Something "different" I ate-then and now

It's been awhile since I've linked up here.

I chose writing prompt #5-Something you ate

I grew up in the south. Our family table was greeted often with items smothered in bacon grease. We often had meat at every meal...usually pork or beef.  I look back now and call it clogged arteries on a plate. 

When I moved out, went to college and eventually got married, I decided what to eat and cook. Bacon grease was rarely on the menu. My grandfather and a few other family members had passed away or had heart problems. I didn't want to be a part of that fact on our family tree. So, I began to make changes...SLOWLY.

Southern food=addicting. 

 More recently, I am mostly vegetarian and vegan-NOT because I am all about how animals are not for eating, but for two reasons:  

1. hubby is plagued by food that triggers headaches and sometimes nausea.  And he has problems with eating beef.

2. I have seen how they cut up a cow and it has grossed me out ever since, I don't like how most meat smells, and bonus-I don't really have to worry about E-coli unless I eat items grown in animal manure (can you say gross?).

 

So we have been eating some "different" things that I seriously would have said in my twenties that I would never eat!  

     Recently, the weirdest food I have tried is nutritional yeast or nooch as vegans affectionately call it. 

Nooch is often used as a cheese substitute...interesting, but it just ain't cheese folks! One thing that keeps me non-vegan is my love of cheese-especially on pizza. No, I don't have to have cheese on everything and most meals I make don't have it, but when I think about never having pizza with Mozzarella, I feel a panic attack coming on. 

The best things I have consumed recently? Coconut milk coffee creamer-hello coffee! And Vanilla Almond milk. Talk about heaven in my spinach/banana smoothie or my rice or oatmeal breakfast.  

So there ya have it, something I ate then and now. Bon appetite! 

Stupid food, when you cringe and joy.

Anyone else wonder what's up with my title?  It just doesn't go together, right?

I am a multitasking mama-I couldn't quit juggling my thoughts long enough to put one down so I decided to include all three (big, trying to look cute, forgive me grin).

Food is stupid. I mean dealing with food. Stupid. Hubby has migraines and sometimes nausea from a lot of not so whole, fresh food (read any thing unnatural, preservative/MSG lathered and laden). Lest I forget, there's oats, chocolate and beef  that all cause issues. So I broke down and bought a food processor. There's only so much STUPID hand chopping,slicing and dicing to do. Honestly, I love Garlic just not when my hands smell like it. No more teary eyes from cutting onions.  I hear some of you cheering. Now, I do have to say that I still love that I possess Miracle Blades and so cutting one item where I don't need a food processor is lovely.

Sometimes it's the machine's turn to do the dirty work. Hip-hip hooray...it sliced potatoes for baked not fried taters in seriously a matter of seconds! I am thinking that I will experience a new found giddyness before I realize that's what it is...blending my own nut butters or black bean burgers will be practically effortless. 
So all of this figuring out what items in a bag, can or box are acceptable to buy has become a chore and I might go blind from reading the labels. Nonetheless, at least there are some items. My newest hurdle has been what to cook, what to substitute, and well, what to eat. Too bad we can't live on junk mail as there seems to be an endless supply.

*****

OKAY...so you know when you cringe and experience joy simultaneously?..I feel like saying these are mutually exclusive, but I would be lying.

             Speaking in front of groups of people-now there's where I didn't look forward to it and then I did. Huh? I know it doesn't make sense.

Today, I am cringing at the steps, paperwork and plethora of meetings toward getting my first child into a good, safe school. Yet, I am experiencing moments of joy as I feel the Lord holding me. As I feel the effect of trusting Him...where I am not in control and I can't make things happen. Nope, no amount of influencing, planning, or strategic moves is gonna affect where my child goes to school.

Then, I relish in these moments of joy and peace. Knowing that my heart is okay when it feels two emotions at once. Knowing that the Lord who entrusted this first boy to me will protect him as he as always protected me. 

I see the grace. I strongly desire this joy and for the first time in my life, this year, I am understanding God's unspeakable joy...please don't let it end or I will cringe.

Lefty: How Albert Einstein and I are similar

I am a south paw. I know, I know, some people find this intriguing. However, in some countries if I did something with my left hand I would be considered unclean and or possibly thrown in jail! Thank goodness I live in America where I can freely be a lefty.

Sometimes I like this unique part of me where supposedly only about 10% of the population uses their left hand dominantly. I was raised by right-handed parents so technically I am ambidextrous because I cut food with a knife in my right hand, and I tie my shoe like a right-handed person would. I do bat, golf, eat and write with my left all the time.

Then, as labels and stereotypes go there are pitfalls to being a lefty. Desks and notebooks frustrate me. Religion, social and cultural situations and beliefs have linked my handness with the devil, with being backwards, and I annoy right handed people at the table since our elbows touch if we sit next to each other. Even the the word left in English comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft, which means weak or broken.

Yet, famous people like Albert Einstein, Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin,and Mark Twain were left handed.  In Judges 20:16 NKJV, the tribe of Benjamin had seven hundred left-handed fighting men who could "sling a stone at a hair's breadth and not miss."

So I don't keep the worst company.

I wonder why that biblical detail was included? Who knows. What I do know is that as a society we really judge what inconveniences us, what we don't understand, and what others have taught us without seeking out the truth for ourselves. Somehow we go on quests to fix what isn't always broken or to change others to fit to our liking. I know because I am guilty of this and labels and stereotypes.

What I love about our God (well, too numerous to list) is that he teaches contrary to humans. Jesus, while on earth, demonstrated love without judgment to EVERYONE. Sure, he pointed out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, but telling the truth isn't necessarily judgement. He taught us to love one another not agree with everything or like or understand what others do. Love. 

What God is changing in my heart?...there's a heightened awareness of and a decrease in false assumptions and perceptions. I am going beyond tolerance and religion. I am seeing a deeper understanding of His love. Looking beyond what the outside shows or says or does. Seeing past flaws or supposed perfection. "Love", He gently whispers.

And I do...and it feels right and I see the freedom it brings...you are free to be you (lefty or not) and I am free to be me and we let God do the rest.