Tidbits
Revived Perspective of Social Media
Social media can also be known as “Social Comparison”. How often do you scroll through Facebook or Instagram and feel jealous of what someone else has or what she is wearing…and the list goes on…and then leave your computer or phone feeling like you or your life isn’t enough? But, how often are your images not even really “truth” of what your reality truly is that day or that moment?
“…because you and I put up our very best moments on social media to show our friends, family, and acquaintances, it paints a picture about our lives that just isn’t true.”
The below blog post that I’m sharing is originally from FIELEKEFRONTPORCH — Adventures in Ministry, Marriage, and Parenting. Check out their blog and more about them from the link above. In this post, she puts social media in a really good perspective and how we should respond with appreciation and intentionality.
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I’M NOT A LIAR BUT FACEBOOK SURE IS.
I have some confessions about pictures I pulled from my Facebook feed…
In this picture, what you see is my sweet Ru & I, snuggled up happy as can be. What you don’t see is that my best friend was in town visiting me taking care of me because I really hate it when Josh travels for work for a week and I have to hold down the fort with a 2 & 4 year old.
In this picture, what you see are the cutest little girls ever with their beaming proud Momma. What you can’t see is that this was the day after our social worker told us it will probably be a long wait to adopt a baby, longer than we hoped, and I was still processing and grieving that news.
In this picture,
Revived Mindset
Do you Instagram? I just love it. There are so many people doing awesome projects to encourage others it fills my heart with joy.
I particularly like the #30DayVeggie Challenge from The Body Dept because it is all about MINDSET! I love what contributor Karen Psiask says when she writes, “I’m tired of always being told what NOT to do when it comes to health and nutrition. Don’t eat this. Don’t eat that. This is bad for you. That is bad for you. Most of it is good, accurate advice, but after a while, all that negativity starts to become overwhelming! So this spring, I’ve decided to change my way of thinking by focusing on what I WILL do.”
This type of mindset is so key in any area of our lives. Focusing on the positive, on things we can control and change, rather than the negative.
So the challenge is simple: eat vegetables at every meal. YEP! EVERY meal. I have been doing the challenge for two days and I love it. I have identified some weak areas when it comes to eating vegetables — mostly lunch time — and I realized how easy it is to have some veggies at every meal.
I would love for you to join me the rest of this month to eat veggies at every meal and revive your mindset about healthy eating. Just be sure to use #30DayVeggie in your post and tag me @princessessandprotein and the original challenge creators @thebodydept and @karenpsiask
Happy Veggie-ing!
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Saved by Smart Planning
Today I took my girls to Sea World with some friends. We loaded up my awesome van–even took my friend and her daughter–and drove down to San Diego. We had an amazing time.
I have learned a lot taking these small trips to fun places with my girls and I feel like I have finally got a good system down for saving time, money, and sanity when doing trips with kids. Here are a few of my tips:
1. Carpool – save on gas, split parking, and enjoy the time with another adult!! (That is something so precious in this stage of life). I LOVE my Toyota Sienna van and we recently put the two big girls in the back row together. They love it, and it easily frees up one of the captain’s chairs and our removable 8th seat for guests if and when we need it.
2. Pack your own food – I treated myself and my friend to a Starbucks for the drive, but other than that purchase I spend $0 today (not including gas). I pack lots of snacks, lunch, more snacks, water, and I ALWAYS bring my own treats for incentives. I like to occasionally reward good behavior with a little treat and they come in handy for unexpected wait times (such as our 1 hour wait today in the hot sun to redeem our passes! yikes!). I also try to pack the kid’s favorite meals and snacks to let this day be all about easy fun. Their favorite snacks are fruit snacks, pirate booty, raisins, freeze dried fruit, and pouches. They love lollipop so I usually throw in a dumb dumb lollipop for them.
3. Along the same lines – Pack your own treats! Like I said, little treats can be great incentives …
Read MoreGetting Fit
I love working out. For me it is a stress release, a way to challenge myself, and a way to enjoy being active. But I think you have to keep the right attitude about it. Working out, exercise, activity is something to enjoy. And it is important to enjoy it in balance. You don’t want it to consume you or take over your life. So find your own balance. My balance: I have been trying to incorporate running (which I am growing to love) into circuit training. So some of my outdoor running is being converted to treadmill running. Here’s a workout I found and adapted. Hope you enjoy it.
