Posted in Simple Living

People are all over labels these days.  They are all looking for a box to fit into or a group to belong to.  If you are interested in sorta knowing me a bit more then you can put me in the following box - just don't limit me to that small realm.  I am a CrunchyCon Flexitarian!!!!!  LOL  I sat and had a conversation with a lady the other day while the kiddos were playing games at Cub Scouts.  She is a former aerobic instructor who still teaches yoga, eats a vegetarian diet, is pc when it comes to environmental issues and does NOT believe God or going to church are important.  We had a lot in common, though.  We were able to talk about many things and stay positive with it all.  She knows I am a Christian and I know she is not and that was ok for the time we had together.  I am not your typical conservative in many regards.  Oh, I am VERY conservative and VERY politically charged that direction (I listen to conservative radio and read conservative books)but there are a few things I am serious about because of the benefits to me and my family.  They are merely personal choices that I would NEVER force on someone because they are NOT written in stone in the Bible. 

*  I tried vegetarianism and LOVE the food but my blood sugar is too up and down with that so I NEED the meat protein from time to time.  So, I am a "MOST of the time" vegetarian (lacto-ovo) with some days when I know my body needs a bit of chicken or fish.  I listen to what my body is telling me and go by that.
*   I taught aerobics and was a personal trainer for awhile - it just gave me a bit more knowledge on health and fitness than I had before but I was humbled quickly in my "know-it-all" ways when I hit perimenopause...  Now, it is all a MOOT POINT!!!    The body, she ain't what she used to be... 
*   I eat and live the way I do for HEALTH reasons and not political reasons - God made cows and other animals for food - He knows WAY MORE THAN I DO.  I won't question that!!! 
*   I DO believe it is my responsibility as a CHRISTIAN to be responsible with the resources and property given loaned to me.  That means we practice leave no trace and no littering.  We practice composting and water conservation (because we live in the desert it it more imperative).  We turn the air off at night and the heat off at night.  We recycle and reuse as much as possible for us (we don't really have a great deal of recyclable stuff because we use so little packaging most of the time)
*   I love to garden and do it organically because we eat a great deal of what we grow.
*   We conserve energy consciously and deliberately.
*   We are back to nature types and LOVE hiking, fishing and camping (but I will NOT EVER like catch and release programs - I like to eat my fish)
*   I make almost ALL of our food from whole foods - no preservatives, no chemicals, no sugar added products, etc... allergies and sensitivities plays a large role in why we started this.
*   I mill my own grains and bake my own bread products.  ...another health choice for my family due to health issues.  I make my own yogurts and have started making my own cheeses when I can.  I make my own mayonnaise and dressings and sauces and vinaigrettes, etc...  (all because of allergies and health issues again)
*   I would wear Birkenstocks if I could afford them...  LOL  But I do have my hippy sandals and two pair of gardening clogs I wear daily.  I wear lots of freebies from friends and gently used clothing stores and sew for my family when I can.
*   I was a breastfeeding mommy who wore my babies in slings and fed them real foods from our table all mashed for their little mouths.  We tried cloth diapers (but not for long) and did a few other crunchy things along the way - some hilarious lessons of why we don't do things that way anymore!  LOL
*   I actually make granola and enjoy it often as does my family. 

There are things I won't do.  I won't see Al Gore's movie and I won't admit to global warming.  God is so much bigger than our irresponsible stewardship - He is still in total control, btw...  I won't say that abortion is a woman's choice.  I won't be supporting using viable fetal tissue for stem cell research.  I won't be supporting any candidate that signs off on any of this as well as tax increases and fiscal irresponsibility.  I don't practice yoga and eastern religious ideas.  I won't be touting the New Age movement ideology, having my fortune told, reading my horoscope or having my palm read.  I won't be delving into other religions and their practices out of any curiosity or desire to FIND my own way.  ...because they are contrary to scripture and the Bible does guide all my decisions on these matters.

None, and I mean NONE, of the above will get me to heaven.  They are merely choices.  Jesus is the One who has saved me from my own sin and misled adventures along the way.  He humbles me daily in all things.  I am very much a disciple of Christ.  I study every day and pray every day - not out of obligation but gratitude and a desire to KNOW HIM (the One who saved me and showed extreme mercy toward me while I was swallowed up in my sin).  I am evangelical in the way I live and did share my faith a bit with that lady the other day and I share regularly with those I come in contact with.   I believe in living simply and plainly and that the things of the world are fleeting.  I don't take much interest in wearing the latest styles or having the latest haircut.  My home is simple and contains things that mean something to my family.  We don't spend a great deal of money on things and the externals are just not the priority. I do have a thing for cookbooks that I am working on controlling, though...  LOL  I don't fit in a neat little box of Christians that have perfect hair and make-up nor do I fit with the homeschoolers who wear dresses and no make-up.  I am me and I do things the way I feel led to do them.  That is me, plain and simple and with a mind of my own and a style of my own (hopefully allowing God to shape it all along the way).  So, I am partially a CrunchyCon Flexitarian...  among other things and I do not fit neatly into any box for the most part.  I am Leann, I have come to terms with much of what that means and I like it that way!   Do I need to change and grow - OF COURSE I DO.  Coming to terms, for me, means that I know that I am still growing and changing and even though it is not always comfortable I have chosen to be obedient to what God brings.  Contentment lies in trusting God.   So, my goal is not to resemble the world but to live in Truth.  There have been some hard lessons in this along the way  and there will be more to come but...

I am resolved no longer to linger,
       charmed by the world's delight;
    Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
       These have allured my sight.

    I will hasten to Him, 
    hasten so glad and free;
    Jesus, Greatest, Highest,
    I will come to Thee.

I am resolved to go to the Savior,
       leaving my sin and strife;
    He is the true one, He is the just one,
       He hath the words of life.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,
       faithful and true each day,
    Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
       He is the living way.

I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
       leaving the paths of sin;
    Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me;
       Still will I enter in.

I am resolved, and who will go with me?
       come, friends, without delay,
    Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
       We'll walk the heav'nly way.