Dana Redditt

2020 was a blur. So many emotions tied to the entire year. Amazing things, good things, hard things. The year brought an engagement, wedding, house building, new grandbaby, a pandemic, missing socializing, corporate worship and coffee dates.
BUT, the year taught me something about myself. I CAN do hard things. I can work tirelessly, give until I have no more, love and show kindness when it’s hard, and have joy at all times.
We are twelve days into 2021 and I make a promise to myself to keep pushing forward. When life around me seems like it’s spinning out of control, I know who is in control!! He’s got this. Brings me back to Sunday School as a child, and the song He’s got the whole world in his hands…and for that I am so thankful.
I am stepping out of my comfort zone this year, holding my head high, shoulders back and making a difference.
Come join this journey with me. I will live 2021 with INTENTION.
💕love to you all!

Kind. These four letters pack a punch. 

So I decided to do a little research, looking up the definition I found Webster’s explaining the word as an adjective meaning helpful, gentle, considerate. 

I’m going to be honest, this is the way I desire to be characterized. Why wouldn’t I? What do I have to lose by simply being kind? 

Not fake or patronizing, but truly nice. To nice people, mean people, the busy or harried…no matter economic standing, gender or race. Even to the ones that don’t always return the same. 

My home has always been a place that I want others to feel safe, loved and welcomed. I want Jesus’ love to be seen and felt. I want to treat the ones I love with the utmost kindness, to steer clear of harsh words, looks or actions. I feel like I sorta owe that to others, after all, Jesus commands us to be 😊

 Ephesians 4:32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

So today, let’s just be kind. Smile at a stranger, hold your tongue, call an old friend, do a good deed. 

You’ll thank yourself. 

Good Thursday morning! I want to encourage each of you today, do that one thing that you’ve been waiting to do! You know, that thing that deep down excites you but terrifies you all the same ? Imagine your life with that accomplishment and where it will lead you. Each day can be filled with drive and that push to be better than yesterday. Not competition with others….there is room for all of us to succeed WHILE cheering each other on….but to be a better you. 

Take a walk, call an old friend, try a new veggie, tell someone you forgive them. 

I encourage you to open your eyes today, see the forest, not the tree in front of you and be open to the goodness that surrounds you. 

One thing this journey that I have been traveling has taught me is to push forward even on the hard days. 

Healthy food choices have become second nature. But, learning how to direct my thoughts and reactions (that once created binge/stress eating) continues to push me to work hard. As tough as that may sound, I’m thankful for where I am. It’s teaching me so much about myself, and WHO to turn to, instead of what. 

“Psalm 25:51 ~ My hope is in you”

God, I seek You today. 

Let this encourage you today, take a baby step to be a better you. Remember your why (which will be different for each of us) and push! Go for it, Thursday will come and go regardless, so make it a good one!

? love you all! 

Why… have you ever truly considered your why?  This word compels me daily. At the beginning of my health journey my why was tied to the way I felt. Sick and tired. I can say I have truly grown during this process and my why may appear different than in the early days, although I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s changed, more like it has grown. I am going to be very vulnerable here, sharing my heart, in hopes to inspire someone or even as my personal motivation for today. 

Top 5 List of “My Why”

*Health – not only physical but emotional as well. I have done some real soul searching as to why I chose bad foods or over indulging, that got me in the place I was just over a year ago. I’ve learned that turning to food is not the answer, which leads me to my next reason…

*Obedience – for me, this became a real thing. God gave me this body, His temple. Who was I to slowly destroy it with my selfish desires? 

*Energy – I truly wanted to feel good. The kind of feel good that compelled me to jump out of bed, ready to face the day. The kind that allows me to not only be able to climb the stairs in my house (which my hips were in such bad shape, I couldn’t) but the kind where I can work out daily and have energy to tackle each day. 

*Excitement – it’s actually fun to eat well. Clean eating has opened my mind to new recipes. As I shop for groceries, and I walk into the produce section…I’m actually almost giddy. I see so many possibilities and the food y’all….the colors, who wouldn’t be excited about just how pretty they are?!? ? I’m definitely a foodie, but I’ve learned to turn my focus to healthy options. 

*Knowledge – I am learning daily! How to eat, why I eat, what to eat. Food is fuel, it is not my comfort. For years I turned to food when happy, sad, stressed or bored. It was my go to. I’m learning to turn to other things and remember food is fuel. It’s the energy my body needs, not the source of contentment that once filled me. 

