FULL+filled VOL II Spring '20 Edition

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Spring 2020 | VOL II

intentional inspiration for pursuing an abundant, whole life

fi l e d CONNECT AT HOME creative ways to have fun inside with your family during 'safer-at-home' times

SELF-CARE + BOUNDARIES advice to create a sense of self + set healthy limits

A SPRING DINNER MENU create a no-fuss, in-season feast and enjoy the simple things in life

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CONTENTS 11 GRATITUDE JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES

14 4 HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR TRIBE

Makayla Smucker shares an inseason spring feast . p. 16

26 THE JUST KEEP LIVING PODCAST

2 Hello from McKenna: a Note from the Editor 5 "What is True" Affirmation Statements 6 Lean into Rest Mantra Think differently about this stay-at-home time 7 Creative Ways to Connect with your Family at Home Over 20 ideas to keep you from going stir crazy at home 8 Bible Verses for Uncertain Times Hide the truth in your heart 9 FEATURE: An Unknown Future to a Known God by contributor Kristen von Werlhof 11 Things that Make you Smile Submitted by YOU! 15 Navigating Social Distancing in a Healthy Way

16 A SPRING FEAST: GATHER TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY

24 Simple Easter Eggs

a simple, in-season Spring dinner featuring roasted asparagus, smashed potatoes, and a maple chipotle ham

25 Why the Easter Story Matters

allow space for spring to restore that winter shed.

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letter from the editor

by McKenna Hydrick

When I sat down to start writing this intro piece, my brainstorming notes said, "write something about slowing down, learning to Sabbath, and finding rest each day. Also include something about getting outside."

Wow. Prophetic? Alignment?

Coincidence? Gosh, who knows. But this is what I do know: God is giving us space to restore the tired, hurried, chaotic, overextended life we've created and replace it with a grounded and peaceful abundant life.

I don't think that God caused this worldwide pandemic, but I sure as heck believe He is using it to teach us something.

And the thing is--we're all in the same boat, living in this mandatory, stripped down way of life. When it's all over, I don't want to go back to how it used to be.

I want to live a life that creates room to be fully present in it-kind of like the way it feels right now.

This edition started out as a spring gathering guide, fit with ideas and recipes to help us slow down and enjoy each other's company. I had to delete some pages and added others, so the content aligns better with our global crisis. But all that said? I'm ok with it. I'll save those words for another time.

We're shifting; we're turning.

And I'm all in.

In our first week of quarantine, our family has spent more time together--learning, exploring, listening--than ever before. So while, yes, this we-can't-leaveour-house season feels inconvenient, I believe we can find the GOOD through this unprecedented time we're experiencing.

In the last FULLfilled edition, we talked about stirring our souls.

Now--let's talk about restoring them.

This time that we have--we get to choose how we spend it.

What if we took a moment to learn ourselves again? Or to (un)learn some practices, ruts, addictions, or patterns we've fallen into?

Friends, we aren't losing our Spring. We're gaining LIFE + freedom from all the things that keep us from truly enjoying what a calm, abundant life can give us.

We're going to walk through this season (all of us together) and emerge stronger--because it's character building stuff that we're doing. COVID-19 might end. But what comes next? A job on the rocks? A bad diagnosis? A loss in the stock market?

Friends, we'll have muscle memory. We'll remember what we learned in the quiet and use it to help us through whatever comes next.

SEASON'S CONTRIBUTORS

TTUCYENOH MIK

Friends, meet Kristen von Werlhof. I first met Kristen at a local bloggers' event and we geeked out over our mutual love of plant-based foods and Jesus. A single mama and a cancer survivor, she's no stranger to overcoming hardships. In this edition, she writes a feature article called, "An Unknown Future to a Known God." Follow her blog at Thriving On Grace.

FOHLREW NOV NETSIRK

SAY HELLO TO THIS

NOT THAT SHE NEEDS AN INTRODUCTION, BUT...

If you've listened to my podcast or followed me on social media, you know this woman! Kim Honeycutt is a pyschotherapist based in Charlotte, and colaborates with me as much as I can talk her into it. She's a well of knowledge and always keeps me laughing. Her piece in this edition on Self Care + Boundaries complements an upcoming podcast episode we are releasing on the subject.

Follow her free mental health ministry at ICU Talks.

