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		<title>Nurturing Creativity in Children</title>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:39:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Todays post is from my friend, Kara. I met Kara a few years ago in Prague and knew right away that we needed to be friends &#8211; She&#8217;s a photographer, a foodie who&#8217;s interested in health and nutrition, a world traveler, and she practices yoga. Kara has spent the last year living in the states [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><em>Todays post is from my friend, Kara. I met Kara a few years ago in Prague and knew right away that we needed to be friends &#8211; She&#8217;s a photographer, a foodie who&#8217;s interested in health and nutrition, a world traveler, and she practices yoga. Kara has spent the last year living in the states and is currently working on moving back to Prague. I will be looking forward to seeing her there soon! </em></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1221" title="Happy child with painted hands" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child-creativity.jpg" alt="Happy child with painted hands" width="600" height="399" /></p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">(Photo from Foundationphasewales.com)</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Children have an endless supply of creative energy. I see it when my nieces originate their own songs and dance moves; when my friend’s son takes a stack of white paper and a pencil and writes his own adventure stories. Children can make something out of nothing. Because they don’t care what people think they can authentically explore their uniqueness. I wish I had the imagination I did when I was 5!</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">As we grow up it seems that in our (American) culture, imagination and creativity are seen as childish and therefore we need to “grow up” and “live in reality”. Personally, I am passionate about art and allowing imagination and creativity to grow and I have my own mother to thank for that.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">I grew up with an incredibly artistic and talented mother. She was born and raised in New York City and spent much of her childhood attending ballets, Broadway, piano and guitar lessons and spent her evenings writing poetry. Naturally, from the time I was very young she instilled a deep desire to explore my creative side and not feel pressured to think only “inside the box”.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">If you want to encourage your child’s creativity start here:</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Remember that creativity is not just a project or after school distraction. Encourage your kids to see the value in art. Take them to a museum, a gallery, a cooking demonstration. Allow them to witness others living out their unique talents. Ask the right questions. Find what kind of art your children like and take the time to explore that with them.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">As an artist, I can say that I need my space in order to create. As much as you want to encourage your child, don’t hover or feel the need to monitor at all times. Allow them a safe environment to explore. Honestly, they don’t need us to tell them how to draw, build or design something. If anything, we can learn so much more by watching them! Also, refrain from giving judgment or too much critique. Remember that art is as unique as people are, and despite how you may want to react, your child needs to feel that what they offer to the art world holds value. Love them for their willingness to try, not the end result.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Offer guidance in whatever ways you can. If you enjoy cooking, bring your child into the kitchen with you and offer them the opportunity to participate. If you play an instrument, share your love of music. Whatever it may be, don’t hold back. Art is meant to be shared.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Lastly, it’s important that originality is cultivated. The greatest innovators have always been those who thought differently from the rest. Just think how different our world would be if people like The Wright Brothers, Pablo Picasso or even J.K. Rowling were not encouraged to be themselves, original and full of imagination.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">To see a few young artists’ creativity, check out the International Child Art Foundation’s gallery.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Here’s a fun family art project that everyone can participate in!</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Using an old toy chest, a cardboard box, etc you and spend time with your family making a family keepsake box; something to hold your mementos for years to come.  I love using recycled materials and craft supplies including glue, stencils, markers, paint, newspaper or used colored tissue paper  and gift wrap.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 1097px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Get creative and cut out a variety of shapes and use lots of color! Let each family member design and contribute something that expresses who they are. The best part is deciding what to include in the keepsake box. My family has placed old movie ticket stubs, vacation photos, souvenirs, foreign money, music CDs that we all like, anything that reminds of quality time together. Ours even has a jar of sand and a small sombrero from a trip to Mexico. Take pictures of your family during this project and use those as the first memento to go in the box!</div>
<p>(Photo from Foundationphasewales.com)</p>
<blockquote><p>“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso</p></blockquote>
<p>Children have an endless supply of creative energy. I see it when my nieces originate their own songs and dance moves; when my friend’s son takes a stack of white paper and a pencil and writes his own adventure stories. Children can make something out of nothing. Because they don’t care what people think they can authentically explore their uniqueness. I wish I had the imagination I did when I was 5!</p>
<p>As we grow up it seems that in our (American) culture, imagination and creativity are seen as childish and therefore we need to “grow up” and “live in reality”. Personally, I am passionate about art and allowing imagination and creativity to grow and I have my own mother to thank for that.</p>
<p>I grew up with an incredibly artistic and talented mother. She was born and raised in New York City and spent much of her childhood attending ballets, Broadway, piano and guitar lessons and spent her evenings writing poetry. Naturally, from the time I was very young she instilled a deep desire to explore my creative side and not feel pressured to think only “inside the box”.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">If you want to encourage your child’s creativity start here:</span></p>
<ul>
<li>Remember that creativity is not just a project or after school distraction. Encourage your kids to see the value in art. Take them to a museum, a gallery, a cooking demonstration. Allow them to witness others living out their unique talents. Ask the right questions. Find what kind of art your children like and take the time to explore that with them.</li>
<li>As an artist, I can say that I need my space in order to create. As much as you want to encourage your child, don’t hover or feel the need to monitor at all times. Allow them a safe environment to explore. Honestly, they don’t need us to tell them how to draw, build or design something. If anything, we can learn so much more by watching them! Also, refrain from giving judgment or too much critique. Remember that art is as unique as people are, and despite how you may want to react, your child needs to feel that what they offer to the art world holds value. Love them for their willingness to try, not the end result.</li>
