Recently I have begun making my own almond milk as a replacement to shop-bought soy milk. The benefit of making your own is that there are no extra unpronounceable ingredients that may or may not be eventually harmful to my body. It's creamy and yummy. It goes well in my morning coffee, over cereal, in smoothies, in cooking, or simply by itself. So what you may be thinking is the downside?
Pulp. Lots and lots of almond meal.
I could give it to our duck. I could throw it away. I could dry it out in the oven and use it as flour or I could do this...
Make Vegan Brownies!
I will be trying this as soon as I get some dairy free chocolate in my house!
So the downside on homemade nut milk is that there is no downside.
Monday 13 October 2014
Friday 10 October 2014
Enough
How much is enough?
This is a question you have to answer for yourself. No one can tell you how much is enough for you. (As an adult).
When I was a child I owned things I didn't value anymore but there were memories attached. I also became attached to things which weren't valuable at all, but I ascribed value to them. When I was told to throw them away, or worse, when I'd gotten home from school to find my Mum had cleaned my room, I was often sad. We attach ourselves to our stuff.
Some people are able to collect and purge items throughout their lives easily. Others have to part with these things gradually over time. I find getting rid of one thing a day is an almost painless way to do this. Another way is to declutter (get rid of clutter and junk) for 15 minutes each day. Either way, if you continue and restrain yourself from buying excess, you will eventually get to your comfort level. I started decluttering in 2001 and have moved house since then and am still finding my level of enough.
Enough doesn't only apply to possessions and stuff, it can refer to time spent working, money earned, time spent in recreation or volunteering, space you occupy and use, or any other thing you can think of.
How much is enough for you?
This is a question you have to answer for yourself. No one can tell you how much is enough for you. (As an adult).
When I was a child I owned things I didn't value anymore but there were memories attached. I also became attached to things which weren't valuable at all, but I ascribed value to them. When I was told to throw them away, or worse, when I'd gotten home from school to find my Mum had cleaned my room, I was often sad. We attach ourselves to our stuff.
Some people are able to collect and purge items throughout their lives easily. Others have to part with these things gradually over time. I find getting rid of one thing a day is an almost painless way to do this. Another way is to declutter (get rid of clutter and junk) for 15 minutes each day. Either way, if you continue and restrain yourself from buying excess, you will eventually get to your comfort level. I started decluttering in 2001 and have moved house since then and am still finding my level of enough.
Enough doesn't only apply to possessions and stuff, it can refer to time spent working, money earned, time spent in recreation or volunteering, space you occupy and use, or any other thing you can think of.
How much is enough for you?
Wednesday 8 October 2014
Only you
This morning I was reading Acts 8. In particular verses 4-25 spoke to me. Read them below.
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.
Do you see how Simon the sorceror was completely missing the point. He didn't see that the true power was from God, nor that he had to submit to the Sovereignty of Him. No one else could pray for him. He had to make his heart right with God and repent of his sin directly to the Lord. Now we don't know what happened as Simon the sorceror isn't mentioned again.
The same is for us, however, that need to get right with God comes down to us alone. I remember a Pastor's wife telling about how she had a dream. She had died and found herself outside the gates of heaven. They were shut and locked. She was pounding on them yelling "I'm the Pastor's Wife!" She said with great emotion in her voice that all she heard in reply was, "Go away from Me. I don't know you."
You see, she was relying on her relationship with man, not with the God most High. The only relationship that is valid in the transaction of eternal life is with God.
Only you can make that decision. Not your Grandmother dragging you to church. Not your family who all believe. Not your history of being good. No. Only by knowing and being known by the Creator of the universe. Having a right relationship with Him. Knowing He sent His only Son Jesus to die for your sins so you can be clean and worthy in his sight.
Pray. Ask. Seek. He will respond.
Tuesday 7 October 2014
On Kindness
Today is the last day of "Be Kind to Animals Week" here in Australia. As my brother so aptly said when I shared the image on Facebook, "It should be every week." I agree.
So what does kindness look like and which animals should we be paying attention to?
According to a Google definition search, Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
So being friendly to animals would be treating them in a way that they perceive as not threatening in anyway. Being generous can involve time, money and presence. Consideration of the animals welfare, comfort, happiness and needs.
Kindness is also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Galatians, as one of the "Fruits of the Spirit".
So which animals are we supposed to be kind to? The nice ones? The fluffy ones? The endangered ones? Yes. AND ALL THE REST. As much as is sanely possible.
God gave Adam and Eve dominion over all the animals of the Earth. Then they filled the Earth with their children. We, as descendants of them, are still meant to carry out that mandate to look after and care for these animals. This includes meat-eaters before they use the animal for food, not like what factory farmers do now.
My choice is to not consume animals nor their by-products. I will adopt animals from rescue shelters instead of supporting pet shops and puppy farms. I will only have the amount of animals I can afford to take care of properly, including vet bills, worming, etc. I walk, bathe and feed my animals as needed as well as lavish love and attention on them. I don't leave my animals alone, locked up, nor unattended for extended periods of time. I allow adequate space for my animals. I have desexed my animals and do not let them wander the neighbourhood to harass other people or animals/wildlife. I donate to charities to help them care for animals or educate others on animals welfare.
This to me is what it means to be kind to animals.
So what does kindness look like and which animals should we be paying attention to?
According to a Google definition search, Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
So being friendly to animals would be treating them in a way that they perceive as not threatening in anyway. Being generous can involve time, money and presence. Consideration of the animals welfare, comfort, happiness and needs.
Kindness is also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Galatians, as one of the "Fruits of the Spirit".
