9 Days of Healthy Giveaways: Day 8

Welcome back! This giveaway is wrapping up tomorrow, but there's still plenty of time to enter most of the day's giveaways still! 

You don't want to miss out, so go HERE to enter Day 4-7! And thanks so much for helping spread the word! :)

Today's giveaway is something near and dear to my heart....

COFFEE!!!

(yes, I'm slightly addicted and have no problem admitting it!) :)

Courtney, from Baxtron{Life} is here today giving away a really fun coffee product I'd never even heard of! 

Upgraded Coffee is actually good for you! 

Here are a few reasons why (from their website):

1. It is carefully produced and tested with our proprietary process to target the lowest toxin content vs. normal coffee, so you get all the benefits of coffee without the negative health effects.
2. The beans are harvested from a family-owned estate in Guatemala at high altitude, where the best coffee grows.
3. The estate is Passive Organic and the family that owns it does not allow chemicals (herbicides, pesticides, etc.) It is not economical for Central American boutique coffee estates to become certified organic.
4. They are hand picked by experienced coffee harvesters – skilled people who know how to pick only perfectly ripe berries.
5. Most coffee beans are processed by either leaving them in the sun and elements to wither and spoil as they dry, or by pressing them and letting them ferment (spoil) to remove the outer layer of the bean.  Both of these techniques are known to produce significant levels of mycotoxins as they enhance flavor. Upgraded Coffee beans are processed right after picking using a process that avoids any chance of fermentation.  This more expensive process is safer because it dramatically reduces harmful molds or bacteria from impacting your health.
6. The beans are roasted in small batches by the #1 ranked roaster in United States under the strictest conditions.  Roasting the beans enhances their antioxidant capacity and flavor to provide you with a healthier, tastier cup of coffee.

Sounds good, right? 1 lucky ready will get to try these coffee beans and I'll admit, I'm a wee bit jealous! :) 

Courtney is also kick-starting a Coffee House Tour next month that you don't want to miss 

"Courtney is a Seattle native on a mission to find the best Coffee in NYC!

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about coffee plus things you may not have known.  Rediscover an unadulterated love of coffee purified by the critique of a true Seattle coffee snob.  Interviews, Giveaways, Coffee of the Month club & More!!" 

I'll definitely be tuning in to hear of all her finds next month! :)

Good luck today and don't forget to enter the other giveaways too!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shifting the Focus

I am so excited to have Courtney from Baxtron{Life} here today! Courtney is a friend in real life as well as a blogger friend and mentor! I've loved getting to know her more this year and I can't wait for you to read her post today!  I love fresh, real and meaningful posts and this one is one of those!  Grab a good cup of coffee (or tea), sit down and stay awhile!

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 Over the last year or so of my life I've been focused on coming out of a huge denial about painful things I'd experienced early in my life.  As a result of my inward focus, I have been able to finally start working through the pain, accepting it, grieving, processing and taking small steps forward from it.  I have also learned that perhaps a season of deep introspection can be necessary and vital but it is important not to remain stuck in this place for too long.

At some point in dealing with grief you reach a place where you realize that God is not going to take away your pain...at least not in the way our hearts desire.  I recently heard this great quote by a Christian Psychologist, "We want God to take away our fear, remove our pain and provide a reasonably pleasant life.  But God wants to meet us in our pain, and comfort us with himself."  As soon as I heard these words it was as if God himself was speaking them to me.

I had been praying and hoping that I would somehow reach the end of my pain.  And as a result I've been sort of limping my way through life, putting most things on hold in order to wait for the pain to go away.  And in this waiting my focus has been mostly on the pain, mostly on my feelings, mostly on my memories, and when you are this focused on the struggle, the solution is almost completely hidden from your view.

On the way home from Thanksgiving I started to realize that God was working on my heart, a lot.  He was nudging me away from focusing on all the pain and trouble and remembering to keep my eyes on the one who could provide the comfort, peace and healing that I need, Him.  My husband and I had plenty of time to talk about this on our nine hour drive home from Ohio.  He wholeheartedly agreed that it was getting to be the time that I should start focusing on the solution and less on the problem.