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER

WHEN YOUR HEART IS TROUBLED, REMEMBER GOD IS FAITHFUL AND THAT IS OUR CONFIDENCE DURING THE UNCERTAIN TIMES. THINK ABOUT HIS TRACK RECORD AND HOW DEPENDABLE HE'S BEEN IN YOUR LIFE. IF WE CAN TRUST GOD WITH THE ETERNITY OF OUR SOULS, WE CAN TRUST HIM WITH THE COMING MONTHS AND THE MOMENTS OF OUR DAY.

"what is true?" statements WHEN MY HEART IS TROUBLED... whether because of an upcoming surgery, an unexpected disappointment, or a global crisis, I cling to what is true. I write statements like these on my mirror and repeat them as often as I need to: God is working in the waiting, with a plan to redeem all things.

God cannot be shaken. If my hope and trust is in Him, then neither can I. God is unchanging, and therefore, my source of peace in times of uncertainty. To combat anxiety and fear, I just need to be near God. WHAT TRUTH DO YOU NEED TO HAVE ON REPEAT RIGHT NOW? WRITE THEM OUT. TAPE THEM TO YOUR MIRROR IF YOU NEED TO. WHATEVER YOU DO, FILL YOUR MIND WITH WHAT IS TRUE.

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lean into rest

It seems like every time I open up my inbox, I've got an email from another lifestyle blogger telling me how I can maximize my business during this crisis. But the truth is, I don't want to. I don't want to fill this time with more. I want to lean into less. God uses rest to restore and renew. So if you're like me, and you're leaning in, just know that it's not wasted time.

Here's my mantra during these weeks-I don't need to produce; I need to renew.

I don't need to push; I need to pause.

I don't need to progress; I need to rest.

I don't have anything to prove; I need to be still and know.

creative ways to connect with your family at home PHYSICAL DISTANCING SHOULDN'T STOP US FROM BEING SOCIALLY CONNECTED

Have a dance party using music your kids love Build a fort with chairs, pillows, or blankets and read books or tell scary stories.

Organize a sports tournament in the backyard: use what you already have! (a football game, a kickball tournament, a baseball game) We LOVE playing kids against parents and bartering for who picks the movie after.

Build a fire outside and cook your dinner over the fire. Finish with s’mores! Sing or tell family stories while you’re all sitting around.

Set-up a stargazing station in your driveway (or in the bed of your truck if you have one) Use an app to view constellations like Night Sky Lite or SkyView Lite.

Plan a family game night or get an interactive app on your phone like Head’s Up. Come up with some fun prizes for the winners (no chores for a day, choose the dinner menu one night, etc).

Have the kids come up with a dinner menu based on what’s in the fridge and pantry. Create a restaurant at home!

Go on a leisurely walk and find interesting leaves, insects, or landmarks.

Go for a slow drive and let everyone pick out their dream house.

Design and build a project out of scrap wood and materials in the garage.

Come up with a fun scavenger hunt around the house or the neighborhood.

Play hide-and-seek with flashlights.

Have a nerf-gun war.

Have a picnic on a blanket in the backyard or front porch.

Let your kids do your hair and makeup for fun (yes, even dad!).

Have a lip-sync battle.

Using scraps you have around the house, make homemade greeting cards and send them to family and friends.

Complete a puzzle.

Film a ‘newscast.’ Let your kids try their hand at being the next weather forecaster or news anchor in your town. Film it with your phone for fun, and use an editing app like Adobe Spark to splice it together.

Film a cooking video to share on social media for fun!

Create a scenario and let your kids become investigators to solve the crime! (the mysterious disappearance of the favorite shoes, etc).

Write and illustrate a children’s book.

DEUTERONOMY 31:8-9 YOU ARE NOT ALONE

BIBLE VERSES FOR THE UNCERTAIN TIMES

"The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged."

JEREMIAH 29:11 YOU HAVE A FUTURE "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 YOU ARE PROTECTED “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

MATTHEW 6:26 YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

PHILLIPIANS 1:6 YOUR STORY IS STILL BEING WRITTEN "Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

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An Unknown Future to a Known God SOMETIMES, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A DRY, COLD SEASON TO GET TO THE SEASON OF FRUITFUL HARVEST

by Kristen von Werlhof, Thriving on Grace As I sit here, thawing out from a long cold winter, I can feel the warmth and excitement deep in my bones that Spring is coming. I love the changing of seasons, when sleepy gardens start to wake up and bud fresh growth.