<li>Offer guidance in whatever ways you can. If you enjoy cooking, bring your child into the kitchen with you and offer them the opportunity to participate. If you play an instrument, share your love of music. Whatever it may be, don’t hold back. Art is meant to be shared.</li>
<li>Lastly, it’s important that originality is cultivated. The greatest innovators have always been those who thought differently from the rest. Just think how different our world would be if people like The Wright Brothers, Pablo Picasso or even J.K. Rowling were not encouraged to be themselves, original and full of imagination.</li>
</ul>
<p>To see a few young artists’ creativity, check out the<a href="http://www.icaf.org/"> International Child Art Foundation’s gallery</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Here’s a fun family art project that everyone can participate in!</strong></p>
<p>Using an old toy chest, a cardboard box, etc you and spend time with your family making a family keepsake box; something to hold your mementos for years to come.  I love using recycled materials and craft supplies including glue, stencils, markers, paint, newspaper or used colored tissue paper  and gift wrap.</p>
<p>Get creative and cut out a variety of shapes and use lots of color! Let each family member design and contribute something that expresses who they are. The best part is deciding what to include in the keepsake box. My family has placed old movie ticket stubs, vacation photos, souvenirs, foreign money, music CDs that we all like, anything that reminds of quality time together. Ours even has a jar of sand and a small sombrero from a trip to Mexico. Take pictures of your family during this project and use those as the first memento to go in the box!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.14in; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; widows: 2; orphans: 2;">
<div class="bio"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1260" title="Copy of P1060925web" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Copy-of-P1060925web-150x150.jpg" alt="Copy of P1060925web" width="150" height="150" />Kara is a believer in living life creatively and holistically. Her passion for art has led her on many adventures through the years and she now enjoys sharing her creative gifts with aspiring young artists. Kara&#8217;s interest in a holistic lifestyle was fueled after years of being frustrated with traditional, Western medicine which caused her to step into the world of<span style="border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: #366388; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat;">alternative medicine</span>. Shortly after making a few basic changes to her lifestyle, she saw results and now feels empowered to share with others the benefits of preventative, natural<span style="background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat;"> medicine</span>. Her personal goal is to live as physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy and thriving as possible, 100% of the time and encourage others to do the same. You can follow her thoughts and travels at her blog: <a style="color: #2a5db0;" href="http://karabess.wordpress.com" target="_blank">karabess.wordpress.com</a></span></span></span></p>
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		<title>Salsa With a Side of Inspiration</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:14:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is another guest post from my friend, Lindsey. I love the story about how this salsa was created and I can&#8217;t wait to make some myself! 
A few weeks ago I was sitting in the front yard of a dear friend of mine, Becky, soaking up some sunshine and watching our children splash around [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>This is <a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/16/summer-eating/">another guest post from my friend, Lindsey</a></em><em>. I love the story about how this salsa was created and I can&#8217;t wait to make some myself! </em></p>
<p>A few weeks ago I was sitting in the front yard of a dear friend of mine, Becky, soaking up some sunshine and watching our children splash around on their slip and slide. Both of us mommas are pregnant so it didn&#8217;t take long before we needed a snack and some water. Out she comes with some fresh made Pico De Gallo Salsa and a side of corn chips. It was delicious, refreshing and enjoyed by all.<br />
The fallowing day I invited another special friend to come over with her children to enjoy playing on our home made &#8220;water park&#8221;, a sprinkler set up under the trampoline. Super fun!<br />
<strong><em><br />
</em></strong><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1249" title="summer 2010 111" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/summer-2010-111-768x1024.jpg" alt="summer 2010 111" width="384" height="512" /></p>
<p>This friend,<em> also</em> pregnant, and I wanted something cool, sweet and tart, maybe with a little spice.<br />
I had some Jalipanios left over from some homemade Jalipanio Poppers we made a few nights earlier, a late night craving that my wonderful husband helped satisfy with a quick run to the store. I knew we had a Mango in the fridge as well as onlion, tomato, bell pepers ect.  I started cutting, and dicing the fruit and veggies with the thought of Becky&#8217;s Salsa from the day before vividly in mind.<br />
Here is what I came up with:<br />
<strong><br />
Mango Salsa</strong><br />
1 whole diced mango<br />
1/2 a large white onion diced<br />
1 large tomato chopped<br />
2 whole Jalapenos, seeded and finely diced<br />
1 orange, red, or yellow bell pepper chopped<br />
(you can also mix and match the Bell Peppers to make it more colorful)<br />
1 small handful cilantro, torn<br />
Juice from one small Lime<br />
1 Tbl. Rice Vinegar<br />
1 Pinch of Sea Salt</p>
<p><strong><em><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1250" title="summer 008" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/summer-008-1024x768.jpg" alt="summer 008" width="512" height="384" /><br />
</em></strong></p>
<p>We ate the whole batch and I found out later that Marianne went home and made her own batch&#8230;<br />
Since then I have made it for our family, as gifts dropped off at a friends who was having a rough day and a BBQ we went to over the weekend.<br />
I have heard that almost everyone who has had it, goes to their kitchen and makes up their own batch. Some with the mango, but others have used Peach, or Pineapple.<br />
I hope you are able to try this tasty salsa. Enjoy it with some chips, or over some grilled fish.<br />
Let me know how you like it and what changes you make. I love to play around with recipes and get inspiration from others.</p>
<p>Special thanks to Becky for a fun day and the inspiration!</p>
<p>I&#8217;m contributing this post to<a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/27/two-for-tuesdays-volume-7/"> Two for Tuesdays</a> this week and also <a href="http://www.simplysugarandglutenfree.com/slightly-indulgent-tuesday-72710/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+SimplySugarGluten-free+(Simply+Sugar+%26+Gluten-Free)">Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays</a>. Check out the links for lots of other great posts.</p>
<div class="bio"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1141" title="Pregnancy" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Pregnancy-150x150.jpg" alt="Pregnancy" width="150" height="150" />I am the wife of a phenomenal husband and my dearest friend.<br />
I am the mother of four beautiful children, one of which is to still in Utero.<br />
I am pregnant and LOVE it!<br />
I live in the beautiful state of Washington.<br />
I am the supporter of many, but close friend to a few wonderful people.<br />
I love to be outdoors, exploring the world and playing with my children.<br />
I am an aspiring crafty person and trying my hand at sewing, knitting and art.<br />
I love food, eating it, cooking it, cutting it and picking it.<br />
I enjoy reading many books, and researching online as well as learning from my educated friends and mentors.<br />
