7 Tips on How to Fit in Exercise When You Have Small Children

For most of us moms with small kids, just getting the daily dishes washed is a big challenge.  For many moms, the thought of trying to fit exercise in sounds great, but it is often the first thing to drop when the day gets hairy.   So how do you work it in when you already have a full schedule?exercise in the 1950s

Just like the commitment to eat whole, real foods even though it’s not as convenient, exercise needs to be a priority.  Maybe even rooted in a conviction that you need to be a good steward of your body.   It is easier for things to become part of your way of life when this is the case.  This is one of my four daily priorities. Continue reading

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When You Can’t Only Buy Organic – EWG’s Dirty Dozen/Clean 15 List

USDA Organic Label
OImage via Wikipedia

If you are like me, you cannot afford to eat all organic foods.  Unfortunately, due to the high prices and the amount of fresh produce we eat, my food budget would run out far sooner than our need for food would!  That’s why I am so thankful for the work the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has done in producing the “Dirty Dozen/Clean 15” list every year.

Continue reading

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Creamy Quinoa Primavera

quinoaAre you looking for ways to incorporate different whole grains but lack creative recipes?  Here is a yummy dish that a friend recently brought for a dinner at our house.

If you are new to quinoa, it is truly an amazing food.  Not actually considered a grain, but a seed, quinoa is actually a complete protein!  It also contains a healthy dose of iron and is also high in B Vitamins.  I have read in several places that in South America, women use it to help increase their breast milk supply!

Experiment with the recipe, adding your favorite vegetables.  Served with a salad and some fruit, this is a meal in and of itself! Continue reading

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My Green Smoothie Baby

Here he is, enjoying one of his first green smoothies!  He guzzles them.  I’m not joking!green smoothie baby

Our favorite to date:

a bag of frozen cherries,

about 4 c of spinach,

1 banana,

1 c whole milk plain yogurt and

1 c water.

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Learning to Recognize the Source of Your Conflicts, Part 2

hopeYesterday we sought to identify the source of our conflict with others.  We identified that our own lusts entice us to sin (James 1:14-15).  In chapter four, James makes plain the fact that our desires that are the cause of conflict.  We want something so badly that we are willing to sin in order to get it.

In seeking to answer the X-Ray questions, “What do you love? Hate?” and “What do you want, desire, crave, lust, and wish for?  What desires do you serve and obey?” hopefully you were able to pinpoint certain lusts that drive you toward sin.  It was (and is) a valuable exercise for me to examine my heart in such a way so as to say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me.  And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Now that we’ve identified what lust is and what we specifically lust after, what do we do with it? Continue reading

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Learning to Recognize the Source of Your Conflicts, Part 1

conflict“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?  Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?  You lust and do not have; so you commit murder.  And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel…”  James 4:1-2

When you have conflict with your spouse, children, extended family, or friends, do you spend time evaluating the cause of the conflict?  Do you chalk it up to the other party’s sin or your own?

I have read the above verse in James many times and have understood that my own pleasures are the source of conflict.  But I recently came to a much better, deeper understanding that I wanted to share with you.  I hope that as you read, you will be encouraged to examine your own heart and will experience God’s grace as you strive for holiness! Continue reading

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images

Participate in God's design for the family by tracking your monthly cycle.

Graham Family Ministries

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5 Tips for Moving with Young Children

A week ago, we began the stressful process of moving to another state.   In several ways, this is a major move for our entire family.  There have been many emotions, challenges, and blessings throughout the process.  I have taken note of things I will do the same way again and things I would like to handle differently.

I decided to turn these thoughts into tips for moving with young children, with the hope of helping those of you who are preparing to move or thinking about moving.   It is challenging enough if it is just you or you and your husband.   Throw in the dynamics of having a child or children and it gets even more stressful! Continue reading

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Moving Day

We had a crazy weekend that culminated with our household goods arriving at 7:50am on Sunday!  Not our ideal scenario, but it is all behind us now and we are left with boxes upon boxes!  Wanted to share a few  pictures of my girl on the moving truck.

Tara in front of truch

in front of truck

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Soaking Grains

If you’ve checked out any of my recipes, you’ve noticed in some of my instructions and comments that soaking grains will yield more nutritional benefits before preparing them.  Are you wondering what I mean when I refer to soaking grains?

Let’s start with a little background information about grain. Continue reading

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