God has designed our world so beautifully, and there truly is a time for everything.

Spring is such an abundant growth season.

Summer and Fall are traditionally seasons of growth and harvest. What about Winter? It is the vehicle that allows for future buds of life.

Seasons are such a beautiful visual representation of life too. We all experience seasons of growth, stagnation, abundance, drought, joy, sorrow, and waiting. Perhaps right now you have been praying for something, working toward something, and things are just not happening the way you envision or as quickly as you would like. You desperately want to live the most vibrant and abundant life you can possibly live, yet somewhere along the line you’ve become discouraged.

We've all been there, friend.

Please know that God does not make mistakes. If you’re in a season of waiting, you’re weary from a long difficult journey, or perhaps you’re in a season that feels a little dark and unknown, try to see this season as an opportunity. I know, I know, easier said than done, but hear me out...

In our minds, opportunity is this big beautiful word that’s full of hope. But, in reality, it often comes from opening a door that ends up looking just like opposition. We all want to live the most vibrant and purpose driven lives as possible.

We want to walk in our passions, living out God’s purpose for our lives. But sometimes that feels more like painful winter pruning than it does springtime blossoming. Every season, even the rough ones, has its purpose. We must learn to find joy in the process, my friends!

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"BUT OUR GOD IS A LOVING FATHER; YOU CAN TRUST AN UNKNOWN FUTURE TO A KNOWN GOD." For the peach tree to bear the juiciest peaches in the orchard, it once had to germinate in dirt, fight its way to the surface towards sunshine, and wait patiently to grow strong enough to hold the weight of the fruit God planned for its life. The same holds true for us. God has big plans for your life, and if you’re feeling weary, down, or even just downright discouraged in this season, I’m praying you hear this message today: God has you exactly where He wants you.

"There are going to be times in our lives when God allows us to get to a very vulnerable, uncomfortable, and unknown place just so He can do His pruning in our lives and show up in a big way. It’s in this type of season that our faith has the opportunity to grow the most."

Growing in faith isn’t easy; sometimes it requires big faith when familiarity wants to keep you stuck in the same ole rut because you’ve actually grown to like it. But our God is a loving Father; you can trust an unknown future to a known God. Our purpose here on earth is to continually grow upward, to continue to grow more and more like Jesus every day. But how do we do that with everyday life, work deadlines, and schedule demands? God has an answer: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4) Winter, though it may be a little cold and dark, has a great purpose: It's the perfect season for pruning. My rose bushes are dormant during the winter, which is the perfect time to prune them back. Every single Spring they blossom into the most beautifully full and abundant rose bushes because I pruned them the winter before. And God is doing the same with you right now.

If you’ve been walking through a tough winter season, know that no pain is ever wasted if you’re a child of God. Romans 8:28 says God can work ALL things together for the good of those who love Him. If you’re feeling that tension of growth right now, that’s the tension between who you were and who God is calling you to be. That’s what the tension of His pruning feels like, and it’s uncomfortable. But we are not called to remain comfortable, because comfort leads to a stagnant life and you’re called to so much more abundance than that.

Lean into the discomfort and ask God to show you the purpose of the season you’re in. Ask Him to help you make the most of it. There is joy to be found in every season, whether you’re in the dirt, reaching for sunshine, or harvesting the most abundant gifts the Lord has to offer. There’s joy in it all, because without the dirt, without the pruning, and without Jesus, we’d never be able to grow the fruit we are designed to share with the world.

