A Defense & Refuge--Righteous Traditions

Righteous traditions build a strong refuge from the storms of the world...not only now, but for generations to come.

Strengthen: Your Righteous Traditions

• Everyday Traditions--reading scriptures, journaling, reading, broadening horizons, developing talents.
• Sabbath Day Traditions--regular church attendance, reflection on the Atonement, listening to quiet & uplifting music, removal of distractions of the world, helping the needy.
• Family Traditions--family prayer, family home evening, family dinner, holiday traditions, family trips.

Elder L. Tom Perry spoke that, "Daily we should kneel in family prayer and study the scriptures together. Weekly we should observe the Sabbath day by attending our meetings, especially sacrament meeting, and behave appropriate to the activities that are proper for the Lord’s day. We should also gather our families together in weekly family home evenings. Perhaps it would also be appropriate to have a date with our wives each week, to remind us of the great blessing they are in our lives. Monthly we should fast and pay our tithes and offerings to the Lord. Semiannually, we should make listening to the messages delivered at general conferences a family tradition. We should organize, annually, family reunions to keep alive our great gospel heritage.


Other traditions which should continually be part of our lives are receiving father’s blessings, patriarchal blessings, missionary preparation, temple preparation, and regular temple attendance where possible, and being together as family units on those occasions when sacred ordinances are performed in behalf of a family member.


If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father for His righteous children.


Our family activities and traditions can be a beacon to the rest of the world as an example of how we should live to merit His choice blessings and live in peace and harmony until the day that He returns to rule and reign over us." (“Family Traditions,” Ensign, May 1990, 19)

What are your traditions?

Weekly Prepardness for July

Wow has life been an adventure in our house!!! I have learned first hand that being prepared is a blessing even when you least expect it! We just bought our first house and the whole moving process was NUTS!! But I was prepared and organized and we made it! Settled into the new house, in a new city, with a new dog. Life is definitely an adventure!!


My weekly preparedness shopping has proven to grow my food storage more rapidly than I anticipated. It's great!! (moving it wasn't!) I was making a meal on Sunday and was missing a key ingredient that I thought I had in the cupboard. But I checked my food storage and there it was!! Sabbath remained holy and I was prepared! :)


So here is your assignment for the next 5 weeks:



June (week 4): TOMATOES!!
Juice, sauce, soup, pizza sauce, whole, stewed, paste, spaghetti sauce... anything tomato!!



July (week 1): Baking Supplies
Baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, yeast



July (week 2): Stationary

paper, journals, pencils, pens, envelopes, stamps, etc.



July (week 3): VEGETABLES!

Buy what your family will eat!!

Green beans, corn, olives, peas, mushrooms, green chilies, asparagus, etc.



July (week 4): GO NUTS!!

Dry Roastes nuts keep the best
Freeze bagged nuts
peanuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts... go nuts!



Remember to stick to your budget and have fun!

quotable quotes: life is like . . .

Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed.

Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.

Life is like an old-time rail journey — delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.

~Jenkins Lloyd Jones

“Big Rock Candy Mountains,”  Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4

oft-quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley
image "Blue Bell Railway" by Neil J. Smith

Catch up with Miss Liss at A Year of Wisdom or The Fascinating Woman, based on Fascinating Womanhood.

Physical Health

According to the church website the meaning of Physical Health is:

“Every member should obey the Word of Wisdom and practice sound principles of nutrition, physical fitness, weight control, immunization, environment quality and sanitation, mother and child health, accident prevention, dental health, and medical care. In addition, each member should acquire appropriate health-related skills in first aid and safety, home nursing, and food selection and preparation.”

As with many things in life the principles of Physical health will vary according to each person’s individual abilities, environments, upbringing, and personal beliefs.
Many of the things listed under the meaning could go so many different ways. FOr example, many people choose to immunize their children, and many choose not to. Both sides feeling they are making the best choices for their kids according to their personal beliefs.

In today’s society many people are unhappy and suffer many disorders, both mentally as well as physically which result in / contribute to poor nutrition, and concern for weight control. There are so many stereo types out there to compare ourselves; it is really hard to not feel as if we just don’t measure up. Fear and insecurity run rampant for some resulting in over eating, stress and other issues.

Many of us either don’t have insurance, or can’t afford to use it. As parents we tend to put ourselves to the back and take care of the kids needs first. This is a good thing to do of course… as long as in the end you also take care of you. As the saying goes... If you don’t have enough oil in your own lamp how will you help others get their oil..(Or something like that, lol.)

Here is the Word of Wisdom as it is in Doctrine & Covenants, Section 89. Again, here is something grounded in the scriptures that is an eternal truth, never changing and yet we as man will understand it, each in our own way.

I’m going to get a little personal here with you all, and share some of my thoughts and feelings on this. I personally think of vs. 12-13 when I think of my decision to eat vegetarian. I am working on transitioning to RAW which is no meat, no diary, nothing processed, and nothing cooked. Just fresh fruits and veggies at each meal.



Right now I am at about 50% vegetarian, and 30% more RAW. That left over 20% is still a SAD diet. (Standard American Diet) consisting of cheeseburgers, French fries and taco bell or pizza occasionally, for example. I grew up in a meat and potatoes house, but am here to tell you that when I’m eating right, there is no match to feeling good when eating right and feeling good on meat and potatoes. You will have to try it for yourself to see the difference.

I understand the Word of Wisdom to say we are to use meat sparingly, in times of winter and famine. We are to use herbs for healing, and all grains and fruits and veggies are what we are to live on.

Over the course of my Word of Wisdom journey, I have come upon much information. Everything in life has its opposite, so anytime there is something good said, someone somewhere has something bad to say as well. It’s good to be as informed as possible, get both sides to every story and then pray about it, and decide what works best for you and yours.

For me and mine, we are working on becoming 100% vegetarian by the end of 2009 as well as incorporating more RAW as a family. It is too hard to do it on your own in a house full of people who are not on the same track. I know I tried the first year. Now my hubby is on board for many of the reasons we mentioned at the beginning of this post. We both want to lose weight, be healthy, and not have to worry about not being able to afford insurance.

