Epiphani
Happy October, Garden Fam! đ
Though Iâm not like everyone else who is looking forward to cold weather, Iâm definitely grateful for the winds of change that breeze their way over and through Texas this time of year. It is beautiful. Fall, like Spring, is a transition season where we can visibly see things shift from one state to another. Itâs definitely beautiful to watch! Likewise, the seasons and moments of our lives bring changes as well, some that can be visibly seen and others that cannot. I donât know about you, but there have been many times when embracing change made me believe that maybe there was something wrong or missing before, but Iâve come to realize that not everything God calls us away from is actually bad. Sometimes, itâs just time to go. A lot of times, itâs just a new season & God wants to do a new thing.
At times, Iâve been guilty of waiting to see the bad in something before I move forward, or moving forward, but thinking that it was because something was wrong with the place or person I was called away from. Thatâs not always the case. Embracing this has allowed me to clearly reflect on past places & people I was connected with and see all the beautiful things God did there, while also being at peace with moving forward. I realize now that the place or person can still be good, thriving, and fruitful, and also no longer a place or person Iâm called to. I donât have to tarnish all our memories of something/someone thinking it was all a lie. Iâve come to realize that many times, itâs just not Godâs will anymoreâthe season has shifted. With that, I can see that change is good, and can joyfully accept & embrace the good memories & lessons, and peacefully move forward to where/who God has called me to!
As the leaves change and fall to make room for the new season that is to come, what changes has God been making in your life? What has had to fall away to make room for the new? Will you choose to honor the beauty and sunlight the âleavesâ once brought, while making room for whatâs to come?
Have a healthy & wholesome week, and may God bless this new month for you! đ€đ§Ąđ
Happy Wellness Wednesday, Garden Fam! đž
Oftentimes, when I am reading the Bible or even listening to sermons, I am not only listening for guidance from the Holy Spirit concerning what I am reading and hearing, but also asking Him, âWhat do you want for me to take away from this overall today?â My takeaway from something my mentor taught this week is that âsometimes God does it for you and sometimes, He gives you dunamis. In other words, sometimes, He works a miracle on your behalf, and at other times, He deposits a measure of His power within you and guides you to go forth and accomplish whatever needs to be done. Both of these are miraculous and supernatural in nature, and should be appreciated as such.
Sometimes, if weâre used to God operating in one way in our lives, it can be hard to embrace and flow with Him in another direction. If weâre not careful, we may be waiting for Him to move one way and totally missing the fact that thatâs not how Heâs doing it in this season or situation. That is why I wanted to share this revelation with you today. Concerning the things God has promised you and the assignments He has given you, ask Him what your role and responsibility(s) are in bringing it to pass. Ask Him to show you, in His timing of course, whether He will accomplish that thing supernaturally by His hand alone, or supernaturally by His grace operating through you. Overall, ask Him to order your footsteps, so that even when it is not in His will to reveal all of the details to you, you can rest assured that you are in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing(s).
God knows how He created each of us, who He has molded us to be, and what He has deposited in each of us. He takes that into account, along with the details of His overall plan, when determining which way He will bring about your miracle or promise. Whichever way He chooses to do âthe thingâ remember to give thanks every step of the way. And if youâre in a situation where He has given you dunamis and directed you to go forth and use it, donât grow weary in well-doing. Remember that you have been given everything you need in Him⊠It wonât be done by your power or strength, but by His Spirit!
I pray this brief message has blessed you in your journey! Check out some of the scriptures below for more on this topic. Of course, there are many more scriptures and passages on this topic than captured here, so as always, I encourage you to continue in your own Bible study on the topic and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in how this applies to you in this season and in various situations in your life.
Have a healthy & wholesome week,
Love you bunches đ
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 8:18
Zechariah 4:6
Luke 1:31-35
Luke 10:19
Acts 1:8
2 Corinthians 9:8
Happy Wellness Wednesday, Garden Fam đž
Whatâs on your menu this week? Hopefully youâve been cooking up the good stuff! đ
This week, Iâm keeping it light and sharing a few of my favorite recipes. Most of them are healthy or at least healthier. Unfortunately, when many people think of healthy eating, they immediately imagine it to be boring, bland, or strict, but honestly, my journey to healthier eating has actually caused me to get a bit more creative. Iâm a foodie, so if I had my way, every meal would be a delectable, tasty masterpiece (lol). With me wanting to eat as healthy as possible, cook and eat in a timely manner, and actually enjoy my food, Iâve tried more new foods, ingredients, and recipes than I probably ever would have otherwise.
Iâve especially enjoyed finding new (tasty) ways to incorporate more veggies into my meals. Vegetables donât always have to be eaten as a separate side. They can be incorporated into your main entrĂ©e, added to a sandwich for lunch, blended into a sauce or smoothie, mixed in with your meat (if youâre a meat eater)... the possibilities are endless. Adding in extra veggies and switching out ingredients for healthier or more purposeful ones are ways to make small changes while still eating scrum-diddly-umptious food!
Long story long, eating healthy doesnât have to be (and in my opinion shouldnât be) boring, especially if itâs something you want to become a lifestyle. Check out a few of my favorite recipes. Some of them are basic ones everyone has heard of or made at some point, and others are a bit more creative or âout there.â
If you try any of them, feel free to share a photo and let me know what you thought!
Donât worry, I got these online, so if you donât enjoy it, it wonât hurt my feelings! Lol
Happy eating!
Have a healthy & wholesome week,
Love you bunches đ
Baked Feta Pasta
This is one of my favorites, especially on a busy evening. You throw everything except the noodles into a baking pan and have a bomb meal within just a few minutes. For my vegan / dairy-free sistas, Trader Joe's sells a dairy-free feta cheese block that I love to use for this recipe!
Greek Salad
This one is quick, easy, and great for meal prep. Not only does it combine lots of veggies and other nutritious ingredients in a tasty way, but also, the vinegar helps it to last well in the fridge until you can finish it all.Of course, you can add in or remove ingredients as you see fit. I normally leave the olives out and use vegan feta.
Veggie Sandwich
This one is one of my favorite quick, filling meals, especially when I need to boost my veggie intake. Sooo tasty & refreshing! I usually add ingredients based on what I have a taste for in the moment, but I almost always include vegan mayo, stoneground or dijon mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and vinegar. The rest depends on what I'm craving and what I have in the fridge.
Definitely feel free to get creative with this one. You don't really need a recipe, but watch the video for inspiration if needed!
Spicy Shrimp Quesadillas with Black Beans and Corn
I've only made these once or twice, but mannnnn, these jaunts were đ„
I don't even have much to say except to try these ASAP. You won't be disappointed (unless you don't like spicy food).
I usually use Daiya pepper jack dairy-free cheese.
Overnight Oats
This was one I decided to give a try randomly one day, mainly because it doesn't require cooking and can be prepped to just grab and go in the morning. Now, I know what you're probably thinking, because I thought the same thing: "So I eat it cold?!"
Well, yes, but don't knock it until you try it! Depending on the oats you use, it will likely taste like pudding or something similar.
Like I mentioned with some of the other recipes, you can definitely customize this one to fit your tastebuds and nutritional needs. Like, for me, I'm not a fan of fruit in my oatmeal (or any other dish really), so I usually leave that out or have it on the side. Give overnight oats a try before you give up on it. You just might like it, and if so, you'll love the convenience!