If I'm honest, I live by an 80/20 rule for my life. 80% of the time I am putting in the work to eat clean, exercise, or check what is in my products. But there are a lot of times where I don't have that luxury or I don't care to care. You know what I mean? Sometimes I what a greasy burger, a fruity cocktail, and desert. Because there's always room in the desert stomach. It's helpful for me to have snacks on hand. So I am sharing this recipe of these Easy Almond Butter Energy Bites. I usually put a few in my purse when I know that I am going to be out and might be hungry. I hope you enjoy!

Easy Almond Butter Energy Bites:

Ingredients

The other day, I took my daughter to the library so she could get some wiggles out, and as I am sitting watching her play, this kid's cookbook catches my eye. This cookbook was a raw food diet for kids. First, I have no idea what kid is eating a raw food diet, much less checking books out at the library about raw food. Second, I seriously considered checking out the book for myself. I've made these lettuce wraps twice since looking at that cookbook. It's easy, fast, and extremely delicious! One of the main ingredients is avocados, and who doesn't love avocados?! If you know someone who doesn't, don't trust them. Because if you are lucky enough to attain an avocado. Eat the whole damn thing. Plus, it's paleo friendly, whole30 friendly, and vegan. It basically checks off any box for whatever diet you might be on and it's surprisingly filling. 

Easy Avocado & Sun-dried Tomato Lettuce Wraps:

Ingredients

I have been pondering the concept of community for a few months now. I firmly believe that it's important to run along side people who build you up and are in the same stage of life as you are currently. For years, growing up and even when I first moved to Colorado, I would constantly pray for friends. Great friends. Friends that were of quality and people I could do life with. As time went on, I did actually gain some authentic friendships. But as seasons changed, so did my community. In the past, I have taken people leaving so personally. I've been offended, felt betrayed, and even cried asking God why. Let me point out, this was my own process and they were not in the wrong, but for years these types of changes hurt me. It wasn't until a few months ago, when I was processing it all in my car (which means I was probably talking to myself like a mad woman) did I realize where it was all stemming from. I was believing a lie. I said it out loud in my car and it shocked and disgusted me all at once: I believed that if I was a better leader, my community would have stayed. How heavy is that? It is a lie filled with guilt and shame, but I felt so free that I could finally identify the root cause. 

My encouragement to you is to find the root cause for why it is that things hurt you. When our physical bodies are in pain, the pain is pointing to where the problem lies. My hand won't hurt if my I stubbed my toe. I don't think we should dwell in our pain, but perhaps we could use it to identity where we need to be mending. It is in our best interest to be whole, healthy people. So currently, I am working on dispelling the lies that try to live in my head. From now on, I won't let them, because I am no longer a victim to those lies. 

When your grandmother turns 90, you do everything you can to celebrate her. These photos are a little late to the blog, so forgive me. And as it turns out, when you add a bunch of people and a few kids, getting a photo where everyone is smiling is more difficult than you think. Isn't that just like family- a bunch of complicated, beautiful people loving each other. I'm so grateful that these are my people. Happy birthday, grandma! You legacy is a powerful one. Your gentle spirit speaks volumes. I love you!