DELLIF+LLUF

LET THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL AGAIN WHAT ARE SMALL THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE? "When I open a new can of nutrition and the scooper is smiling at me from the top." Jennifer Cooney "In the mornings, on the way to work, no radio on. Just a conversation between me and God. It’s one of the best parts of my day." -Angela Hopkins "When someone in my family, other than myself, suggests TACOS for dinner!" -Ashlee Anderson "When my daughter who is 4 tells me she loves me to the moon and back." -Alexis Parr "Having coffee with a friend. Sunshine. Birds chirping. Seeing an elderly couple love one another." - Kristen Greer "My daughter still letting me call her the childhood nickname I gave her, Goose" - Fran Gay

"Sitting on my porch in my rocking chair listening to the rain." -Debi Flippo "The sweet, musty smell of petrichor after the first rain. Finding the shape of a heart in nature: rocks, clouds, leaves, bark, etc." Michele Gibson "When I get to work in the morning and the child I care for excitedly calls my name when she hears the front door open." -Kathy Buckner

MY DAUGHTER’S SMILE. LAUGHTER. CLEAN SHEETS. -Terri Morris

"My first cup of coffee. Sitting on my porch watching the blue birds. Smelling the air after a good rain. Talking to my mom on FB. Hearing the laughter of my three grandchildren." Carolyn Hadden "When I’m with a new client and they ask me about my son who has passed and allows me to talk about him without making them sad." Blandina Vergara-Cruz

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gratitude journal prompts WRITE | RELEASE | RESTORE

CONTINUE IN YOUR JOURNALS FROM THE FALL SEASON TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR DURING THIS SPRING.

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what aspect(s) of a slower life have you enjoyed these last few weeks?

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what friend/family member have you grown closer to lately?

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what act of kindness have you witnessed lately?

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what have you learned about yourself in the last month or so?

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what is something this 'slower life' has allowed you to 'see'?

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what aspects of your life will change because of COVID-19?

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what is something you won't take for granted anymore?

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write about 3-5 new things you are grateful for.

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write about 3-5 old things you have a new appreciation for.

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what are some things you've learned to trust God with in this season?

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie

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WHY WE NEED

SELF-CARE + BOUNDARIES MCKENNA HYDRICK W/ KIM HONEYCUTT

FEATURE

I know it sounds weird, and maybe a little archaic, but I had no idea what self-care or boundaries really meant until I was in my 30s. Sure, I had a crazy situation.

Three kids under the age of 4, over 40 surgeries, a house fire. Who would have time for themselves? But that's the whole point. We need self-care in every day life, and even more so in the hard times. I am an educated woman with a graduate degree, but I had ABSOLUTELY no education caring for my SELF. And that's what therapy taught me: to be confident in who God has created me to be, and then to protect that woman at all costs. I had to learn every day practices that kept me sane and emotionally healthy and would keep from spiraling down into the fiery pit. It took time, but I did it. I learned it. And do you know what that means? You can too.

And that's where I called upon my good friend Kim Honeycutt. You know her, too. She's been on the podcast, my Facebook page, and literally everywhere.

We recorded a podcast on this idea of self-care (coming out this Spring--so stay tuned!), and I was surprised at what we talked about.

In my experience, when we talk about self-care, it's about taking a bath and making sure to carve out time for ourselves. But what she's taught me is that it's more NOMADIC | 24 about understanding who God says we are.

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WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES?

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WHAT IS SELFCARE?

Boundaries are giving voice to what works and does not work within relationships for you. When both parties are clear in what their needs are and both put effort towards satisfying each other’s needs, trust is built and love is experienced. If one party only tries to take care of the other’s needs, then the recipient is comfortable and the giver (instead of feeling close) feels resentment. God provided boundaries for us from the creation of Adam and Eve. When they violated the boundaries, confusion of who they were began.

They experienced shame (belief that you are unworthy) and blame (attempting to prove you are worthy through actions). Boundaries are proof that you agree with God that you are worthy and free from shame and blame.

WHY DO WE NEED TO SET BOUNDARIES?

Self-care is evidence of worth. Selfcare means there is a sense of self.

The development of self comes from physical and emotional needs being met, which leads to spiritual fulfillment. You can exercise five days a week, be a Yoga instructor, attend church three times a week but if you still struggle to say no to a request or struggle to tell someone you would rather not be hugged, then self-care isn’t easy for you. Without boundaries (having a voice) self-care isn’t wholehearted care. When we have a sense of self then we speak up for ourselves.

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Why would Jesus leave the beauty of Heaven to become human and be crucified for someone that would one day neglect herself and believe the very lies He had buried?! He was resurrected and walked away from the empty tomb as our absolute Truth. As Christfollowers, we are called to discover anything that restricts us from embracing the truth of Who He is and who He says we are.

Boundaries are proof that you agree with God that you are worthy.

