Originally today's post was going to be all about mindset and why it matters. But the truth is, things have been super crazy lately and that means things get a little off balance. That's all okay, because in all reality, the wheel is never fully balanced. It rotates and there will be times one area needs a bit more help than others. For me right now, that area is health.
A week or so ago I was told by a friend about a holistic practitioner in the area. I didn't really think I had anything major to go in for but wanted to get my foot in the door and knew it had been a while since I'd had a good checkup. So I scheduled an appointment. That appointment was today. The news wasn't quite as I expected. I fully thought she'd agree that I'm premenopausal (which she did) and that I have a few gut issues going on. My thought was that it was just "normal" things that a good cleanse could take care of. No biggie.
Though these are all areas that came up, it wasn't necessarily for the reasons I expected. So, what exactly is going on? Lyme Disease. The funny thing is that, though it hadn't really crossed my mind that I had it, I also wasn't super surprised. I live in central Oklahoma and the ticks can be thick at times. So, yes, I've had tick bites before. However, it's been a while so I was surprised that it's something that is just now coming up (which I also found out isn't so uncommon).
What now? Thankfully, since I'm already health-conscious and try to give my body what it needs, this process should go a little faster than the projected 11+ months that it can take.
Step #1 is to open up the drainage system.
Step #2 is to kill off all parasites. Thankfully she said I really don't have a lot to deal with here. That's a big plus!
Step #3 is a series of steps to actually kill off the Lyme Disease.
I'm feeling pretty confident about the action steps we are taking and I can't wait to heal my body from the inside out. It's so important to listen to you bodies and find ways to treat the core issues, not just the symptoms. Like I said above, I felt I needed to go in but not for anything major. But I was also relieved to have the appointment set just to know what all is going on. And you better believe I'm happy that I didn't put it off any longer. Now we can head things off quickly and get my body back to where it needs to be.
As for mindset, well, it plays a part here too...having a positive attitude when healing the body is a must! The results will be so much better when you face things with a positive outlook. Stay tuned for my original blog on why mindset matters...and having a healthy body is just one reason why!
Follow us on Facebook! Closer 2 Eden Homestead
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Oh man! Do I have a delicious recipe for you!! This black bean soup is a favorite in my house. It's soooo tasty, especially when you make your own black beans (recipe here).
We like to serve this over cooked rice. Try adding chopped cilantro to add that nice cool and refreshing taste. Though sour cream and cheese may make great additions, we prefer it just as it is!
Enjoy!!
Bacon & Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups black beans (I use this recipe to make them from dried beans)
- 6 slices of bacon or more (I usually use a whole package...cuz it's bacon!)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 TBS minced garlic
- 32 oz chicken broth (or 2 cans)
- 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Served with:
Rice
Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Cook bacon in stockpot (I usually do some in the pot and some in the oven to speed up the process).
- When bacon is mostly done, add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add in beans and remaining ingredients (except rice and cilantro).
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 min to help blend the flavors.
- Serve over cooked rice. Add cilantro and desired toppings.
Follow us on Facebook! Closer 2 Eden Homestead
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
These black beans so so delicious!! Once you make them, you'll never want canned black beans again! They are perfect for tacos or soup. Sooooo good!
You can find my bacon black bean soup recipe here. Yum!
Instant Pot Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry black beans (sorted and rinsed)
- 3 cups water
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in instant pot.
- Place lid on and turn steam release valve to sealing.
- Set pot to manual (high pressure) for 22 minutes. It may take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, carefully open steam valve to release any remaining steam.
- Once steam is fully released, carefully open lead.
- Serve beans as desired.
Follow us on Facebook! Closer 2 Eden Homestead
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
In today's society, it seems almost impossible to always be happy...truly happy. There is so much negativity around us, often even within our own homes, that happiness seems to be fleeting and hard to find. I want to take a moment to encourage you to find your path to happiness. But first, let's define happiness according to Merriam Webster Dictionary:
Now, let's take a look at some terrific reasons to be happy:
- Happy people attract happy people. Have you ever noticed that just one bad mood can ruin it for everyone else in the room? The same applies to happiness. One person with a cheerful attitude can help all those around to feel happier. Go ahead, try it and you'll see!
- It can improve your health. There are several studies done on this, and though it is hard to prove, the results clearly show that happiness can improve your overall health. I don't know about you, but I'll take it!
- Lower stress levels. Positive emotions can help to broaden your perspective and encourages new ideas. This can help you keep the stress at bay when you are confronted with, well, anything! Business, home, life...
- More productivity. Those who are happy tend to have better focus and motivation, therefore making them more productive in their tasks, which also means they are more likely to reach their goals.
- Happier people tend to take care of their bodies better, which could also be why they are happier! Nutrition, exercise, mental health...it all works together. If you have a healthy diet and exercise regularly, it helps to produce endorphins, which aid in happiness. Did you know that this is one reason we often crave chocolate? Yep, eating chocolate can help produce those feel-good endorphins. More chocolate please!!
- Better relationships. This takes us back to #1, people enjoy being around happy people. Therefore, it stands to reason that you will have better, healthier relationships with others. We need each other. Being with others is part of what makes us tick (even if you're an introvert like me). So, here's to better relationships and spreading happiness all around
There are many different studies done on this topic and though it isn't fully understood, it's fairly evident that happiness can improve your overall quality of life!
Want some more tips on learning to choose happiness? Check out this link for info on a 21 day happiness challenge.
Follow us on Facebook! Closer 2 Eden Homestead
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
I love having a bowl of granola cereal in the evenings. However, last time I went to the store the price was too high for my liking. So I decided to make my own! It's super simple and has a great flavor! I had a bowl last night and it passed the test. Super yummy!
Next time I may try upping the oven temp to see if I can get it a tad more crunchy. But that's just a personal preference. This recipe browned nicely and has a great flavor.
You can add dried or fresh fruit to it after you have baked it to add even more flavor.
Homemade Cinnamon Honey Granola
Ingredients
9 cups oats *see notes
1 cup organic honey (local is best)
1 cup organic coconut oil
1 t himalayan salt
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 cup pecans, broken (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350*.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, salt, cinnamon, & pecans.
- In a small saucepan, mix together honey and coconut oil. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring to help break up clumps.
- Pour over dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread onto 2 large baking sheets, lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in oven 15 minutes for soft granola
- For a more cereal-like granola, stir granola and place back in over for another 10 min.
- Cool and store in air-tight container.
Notes:
*I did a mix of old fashioned oats and quick oats, about half and half, to add more texture and variety.
*If you want them a bit crunchier, try using a higher oven temp and check after 15 min
Follow us on Facebook! Closer 2 Eden Homestead
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
