I am a certified fitness instructor and have been teaching group fitness classes for over 22 years. I am also a board certified holistic health counselor with a degree from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. I am 48 years old with a 25 year old daughter and a 23 year old son. My husband Chris and I have been married for 28 years. I have been a member of the Church of Christ my entire life as well as my mother, father and both sets of grandparents. I am the owner of a local food service based business and currently teach conditioning classes here in the Edmond area. I have been a strict vegetarian for many years but I will walk 10 miles barefoot in the snow for a good piece of chocolate! ;)
I am such a huge fan of all things fall and the holiday season! What I am not such a fan of are all the years I spent feeling guilty for days after the holidays because of all the so-called bad food I let myself go crazy with.
I have since learned some simple healthy habits that keep me feeling totally satisfied with my entire holiday experience. I have determined to rid myself of the food-guilt relationship once and for all.
These tips also come in handy for that very purpose.
1. Focus on having a super-healthy couple of days prior to the BIG day.
Have a few meat-free days, load up on fresh produce, and try to reduce your sugar intake for several days, which will curb your desire for sweets a bit before you are bombarded with tons of desserts and treats.
2. Focus more on the gathering and the people present than on the food itself.
Yes, eating is a huge part of our American tradition, but take the time to really be present with your guests. Set a beautiful table and engage your friends in conversation and laughter, prolonging the eating experience. Statistically speaking, we do the most calorie damage in the first few minutes of eating. We power through the meal, and before we know it we have overeaten to the point of discomfort. Take time to savor the flavors and the simple joy of eating together. In a nutshell…slow down.
3. Keep some healthy go-to dishes on hand and even offer to bring a dish or two if you are the guest and not the cook.
Survey the table and fill your plate with the healthier options, filling up on those first. Then with the bit of room you’ve saved, go ahead and have the treats you look forward to every year. This strategy works wonders! You still enjoy the things you love, but you have nourished your body with some good choices first, which allows you to have your cake and eat it too, so to speak. Here are a couple of my must-haves.
For me, the sweet tooth queen of the world, if I have these two backups on hand I am a happy camper and not totally at the mercy of the dessert buffet!
Remove all the bags, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean and add ¼ cup lemon juice, stir, and serve.
Pumpkin bread that will rock your healthy world
In a large bowl combine:
5 cups pure pumpkin
2 cups coconut sugar
2 eggs
1 cup almond milk
¾ cup safflower oil
1 teaspoon vanilla.
Thoroughly mix with a large spoon until combined. In another large bowl, combine:
4 cups spelt flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup chocolate chips (I use grain-sweetened chips such as Enjoy Life brand)
1 cup finely chopped walnuts or macadamia nuts.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and thoroughly mix until well combined. Note: if you want to hold back a little bit of the chips and nuts you can sprinkle them on the top before baking.
Bake in three greased loaf pans (I like to use coconut oil on a paper towel to grease the pans) at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Let the loaves cool in the pan for a few minutes, then turn them out onto a baking rack to cool completely. ENJOY!
Happy holidays! Share love and Jesus with everyone who comes into your presence!
Toni was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma.She graduated from East Central University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Economics.After college, she returned to her hometown to marry her best friend, Charles.Toni is a stay at home mom to their three teens, two boys and a girl, whom God led them to homeschool.Her goal is to raise her children to love and serve the Lord.They live on a farm where they grow produce to sell at several farmers markets.She also plays the piano at church and teaches piano.
..to be lonely. Everyone is shopping and spending time with family and friends. It is such a busy time. But, the holidays can be a very difficult time for so many people.
I lost my grandfather eight years ago right after Christmas. I was extremely close to him and was his caregiver during his last two years. When he passed on, I was devastated. I did not deal well with it so I went to a grief support group to help me better deal with it. I still attend on occasion, mostly around the holidays because that is when it is most difficult for me. I also continue to attend these meetings because it has become a time of fellowship with a wonderful group of mostly older ladies.
The most important lesson I take from these ladies is that with our loss things change. We do not always like it, but it does. When we lose someone, it changes our routines and our traditions.
For some people, this can even mean the loss of their remaining family, a wife that loses her husband and they have no surviving children or an child that loses his last remaining parent. These are the people that can feel particularly lonely.