I have delivered all three of my children at home and planning to have this next baby in the same peaceful manner. <img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1142" title="fam" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/fam.jpg" alt="fam" width="130" height="97" /><br />
I am an advocate for breastfeeding and peaceful parenting.<br />
I love families and enjoy supporting them during their journey.<br />
I am blessed to have a relationship with the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.</div>
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		<item>
		<title>Two for Tuesdays Volume 7</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/9WXmqWEdgf4/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/27/two-for-tuesdays-volume-7/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:18:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday blog hop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays blog hop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1254</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Another Tuesday is here and it&#8217;s time for Two for Tuesdays again! We have been having so many wonderful people participate in Two for Tuesdays and it&#8217;s growing faster than I had ever imagined. Thank you all for being a part of this fun carnival. I can&#8217;t wait to see what you bring to the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Another Tuesday is here and it&#8217;s time for Two for Tuesdays again! We have been having so many wonderful people participate in Two for Tuesdays and it&#8217;s growing faster than I had ever imagined. Thank you all for being a part of this fun carnival. I can&#8217;t wait to see what you bring to the table this week!</p>
<h2 style="font-size: 1.5em;">Here&#8217;s a little review of the &#8220;rules&#8221;:</h2>
<ol>
<li>Write a post having to do with real food.</li>
<li>In your post, <strong>add a link back to THIS PAGE</strong> (or any of my fellow blog hosts Two for Tuesday posts for this week) and add one of the badges below (if you want).</li>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/06/14/two-for-tuesday-blog-hop/" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/twofortuesdays.jpg" border="0" alt="BethStedman.com" /></a><textarea rows="4" name="textarea"></textarea></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bethstedman.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj214/girlichef/misc%20blog%20badges/24TbadgeBethStedman.jpg" border="0" alt="24TbadgeBethStedman" /></a><br />
<textarea cols="20" rows="4" name="textarea"></textarea></p>
<li>Add the URL for your POST (<strong>NOT</strong><strong> your blog home page</strong>) to the list using the Linky bellow (or the Linky on Alex, Heather, or Michelle’s site).</li>
<li>Leave a comment too and let us know what you are contributing this week.</li>
<li>Hop around and enjoy all the great content gathered in one place!!</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Alright, everyone Start Hopping!</strong>!</p>
<p>Rejoicing in the journey -<br />
Bethany Stedman</p>
<p><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=36615" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
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		<title>Admiration Monday: Bethany Stedman</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/YFgr1l7MoDQ/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/26/admiration-monday-bethany-stedman/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:55:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Admiration Mondays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Admiration Monday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beth Stedman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bethany Stedman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carrie Schwender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[me]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stedman]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1175</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Haha. Yeah, you read that title right. Todays guest post is all about me.  I asked my dear friend, Carrie, to write a guest blog for me and told her that she could write about anything that she wanted. Carrie is probably my closest friend right now and my husband and I basically share a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Haha. Yeah, you read that title right. Todays guest post is all about me.  I asked my dear friend, Carrie, to write a guest blog for me and told her that she could write about anything that she wanted. Carrie is probably my closest friend right now and my husband and I basically share a flat with her and her husband (although we each have our own private living spaces). Anyway, Carrie chose to add to my Admiration Monday series by writing a post about me. <em>Admiration Mondays is a series I&#8217;ve been doing for a while with the idea that we all need to hear words of encouragement and get a little public recognition every now and then. </em>I can&#8217;t even begin to tell you how humbled and honored I was by this post. And honestly I feel a little hesitant to post something like this about myself on my own blog. But, she wrote it to be shared publicly and Admiration Mondays are meant to be public statements. So&#8230; here it is. Thank you, my beautiful friend, for writing such sweet words of encouragement for me. </em></p>
<p>Good morning from Prague. I get to admire someone today that you also have “met”. Bethany Stedman. I am inspired by her and what she is exploring on this blog. Her passion for nutrition and creating good real food continues to fascinate me. I also really enjoy reading Bethany’s blog because I get to see a side of her that I usually don’t get to see. I usually see her early in the morning or late at night when I knock on her door to say hi. So I thought it would be good to introduce you to a side of Bethany that maybe you don’t know.</p>
<p>Just a bit of background….I met Bethany 3.5 years ago in Prague. And for Prague life that is a long time. The first time it hit me that we were going to be friends was maybe the 3<sup>rd</sup> or 4<sup>th</sup> time I saw her. It was at a friend’s baby shower. She arrived dressed like a pixie, with braided hair wrapped around her head and her camera. She hid behind her camera in those days, capturing the world around her to the delight of the rest of us. Since those times she has been a shoulder to cry on, a daily part of my life, and a real honest follower of God.</p>
<p>When someone meets Bethany they realize that they keep meeting her. Her treasures are deep and plentiful but not showy. I love this about Bethany. I love the way she offers herself to you simply and if you see it &#8211; you realize you are being handed gold. Her depth and ability unfold for you and await your discovery.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1244" title="16647_165085583094_627823094_2753627_4663317_n" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/16647_165085583094_627823094_2753627_4663317_n-300x200.jpg" alt="16647_165085583094_627823094_2753627_4663317_n" width="300" height="200" />I am learning so much from Bethany about loving husbands, entering motherhood, living purposefully, struggling with God. The quality of Bethany that perhaps stands out most to me is that when I am with her I sense I am in the presence of something real and tangible. It is a real moment. And I always feel seen and heard. It is hard to describe. There is something solid about Bethany. She doesn’t have an agenda for you and she doesn’t try and impress you. Bethany and her husband offer themselves to those they meet.</p>
<p>Bethany also is a woman of strength with a hidden ability to lead people into an encounter with God. When she is leading you in yoga there is a deep strength that you implicitly trust and want more of. Her beauty and depth brings favor to her husband, son, friends and community.</p>
<p>I admire her tremendous courage to engage head on, the ways she wants to raise her son even though some people might not understand. Even her decision to be in Prague at this point is made thoughtfully, weighing the costs.</p>
