so I like to run, big deal?

So I realized as I was running yesterday that I have been running on a regular basis, averaging 15-20 miles a week since I was 14 years old. That is approximately 17 years, over half my life, which is roughly 13,260 miles + or -. Quite frankly, I am not a fast runner, I never have been, and I don't run to compete races. And in all those years and miles, I don't think I have ever really taken the time to ask, WHY? Yesterday while I had a good 90 minutes run, I took the opportunity to ask WHY? And here is what I have came up with:

1. It allows me to move.

2. It gives me an excuse to be outside.

3. I can appreciate nature.

4. I can see what real estate is for sale in my neighborhood.

5. I become quickly oriented to my new locale while traveling.

6. I can watch people waiting for a bus.

7. I can run as fast or slow as I feel that day.

8. I have time to think before starting my day, planning it in my mind.

9. Its funner than cleaning my house.

10. There is nothing to distract me like there may be if I exercise at home.

11. I like to see my neighbors and wave to them as they leave for work.

12. I like to see the kids walk to school.

13. I like to feel the sun and breeze on my face.

14. It makes me feel alive.

15. I don't have to think about anything or do anything else while I run.

16. If I am upset, I can run away from things. (very healthy, I know)

17. Because I love to exercise and I would hate to spend that much time a gym.

18. It helps me know what the weather will be each day, and plan what to wear.

19. It is annoying and fun to run in snow and rain.

20. I rarely get sick of it or want to quit.

21. It gives me a goal I can complete perfectly each day.

22. It gets me a reason to get out of bed each day.

23. I dream about it.

24. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I didn't.

25. Bonus, its hard to keep on a lot of extra weight while running regularly.

26. I breathe deeper.

27. It gives me more of a reason to practice yoga.

28. It helps me honor, love, and preserve my precious body.

29. It's just fun.

30. It feels great when you are done.

Opposition

The wisdom of wise men of god; "For it must needs be, there is an ^aopposition in all things." 2 Nephi 2:11

There are moments when I tend to disregard this wisdom, like when I am unloading the car of groceries, it is raining outside, the phone is ringing with no free hands, and I can't find my keys. At those moments feeling like a homeless wet dog, I wonder if this is a time for God to teach me about opposition. Isn't there an easier way to learn? Thoughts surface like: are you sure there has to be opposition? Is it really necessary to teach me right NOW? How about we get through this moment opposition free? Can we just give a try, and if you don't like it we can go back to the old way? Figuratively, the homeless wet dog feeling comes into many other areas of life, when we feel we have been left out in the cold, or we are not sure which direction to turn.

Now aside from my uncomely bartering with God, as if he could change the way the entire way he has created life to work to fit my needs, I recognize that my intellect could never match his understanding and I am his creation. I trust he knows what he's doing, even if I don't.

This humbling process leads me to remember he has all wisdom and understanding. I begin to have a greater conviction of the statement "For it must needs be, there is an ^aopposition in all things." For after all, it is more than simply a statement, it is truth, and wise counsel from a loving father.

The key word of this counsel I have often overlooked, "opposition in ALL things." The means not in some things, not just in things I choose, and not just at times I am ok with it, but in ALL things. The word ALL is inclusive. So where do we go from here? Well, I'm not sure, but I trust my father in heaven, that he will point me in the direction I need to go.

Foodly speaking blog...

Proudly announcing (drumroll please) a brand new blog...Hi friends,

I have decided that I don't blog very often for one main reason, I need a purpose to blog! After some soul searching, pondering, yogaing, and running a few long runs, it has come to me. Inspiration at it's finest! A blog all about my favorite passion: FOOD! Now, I recognize this has been done before, many times, but never has a blog been created about my very own favorite recipes, my favorite restaurants, my obsession with vanilla extract, and my cooking catastrophes. Food fascinates me on so many levels, from growing it, finding it, choosing it, preparing it, feeding others, and eating it, I find great joy in the journey of food. So that's it, a blog all about FOOD!

It will include but not be limited to: lots of recipes featuring gluten free, vegan, everything from main dishes to cookies and baked goods, new food projects (making vanilla extract), local restaurant reviews, product reviews! Check it out at foodlyspeaking.blogspot.com.

Hip Hip Hurray for food!

Vanilla Project

I have dreamed about, thought about, read about it, prepared for it, but I have never as of yet done it! What, you might ask? Make my very own Vanilla Extract, with real vanilla beans, and real alcohol. Homemade has never been so great!

It is so simple:

Vanilla Beans (grade B or better),

Vodka (or 80 proof alcohol)

A bottle

I read lots of different websites and decided upon about 6-7 beans per cup of alcohol, for a 2 fold strength, given 3 beans is FDA standard. I already bake with 2 fold strength, so I would hate to step down. This little experiment became a realization when Vanilla Products USA (ebay) sent me free Vanilla Beans with my purchase of 2 fold strength Madagascar Vanilla Extract (which is fabulous)! Thanks Vanilla Product USA, I highly recommend you to everyone.

So, I sliced the beans down the center with about an inch still in tact at the top, for ease of removal later on. Some websites recommended scraping out the caviar, as it enhanced flavor. It mentioned this if you were trying to produce extract in 6 weeks. Since I have time on my side, 6 months, I opted out of that messy step, trusting these little guys to have plenty of time to seep!

Most places recommend a glass bottle, I got lazy on this step. I had a 32 oz. bottle that formerly housed Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract, and deemed that a worthy enough container. I filled it without about 20-22 beans and 3 cups of Vodka, immersing these guys completely.

I gave it a good shake, then I kindly placed the bottle in my cool, dark cupboard, and patiently (key word, patiently) will wait for the vanilla to seep into the alcohol producing a most happy extract. Oh joy, Connie's Cookies can hardly wait for your flavor to enhance, embolden, and empower!

Pray in your wilderness

As I look back over my life, I realize time and time again, that there are moments when I am undoubtedly in the wilderness. While I am not literally surrounded by weeds, unkept grasses, a blazing hot sun, and no compass, figuratively I am lost in unknown territory without direction.

I ask myself at such a moments, how did I end up here? Did I do something to deserve this? Where did I take a wrong turn? Where am I headed now and how do I get there? Is there safety when I reach a destination? I suppose none of us like the wilderness, it is full of uncertainty, lack of direction, and uncomfortable feelings. Not knowing what is next is never that comfortable. But alas we cannot find where we are going if we are never lost. We can't find our way home if we never left.

If I let myself be the dandelion, I would blow whatever way the wind blew, I wouldn't have an anchor, a sense of strength, and direction. I would not grow.

This life is a time to grow, and I know this. The uncertainty that comes with the wilderness will approach us at different periods throughout our life. Amulek taught us what to do in our wilderness, "ye must ^apour out your souls in your ^bclosets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness." When we pray in our wilderness suddenly it isn't so scary, we know in whom we trust, we stay rooted to our anchor. We persist despite opposition and doubts that may arise. Pray in your wilderness, you will never be left alone.