The Bible even tells us several times to care for the widows and the orphans. During the holidays, this can be as simple as visiting someone. Take some cookies or fudge. Have your children make a homemade ornament and take it to them. Take a group of friends and go caroling. Invite them to go look at Christmas lights. There are so many little things that we can do that would mean a lot to someone else, something that would help them to feel not so lonely.
I am a girl who loves to sit with a cup of coffee and daydream. I am most passionate about Jesus, my family, and family ministry. My husband and I live in Oklahoma with our two precious daughters. I spend my days with my girls, discovering and growing alongside them! You can usually find us either in our sunroom, the park, or taking long walks through Target. :)
One of the most sentimental memories from my childhood is Christmastime. The glow of the Christmas tree on the night of Christmas Eve. Candles lit throughout the house, special trinkets on display, festive music filling the air. The glowing fireplace filling the room with warm air, stockings hung on the mantel. Such beautiful traditions took place in this setting. Under the tree were beautifully wrapped packages–our family gifts, of course, as Santa had not yet visited. The sweetest gift we had to offer each other, however, could not be wrapped, but was symbolized by a small silver box that hung on our tree.
Proverbs 16:24 tells us that kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Words of affirmation and life are something we all need from others and something we should be able to sincerely express to those around us.
Family so often gets our worst. They are the ones on the front lines when life is stressful or frustrating. How beautiful it is to take a moment to say something lovely and life-giving to each other.
Our family had a special tradition of passing a silver box around on Christmas Eve, and with it, saying something kind to each other. We each took a turn to speak about every person. While it’s important to speak encouragement all through the year, there was something extra special about doing it at Christmastime. Our remarks to each other required time and forethought. Our kind words truly were a gift to each other. A sweet and precious gift.
Our silver box tradition was based upon the book Silver Boxes by Florence Littauer. In this book is a special poem that we read each year before we exchanged our kind words.
“Silver Boxes,” by Michael Bright
My words were harsh and hasty and they came without a thought.
Then I saw the pain and anguish that my bitter words had brought.
Bitter words that I had spoken made me think back through the past;
Of how many times I’d uttered biting words whose pain would last.
Then I wondered of the people I had hurt by things I’d said;
all the ones I had discouraged when I didn’t use my head.
Then I thought about my own life. Of painful words I’ve heard;
and of the times I’d been discouraged by a sharp and cruel word.
And now clearly I remember all the things I might have done;
but, by a word I was discouraged and they never were begun.
Lord, help my words be silver boxes.
Neatly wrapped up with a bow; that I give to all so freely, as through each day I gladly go.
Silver boxes full of treasure, precious gifts from God above;
that all the people I encounter might have a box of God’s own love.
On a night where God’s love is at the forefront of our minds as we are thinking about the babe Jesus, it is a beautiful thing to share God’s love in the words we say to each other. Oh, that our words might be silver boxes!
As we are mindfully preparing for our Christmas this year, let’s look for ways to speak life to each other, and to encourage each other with words as sweet as honey. The best part about this tradition is that is costs nothing, yet it is truly meaningful!
I am an Oklahoman by birth, a Texan by current living situation, but claim the world as my playground.I love to travel and hope to someday soon take our family on adventures to far off lands, where we can share God with others and experience all the wonders He has created.
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
He is coming! It is that time of year again when we get to be in awe of Christ’s coming. We’ve only been enjoying advent with our family for the past five years or so. But I’ve noticed, that when we devote our full attention to Christ, Satan will try to divert it, discourage us, and just make us give it up. (This is true during any season of life.) That’s why I want to encourage you as this season begins not to stress over advent, but enjoy it as much as you can. Here are some tips for a stress-free advent.
Tips for a Stress-Free Advent
#1 – Have a game plan that fits with your schedule.
We all have completely different schedules. It might be so awesome to hear what one person does, but if it doesn’t fit your schedule and you are trying to do what they do, stress will follow. So take a look at your calendar. Pray about it and set aside your family advent time.
Consider these questions:
How often you will set aside to enjoy the advent season? Weekly? Daily? A few times a week? Fan the spirit the whole time?