RESOURCES AS YOU DISCOVER SELF KIM'S FREE MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY: ICUTALKS www.icuTalks.org + their podcast Hear Voices; talks on their Youtube channel and resources on their website.

BOOKS TO CHECK OUT Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend Complex PTSD book by Pete Walker - read about fawning - it is a trauma response that blocks many people from having boundaries- Pete Walker coined the term fawning Codependent No More by Melody Beatty KIm's book But Your Mother Loves You that teaches about boundaries and limits with toxic people

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how to emotnaviiognalatelysociaheall dithsytanciwayng in an These ideas are based on a video podcast I did with Kim Honeycutt a few weeks ago. If you want more support or ideas, you can watch it here.

Keep doing what you've been doing This may look a little bit different than what you're used to, but try to keep doing the things that make you happy. For example, did you used to workout everyday? Keep doing it. Workout outside or via livestream. You can even workout with friends through Zoom. Do you go to therapy? Keep showing up virtually. Keeping similar routines could help you stay on track physically and emotionally--and help us emerge from this time stronger.

Start something new With the extra time we have, try doing something new that you've been wanting to do. Start a gratitude journal, dust off the old piano, knit, read the book you've been dying to read. These are small things, but even the smallest excitement can carry you to another day.

Let yourself go deeper Many times, our busy schedules keep us from getting to the deep stuff. We run around crazy and don't have time to really dive into relationships or do the work we need to do. Take this time to invest in those closest to you and also yourself. Ask yourself this questions: What inside of you needs a voice?

Consider healthy ways of expression like journaling, art, and therapy.

Make a choice to stay connected We have so many resources at our fingertips to stay connected to one another.

Make the choice to lean in. Utilize Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype to stay connected to your people. Or get creative. Host a social-distancing backyard gathering.

Invite your neighbors to bring their own chairs and coolers and just come hang out. That connection will do your soul good, even if you are sitting 6 feet apart!

connected

how to stay

BY KIM HONEYCUTT

IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Let 3-5 people know that they are your community/tribe during this time.

Decide together how much contact you all will have. For example, at least one text every six hours to check in with each other.

Set up Zoom or another interactive app so you can have a face-to-face check in every three days or as determined.

Let them know what your limits will be for the length of time you are willing to binge watch a show.

Check in with yourself before you eat to see if you are physically or emotionally hungry. Or drink alcohol or anything else that could disconnect you from self.

Do one thing a day that is creative and out of your wheelhouse. Share it with your tribe.

Get dressed more days than you don’t.

Still get up at normal time and observe how much or little you are sleeping. Let your tribe know.

Give yourself a set amount of time like five minutes to panic per day. Once timer goes off, that is it for the day.

Share your fears with your tribe.

Remind each other of what personal attributes got them through other trials.

Send each other funny memes and inspirational quotes and scriptures.

Stay out of your survivor brain and get into your learning brain. Tap into uplifting podcasts and Youtube videos.

Keep a list of the creative things you come up with to release your emotions.

Examples: towel twisting, writing a song, and drawing your version of COVID-19 then destroy it.

GATHER AROUND + CELEBRATE THE SPRING SEASON ANYWAYS When Makayla and I sat down to hash out this simple, yet flavorful Easter meal, our goal was for people to gather around tables together: friends, strangers, family.

Andddd then enter in social distancing. But instead of canceling our idea, we decided to get creative!

I know this Easter might look different than the past. Maybe by the time we get there, things will be back to normal. But maybe they won't. So you might gather. Or you might only be with your families. Either way, it's about togetherness, however big or small.

If you live alone, set up a picnic Easter lunch with your neighbors, but set up your blankets at least 6 feet apart. Facetime your family and eat your lunch while chatting, just like you're sitting across the table from them. It might take one extra step, but with a little creativity, we can make it fun. *a note from Makayla: I moved to Nashville with my husband a year ago + brought my passion for cooking and healthy living along with me. Most days, you can find me in the kitchen cooking for my clients. Creating delicious and nourishing meals for others brings me so much joy and I’m lucky to be able to do it for a job!

