There Is A Difference – PT 2

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There is a difference between being a good person and being a people pleaser.

It is my honest belief that people pleasing breads from the grounds of selfishness.

Yes I said it. From one ex- people pleaser to another. I also believe that one can be a little bit of both; but in my opinion, being a people pleaser will always trump being a good person if we are in fact, a little bit of both.

It is my honest belief that people pleasing breeds from the grounds of selfishness.

Being a good person does not.

When you are a good person, you just are. You do it because something inside of you won’t allow you to treat others the way they treat you. You do it because you have learned to do good. You do it because you know that you should never repay evil for evil but that you should always repay it with good. You know that the good that you do is a seed planted 🌱 and will, in due season, reap a harvest.

The Bible says a lot about living right or being a good person. I wanted to firstly say that we are only made right through and by faith in Jesus Christ. We can do what is right but that is not what makes us right. All of humanity can only be made right through the sacrifice that was made on a cross for us, over 2,000 years ago, by Jesus Christ shed blood and through Him and Him alone.

Romans 3:10-12, 23

As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Being a good person has to do with pleasing God, loving Him and loving others. It is better to place our trust in Christ righteousness than the righteousness found in our own personal works. This doesn’t exempt us from doing good and what is right, but helps us to do what is good and what is right.

I know that my own righteousness is but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). I also know that God makes me righteous, He has washed my filthy rags and has made them white as snow. He works everything together for the good of those that love Him and those called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God has called you and I to do good and what is right. On my own, I cannot accomplish this but with the confidence of knowing that I am already made right, I can now walk in righteousness through the calling and equipping of God; not in my own strength or out of confidence in my own works. We can walk in good deeds and righteousness, just like we can walk in the other purposes and plans God has for us (like preaching, teaching, being an inventor or doctor etc.).

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

(Including doing what is good and right. This too can fit in the “all things” category.)

Faith in Christ makes us right!

Genesis 15:6 NIV

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Here are some scriptures about being a good person:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Luke 6:45 ESV

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Isaiah 1:17 NIV

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Matthew 7:16 NIV

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

When we are people pleasers our motives are all wrong. We do good things because of the way it will make us look and for our image rather than because it’s just the right thing to do. This is why it is so hard for us to say “no”, we wonder what the individual will think about us if we say “no”. What they’ll say about us. How they’ll treat us. We prefer the praise of another person and fear their disapproval of us. We are selfish for the praise of others and because of the need for praise, a people pleaser will abandon doing what is right for the praise of others.

I had to learn the hard way that by doing this I become displeasing to God and that this was something that He does not approve of.

In my experience I lost complete direction of where I was going. Lost the ability to pin point who I was and had to relearn myself and the purpose God had for me all because I made pleasing people my mission. I was literally in Christ, but completely lost because I didn’t make loving God and truly living by His word my focus. I made what others thought of me my purpose and in turn began to lose what God had for me.

Galatians 1:10 ESV

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I think we learn a great deal when we study the Bible for ourselves and seek for what God is actually trying to speak to our hearts, through it.

Here are some scriptures that talk about wanting the approval of people:

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV

But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Proverbs 29:25 ESV

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Even to this day there are times where I am sure that God co-sign’s my message but I will be hesitant to share it because of what I think others will think about me if I do. At the end of the day, I know Who lives in me and am confident of Whose voice I obey.

Most times, what is spoken of in the Bible is out of the norm for a lot of us. Sometimes following Christ causes major issues in our relationship with others. Not because we want them to or because we are confrontational, but because we are choosing to stand for things that don’t sit well with everybody. We are choosing to stand with and for Christ even when others (even Christ followers) don’t understand.

Jesus says:

In Luke 12:49-53 ESV

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

This passage is entitled ‘Jesus Causes Division’

Division: (n) act or process of dividing, separating, distributing; a portion, part, grouping, or distinction

Jesus Christ demands a response from each of us and our response to Him can at times result in conflict. Division can be caused when some choose to follow Christ and others refuse to do so. Jesus doesn’t allow a middle ground. He demands loyalty and commitment, sometimes to the point of severing other relationships. Disapproval may come when we choose to follow the Lord. This disapproval should be a risk that we a willing to take.

I want Gods approval over others approval. I believe that His approval outweighs any other. It is important that we are prepared for His coming, that we are found fulfilling our God given purpose, watching for Jesus, working diligently and obeying His commands. This is what we should be focused on.

The feeling that comes with pleasing others is great but it doesn’t lead us down the road that accepting and following Christ does. May we choose Christ. Always and forever.

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There Is A Difference – PT 1

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There is a difference between sharing information about an individual with another because you genuinely care about what is going on with them and want to help and sharing information about an individual because you want to; 1. Butcher their character 2. Make yourself look better than them 3. Discuss the matter to make them look bad or questionable.

The scripture that comes to mind is one that you may be familiar with in one-way or another.  It goes like this: 

1 Samuel 16: 7 NLT

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Samuel was going to anoint a person who God told him to anoint to be king. He didn’t know who the person was but God would tell him when he arrived at the place to anoint the person. Samuel was a judge and prophet of God and had assumed, based on the appearance of one of the men that he was the man that God wanted to anoint. God told Samuel that He does not see things the way that Samuel sees them.