It is a proven fact that when we are eating correctly, we not only enjoy better health,and more energy, but also proper weight control. Our bodies are created in the image of Heavenly Father and so are created in a way that when properly nourished will heal itself in ways we have not even imagined yet!



Some really great reads to get more information:

Be your Own Doctor, By Dr. Ann Wigmore


Why Suffer, by Dr. Ann Wigmore

Some sites to check out if you’re interested in making some changes in your life:

Give it to me RAW

RAW Divas


Start out slow, and go with what feels right. Pray often for guidance and help along the way and Heavenly Father will let you know when you’re on the right track. By making these little steps, we can also overcome the feelings of inadequacy and poor self image. We will feel better about ourselves and so will look in the mirror and love the daughter of God we see there. Be developing our physical health, we develop our love for ourselves as well as for the Saviour. We appreciate what we have more, we feel better, we are able to cope with disappointments better. We will be physically healthy and prepared.



Visit Sister Savings for this weeks deals!
Visit Shelf Reliance here!
Visit Be Prepared.COM
Be Prepared, NOT Scared!
I Will Prepare

Jess is happily married to her best friend and mom to three kiddos..Actively practicing attachment parenting, transitioning as a family to RAW, and much more...You can read about their adventures on her blog, Life Learners.

Weltschmerz

I've been trying to figure out what's been bugging me lately - I feel slow, sluggish, apathetic about a lot of things, and just sad. There are people I love who have made poor choices that hurt people. Others are going through really difficult times with no solution in sight. Because I love them so much, it's hard to not feel pain for them. When I think about these things, it makes me think more about my own problems and struggles.
Then I remembered reading about weltschmerz in a book. I wanted to make sure I had the right word, so I looked it up. It's defined as 'mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state' or 'a mood of sentimental sadness'. I think they both fit - a sentimental sadness caused by comparing the ideal state of my loved ones to their actual state.

I'm sure all of us see people around us who are suffering, and I don't think we'd be human if we didn't feel pain for their struggles. But how do we keep this in perspective, and keep it separate from ourselves? We're told in the scriptures to be 'of good cheer':

D&C 59: 15
And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—

Prov. 15: 13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

John 16: 33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

D&C 61: 36
And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you;

D&C 78: 18
And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

D&C 112: 4
Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.

D&C 123: 17
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Last night in my prayers I asked for this cheer to come into my life. I asked to be able to remember all the good things in my life and the lives of my friends - things are rough now, but they won't always be. These scriptures seem to be telling me that if we can go through trials and sadness trying to keep a cheerful heart and countenance, that we will be blessed with the Spirit, and things will not appear as bleak as they did.

Has anyone else had weltschmerz? How did you get through it?

image here

Annike is a lifelong member of the church, married to her sweetheart, and taking life a day at a time. Feel free to stalk her blog at A Great Adventure.

Linky Love - Summer Lovin'

Modern Molly's Favourite Posts:
Sweet Summer Trifle Ideas - Make and Takes
Whole Wheat Bread Mixer Recipe - Safely Gathered In
Where I Find My Strength - Rebecca's Blog
Use the Good Stuff - Simple Mom
Shelf Labels - Food Storage Made Easy
There is No Middle Ground - Latter-Day Commentary


Contests!:
Jump Start - Better in Bulk (Ends June 25th)
June Giveaway - Mormon Mommy Blogs (Ends June 25th)
Shelf Reliance Harvest 72" - Shelf Reliance (Ends June 25th)
Thomas and Friends - Tip Junkie (Ends July 1st)
Confessions of a Completely Insane Mother - Not Entirely British (Ends July 4th)
Bella Sara - Better in Bulk (Ends July 6th)


Favourite New Sites!:

The Mormons Are Coming

This is a new, fun blog written by an LDS author who really has a talent for embracing the humor in our culture, and sometimes, the humor that we didn't even know was there! Here's a little clip from one of their posts today . . . 

What's New with Molly:

(catch up with your favourite Modern Mollies on their own blogs)

Congrats to both Whit and April who have had their blogs listed on the top 50 LDS Blogs.

April (Media Molly) was featured on blog coach this week.
Cornnut (Masterpiece Molly) is continuing her blog carnival against child abuse.
Jia (Married Molly) got an acupuncture treatment.
Nicole (Mnemonic Molly) is moving again.
Shelle (Merry Molly) went to a family reunion.
Tiffany (Mighty Molly) is issuing a fitness challenge.

If you would like to have your site, blog or post featured on Modern Molly Mormon's Weekly Linky Love, email UntypicallyJia@gmail.com with the subject: "Linky Love" and please include a link to what you would like to be featured!

I am glad for many things...

So, can I just say that it has been a really bad couple of months at my house? IT'S BEEN A REALLY BAD COUPLE OF MONTHS AT MY HOUSE. I broke a rib (please feel free to comment on how you think this happened - my favorite guess so far is "cage fighting"); my husband was diagnosed with diabetes; my husband and I both had what we believe was the swine flu (don't try to argue with us, we are convinced - no we didn't have it checked out because we couldn't drag ourselves to the doctor's office... we were too sick!) and the list goes on.

I am typically a pretty happy person, but I started to get down. Really down. I had a big pity party and invited all my friends to listen to me whine... and then I had a thought. It was a little thought, but it kept nagging at me until I gave in. The thought was, "Read Pollyanna." This book has been on my "to read" list for quite awhile. It was sitting on my daughter's book shelf. I had a lot of time to read because I couldn't do anything else... so, I read it.

Wow.

For those of you who have never read the book, I highly recommend it. It's a great book to read with/to a child. It's also a great book to read when you are feeling sorry for yourself. The title character in the book has a knack for finding the good in every situation. Her father taught her the "glad game" to help her through some hard times in her young life and she teaches those around her to play. Pollyanna ends up with a huge trial of her own to overcome and finds that she simply cannot play the game anymore, realizing that it's much easier to think of something glad in a situation when it's not your own personal challenge. It is a book about gratitude.

It reminded me of a section of one of my favorite books of all times, The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom. In that book sisters Betsy and Corrie are in a concentration camp infested with fleas. Betsy reminds Corrie of the scripture in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5, which reads, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In every thing give thanks. Betsy then says that they should be thankful for the fleas. Corrie thinks this is going too far, but agrees to the act out of love for her sister. Later they find out that it is because of these fleas that they are allowed freedom in their barracks from guards - a worse threat than the fleas.