In many ways my faith walk recently has been stifled, as I've faced doubt and uncertainty as my protective shield of denial has cracked and fallen.  I've had anger pouring out of my soul that burns white hot, often sending me into a state of rage then panic when triggered.  I've been scared of who I am, and what I am doing in my life.  And I've been afraid to take these very raw and painful emotions to God.  I've been scared to admit that I'm angry with God for not intervening to prevent the abuse I suffered as a child.  Even though I know that God will not take away free will...even though I know that God orchestrated freedom from those who hurt me later in life.  Even though He has been with me and never left my side through it all...and yet it still hurts to know that someone's choice to sin against me could leave me so deeply wounded.

That person's choice has had an impact on every aspect of my adult life, from the way I relate to my husband and others, to the way I parent my child.

And now my focus has to shift because there is one who is so much greater than the one who wounded me, and I made the choice to believe and put my faith in Him.  And now, that choice is the one that will  make a much greater impact on my life going forward.  I am choosing to now look to my God, my savior and trust in Him to meet me in the midst of my pain.  No longer am I praying for Him to take it all away, no, I am praying that He would use my pain for His purpose, that He would help me find joy and peace in the midst of the sorrow.  That He would teach me to be a Godly woman, deep in compassion and overflowing with grace, mercy and forgiveness.

As we approach the Christmas holiday, I'm focusing on the gift that I've already received in Jesus.  And that means my eyes are on the solution.  That means my eyes will magnify the great and glorious God that has loved me from the beginning, accepts me in all my brokenness and promises to never leave my side.

I'm Courtney, a Christ-following wife, mama and lifestyle blogger. 

My blog Baxtron{Life} is a place where I share everything that I love, lots of pictures of life in NYC with our little family of three, daily musings, fun link-ups and some of the real struggles of my life.  

I would love to connect with you via: Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest! Come say hello!

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{Guest Post} Season of Lack

Happy Wednesday!


Say a welcome and hello to my friend,  Courtney from Baxtron{Life}.  She is a friend in real life and in the blogosphere.  Thanks Courtney for the stopping by!

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#prayer #shereadstruth via baxtronlife

When Jerry and I moved back to NYC in the Fall of 2009, we had no idea that we'd be literally living out of our car, and at the grace of good friends for the first whole month. We had spent the last year and a half completely oblivious to the very real struggles that the dwindling economy were causing people in places outside of Southern Louisiana.


We were reading the articles and seeing the news about millions of Americans being jobless, but we weren't feeling the effect at all. We were in a bubble, making above average and paying below average, in the small community where we lived.


When we knew it was time to head back to NYC, we just packed up our car, made arrangements with a friend to stay for what we thought was going to be a week or so, (just until we got an apartment and jobs) and hit the road. It was a complete shock when finding an apartment became a nightmare, and jobs were few and far between. It became less about choosing a career path for ourselves, and more about just finding a job for some income.


After about 3 weeks at our friends house, we knew our welcome was wearing out, and we headed to a hotel in New Jersey where we reflected on the absolute madness of our very miscalculated plan to just "wing it" when we got back in the city.


While we were both distraught and full of doubt about our situation, we knew in our hearts that God was leading us back to NYC, we had prayed about it, and felt the peace to go. Thanks to God (and Craigslist), Jerry was able to take over a lease on a studio apartment in Harlem that didn't require proof of income, just good credit.


Shortly after that, I ended up connecting with a former co-worker who was able to hire me almost right away into a billing position, that I didn't want, but knew would ultimately get us back on track. One of our main reasons for going back to NYC was Jerry's desire to continue his acting career, building on the foundation that he had already laid there, so he began to pursue that immediately.

Hubs is so GQ @jerrybaxtron via baxtronlife

Despite my job and Jerry's business income, we were in no way making enough to cover all of our expenses. We were feeling the burn of the economy, and now could understand just what the majority of Americans had been feeling for some time. So, as Christians, who are determined to live our lives - not seeking to be blessed - but seeking to be a blessing, what could we do?

Probably one of the more humbling experiences a person can go through in life is a season of lack. Lack is defined as "The state of being without or not having enough of something." Having to constantly decline invitations from people for social outings, or to choose between paying credit cards or eating, can be incredibly damaging to the ego. At the same time, it can be extremely helpful when put in the right perspective.

There is something worthwhile to be found in seasons of lack. For one thing, in America, what we feel as a lack, would still often be luxury to people all over the world. We are quick to lose perspective of just how blessed we are to live in our country. But beyond a compassion for the billions of people living in a perpetual state of poverty around the world, beyond the deep gratitude that comes from realizing all that we have is truly a gift, is the development of true selfless and sacrificial giving.

