Here Is to Jumping!

Have you ever felt that peace that comes from standing next to a cliff? I have, I am. There is something to be said about the feeling that comes over you as you are standing there (just so we are clear the cliff is a metaphor not a real cliff!) and God is taking your hand, leading you towards the edge, and whispering “trust me. I got this. JUMP!” It may sound odd to those that have not been there but I bet there are many that are nodding their heads right now agreeing.

It is not an easy road to walk down and get to the point where the peace ever so present and the knowing that God is asking you to jump. By any means it is not easy at all. It is more like getting 10 teeth pulled in the same day or trying to build up the nerve to tell that person what your heart is screaming at you to say. But, when you are finally on the edge of the cliff you look back and see that the path was worth every tear, bead of sweat, and sleepless night. For what you are feeling now is more then peace! God is holding your hand, He is pointing you in the way to go, and even when you see just the end of the cliff you trust because you KNOW something great is on the other side.

For the last week I have been on the not so comfortable path. There is a funny sense when you come to the point where God says jump and you do it. You may not know all the details but God has made it clear that this is what He has for you. Even with all the questions about money, time, what happens if…. and all that other stuff we worry wart humans think about, a PEACE falls on you when God saying jump. So as the “what ifs” and “will if this” plays out in our heads suddenly they were pushed to the side and God has lead me to the place where all you can do now is JUMP and TRUST! My heart still skips a beat every now and then but my spirit feels right at peace. Even in this funny limbo dance there is peace. Have you felt this way? Are you feeling this way?

God really does want the best for you. He has a plan that may be unclear and uncharted to you but there is a rhyme and reason behind it. God has a great way of giving us gifts, passions, and talents can really shape how we live our lives. The ten thousand dollar question is if we willing to let is shape our lives? As I stood on the edge of the cliff getting up the courage to jump and trust I thought about all the great woman in my life. How many of them have stood where I was standing, how many of them have asked the same “what if”? My heart felt so much joy and freedom as I jumped…….how many have felt that? No matter the age there is something God is leading you to. It may be a small cliff, it may be a large one, it may even be one that changes your life forever! Isn’t worth it?

I am glad I jumped. It was hard, scary, and not what I wanted to do but even now; when my feet are not yet fully on the other side of the cliff, I know it was what I was meant to do. My prayer and hope for every woman feels the leading of God to the edge of the cliff and follows. And when it is time to jump….I pray they close their eye’s hold on to God’s hand and take the biggest and highest jump they can. When they land I pray they look back and see how God lead them to where they are meant to be!

So here is to jumping and trusting ladies!

Passionate Homemaking

Over the last few months I have had the joy of reading and following a blog that is all about Green, Biblical, and simple living. It is full of great tips and tools. The lady running the blog has now added some weekly contributors and their writings are GREAT! Also there are some great giveaways! This week there is one for a dehydrator!!!!

A dehydrator in your home is a great way to make healthy snacks and also a savvy way to be green and frugal! Hope you all check out the blog for the great tips and sign up for the giveaway.

www.passionatehomemaking.com

WOOO HOOO!

Sweet Marashi has just had its first sale! Just wanted to thank everyone that has check out the shop. It is a great way to help spread the word about Cana and get some support coming for the girls. :)

Please keep praying for the girls, the staff, setting up sponsorship, and the shop. If you have questions of are interested in sponsorship let me know.

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!