This is a key statement. The fact that God does not see things the way that we see them is a big deal. We may look at information about an individual as something that would disqualify them or make them look questionable and God may see that thing in a completely different way than we do. For this reason, I believe that it is extremely important that we are mindful about what we share or how we speak of others to another individual. We have to be mindful of the assumptions we make. We have to know that in the mist of being anointed, gifted, talented and knowledgeable we can still be wrong. We have to lean on God for understanding and not our own thoughts. 

The Bible teaches us to lean not on our own understanding. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Yes, we should also acknowledge God when we open our mouths to speak or share something regarding another individual. We have to understand that once those words exit our mouths they cannot return back to where they came from, but their harvest can.

Our words, when we use them to speak about others, says more about our hearts than it could ever say about the individual we are speaking of. Just as God doesn’t look at the outward appearance but looks at the heart in matters of blessing, He looks at the heart and its intentions when we speak. He knows our motives even when others don’t and in the end we will have to give an account for the idle words we have spoken through out our lifetime. 

Matthew 12: 36 NLT

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

Are the words that we are speaking of others idle? Are they of no reward? Are they of no value? 

Are we careless with our words?  Are our words empty? Who do they lift up? Who do they encourage? Who do they tear down? Who do they destroy? What are the motives behind them? These are the questions we must ask ourselves, the WHY matters to God. The result of our words matter to God and because of this they should matter to us also. 

This may be a shocker to some but I am a pretty quiet person. I speak when I need to, but I am mostly silent throughout the day asking God to speak to my heart, show me my heart and the heart of those around me. I ask him to show me what I am missing, what I am not getting in this life. So most days, I’ll speak to those that I HAVE TO have communication with and commune with God for the bulk of it. I believe with all my heart that if you are quiet enough you can hear the heart of others. You can hear what a person is not saying by what they are saying and you can tell a lot about a person by just listening to them speak. I also believe that if we ask God to reveal ourselves to ourselves, He will. We may not always like what He reveals. I don’t know about you, but I rather honesty over a lie, any day. I rather know that my heart is filthy than walk around believing that I am the greatest thing since sliced bread and in actuality my heart is really in a disgusting state. 

Ephesians 5:19 NLT

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

In the Bible there is a story told that displays the heart of two individuals through their personal prayers. This is what I mean by being able to tell a lot about a person by the way they speak and what they say. 

There were two men that prayed to God in the Bible,

One knew his condition and prayed according to it and another assumed the condition of his heart and left the same way he arrived. I never want to assume my heart is good before God and others; I want it to be tried and tested until I am pure gold. There is an image of Christ bride, the bride He is coming back for that is without spot, without wrinkle and without blemish. I want to be that bride. The only way that I can do this is by truly allowing God’s word to take root in me.

Ephesians 5:27 NLT

He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

Luke 18:10-14 NLT

“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m acertainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

May we know the condition of our OWN hearts, turn from our wicked ways and humble ourselves under the direction and guidance of God. 

Matthew 12:34 NLT

…For whatever is in your heart determines what you say

The Bible tells us that our words should be seasoned with salt.

Colossians 4:6 NIV

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:6 NLT

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Salt is often used in the Bible as a word to describe the believer. It is a word that is used to represent the attractiveness that a believer should possess. This attractiveness is represented by our speech in Colossians 4:6. It is important that our speech is attractive, which means that it should be gracious, courteous, genuine and respectful. Salt adds good flavor to food. In the same way our words should add good flavor to the image of others and should attest to what God sees in them.

When we measure our words to the standard that the Word of God raises, we will know the difference.

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Verb Energy Bars

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Energizing and Jitter-Free! For the win!!!

So just wanted to take a minute to tell you about one of my favorite midday pick me ups.

It’s these super cute and super tasty Verb Energy Bars! They are delicious!

These Energy bars are gluten free with all vegan ingredients so they’re good for everyone!

Only 90 calories… say what?

Yes, they are only 90 calories, but get this… Each bar has as much caffeine as an expresso. The reason why Verb Energy Bars don’t get you jittery is because they are caffeinated by green tea and not coffee. This is good news for the person that cannot have coffee for this reason.

Here are a few reasons these bars made the list of My Favorite Things:

I think the size of each bar is so cute:

The size of them definitely sold me! Am I the only one that has ever wondered why some energy bars are so huge? This one is so cute and small and still gets the job done.

My favorite flavor! ♥️

It actually tastes good!:

Some of the energy bars I’ve tasted prior to trying Verb Energy Bars were chalky and others didn’t have any taste, at all. What I like about Verb Energy Bars is that they actually taste good. I don’t have to force myself to eat it because it gives me energy. I genuinely want to eat them because of how good they taste.

Account management made easy:

Managing my account has never been easier!

I text all my needs to them and get a live person on the other end every time. If I want to change flavors for my next order it’s as simple as one text and bam, it’s done. If I want to skip a month I can send a text for that also. It’s so easy! No logins! No figuring out how to get around their site! No hassle! Just one simple text!