Arm and Cardio Workout
This is a gym workout is best suited for people who lift weights regularly and know correct form. If you don’t belong to a gym, try to do some other type of run/pushup/situp/plyo circuit in this style.
Workout: 3 circuits (about 10 minutes each) with 1 mile treadmill run/walk in between
Repetition of each set: If you are trying to bulk up do 10 reps with heavier weight.
If you are trying to maintain and stay lean and fit do a little lighter with 12-15 reps.
(Time: about 1 hour depending on run/walk times)
Warmup: .5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk
Circuit 1: Repeat 3x
Lat Pull Down (substitution: pull ups)
Chest Press (substitution: bench press or pushups)
Burpees
.5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk (Water)
Circuit 2: Repeat 3x
Bicep Curl
Overhead Tricep Extension
1 Minute Plank
.5-1 Mile Treadmill Run/Walk (Water)
Circuit 3: Repeat 3x
Chest fly (standing or bench)
One arm row (substitution: seated row machine)
Jumping Jacks (with or without small weights)
Cool Down Stretch (Water)
Most importantly, have fun! Push yourself hard enough to get a good work out. If you want to get …
Read MoreLove Does and Go Do Love
LOVE… such an enormous word. We can all relate to it. But what does it really mean?
What is your definition of love? How do you express your love? How do you feel loved? Do you just think about love, or do you act in love? Love is action. Love is words. Love is irreplaceable. Love is impacting. Love is powerful. Love can build up. Love reaches the depths. Love is simple. Love is worth it. Love is trust. Love is a force. Love changes things. “Love does”……
Refresh Your Spirit
Recently, I started a new and exciting business venture with a friend. I’m learning fast that just because I’m excited about something doesn’t necessarily mean everyone else is too. I find my belief constantly challenged by the opinions of others. Isn’t it that way with most things? When we allow others’ thoughts and opinions to influence us, suddenly our fire and our light starts to dim.
My same friend, who has been such an encouragement to me, shared this amazing series from Elevation Church called “Crash the Chatterbox.”
The theme of the series reads, “We live in a world full of chatter. Lies of condemnation, fear, insecurity, and discouragement bombard us every day. These lies keep us from hearing God’s voice and realizing the full purpose He has for our lives. But what can we do about it? How can we silence the enemy and discern God’s voice above all others? In this series, we’ll learn how to crash the Chatterbox with the promises of God, and embrace the freedom found only in Him.”
Fears and insecurities can only overcome our beliefs if we let them. What if instead of leaving room for “chatter” we fill our hearts and minds with truth?
I’ve decided that from now on whenever I start to let self-doubt creep into my mind I’m going to fill that space with God’s promises or motivating truths.
Here’s some ideas of how to keep your spirit refreshed:
-Listen to the series “Crash the Chatterbox“
-Listen to positive, uplifting music
-Find motivating personal development podcasts
-Put on some great jams and have a dance party with your kids
-Change scenes. Get out of the house or get some exercise
-Call a friend who always makes you feel good
-Make plans with friends or plan to host …
Read MoreSet Intentions–Find Refreshment
Our theme for this month is REFRESH.
Refresh can be defined as to provide new vigor and energy by rest, food, etc.
Here are two tips to find refreshment in your daily routine:
1. End each day with gratefulness.
We are using and amazing gratitude journal that is so helpful for journaling each day and it is filled with inspiring quotes! Take time to reflect on things you are grateful for and find refreshment in each blessing.
2. Set intentions for the next day
It is so important to be intentional about the way we spend our time. When we set intentions for our day we are more likely to follow through with our plans and find pockets of time to get things done. “Start each day with intention: make a simple plan and then follow through with it.” -Crystal Paine, author of “Choose Gratitude: Blessings Journal”
I know it is so easy to get lost in the business of the day, but when I have intentions or small goals it keeps me focused when I find a pocket of time. Ending each day with gratefulness also helps me to reflect on how I am spending my time. If I didn’t get to something on my list because I was living in the moment spending time with my kids, I don’t see that as something that got in the way of my plans. Instead, I can be grateful for that time and see the blessing of time spent with my children.
Be intentional about fitting these two tasks into your routine and see how your life is changed.
