Diamonds are NOT a Girls Best Friend

That unmistakably Tiffany’s box makes the old Marilyn Mauro Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend very clear. For decades girls have wished, dreamed, and even prayed for that shinny peace of ice to adorn their ring finger. But in 2006 Edward Zwick directed a movie in which Leonardo DiCaprio started in that showed the hard to swallow, gut ranching truth about diamonds. Yes the movie was not 100% accurate. However it did start to shed light on a topic most people did not know existed or wanted to sweep under the rug of “Western World Would Never”.

Blood diamonds are real and not only are they real but hundreds of unsuspecting women are walking around with a ring on what has potentially cost someone their life. These women did not knowingly seek out such a ring but the ring was purchased and given without any certification on where it origin. There is no record proving that it has been mined in a fair-tread mine nor is there proof that the labor used to collect, clean, and cut diamond was not slave labor.

Now don’t take my passion for human rights and fair-tread as me stating ALL diamonds are bad, but understand there needs to change in the way consumers buy diamonds. People, especially those who are believes, need to see what is really going on in the world and business of diamonds.

As a believer I know we are all created in the image of God and have been created equal. With the issue of Blood Diamonds people have been striped of their identity of being wonderfully and beautifully made. They have been forced and manipulated in to working in mines to dig up something they know is of value; something they have been told is more valuable then them. Each and every day war lords, drug and gun runner, and even government officials exploit thousands to make money to support their wars, their “business”, and their own pockets. So all I ask is if you are a girl thinking, dreaming, or praying for that shinny piece of ice or if you are a guy planning on buying a special girl that ring…..stop and think. Take the time to look into not only what you/she wants but really look at where the diamond is coming from.

When it comes to talking with a jeweler or a store and they say “I am not sure if it is conflict free” or “We have no way of knowing that” then that is not a place you should be spending any money. Conflict free stones come with certification and reputable jewelers will bend over back wards to show and tell you all the information you want to know about the origin of a diamond. The BBC has a great article about what blood diamond/conflict stones are and the latest news on what is being done to stop the growing problem (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10307046.stm). Also there is a petition right now people can sign to help the US government become more aware of the public rising their voice to make policy changes related to this issue (http://humanrights.change.org/petitions/view/demand_complete_reform_of_the_failing_kimberley_process_to_prevent_conflict_diamonds). Lastly there is a brilliant alternative to your normal jewelers right here in the Bay area! Brilliant Earth is a jewelry company that is founded on the fair-trade concept and they give 5% of every purchase to a non-profit helping villages in Africa that are suffering because of the diamond business. They have a great selection of rings, ear-rings, and necklaces (http://www.brilliantearth.com/).

Diamonds can be a girl’s best friend IF they are certified conflict free! Show off that diamond and tell others why it was such an important issue for you to get a conflict free stone, I know I will be when I have one (well I will be when I have my conflict free pearl)!

Something to make your mornings SWEET

This past Sunday I was thinking of ways to make a tasty, healthy, and money savvy way to make breakfasts for my week mornings. Instead of running out to the store and spending money, even when I could I knew I shouldn’t. I just looked around to see what I had in my kitchen that could be brekfesty (yes, I made up a word). There were 4 almost too brown bananas and on further inspection I found some semi-sweet chocolate chips and some coconut oil. From what I had I could wipe up some banana chocolate chip bread and or muffins. So once the house cooled off a little of the summer day, I have no AC, I stated to make my breakfast treat.

I fallowed my normal recipe for banana bread but used whole wheat flour and coconut oil instead of butter. It is much healthier then butter and adds a great taste; the bread moist and has a hint of the tropics.
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter or coconut oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
The recipe made one loaf and 5 muffins. The muffins will be great for mornings when I am running late and the loaf is good for the nights when I want something sweet and almost ready to cave in to the candy fix. So if you are in bind of having tasty, fast, and healthy breakfasts then try making your mornings sweet with some banana chocolate chip bread!

How to save money, tickle your taste buds, and help your skin glow

Avocado is a great! They taste good and are good for us and I am sure you all have had an avocado that is just way to ripe and not sure what to do with it. Well I can offer two ideas……

One: Avocado Cream Cheese Spread
To make a fast and tasty spread for toast or sandwiches all you need is a really ripe avocado, some garlic, cream cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Peal and pit the avocado and place in a food processor or blender. Next about 1/3 cup of cream cheese (whipped or regular, it is all up to you). Mix avocado and cream cheese together for a minute then add garlic salt and pepper to taste. End my mixing everything together for a few seconds to help the flavors thoroughly mix. Place spread in to an air tight container and store in the refrigerator. The yummy and healthy spread will last about a week. This spread is great on toasted sourdough bread with a few slices of tomato. Also you can use this as a dip for most veggies.