So if you haven’t already, click the link below to try all 4 flavors for FREE! You just pay $0.95 for shipping! You will not be disappointed.

https://www.verbenergy.co/arielleanderson1

Respect Is Simply Honor

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In my opinion the word respect is another word that gets treated with much resistance and is regarded among the body of Christ as well as the world, much like the word “submission” is. It is an icky word to most because we, as a people have lost that heart of God for the act of respect. It is also another one of my beliefs that as people of God, we often times conform to the worlds way of doing things or handling situations according to the way the world handles them without even knowing it.

I believe that  this happens naturally because culture can easily be incorporated into our Christian worldview and take precedence in certain areas. Rather than us, the born again believer, renewing our mind in all areas we simply pick and choose where we’d like to do this and ultimately what areas of our life we’d like to honor God in. The funny thing about mixing God’s way of doing things with the worlds way of doing things is that this can be done unconsciously, subconsciously and consciously. The important part to note of all of this is that, this morphing of beliefs really does happen and is something that we, as born again believers, can possibly see nothing wrong with, because we have simply failed to renew our minds.

The biblical definition of respect is:

Respect (n)

a high or special regard; esteem

(see also Awe, Reverence)

Respect, Respected (v) to consider worthy of high regard, to esteem

High: (adj)

rising or extending upward a great distance : taller than average, usual, or expected

situated or passing above the normal level, surface, base of measurement, or elevation

Worthy: (adj)

having worth or value : ESTIMABLE 

HONORABLE, MERITORIOUS

having sufficient worth or importance

Esteem: (n)

the regard in which one is heldespecially : high regard

Esteem: (v)

to set a high value on : regard highly and prize accordingly

Honor: (n)

a showing of usually merited respect

one whose worth brings respect or fame

Wow! I don’t know about you, but these definitions convict my open heart, and they’re supposed to. I think convictions have become something that is also despised rather than something that is celebrated and taken into consideration and used for the encouragement of the application of the word of God.

Romans 8:1 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

We are no longer condemned, hallelujah! God has removed the pest of guilt from us so that we can freely accept our shortcomings and seek God as well as more of the presence of the Holy Spirit for our desired change.

To be honest, I believe that this is why we don’t heed conviction like we should anymore. We feel guilty about it because of our own self-condemnation, and because of this we avoid the conviction all together, which then makes it harder for us to change. God corrects those he loves. Conviction can be seen as correction and correction is a good thing.

Proverbs 3:12 NLT

For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:6-8 NLT

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

Just as correction is a good thing so is submission, and so is respect. We may have a distorted or perverted view of these words but I believe that now more than ever is a perfect time to change that. What does God say about respect? What is his heart towards the act of respect? These are questions we can ask ourselves and most importantly, ask God.

I wanted to share my personal experience with this word.

So sometimes when I am preparing Eli’s meals in a rush, I am tempted or attempt to serve him in a little plastic container. Almost instantly God convicts me and says to me: “Would you want someone to serve you a snack in that bowl?” “Stop being lazy, he has bowls for this specific purpose.” “Would you serve someone you respected or someone whose perception of you, you valued like that?” My answer to these questions will always be “No.” Even though I know God is going to ask me these questions I still think about serving him in the incorrect bowl sometimes. I want to say that this is the reason I take such pride in plating Eli’s food. I believe that the point God is trying to get across to me is that; the way I treat or respect Eli will be the way he’ll treat and respect others. Not only will this be the way Eli treats others it will also be the way he treats hisself as well as shape the treatment that he will accept and expect from others. I have a huge responsibility in shaping his providential relationships in the future because by default, I am his very first providential relationship. Can we see how, we as humans can be messed up because of the relationships we’ve had in our past, starting from childhood? Can we also see how important respect is to God? He requires that we cultivate a culture of honor among one another. If this is his heart towards Eli, can you imagine how he expects us to treat one another?

This is why it is so important for a believer to renew their mind with the word of God.

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Ephesians 5:26

to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.

The world views respect as something that is earned. Your position, title, name, hard work has earned respect, therefore I’ll respect you. These thoughts have found themselves among the body of Christ. I remember someone who was in a position over me telling me one time that respect is earned, they may of possibly used the wrong word but those words stuck with me and they weren’t necessarily biblical. Respect is given, favor is earned (Ref. Story of Cain and Abel, Genesis 4:1-16) and even this truth can be debatable in some areas because of the shed blood🩸of Jesus Christ. I would love to dabble more into favor being earned a little more in a future blog, but I’ll stop here for now in this one.

Here are some scriptures that reference respect in the Bible:

An example of showing respect for God –

Exodus 3:5-6 NLT

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

An example of commanding respect –

Judges 4:9 NLT

“Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

An example of David’s great respect for Saul –

1 Samuel 24: 5-6 NLT

But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.”

2 Samuel 1: 15 – 16 NLT

Then David said to one of his men, “Kill him!” So the man thrust his sword into the Amalekite and killed him. “You have condemned yourself,” David said, “for you yourself confessed that you killed the Lord’s anointed one.”

An example of respect for those in authority over us –

1 Samuel 24:5-6 NLT

But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.”

