Sprinkles of Kindness

Kindness comes in all forms. It can be shown in numerous ways; as simple as a smile or a hug or as BIG as your imagination will take you. It's easy to be kind. Truly, it is.

Check out this super awesome-totally heartwarming-have your tissues ready story of how kindness affected one family who thought they were just out to catch a ball game. Completely awesome.

Often times, we get caught up in our own lives and forget how much simple, heartfelt interaction can mean to another person.

Get out there and smile at your fellow beings. Ask them how they're doing and then be fully present as you listen to their response. Tell someone to "Have a wonderful day!" and mean it. Hold a door open for a stranger. Purchase coffee for the person behind you in line. Call and let someone know you have dinner covered for them tonight, then show up at their house with your favorite (or theirs) meal. Offer your assistance when others are in need. Offer your assistance even when it seems like they aren't in need. Compliment someone on whatever it is you really love about them. Express your gratitude daily. 

Kindness inspires kindness. If you don't believe me, just give it a try!

What can you do today to make a positive impact in the life of someone else? Each morning as you prepare for the day, ask yourself that exact question. Be intentionally kind. Be generous. Love others.  

Tell me, what are you doing to sprinkle kindness wherever you roam? What have others done for you that have left a permanent warm feeling in your heart?

Delectable Blueberry Muffins - Gluten Free/Grain Free/Dairy Free

Today, Landon and I created a new recipe for blueberry muffins. This kid, he loves his blueberries! We discovered recently that his tummy likes them too and it's been a love affair ever since.

Let me tell you, I don't usually post a recipe until I've made it several times. However, I'm not waiting on this one because I'm pretty sure I nailed it! My first experience baking with coconut flour was today. It is much different than almond flour as it definitely soaks up the liquid more. I'm kind of in love with coconut flour now. It smells divine and creates a very nice texture to the finished product. Another thing, I try to keep my ingredients simple. Most of what I used I have in my pantry or refrigerator. Anyway, these are tasty and I'm pretty sure my husband would even like them! Of course, I would have to let him believe they were full of wheat flour and processed sugar. 

Gluten/Grain/Dairy Free Blueberry Muffins

3/4 C natural unsweetened applesauce (I use this in the place of oil)

1/2 C raw local honey

1/2 C almond milk (you could also use rice milk)

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

4 eggs

1 and 1/2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

3/4 C blueberries (I used organic frozen but you could most definitely use fresh)

2 C almond flour

1 C coconut flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Mix all the wet ingredients together in order, by hand. Add the dry ingredients and mix until everything is incorporated. Add the blueberries at the very end. Scoop in to a muffin tin (I like to use the paper liners for less clean up) and bake at 325 degrees for 22-26 minutes. The tops will begin to turn golden brown. Eat at least one immediately! Enjoy!

Fire Station Fun!

We took a trip to one of our local fire stations today. Landon has been asking to go meet the Firefighters and see their trucks for a while now. I have been using it as leverage to get him to behave promising to take him and today I made good on that promise!  

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with smiles and given a warm welcome. Landon totally clammed up and wouldn't speak almost the whole time. I asked if he wanted to sit inside the truck and he responded with, "No thanks. I'm good". As a matter of fact, that was his response for nearly everything I asked him! He finally did warm up a bit. I think he was overwhelmed and completely in awe! We were joined by my sister, her husband and their twins. As you can see, they are silly and had a good time! 

God Bless that firefighter who put on ALL of his gear just to show the kids! He also talked to them and explained that if they ever saw someone that looked like him they should not be afraid and not to hide. He reassured them that they are always there to help. It was pretty darn cool. These guys were just so nice! They let the kids climb around on the trucks, smiled as they watched them discovering, answered all of their questions and were in no hurry to get us out of there. They really seemed to enjoy watching the kids and having visitors. As we were leaving, we thanked them for allowing us to come in and for showing us around. They told us we could come back anytime to visit. Landon has reminded me of that several times. "Mommy, the fireman said we can come back ANYTIME!" We will most definitely make that trip again. Next time, I'm bringing those guys cookies. 

If you haven't taken your kids to do this, make the time for it. I think everyone of all ages would enjoy a trip to the fire station. 

Thank you, Firefighters, for all you do! You guys and gals rock a lot! A special shout out to Station 21 for being so kind and welcoming! 