So which animals are we supposed to be kind to? The nice ones? The fluffy ones? The endangered ones? Yes. AND ALL THE REST. As much as is sanely possible.
God gave Adam and Eve dominion over all the animals of the Earth. Then they filled the Earth with their children. We, as descendants of them, are still meant to carry out that mandate to look after and care for these animals. This includes meat-eaters before they use the animal for food, not like what factory farmers do now.
My choice is to not consume animals nor their by-products. I will adopt animals from rescue shelters instead of supporting pet shops and puppy farms. I will only have the amount of animals I can afford to take care of properly, including vet bills, worming, etc. I walk, bathe and feed my animals as needed as well as lavish love and attention on them. I don't leave my animals alone, locked up, nor unattended for extended periods of time. I allow adequate space for my animals. I have desexed my animals and do not let them wander the neighbourhood to harass other people or animals/wildlife. I donate to charities to help them care for animals or educate others on animals welfare.
This to me is what it means to be kind to animals.
Monday 6 October 2014
Spring
Now that it's October, Spring is in full swing. One day it's sunny, the birds are chirping and people are sneezing from hay fever, the next it's blowing a gale and raining then really cold overnight! I live in a semi-arid climate so temperatures and weather are changeable, to say the least. Spring is also the season to get things done before the weather gets too hot. For me that means getting back into my exercise routine, organising new meals/menus and getting outside jobs done.
Today I will be doing my weights routine then shopping for plant-strong foods for me and my family.
I have been active most of my life. When I was a child I never stopped moving (except while reading!). I was constantly dancing, swimming, riding, roller skating or playing down the park. As I got older I discovered aerobics then karate and always enjoyed stretching out the kinks. When I did an aerobics instructors course I was introduced to the gym and weights. I did a few workouts but never felt totally comfortable there. It wasn't until I met my husband that I really learned how to enjoyed weights. He has been dedicated to lifting for over thirty years now. I have done workouts sporadically over the years but only became regular about four years ago. I've followed the same routine on and off for about two years now and recently decided to get a bit more serious about it and treat it as a hobby rather than a chore. I used to exercise to ward off flab but now I want to be healthy, fit and capable. I want to be one of those Grandmas who in years to come astounds people with what they can still do. I don't want to have my body limit me and break down before my mind. I need to invest in my body now to reap those benefits later. It's the same with diet.
Food used to be for enjoyment. Now it is fuel as well. I have learnt how to feed my body and not just my tongue. Sometimes I like to treat myself to something yummy, but now that I'm committed to being Vegan I have to learn how to make these things. Where I live being vegan is almost offensive so I can't just go to a local cafe and order a latte with almond milk or get a dairy-free slice. I've never been a big cake baker nor eater, so it will be a whole new thing learning how to make vegan desserts out of nuts etc. I have made a yummy Vegan Chocolate Cake so perhaps I will make one of those in a loaf this week and use it for snacks.
As the weather warms up it will be easier to eat more salads and fresh fruit. This week I will be preparing salad components and leaving them in the fridge for my family to use as they need. We do have one omnivore in a house of four, so I can't assume everyone will want the same things.
I need to get into the garden and do a bit of maintenance. There is a. Creeper what it trying to strangle a small tree and some day lilies I'd like to separate and replant. Weeds are a major job this time of year, so there's always that to do too, otherwise the snakes have lots of places to hide. We have a ridiculous amount of deadly snakes here, so not something I want to encourage.
Well on that cheery note, I'm off! Hope your day is full of blessings.
Today I will be doing my weights routine then shopping for plant-strong foods for me and my family.
I have been active most of my life. When I was a child I never stopped moving (except while reading!). I was constantly dancing, swimming, riding, roller skating or playing down the park. As I got older I discovered aerobics then karate and always enjoyed stretching out the kinks. When I did an aerobics instructors course I was introduced to the gym and weights. I did a few workouts but never felt totally comfortable there. It wasn't until I met my husband that I really learned how to enjoyed weights. He has been dedicated to lifting for over thirty years now. I have done workouts sporadically over the years but only became regular about four years ago. I've followed the same routine on and off for about two years now and recently decided to get a bit more serious about it and treat it as a hobby rather than a chore. I used to exercise to ward off flab but now I want to be healthy, fit and capable. I want to be one of those Grandmas who in years to come astounds people with what they can still do. I don't want to have my body limit me and break down before my mind. I need to invest in my body now to reap those benefits later. It's the same with diet.
Food used to be for enjoyment. Now it is fuel as well. I have learnt how to feed my body and not just my tongue. Sometimes I like to treat myself to something yummy, but now that I'm committed to being Vegan I have to learn how to make these things. Where I live being vegan is almost offensive so I can't just go to a local cafe and order a latte with almond milk or get a dairy-free slice. I've never been a big cake baker nor eater, so it will be a whole new thing learning how to make vegan desserts out of nuts etc. I have made a yummy Vegan Chocolate Cake so perhaps I will make one of those in a loaf this week and use it for snacks.
As the weather warms up it will be easier to eat more salads and fresh fruit. This week I will be preparing salad components and leaving them in the fridge for my family to use as they need. We do have one omnivore in a house of four, so I can't assume everyone will want the same things.
I need to get into the garden and do a bit of maintenance. There is a. Creeper what it trying to strangle a small tree and some day lilies I'd like to separate and replant. Weeds are a major job this time of year, so there's always that to do too, otherwise the snakes have lots of places to hide. We have a ridiculous amount of deadly snakes here, so not something I want to encourage.
Well on that cheery note, I'm off! Hope your day is full of blessings.
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