<p>I am also thankful for her acceptance of me in my most broken moments. Bethany is a strong broad tree that is only rising in glory and that will shade and nourish many people in the future.</p>
<p>The King’s favor rests on her.</p>
<p>Bethany is a rich gift to me and those she meets. I admire her so much.</p>
<p>A Prayer of Blessing for Bethany Stedman.</p>
<p>Circle Bethany, Jesus,<br />
Keep peace within<br />
and discouragement out.<br />
Circle Bethany, Spirit,<br />
May these days of travel be filled with rest and refreshment for her.<br />
May all her days be filled with love and deep joy.<br />
Circle Bethany, Father/Mother of us all,<br />
Let her branches and root grow deep.</p>
<p>May her leaves and shade overflow into abundant fruit.<br />
Circle Bethany, Jesus,<br />
protect her deep heart,<br />
guide her dreams,<br />
quiet her insecurities.<br />
Circle Bethany, Spirit,<br />
Keep joy near,<br />
and turmoil afar.<br />
Circle Bethany, Father/Mother,<br />
Nourish her being,<br />
fill her heart and home with Life.<br />
In the name of the eternal three in one,<br />
Bless Bethany, that she might continue to bless others.<br />
Amen.</p>
<div class="bio"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1243" title="carrie" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/carrie-150x150.jpg" alt="carrie" width="150" height="150" />Carrie Ruth Schwender is called right now to a hold a place for God. This place is a hostel in Prague. She knows that she has only a few rohliky (Czech hotdog buns) to offer and that the great baker will have to fill the quota for the rest of the big order. She aspiries to live loved. That&#8217;s enough.</div>
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		<item>
		<title>Scenes From My Life: Making Ice Cream</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/R_gk7GYIxX8/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/25/scenes-from-my-life-making-ice-cream/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:07:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creme de Menthe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grandma's Creme de Menthe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grandma's Creme de Menthe Ice Cream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grandma's ice cream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ice cream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[making ice cream]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my dad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photographs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[photos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pictures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scenes from my life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Nelson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1231</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I come from a long line of foodies. I was lucky enough to be raised around good food. My mom enjoys cooking and when it comes to good homecooked nourishing meals it&#8217;s hard to beat some of her classics, but my dad LOVES cooking. He doesn&#8217;t just cook, he perfects. He&#8221;ll pick a recipe and make it [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I come from a long line of foodies. I was lucky enough to be raised around good food. My mom enjoys cooking and when it comes to good homecooked nourishing meals it&#8217;s hard to beat some of her classics, but my dad LOVES cooking. He doesn&#8217;t just cook, he perfects. He&#8221;ll pick a recipe and make it over and over, making little changes along the way until he goes it just right. He&#8217;ll learn about the chemistry behind what he&#8217;s making so that he can really understand why things combine the way they do and use that knowledge to make things taste better. I grew up with my dad reading cook books for fun and taking cooking classes in France for vacations and making friends with chefs at his favorite restaurants.</p>
<p> But, the family love for food goes even farther back than my dad. It extends to my grandparents and extended family as well. One of my favorite food memories from my childhood is making Creme de Menthe ice cream with my grandma. She was always very secretive about her ice cream recipe and it was always so special when she made it.</p>
<p>This weekend I was at my parents house with my cousin (who is more like a little sister to me) and my aunt and we decided my dad needed to give us a cooking lesson on ice cream. Of course, the only choice for what kind of ice cream to make was Creme de Menthe. So, we made three kinds of Creme de Menthe ice cream. We made my grandma&#8217;s recipe first of course. And then we decided to play. Grandma&#8217;s recipe isn&#8217;t a custard based recipe so we decided to adapt it into a custard based ice cream. Then my cousin and I said we wanted to know how to make it without an ice cream maker so my dad showed us how to make a Creme de Menthe gelato without an ice cream maker. THEN since we had egg whites left over from making the custard we decided to make a Chocolate Creme de Menthe mouse. Oh, yay! It was a VERY good day! Here are a few pictures from our cooking extravaganza.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1232" title="Video 49 0 00 40-22" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-49-0-00-40-221.jpg" alt="Video 49 0 00 40-22" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1233" title="Video 50 0 02 17-21" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-50-0-02-17-21.jpg" alt="Video 50 0 02 17-21" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1234" title="Video 56 0 00 01-06" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-56-0-00-01-06.jpg" alt="Video 56 0 00 01-06" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1235" title="Video 58 0 00 25-26" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-58-0-00-25-26.jpg" alt="Video 58 0 00 25-26" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1241" title="Video 77 0 02 31-07" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-77-0-02-31-07.jpg" alt="Video 77 0 02 31-07" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1236" title="Video 68 0 01 14-23 (2)" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-68-0-01-14-23-2.jpg" alt="Video 68 0 01 14-23 (2)" width="320" height="240" /><br />
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1237" title="Video 77 0 00 00-07" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Video-77-0-00-00-07.jpg" alt="Video 77 0 00 00-07" width="320" height="240" /><br />
Rejoicing in the journey -<br />
Beth Stedman</p>
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		<title>Olive Oil Cake</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/5zAt--GpWzQ/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/23/olive-oil-cake/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:15:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cake recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cake recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cookies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dessert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dessert recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dessert recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[egg-free]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Olive Oil Cake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sweet recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sweets]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1223</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today I want to share with you a little story to illustrate how I cook…