1 Chronicles 10:11-12 NLT

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

An example of showing respect to all people equally –

1 Samuel 30: 11-15 NLT

Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

Don’t confuse respectability with right living –

Luke 5:30-32 NLT

But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Read the life of Daniel as a study reference of the topic.

Places in the New Living Translation Version Bible that the word respect is mentioned:

(Proverbs 11:6 shows that there are levels to respect)

Proverbs 11:16 NLT

A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Malachi 1:6 NLT

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’

(I think it’s important to note that although an older man may not live this way (Titus 2:2), that this is not cause or grounds for us to be able to disrespect him. I pray that we grasp the heart of God through these scriptures and understand that disrespect in any form to another individual is not tolerated nor accepted by God. I’d also like to note that there is a difference between being offended and the act of disrespect which I can discuss in another blog.)

Titus 2:2 NLT

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Ephesians 5:33 NLT

So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

1 Timothy 3:4 NLT

He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.

1 Timothy 3:8 NLT

In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.

1 Timothy 3:11 NLT

In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

1 Timothy 5:17 NLT

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.

1 Peter 2:17 NLT

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

May the body of Christ get back to the heart of David. Gosh! You are an example if we ever did see one. My God! I honor that mans legacy, his name and his heart for God! May we possess these things as we all are now spiritually, by faith from his seed! God, my plea is that this same spirit that was in Jesus and his lineage will be in us also! Lord have Your way!

Can I also note that David, too was a man of imperfections and major failures, but he was also a man of great repentance.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT

“For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.

Everything we need, all of the guidance, all of the instruction and all of the wisdom is in the word of God. We just have to put in the work.

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Educational Resources I’ve Received Since COVID-19 Began:

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Here’s A Blog About The Best Apps For Preschoolers:

https://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/gadgets/best-apps-for-preschoolers/?did=523748-20200514&cmp=parentsdailytoddler_051420&utm_campaign=parents-daily-toddler_newsletter&utm_source=parents.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=051420&cid=523748&mid=33803365344

And another regarding 7 Ways to Exercise at Home With a Toddler or Preschooler:

https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/ways-to-exercise-at-home-with-a-toddler-or-preschooler/?did=522319-20200509&cmp=parentsdailytoddler_050920&utm_campaign=parents-daily-toddler_newsletter&utm_source=parents.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=050920&cid=522319&mid=33549631221

Another On 20 Fun Family Activities to Do at Home:

https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/weekend-family-activities/?y&did=520126-20200505&cmp=parentsdailytoddler_050520&utm_campaign=parents-daily-toddler_newsletter&utm_source=parents.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=050420&cid=520126&mid=33295062678

Here’s a link to information about Free Online Learning Games for children of all ages:

https://www.parents.com/fun/games/educational/15-free-online-games-for-kids-that-will-keep-them-learning/?did=515715-20200424&cmp=parentsdailytoddler_042420&utm_campaign=parents-daily-toddler_newsletter&utm_source=parents.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=042320&cid=515715&mid=32760801963

I am such a fan of parents.com for resources and information ℹ️ from experts, those with experience and research based findings.

ABC Mouse currently has a Free 30 Day Trail:

It’s an Early Learning Academy. They cover Reading, Math, Science, Art & Colors and evening music!

Click the link below to check it out!

https://www.abcmouse.com/landing/tpemail:AM2017?aff_id=390032_j182058939&sub_id=559521711

On Wednesday’s we have our normally scheduled music classes with Rockness Music! They are doing something cool on their Facebook Page:

Here is the link for the 10:00am Rockness Music Class that takes place everyday (M-F) on their Facebook Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/rocknessmusic/

Home School Activities – Can Be Found On The Following Sites:

(I got these from Eli’s school)

abcmouse.com

starfall.com

fluencyandfitness.com

quickdraw.withgoogle.com

brainpop.com

parents.frogstreet.com

onlinepianist.com

Here’s My Blog On Ahhhmazing Sunday School Resources:

https://trulyariellea.home.blog/2020/03/28/sample-sunday-school-lessons-for-all-ages/

Here’s More Resources + Information From Them:

For all COVID-19 related updates including VBS, please visit us online: https://covidupdates.group.com/

Short fun video: Encourage Long Term learning, and result in LIFE Transformation:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_87iSHnC2OA#action=share

Tinkergarten:

Tinkergarten AT HOME really is such a great place for learning and exploring. Sign up below for the experience!

https://tinkergarten.com/athome?utm_source=5.10.20_Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Tinkergarten_At_Home

TINKERGARTEN LIVE

Join parents around the country to watch this week’s activities brought to life! Tinkergarten Live starts Tuesday, May 12th at 11:30 a.m. EST / 8:30 a.m. PT on both Facebook Live and Instagram Live.

To join, follow Tinkergarten on Facebook or Instagram, then visit your preferred platform at the start of the event. Once we’re live, you’ll see us on our main Facebook page and in your Instagram stories. 

More Great Ideas Sent To Me By Eli’s School:

Things to do at HOME with your LITTLE ONES!