The truth is, we don't always know why we have certain trials. We will not always have the opportunity to see why we should be giving thanks in all things. But I have a testimony that we should. With the help of these stories and a lot of scripture reading and prayer I was able to turn my attitude around. I found many things to be glad about. Because of my "down time" I was able to catch up on my reading. I drew closer to my family and my Heavenly Father. I was able to spend time studying some things that I really needed to take the time to learn. I am glad - even thankful - for the past couple of months and the things I have learned.

In Pollyanna, there is a very unhappy character by the name of Mr. Pendleton. Pollyanna really has her work cut out with helping him find a way to be glad. One day she sees the sun shining through a glass thermometer hanging in Mr. Pendleton's window and she gets very excited about the rainbow that it makes. Mr. Pendleton teaches her about prisms. Pollyanna finally is able to talk to him about the glad game and when she is finished he says, "I'm thinking that the very finest prism of them all is yourself, Pollyanna." Pollyanna replies, "Oh, but I don't show beautiful red and green and purple when the sun shines through me, Mr. Pendleton!"

"Don't you?" smiled the man. And Pollyanna, looking into his face, wondered why there were tears in his eyes."

I really want to be a prism - to let the light of God shine through me. I don't want to be a complainer because, let's be honest, complainers are not pleasant to be around.

Sisters, there are trials that come from abuse and from sin and these are not the types of trials I am talking about in this post. This is a post about life lessons - lessons that are given to us by a loving Father in Heaven to teach us.

I'd love to hear your stories of a trial and what you learned from it - what you found to be glad about - what you found to be thankful for.

You can listen to Whit on her podcast, The Mormon Mom-Cast. Or, read her personal blog, About Time.

Making History

Years ago when I graduated from high school I stepped out into the world with big plans. I planned on attending BYU where I would graduate in pre-law (with high honors of course). Following that I would be off to some great Ivy League school for my law degree following which I would be immediately hired by a top level firm in a big city to work on high profile cases. Then of course after making a name for myself I'd take off a few years to have a couple of children... Then back to the REAL world to make a name for myself I was going to make history.

Fast forward 10+ years, my law degree is non-existent, the only "Ivy" I've spent any time in is growing in my yard and after school I moved back to the same rural community I grew up in. I will never fight a case that sets a legal precedence and my name won't grace the pages of history books and that's OK....

It's OK because I have come to realize that every memory I build in my child's life is building his "history", everything I do to influence him and those I come in contact with every day has a lasting outward effect, like a pebble thrown in a pond.

"There is a quiet, humble pride associated with being one of the anonymous crowd. Throughout history there have been vast numbers of anonymous figures, whose story if told, would make history.

... The value in living a life isn't the documented legacy that we leave behind. A value-driven life leaves behind a legacy of service and relationships." - Eric Langley

Audra, her prince charming and their toddler son live in a rural LDS community. You can find more of her ramblings at her blog Latter Day Lady or check out her digital scrapbook designs at Audra's Little Scraps.

quotable quotes: becoming

The vision that you glorify in your mind, 

the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - 

this you will build your life by, 

this you will become.

~ James Allen

[As A Man Thinketh]

Catch up with Miss Liss at A Year of Wisdom or The Fascinating Woman, based on Fascinating Womanhood.

A Defense & Refuge

Exodus 20:12: " Honor thy father and thy mother."

Strengthen: Your respect and tolerance.

Respect is: to consider worthy of high regard
Respect is: to avoid interfering with
Respect is: to have concern for

Tolerance is: the capacity to endure or adapt to unfavorable circumstance, be it person, place or thing.
Tolerance is: sympathy for beliefs or practices differing from one's own.

Tolerance breeds respect...Respect creates strength, builds a refuge...and a Refuge protects those whom we love.

June 19th, 1986

June 19th, 1986 was supposed to be a good day.

Lisa Crew had a hair appointment with her sister and afterward she was going to take her two year old daughter over to her boyfriends house to have dinner. Perhaps later into the night they'd all go out to the local amusement park and spend the night riding the rides and eating bad park food.

Lisa didn't know it, but her boyfriend was going to propose to her.

Twenty-one years old, Lisa grew up with eight brothers and sisters, all older than she was. The baby of the family, she was loved more than anyone. After divorcing her high school sweetheart earlier that year, Lisa was already in college studying to become a elementary school teacher. She was a young single mother. She was unstoppable.

Always positive, Lisa had the energy of a ten year old. 4'11 and weighing no more than 110 pounds, she was working on becoming a female body builder. Stories of the events in her life would be passed on for years to come. She once took on an abusive boyfriend of her sisters, and beat him senseless. He - being over six feet tall and weighing over 200 lbs - was arrested in her stead. The cops didn't believe that a feisty little redhead under five feet tall had touched him.

June 19th, 1986 after leaving their home Lisa and her daughter headed out in their tiny little red car. Doug Smith - a drug addict - was driving at the same time, under an extreme amount of alcohol and cocaine in his system. When the cars collided, Lisa's daughter was tossed from her car seat under the dashboard where both of the two year old's legs were broken. Lisa - crushed by the weight of the steering wheel - reached across the dashboard to shield her daughters eyes from falling glass.



No one knew whether Lisa died in the car, the helicopter that lifted her into the sky, or at the hospital where she was rushed into the emergency room. All they knew was that June 19th, 1986 a family lost a daughter, a sister, a cousin, an aunt. Several men lost the love of their lives. Friends lost a light. And a two year old little girl was left without her mother.

The world was now less perfect.

Her funeral was held days later, and her two year old little girl wasn't even able to attend. Strapped into a body cast after surgeries to mend her shattered legs, all she knew was that her Mom wasn't there anymore.

Doug Smith was charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, intent to use, possession, among other charges.

A murderer was sentenced to only five years in prison. When released in 1991, Doug Smith was arrested again for vehicular homicide, killing an entire family this time. Upon another mild sentence, he ended his own life.

No remorse for the lives he had taken, or for the mother he had stolen from a child.