Lately we have been trying to pay off some debt and my contribution has been that about once every third week or every other week I cut our food budget in half and we get by on very limited fugal meals [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Today I want to share with you a little story to illustrate how I cook…</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Lately we have been trying to pay off some debt and my contribution has been that about once every third week or every other week I cut our food budget in half and we get by on very limited fugal meals for that week. I’m looking forward to not doing this anymore, but it works for us for now. So, a few weeks ago was one of these weeks. As we neared the end of the week I had very little in my fridge and cupboard. Basically we had the stuff we needed for meals and a few stock items, but not much else. I was hungry and desperately craving something sweet. Usually I’d try and ignore that craving and pour myself a glass of kefir or something like that instead. But, I was all out of Kefir and on this particular day I felt like indulging.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">I wanted to bake something, but I didn’t have any butter left, no lard, no coconut oil, no milk, and no eggs either. So, how was I to make the cookies or cake that I was craving without a good heat stable fat and without eggs or milk? I got on-line, read some recipes, and then just started mixing stuff together. I cheated a little and used olive oil for my fat (something I try to avoid using for high heat cooking like baking). In the end, I created this yummy Olive Oil Cake. My intention was that it would be cookies, but I was too lazy to make cookies so I just stuck the dough in a pie pan and make it cake instead. I’m glad I did. I personally thought that this was delicious! So, good in fact we ate it in just two days… well, when I say we I really mean that my husband had two small pieces and I ate the rest!</p>
<h3>Olive Oil Cake:</h3>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>2 cups flour (I used a bit of wheat flour and a bit of white flour – I think 1 cup of each)</li>
<li>¾ cup unrefined cane sugar (Rapadura)</li>
<li>½ teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li>½ cup extra-virgin olive oil</li>
<li>3 Tablespoons milk</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla (I actually used a cap full of the vanilla lid, but I think it’s about 1 teaspoon)</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong>Method:</strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a greased pie pan or small cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F or just under 200 degrees C until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (roughly 10 minutes or so).</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">This is great served with tea and I bet it would be excellent with a drizzle of honey over it or some fresh fruit preserves as well.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Rejoicing in the journey -<br />
Beth Stedman</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">This post has been entered in the following carnivals:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/fight-back-friday-july-23rd/">Fight Back Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://annkroeker.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/food-on-fridays-we-are-real-and-so-is-the-food/"> Food on Friday</a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Check out all the above links for lots of great posts about one of my favorite things, FOOD!</p>
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		<title>Parenting Thoughts From a Pregnant Mama</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/-q7Xu42a1iA/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/22/parenting-thoughts-from-a-pregnant-mama/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:38:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1212</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This post is a guest post from my friend, Melissa. I&#8217;ve known Melissa for a long time and I&#8217;m so excited for her to become a mommy. She writes here about some thoughts on parenthood and her experience finding out the sex of her baby. I similarly &#8220;freaked out&#8221; like she did when I actually [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 30px;"><em>This post is a guest post from my friend, Melissa. I&#8217;ve known Melissa for a long time and I&#8217;m so excited for her to become a mommy. She writes here about some thoughts on parenthood and her experience finding out the sex of her baby. I similarly &#8220;freaked out&#8221; like she did when I actually found out the sex of the baby I was having &#8211; suddenly I could connect to the baby in a whole new way and it all felt so much more real. Thanks again for sharing this post with me, Melissa. I can&#8217;t wait to see you and your beautiful belly soon!</em></p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1213" title="IMG_5702" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_5702-300x224.jpg" alt="IMG_5702" width="300" height="224" />This is a letter I wrote to my still-forming precious little baby before I knew what gender “it” was.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>Right now you are still an “it”. I don’t know if you are a boy or a girl. I will probably find out tomorrow. Everyone is so anxious to know what you! Everyone keeps asking, “Is it a boy or girl?” “Do you know what it is yet?” But I don’t mind putting it off for some reason. I’m not as anxious to find out what you are as other people. I actually kind of like that right now you are unknown and all the possibilities for you lay ahead. </em></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><em> I feel like once people know the sex, you’ll start getting pigeonholed and I think I might do that to you too. If you’re a girl I start seeing softball and baton twirling or dancing and things that I did when I was a little girl. If you’re a boy I start thinking blue and baseball and business savvy. </em></p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>I just don’t ever what you to be limited by anybody’s expectations… including my own. I want you to be free to pursue whatever desires God places in your soul. To be able to proudly indulge and excel at whatever gifts God chooses to bless you with… even if those things aren’t sports or school or whatever it is that I might see in mind tomorrow when I find out what sex you are. </em></p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>Girl or boy, I will love you either way and will try to remember to help you get to </em><em><strong>your</strong></em><em> success and the fullest potential of </em><em><strong>your</strong></em><em> gifts… not my preconceived notions of what those things might be. I want you to be free to be you… whoever that is… </em><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><em></em></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;">We had the ultrasound soon after I wrote this letter and had the ultrasound tech write down if it was a boy or a girl and put it in a small envelope. I opened the envelope on Mother’s day and was pleasantly surprised to find out we would be having a girl.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;">Opening it on Mother’s day was a nice surprise but made me experience Mother’s day in a whole new light. Mother’s day was usually a day of appreciation and thanks for my mother and it still was. But this mother’s day was different, it felt heavy. Finding out this little being inside of me was a girl somehow made the situation all of the sudden so REAL. It was no longer this light fanciful little thing that I would be a mom soon… it was so real! There is a child inside of me… a girl. A girl that would soon need a girl name and girl room and would soon be out in the world developing her own little girl personality and would need a mom. Ack! It’s Mother’s Day… I am going to be a mom! That is SO MUCH responsibility! ! ! Can I handle that? I appreciated my mom in a whole new way that mother’s day. She did so much for me, and sacrificed so much for me, and loved me so well. I could only hope that I would be as good a mother as my mom was to me.