Read – Along Resources:

https://instagram.com/pbskids?igshid=ogkv4ux93xxt

Below is a compilation of links that can prove to be helpful to you. Please utilize them:

• Ready Rosie from Creative Curriculum has great videos and resources for teachers and families. These can be used as your at home learning activities: https://readyrosie.com/en/healthyathome/

• Amazon has all stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet using the following link https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

• Kahn Academy Kids App for educational fun (has interactive number/letter games, stories and songs)

• ABC Mouse 

• Union Square Play: https://unionsquareplay.com/fun interactive videos for young children, they have schedules daily.

• Kids Magazines – Children’s Magazines & Books | Highlights 

• PBS KIDS

• Cosmic Yoga—yoga for kids that incorporates fun movies! https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Cosmic+Yoga+All+Episodes&FORM=VDMHRS

Holding On & Letting Go

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We can’t do both at the same time. I want to briefly reference a story I remember.

So l remember speaking to a boss of mine one day about one of my other bosses. I don’t remember the question she asked me, but I do remember my response.

I responded to her saying “I don’t know. You know I just decided to see the best and you know, when you do that you can’t see the worst also, so I honestly couldn’t tell you.”

Have you ever said something that struck your heart with such great conviction? This was one of the statements that did this to me. Those words still ring true to me, to this day. I cannot see the best and the worst in someone, something or a situation at the same time. It is either one or the other. I have learned (and it’s not always easy) that I have the choice to see situations, people, something or circumstances in a good way or in a bad way. The choice is mine. God doesnt leave us hanging in this area, He gives instructions and guidance on the topic that I believe should not be ignored.

The Bible says that the eyes are the lamp of the body.

Matthew 6:22-23 NLT

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

What and how we see things determines the condition of our entire body. How we see can either bring light or darkness to our body. Our eyes have to be healthy in order for us to be filled with light.

Prayer:

Lord remove anything in me that causes me to see things the wrong way. I want to be healthy. Help me to see things the way that you do. I want to be filled with light, help my sight. Help me to truly see!

Have you ever held on to something that you should of let go of. This is an area that I struggle with. I like to fix things, I like to make them work, so much so that I’ll hold on when that season has long gone and potentially miss out on the present season that I am in, focusing on the last. I’m a little stubborn in that way. I pray often that God will show me the season that I am currently in and that I will let go of where I’m not and cling to where He has me. I want to be where God is, not where I want to be. I want Him to lead me and guide me, to show me what to cling to and what to let go of. It is only when I truly let go of everything and grab ahold of Him that I am able. My heart must be surrendered and then I feel like I can go on in the right direction.

I am reminded of this scripture.

Matthew 16:25 NLT

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Jesus I give up my life for Your sake, for Your will and for Your plan for my life. I let go of my life and ask you to take it up in your hands. I need you! Help me to let go of anything that represents the life I made and replace it with the life that You have for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Prayer:

Letting go of what we currently have, in order to take ahold of what God has for us will never be in vain. He is the first and the last. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Before the world was formed He was here and when it is all over He’ll be here. He knows best because He is all knowing. He can be trusted because He is all powerful. He can be depended on because He is always there.

Nehemiah 9:6 NLT

“You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.

Here’s a way that we can continually practice seeing what is good and be intentional about seeing the best instead of the worst in everything. The Bible tells us in:

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Ask yourself each time you are tempted to think the worst: Is what I am thinking about TRUE? HONORABLE? RIGHT? PURE? LOVELY? ADMIRABLE? EXCELLENT? WORTHY OF PRAISE?

The air even becomes lighter when you start to think on these things. You can sense that things just change when we fix our thoughts on the things listed above. You see, we weren’t meant to carry heavy burdens, we were meant to carry what is light. God knows that thinking the worst will weigh us down and that the worst thoughts won’t give us peace. He is the Peace Giver. Whenever you are in doubt take up His peace by allowing your thoughts to be altered and by seeing the best. Leave the heavy things for God. He always has a solution and He can handle tough things.

Psalm 55:22 NLT

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Whenever you are wondering if you are carrying something that you should be giving over to God you can always measure your level of heaviness. If you feel heavy and weighed down about something, someone, a situation or circumstance, you are more than likely holding on to something that you need to let go of. If you feel light and have peace, although everything isn’t figured out and put together, your hope is probably in the right place. How you can determine if your hope is in the right place is by examining what you are meditating or fixing your thoughts on. Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it right? Is it pure? Is it lovely, admirable and worthy of praise?

This is such an improvement question to ask ourselves because at times we can be hoping in our knowledge of a situation, our own prideful thoughts and the way we think something will work out rather than placing our hope in God and the way He takes care of our burdens or a specific situation.

The issue with this way of thinking is that it gives us false peace and can set us up to be disappointed.

The peace we get from our own understanding is not lasting, but the peace we get from placing our trust in the way God takes care of things, His very nature and character; is ongoing and not dependent on the outcome of our situations and circumstances.

The Bible tells us in:

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

God it isn’t always easy but help me to pray about the matters I face. Help me to pray about people, things, situations and circumstances that I am tempted to see the worst in. Help me to articulate my needs. I thank you for all that you have done. May I experience Your peace which exceeds all that I understand. May it guard my heart and mind as I live in You. Help me to fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Help me to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise and to practice what I have learned. I need Your help. I need You in all of this. May I trust in Your word that confirms that you take care of those who give You their burdens. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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Taking Care of Our Roots

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So when I think about roots the first thing that comes to mind is the word deep. The next thing that comes to mind is where they are planted.