Two: Avocado Honey Face Mask
Peal and pit one really ripe avocado. Mash in a small blow and add about 3 to 4 tablespoons of honey. After washing and drying face place the mask on and let dry. The honey is a great way to kill bacteria and the avocado helps skins complexion and hydrate skin naturally. For most skin types it is ok to use the mask up to 3 times a week. Keep mask in air tight container and in the refrigerator. Should stay good for about 3 days. You will see the avocado start to turn brown and that is when it is time to make a new batch.

So next time you have an avocado that has lost its appeal because it is to ripe….don’t just toss it! Try one of these recipes. It will save you money, tickle your taste buds, and help your skin glow!

Farmer's Market!

Sunday Farmer's Market......

I wanted to find a way to get fresh food and not spend a ton; so today I went to the local farmer's market. Before I left I looked at how much cash I had in my wallet.....$17. So as I headed out I made a list of things I wanted to get without spending more then $17 and that would make enough meals for a week of homemade FRESH breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Idea List:
Peaches
White Nectarines
Strawberries
Eggplant (2 medium size)
Tomato (3-4)
Green Beans

If I Can List:
Brown Eggs
Basile
Flowers

Armed with my "FEED" bag and my list I walked the whole market to check out prices and see what was there. Once I made a few price checking and then I started to tackle my list. I was not only able to get my full list I got everything on "if I can list" all for $12! The time at the market was good to get some yummy healthy food but time to just be and relax.

So if you the plan to get health food and keep to your budget then find the closest farmer's market! You will be getting local food, in season food, and most if not all foods are organic! Even if you are single girl you can be green, thrifty, and savvy!

29 more days!

29 more days...
until I hear the sweet sweet sounds of birds that are the brightest of colors
until my feet touch red dirt
until my van is chased by little ones yelling "ho are you, ho are you"
until my hands shake the hands of dear dear friends
until the smells of ugali makes me smile
until my arms of full of the most darling babies
until my face is baked by the sun from watching an orange sunset
until my heart is at peace
29 more days...until my heart is HOME!

Ouch

So on the 25th of March I was rear-ended and I have been living with some not so fun side effects from it. I really can use some prayers.

My neck and shoulders are hurting. I started PT this week and we will see what we shall see. I really would love to see a chiropractor and a massage therapy but so far that is a no go. So prayer is needed! Please pray for my body to heal and let it be used to show God's glory. I know there are people at my office and in the Doc office that need Christ so.....please pray that God uses my pain for His glory.

Thanks and Much Love!

Compassion

Have you every had a day your heart was so happy? Things were good the sun is shining after a few Nor Cal days of rain and you just feel good. I had that day yesterday! There was good news all the way around yesterday....tickets booked for Kenya and got something in the mail I have been waiting over a YEAR for. Even today I was still feeling the joy of yesterday. Yes, I was late for work and feeling pain form my PT appointment yesterday, but it was still a good morning.

Don't you love that?! A day that slips over on to the next day....ahhhh makes me smile and my heart sing. But just as fast as the joys of yesterday appeared news of a friend's heart ache hit me today. A dear friend of mine was informed she lost a love one today.

Just like the dark rain could hovers over Pooh bear it sunk up on my friend and I. It was hard to hear your on the phone. My heart was hurting for your hurting heart. God has a way of bringing people into our lives at the right time. This friend has been that for me. She held my hand on hard days and prayed over me each and every day. I am so thankful for her. She made and interesting year more tolerable. Now she needs someone to hold her hand and pray for her.

As we hung up the phone the meaning of COMPASSION hit me. The true meaning is to suffer with and in this day and age I see so many people using that word in ways that are far from the true meaning. How many times do high school girls have "compassion" on the girl that can't get the same new "it" pair of shoes. Or how their "compassion" leads to save face friendships that only hurt you in the end.

I just hope that I can be there for my friend in this time like she was there for me last year. God gives us people in our lives...but we have to truly love them for who they are and how God wants us to love them. No save face and no us first and then them. Thanks to her.....I know what that looks like. Thanks for the love (you know who you are) and I hope I can love and be there for you.
XOXOX