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;">I still freak out about being a mom but with a little less intensity than that day. I’m not quite sure how to explain it or what a good analogy would be. Maybe like a road. Before I knew what “It” was, it was like a road that was going to be built in the future. “Oh a road! That’s nice! I’m glad one will be put in. That will really make travel easier and nicer. I could really use that”. Then, the day I found out she was girl it was like I was standing looking out at a straight 10 miles stretch of uncared for land with weeds and big rocks and all of the sudden I was told it was MY responsibility to build this whole long stretch of road. Freak out! Now I feel more like I know this is going to be a long road raising this child, but it isn’t going to be built in a day. It will take a few bricks or pavers every day and I will have the hands of friends of family to call on for help if I need it.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;" align="CENTER"><strong>Thoughts on parenting from the Bible</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Proverbs 29:15 “Discipline your 	son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your 	soul.”</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Hebrews 12:11 “No disciple seems 	pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a 	harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained 	by it”</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not 	exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and 	instruction of the Lord” (The Message Version)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Proverbs 3:11 -12 “ Do not 	despise the Lord’s disciple and do not resent his rebuke, because 	the Lord disciplines those he loves.”</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left: 0.75in; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 10px;" align="CENTER"><strong>Other parenting thoughts</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The main goal of parenting should 	be to develop GODLY CHARACTER (not good grades, having your child be 	the top athlete, or having your child achieve worldly success).</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Prepare your child for the path, 	not the path for your child.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Discipline with consequences 	rather than outbursts. Instead of raising your voice, raise your 	standards.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">According to some research, a 	child’s moral foundation is in place by age 9 and there spiritual 	foundation by age 13.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Values are <em>caught</em> by 	children not <em>taught</em> to children. Am I walking what I’m 	talking about?</p>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="bio">
<p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0.19in;"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1210" title="IMG_6771" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_6771-150x150.jpg" alt="IMG_6771" width="150" height="150" />I&#8217;m a Christian, wife, medical professional, and soon to be mother from Phoenix, Arizona. I am fascinated with the physiology of our bodies, love almost all things food, and love to travel when I get the opportunity. I often find myself trying to find a balance between two very different ideas i.e. the science of western medicine and the methodologies of Eastern and naturopathic medicine, having a &#8220;family bed&#8221; vs &#8220;Ferberizing&#8221; my baby, fighting between champagne taste and a beer budget, etc. I feel like there is a ying and yang to everything and and my journey right now is about trying to find that balance&#8230; that and doing all the other everyday chores that need to be done. <img src='http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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<p class="buymebeer"><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" target="paypal" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_xclick" /><input type="hidden" name="business" value="beth.stedman@gmail.com" /><input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://bethstedman.com/thank-you/" /><input type="hidden" name="item_name" value="Bethany Stedman for Parenting Thoughts From a Pregnant Mama" /><input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD" /><input type="hidden" name="amount" value="" /><input type="image" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/buy-me-beer/icon_cafe.gif" align="left" alt="Buy me a cup of tea" title="Buy me a cup of tea" hspace="3" /></form><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&amp;business=beth.stedman@gmail.com&amp;currency_code=USD&amp;amount=&amp;return=http://bethstedman.com/thank-you/&amp;item_name=Bethany+Stedman+for+Parenting+Thoughts+From+a+Pregnant+Mama" target="paypal">If you like this post please consider buying me a cup of tea (Suggested: $3 a cup)</a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/bethstedman/~4/-q7Xu42a1iA" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>The God Who is Not Embarrassed</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/iExAr1WwT9I/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/21/the-god-who-is-not-embarrassed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:22:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dreams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guest Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thoughts on Christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA["good religious girl"]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bartimaeus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deep desires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desiring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[embarrassed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[have mercy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hearts desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus Prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[journey into desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[longing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[not embarrassed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual formation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spirituality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[want]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wanting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what do you want]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1199</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is another guest post from my beautiful friend, Tara. And it&#8217;s definitely one that I needed to hear right now. Growing up as a &#8220;good religious girl&#8221; I struggle with desire and how to handle my own desires. I struggle with how to honestly and openly journey into desire and invite God into my [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>This is <a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/08/getting-down-and-dirty/">another guest post from my beautiful friend, Tara</a>. And it&#8217;s definitely one that I needed to hear right now. Growing up as a &#8220;good religious girl&#8221; I struggle with desire and how to handle my own desires. I struggle with how to honestly and openly journey into desire and invite God into my desires. So, this post hit home for me personally. Tara always has a way of saying things that I need to hear right when I need to hear them and I&#8217;m so glad that I got a chance to see her in person and connect with her this past week. Thanks again, my friend!</em></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><br />
</em></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1205" title="LGLPMexico34" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/LGLPMexico34-300x200.jpg" alt="LGLPMexico34" width="300" height="200" />Have you ever been in a public place when somebody blurted something out that made everyone else around turn red with embarrassment?  Quite a few years ago, standing in the checkout line at Target, my little son stood up in the cart and, at the top of his lungs, yelled…“Mom…I need to go psssst!!!” and then proceeded to point to those body parts that mothers wish their kids wouldn’t point to in public.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">I am not totally sure what I did, but I am sure I wished that I could have looked around bewildered, asking how some strange child (obviously not mine!) had gotten into my cart.  Embarrassed, I did not want to claim this one as my own!!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Now, quite a few years later, I am coming to realize that how I felt that day in Target is oftentimes how I feel about the deep desires within my heart.  Their strength and volume embarrass and, honestly, scare me.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">The “good religious girl” in me is unnerved by the deep rumblings of my soul and asks questions like:</p>