This is the hard one. Choosing good food is easy, choosing how to eat it is still a daily choice. Whether I binge on Doritos or grapes, binging had to stop.  This is where I’m so thankful for a Heavenly Father that shows grace and gives me new strength daily. 

Each day we are given so many choices. 

How we eat, the way we react to situations and how we ultimately love ourselves. 

I’m grateful for this. I’m grateful for grace.

I want to encourage you today, think about your WHY. 

It can be life changing. 

This morning during my quiet time I was reminded of the scripture (that was learned during my childhood in Sunday school and read many times since)  Phillipians 4:8  Whatsoever things are…true …there are many other atteibutes in this verse, that I will be studying over the next few days, but TRUE stuck out in my mind.  I have been praying for a clear thought life, because what I think is who I am, how I speak, how I treat others as well as myself. So the word true struck me, first…like, well I don’t consider myself to be a story teller, I try to stay away from even little white lies…

If I break it down, starting first with my thought life, what is true?

I am a child of God.  Wow, what an amazing truth to let guide my words and actions.  

If I truly believe and live that truth out, I will respond with words of encouragement, and life to others.

If I truly believe and live that truth out, I will respond with actions that are kind and generous.

If I truly believe and live that truth out, I will consider how I take care of my body, mind and spirit. I will choose healthy foods, healthy people and healthy images that enter my mind.

What a wonderful way to end this beautiful Saturday evening.  

I’m going to share a little secret with you. I love sweets. That’s it, I said it. 

Ten years ago when I realized I had celiac disease and needed to cut gluten completely out of my diet, I quickly went to work figuring  out how to get around the system and began filling my pantry with GF cookies and cakes. Nine years later I still suffered with joint pain, fatigue and all the other issues associated with a not so clean eating lifestyle. Nine years. I continued to play with my health. 

One day I woke up and said, no more. So I ventured out to unchartered (for me, but thankfully not others) territory. I consumed books and google searches to find answers. That’s when I discovered the Paleo lifestyle, and I dove in head first and went ? all in. 493 days, and I’m not looking back. I feel so much healthier, so alive and honestly just happy that I took control. 

I still like sweets, but I love feeling healthy. 

Each day I have a choice as to how to meet dietary goals. Protein, veggies and fruit are top priority. BUT I definitely welcome a good muffin on occasion. Let me share one of the best recipes (there are many variations to fruit/nuts that can be used in this recipe).  This paleo recipe stands out because it calls for all natural ingredients which doesn’t result in more cravings or bloat. Now there are calories involved, so be sensible with portions ?

Paleo Banana Nut Muffins

Preheat oven to 350

2 cups almond flour

1/2 cup coconut flour 

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 eggs

1/2cup coconut milk

1/2 cup maple syrup 

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar 

2 mashed bananas

1/2 cup pecans 

Mix dry ingredients, then add liquids. Mix well (using mixer makes for fluffier muffins). Add bananas and pecans, stir well. 

Place in 12 lined muffin tins, or two small (greased) loaf pans.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. ENJOY! 

Behold, I will do a new thing..

Isaiah 43: 19

Early Tuesday morning I awoke and just felt this, deep in my soul. He has big things in store. For me, for you. I have been on an amazing journey of discovering who I am and realizing there is so much potential still waiting to be realized. I am not what the scales say, how people react to me or what my current emotion may be. I am His, filled with expectation and excitement as to what the future holds. Today I choose to conquer this day, and love those around me. 

As I leave the house this morning to hit the gym and the yoga studio, I will honor Him by taking care of my body. I will choose the hard thing, using my energy for good. 

Have a great day my friends! Do something good for you and for those around you! ?

I gave up paper towels. Who does this? More importantly, who writes about it? The day I told myself “no more paper towels”  was monumental. See, for me it represented well more than that white roll of tree sitting on my counter, it was about will power. I am a recovering paper towel junkie.

8-10 rolls a week, $70 a month. So I made up my mind and hid the roll along with the cute stand that accompanied it. It was replaced with the most adorable tea towels and cloth napkins. I’ve spent many an hour explaining my reasons, with some side eye judgement by a few. I have survived! Six months later,  now in place of the big white roll, sits the most adorable live green plant, and a gentle reminder that I can make a small difference on this planet. I can work to be a better me, starting with the smallest of changes. What’s next? Who knows! But I am confident I am capable! Happy tea towels to you!