, philosopher and a strong enthusiast for the cause of Christ. He was creative and innovative and every book I have ever read that he authored has shaped my life in a positive way.
Right now I am reading a book called Gripped by the Greatness of God by James MacDonald.
This week I read and reread a passage in the bible from Isaiah 55:1-13 that the author used to impress upon his readers that a good way to insure finishing strong in one’s life is to look for and follow people who are passionately acknowledging the greatness of God. Those people find a complete satisfaction in following God and they believe in the absolute truth of the bible that produces confidence, teaches …
Get Out & Get Refreshed – Summer Version
Are you bored by your schedule and routine? Are you in a rut? Sometimes all you need is to get outside or get out of your routine to get a little refreshment! Here are five fun (maybe NEW) ideas to do just that:
1. Try a New Activity with Friends
A few friends and I have recently been planning to attend a “Paint Nite.” There are paint studios all over where you go and get a step-by-step process to all paint the same picture (and it usually includes wine which is a bonus for many!). We are really excited to go be crafty, spend some quality time together, and try something new – and we get a canvas painting out of it, too! Rachel recently tried the “Ladies Night Out” at her local rock climbing gym with friends! There are so many fun, inexpensive ways to find refreshment.
“Learning something new is a fabulous way to be refreshed. When work can grind you down, something about learning a new activity thrills the soul. It reminds you that the world is bigger than your desk and your to-do list.” John Ortberg
2. Go on a Date somewhere you have never been!
Try that new restaurant you have always been wanting to go to; Find a local, free activity; Go somewhere in the city you have never been; go to a movie in the park; find a yoga event in the park; go to a new exercise class with your spouse or find a video online (try YouTube!)
Join a Yoga Challenge! We are currently doing #BackToBackbendsChallenge on Instagram with @kinoyoga @beachyogagirl and @aloyoga for the month of July! Find the challenge on my profile @bekahb623 to join!
3. Go on a Walk, Run, Hike or Bike Ride; Go to a new …
Read MoreNYC Releases Synergy
Sights, sounds, smells, synergy…. the incredible energy of Manhattan…..to spend a week strolling the streets, exploring the districts, the subway, the waterways, the incredible diversity in the architecture, seeing skyscrapers, museums, memorials……absorbing all that the city offers would take a lifetime. Each day as the people of New York City awake and begin their crazy complicated city lives, there is a powerful release of synergism-the interaction of elements that when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.
I loved every second of my time in New York and can not wait to go back. I had forgotten how much of American history and rich culture has its roots in NYC and the surrounding area. Discovering how the new traditions have grown up around the historic buildings and districts was fascinating. I was captivated by the architecture of the buildings and the museums that held mass quantities of incredible art and artifacts from cultures around the world. I loved the sense that the people of Manhattan are working together to make their city a safer and more ecologically friendly place. I stayed with my sister and nephew near Central Park and began each day walking by the beautiful park where locals and tourists go to spend leisure time walking, running and biking. It is incredible to comprehend that 12 million people are hustling and bustling about in Manhattan each day. They work hard, exercise hard, play hard and although the sense is that people that live in NYC are driven and always on-the -go, we met genuinely nice and extremely helpful people wherever we went. I loved hearing the stories about young passionate people using their talents and entrepreneurial skills to pursue their dreams. We met bakery shop owners who had learned how …