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recipes + photos by Makayla Smucker Follow her at @makaylasmucker or www.makaylasmucker.com

easter dinner menu STARTER fresh arugula, beet + citrus salad w/ pistachios and goat cheese drizzled with honey and olive oil

ENTRÉE + SIDES maple chipotle roasted ham served with smashed garlicky potatoes simply roasted asparagus

DESSERT + DRINKS how to make a fruit galette berry-lime spritzers

*set a dinner intention: this Easter spring meal might look differently than we imagined or planned, but Lord we thank you for it. Help us to lean into what you might be doing right now, and teach us to be still and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Let our only intention be to delight in YOU!

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salad starter golden beet + citrus + arugula honey salad

all things simple, let the flavors of the earth drive this starting Easter dish

hearty side dish garlic smashed potatoes

full of flavor, this easy side dish will add depth to your spread

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main entree maple chipotle roasted ham with a caramelized, crusty outer layer, this maply glazed main entree

simple veggie no-fuss roasted asparagus with garlic only 3 ingredients

INGREDIENTS: 4 cups fresh arugula 1 naval orange 1 cara cara orange 1 grapefruit 1-2 golden beets honey HOW TO: 1. For each of the citrus fruits, wash and cut off the ends with a knife. Then cut off the skins and slice each citrus fruit into thin pieces.

2. Wash and thinly slice each golden beet.

3. On a serving plate, add the arugula and top with the citrus and beet slices.

4. When you’re finished assembling, drizzle everything with honey and serve!

To elevate this dish even more, mix olive oil + white wine vinegar with the honey and toss with the arugula. Also, try topping the salad with soft goat cheese and/or roasted pistachios.

beet arugula citrus salad

simple

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

INGREDIENTS: 1 bunch of asparagus salt pepper olive oil 1 tbsp minced or sliced garlic (optional) HOW TO: 1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. 2. Wash the asparagus and chop off one inch of the bottom of each piece.

3. Add to a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, as well as the garlic (if using).

4. Roast for 10-15 minutes.

garlic

“Because Jesus eats with everyone, let my table be an altar for people. Strangers. Friends. Family.” @HOUSEOFBELONGING

SMASHED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS: 1.5 lb gold Yukon potatoes, washed 2 tbsp minced garlic salt pepper olive oil

HOW TO: 1. Preheat oven to 450ºF + bring a large pot of water to a boil.

2. Add potatoes and boil until the potatoes are fork soft. Drain.

3. LIne a baking sheet with parchment paper + drizzle olive oil on top.

Using your hands, rub the oil evenly on the parchment paper. Add the boiled potatoes.

4. Using a flat bottom glass, press on top of each potato until they are flat. Repeat until you have smashed all the potatoes.

5. Drizzle more olive oil on top of the potatoes. Sprinkle minced garlic, a generous amount of salt, and pepper on top.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes start to get crispy on the edges.

maple chipotle roasted ham

INGREDIENTS: Dry Rub: 3 tsp chipotle chili powder 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp smoked paprika Maple Glaze: 1/2 cup maple syrup 3 tbsp melted butter (or dairy-free butter) Ham: The size of your ham will depend on how many people you are serving. I purchased a 2 lb ham, feeding 4 people. *Make sure that you get a partially cooked ham (as a fully cooked ham will dry out quicker during roasting)

HOW TO: 1. Preheat your oven to 325ยบF 2. In a small bowl, combine the dry spices 3. Rub the mixture on all sides of the ham so it is completely covered in the dry rub.

4. In a deep baking dish, add 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup of water, then place the ham in the dish and cover with foil 5. Bake 30 minutes per pound, making sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165ยบF 6. During the last 10-15 minutes of baking, remove the foil and brush the ham with the maple syrup/butter mixture + put back in the oven to finish baking. .

NOTE: Since the ham bakes at a lower temperature than the rest of the dishes, you can bake it ahead of time--just cover and keep warm until you are ready to serve the meal. For any vegetarian guests, serve a Fieldroast Celebration Loaf, available at most grocery stores (like Publix, Kroger, or a health food store)

berry-lime

SPRITZERS INGREDIENTS blueberry simple syrup 1Â cup organic frozen blueberries 1 cup filtered water 1 cup organic cane sugar

how to make: combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan bring to a boil turn heat down and simmer for 10 minutes strain the mixture; pour syrup in a jar. Let cool, then put lid on tightly and refrigerate.