I know all of this, because my mother - Lisa Margaret Sanders Crew - was murdered June 19th, 1986 by a drunk and drugged driver. And twenty three years later, I turn on the television and all I see is people who don't seem to care. They drink, and they drive, the ones who do get caught get away with it.

Former Miss America, Jennifer Berry said, "The fact remains that drunk driving is 100 percent preventable, yet it continues as a plague of human behavior that we as a society continue to tolerate."

I've outlived my mother by four years, as I recently turned 25. Every year on June 19th, I honor my mother. I give myself one day to cry. All other days I remember, and I am thankful my life was spared.

Pains in my legs still plague me from my once broken bones. Other health problems caused by the collision continue to rise as the years move on, though the emotional scars are more apparent. And though I was raised by a wonderful Grandmother, and loving aunts, nothing replaces a Mother in a child's life.

Nothing.

Don't drink and drive.

Note: I've been asked previous years by many readers, friends and family members if they have my permission to quote my story, link to it on their own websites/blogs/twitter/FaceBook/etc . . . Yes. Please pass the story of my mother on. It may save someone's life.

Family History made EASY as 1...2...3..!

Recently I have been bit by the Genealogy bug again. A few years ago I had it bad.. I was staying up all hours of the night, praying to find people. I was down at the Family History Center every day I could go, looking through records and indexes. Making phone calls to Anti LDS Churches in Italy trying to find answers.

The feeling of love and peace that I would experience when taking the name of an ancestor through the Temple, well it more than made up for the restless nights and crazy days I was having to get there.

My Grandmother on my biological fathers side passed about two years ago. When I saw her last, she sent me away with a big box of family papers. Pictures from her years spent in the service, pictures of people I don't know, news paper clippings of family members I never knew existed. It has been so wonderful to go through all of it!

There even have been letters to her from friends and family, as well as letters she wrote and never sent out. I have been blessed with more of an insight as to who my Grandma Betty really was. I'm very sad that it was only after she passed that I have received this blessing.

So being inspired by this stuff she has sent to me.... I have again been bitten by the bug. I have spent this last week, pouring over the records I had already compared to what she has sent me.

Do you know how easy it is to do Family History work now?? Oh my goodness, let me tell you! If your a busy mom who cant find a day or two to go to the Family History Center... you can do it from home and get just as much done!

If you visit Family Search . Org you can register for free, then go to Indexing. There you can take a short training online to learn how to do indexing. When your all done you will receive a printable certificate. Then your ready to start!! Indexing for those who don't know, is simply a process of you ready through records like the census from years gone by, and inputting the info you see there into a form used for processing the info into databases so people can find it easier! Its wonderful! I did two sheets of about 50 names in an hour the other night. Its a great way to work on Family History as well as an awesome form of service. I know that for me it is sometime hard to go "out" and find some service to do for others... this is an invaluable form of service I can give.

You can also go to the HOME page of the Family Search, and look for info on your ancestors there. You can also upload any info you have to share with others there. If you are thinking , "I don't know where to start, I don't have any programs.." Well never fear... here is a link to PAF(Personal Ancestral File)... this is a program used by many and is very user friendly.

Once you get your info into the PAF system, you can then save it as a Gedcom file and upload it to NewFamilySearch.org . Here is where it gets very interesting.

In the New Family site, you can upload and compare your info with the info from others looking to perform ordinances for their ancestors. There the system goes through all your information, and checks it against church records. Then it lets you know who needs what done. You can print out a sheet, take it with you to the temple, and get the work done for your family line.

My Grandma who passed... she had almost all her ordinances done. Because the system is so easy and so smoothly made... I have been able to get together all I needed to, so that I can take her name though and have her sealed to her husband and children. And I did it all from home, thanks to the blessings of modern technology.

So I hope you will check it out. It is very addicting though, so be warned! When I think about doing family history, I always think of passing and having family meet me at the veil and ask why I took so long. I want them to meet me there with open arms and smiles, and be happy I got their work done as best as I could. It is my prayer that we will all look to our families work. Family is the key. We are told we can not be perfected without our ancestors, and they can not be perfected without us.

Jess is happily married to her best friend and mom to three kiddos..Actively practicing attachment parenting, transitioning as a family to RAW, and much more...You can read about their adventures on her blog, Life Learners.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Foto Friday--Shutter Speed

I was at a double baby shower for two of my friends the other evening, and one of my good friends was taking pictures of the gorgeous display of food (you know the kind that looks too good to eat?!). Lis was having a hard time getting the lighting just right, so she and I did some experimenting. There are so many things that go into getting a good photo, but the one thing that I concentrated on that night (and what I’m going to talk about today) is shutter speed.

Just for the record, a few of those “other things” are ISO and aperture. Because they are connected, changing one will effect the others and alter the results that you get. I’ve heard of it as the “exposure triangle.” But I am only talking about shutter speed today.

What is shutter speed?

Basically, shutter speed is the amount of time that the camera’s shutter (or the opening that lets light into the camera's sensors) stays open. The shutter speed is measured in seconds (or fractions of seconds). A shutter speed of ½ of a second is considered a very slow (or long) shutter speed, while 1/1000 is considered a very fast (or short) shutter speed.

I caught this silly shot of Necco jumping over a line of pumpkins by using a very fast shutter speed. As you can imagine, she wasn't in the air for very long. If I had used a slow shutter speed such as 1/10 (of a second) she would be a blur of orange in the air.


If your camera has the ability to change settings, look for the Tv (time value) or S (shutter) mode (this is available on all SLRs and many point and shoot cameras). If your camera does not allow you to specify the shutter speed, look for the running man (sports mode) for a fast shutter speed to stop action.

Going back to the baby shower the other night, here is the original shot of the food table, taken at a high ISO and a fast shutter speed.

Here's another shot taken at a lower ISO (so it will be less grainy) with a slower shutter speed that let's in more light. The food wasn't moving anywhere, so I knew I didn't need to worry about motion.


When setting up a shot, consider the movement in the scene. When I shot the baby shower table, nothing in the scene was moving, so I was able to use a slower shutter speed to let more light into the shot. However, if AJ had been in the photo, it probably would have looked horrible because he is always moving.

See the example below. Because I used a slower shutter speed, AJ is a blur, but there's something about the intentional blur that really conveys his energy in a way that a stop-action shot could not.


