Sarah Lanier: Zestfully Living

What I hope to be...

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

...an encouragement to women to really live their lives instead of waiting for the "right time."

There is only NOW. Live in the present!

Don't live in fear of what others might think.

Do enjoy the life you have.

Feel feelings and celebrate them equally....smiles and tears are both meaningful!

Happy Valentines Day from Me!

The Tractor

2012-02-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

There are few things in life as fun and as adventuresome as a farm. We love going to the Lanier pecan farm in Metter. On our most recent trip, we got to experience something new....Hal's dad (Daddy Ray) has a new tractor. The guys had to take it for a spin.

There is something totally manly about a tractor. I guess that is why there are so many good country songs about 'em. I got to watch my man and my boy ENJOY the experience of driving the new tractor.

I saw something else that was neat. I saw Hal's dad sharing his pride. He is so proud of his son, and his grandson. I didn't do a good job capturing his face, but I think these pictures can tell a story. I love watching Daddy Ray watch things happen. He doesn't often say much, but I know a whole storyline is taking place inside his head. I know he is proud of his boys!

See Daddy Ray in the background. He's watching his boys enjoy themselves!

I love watching Hal introduce our boy to the things he loves about the farm. And I LOVE watching Rundle discover all the things to love about the farm. I know there will be more moments with the tractor in the future, but these are some sweet moments indeed!

There are so many things to love about the pecan orchard. On this trip we loved the TRACTOR!

It reminds me of one of my favorite children's books:

ALL THE THINGS TO LOVE, by Patricia MacLaughlin.

Eating "Beyond Organic"

2012-02-10T05:30:00.000-05:00

If you read my post on the Maker's Diet you are familiar with the author Jordan Rubin. Jordan Rubin has a great way of explaining complex ideas, and creating doable action steps. We have learned a lot from him about how to make healthy choices, and our research has been extended beyond his influence. The more we learned the more we realized we needed to DO something about what we were learning.

When we found out about Beyond Organic we were SO excited it was difficult to sleep that night. Beyond Organic is a new company that exists to help people have access to food that is BEYOND normal Organic foods. Food that is truly GREAT for you! Beyond Organic was founded by Jordan Rubin, the author of the Maker's Diet. The video below does a great job explaining WHY Beyond Organic got started and where it hopes to go!

We have decided to be a part of Beyond Organic. We are Mission Marketers, and our goal is to tell people about the great products they offer, as well as to share ways to help people improve their health. Here is a link to our website where you can watch videos about all the delicious products they offer. We love the MEAT, CHEESE, CHOCOLATE & WATER. There are other things, but these are our favorite! Happy Eating! http://sarahlanier.mybeyondorganic.com/Web/us/en/products.dhtml

Mom's who live for the night

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

That title sounds sketchy, but its true. I live for the night so I can have some peace, some time to be still and some time alone with MY man. Thank you Thomas Edison for inventing the light bulb. It helps me enjoy the night time. Your light bulbs give me a few extra hours in my day. A few hours in the night to live & do things just for me.

The night is my time to do the things I've wanted to to all day. Read a book, write, do a creative project, search the internet for new dining room chairs....things that can't be done when a toddler is vying for your attention. I feel normal when I get to steal a way in the evening. For a few moments I am not 'Mama' I am Sarah. Most of the time, its as simple as getting the baby to bed, and sitting down on the couch with Hal. Other nights, its a cup of tea in the office writing by myself. Then, one night a week Hal gives me "A Night Off." A night to get alone time, a night for me to do whatever I want to do. Those nights are special. They refuel me.

The peace that comes in the evening is sweet. You finally have a little bit of a break. I don't dump the baby on the hubs as soon as he walks in the door because I know he's had a long day too. However, when he walks in the door there is relief that I DO have someone to share the responsibility with, a partner, a support, my best friend! (In the evening is when I pray for single moms. You are rock stars & I pray God gives you an extra measure of support and your own time for peace!)

