Healthy Snack Ideas

I commented on a friends blog about healthy snacks and thought I would share some ideas here with all my mommy friends.

My kids love fruit! 9 times out of 10 they will pick fruit over fries. Some things we do here:

1) We do go to the farmers market and the kids can touch and pick out their own fruit

2) In the spring we pick strawberries at the farmers market and make jelly and bread...This is SO fun for the kids and the strawberries are so much tastier than the ones in the store.

3) For snack time, get a cupcake pan and fill it with all different kids of fruits and veggies. set it out, where the kids can reach, for about 30 minutes...they will obviously eat all of their favorites first...then wrap it up and put it out the next day, they may say, well I don't like it...say, well, this is snack and if you're hungry you may eat it, if not dinner will be in a few hours...The point is to introduce new foods to them, expose them to the usual, and get the to at least taste all of them often...plus it's super healthy and you wont feel guilty for snacking with them either.

 (Ideas to fill it with: strawberries, grapes, sliced bananas, oranges, kiwi, mango (my kids fav!), gold fish, cheese sticks-sliced, carrots, broccoli, avocado, corn, cauliflower (you can even buy the purple kind), yellow, red, and/or green peppers...to name a few. Switch it up!  Do not serve these with any dips...you want your children to appreciate the naturally flavors of these yummy foods! (Thanks to my sis. for this idea--we love it!)

3)My kids fav!! Making fruit smoothies. buy mixed frozen fruit in a bag, use 1 c. Orange juice, 1 c. grape or blueberry juice, then fill with as much frozen fruit as you want to make as thick as you want, blend, serve...you will need thick straws if your kids like it as thick as mine do :)

Sweet Moments

These are some of my favorite pictures, when my kids are sleeping. I'm not going to lie, part of it is because by the time the photos are captured I'm more than ready for the silence, but the other reason is just the innocence of a child.  It is in these still and quiet moments, that as a mother, I can reflect on what an amazing opportunity I have been presented with.  I have been blessed beyond measure to have the priveldge to parent these two beautiful munchkins. 

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.    Proverbs 22:6

Travel--TIM

WOW!!! Today has been an incredibly moving day.  It all started when I parked my car at FastPark2 at IAH.  I parked my car, got my luggage, and walked to the bus, when the driver took my bag he said, the bus is pretty full, please sit in the front seat.  So, I did, as soon as we started driving we started talking about where I was going, where we're from...in his teens he lived in Colorado, I said it's beautiful there! My grandparents have a summer house there but my grandpa has been in declining health for the past 6 years so we haven't been. He said, yeah getting old you have to realize life is short and better start looking where you're headed (he sounded a little unsure) so I said, well, aging or not, we're not promised tomorrow, so as long as you know where you're going it's not scary...I said, I'm not ready to go, but if I did I'm certain I'm going to live with Jesus...this opened a whole other can...he said, when I was a child I went to church and was kind of religious, but I couldn't understand how there could be a God with a World with so much hate, hurt...he said and then as I got older I realized that good things do happen, there are miracles, so there's someone there...I don't know if it's grandparents or what. I said, No sir...there's a big God, full of miracles...he said well, I feel people who do good things, good things happen to them and people who do bad thing, bad things happen. I said, yes, to a degree...I said but bad things even happen to good people. I said Jesus never said there wouldn't be trials. About that time we were pulling up at the terminal. I said, sir, what's your name? He said, Tim. I said, Tim I'm praying for you and Jesus loves you!! He said I sure appreciate it. I have to say that felt like the SHORTEST trip to the terminal EVER!!! And the easiest...God was there and gave me every word! Please pray for Tim that he will have clarity and KNOW where he will spend eternity.

What Matters Most-Our Body

Each January our church does a series on What Matters Most...Dr. Phil Lineberger from Sugar Land Baptist Church has given me permission to post some of his sermons on my blog.

January 2, 2011

We looked at Scripture we need to regard our body and our minds as gifts from God to be managed with dignity.  The most important relationship we will ever have is with ourselves.  We have to be our own best friends first and love ourselves from the inside out. 

This is really true...we can't be available for others until we are okay with ourselves.  Here's what the Bible teaches us about our bodies.

God Created Me
Gen. 1: 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Gen 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Deut. 21:20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
*gluttony is in the same category as drunkeness


Prov. 23:21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd druther not." ~Mark Twain

When you look in the mirror do you love the person you see? --YOU SHOULD!

1 Cor. 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

*we were bought at the greatest price ever!

Does God feel good walking around in your body? (this may be a  hard question to answer)

Discipline: Doing what we should when we should!

Sacrafice: giving something up!

**If I take care of my body and diet I am taking care of my emotions. 

It is clear from Scripture that our bodies are a good gift from God.  We should treat them with the respect and dignity due this kind of gift.  It is a sin against God to mistreat this wonderful gift.  It is a sin that has terrible personal consequences for me and those around me. 

I am the one who is most responsible for taking care of the body God has given me.  If my body is going to receive the attention and care it deserves, IT IS UP TO ME! GOOD HABITS BEGIN WITHIN!

This year take time for yourself...take time to MOVE...REST...READ...you will feel better!

Pastor Phil's Tips:
1) Read and reflect on Romans 12:1-2
2) Map out a plan for a healthier DIET in 2011
3) Begin a consistent EXERCISE regimen
4) Take time to REST
5) Turn off the television and READ


Disclaimer: Although much of this came from Pastor Phil's sermon, I have added my own opinions and comments.

"I have this..."

