Celebration of Life and Love

My husband has great vision.  This past weekend one of his dreams became a reality with a celebration in our yard complete with a roasted pig, live music, family, friends, and a wedding reception!  He was dreaming about it for months because he was burdened to celebrate life and the birth of our dear baby, Liv.  Then, because we were raising four pigs, the idea of having a pig roast was born.  Ali and Cody were going to have their wedding on the same day, so we asked if they wanted to have their reception at our house and work together on the cost.  Instead of roasting the pig ourselves, we decided to hire Mike Utz with Utz Catering, who did a fabulous job! What a fun day we had, celebrating life and love!

Uncle Kevin and Mike Utz working hard.

"Pinky" our dear and delicious pig

pork, beef, turkey, mac-n-cheese, potatoes, baked beans
Yum, yum, yum!

Liv with Grandma Charles

Gerlachs at the food line

This was the last picture I took because I had to run around getting coffee and had to feed Liv.  I would love to see some more pictures, if some of you have them!

Thanks everyone for your participation in the food, drinks, music, and donations of baby items for Alpha Pregnancy Center!

We dropped off the baby items last night.  Miss Bev and Miss Sue graciously showed us around the center and told us there were 85 babies born last year that were supported by the center.  A class was meeting in the one room where the women "earn while they learn."  Once again, I was very impressed by the impact they are having, supporting life.

I'm thankful for my husband, who dreams big, when I am often just trying to get through each day, caring for the baby and homeschooling.  In the end, I am happy for his spontaneous spirit and vision.  To God be the glory, who creates life and is love.

Life is too Short To Clean

With so much of my time spent feeding, changing, and holding my sweet baby, I was struck with the thought yesterday:  Life is too short to clean.  What I mean by that is, life is too short to spend so much of my days trying to keep the house clean and being stressed about messes.  Perfectly clean never happens anyway, with children!  But, I look around and get so frustrated because I don't have enough time to get it all done.  My children help so much, but somehow there are always new messes.  I need to speak truth to myself:  it is okay!!!

Maybe you strive for something else:  money, fame, work...?  All of us need to stop now and then to realize that life is short.  We all need to focus on what is really important, seeking God and relationships with people.  The greatest commandment according to Jesus in Matthew 22: 36-40, is to love God and the second greatest commandment is to love people as ourselves.

Jesus says, in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (NKJV).  

I want to rest in God's love for me today.  Then, I will be able to show love and patience to my family and others (even when there are messes).  My prayer for you, is that you will also seek God and find rest.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and forgiveness.  You know I need it.  Please let me rest in you today.  I give you the things that I strive for, help me to let them go, and rest in your love for me.

First Week of School

One Baby at a Time

I never thought I would have five kids!  I was content after three.  I was homeschooling and challenged everyday.  Relentlessly and carefully, Michael persuaded me that God could give me the strength for one more.  We had a son, and called him our bonus baby.

Then, I was really done!  We again got rid of the baby things.  Our lives were full.  I was determined not to have any more kids, and Michael was understanding.  However,  this time God changed my heart.

We went to a conference about raising children last November.  That weekend God impressed upon my heart that I should trust Him to give me the help I would need to have another child.  I let go of my control and surrendered.  Then, a lady at a gym class "randomly" gave me a magazine about big families and women who trusted God with children and valued life.  Also, a friend posted the verse from Psalm 127: 3-5, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" (NIV).  I also knew what a help my three older children are.  I knew they would be so helpful and happy to welcome a new baby....Well, now I am holding a gift from God, a precious tiny girl.

I know God has a plan for her life, for His glory.  Psalm 139: 13-14 says, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well....All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (NIV).

God will also continue to sanctify me, making me more like Him, as I need His help everyday.  The hard work and challenges of being with children constantly keep me seeking Christ.  I read a post yesterday that has helpful tips about raising children and controlling your temper.  Here is the link:  http://lisajobaker.com/2014/10/10-things-to-do-differently-before-you-lose-your-temper/

I claim Psalm 121 as my favorite chapter from the Bible.  Psalm 121: 1-4, "I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (NIV).   I like picturing God awake when I am awake at night, feeding the baby.  He never leaves me alone.