I am grateful for a husband that loves me so well, and knows that for me to give my best I need a night....a night where I can live, and create and enjoy myself. Yes, I live for the night...so that I can prepare for the next day. I live for the night so I can fully LIVE each and every day.

Maker's Diet (a book worth reading)

2012-02-08T05:30:00.000-05:00

If you know me well, you know that I love food. Every woman in my family is a good cook, and many of the men are too, so naturally eating TASTY foods was way of life for me. My parents tried hard to teach us how to eat a balanced diet, and I am grateful for their direction.

As I started cooking for myself, I began to discover that eating healthy means different things to different people. I love to cook delicious foods. If it doesn't taste good why eat it? This is a very "American" way of thinking, so I began to wonder is there more to food than pleasant tastes? Of course, we know that on a basic level food is how God designed us to sustain life. But, could the Maker have a bigger plan for us than I was currently seeing....I think so.

The Maker's Diet written by Jordan Rubin, was the catalyst for changing my eating habits. My eating habits weren't bad, but they certainly weren't stellar. I read the Maker's Diet for the first time in 2003, and it revolutionized the way I see food, and even how I take care of my whole self. When Hal and I were married in 2007 he read it, and it rocked his world and he will tell you he too is a fan!

The Maker's Diet fits into the Zestfully Living idea because in order to live well, I have to be functioning at my best. I want to feel my best all the time. I can tell you that the normal American is unaware of the poor choices they are making, because many in the food industry are more concerned about making a dollar than they are of the health of our nation. Simple things like genetically modified fruits & vegetables, hormones and antibiotics in our livestock & poultry are causing health problems. I could go on but that is not the point of this post.

The point of this post is that God has a plan for our lives, and that plan is know him and enjoy him. We can't enjoy living when we don't feel good. So, take a look at the Maker's Diet, or contact me & we can have a conversation about it.

*I am not receiving any compensation from Jordan Rubin to say the things mentioned in this post. This is my own opinion. I have linked to my Amazon Affiliate Store to make it easy for you to access this book.

Super Bowl: Favorite Commercial?

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

It is Monday after the Super Bowl and I have to ask:
"What was your favorite commercial from the Super Bowl?"

Why did you like it?

Do you remember what company the ad was representing?

Do you remember what they were advertising?

I blew the grocery budget last month

2012-02-04T15:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I blew my entire grocery budget on the 5th of last month. Isn't it ironic that this post would follow the last one on planning?

Here's what happened...I went grocery shopping before I wrote my menu [and] we tried some new organic foods (double whammy.)

We LOVE the new organic food company. Beyond Organic is the name of the company and the food is GREAT! (I will tell you about the company in another post.) The food is shipped to our door, which is a nice perk, but something I didn't factor into the cost of my purchase. We eat mostly organic foods on our $400 grocery budget. (Note, I did say MOSTLY.) I thought the food from Beyond Organic would take the place of the things I normally buy at my local stores, and it probably would have if I had taken a moment and planned my menu before I shopped.

We spent most of the month of January eating at home, and being very creative in our meals. My friend Stacey calls it "eating down the pantry" and that is exactly what we did. I guess my point in sharing this post is to tell you that PLANNING really does help. It isn't always fun to sit down & write out my menu & shopping list each month, but when I do things in this order I SAVE MONEY. We ended up being over in our grocery budget by $50 by the end of the month, but we made up for it because we didn't buy any clothing.

After I realized my blunder, I tried really hard not to spend ANY money. This made me feel like I was being punished which is never a good feeling, but I have to say that it is the 4th of February and we have MARGIN in the grocery budget.

I say all that to say this: when you don't plan ahead it is MUCH harder to save. Planning gives you the freedom to LIVE inside of your predetermined boundaries!

*If you are interested in Beyond Organic's products you can contact me or look a my personal Beyond Organic website.

Zestfully Living & Saving Money

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but Team Lanier feels good when we save money. I try to get the most from my dollar, so does Hal. As a stay at home mom I feel like it is my duty to be wise with the way I spend money on groceries, household items & clothing. (No matter who you are, it is wise to be cautious about how you spend money.)

