Pass the Blame Game

You walk into a room expecting to see warm faces greeting you.  You hope to get an invite to coffee so someone can get to know you on a deeper level.  As you walk in, you wait for someone to smile at you so you can smile back; and you do, but just briefly.  You immediately shrink back, realizing no one really notices you are here.  There are no coffee invites.  No lingering conversations.  Again. 

It's easy to pass the blame.  It's easy to ruminate about how those around you don't treat you the way you think they should.  If you're not careful, your subconscious can start playing the victim card whenever you have an unfortunate happening.  You start automatically placing blame by asking yourself, "Why don't they love the way they should?  Why is no one showing up to support me when I need them?"  These are valid feelings that we all share at some point, however bitterness can creep in when we fail to look at what we can do to solve the problem and instead place blame on other people’s shortcomings.

I had a blog post before Christmas about being the best guest (read it here).  I loved this post because it represented a time when God refined an area of my life where I wasn’t reflecting him well.  I realized that I played the victim card. A lot.  I thought I was perfect, and loved everyone so much and so well, and people just didn't treat me as well as I thought I deserved.  When I started *replacing* the blame with "what can I do better or differently to make this go well," the results were exciting!!

If you are tempted to play the blame card, just stop!  Replace that thought with, "This doesn’t make me happy, but what can I do better?  How can I be a better friend, listener, or be less judgmental?  Who can I smile at first, ask to coffee first, offer a lending hand first?"  YES, YES, YES!!!  This is freedom.  This is love.  True love doesn't wait, doesn't display a record of wrongs, and doesn't hold back.

I hope today is your first day to look inside your heart to see how you can give and love in fruitful ways that will, in turn, refresh your spirit with exciting opportunities and better friendships than you thought possible. 

Love,
Anna

Further Reading:  here are some passages that inspired this message.

1 corinthians 13: "1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.

Proverbs 11:25: "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Where Have you Been?

Hey Friends!

I'm sorry I have been totally MIA for a few weeks!  My goodness, and I was being so consistent there for awhile....

My dear Grandma Tuttle passed away at the beautiful age of 96 1/2 years (don't leave off the 1/2- she earned it!) a few weeks ago, and between traveling, coming home and getting life back in order...well, you know.  Somehow life get's tiring in May anyway- doesn't it?  May is just one of those months that everything is winding down for summer, but because everything is winding down, it somehow makes you busier than all other months combined!! 

I have been processing my amazing Grandma's life- her legacy, and I have been formulating some blog posts about what I've learned from her that I know you'll love.  Sit tight- I'll be back soon for more real food, real inspiration, and real family life SOON!

Until then,
Anna

Now Available in Paperback...

Hello Bearful Bear fans!
I couldn't wait any longer to share with you that Bearful Bear and his new Moves is now available in PAPERBACK!

This will be a more cost effective option for those who have been holding out, and a great idea for birthday or baby shower gifts! Click HERE to buy it now in paperback! Thanks for all of you who have supported the book so far, and for those who need a little more convincing- check out the 5-star reviews this little book has received on Amazon and several reviews posted on the right margin of my website!
Love,
Anna

Come Visit me tomorrow at the Spring Market!

Come join my friend J.R. Hardin and I tomorrow, April 20th at the bi-annual Spring Market at Vickery Creek Elementary (6280 Post Road in Cumming).  We will be joined by several local vendors and artisans selling handmade and homemade goods, freshly grown vegetables, organic food items, local food items and more.  Of course, we will be there with our books in hand, ready to sign a copy for you and yours!  J.R. is a juvenile writer, and author of  the action packed adventure trilogy, The Kudzu Monsters and also The Adventures of Little Dog Koko.  I will, of course, be there with Bearful Bear and his new Moves!  I am trying to think of something fun to giveaway or have to offer along with our books.  I'm thinking possibly fresh squeezed lemonade or scones...or....hmmm...you'll just have to come and see!  Don't miss this fun community event!

Love,
Anna

Tuesday's Real Food Tip of the day- Shrinking Your Weekly Budget With Bulk Ordering

We all want to shrink our grocery budget.  Recently I gave you a real food menu plan for around $100 per week for a family of 4 (menu planner).  Some of you thought it was too difficult, some of you thought it was doable with a little hard work.  With each families unique food needs and wants (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) your budget needs to allow for certain items more than others.  I know for my family, not having to buy meat every week is a huge money saver, allowing me to have a little more flex for extra produce, items like oils that can easily throw off your weekly budget if you are buying a bulk size, or even extra cream one week to make butter for the month.  This is where strategic bulk ordering allows you to have flexibility while sticking to your budget. 

I bring this up now because many of you are probably receiving a little money back from Uncle Sam.  My family plans a bulk meat order every spring with some of our tax return, so it isn't money designated to our monthly budget.  Getting 50 lbs. of beef and stocking up on a few chickens and the like, allows us to have a stocked freezer to pull from, giving us an extra $30 plus to spend elsewhere during the week.  For those of you who thought, "How in the world could my family live on Anna's $100/week meal plan?"  This option is for you! 

Anytime a bonus comes, or an unexpected check back for an overpayment, etc...these special dollars can be utilized strategically to buy foods that will give your family health and vitality!  It may sound boring at first, after all, you aren't using your extra cash for a weekend stay at a nice resort, BUT, you will pat yourself on the back every time dinner comes and you have a large supply of healthy and delicious meats at your disposal to choose from!!  It is a discipline that has a reward you can see, feel, and enjoy all year long! 

One thing I tell friends looking into eating real food is that it can be an adjustment financially until you discover some basic kitchen skills that help you drastically save money (like yogurt making, bread making, etc).  You can almost look at it as an investment in your health.  Do you have $300 to put towards changing your families future?  Take that money, just one month, and buy some essential start up items like a bulk order of pastured meats, organic virgin coconut oil and EVOO, and you are ready to have a painless transition in your budget, and food at the ready every night of the week.  You can do it!  And, as always, I am here for your questions anytime.

Love,
Anna