The Direction of…..Pineapples??

The Direction of…..Pineapples??

The life of a 13 year old…..I am finding out it is quite different from what I remember at that age. My daughter recently turned the big 1-3 and it has been a roller coaster. Nowadays, she is in to pineapples! Pineapple everything….pineapple socks, pineapple necklaces, pineapple stickers, pineapple wallpaper (Iphone), pineapple earrings….everything is a pineapple. When I asked her why pineapples, she had no answer; it is “just the direction” she is headed right now. Next week or next month, it may be something different, but for now, the direction is pineapples. Sigh!

We all go in different directions at times. Most recently, I took a little bit of a “time out” just to see where I was headed in life. I find that is very much needed at times. Plus, sometimes you have to pause, fight some battles, put out some fires, and put that superhero cape right back on. Life has a way of navigating us off course. So, pausing is good!

Regardless of which direction we are headed, we have to remember, that we never stop learning, especially from one another. I am taking some wonderful small group classes, and the people that surround me teach me so much about life and love. We are geared towards learning…it’s in our DNA.


The pursuit to know more, be more, and do more really is a part of our ‘make up’, but these qualities can lead us off course when not balanced with wisdom and a clear knowing of OUR divine destiny.

As we approach this Resurrection Sunday, let’s take a moment to pull out the magnifying glasses to truly examine our lives. Are we just going through the motions? Have we lost our peace….joy….love for others, or even pursuit of Jesus? Has restlessness, hurt, or even anxiety become the norm? God uses these things as warnings, sort of red flags, to get us to slow down or even caution us that we are headed in the wrong direction. We can’t successfully journey with “baggage”…it truly gets us nowhere!

This Easter weekend, celebrate life….celebrate new beginnings….celebrate Jesus!

Let’s Live!

Tekeela

Identity: So Much Is Settled When We Know Who We Are!

Identity: So Much Is Settled When We Know Who We Are!

School is back in session which somewhat signifies the end of summer.  I have traded in the sound of kids running in the neighborhood for the many after school updates from my middle schooler.  She always has a very detailed update to provide as soon as she opens the car door. I must admit that my curiosity often peaks as to what happened during the school day so I often find myself rushing through the car rider line to catch up on the latest scoop! I remember, oh so well, being in middle school; a very crucial time of body changes and acceptance (among so much more).  It is a time when identity can be misconstrued and even at that young age, our minds begin to battle about who we are.

Even into adulthood, we struggle with identity.  In an age of social media and quick access to almost anything, we can battle with identity because our minds are being infiltrated with images (almost nonstop) of what other imperfect human beings label as being acceptable or unacceptable.  This then, can create an open door for Satan to wage war on our minds, wearing us down until our identity is left in question.

I like to give an example of: if someone called you an apple or a rock, that probably wouldn’t bother you that much.  Why? Because you know in your heart and mind that you are not an apple or a rock!  That statement would more than likely roll right off your shoulders, and not affect you at all. We should have the same approach when the enemy tries to whisper to our minds, that we “are a loser”, “not pretty”, “never will make it”, “not like other women/men” and the list goes on and on!

The truth is, so much is settled when we know who we are and whose we are!

God in His perfection created us. He is the same God who put those bright, shiny stars in the sky.  He is the same God who intricately divided the land to form continents, countries, even down to states and towns.  He is the same God who created vast amounts of water to create the oceans, lakes, and rivers that surround us. He perfectly made everything that we see and even what we don’t see for that matter (heaven).  So why, when it comes down to creating us, would He all of a sudden, not be perfect? God is perfect and He perfectly designed each of us even down to the most delicate detail.

Psalms 139:13  (New Living Translation) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

Therefore, we cannot let an imperfect enemy (Satan), imperfect past, imperfect generation before us, and certainly not another imperfect human define who we are!

Genesis 1:27 (New Living Translation) So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. 

We have to constantly walk closely with God so we can always hear what He says about us. His approval and acceptance of us trumps everyone else’s.  He will guide us and always lovingly bring us back to Him when we are off track.  In our different seasons of life, He is always there to cheer us on and remind us of just who we are!

 

Let’s live!

Tekeela

Veggies, Veggies, and more….Veggies!

Veggies, Veggies, and more….Veggies!

We all heard growing up that we ‘must eat our vegetables’.  While some of us may have mastered this task, getting the recommended servings each day can be a challenge.  I love the idea of eating lots of veggies because it is a way to fill our plates up without adding alot of calories.  Plus, they add lots of needed vitamins and minerals.  Fiber from vegetables can aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol levels, and assist with proper bowel function.

