Take a Deep Breath...Look Past the Stuff and at the People!

How many of you do not operate well or think clearly in the middle of clutter? ME!

I literally have the hardest time sitting down in a room with things that need to be put away, and concentrating on anything else. It's like everything is sitting there staring at me, silently saying..."So? What are you going to do about it?"

But when I am tempted to get frustrated at my kids for leaving their mess or I am tempted to give in to that urge to...stop whatever it is that I am supposed to be doing and turn on 'turbo-cleaning angry-mom mode,' God so often gently reminds me to think about the people who belong to those things. My relationship with them is so much more important than the temporary mess they have made!

Do I teach my kids to clean up their own mess? Um, that would definitely be a YES. We are absolutely working to teach our children to be responsible human beings, to think about the fact that they share their space with others coming after them. And, I will say, as they are growing up that is getting much easier with less reminding!

But, let's be honest, none of us are always at our best. We all have times where we think more of our own interests than the interests and feelings of others, and my kids are not an exception to that. In fact, neither am I! I have my own areas of selfishness. It may not be in leaving my clutter, but I have areas I know I am constantly at work.

Whatever stage of life we are in, we all have people who need us to see them and love them right where they are--despite their shortcomings.

So...the take-away from my ramblings today I guess would be...Look Past the Stuff and See the People! 

May God give each of you a wonderful day...right where you are at...because He CAN!

Time to Think About Sodium...

We talk about eating healthy without refined sugars and extra fat, but I propose that it's time we think about sodium as well!

Believe me...no one loves good SALTY fries better than this girl! And I certainly have no intentions of cutting salt completely out of my diet. :)

However, I think where the excess salt comes into our diet is not through the salt shaker. It hides out in so many of our different packaged foods and processed foods. Things we tend to also give to our kids as 'easy lunch foods' every day, chips, crackers, lunchmeat, snack bars, etc. And, our family does eat those things also...I just try to make that more in moderation--looking for lower sodium snacks or bake/make my own. 

But that sodium especially hides out in fast foods and restaurant foods in astounding numbers! I mean crazy amounts of salt. 

I have not been one to take time to think about how much sodium my family is eating. But after eating at home for pretty much every meal the past few months with very little outside food that I have not prepared and being a more healthy-minded, plan-ahead grocery shopper, I can definitely see that this makes a difference! This is an important part of my family's health and will also help to deter future health problems in their life.

So, we have been trying this out with our seasonings. Actually, I have been. My kids don't really know about it yet, but they have eaten it for many days and not even noticed. :)

I still use salt, but I have been using the Nutritional Yeast in place of adding extra salt or even as a sprinkle on top of soup, etc. 

Observations:

- It takes a good liberal sprinkle to add more flavor in my opinion.

- It does have a unique taste just by itself, but added in with most things is not distinguishable.

- It is not a 'Fix-All' salt substitute, but it does add enough flavor to lessen the salt needed--and that's what I was going for. 

- So...yes, I recommend!

We tried it on my home-popped popcorn tonight. With melted Unsalted Butter, Lots of N.Y., and just a little sprinkle of salt! 

 As you can see...it was enjoyed...

Low sodium popcorn that actually added to their digestive health; I call that a win!

I feel like just slight changes here and there, and all things in moderation definitely help for an overall healthy diet. Perfect? No, because let's be real...life get's busy and sometimes you just need to grab...

An In-N-Out Double Double Burger with Animal Fries!

But, working on our mindset and the mindset of our kids to think overall healthy and balanced in their food choices.