Words

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Prov 18:21)


The power of words is usually considered undisputed truth. How to correctly use the power of words, on the other hand, is an endless source of fierce debate.

I ran across a fresh flurry of opinion, argument, and ruffled feathers over at Femina this week over the seemingly innocuous subject of journaling.

In the spirit of Titus 2, Nancy made some keen observations and suggestions for younger women:

1. Despite current trends and propaganda, journaling"is not a spiritual duty or the key to super-spirituality. In fact, it may very well be a snare."

2. "Spending hours reflecting on yourself is not wise. Dumpster diving in your soul only makes you feel worse... Set your mind and heart on things above!"

3. If journaling helps you focus on things to be grateful for, records sweet memories or events for later recollection or serves to help you grow spiritually by ruminating on your experiences or Bible time, then it is something to be commended and continued. If you record things you would never want anyone else to see - bitterness, unkind words or useless self-recrimination - stop! Burn the pages and train yourself to break that destructive habit.

(Read the whole post here.)

Although the author made some thought- provoking and insightful points (lots more than the few I highlighted here), what I appreciated most about the essay was that it is such a perfect example of how to be a Titus 2 woman. An woman of experience in the Faith humbly and generously sharing words of wisdom with the next generation.

The Internet (and presumably therefore modern churches) teems with women craving mentors to share with them keys to building good practices, strong homes and happy families. It's tremendously encouraging to see women stepping in to fill that gap without politics, pride or judgment!

I know Nancy over at Femina isn't alone in this - where have you seen a Titus 2 woman recently?

PS - Lisa-Jo over at (in)courage has started a Five-Minute Friday habit and you're invited to join in! Follow the link to see what its all about, read some of the great submissions from other writers and link up your own!

Locavore Challenge

Although I'm not familiar with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), I was delighted to hear that they're hosting a New York State Locavore Challenge this September!

According to their website:

"the campaign is aimed at engaging consumers across the state in eating local organic foods. The goal for this campaign is to educate consumers about how to make healthy and ethical food choices, cook with in-season, local organic foods, while supporting local sustainable farms and food businesses."

The program is totally free, and participants can sign up for as little as a day or as much as the whole month.

Whether you decide to officially participate or not, I would strongly encourage you to use this as an excuse to have some frugal fun with your family this September!

Make a date to check out the local farmers' market with your kids or a friend. Carve out time to stop by that co-op or health food store you always drive by but never find time to explore. Take your other half for a date to a local winery/brewery or celebrate the flavors of fall with a trip to a pick-your-own orchard or local food festival.

Eating local food doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming or unappealing. Most of us have undiscovered or under-appreciated treasures in our own backyard foodsheds. Grab your calendar now before the back-to-school season floods every open second with activities and plan some time to enjoy the local bounty this fall!

Links, Hints & Tips

This month is spinning into the next at full speed, but before it escapes completely I want to share a few of the great things I've seen or had forwarded to me over the last week.

If you're canning or stocking your pantry during summer sales, check out the awesome Food Preservation Spreadsheet available free over at Nourished and Nurtured! I snagged a copy and am very pleased to have a ready-made system to help me use things more judiciously over the winter so I don't end up out of some items and overloaded with others come next spring. (This pic is from NandN's page, and is what the sheet actually looks like.)

Is the summer weather creating bug problems at your house? Check out this home-made, non-toxic pest control option from The Healthy Home Economist. Also from THHE check out this cheap, easy fly repellent and a recipe to make your own baking powder. If I'd known it was that easy to do, I'd have started ages ago!

In a rare and heart-warming example of Democrat & Republican cooperation, senators from both sides of the isle are coming to together to protest an "Obama-backed United Nations effort that could bring international gun control into the United States and slap America's gun owners with severe restrictions." If your senator happens to be one of the proactive people involved in this, consider sending them a "good job!" note - I think they could use the encouragement about now...

In the mood for something sweet, but trying not to turn on your oven when it's ninety degrees outside? Check out the Year of Slow Cooking website for yummy (sometimes GF) crock-pot treats like Peanut Butter Cup Cake or super-easy Banana Bread.

Interested in making your own pasta, but can't figure out how to make shapes like shells? Check out this great video - it's inspired me to try!

Do you do marketing or participate in newsletter writing for work, a volunteer organization or a club? Getting Attention just ran a great article on how to make sure you're connecting with your readers/members and not accidentally making yourself look careless or out-of-touch.

Finally, for anyone who's ever written a letter of recommendation or waded through stacks of them in an interview process, here's a hysterical translation of what all those flowery phrases really mean to help you sort out the truth! (Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page.)

Real Food Reading

I finally decided to try amazon.com's Listmania feature. Check out my suggested reading list on real food, called The FDA Is Not Your Friend.