What will those set aside times include? Singing, Scripture reading, devos, ornaments, activities, etc?
After answering the questions above, maybe instead of doing a daily advent you do a weekly devotional activity that you can use as a talking point throughout the entire week. (Look below for advent devotional & activity ideas.)
#2 – Simplify Other Parts of Your Calendar
Easier said than done. December has become the BUSIEST time of the year. If we are running from thing to thing, our stress levels will already be high, and then adding advent to that, makes it feel like just another item to check off the list. When praying about your schedule, consider what you can cut back on during December to really allow peace to filter in. I love what Tracy stated in her post about what she wants for Christmas:
Sometimes we get the idea that just because an activity is a “good” activity, we should do it… Doing fewer things and doing them well not only helps me to be less hectic… it also helps me to actually be present and enjoy the activities we choose to do. Less truly is more: more patience, more attention, more grace.
How about we make more room to be able to focus on Jesus, who is the peace-giver, this month, instead of overloading ourselves with fun things that just leave us drained?
Now, I’m preaching more to my heart than to yours maybe. I tend to overload my schedule but have been working really hard to give our family breathing room, to experience Christ and his grace in our lives, instead of just reading about Him and moving on. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing Christ’s light shine brightly in the hearts that are before us. Let’s not rush their little flames so fast that we almost extinguish them.
#3 – Decide how you will focus your thoughts.
Many of you already have your Advent devotional book picked out for this year and you’ve got everything ready to go. Fantastic! But if you don’t, don’t stress. You can always pick one up, catch up, or just start at the day we are on.
Need some FREE ideas?
The Bible. Yes, you can just keep it simple. God’s word is beautiful and will fill you in on everything that you need. Read a few verses a day out of Luke, Matthew, John or all three. If you don’t have access to a Bible at home, use the Bible App on your phone or Biblegateway.com.
Family Time Training’s Advent Guide.This FREE guide will help your advent be memorable but not overwhelming. It brings the family together for Scripture and an activity once a week.
Our family gathered together in our living room with only the soft glow of candles and the sparkling trees lights illuminating our time of singing and Bible reading. All 5 children are attentitvely listening and hungering for more. They are hanging on every word and can’t wait to hang the advent ornament on the tree. We will pray joyously and the kids will beg to do the craft.
But I have to expect that not every night will look like I’ve planned in my head. Right!?! And that is ok.
If we stress about having the perfect advent time, then we will be frustrated. But if we are flexible, have grace, and realize some nights we maybe doing our advent while driving in the car, or around the dinner table instead of in that perfect serene scene in our heads, then peace with follow it.
#5 – Keep it Simple!
If you enjoy doing all the extras then enjoy it. But the moment you start stressing about it, I encourage you to take a deep breath, take a step back and just enjoy Christ. The activities can get overwhelming for some of the advent devotionals out there. Keep it simple. Just because it has an activity doesn’t mean you have to do every. single. activity. Give yourself permission to be ok with skipping some of them. What I’ve done in the past is pick the activities I think we would enjoy the most or be the most thought provoking and do a couple a week.
Did you know there are no rules around advent?
It’s all about preparing our heart for Christ’s coming. We can use this beautiful season to start training our children and ourselves how to set our thoughts on things above all day and not just when we have a quiet moment. Then we will start to learn that any time is a great time to seek Christ, his love and wisdom. And we will start longing for him not only during the advent season but all throughout the year too. Because, he is coming! And he is coming soon!
May your hearts be filled with Christ’s peace and joy this season!
Prayer Over Our Hearts
Lord, we come in absolute awe of you! All you have done for us…all you left behind, just to set us free! Your love overwhelms us.
We pray that we will learn to be in awe of you of you not just during this season but throughout our lives. Let us not let the devil keep us “busy” doing good works so that we forget to focus on who is truly good. Let us be expectantly waiting and rejoicing in your returning, just as so many were anxiously waiting your coming!
It is with open hearts that we embrace this season to focus on you and encourage others to be in awe of you as well.
In the One who is the light of the world and is coming soon – Amen!