On Saturday, Faith's friend was celebrating her birthday at the skate rink.  When Faith put her skates on for the first time she was shaky and insecure.  She begged us to hold on to her.  As she became more comfortable, she turned around and yelled at me..."Mom, I can do it! Let go!"  So, I let go but stayed very close...every couple of feet she became wobbly, but I caught her, again, and again...every couple of feet I would catch her...this went on for about 30 minutes.  Each time I would catch her she would say, "Mom, I have this!" 

After this happened a few times I began to think how often I take situations into my own hands. "God, I've this..." And right about that time I begin to wipe out, but the loving hands of Jesus Christ are right there to catch me...saying, "No, I have you."

Too often I feel I can do things on my own. Or, better yet, when things are going so well I think I can take control. It is about at those times that I almost always stumble and God is right there to grab my arms and keep me up.

Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
                                                                                                          ~Psalm 37:24

 when we are weary.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
                                                                                                           ~Matthew 11:28

In Honor of Deputy John Norsworthy

This morning, as a family, we all loaded up and went to town to run some errands.  Shortly after 1 or so we had one last stop and needed to get on 59.  We noticed that from every direction you tried to enter 59 (north or south) was blocked...so we thought, we'll just take the back roads and when we did we saw cars lining each side of the highway with people standing on the side of the road, so we pulled over to see what was going on...About that time we saw a hearse passing by, the couple told us that a local officer had died in a car wreck...

We pulled over to pay our respects.  While we were pulled over, in no hurry to get anywhere, Will was in the back seat yelling, "ugh, this stupid line..." (I guess he's learned that from somewhere before-oops). I turned around and told the kids that this was not a stupid line.  I said that an officer, like Mr. Dan (our neighbor, and father of Faith's best friend) had been in a bad car accident and passed away.

This raised many questions...as cars began to clear out, we went on with our Saturday afternoon.  They asked questions about his family and friends and that's when I said, how about we pray for him.  Everyone agreed and we prayed for peace and comfort for his family and friends.

After the prayer not much else was said about it until tonight we were sitting at the table having family game night.  We were passing out cards and one of the kids said, so did he go to heaven? Which then lead us to the conversation that you have to believe Jesus was the Son of God and died on the cross for our sins.  That we have try to live a life like God--like obey our parents (had to throw that one in there!) But we can have hope that he knew Jesus...

Then as I laid down with Will tonight, I said, let's say our prayers buddy...he said, "No, let's just pray for the police."  When I heard my 3 year old say that, my heart melted!

I don't always snatch these moments like I should, but...I think we hit the mark today.  We had an opportunity to witness to our children through the life of an officer.

I'd like to dedicate this post to Officers, Firefighters, and the Military! Thank you for ALL you do! Thank you for protecting us and risking your life daily to assure safety for everyone else!

In honor of Deputy John Norsworthy, his wife and two children. 
**Family and friends if you see an emergency vehicle, please remember to yield!
http://www.click2houston.com/news/26366734/detail.html

Brutally honest thoughts of a runner...well THIS runner anyway

This post is solely the thoughts that cross my mind while I'm running, this is not based on anyone else's opinion...just mine.

Here we go from the moment I wake up:
"I don't really want to do this!" "YES you do, get your butt out of bed and go."
"No, I'm just going to snooze until 7." "Okay, but no later than 7!"
"Oh crap, it's 7:15...ok, let's go."
"Please Lord, don't let me wake the kids as I leave!"
"Oh dang, it's cold outside!" "You can just turn around and crawl back in bed."
"NO, you can't!! You are already outside, just RUN!" "Okay, fine!"
"Oh dang, why does everything hurt the first 2 miles?"
"Lord, please let my shins stop hurting....now my calves...BREATH!"
"Wow, thank you Jesus for this beautiful morning"
"Oh the sunrise is stunning!"  "Thank you Jesus for the beautiful sounds of the birds chirping."
"Lord, please don't let that green car that has just passed me twice kidnap me." "Just in case I'm going to get their LP# to txt to Daron if they do...891XMY."
"What cross streets am I on in case I get kidnapped I can txt someone"
"Ok, good they passed me and didn't stop."
"YES, 2 miles in...feeling better..."
"Shawna, keep your arms below your heart, shake 'em out...loosen up"
"Breath"
"You can do this!"
"Dear God, please don't let that dog attack me"
"Thank Jesus for not letting that dog attack me"
"hmmm...I wonder which street I should take to add another mile."
"I'm so thankful Daron downloaded this program on my phone to track my distance."
"OK, getting bored...time to listen to music."
"whew, thank you Jesus for not letting me step in that dog poop!"
"Jesus, please don't let these ducks attack me."
"Thank you Jesus for not letting them attack me!"
"5.5 miles...only 2.5 more to go!"
"Oh no!! Why do I always get the urge in the 6th mile??? WHY didn't I plan this run around a convenient store???"
"Dang, I'm going to have to walk..."
"ok, I need to talk to God-turn off music"
"Dear God, please let me be able to hold another 1.3 miles to a restroom!"
"Should I ask that car to take me to the store?"
"What about that one?"
"Jesus, I plead that you allow me to make it to Valero!"
"I really wish I knew more people on my routes."
"Praise the good Lord, thank you Jesus for letting me make it to the store!"
"Ok, 3/4 mile left...get with it Shawna!"
"YES, 8.13 miles!"
"I did it!! Thank you Jesus for another successful and safe run!"

Well, these are the brutally honest thoughts as I run...I have realized running really is a demanding sport, but there is nothing like it. It clears my mind so much! Thank you Fallon for always nudging me into this sport, thank you to an anonymous person for pissing me off enough to run for the first time, thank you Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred for getting me cardio vascularly (don't think that's a word, but I like it) prepared, thank you Summer for showing me that you can get results, thank you Lucas for always telling me to quit whining and dominate, thank you mom for showing me you can do it at any age, and thank you Daron for always being supportive, loving, and complementing-I love you!