Biblical Definition:

Root, Roots (n) the part of a plant usually found underground; something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality)

The book of Isaiah… ahhh! I am in love with this book right now. It has definitely brought healing to my soul in this season and has whispered God’s promises into my life. Let’s venture into a few scriptures from this beloved book of the Bible.

Isaiah 11:1

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

Roots are where we come from; the new branch is where we are going. I’m so grateful that Jesus Christ came to save me from the sting of sin and death. I can continuously hope in Him because my hope is rooted in His truth and promises over me. He is the banner of salvation over me, and to you and I. This news alone can bring strength to the weary and life to dry bones. My hope is rooted in whom Christ is as the new Branch bearing fruit in me daily. I depend on the fact that He is unfailing, that even from a stump a new shoot could grow because of the resurrection power of our Promised Deliverer, the Messiah.

Isaiah 53:2

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

Although there was nothing beautiful or majestic about the appearance of Jesus, He was still the Son of God. Nothing and no one could take that away from Him. Whether we are attracted to Him or not, His roots have already spoken about who He is. He was destined to be the person God sent Him to be no matter what image His outward appearance portrayed. He was and is who God says He is and nothing could ever change that, not even dry and parched land could change this.

Can I be honest, I desire roots like those described in Isaiah 53:2. That no matter the circumstances, no matter the appearance of my present state I will shoot up, because of the plan and the purpose of God on my life. May our roots be that of Jesus’ and may they grow a shoot, bearing much fruit. Jesus reminds me that I don’t have to look a certain way to be the branch he desires me to be. He cares about my roots, where I am planted, what has cultivated them and Who is causing me to grow. True growth is from God and no outward appearance can take this growth away. I am reminded of a scripture and it goes like this,

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. – 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

In this scripture believers started to pledge loyalty to different teachers but ultimately their loyalty should have lied with God because He is the one that causes the Christian to grow. There is no substitute for Christ in our life. He is the root and foundation of our success. He is who will always be what connects us to God the Father and who our loyalty should lie with. Nothing can replace Christ as THE foundation on which we build and stand.

John 15:5

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

We were designed to produce good fruit and fruit that will last.

A plant is able to grow when it has sunlight, proper temperature, moisture, air and nutrients. As humans, we were never designed to grow, outside of being in relationship and communion with God. We were made in God’s image, to have relationship with Him and to have dominion over every living thing. We are a people that live in plain sight of everything that God has created on this earth. He has made the sky, the mountains the sea and we are a witness of so many of His beautiful works of wonder, but God made humans to care for us and to have communion with us.

Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—

what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

com·mun·ion

/kəˈmyo͞onyən/

noun

1. the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.

Through this communion and level of intimacy with God and as a result of it, we (God’s people) are to produce a crop of good deeds. To be productive for God we must obey His teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others and share our faith. This is the fruit that God looks for in people that belong to and have relationship with Him. He compares someone who claims to believe in God but doesn’t live for God to a tree that is unproductive and will be cut down.

Matthew 3:10

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Why are R O O T S so important?

Matthew 13:18-23

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Deep roots help us to last long. Last long in/with what? Last long: in relationship, connection and intimacy with God. Last long: in service and productivity towards the harvest of good deed that God is expecting of us.

(Good deeds: obey His teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others and share our faith)

How do our roots grow deep?

Our roots grow deep through maintaining our relationship and connection with God, obeying the things that He has asked and is asking us to do, by actively serving and helping others and sharing our faith (the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) with others. I know this can sound cliché and maybe someone may want to utter, ”That’s all?” after reading this. What I have explained regarding how our roots grow is, of course a bit more complex and may look a little different depending on our individual purpose, but in a nutshell, yes, this is all. When you think about the 5 main things a plant needs to grow do you say, “That’s all?” Probably not, and this is probably because you (the person over/responsible for the growth of the plant) understands in more depth the process that takes place when plants get the things that they need in order for them to grow. In the same way, God who is over us completely understands the process and what we (His creation) need in order to grow in Him. Staying faithful to the process and committed to our growth is of utmost importance if we desire to be people, believers and a creation that God is pleased with.

Ephesians 3:17

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

How do we care for our roots?

We care for our roots by embracing God’s love for us. We care for our roots by trusting in God, His word and His plan for our lives; so much so that we willingly obey Him. We care for our roots by surrendering all that we are and all that we hope to be to Jesus on a daily basis. We care for our roots by letting go of the things that destroy us and by grabbing ahold of the love of Christ. Through this experience we are made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:19) We care for our roots by experiencing God. We care for our roots through faith, in prayer and by living daily for Him.

Ask yourself questions. Make sure that you are always pursuing healthy roots. Roots that lead to what is good. We cannot have healthy roots or be good grounds for harvest or growth if we become trapped by many foolish and harmful desires.

Things to ask:

Do I spend time with God?

Am I in an intimate, living breathing and loving relationship with God? (Got this one from my Pastor)

Do I obey His teachings?

Do I resist temptation?

Do I actively serve and help others?

