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Hummus with dukkah has become my newest weeknight snacking obsession.
I’m always looking for simple ways to step up my snacking game. I’m a huge snacker and live to graze. With having to constantly feed six people (every day) I basically live in the kitchen.
Hummus with dukkah is on repeat for me these days.
Hummus has always been a favorite go-to snack of mine. For many reasons. It’s healthy, convenient, packs in protein. But hummus with dukkah is just one step above.
Read MoreIt’s been a while since we’ve had a good catch-up.
Life seems to be going a million miles an hour lately. Between raising four kids, trying to build this business, keeping up with our home, my marriage, our family. Life is FULL. And in many ways really wonderful, but it can also be a lot.
There seem to be more things in my heart that I want to do, than there are hours in the day. Including doing a better job of catching up with all of YOU.
But I just put a movie on for the kids (don’t judge – it’s spring break in the midwest and it’s snowing. ugh), made myself a matcha latte, put on some tunes, and am giving myself a little space to write.
So let’s catch up! Here’s a little slice of “life lately”. What’s been on my heart and mind. Not a brain dump, more of a soul dump. Super casual. No real plan. Just writing from the heart.
My hope is by sharing what’s on my mind, maybe it makes one or two of you feel a little less alone. And who knows, maybe if this feels good we’ll make it a weekly series.
So let’s jump in. Here’s what’s been on my mind lately… Read More
I’m so in love with this Mediterranean lentil salad, and I know you will be too. It has so many of my favorite flavors. It’s briny, salt, crunchy, creamy, and so satisfying. As a vegetarian, I’m always looking for ways to add more complete protein into my diet, so this combination of lentils with quinoa makes me (and my body) so happy.
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Rexing, may I offer you our complimentary drink of freshly pureed mango & tequila to officially welcome you to your stay at…..”
Stepping out of the car wondering how best to politely decline this warm gesture, at the gates of this gorgeous five-star resort, just inches from my hand. How does one say, no thank you, I’ll have the kiddy cocktail version instead (which of course they graciously offered without missing a beat).
I don’t think I realized it until I became sober, how alcohol is everywhere, especially on vacations. From the tequila & fresh limes waiting for us in our hotel room, to the hotel pool with what seemed like every adult casually holding a drink in their hand. It seemed as if in just the first few hours of our arrival, I was noticing alcohol everywhere.
Which to be honest was no surprise, after all, that’s how we’re taught to unwind. The hallmark of being “off”. A drink in hand. At least that’s how it had been for me. Read More
A little over a month ago I stopped drinking coffee. Such a bummer, I know (especially since we just a new espresso machine when we renovated our kitchen and created a whole “coffee station” for it). I have a feeling I may be back to coffee soon. But in the meantime, I’ve been on a huge tea kick. Especially green tea. I find green tea to be much gentler on my digestive system and my nervous system (no more afternoon crashes either). Read More
Allowing yourself to feel joy, while still having empathy for the world around you.
While we were in Mexico, enjoying a sheltered slice of paradise, it was hard to not feel guilty for the privileges we were experiencing, while learning of so much of the world’s suffering.
How can one person in one part of the world feel so free and safe, and somewhere halfway around the world there are so many who don’t.
This isn’t necessarily a new feeling now because of what’s happening in Ukraine. I know for myself, and for many of you, the pain and suffering in the world is something you are not only consciously aware of but also deeply feel.
Whether this awareness is increased through a humanitarian crisis like the one we’re witnessing now, or even just simply through a daily meditation practice.
The more AWARE we become, the more we begin to FEEL.
I don’t know any softer way to put this than just coming right out and stating the obvious…. the collective energy (here, on IG, and in the world) is heavy. I feel it when I’m speaking with many of you, on social media, and in the voices of friends and family.
Things feel a little heavy right now.
I think we all had high hopes that 2022 would look and feel a little different than it is. But for better or worse, it looks like our year is starting off with some challenges – and it’s taking a toll on our mental health.
And while I’m not a mental health expert (and in no way giving out advice here) or a therapist or coach of any kind, I do have a few things in my mental health toolbox that have helped me a lot this past year, and especially now.
