And, (this really is surprising) it's not a new workout. What's left you ask?
THIS!
Are you one of those people who thinks green foods = grossness? Well, prepare to be amazed. These beans have a very subtle, sweet flavor, and are really buttery and smooth. They can be used in dips, on salads, or (my favorite) eaten steamed and right out of the pod. Add a little salt, and you're in flavor heaven.
Guess what? They're good for you too! The thing I love about them nutritionally is that they're chock full or protein. And it's the complete protein! In fact, it's the only plant that has a protein equivalent to that of eggs or meat. Yay! I'm chucking the egg-whites (blah) and broiled chicken (double blah) out the back door and eating THIS for breakfast. It's the first protein I've actually enjoyed, and I'm sticking with it.
On another note, guess what? I'm actually going to look into GROWING edamame this year. You know what this means: a garden! I know, I know, it is a random idea, but I'm in the process of weeding and setting up a place to grow veggies and flowers this year. And I'm pretty pumped! Homegrown veggies, plenty of out-door time, and (guilty smile) the promise of a nice summer tan are a few of the reasons I'm looking into this.
But, there are a few issues I'm gonna have to resolve:
Cute as rabbits are, they are a hungry bunch, and they happen to be interested in the same foods I am. Apparently, rabbits agree with me that edamame is pretty awesome, as online gardeners have complained about how MUCH rabbits love edamame. (they have good taste!) It looks like a fence will be in order! This will mean a little extra work, but I'm selfish and don't want to share my edamame!
Speaking of work, last night I was doing plenty of that! I weeded our "garden plot" last night for the for the first time in three years. And the roots to those weeds were predictably deep! It took lots of grunting, groaning, tugging, yanking, pulling, and sweating to get those things out! And I'm still only a sixth of the way done! Occasionally, I would come across a "baby weed" which is a breeze to pluck out of that dirt, but goodness, those ones with the roots were tough. I'd spend 10-15 minutes on ONE WEED!!! Why? Not because I enjoyed it, but because it was worth it.
Earlier that week, I was having a discussion with a friend about how tough it can be to get rid of those thoughts that we all have from time to time that don't glorify God. Honestly, I was pretty much giving up. I've tried for so long to get rid of them, but just when I think I"m doing better, I realize that I'm back to where I've started. I started to wonder if it the work was worth the effort, and if what was going in my mind really mattered.
Well, while I was tugging at weeds, I needed something to think about! and I realized that, because I wasn't careful in the past, I had let weeds grow in my heart, too. These weeds are deep rooted and so hard to yank out that, being the wimp I am, I give up, throw aside the "shovel" and distract myself from any issues I have. But they're still growing, and unless they're uprooted, even the littlest things, a little "water", a little "sunshine" can make them deeper. Why is it that I"m not okay with weeds in my garden, but I'll let those weeds grow in my heart?
Those weeds are tough. But my God is tougher. And bigger. And stronger. With His strength, someday, I want my heart to look like a beautiful garden, not a weed patch.
For those of you who don't struggle with constant negative thoughts like I sometimes do, GUARD YOU HEART! Even the little things can make you give in just a little more each day, and suddenly you've got a huge weed in your heart.
As for me, I've decided that even if the weeds are tough, even if I'm a wimp, the struggle to uproot them is WORTH IT. It won't happen overnight, it won't be a one week transformation, but it will be worth the effort.
So I end this LOOONNNGGG blog post with this: Do you want your heart to be a weed patch?
Or a beautiful garden?
Your analogy is one I hadn't thought if before and it is an easy one to remember ... Probably harder to apply! You've done a wonderful job of incorporating your passion if nutrition and what God has been teaching you. Love it! And all those facts about edamame are so cool! Not my first thought for breakfast:) but I've had it as a snack. I'll be excited to see it growing in your garden!
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts on this, and totally agree with you: edamame is amazing!!!! Particularly when it's just salty and buttery enough.... :) :) Thanks so much for sharing what's been on you heart!
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts, Hannah! You are so right. Sometimes just ignoring weeds is the worst thing we can do! And yes, edamame is great, especially just steamed with sea salt ;)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about a vegetable garden this summer, and now I'm even more inspired. I'm not exactly sure how it will work considering my downstairs neighbors have 2 big dogs who roam the backyard.. I might have to settle with a couple tomato plants and a flower bed in the front and get to more serious gardening later down the road.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that helps me to keep fighting sin in my heart is recognizing how much God hates it AND that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3-4). So, we're not left to try to be loner "gardeners" because God is the one already at work in us!