We do CRAZY things to save money & you know what I am glad.*
1. Make laundry detergent.
2. I make chicken broth after I roast a whole chicken, then make soups & such.
3. Beans & rice are a regular staple on our menu. (Cheap, delicious & nutritious.)
4. Plan meals ahead of time.
5. Shop with a list.
6. Use everything in the fridge. It takes some creativity, but don't throw away leftovers recycle them.
7. Buy blocks of cheese & shred it myself. (You end up with 3x's as much!)
8. Use coupons & gift cards. (I keep them with me all the time.)
9. Shop consignment & look at the sales rack first!
10. We delay purchases. (This is a nice way of saying we practice SELF-CONTROL. An yes, it IS hard!)

Yes, it takes extra effort on my part, but if that helps us save a little extra money for a date night or for the mini-van we will soon be buying then I am going to do it! Sometimes, that little bit of money we stashed away for fun gets used for an unexpected doctor visit. My point is I am doing my part to help my family thrive.

When I hear ladies say "Oh, your one of 'those' moms" it makes me want to cringe. What does that statement really mean? Are they saying they think I am perfect & have everything together? Are they saying they think I am ridiculous for being frugal? Are they saying they think I am going too far to save a penny?

By taking care of my family, and saving money when I can, I am not condemning them. I am not telling them they are bad moms or wives because they don't do what I do. I am simply sharing ideas that have worked for me. I have found that sometimes doing something out of the ordinary makes it fun, and I can always use more fun in my life. These crazy ways of saving money can be fun, or they can be a chore that is up to you. I try to be positive, even when things are tough. Sure, I'd like to have more money....and this is my way of trying to keep a little extra in my piggy-bank!

(*I didn't start doing these all at once. I would try something, and then another & soon these things became part of my routine.)

Word for the Year

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

It is the end of January. Are you still thinking about those New Year's Resolutions, or have you abandoned them already? What if this year instead of focusing on a resolution you thought about a theme?

Each new year that comes along offers something refreshing, a chance to experience life in a new way. Giving a theme to your year could be a new experience for you. For me, a theme is a way to focus my eyes to what God is doing in my life. I don't pull a random theme out of a hat, rather I think about what is occurring in my life, or what I need to learn. Sometimes my theme is set at the beginning of the year, and sometimes it reveals itself as the year goes on.

What is your word or phrase for 2012? Haven't chosen one yet? Let me encourage you to do so.... Take a look at the list below. To you it's just word or a phrase, but when I look back at this list it tells the story of my life!

My Word or Phrase:

1999 Change
2000 Nothing is Impossible With God
2001 The Great Adventure
2002 Surprise
2003 Bigger Than I Ever Dreamed Of
2004 Keep Dreaming
2005 Me: someone no one else has ever been
2006 See as God Sees
2007 I Believe God
2008 1st Year of Marriage Experiences
2009 Just Take the Next Step
2010 New Life
2011 Whimsy
2012 Relational

Rundle growing up fast...

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Our little mountain man is growing up so fast. I think those are words every parent uses. (Not the mountain man part, but the growing up so fast part.)

Rundle has been cracking us up lately as he has discovered new words and uses them appropriately: Up, Apple, and Poop. I guess the "P" sound is fun for him to say. We are now working on "please."

This little guy LOVES his Daddy! He wants to be just like him. He wants to wear Hal's clothes.

It started with wanting
to wear Hal's socks.

Next, he found
Hal's gloves.

Now he's loving Hal's hat. Isn't he just the cutest!

He also has developed a fondness for the dryer. He loves to climb on the door while I am folding the laundry, and one night recently as Hal was walking in the door from work Rundle actually climbed into the dryer. It was a fun moment and I was glad Hal got to see it rather than hear about it after the fact.

He is growing up so fast. It makes me want to savor each little snuggle and laugh. What a special little guy he is! We sure to love our little mountain man!