With the birth of this precious new baby, I am feeling so blessed and grateful.  I am thankful that God continues to speak and change our hearts as we seek Him.  

The children have been making meals.

Protein Deficient, Pregnant, and Training for a Half Marathon

Well, after a year of being vegetarians and striving so hard to be healthy, we are officially protein deficient!  What have we been doing the past two weeks?  Eating meat every day...drinking protein drinks...feeling stupid and crazy....and enjoying every morsel of meat set before us.  What led to this change in direction?

First of all, I am pregnant, so I had been thinking about adding more protein to my diet for my baby.  I was eating meat sometimes, more eggs, cheeses, and Greek yogurt.

Also, Mike began training for a half marathon.  Then, he began feeling strange, sick, and shaky.  He didn't know what was wrong, so he went to the doctor.  The doctor did blood work and a sonogram of Mike's organs, which came back fine.  The doctor told Mike that he should be eating protein at every meal.  Yes, we were eating protein, and I was trying to do my best, but it is difficult to always get enough protein when people pick out beans, or ask me not to make this and that.  Unless you eat tons, eggs and tofu do not have as much protein as chicken or beef.  After talking with other friends and reading articles, we came to the conclusion that we needed to change.  We feel good about the decision, for our baby, our growing children, and Mike's health.

One article said a good way to feel better after being protein deficient was to eat four ounces of red meat at lunch for two weeks, as medicine, not a lifestyle.  So, we tried it, and Mike slowly began to feel better.  Mike and I also began having "Whey to go" protein shakes by Solgar (suggested by our dear health concious friends and approved by by doctor), eating more eggs, Greek yogurt, and other protein rich foods.  He continued to train, running some long distances to get ready for his race, which would be at the end of the two weeks.

Mike ran the half marathon (13.1 miles) yesterday, and did really well and felt great!  It was quite the accomplishment, after feeling awful for the last few months.

Erin, Chuck, and Mike
Chuck was Mike's great encourager!

Now what?  We plan to eat real food (unprocessed), and eat meat in a balanced way.  We still believe it is best to eat a mostly plant-based diet, but we have learned the importance of protein.  It is a journey.

Everything Veggie Soup

I found a great recipe that is quick and delicious.  If you add quinoa you will have a complete protein.  Or you could add brown rice and beans, for added protein.  This is my own variation of a recipe from The China Study All Star Collection by Leanne Campbell, PhD.  Hope you like it!

Everything Veggie Soup

1 onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 Red or Yellow Sweet Pepper, chopped
3 c. chopped vegetables (I like zuchinni, carrots, beans)
2 c. vegetable stock
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/4 c. quinoa (rinsed)
1 15 oz. can white beans (optional)
1 c. brown rice (cooked)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Easy as 1 2 3 
Steps:
1.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil.  Add seasonings.  Add pepper, vegetables, stock, tomatoes, and quinoa.  
2.  Cook 10-20 minutes.  
3.  Add more water, stock, or tomato juice if you need more broth.  Add beans, rice, salt and pepper.  Heat and serve.

I double or triple this and freeze the extra.  It always comes in handy when I don't know what to make or don't have the time to cook.

Learning More for Change

I was encouraged this week, again, to continue to read and learn more, for physical and spiritual health.  What we choose to read and fill our minds with is so important because it will change our thinking, thus will change our lives.  Our actions will not change without first a change in our thinking.

This week, I read The Vegucation of Robin by Robin Quivers.  I found some great plant-based recipes in this book about Robin's experience of how plant-based food changed her life.  It has many interesting recipes, with some ingredients that I never heard of.  I bought miso paste for the first time in my life, made a brussells sprouts recipe, which was gobbled down by my family with rave reviews!  The butternut squash soup was eaten, but the comments were, "That was spicey soup!" and "Is this good for me?"  (Like, I'll eat it, but it's not the best).  I also made a really good salad with cucumber ribbons, made with a vegetable peeler.  It was fun to eat, and delicious.  Most of all, the book gave me more education and encouragement that eating plant-based meals is the way to go!  For me, it is easy to slide back into easy, processed, sugary junk without remembering why the vegetables are important.  Therefore, continued education is necessary!