<ul>
<li>what about being selfless and sacrificing?</li>
<li>what if this leads you away from God?</li>
<li>can you really trust the desires of your heart?</li>
<li>aren’t they full of sin and marred by your depravity?</li>
<li>what if you name your desire and then realize it can’t be lived?</li>
<li>isn’t desiring bad?</li>
<li>shouldn’t you just read the Bible and “do”?</li>
<li>what if a desire is in opposition to what God wants?</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">She asks all these questions in rapid fire succession, all while glancing around nervously to be sure nobody actually heard the stated desire out loud.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">It is not that those questions are bad, but it is here where I get stuck.  Do I stay where I am or do I journey into desire?  And what if I lose my way on the journey?  Some of the spiritual authors I read – CS Lewis, John Eldridge, Sue Monk Kidd, Ruth Haley Barton – all speak of this journey into exploring our desires.  But if I were to be honest, I am afraid at the force of the desires that press against my heart and make me feel like they will undo me.  I am afraid to say them out loud for others to hear…for me to hear…for God to hear.  I am afraid to want.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">As I sit silently with this longing ache, I am reminded of the story of Bartimaeus and Jesus in Mark 10.  It is a story of much shouting, and shushing and eventually poignnant question asking.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">In the narrative the blind beggar Bartimaeus knows that Jesus is near and does not want to waste the opportunity; he begins to cry out!!  Interestingly, his cry is “Jesus, son of God, have mercy on me!!!”  It is from this portion of Scripture that we get our orthodox “Jesus Prayer”, and it dawned on me that it is a cry of desperation and longing for Jesus to stop…pay attention…and notice.  It is the cry of utter longing mixed with the physical reality of a present state of total blindness.  It is the state I find myself in as I take the journey of desire.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">If we read on in the passage, we can see that these longing shouts unnerve the crowd.  People try to shut Bartimaeus up.  His desire and his loud cries are embarrassing them.  But Bartimaeus chooses not to listen and cries out all the louder…”Son of David!!  Mercy, have mercy on me!!”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Jesus stops.  He has noticed.  He calls this loud, raw, longing, blind beggar over.  And then He asks him <strong>the</strong> question…”What do you want Me to do for you?&#8230;What do you want?&#8230;”</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">At this point Bartimaeus has a choice.  Will he actually risk saying out loud what his deepest longing is?  Does he have the guts to say to the Son of God what it is he wants?  Does he risk looking stupid in front of others and Jesus to name his desire?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">These are the questions that we, who journey with desire, must all face.  Will we say out loud what is in our hearts and wait for the answer from the Master?  For me…I am learning that God is large enough to handle my desire.  He is gentle enough to sometimes say no and good enough to sometimes say yes.  He is capable enough to transform my wanting into new and surprising desires too.   And He is risky enough to not be afraid or embarrassed of it all.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<p style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div class="bio">
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 19px; white-space: normal; font-size: 13px;"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1088" title="PictureofTaraForSite" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/PictureofTaraForSite-150x150.jpg" alt="PictureofTaraForSite" width="150" height="150" /></span></p>
<p>Tara Malouf makes her home in the Seattle area with her husband and two kids.  She loves images and words, quiet and beauty, walking and prayer.  She sees with “connectedness” eyes and thinks life is lived in story.  She aspires to be a professional friend.</p>
<p>You can check out her photography at <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.redthreadphoto.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.redthreadphoto.blogspot.com</span></a></span> and her occasional musings at <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.stroyformed.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.stroyformed.wordpress.com</span></a></span></div>
<p><i>Never Miss A Post &#8211; Receive free updates via <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/bethstedman" target="_blank">RSS</a> or <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=bethstedman&#038;loc=en_US" target="_blank">Email</a></i></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Salad Inspiration</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/zPstbaMqrOo/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/20/salad-inspiration/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:07:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bitter greens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bitter salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fresh salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salad inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salad recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salad recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer recipe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer recipes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[summer salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday blog hop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays blog hop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1192</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ok, so salad is one of those things that doesn’t really feel like it needs a recipe to me and I
feel a little weird posting a “recipe” for a salad. I love salad and love how easy it is to just throw
things together to make a great meal. But, sometimes I know I need some [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Ok, so salad is one of those things that doesn’t really feel like it needs a recipe to me and I</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">feel a little weird posting a “recipe” for a salad. I love salad and love how easy it is to just throw</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">things together to make a great meal. But, sometimes I know I need some inspiration in my</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">salads. I tend to get stuck making the same salad combo’s over and over again. So, here are</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">two different salads that where new combinations for me and I thought you all might like them</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">as well.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Enjoy the salad inspiration!</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Bitter Summer Salad</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">This salad was our lunch a few days ago and we both really liked it. It was one of those meals</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">where I was just trying to use up what I had left in the fridge before our trip, but it came together</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">so well that I thought I’d share it with you all today.