There are occasions where motion in your pictures is desirable. Say you want to take a photo of a waterfall or a bicycle or car zooming past....or an energetic 3 year old playing at the park. Those are the occasions where a slow shutter speed would be the way to go.


In summary, this is what you need to keep in mind:

* The longer the shutter stays open, the more light that comes into the camera, and the more likely you will be to get blurred motion.

* The shorter the shutter stays open, the less light that comes into the camera, and the more likely you will be to freeze the action in your shot.

Lolli is a lifelong member of the Church, married to a convert. She has five kids--3 girls and 2 boys (and a camera that goes everywhere she goes!). Read more on her personal blog, Better in Bulk.

A Cleaning Frenzy and a Two Year Old's Lesson for Mommy

Well...our house has been one of chaos and clutter. For a while there it seemed that every where we'd look there was a pile of this and that and a whole lot more. In short, our house was an absolute wreck and well, ummm, completely Disgusting! Basically it was 4 months worth of cleaning that needed to be done (pregnancy yuck can do that to a house :)

So this last week I felt good enough that I became fed up and felt a large amount of motivation and disgusted determination to get things back in order and even better than they were before the joys of pregnancy arrived. Along with my pure motivation of disgust, my Mother-in-law was coming over to watch our little boy last weekend and thus a second motivation to pull it all together.

I was like a robot cleaning from room to room, closet to cupboard, laundry load after load, vacuuming every crevice of our house, and tackling the most putrid refrigerator I'd ever seen.

As all of this took place my two year old was really quite a good boy. He was my little helper on many tasks and actually played solo in his playroom when I asked him to, which is a rare occurrence. The week was exhausting to say the least and my back, hips, and legs ached due to pregnancy. It was a long but very rewarding week.

The putrid refrigerator that I tackled was near the end of our week of cleaning madness. My little boy was loving it. I had him take out all of the condiments from the door shelves and put them on the table. Meanwhile I emptied out the items from rest of the fridge and added them to the table. Then the process of removing and scrubbing drawers and shelves began. I had to hold my breath and plug my nose on several occasions (a pregnant momma's nose can be like a super-sense). I was working hard and my little man seemed content doing whatever it was that he was doing and it was then that I witnessed the happenings...A gallon of milk tipped over chugging out in gulps onto the table consuming every ounce of good food in it's path. I managed to scramble to the table and wisk the remaining milk up just in time to save the third of a gallon that remained. It was a mess. I tried to fetch this food and that..snatching the barely covered produce first and then the rest. The table, the underside of each food item, and the floor were covered in the white wonderfulness of a toddler's mischievous acts.

I, in that moment, remained calm and collected with not a harsh tone in my voice. I gave my son a hug and asked him to help me clean up. Oh, I wish that was true. I wish that my good side would've shone through in that moment but the fatigue of a weeks worth of toiling and the frustration of an added "opportunity" to scrub brought out less than the best in me and I said in a harsh tone, "Go to timeout, now!" I couldn't even bring myself to take him there. He walked away and then walked back again and I again said, "You go to timeout! You can't spill milk!" He left for a few minutes while I tried to gather myself and salvage the milk covered items and then it happened. I was taught. I was taught well. I was taught well by my two year old boy who came in singing in his sweet, sweet voice one of his favorite Hymns.

"Carry On, Carry On, Carry On", he sang loud and clear. I hugged him, apologized, and chuckled at his perfect timing and his perfect message. We then proceeded to clean up the milk together and enjoyed watching the milk race up the paper towels. I carried on through the rest of the week and we finished our task.

I will forever remember the lesson of my two year old and try to take it to heart. Now just a few days later after an hour and a half battling with a nap time with no binkie what more can I do but remember the lesson of my two year old that I must, "Carry On!"

You can read more from "Mysti" at her spiritual blog, Becoming LDS. You may also enjoy reading or submitting to her other two blogs filled with Conversion Stories and Testimonies.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Keeping Mentally Well

The atoning love of the Savior includes His willingness to bear not only the burden of our sins--which would separate us forever from our Father--but also our day-to-day burdens of fear and anxiety--which would deprive us of peace and joy.

As Sister Patricia Holland explains, giving our burdens to the Lord sometimes requires us "to make that leap of faith toward His embrace when we are least certain of His presence...When we hand our fears and frustrations to Him in absolute confidence that He will help us resolve them, when in this way we free our heart and mind and soul of all anxiety, we find in a rather miraculous way that He can instill within us a whole new perspective--He can fill us with 'that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory' (see Helaman 5:44)."

Cornnut is an art lover and an advocate for child abuse prevention.
She loves being a wife and a mother. Check out her personal blog, Picture of Experience .

Linky Love - Contests Galore!!

Modern Molly's Favourite Posts:
Power of the Priesthood Explained - Mormon Soprano
Amish Love Poem and Mormon Love Song - Becoming Something
7 Ways to Find Motivation at Home - Simple Mom
June Presidency Message - Emma's Place for Church Stuff
June Visiting Teaching Message - Emma's Place for Church Stuff
Gifts -- Not Monsters - A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Father's Day Craft Roundup - Make and Takes


Contests!:
FHE Mini Giveaway - Family Home Evening (Ends June 17th)
Prince Etcheon - Book Giveaways (Ends June 18th)
Makeup Manual - Book Giveaways (Ends June 18th)
100 Ways to Simplify (Audio Book) - Book Giveaways (Ends June 18th)
Baby's Beach Ball Board Book - Book Giveaways (Ends June 18th)
Cuddle Sac - MeckMom (Ends June 21st)
1 Dozen Roses - Trying to Stay Calm (Ends June 23rd)
Chic Tots - Better in Bulk (Ends June 23rd)
Pickup Games- Not Entirely British (Ends June 24th)
Jump Start - Better in Bulk (Ends June 25th)
Shelf Reliance Harvest 72" - Shelf Reliance (Ends June 25th)



Favourite New Sites!:

7^th annual Chalk Art Festival will be held June 19-20 along the Rio Grande Street at The Gateway in Salt Lake City and is completely FREE to the public. More than 100 professional, adult and student artists will transform the streets of The Gateway into a beautiful, temporary art gallery for the entire family to enjoy. The festival hours are June 19 from 4-9pm and June 20 from 10am-9pm.The festival also features a “Kids Korner” where children can create their own chalk art. This is an amazing event that will be lots of fun for the entire family!