Am I sharing my faith?

It is easy to get caught up with the cares of this life and forget about things of God. God is asking us to be people who produce good fruit, even while we care for ourselves and work the land.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Please don’t take the quoting of this scripture out of context. God does not desire for us to be broke or to lack and be without. He desires for us to properly prioritize our love, loyalty, desires, pursuits cravings and appetite. May we always have a hunger for the things of God and love what pleases Him.

Jude 1:12

When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.

Here are some attitudes that are typically found in false teachers and those that claim to be of God but really are not:

-Pride

-Selfishness

-Jealousy

-Greed

-Lust for Power

-Disregard for God’s will

Stay far away from attitudes like these. Renounce and refuse any behavior that projects them.

I hope this blog has blessed you. I have some more like this coming.

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Trader Joe’s Cool Finds – II

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Hey 👋

So I’m back again with some more of my Trader Joe’s finds!

1st Up! Kalamata Olive Hummus! I love this hummus. I eat it with veggies like carrots, celery and I also eat it with tortilla chips or pita bread. It literally has little pieces of olives in it. The olives give the hummus a tart and almost pickled olive taste. It is so enjoyable that I sometimes eat it with carrots for lunch and I am completely full.

2nd. I think they sell two or three different types of dried mango. My favorite is the Soft & Juicy Mango. It’s a simple and healthy snack that I can pack in my bag for when I am on the go. It’s also perfect for the days I don’t meal prep!

3rd! Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats, Eli’s favorite! If he could eat it for every meal he would. I love these oats because it’s 100% Whole Grain Oats and takes about 2 minutes to cook! So simple, and Eli is full until about 11:00am when he eats his favorite oats.

4th is not food but just as awesome as the food. The Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash. I like Tea Tree bath products for the smell and the tingle in them. This body wash feels ahhhmazing on the skin while in a hot shower. It’s also light and still lathers well.

5th is a foaming hand soap called Botanical Bounty. I usually buy the methods brand foam hand soap and refill packs. The good thing about this hand soap is that it is gentle on the skin and when it’s all finished, because it has a foaming pump I can refill it with my methods large refill pack. I usually use this soap for the kitchen and the methods brand soap for the bathroom.

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10 Facts & 10 Tips for Childhood Development

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10 Facts

1. Babies and kids can laugh up to 300 times a day. Adults typically laugh at most, about 20 times a day.

2. A child’s brain has its most dramatic growth period from birth until the age of 5.

3. Babies and young kids, both have a hard time figuring out and separating background noises from voices speaking. So sometimes, a toddler isn’t ignoring being called, they are just dealing with the challenge of lacking response skills.

4. Children seem to develop best, when they have consistent contact with at least three, supportive and loving adult influences throughout their life. Positive family, friends, and community bonds are extremely important to a child’s success.

5. A baby’s language development can be accelerated if a parent makes an effort to respond to a baby’s vocalization more than 80% of the time.

6. Parents who speak to their babies often, typically know 300 more words than their peers, by the age of 2 years old.

7. A child’s brain may be at it’s full physical size by the time they reach kindergarten, but brain development doesn’t slow down until their 20s.

8. Children who enjoy playing a musical instrument or sing, greatly increase their math skills, attention span, and hand-eye coordination.

9. Development is a highly interactive process, and life outcomes are not determined solely by genes.

10. Stress disables learning. Cortisol, a hormone that kills off connections in the learning and memory parts of the brain, is produced during trauma. While you can’t (and shouldn’t) protect your child from all stressors, a close relationship with you and other caring adults will help her learn to cope and to feel good about herself.

Resourceful Links:

https://www.parents.com/search?q=Toddler+development+

Facts Taken From:

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/creativity-and-critical-thinking/learning-skills-for-kids/5-fast-facts-about-your-childs-brain.html

https://www.factinate.com/things/28-facts-child-development/

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/toddlers.html

10 Tips

1. Laughing with and at your children makes for a pretty fun environment, It is important to create a light and cheerful environment for your toddler. It’s important to laugh and be silly with your children. It takes more mussels to frown than it does to laugh. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 that “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Some ways to keep a light and cheerful environment for your little ones is by decluttering and being intentional on ways that you can make them smile. Does your child like to be tickled? Do they like silly faces? Do they like to dance? Ask yourself this question each day. How can I put a smile on my child’s face today?

2. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Did you know that after the age of 1 your child is no longer considered a baby? They become a toddler at age one and the first 8 years of their lives a crucial in their development. Here’s a link that I found to be really helpful regarding setting goals for younger children. Look it over. This link can help you with suggestions on what should take precedence regarding your toddlers learning. : https://earlychildhoodcares.uoregon.edu/forparents/preparing-for-ifsp/goals-for-younger-children/

3. Giving your child eye contact and getting on their level helps build confidence and communication in your little ones. Intentional and meaningful play also helps you to build relationship with your toddlers. Children are literal so being specific with your request, expectations and more helps them fulfill and reach set goals successfully. Being intentional about your engagement with your child is key.

4. Name and list the three or more supportive adult influences in your child’s life. Because we as parents are also human, we aren’t always good at everything. List areas you aren’t the best in. How do/can the other supportive adult influences make up in areas where you fall short? How do/can they contribute to your child’s development positively? What rituals and routines can be established with these adults and your child that are meaningful and can make your child feel special?

