Living On Purpose: Doing What Matters

Hi! I promise I haven't been neglecting this little blog or you as a reader intentionally these past few weeks. If you follow Lara Casey or Emily Ley at all, you have heard the above statements in some form or fashion. These two ladies host an intensive called Making Things Happen twice a year, and dedicate their lives and businesses to spreading the message that to live on purpose means not chasing the world's definition of perfect. After years of chasing the world's version of perfect by saying "yes" to nearly every good opportunity, I am soooo down with this message, completely soaking it in and reminding myself often to slow down and focus my energy toward what matters most to me. 

Since starting this journey in June, I have met some of the most amazing women and bloggers. I attended the Influence Conference which was nothing short of life changing. I have grown so much in just 6 short months. At the same time, typing that seems CRAZY to me, I cannot believe I've been blogging for six.whole.months. And from the person that thought it was so weird to blog. I started this to share recipes with women and hopefully bless some people. I think that's happened and I couldn't be more thankful. 

Since the Influence Conference I've really been praying and asking myself where this blog should go. I haven't been sure how God wanted to use my online influence. Recently I've gained so much clarity and am getting more and more excited about it every day. 

Over the last month my mind has been a spitfire of idea after idea, all surrounding around the burden to help women get into their kitchens with less fuss and more joy, blessing others and deepening relationships in the process. 

So, I'm trading in a constant schedule of blogging for a a few incredible things that will allow the above statement to happen. As I have thought long and hard about these things, prayed, processed and sat in the silence, God has placed an incredible burden and excitement on my heart for a small business. It's what I'm focusing a lot of my daughter's nap-hours on these days, which means this blog is getting a little less attention. 

I want to build something very intentional with this online space and use it to crazy bless lots and lots of women. I'm trading in something good for something so much greater, and it feels really good. 

If I have time and feel passionate about sharing something, I will definitely be here sharing it. But for now, many of my recipes are going into a product I feel will bless and serve many women. In addition, I'm learning my way around the crazy world of starting a small business, so ANY insight out there would be much appreciated :) 

Is there something in your life that you know you need to be more intentional with? Share with me and let's keep each other accountable to making the things that matter happen. xx

Slow Food

I've been devouring this book over the past few weeks. Immersing myself in the idea of a slower, more intentional way of life has been on my heart for a while. When I collapsed in a parking lot from a panic attack and had to spend the night in the ER while Jordan and I were engaged, it was a wake up call to start living differently. Since then I've been on a very bumpy, messy and grace-filled journey of learning to say "no" to the things that don't fill me up, and yes to what God is calling me to. 

It's hard. In a world that values the "bottom line" and self over others, it's hard to be others-focused, slower paced and not as accomplishment-driven. Especially for a girl who gets satisfaction from producing and accomplishing, it's just hard! I want to make strides towards a slower life though, day by day. One way I've been trying to cultivate this in our lives is by finding ways to slow down our food. 

Slow food became a beautiful thing to me, a lofty-yet-noble goal for my growing young family. Originating in Italy, the birthplace of pasta and old women who insist you eat more than your stomach can hold, the Slow Food movement is alive and well. The organization’s logo is a snail, and the explanation for their name is that it’s an ironic way of saying no to fast food— Slow Food means living an unhurried life, beginning at the table. Oxenreider, Tsh (2014-02-04). Notes from a Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World  

I saw the value of slow food while I was in Italy and my heart longed for that culture to permeate my own busy American way of life. I craved walking the streets for fresh, only in season finds and meats hung outside for the picking. Fresh breads without preservatives and the beauty of knowing where and from whom your food was coming. 

Since I can't get the Italian markets to come to Texas, this morning I loaded the baby in the car and headed only 5 minutes down the road to a little elementary school to pick up our produce for the week. Here's a sampling of my bounty. I love the idea of getting my produce from local farmers and co-ops. I came home, put the baby back in her crib for a much needed 30 minutes alone and prepared my finds. Washed, chopped, and stored away in the kitchen. Later, I'll plan this weeks menu based on what we received. Last week I picked up pantry items and locally raised meat from my birth center's co-op and have been enjoying fresh almond milk, granola, spices and dinners from those pickings.  

Food that takes time to prepare. Patience and resourcefulness and then joy when you savor the food you've waited to receive. Food becoming more of a gift than a given. 

I'm currently sitting at my kitchen table, morning light streaming in, eating a fruit of which I'm actually not sure what it is, and soaking up the stillness before the day begins. A day filled with baby loving, cleaning, planning and relaxing with family. 

This is one small step for me. What small step can you take to create a more intentional life?