The Homemaker Gal

This bread just screams summer! Fresh berries, tart lemon juice and zest. I love it! It reminds me of the lemon bread at Starbucks, but with a twist- and even better! 

This recipe is simple to throw together and will refresh the end of your day, fueling your body with all the good things. The reason this drink is amazing for you is no secret. Collagen and colostrum are great for your hair, skin, and nails. All while assisting your immune system and boosting gut health. The fizz element has botanicals which help reduce inflammation, stress and help aid sleep. This drink has been in my rotation as one of my favorite ways to end the day. 

Being a stay at home mom, wife, and homemaker is truly a great calling, and a huge blessing. Not everyone is able to quit their day job to do so. However, when faced with a full house and full list of responsibilities- it can feel overwhelming. Balancing taking care of your home and pouring into your little ones can require your full energy and attention. 

In this day and age, homemaking, being a mom, and wife are all highly sought after roles. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we can create idols out of these roles and make them our everything. Recently I was convicted in this by the Holy Spirit, and wanted to encourage and remind other women out there that you can find your identity in Christ. 

Having a good heart posture with finances is  imperative when it comes to how you are going to handle them. God shows us in His word that it's important to be content. Hebrews 13:5 says "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?" So, ask yourself, are you content with what you have? Or do you constantly find yourself needing more? 

Did someone say spring? If you are anything like me, you LOVE spring. Brighter, warmer days. The fresh smell of growing flowers and intentions of starting your home garden. Sun setting later in the evening, and of course spring cleaning your home. 

How exciting right? I was so thrilled when we moved into our new home. I had a fresh blank canvas to work with. I couldn't wait to unpack and set everything up. Where do I begin? If you are anything like me and have a new space to work with, I have a few insights to help encourage and inspire you to put your homemaking skills to the test. 

Something I've struggled with taking time to genuinely rest. I don't mean getting sleep through the night. I mean, taking time to pause. In scripture, God teaches us the importance of rest and not to forsake it. God shows us the example of rest (Genesis 2:2-3) and how it is good to pause. He consecrated the 7th day as Holy. Later in Exodus, God commands us to rest. (Ex 20:8-10 & Ex 23:12). 

Ever dread planning and making dinner? I know sometimes sitting down planning a list of groceries and meals can seem daunting but I've come up with a way to simply and effectively plan your grocery list along with your meals. This will not only save you money but you can still make fun and delicious meals without over-spending or compromising quality. You know that expression "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". 

Our daily lives as homemakers often have other elements to it that can pull us from giving our home our best efforts. This is realistic and normal, especially if you're like me and have kids. One small step I've started taking is doing smaller tasks day to day and saving those bigger tasks for days that I can thoroughly get to them. This will help your list of tasks seem smaller and more approachable. By this I mean, everyday or almost everyday we should be doing a few things here and there to really bring that warm welcoming element to our homes, and spread out your tasks. These few tips can really make or break how your home feels- even to you! I've compiled a few things that you can do everyday in your home that don't take very long and will really set the tone for your home to you, your family and to guests. 

Ever feel stumped about what to make for your family? I've reached this point many times and find myself trying to come up with recipes that will please both my toddler, and my husband who tends to be a bit picky. All of this pressure can push someone to succumb to an easy dinner like fast food or frozen dinners. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Canes just as much as the next person. However, as homemakers God calls us to a bit of a higher standard. I remember when I had just started out with making good meals for my family, I wanted to make meals that didn't break our budget, and nourished my family. One of our favorite places to eat has always been Chipotle and we love the burrito bowls so I got to thinking... Why not create my own version of a burrito bowl? Which brings me to the first recipe I want to share with you! 

Being a homemaker can be such a joy! It all starts with the posture of your heart. In Proverbs 17:22 God says "A joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Now, I know what you're thinking. Doing chores and taking care of my home can feel 'spirit crushing' at times. However, when you're using your hands to produce fruitful things such as, a clean comforting home, and a joyful environment, it can really shift your perspective. If you're anything like me and are just starting your homemaking journey, then I want to share 5 helpful tips with you to help you excel in your home.