P.S. When we arrived, I realized my camera didn't have the SD card in it. Thankfully I had the camera on my phone!

Checking out the jackets.

Showing their love for Station 21! 

Landon at the wheel! 

Broccoli

I got to feed my kid broccoli tonight. He loved it and kept begging asking for more. 

He hasn't had broccoli since his ulcerative colitis diagnosis in December of 2011. "They" say it's hard to digest. I have been hesitant to try it because I did not want to disrupt his system. We only tried a little bit and will see how he does. He's doing so well with other foods that we've been reintroducing so I'm hoping this will go just as well!

I never in a million years would have thought I would be so dang excited about broccoli. You know what? I am. So is Landon. Cool stuff right there. 

It's the little things, Folks. 

Lunch.

Meals get a little boring around here. We tend to do the same things day in and day out. I was thrilled to find these tortillas while grocery shopping yesterday!

Today I used them to make a tortilla roll up for Landon's lunch. 

Ingredients needed:

~ Tortillas of your choice

~ Almond butter (you can use any nut butter you like)

~ Honey (I prefer raw and local)

Spread a layer of almond butter on your tortilla. Add honey, roll it up and make your kid super happy! 

What is your go-to lunch? Do you switch it up or do the same things? 

Thankful.

We spent the day in Kansas City for Landon's continued medical treatment. As far as that all goes, things are good. His labs are excellent, he constantly impresses his doctor there, he's brave, strong and on a good path of healing. He's kicking UC's ass! Pun intended. 

These trips are always emotional for me. I keep thinking it will get easier, but it hasn't so far. It's more tolerable but definitely no less difficult. 

Tonight, I'm feeling incredibly thankful. I decided to make a list. Here it goes, in no particular order. 

- My husband who is my rock. I'm a pain in the ass, especially on these days. He understands, is patient and loves me for me. Also, he drives the whole way to and from KC, which is super awesome.  

- Landon's continued healing and good health. 

- Shiraz. 

- Our home. 

- Our beautiful network of support we are fortunate to have in our family and friends. I would be even more of a mess without them!

- Chocolate. 

- Google Navigation. 

- Nurses who truly care. We have a great team who make Landon feel special and care for him in extraordinary ways. 

- Our GI doctor. She doesn't always agree with us but she does respect and support us. She believes in us as parents. That's pretty awesome. 

- Did I mention chocolate? And Shiraz?

- Trader Joe's. For realz though. I am no longer a TJ's virgin as of approximately 3:00 this afternoon and I'm officially IN LOVE! And OMG they have $2.99 bottles of wine, Y'all! It ain't no Boons Farm either. It has a cork and is 12.5% alcohol by volume and stuff. Plus, it actually tastes really GOOD!

- Bedtime songs. I cried tonight while singing to Landon. He asked, "Why are your eyes wet?" Gah. I love that boy. 

- Landon. Tonight as we were driving, the sun was setting and shining right on him. He said, "Mommy, can you please put the sun away for me?" Goodness. How freaking cool is it that he thinks I have the ability to "put the sun away"?! I very quickly turned the van, making it so the sun was no longer shining in his face. I DO have that ability! 

- Kindness. 

- Smiles. 

- Hugs. 

- Laughter. 

- Love. It makes this works brighter. 

Goodnight, my Friends. Have a super fabulous weekend! Cheers!

Happiness

I came across this super fabulous article about happiness today and it really resonated with me. Often times, we get caught up in the silly things and forget to slow down to enjoy the life we're given. I mean, truly enjoy it. 

Forget about how your butt looks in those jeans, if your make up is perfect, what someone will think if you laugh a little bit too loud or whether your house is big enough, fancy enough, clean enough, etc. NONE of those things even matter. Read that again. None of those things even matter. Do you know what does matter? How you feel. The way you make others feel. Being kind. Loving fully. Living life and soaking in all the moments, even the not so enjoyable times. It's all life experience. The legacy you leave behind will not include the house you lived in, the car you drove, the purse you carried or clothes you wore. People will remember how you treated them and how you made them feel. They will also remember if you were boastful or humble. You get to choose which you would rather be.

Happiness involves actively living in a way which brings good, content, joyful feelings. It doesn't just happen. It's up to you to choose happiness. Once you've made the decision to truly BE happy, make sure to share your happiness with others.

The End.

  

I LOVE this quote!