I love this paragraph by Crystal Paine in the introduction of her journal. She writes, “No matter what season of life you’re in or what burdens you’re carrying, there is always, always, …
Read MoreRefreshed Perspective
A few weeks ago, I heard a talk on “Start with Why”. Since then, the “start with why” perspective has come up in my job, relationships, church, and mentoring. It seems like everywhere I turn I am reminded to think back to that talk. That reminded me to dig down deep, to dig around, and discover what drives me. What is the reason I do what I do? Who am I? What makes me tick? The why of life communicates from the inside out. So what is going on in the inside is the most important piece. The why to life gives context and meaning behind actions. It isn’t just what you do, but the reason behind why you do it. It is the emotions, the reasoning, the authenticity lived out.
Without knowing the why of what we do and who we are, we can feel like we are walking around aimlessly. We don’t have clarity in our vision, in who we are, or our actions. We feel insecure and doubt ourself. We make halfhearted decisions. The why is unknown. So the how and the what remain unclear. Or if the how and the what are clear, it can feel lukewarm if its not based on deep conviction or an understanding of the why. The why brings trust and consistency to decisions.
The crazy part is there are actually chemicals in your brain that affect decision making and motivation behind your actions. Decision making happens not in your logical part of your brain, but your limbic part of your brain. The limbic part of your brain is the survival, the emotions and feelings. So decisions are made with emotion, not just the formulas and strategies. So the right side of your brain and decisions need to be tied to the …
Read MoreGiveaway Winner and Passion Perspective Week Refresher
AND THE WINNER IS………Kristin Rubow
If you missed any of our posts this week we would love you to go back and read them and you will be truly blessed.
MONDAY: It was our privilege to feature Rhonda and Cara this week on our Passion Perspective. Check out this first post as we introduce you, our readers, to two fantastic women who have dedicated their hearts and lives to bringing blessings to others through their business, Forever Vintage Rentals
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/23/passion-perspective-getting-to-know-forever-vintage-rentals/
TUESDAY: Read Tuesday’s post about the success they are having in their business which comes from their true passion…”We are passionate about weddings. We love all things vintage. But even more, it does our heart’s SO good to invest into the lives of each of our brides. We are blessed to be able to live out our passion and be a part in creating the day of their dreams.”
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/24/passion-perspective-interview-rhonda-and-cara/
WEDNESDAY: Check out the Wednesday blog post where we spent time asking them some of the ins and outs of their business and the challenges and triumphs they have experienced along the way……”Our greatest challenge has been to keep our commitment of remaining debt free in the process of building a business.” https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/25/passionperspective-interview-day-2-forever-vintage-rentals/
THURSDAY: This post is a must read with stunningly beautify pictures from Bethany and Bekah’s weddings. Our family had the joy of being spoiled by Forever Vintage Rentals.
https://www.growingweisser.com/2015/02/26/forever-vintage-rentals-blessings-for-our-family/
Find Forever Vintage Rentals here…
Website: http://www.forevervintagerentals.com
Contact Page: http://www.forevervintagerentals.com/contact-forever-vintage-rentals/
Give Us a Ring: 916-720-9123
Facebook: Forever Vintage Rentals https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forever-Vintage-Rentals/
Instagram: ForeverVintageRentals
Twitter: @fvrentals
Pinterest: Forever Vintage Rentals
Thank you so much for joining us in our journey of sharing the Passion Perspective of Rhonda and Cara and their business, Forever Vintage Rentals.
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Forever Vintage Rentals-Blessings for our Family
A wedding is one of the most treasured days of life. The day is filled with love, cherished people, celebration, joy, laughter, and promise. Not only are there family, friends, and people enjoying the wedding, but there are a number of people behind the scenes. There are always countless people involved in the planning, the preparation, and the logistics. There are vendors, caterers, planners, decoraters, djs, and the list could go on and on. Two of our family weddings had the blessing of having close family friends help either the venue, decorations, coordination, or the photography. And not only were they a joy to work with (which I am sure you have already read about how wonderful they are), they sure do know how to decorate and throw a party! They did an amazing job with each of the weddings unique taste and flavor. And both of the days exceeded our expectations.
Bethany shared, “I was never one of those little girls that dreamed about the details of my wedding or planned it all out in my head, but if I had been, I could not have imagined a more beautiful wedding than what I experienced, thanks to Rhonda and Cara and Forever Vintage Rentals. Even though I already knew them as family friends, they took the time to get to know me and Mike, our relationship, and what we pictured for our wedding day. They didn’t miss a detail. From the tables, to the decor, to the head table, to the food presentation, to the character of the wedding, it was all perfect. I got endless compliments of how wonderful my wedding was. And not just for the food, or the people, but for the atmosphere. People loved the decorations, the beautiful pieces placed all around the property, the …
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