According to Choosemyplate.gov (click on link for more tips),  “the amount of veggies we need to eat depends on our age, sex, and level of physical activity“.

While we may have some vegetables that are our least favorite, there are so many to choose from!  Below are some tips to add veggies to each of your meals and snacks:

Breakfast

Add veggies to omelets.  Veggies such as spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and peppers can add color and taste to those boring eggs.

Add veggies to smoothies.  Veggies such as spinach and kale is a sneaky way to get the veggies in without sacrificing the taste of the smoothie.  Adding avocado can give your smoothie a rich texture.

Add veggies to juices.  Juicing is back on the scene and is a perfect way to toss in veggies that maybe we normally wouldn’t choose (beets and radishes).

Lunch 

Add veggies to salads.  Salads are a go to for lunch but they don’t have to be boring.  Choose dark, leafy veggies such as spinach or kale to be the base of your salad.   Change the veggies from day-to-day (also salad dressing) to give you a different taste.  Don’t overlook veggies such as red cabbage, scallions, snow peas and green peppers which can add a lot of flavor to your salad.

Add veggies to your sandwiches and wraps.  Just like with salads, choose different veggies to change the taste.  Drizzle olive oil or even use pesto to add more flavor to your salad/wrap.

Dinner

Add veggies as the main side to your dinner.   There are so many veggies (click on link) to choose from so be creative.  Try roasting them in the oven to add variety ( just rub on the olive oil and season).

Snacks

Yes! Veggies can be wonderful for snacks as well.  Ditch the carrots and cucumbers (maybe) and opt for sliced zucchini, squash, or peppers.  These are great uncooked and if you have already used them in your morning omelet or salad,  just save some over for snacking.  Sweet potatoes when roasted may satisfy the sweet tooth (especially if you sprinkle on some cinnamon).  Finally, make up some kale chips (hmmm) by roasting kale.  I had to save that one for last because kale chips may sound a bit interesting but don’t knock them until you try them!

Challenge yourself!  See how many vegetable servings you can get in a day!  I would love to hear from you!

Let’s Live,

Tekeela

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Simple….Move More!

I do not own the rights to this song.

Can you believe how fast the summer is flying by?  It has been a busy summer for me and my family.  Adjusting to a ‘non-school’ routine is always interesting especially when kids are home.  Plus, I work from home, so there is a bit of an adjustment when you have others home with you during the work day.  One thing is for sure, I am totally off my routine.  Since I am a creature of habit, I tend to not be as productive, but I am learning to adjust.  Keeping up with an exercise routine…out the window.  I have adopted a new mindset which is just MOVE MORE!

I think my childhood and where I grew up has molded me to be somewhat of a ‘wanderer’ anyhow.  Summers as a child meant getting outside and moving!   We lived near a lake so my sister and I would walk to the lake or several nearby ponds.  We voyaged the nearby woods scavenging daily for plums, blackberries, muscadines and even pears (we had most of these in our own backyard).  Also, we made several walking trips to our grandmother’s house and continued on to find family and friends who we could play baseball and kickball with.  I miss those times!  I also think just being outside is what I prefer even to this day.  Therefore, it is very hard for me to hit a gym.  When it comes to exercise, we are all different.  The key is to find something that we enjoy and will simply keep us moving!

Leisure Activities

Playing a game of kickball or simply shooting hoops will get our hearts moving.   It doesn’t mean we have to move around like Lebron James (haha); simply standing in front of a hoop and shooting the ball in the basket, gets us moving. My pre-teen is always dancing and making videos.  Dancing is not one of my strengths at all, but jumping in on one of my daughter’s routines, not only gets me moving, it is also a way for me to spend time with her.  Children can be a great resource to keep us moving!

Sneaky Exercise

Chores…we all have them.  So why not make the most of them!? Turn on some music and get the duster, mopper and brooms going.  Set a timer, don’t stop, and get those chores done!   If you have to head outside, there is always mowing the lawn and planting flowers that will keep you moving as well.

Partner Up

My husband and son do a great job of sticking to an exercise routine.  They will hit the gym and think nothing of it.  I look to them for accountability; finding others we can be accountable to is very important when making lifestyle changes. In my previous job, we had “Walking Wednesday’s” where a group of us would meet up for a quick walk outside at a specified time.   It was a way for us to catch up and made moving fun and easy!

Exercise Resources (click on links below):

What type of exercises are important? 

Exercise and goal setting

Exercise and Mental Health Benefits

Exercise and Aging

Exercise for those with limited mobility

Remember, it is important to speak to your health care provider before starting a strenuous exercise routine.  The most important thing is to never give up!  We got this!

Let’s Live,

Tekeela