What's New with Molly:

(catch up with your favourite Modern Mollies on their own blogs)

April (Media Molly) his going to run a marathon!
Jia (Married Molly) has no regrets.
Miss Liss (Moxie Molly) graduated college!
Lolli - (Megapixel Molly) is an aunt again!
Shelle (Merry Molly) has a new video blog up!

If you would like to have your site, blog or post featured on Modern Molly Mormon's Weekly Linky Love, email UntypicallyJia@gmail.com with the subject: "Linky Love" and please include a link to what you would like to be featured!

Book of You - Part II

Last month I started the ongoing challenge of us Mum’s doing something to record our story ready to hand over to our kids in years to come. For anyone that understands the counsel we have had about keeping a journal or had the opportunity to read an ancestors journal you will immediately understand how crucial this challenge can be years down the line when we leave this earth. I’m sure though that a book about who we are can be enjoyed long before then though!

This month is part 2. I started by suggesting you begin using your initial, this time use the second letter in your first name and find as many words with that letter that can be used to describe or relate to you.

This time though I think we need to add a bit of fun with it too, spend a few minutes going through the dictionary/thesaurus, write as many words down with that letter and ask close family/friends or even your children what they think. This is such a laugh to do and really gets the belly laughs going (unless it's just my family and friends that think I’m a bit ‘’off’’!!!)

Use each word as the sub heading for a paragraph or page. Add photos, doodling, mementos or anything else relevant. Tell a related story, share a feeling on the description and even set a goal to improve if you feel the need!

Also include other things, like what foods you like, favourite show at the moment, what song keeps humming in your head even what your to-do list is today! Remember it's all about YOU!

To offer some of my own Book of Me here is some of my words:

DEBORAH:

E for education: I didn’t really put the effort in on my school exams till 6 months before my finals, how I got the qualifications I did is still a mystery to me. Since then I have studied hard in a variety of subjects and have a healthy list of qualifications including a degree in psychology. I love to learn and learn from most things I read, watch, listen to or take part in. my learning style is by visual, having dyscalculia means I struggle with numbers and sequences but using visual I have found my own way of learning and understanding. In doing this my self esteem has risen a great deal.

E for empathy: I often say to people who know of my past, ‘do not feel sorry for me, I do not want or need it’ I also tell them that is because of my past that I am who I am but what I didn’t realise is by making this demand limits the persons response to me and actually hinders their empathy abilities. It wasn’t until I was in a deep conversation with a psychologist friend that I really understood empathy and the essential part it plays in us, our hearts and our lives. Feeling empathy for others is more beneficial and healthy than sympathy in many ways, but figuring out the two is still something I sit and ponder. Empathy is good!

E for even: Being as I am a true Libra style chick I have, many times over the years read up on astrology, bio rhythms and such just for fun and half wondering if they are even close to who I am. The scales is the sign of the Librans and I have to admit I am totally the scales! Symmetry is something I am trying to move away from, the balance in my life throws me sideways if it’s tipped and while unbalance is not always good it is a part of life. This tells me a lot about who I am and how I do things. Just glad I’m not water…. i’d never know where I am!! ;)

E for English: Two-fold, first I am British born and bred, proud to be an English chick and love all of our beautiful English countryside and history. On the other side of it I have always had a deep rooted interest in the English language, literature and words. We have some of the most silliest words and yet we have some funny and awesome words too. I love playing with words especially when I’m in a situation where I feel intimidated, my education kicks in then and my sentences often seem like they are something from the Oxford exam papers!

E for eldest: I am the eldest of four children. I have always hated this role but short of forging my birth certificate there’s not a lot I can do! I’ve never felt like I’m the oldest as the next one down is my brother who was raised to ‘take care’ of us girls which he did a good job of! The youngest of us, my 2^nd brother, is where I get a lot of my inspiration from as he is academic like myself and even though there is 11 years between us he teaches me a whole lot more than I could ever teach him! My eldest child is my best friend, he and I spend hours laughing and analysing the world around us. With Jay being dyslexic it's great to see how his English progresses all the time, even with the spoken word.

E for excellent: Ok this one came from my 4 year old, when I asked him to choose one of three words to say about mummy he decided that I am ‘excellent’!! So, because he chose it and it's his idealised opinion of mummy I am going to keep it in my journal because experience tells me I’m not too far away from excellent turning to something not quite so complimentary!! Lol

These are just a few of the things I have journaled but I hope you get an idea of what this project is all about. If you wish to take part, let me know and if you do it online I’ll link you up to my blog and add you to the challenge list!

Next month I will share with you my actual book and the next letter, B. For now I am still working on getting the design together in between adding to the D and E as and when I think of something so if you are doing yours off the computer, remember to add pages between each letter cos you can always add to it over time.

I got emailed by a lady called Heidi who asked me if I was going to offer some hints and tips being as this kinda thing is my business area, and because I love you Molly Mormon Ladies I am going to extend it to all you guys when I have it completed, and yes it's totally free! ;) I will add the download to it next month.

Happy days!

Ever Had One?

It was one of those days.

The baby woke up cranky and earlier then expected, eliminating my shower time. My Husband was sitting somewhere on campus in his early morning class with our only car parked in student parking. Full diaper boxes usually stored under the crib had miraculously disappeared like a thief in the night. Remembering the diaper bag, I checked it. With a sigh of relief I saw not one, but two diapers to get my daughter by for a few hours, baring no serious output problems. Yes! Score one for the mom!

A few hours later with the car in my possession and hubby off to work, I was free to run to the store. Still no shower. The minute I strapped the baby in her car seat the wailing began. I had to remind myself it was one of those days, and that it too would pass. Just seconds after we passed over the threshold of the super market my oldest, being three, proceeded to throw a temper tantrum about every item in her eyesight which I refused to buy her. With both children loudly blaring a siren of screams as our shopping cart careened down isles to the massive diaper selves, I felt my hopes of 'this too shall pass' slowly fading with their echos.