5. Have you ever heard someone say that they didn’t feel like they were being heard, so in turn they stopped speaking. The same can be thought for a toddler or child. Studies show that a baby that has been neglected will stop crying as a result of no one attending to their cry. This baby stops expecting for someone to come when they cry and as a result they don’t. They won’t cry when they are hungry, wet or if they are in pain because of this neglect. It is important to hold conversation with your children as often as you can. Respond to your little ones vocally. Make sure that when you can’t attend to their need or want at that moment you verbalize this. Your child needs the assurance of your voice. They need to know that someone hears them and sees them. This also builds confidence in your little ones. We have to build trust with our children, being attentive and focused helps to do this.

6. Engagement is key. Above everything that is required of me as an educator of toddlers, my management wants to see that my children are being engaged at all times. It is important to know that as an educator it is required of me to be attentive, nurturing, warm, responsive, respectful, guiding as well as be comfortable in following the lead of the children I teach. As parents, doing these things also make for great parent involvement.

7. Ways to increase your child brain development is fostering an early passion for books and create a healthy, balanced diet for them from a young age. Read to your child and encourage them by allowing them to turn pages as well as by making reading something that you do together. Food fuels the adult body and this is no different in children. Keep offering foods that are healthy for them even if they don’t show an interest. It can takes a toddlers up to 15 times of being offered a specific food to like or even try it. Stay strong. Lol

8. Music, instruments and singing are great for increasing core skills in your children. Have a favorite song with your child, make songs up together or create a band using household objects like pots and pans. It may seem silly but doing this can grow math skills and so much more in your child.

9. Your child’s good looks may come from genetics but their development won’t. Development is interactive. I recently took a training on the responsive environment. The core components of a responsive environment is respect, reflect and relate. This means that we should respect where our child is, reflect on ourselves and then assess how we can relate what the child is doing to their education and development. An example of this is let’s say your child is playing with blocks. You can begin by observing what they are doing, reflecting on what you can do and then proceed to relate by walking over, getting on their level and introducing the idea of stacking the blocks to make some sort of structure to them.

10. Ways that we can help our children in moments of fussiness is, at times allowing younger ones to self soothe. It is okay to allow our children to work through their emotions with minimal help on our end. We can reassure them verbally but allowing them to problem solve and figure things out, to an extent can help them with confidence, controlling their emotions and can help with better behavior in the long run.

I hope you enjoy this read and that this blog is a helpful resource to someone.

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Trader Joe’s Cool Finds – I

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1. Okay so this has to be number one because I typically buy two bags each time I visit Trader Joe’s and if Eli accompanies me, half of one bag is gone by the time we reach the registers. I buy one White Cheddar flavor and the other in a Sour Cream flavor. My personal favorite is the Sour Cream flavor. Another product that this can be compared to these corn puffs is Pirate Booties, but in my opinion these are way more flavorful! An absolute must have, every visit!

2. Sour Cream Spinach Dip! I went out on a whim when I tried these and I am sooo glad I did! I was not disappointed at all. I ate them with longboard tortilla chips on my first buy and since then I’ve kept it very simple by eating this dip with any type of tortilla chip or flour tortillas. I kept it very plain, but this dip is just that good, that you really don’t have to add anything else to it.

3. Tomato-Less Salsa! Yes I said it! This is ahhhmazing! My mom was the first person to share this with me. She brought it over to my house on Thanksgiving and I’ve been hooked ever since. I typically like to add it to my salads which eliminates me having to add salad dressing because of how flavorful it is. I also like to garnish my tacos (if you know me you know I love me a good taco) with it because this salsa adds some extra oomph! This is definitely an item that last me a while because a little goes a long way when I use it!

4. Seasoning anyone?! So what I love most about Trader Joe’s would have to be their seasonings. Have you ever tried to buy seasoning at a supermarket? Am I the only one that looks at the price like three times before I convince myself that I need to get the seasoning?! Lol I’m just being honest. In my opinion seasoning is expensive (raises both eyebrows) and this is exactly why I love Trader Joe’s seasoning so much. I don’t feel like I am dying when I buy them. Why? You ask. Because I am comfortable with their prices and the quality of the seasoning. 21 Seasoning Salute was the first one I fell in love with and since then I’ve added a few more to the list. I’ll be sure to share them with you in future blogs of my Trader Joe’s hauls and cool finds!

5. Last but definitely not least (for this blog at least) is Scallion Pancakes! I first tried them on one of my visits to Trader Joe’s while it was being prepared as a taste tester. I enjoyed the sample so much that I picked one up. I like these pancakes because it allows me to switch up my breakfast options. My go-to breakfast is usually a smoothie and something sweet (cereal, pancakes, bagel with peanut butter etc.) and these Scallion Pancakes are definitely more on the savory side. I also make a homemade tangy or spicy sauce to add to these pancakes which gives me the taste I am looking for regarding my savory option some mornings.

I hope you enjoyed checking out my first Trader Joe’s Cool Finds blog and I look forward to sharing more of them with you!

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