More Juice Please

In the last year juicing has become a regular thing around our house and I absolutely love it!! Here are some reasons why I think it's so wonderful along with some of my favorite recipes. 

I have the classic Jack LaLanne  Juicer from Costco. 

Facts about juicing taken from The Complete Book of Juicing 

• Juicing increases your vegetable/fruit intake 
• Your body gets a break from digesting food
• Quicker absorption of high quality nutrients 
• Increased energy levels
• Weight loss
• Healthier/Clearer skin  

Usually I don't use a recipe for juicing. Typically I use whatever I have on hand and it always tastes great...well almost always :)  What I had on hand today was 

Swiss Chard, Oranges, Apples, Beets, Carrots and Cucumber. 

Always cut your larger fruits and vegetables so they can fit down the shoot.

The final product is a deliciously nutritious meal

Here are some recipes I have tried and loved. 

Super Detox Green Juice

2-3 celery Stalks 

1 small cucumber

2 kale leaves 

Handful of fresh parsley 

1 small lemon or lime 

1 pear or apple 

Better Red Than Dead 

1 beet 

1/2 medium sweet potato

3 carrots 

Green Drink

handful of parsley or wheatgrass

2 granny smith apples 

2 kale leaves

handful of spinach 

Iron Plus

1 beet with top

2 kale leaves

1/2 cup broccoli florets with stems

4 carrots

1 apple 

Here's to happy, healthy, juicy future 

Ashley 

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find?

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave" 

Martin Luther 

Lately this topic has really been on my mind/heart. 

I have been asking myself what does it mean to honor my husband; and how am I actively showing honor to my husband and my marriage. There are several definitions of honor, but there were two that really captured my attention. 

•  high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
•  a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family. 

If you have been married for any period of time you know it can be easy to focus on what your spouse isn't doing or what you think they should be doing...can I hear and Amen ladies!!

    

  Throughout our marriage I have had seasons of frustration and confusion with my husband. Honor and respect don't usually come naturally. It is something we have to be actively practicing. 

Here are some things that have really helped me. 

1. Let him finish a story- I try not to interrupt the whole time he is talking. When we do interrupt it says to him and others, that you don't think he knows what he's talking about. (This one is hard for me)

2. Do not complain about him or put him down to others. It is one thing to confide in a close friend but say no to husband bashing.

3. Don't complain about what he isn't doing but lift him up and praise him for the things he is doing!

4. Thank him for working hard to provide for you and your family. It is a gift to have a husband who is a diligent worker.     Whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might. (Ecc. 9:10)

5. Join him while he is doing something he enjoys. Some call this "shoulder to shoulder time." This can be watching TV, washing his car, etc... Show an interest in the things he likes to do. I never imagined after doing this I would actually like football or basketball but I have grown to love it.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs  31:10-13

Here are some good resources for digging a little deeper.

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/5-ways-to-honor-your-husband/

http://powertochange.com/experience/sex-love/respect/

http://lovinglifeathome.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/25-ways-to-communicate-respect/

Good luck ladies. I pray for long and happy marriages for each and every one of you! 

Love, 
Ashley 

Swedish Style: Design Tips

Last April I was able to visit my friend Mikaela and her family in Sweden. She has an amazing ability to design and create a stunning and comfortable living space for her family. 

 Here is a tour of her lovely home. 

"The most important thing for me when living in a small space is to ensure that the color scheme flows around the entire place to give the eye some piece of mind."

"I chose different shades of gray along with deep purple, silver and crystal. I kept the basic furniture and the walls natural and added some color in the pillows, curtains, throws and accessories. This way I can easily change the color in the future."

"When dealing with larger items in a room I like to balance things out by putting them on opposite sides of the room."

"I love to mix the texture in all the fabric with in my color scheme from furry to silky to velvet. It brings such life to the room!"

 "Placing the purple is like decorating a cake. It needs to flow evenly throughout the room."

 I hope you enjoyed the home tour and design tips!! Have fun designing your space!! 

 Ashley