But before we dig into any specifis, I want to preface that however you’re feeling, it’s ok. It makes sense. And it’s ok. No feelings are inherently good or bad. And there’s no need to push or try and “fight through” however you’re feeling.
For so long we’ve been taught to just “shake it off” and “see the good” (which is now being referred to as “toxic positivity). And while maybe to an extent that helps, what we’re really doing is just pushing our feelings down even further and in turn, they grow stronger.
Instead, I offer you something a little different. What if instead, you welcomed those thoughts. You befriended yourself, and your feelings, whatever they may be. Without judgment.
Just by simply observing, witnessing, and allowing them to be seen & heard, these intense feelings (good or bad) lose their grip on us.
I‘ve found that the more honest I can be, and the more I can truly allow myself to FEEL, whatever it is that’s going on, the easier it is to release it. And I can breathe a little easier. It’s just a feeling.
So before we go any further, I want to reemphasize that tools are only here to help you witness whatever it is that you’re feeling. To allow you to feel more connected to yourself, more aware. Which gives you freedom. But they’re not here to “fix” or “change” anything. You are NOT broken. There is nothing you need to change/fix.
So no matter what you use in your own “mental health toolbox”, remember to approach all of this with curiosity, softness, and without judgment.
I started writing this post a few days ago and just hit delete (on purpose, but nonetheless, scrapped the whole damn thing). Ugh. It’s ok, it was junk.
It just didn’t feel right. I don’t know. Something about starting the year with all these grand lessons I learned from last year and what I want for this year – it just felt, not me.
While I’m sure there’s a shit ton of stuff I learned this year, half of it I haven’t even figured out or processed. And I’m not going to pretend like I have had some great “knowing” now just because it’s 1/1 and serve you up some “lessons I’ve learned in 2021” when I’m still trying to just catch my breath from this year – let alone process any “lessons”.
So instead of some big epiphany this year of “what I’ve learned”, I’m just gonna share what’s on my heart. How does that sound?
We’re gonna do things a little differently around here (today and probably from now on).
So while I’m still trying to catch my breath from this year, here’s what I know…
A little over four years ago, I launched Grace in the Crumbs.
At the time, that’s who I identified myself as. A stay-at-home-mom, struggling to find her identity, while taking care of four itty bitty littles, constantly wiping crumbs off the floor while holding back tears, and looking for grace anywhere she could.
That girl, Grace in the Crumbs, is who I was.
Who I saw myself as,
and who I came to share with all of you.
The more I shared, the more “G in the C” became home for me. A safe space for me to share my love of food, mothering, and all things life. It was a creative outlet for me, a passion project. I taught myself how to take photos, edit in lightroom, and use WordPress. Every day when I’d lay Sloan or Frankie down for a nap, or after the kids went to bed, I’d pull out my computer and play around with this site, and new ideas for the blog.
It was light. and easy. and fun. And it fueled me.
But somewhere along the line of sharing photos of food and little baby feet, this little corner of the web grew. And so did I. Read More
Last weekend, we opened our retreat with a welcome circle, where I asked all of the women to reflect on, and share, why they were there. What brought them to the space, what they were looking for or hoping to gain.
I shared first,
and as the words came out, they took me by surprise at how raw and vulnerable they felt. How true they really resonated with me.
..Gathering women, purposefully, with the intention of having meaningful, real conversations is not only something I truly value right now but also something I feel called to do…
because in this season of my life I feel a little alone,
and I know there are many of you who are feeling the same.
Sharing this though, with all of the women last Friday afternoon, and with all of you now, so publicly, makes me really nervous. Wondering what people will think, how will these words be interpreted (or misinterpreted). But my intention with this platform has always been to share transparently, and I know that if I’ve been feeling this way, chances are, so are many of you.
Because whether we realize it or not (or we’re ready to admit it), we’re ALL hungry for deeper connections. We’re living in a world right now so physically connected at all times, and yet, so deeply unconnected. Unheard. Alone.
In my life, I’m always surrounded by people. Physically never alone. Sharing this home with JP and our four beautiful children. I have family and friends who love me, and then of course this incredible community here where I share my heart so openly. And yet, in many ways, I still feel alone. Espeically after this past year. Read More
