Inside Out - Lisa Rugglesa thousand times I’ve failed, still your mercy remains

5 Benefits to Fasting

1. Fasting actually allows harmful toxins to be removed from your body
2. Fasting is one of the best way to get your body into a natural healing process
3. When fasting your body will actually decompose and burn those cells that are diseased, damaged or dead
4. Fasting 3 days a month can increase your life-span by 5 to 7 years
5. Weight Loss

(excerpt from “How to Feel Great all the Time” by Valerie Saxon)

I have had quite a few questions regarding fasting. If you are interested in knowing more there is an excellent book called. “How to Feel Great all the Time” by Valerie Saxon. I highly suggest this book before you start any fasting. She gives the benefits and how to do it safely.

Yesterday, I started riding Chloe to school on a bike. I figured, I will drop her off and continue on for some great exercise. About half way through the bike ride, I notice that the seat was getting extremely uncomfortable. Went home, complained a little bit and went on with my day.

Fast forward to this morning, I get on the bike and I can’t even sit on the thing. Who’s idea was it to come up with a sliver of a bike seat?

Seriously!

Did they look at the rear end of the human being before making them? We were not made to sit on this thing going over bumps and rough roads!

What were they thinking? There is no cushion. I know I have plenty of my own, but it isn’t enough!

Today, I biked for 25 mins. switching between standing up and having half a cheek on the seat. I found that was more comfortable.

As I was looking for a new seat (a big padded Grandma one) I found some interesting ones.

Who wants to sit on a dog. It would look like he is sniffing your hiney!

I made this specialty drink up for Brad and I. Doesn’t it look like an awesome drink? So red and yummy.

The first half of the glass I can down pretty good, but by the time I get to the second half I’m just thankful the bottom of the glass is near. It is freshly juiced carrots and beets. Quite the cleansing combo.

We started a 21 day fast from sugar, processed foods, meat, and dairy. Today is day 8, and it feels like day 28.

14 more to go!

These two are cousins, the older one is my niece Lindsay and the younger, my little “sweet pea Emily.” They are both the second born in their family.

Lindsay was quite the little spit fire when she was a kid. She gave everyone a run for their money and at times got into lots of mischief! I also remember a bit of an ornery streak. Why does she give me hope? She gives me hope because my little Emily is a LOT like Lindsay use to be! There are days I shake my head and wonder what is in Em’s mind.

Lindsay came to spend 10 days with us and they were awesome! She is an amazing girl with dreams bigger than most people! She is spirited and determined to find out who she was created to be. She loves people, loves experiencing new things but is also comfortable in her own skin.

Emily will not be exactly like Lindsay. She will have her own journey and life. But, it is neat to see how a pesky little girl can develop into an amazing young woman!

Saturday morning Brad and I woke the girls up and went to the Farmers Market.

I love the Farmers Market! There are so many people milling around looking for their produce for the week. So much to choose from: home baked goods,local winery’s, herbs, fresh salsas, and butter spreads, the local creamery brings their cheese, milk and yogurt. It is amazing!

As I stand in line, most people are in a great mood and love to talk while waiting.

The corn from this stand was AMAZING! The best Brad and I have had this year. So sweet and delicious!

Did I mention they have lots of samples…..

and freshly made noodles….

and live music, usually folk or bluegrass which I don’t normally love, but it just fits the mood here….

and here we have the fresh vegi’s and yogurt we brought home…..

sweet pea Emily helping to wash and dry the tomatoes…..

What do you love about where you live?

We had a great time camping last weekend with Brad’s brother Jason and his wife April. April used to be a camp counselor and shared a recipe with us.

The kids loved it!

Cut a wedge out of a Banana and fill it with Peanut Butter.

Add small marshmallows and mini chocolate chips. Wrap in tin foil, put in the coals and let it cook 5-10 mins. Then enjoy a yummy banana treat.

Hmmmm….. What can I do to liven things up around here?

Look at me, aren’t I so adorable?

Then again, don’t you dare cross me…….

If you get to bored, I will turn into the class clown and things will get interesting!

Who you lookin at!

Aww shucks, I’m just messing with you all, seriously look at this face. So sweet!

THATS MY GIRL!!!

Our family went out to an Italian restaurant and had some delicious food. Chloe is allergic to wheat, dairy, soy, gluten products and about 18 other foods. Rather than focusing on foods she can’t have, we try to keep her mind on what she is allowed to eat. She can eat fruit, vegetables and meats.

For a skinny little 7 year old, this girl sure can eat! This was a huge bowl of soup and she finished every bite of it! Some dinners Chloe eats more than Brad or I!

Some days are harder for Chloe than others. Some days, she just wants to eat regular ice cream with other kids but then has to weigh if it is worth getting sick afterwards. There are days she just makes the choice and there are days we have floods of tears and frustration.

She has learned to find the good in her allergies and be thankful. Is it still hard? You bet, but I’m really proud of her.

She is an amazing little girl, learning discipline at a young age. Having to daily weigh the consequences of her actions. She has to choose how she is going to deal with her allergies.

Chloe’s allergies are often a reminder to me. It always seems simple when it is someone else’s problem. But, how will I deal with the difficult situations thrown at me?

Will I allow them to take over my life?
Will I seek God in the middle of them and choose to have the best attitude possible?
Will I look for God’s miracle’s in the middle of chaos?
Will I choose peace or turmoil?

What do you do when God tells you no?

Chloe is off to school. The girls and I are really excited that we live close enough to walk to school everyday.

This afternoon I get to spend time with Emily in her Kindergarten class. She starts the school year with a tea party. I will have pics later today.

I have been really excited for the new year. As we left Chloe in a new school, with a new teacher, I felt a little emotional. I could feel the tears in my eyes.

She is in second grade and we have done this three times already but I still felt a little bit of sadness. I will be praying for her all day. I can’t wait to hear about her day!

One of my dear children. I’m not going to mention who, in order to save possible embarrassment, decided to roast a marshmallow in the microwave for two minutes. It was stuffed with chocolate. She was expecting to pull out a yummy, chocolate filled marshmallow and the is what she got.

I couldn’t even begin to be upset with her. The tears in her eyes said it all. This was definitely an accident! Besides she was just acting like her Dad, trying to make a good thing better!

The culprit would like you to guess….

Was it Chloe, the oldest?

Or Emily, the youngest?