Notice any books I left out? Let me know and I'll add them in!


Speaking of real food - it's canning season! I so want to print this sign as a label and paste it on my canning jars - lol!!

Rumors of God

Like the magical bottomless bags in Harry Potter, Rumors of God by Pastors Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson unpacks an impressive array of deep truths to soothe the hearts and inspire the souls of the wary, the weary, the wandering and the wondering in the modern Christian community. With patience and passion they dive right in to the touchy, sticky subjects most of us want long to address but shy skittishly away from: grace, justice, commitment, community, and God-sized dreaming.

These men clearly both know their stuff and live like it. Compassion and grace pour out of their writing, softening the sharp edges of the challenges inherent in the truths they display. Despite reading several reviews prior to picking this up, I was completely unprepared for the hard-hitting topics inside. I've never seen controversial topics like commitment to others and church communities handled so adeptly or genuinely; nor have I ever heard anyone frame the debate about modern culture inside and outside of churches in such accurate, articulate and viable terms.

This book will not only reshape how you look at the key issues of our time - it will equip you to deal effectively with them in your own life and to share fresh hope and truth with others.

Renaissance Festival

At least one day a year, I ask myself the same question: why on earth did women ever give up corsets and peasant skirts for bras and jeans?

This past weekend was our annual excursion to the Sterling Renaissance Festival. It's one of the few things we have been able to consistently do for years, one of the fun traditions in our marriage. It's fascinating to watch the Faire evolve, and to measure the differences in ourselves as we make this favorite pilgrimage.

I got my hair braided again - I'm slowly working my way through all the styles in their design book. This is called an "S braid with details"; isn't it beautiful?! I don't have any pictures on hand of the front of my outfit, but you can see the back of my beloved black leather corset a little here.

Seriously, why did women give up Renaissance style clothing? Even if corsets aren't one's preference, there were boned bodices, corselettes, and comfy full skirts to enjoy! It always intrigues me that no matter what one's body type, Ren Faire clothing flatters and compliments fly.

The past couple years, we've been on the lookout for a dress for me that I could wear at the Faire and outside it. This year, we finally found the perfect one! No pics of me in it yet, so this is the one from the website. Instead of the color shown, however, mine is black brocade with burgundy roses - so gorgeous! Full steel boning in the bodice makes it self-supporting and burgundy grosgrain ribbon laces up the back for a perfect fit. Eric definitely spoils me!

Speaking of which, check out my handsome knight!


He looks good with a sword, doesn't he? (Incidentally, I love stopping by the smithys at the Faire. They "strongly encourage fondling the swords" and are often doing amusing things like brewing [read: boiling over] coffee on the forge while waiting for the steel to heat up.) This picture was taken outside the Starfire Swords booth.


This is my handsome Prince with Don Juan and Miguel. We see their show every year and I always appreciate how personable and down to earth they are. Never too busy to sign their dvds or t-shirts, always cheerful about requests for pictures and thoroughly engaging whether on stage or in person.

One of the things I like best about the Ren Faire, though, is the other visitors. It's the one place you never have to be shy about stopping someone to tell them how much you love their outfit or asking where they got it because you know they'll be happy to share.

You also see some of the most unique ideas out there! We had to stop this gentleman and get a picture - a Marine corps vet with a cammo kilt and traditional tankard to match his hat and combat boots. How fun is that!?

If you haven't been to the Faire, it runs weekends through August 21st - there's still time!

Payday Inspired Granola Bars

I previously mentioned that my sister had asked me about homemade Payday bars. I looked up some recipes online, tried one and came to the conclusion that they were simply not good enough to make up for how horrifically bad they were for you. But I was pretty sure I could come up with a satisfying alternative.

I made an experimental batch last night... considering that they're almost gone already this morning, I'd say they turned out well! Even better, if you use GF oats, these can be gluten free!


Payday Inspired Granola Bars

2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup flax seed or flour (may be left out)
1/2 cup honey
1 cup dry roasted salted peanuts
1/2 cup raisins
1 egg

Grease a 9 inch square baking dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oats, flax/flour, peanuts and raisins. Whisk together egg and honey, then mix into dry until evenly moistened. Pulse one cup of the mixture in a food processor or blender and add back to the mix, stirring well. Press into pan with damp hands. Bake 15 - 20 minutes until edges begin to brown. Cool and cut into bars. Enjoy!

Note: The raisins are important for moisture/stickiness content to help hold the mix together. If you don't want whole raisins in your bars, toss the raisins, honey and egg in the blender and puree before adding to the dry mix.

These are super easy, portable, delicious and healthy. The recipe can easily be doubled and the bars stored in an airtight container at room temp. If you're looking for a sweet/salty treat that won't ruin your diet, give them a try!