Taste and See

Taste and see that the Lord is Good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in him
Psalm 34:8

With Savor as my One Simple Word for 2014 I chose the verse for Psalm as my verse.

The New Year brings beginnings, fresh starts and new opportunities. I am looking forward to a new bible study around 50 Days of Transformation and starting the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. I had big plans for the first few weeks but then was hammered with a bug. Do you feel the same way? It’s not too late, just start today. That is my plan!

It is so easy to get swept away in our to do list and over scheduled calendars. It is hard to taste and see when we are running from one thing to the next. This weekend I had dinner with a friend and was able to just be in the moment. I savored both the conversation and meal. I drove away vowing to have more of those times this year.

The next night we celebrated my niece’s 10th birthday. She savors the moments. She loves traditions. They are important to her. She sat there with anticipation and was completely in the moment. She has such a voracious appetite for life.

I want to look at life that way again.

Maybe I can’t push off all the adult things calling for my attention, but I can try to make time each week to enjoy life. Each day I am praying for eyes to see what God has for me. To hear the gently whispers pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and care for someone else. Yesterday my pastor said “To discover God’s plan for your life you must listen to God’s direction for your life.”

Here are a few ways to savor life more:

1. Wake up early and spend time with God each morning. I ask him to give me eyes to see where He wants me to be used and ears to hear his whispers.

2. Schedule time in your week for fun times with friends and family.

3. Get outside and take in the beauty of God’s creation. It has been so pretty here though we are desperate for rain.

4.  Take a 10 minute nap. Studies have shown this little bit of time will energize you and make your more productive the remainder of the day.

5. Do something different. I am taking Zumba classes and can’t wait to start.

To do all this we need energy. Here are a few recipes to help energize your days so that you will be ready for what God brings. So many of us our cleansing this month or starting new diet plans. It is a great way to give our body a rest after all the treats from the holidays. I love to start my morning with smoothies. I am not a creature of habit so I am always playing around with a new taste twist.  Here are a few of my favorites to try. Feel free to add 1 cup of greens into them. I do…sometimes.

Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie

8 ounces dark chocolate almond milk
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 scoop protein powder ( I use Arbonne)

Mix together in a blender and serve.

Lava Flow Smoothie – this is my favorite

Chocolate Peanut Butter – really who can resist!

Raspberry Pineapple Protein Shake

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