Another book, which I picked up at the library because we love reading the books and watching "Little House on the Prairie," is the book My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa Gilbert.  It has fun pictures of Melissa playing the part of Laura in the show.  She also includes great recipes.  I found two that our family loved; Vegetable Souffle and Very Veggie Soup.  They were so tastey!

Very Veggie Soup with cheddar cheese added 

Vegetable Souffle

Another book that I read recently was The Insanity of God:  The True Story of Faith Resurrected by Nik Ripken.  This book has amazing real life stories of Christians around the world who grow in their faith through persecution.  It is agonizing to hear the stories, but challenging and eye opening.  I really recommend this book.

Mike just read the book Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham Jr.  This is an encouraging book that challenges men to lead their homes.  

Another way of learning is through listening to books or sermons on the internet.  This morning I listened to a sermon by Tim Keller.  He is one of my favorite teachers of the Scriptures.  He had me in tears this morning by the end of the sermon.  The children are also doing a Romans study that he wrote.  They are learning so much through the study.

Above all, when I read the Bible, I am challenged and changed.  "The Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).  The Holy Spirit teaches us as we open the Bible and read.  There is no better book to learn from and live by.

Let's continue to learn and grow, for our health physically and spiritually.

A Year of Clean Plant-based Food

Last year, we started out with 21 days of clean food.  We made radical changes, for us.  We focused on eating not only unprocessed and clean food, but also vegetarian meals and snacks.  It has been a year now, so I thought I should let you know how it went and how we "made it through."  At the beginning, Blane would firmly state, "I am not a vegetarian!"  Now, when we are having something that he likes, he says that he is.

We have enjoyed this way of eating so much, that we are continuing.  There are so many delicious options, that it really isn't that hard.  The main thing, for me, is having a plan and keeping good options in the pantry and fridge.  I go through times when I enjoy cooking and planning, but mostly, it is a chore.   It has to be done, so I try to have a positive attitude and write down a plan, so I don't have to decide last minute.  I also like changes, so when I'm stuck in a rut, I like to get some new cookbooks at the library or visit Trader Joe's for some special easy food that still has good ingredients.

Two of my new favorite cookbooks are :
Wow! This is Sugarfee by Deborah Steiner and Mary Yoder
Healthy Choices by Keepers at Home Readers (No sugar.  No white flour.  No artificial anything.)


Also, we have learned that it is okay and good to celebrate.  For example, two of my kids were sick this week.  On Tuesday, Blane said he wanted to eat a chocolate cake.  So, I said that if everyone was better by Friday, we would celebrate with a chocolate cake.  So today, that is what we did!  Not having sweets and meat all the time, makes the celebrations extra special.

Some of my special memories of the year were Uncle Jason's barbecued smoked pork, Grandma Czaja's ham at Christmas, tacos and burritos in Mexico, Grandma Charles' ham loaf, birthday cakes, apple snitz pie at our Amish friend's house, cinnamon rolls on Thanksgiving and deer hunting day, and making (and eating) venison jerky with Slade's first deer.

Here is our menu for this week:

Breakfasts:  
cereals (Bran flakes, Organic Cheerios, High Fiber Cereal (from Trader Joe's)
10 grain cereal (Mike's favorite with bananas and chia seeds)
egg sandwiches with 100% Whole-wheat bread)
special days:  baked oatmeal, pancakes, blueberry clafoutis

Lunches (mostly leftovers) and Dinners:
Tues:  Skillet noodles with white beans, kale, and chili powder
Wed:  Lunch:  Vegetable Noodle Soup, Dinner:  Rice and Stir-fry with egg rolls
Thurs:  Baked Penne and Spinach
Fri:  Pizza
Sat:  Veggie Sandwiches/ White bean Soup and Baked Potato Fries
Sun:  Veggie burgers and Soup
Mon:  Zucchini Fritatta or Quiche
Tues:  Tofu tacos with corn tortillas (from Trader Joe's)
Wed:  Baked Penne and Spinach (from the freezer)

If you want any of these recipes, let me know and I can post some of them.

So, our journey continues...
Happy Eating!