berry-lime spritzers: put cane sugar on a small plate; run a lime across the edges of the glass and twist the rim of the glass in the sugar [optional step] fill glasses with ice pour 1 oz of cooled syrup + 4 oz of sparkling water over the ice (choose citrus flavors like orange-lime or lemon-lime); stir well. Taste and adjust flavors. [optional] for a spiked spritzer, add 1 oz of vodka [optional] top with add-ins: fresh blueberries, squeeze of fresh lime, mint or other herbs

rustic fruit galet e HOW-TO MAKE A

INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter (or vegan butter sticks), super cold + cut into chunks 1/2 cup organic cane sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted but not hot 1 tsp vanilla extract Filling: 4-5 fresh peaches (or nectarines or other combination of fruit), washed + sliced 2 T flour 1/2 lemon, juiced 3 T organic cane sugar maple syrup for brushing (or egg wash)

INSTRUCTIONS To prepare the crust, you can use your hands or a food processor. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and butter. With your hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. Add the coconut oil and vanilla and mix with your hands until well combined. If it's too dry, try adding a small amount of water until it reaches your desired consistency. Divide the dough in half and form two discs. Wrap one disc in a kitchen towel and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. (Wrap other disc and put in freezer for future use!). While the dough is chilling, make the filling. combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until combined. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough into a large disc + place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place fruit mixture in the middle + fold the sides up, leaving the middle exposed. Brush the crust with maple syrup or egg wash. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

simple sharpie easter eggs This year, we're keeping it simple with Easter eggs. I haven't been able to run around town to find everything we need like I normally do, so we've settled on this easy as pie version: white eggs and sharpie messages. Isn't that what counts anyways? The message behind it all? Here are a few ideas to make them fun + interesting:

Draw on real or fake eggs

Write messages of hope

Share your creations

Depending on what you can get your hands on, draw faces/symbols on eggs and display. Hot glue googly eyes on for extra fun.

Get creative! Write your favorite words from the Easter season on the eggs as a daily reminder that Jesus is alive.

Share with a neighbor for fun.

You can even draw on hard boiled eggs + include your favorite egg salad or deviled eggs recipe with the gift.

why the Easter story matters JESUS' RESURRECTION STORY BECOMES OUR LIVING HOPE

As I'm writing these words, I don't have any idea if we will be worshipping together on Easter Sunday in our churches or if we will be worshipping from our couches. But what I do know is that now more than ever, we need the Easter story. Because it matters. For EVERY day, but especially days like now. Without it, we have no hope. The resurrection buried the old, the gone, and the done. What's left is new life and a hope that is alive. The Easter story is what secures our day-to-day hope. It's living, breathable, actionable motivation for the moments that make up our days.

When we feel like all hope is lost?

The empty tomb answers: just wait, new life is coming.

When we feel like life is too messy?

Jesus answers; I am redeeming all things.

When we feel covered in worry and anxiety?

Jesus steadies our hearts; He says, don't worry sweet daughter, I've made a promise to take care of you and your family. I help the birds and the flowers survive. Don't you mean more to me than they do? (my paraphrase from Matthew 6).

Jesus' resureection story reminds us that He will be with us in the storm and yet, at the same time, He's preparing a place for us--our eternal home in heaven.

"What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole. I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.."

- 1 Peter 1:3-7 (The Message Translation)

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THE PODCAST A PODCAST ABOUT PEOPLE'S STRUGGLES AND HOW THEY'RE OVERCOMING THEM

THANK YOU! Hey friend, I know these are weird times, but you aren't alone. We're all in the same boat. And? We can do this. Together. One tiny step at a time.

Remember everything we just talked about. Keep your routines, invest in your mental, physical, and spiritual self.

Cook a feast for your family

And more than any of that, know

(thanks Instacart!). Lean into rest.

that God goes before us. He is

Start writing in your journal.

walking alongside us, waiting to

Create realistic expectations for

redeem all things. Yes, even this.

your specific situation. Go for a

And missed mortgage payments,

walk. Text a friend on your support

and grocery bills on credit cards,

team. Don't let yourself stay stuck.

and worry about our parents in the

Reach out to a therapist. Keep your

at-risk corona virus group. He's got

prayer life on track. Be willing to

us. Until next time, just keep living,

unlearn habits and patterns that

friend.

don't progress you towards health.

mckenna