I knew I had to be in and out. In a lickity split I flung masses of diapers in the cart and hurried to the check out. Line upon line was all I could see through my daughters flailing arms and legs. I eyed the shortest one and made a beeline for it. With only two people in front of me and my children's cries piercing every persons ears with in a 2 mile radius, I was out of parenting tricks and feeling mortified. I also knew I could not leave without my diapers. So, I stood there with my face to the floor praying that the line would move quickly, while the children continued to scream. Just then the lady ahead of me put her arm around me.

"Sister, we've all been there and it gets easier" the blond haired angel said to me with a smile.

I felt relieved, my embarrassment ceased and her friendly service gave me just enough motivation to carry me through the day. Since then, I make it a point to look around and pass a smile to frazzled moms in the grocery line or maybe lend them a sympathetic voice that says "I've been there too, your doing a great job as a mother, this too shall pass".

quotable quotes: true religion

It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.

~ Mohandas Gandi

Catch up with Miss Liss at A Year of Wisdom or The Fascinating Woman, based on Fascinating Womanhood.

Are You in Your Own Way?

Career Development/ Social and Emotional Strength/Literacy and Education

We are going to discuss Career Development today.

It intertwines though with other categories of our preparedness plan. It is one thing that doesn’t act alone. You must have an education; you must have inner emotional and social strength. There will be many pitfalls along the way no matter what path you choose in the work world. We must have an arsenal of weapons to help us battle through each obstacle to the best of our abilities.

According to the church website Career Development means:

“Each head of a household should select a suitable vocation or profession and pursue appropriate training. Each young person should receive counsel to help him select a career that will satisfy family economic needs and provide personal satisfaction.”

I think back to when I was in high school, and wonder about all those tests I had to take. You know the ones where you take the test and then go and speak with the guidance counselor to see what sort of path you want to head in after college. I don’t quite remember what my counselor said, but I do only remember meeting with him once. I sometimes wonder what would have happened in my life differently if I had had some adult guidance. Someone smart, successful, positive, and in my corner, urging me to do better, pushing me along.

Not that I would change anything that I have experienced, I wouldn’t, none of it. But I do wonder sometimes. It is now my job as a parent to talk with my kids, as well as myself and my spouse, about what our strengths and weaknesses are. What job do they want to do?DO we do? Is it something practical and realistic? How much work does it entail preparing for this job choice… is there more schooling needed? I’m sure you get the drift here.

In my own personal opinion, it doesn’t matter if you have a high school diploma, or not. If you go to college or don’t. I mean depending on what you decide you want to do in life, it might make a difference. But for the most part,if you love doing something, and you’re good at it, if you stick to it, you will be successful. I have seen this in real life over and over again. It depends on you. What you will settle for and what you won’t.

I have seen people who did ok in high school, go on to be small business owners making LOTS of money. I have seen people who went into labor industries where they were at the mercy of the economy.

We all know how important it is to have a job that you feel passionate about, that you enjoy doing every day. Many of us are not fortunate enough to have that sort of job. Many of us work at jobs we hate, or tolerate as we need to provide for our family. I wish had the answers on how to improve this area for everyone, but I don’t. I do know though that if you set your goals, and you set your values, have faith and stick to them that you will be open to many blessings.

I have several things I do for work. I have a small book keeping business, as well as a freelance photography business. I do cleaning, and I do hair services. I am not the master of any one particular field, but instead choose to be really good at each one. Later when the kids are grown and out of the house, I will decide which one to pursue the hardest and then I will master that one. Until then, I work the schedule I want, with whomever I wish, and on my own terms. Sometimes it’s a drag but for the most part it is mine and it works.

I’m going to close this post with quotes from an excellent book. It’s called Fearless by Steve Chandler. It's about creating the courage to change the things you can.

I recommend it to anyone who is looking into broadening their horizons, going back to school, trying to improve themselves in any aspect.You will find many useful things at his website here!

I also challenge you to really look inside yourself. Think of the economy today and the chance it will be different tomorrow, next year, 5 years from now…Does your current job fit into that scenario? If not, is there something you enjoy doing, that everyone needs or wants, that would survive long term no matter what the economy did?... Be realistic, be honest with yourself. Make a list if it helps. Then decide what steps you need to take to make the changes you want to make. Share if you want to. Get it out of your head and down on paper. Make it real. Make it happen.

“Life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage.”- Anais Nin

“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold onto. If you aren’t afraid of dying, there is nothing you can’t achieve.”- Lao Tzu

“Start a HUGE foolish project like Noah, it makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.”- Rumi

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” Vince Lombardi

“We are ALL of us failures, at least the best of us are.”- James Barrie

“Nothing outside you can EVER give you what you’re looking for.” – Byron Katie

Remember that Heavenly Father knows, and will grant your hearts desires as long as they are righteous desires…. Have faith in Heavenly Father, have faith in yourself, and you will be able to make your dreams come true!

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Be Prepared, NOT Scared!
I Will Prepare

Jess is happily married to her best friend and mom to three kiddos..Actively practicing attachment parenting, transitioning as a family to RAW, and much more...You can read about their adventures on her blog, Life Learners.

The View from the Garden

Well, actually I kind of hate to admit how far behind I am in the gardening sector of my life at the moment. Every spring my goal is to have the garden all planted in it's completeness by the end of May at the very latest. And here it is now into June already and I'm running a bit behind.

I don't know why really, it could be the wedding plans that seem to consume a good part of my day and my thoughts. It could be my house which is a disaster scene and I somehow think I should vacuum up the dog hair before someone mistakes one of us for the black lab. It also could be the pile of church assignments on top of my desk that I really wanted to have completed and handed out to people last week. Ok, they're done and going out first thing tomorrow - for sure!

Who know's . . .

Probably it has something to do with the height and abundance of the weeds I've let get out of control. I really have to hand it to my kind and ever so sweet hubby who got out there for me and tilled them all under. What would I do without him! Now I can get all those seeds in the ground where they will sprout and grow and become a beautiful part of my life and yard this summer.

It's so easy to let the weeds take over our lives. Just coast along on auto pilot for about a week and watch what happens . . . do you have weeds in your life? Those things that interfere and compete with the good things in life for nutrients and our time.