I am a girl who loves to sit with a cup of coffee and daydream. I am most passionate about Jesus, my family, and family ministry. My husband and I live in Oklahoma with our two precious daughters. I spend my days with my girls, discovering and growing alongside them! You can usually find us either in our sunroom, the park, or taking long walks through Target. :)
It’s that time of year again: the season of stuff. Of course, holidays mean more than material things. It is a time for family, giving, gratitude, and celebrating God’s goodness. Still, despite all my good intentions for the holiday season, materialism creeps its way in. Before I know it, I’m spending too much time thinking about what I want.
Right now I find myself obsessing over Christmas dresses for family photos, gifts for my daughters and extended family, additional serving ware I wish I had for Thanksgiving, an overpriced ornament that would look beautiful on my tree, wrapping paper patterns, and–oh yes, my own personal wish list. It’s actually sort of exhausting to think about stuff so much, but yet I do it. (Tell me I’m not alone!) I tell myself I’m just being selective so that our home is not overrun with junk but instead filled with meaningful items. It’s actually a minimalist approach…sort of. The problem with knowing what I want is that I can’t always have what I want. Then what? Materialism is a trap that leads to selfishness, insecurity, and a sadness toward life.
Words of Wisdom about Materialism
Jesus had some words of wisdom for those of us who tend to be consumed with the material things of this earth. Luke 12:15 says,
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Jesus goes on to tell them about a man who made plans to selfishly store up much so that he could be carefree for the rest of his life. Then God tells him he is going to die before he can enjoy it. Jesus proceeded to warn us not to worry about our material needs in the future.
Rich in God, not in Possessions
Does this mean we should splurge right now with all we have? Of course not. Jesus is saying all this in relation to our giving. At this same time we read about being rich toward God and giving to the poor. So the idea is that we should not be consumed with worry. Nor should we neglect sharing our blessings with others in order to store up excess for ourselves, because time on this earth is fleeting. We should live our lives in light of eternity. I encourage you to read Luke 12:13-34 if you struggle with materialism.
Is it wrong to think about what gifts I’d like to give my children, or what I might put on my own Christmas list? No; however, allowing these material things to control my joy or prevent me from giving to others is wrong. Materialism draws us further from God. it is sin.
An Action Plan
I’ve yet to completely overcome this sin in my life but this year I am determining an action plan for myself to help me fight.
I will think about what I already have, how its use might be extended, and choose to be grateful.
I will immediately delete e-mails from stores that I know I will not be making a purchase from. The same goes for catalogs in the mail. Those expensive clothing or decorating catalogs I like to swoon over–goodbye!
Most importantly, I will spend time in God’s word and in prayer. This is a time where Satan really tries to attack and so I must tie myself tightly to the Lord and His word.
Do you find yourself consumed with “stuff” during the holidays? There is hope! Draw near to God and find joy in what He’s already done for you. Let’s vow to enjoy the people we love and put on hearts of gratitude this holiday season!
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! – Psalm 34:8
I’m Lana, a native Oklahoman. Married 17 years to the first boy I ever dated. Mama to two amazing, darling girls. I’m a coffee-drinking, book-reading, home-educating night owl! An accountant in my life B.C. (Before Children), my dream job would be getting paid to read all day.And if you’re into Meyers-Briggs personality tests, I’m an ISTJ. Most important of all, I’m a follower of Christ.
When the holiday hustle begins to stress me out, one of my favorite ways to unwind is to sit in the glow of the Christmas tree lights late at night. I turn off all the other lights in the house, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and make a cup of something warm and soothing–herbal tea or warm vanilla milk–and sit down to simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
This song by Voctave makes me think of the peace I experience during my late-night meditations. The lyrics are soft and speak to my soul. When I get frazzled with to-do lists and too many activities, I can be still and remind myself that “all is well.”
Because of the birth of Jesus, the course of the whole world was changed. Jesus was willing to take on human flesh with its weaknesses and failings. Because of his willingness to obey his Father, he made himself nothing. He humbled himself so much that he was even willing to die for us! (Philippians 2:6-8).
I get chills when I stop to truly consider the last verse of “All is Well.” My spirit soars just like the notes of this song. And I can truly say, because of Jesus: All is well!
All is well all is well
Lift up your voice and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well