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Arugula</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Radishes</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Tomato</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Cooked (cold) quinoa</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Cooked (cold) millet</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Tahini Dressing (link)</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Mix all ingredients (as much as you want of each) to make a lovely fresh, bitter tasting salad.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Tropical Summer Salad</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">This salad was one of our lunches over the weekend. It was so refreshing after being out in the</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">sun all morning. I loved the addition of the coconut and thought you all might enjoy this too.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Coconut</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">a;lskdfj</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">a;lskdjf</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">a;lsdkfj</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Mix all ingredients (as much as you want of each) and enjoy this tropical salad combination on a</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">hot summer day.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Rejoicing in the journey -</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Beth Stedman</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1195" title="IMG_5136" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_5136-300x200.jpg" alt="IMG_5136" width="300" height="200" />Ok, so salad is one of those things that doesn’t really feel like it needs a recipe to me and I feel a little weird posting a “recipe” for a salad. I love salad and love how easy it is to just throw things together to make a great meal. But, sometimes I know I need some inspiration in my salads. I tend to get stuck making the same salad combo’s over and over again. So, here are two different salads that where new combinations for me and I thought you all might like them as well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy the salad inspiration!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<h2>Bitter Summer Salad</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">This salad was our lunch a few days ago and we both really liked it. It was one of those meals where I was just trying to use up what I had left in the fridge before our trip, but it came together so well that I thought I’d share it with you all today.</p>
<ul>
<li>Arugula</li>
<li>Radishes</li>
<li>Tomato</li>
<li>Cooked (cold) quinoa</li>
<li>Cooked (cold) millet</li>
<li><a href="http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2010/06/greek-parsley-salad-with-tahini.html">Tahini Dressing</a> (or any other dressing of your choosing)</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mix all ingredients (as much as you want of each) to make a lovely fresh, bitter tasting salad.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<h2>Green Summer Salad</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">I made this salad for a BBQ on 4th of July. It was so refreshing to have some fresh raw veggies after being out in the sun at the beach all morning. I loved this and thought you might too.</p>
<ul>
<li>Roman Lettuce</li>
<li>Green Apple</li>
<li>Avocado</li>
<li>Cucumber</li>
<li>Celery</li>
<li>Sunflower seeds</li>
<li>Cilantro</li>
</ul>
<p>Mix all ingredients (as much as you want of each) and top with a light dressing of your choice. I made a little dressing with olive oil and lime juice and it was perfect. Enjoy this fresh green combination on a hot summer day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoicing in the journey -<br />
Beth Stedman</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This post is my entry for this weeks <a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/20/two-for-tuesdays-volume-6/">Two for Tuesdays blog hop</a>. Check out the link for tons of other great recipes and food related posts.</p>
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		<title>Two for Tuesdays Volume 6</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bethstedman/~3/ko_fe_gGr1s/</link>
		<comments>http://bethstedman.com/2010/07/20/two-for-tuesdays-volume-6/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Beth</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog hop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog hops]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carnival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carnivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[links and recommendations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recommendations and links]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesday blog hop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Two for Tuesdays blog hop]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bethstedman.com/?p=1187</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After taking last week off I&#8217;m super excited to be back co-hosting Two for Tuesdays this week. I can&#8217;t wait to see all the great posts that get linked up! You all continually inspire me and I missed you last week! So, bring on the food posts, the recipes, the great encouragement and challenges!
Here&#8217;s a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After taking last week off I&#8217;m super excited to be back co-hosting Two for Tuesdays this week. I can&#8217;t wait to see all the great posts that get linked up! You all continually inspire me and I missed you last week! So, bring on the food posts, the recipes, the great encouragement and challenges!</p>
<h2 style="font-size: 1.5em;">Here&#8217;s a little review of the &#8220;rules&#8221;:</h2>
<ol>
<li>Write a post having to do with real food.</li>
<li>In your post, <strong>add a link back to THIS PAGE</strong> (or any of my fellow blog hosts Two for Tuesday posts for this week) and add one of the badges below (if you want).</li>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bethstedman.com/2010/06/14/two-for-tuesday-blog-hop/" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/twofortuesdays.jpg" border="0" alt="BethStedman.com" /></a> <textarea rows="4" name="textarea">&lt;a href=&#8221;http://bethstedman.com/2010/06/14/two-for-tuesday-blog-hop/&#8221; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221;&gt;&lt;img src=&#8221;http://bethstedman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/twofortuesdays.jpg&#8221; border=&#8221;0&#8243; alt=&#8221;BethStedman.com Two for Tuesdays&#8221;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</textarea></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bethstedman.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj214/girlichef/misc%20blog%20badges/24TbadgeBethStedman.jpg" border="0" alt="24TbadgeBethStedman" /></a><br />
<textarea cols="20" rows="4" name="textarea">&lt;a href=&#8221;http://bethstedman.com/&#8221; mce_href=&#8221;http://bethstedman.com/&#8221; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221;&gt;&lt;img src=&#8221;http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj214/girlichef/misc%20blog%20badges/24TbadgeBethStedman.jpg&#8221; mce_src=&#8221;http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj214/girlichef/misc%20blog%20badges/24TbadgeBethStedman.jpg&#8221; border=&#8221;0&#8243; alt=&#8221;24TbadgeBethStedman&#8221;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</textarea></p>
<li>Add the URL for your POST (<strong>NOT</strong><strong> your blog home page</strong>) to the list using the Linky bellow (or the Linky on Alex, Heather, or Michelle’s site).</li>
<li>Leave a comment too and let us know what you are contributing this week.</li>
<li>Hop around and enjoy all the great content gathered in one place!!</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Alright, everyone Start Hopping!</strong>!</p>
<p>Rejoicing in the journey -<br />
Bethany Stedman</p>
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