In my life it's the first week of summer now that the school year is behind us. Our schedule for scripture reading and family prayer has been unusual and scattered at best. I've been on a sugar diet for the last three days, I always have a hard time putting the sugar away after that happens. My usually consistent 4 mile daily walk has been postponed several times this week due to other distractions. Those weeds are getting pretty tall . . .

Wish my good hubby could come along and squash these weeds for me as well, but it's all up to me and tomorrow's another day!

Time to put the sugar away, realign priorities, pull the weeds and get the garden planted.

This is my little visitor who keeps cheering me on. I think everyone needs one of these.

This Latter Day Mom, just trying to "Endure to the End" one day at a time. You can follow these antics and more at Alpine Klein Bunch.

A Defense & Refuge-Communication

Communicating with one another can sometimes be a difficult task. Especially when there are many ways of communicating. Some tips to help strengthen are homes through communication are:

Speak with a soft voice-we don't need to yell or shout to talk to one another. We merely need to speak loud enough to be heard. If there is a lot of commotion prior to speaking, calm the situation and then talk.

Speak without sarcasm--for some this is a part of who they are, however, sarcasm can lead to bitter feelings. Some may not recognize when you are being serious or sarcastic and can mistake them for what they really are.

Council together--when we as families sit together and discuss matters that impact the entire family or any one family member we should work together. The more we work together on family issues the stronger the bond will be between the members of the family.

Elder L. Lionel Kendrick taught:

"Christlike communications are expressed in tones of love rather than loudness. They are intended to be helpful rather than hurtful. They tend to bind us together rather than to drive us apart. They tend to build rather than to belittle.

"Christlike communications are expressions of affection and not anger, truth and not fabrication, compassion and not contention, respect and not ridicule, counsel and not criticism, correction and not condemnation. They are spoken with clarity and not with confusion. They may be tender or they may be tough, but they must always be tempered.

"The real challenge that we face in our communications with others is to condition our hearts to have Christlike feelings for all of Heavenly Father's children. When we develop this concern for the condition of others, we then will communicate with them as the Savior would. We will then warm the hearts of those who may be suffering in silence. As we meet people with special needs along life's way, we can then make their journey brighter by the things that we say.

"Christlike communications will help us to develop righteous relationships and ultimately to return to our heavenly home safely. May we treasure the divine gift of communication, and may we use it wisely to build and to assist others on this marvelous journey through mortality" ("Christlike Communications," Ensign, Nov. 1988, 24)."

The feelings are the same if you think about it

My heart began to beat quickly. My stomach's butterflies released from their cocoons to quickly flap their wings widely against my muscle. I began to feel warm and cool at the same time. My breath became short and labored.

I couldn't believe this was happening to me! I am usually completely in control. Yet I was nervous and jittery. Something inside was pushing me to get up and just let IT happen. Let the energy and excitement and fright boil together and come out focusing it on ONE thing.

I've done this many times. I shouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed that each time I think about doing it again I feel this feeling.

As I looked up and saw that it was inevitable. This feeling was not going to go away and HE was looking at me. I could feel HIM push me along. I walked slowly ever so slowly and the anticipation and dread were beginning to build up to become a dam to my emotions.

And then there I was... standing ever so close.

I lean in, close my eyes, take a deep breath, pucker my lips...

and say, "I'd like to bear my testimony".

And then instant relief and calming feeling of the spirit overtake everything else and I am able to share what I hold most dear to my heart.

My Testimony.

You thought I was talking about a kiss huh???

Nope... but if you think about it, the feelings kinda the same!!! :)

Love

Shelle is a wife of 1 and a Mom of 2. Lifelong member of the Church. She is a graduate in Marriage and Family Science from Brigham Young University. Shelle also believes in living life one laugh at a time! Find out more about Shelle on her personal blog, BlokThoughts.

Jiving With Your Daily 5

With Summer upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, there is far less of an excuse for skimping on our "5 a day fruits and veges". With fruit cheaper, more abundant and more delicious at this time of year, we are all probably already eating a lot more of it then we do in the winter months. But are we really meeting our daily requirement in fruits and vegetables?

Vegetables are generally higher in fiber and lower in sugar and calories then fruit, but they are often less easy to grab and go and so they are the neglected component of "Fruits and Veges".

You can easily fix that by washing and chopping vegetables as soon as you get home from the grocery store or market. Chop a variety of veges ( don't stick with just the boring celery and carrots let's go a little crazy with a snow-pea or two and some sweet peppers shall we...) and put them in separate, easy to grab containers or bags, right at eye level at the front of your fridge. If you can't eat your veges without something to dip them in, pour some low fat dip, dressing or hummus into small grab and go containers too. (I have found sets of 3 perfectly sized little plastic dishes for a couple of bucks at the grocery store. It's a really good idea to pre-portion your dips or you can easily get carried away).

Use Subway as your inspiration. Just think, if you too have a bunch of already washed, already chopped, ready to grab veges at your disposal, you will be far more likely to throw together a healthy sandwich, salad, crudite plate, stir-fry, soup or just munch on them right from the tupperware container standing at the sink, then if you have a bunch of celery slowly turning into a brown pool at the bottom of your crisper. (Yes, it's gross, but I know you know just what I mean. Don't pretend you don't now.)

Why do we grab chips or cookies? Well duh ,yes sure, they taste good but they are also there when we are starving and need something to shove in our pie-hole, right.this.second. They are in short, convenient. For me, it's the convenience as much, or more then it is the yumminess thereof.

Even the most motivated dieter is going to be hard pressed to scrabble around the crisper locating veges, washing, chopping, finding the dressing yada yada yada.... with rapidly plummeting blood sugar, and a box of donuts calling her name. It's far easier to remain virtuous when it's all right there, waiting for you at the front of the fridge in all its washed, chopped and gleaming glory.

So go ahead do the little bit of prep and enjoy the huge benefits. The cookies are about to get the shaft. I bet you won't even miss them. Much.
Images courtesy freedigitalphotos.net




Kirsty is South African, born into the Church, and currently lives in Ohio with her husband and four kids. She is a sometimes birth doula, fitness instructor, and writer with featured article in LDSliving magazine. She constantly plots against her laundry, and loves new visitors to her personal blog, Momedy.