Despite the hardships we faced during that first year or two back in the city, we've developed into people who truly think constantly about how to be a blessing with what have, and we've become grateful for what we have instead of focusing on what we are missing.  During that season, we continued to give a percentage of our income to our spiritual family, and when we couldn't give financially, we gave of our time, and what we did have. We fought our tendencies to judge the less fortunate, and instead strove to give to any who asked of us.

Radical generosity is one of our pursuits in life. Jerry and I have always dreamt of being able to "reverse tithe." A tithe is simply 10% of what we receive, so to reverse this, we'd give back 90% of what we receive. As we have moved (by His grace) out of a long season of lack, we are incredibly grateful for the eternal perspective that we gained through that trying time, and we want to encourage anyone who is currently struggling in a season of lack, to not miss out on the priceless treasures that only this season can give you.

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Thanks Courtney for stopping by and sharing some Godley wisdom with us!

Have a good week!

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{Post Sponsored by This Lovely}

{With Love} My July Sponsors

I have some of the best sponsors.  So encouraging, loving and giving.  I am excited that you can get to know them a little better.  

Kristina  From City Corporate to Suburb Mama is not only a sponsor but a real life friend/sister.  I've had the privilege of knowing this woman since just after she had her first little one!  A mommy of three and wife to a wonderful Godly man, Kristina is the picture of love and grace.  Her blog is full of healthy tips, great 

recipes and the lovely adventures of her family. 

Twitter // Facebook  // Instagram // Shop

Courtney from Baxtron{Life} is another real life friend.  I've been able to get to know her family over the last year, watching her little Zion grow!  Courtney is a woman of strength and resilience.  I love getting to know her more and more with each day.  Baxtron{Life} is full of Biblical truth, family adventures and personal growth.  You'll love getting to know Courtney.


Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram // Google+

Brooke from Covered in Grace is one of my favorite people.  She's one of the most encouraging people in the blogosphere. I love reading her blog and getting to know her more.  I'm also envious of her life in Hawaii.  You'll find from Brooke a plethora of encouraging words, ways to grow and give more, and ways to meet other amazing bloggers.  Want to grow in all aspects? Then visit Brooke. She won't disappoint!


Twitter // HelloCotton // BlogLovin // Facebook

Lindsay from Little Mudpies is another favorite! Her love for chocolate and wine makes us instant friends [wink face]. As a mom to two boys she is learning to Embrace the Chaos that is her life and enjoying the journey along the way.  She shares recipes and tutorials as well. She recently opened up an Etsy Shop.  I have one of her bracelets!  Its amazing! Making jewelry is obviously a passion of hers.  I'd love for you to stop by and say "Hi!" to her, get to know her better!

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest

Jill from I Know the Plans I Have For You is someone I am loving getting to know.  As I stalk explore her cute little blog, I see many similarities in personal tastes and personality.  Our love for Jesus, coffee, sarcasm, and projects are just a few of them.  I can't wait to get to know her better. So should you!

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // BlogLovin // HelloCotton

Pamela from Pamela's Heavenly Treats is my newest sponsor.  She is such a treat to get to know.  Every time I visit her site, I am instantly hungry. Her treats look scrumptious!   She shouldn't be surprised if I show up at her house begging for yumminess.  It gets even better. She sells her stuff on Etsy.  If you haven't met her yet, you are missing out.

Blog // Pinterest // Twitter // Easy

I hope you stop by their little corners of the web. They are worth getting to know and have made the transition into sponsorship seamless! Thanks Ladies for All You Do!

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{PINTEREST STYLE} Repurposing!

I really love the idea of repurposing.  Finding a new purpose for old or current items is so fascinating to me.  So this week, I thought I'd showcase some of my favorites from Pinterest.  Some of these I have actually done or are currently trying them.  

When you are done, stop by and visit Kimberly from A Night Owl and Courtney from Baxtron{Life}.  They host a A Weekly Pinterest Link-Up & Hop.

brought to you by pureandnoble.blogspot.com via Pinterest

brought to you by crafterhoursblog.com via Pinterest

brought to you by perchedonawhim.com via Pinterest

brought to you by merricksart.blogspot.com via Pinterest

brought to you by apartmenttherapy.com via Pinterest

brought to you by apartmenttherapy.com via Pinterest

brought to you by frugalliving.about.com via Pinterest

brought to you by thecountrychiccottage.net via Pinterest

brought to you by craftyendeavor.com via Pinterest

brought to you by marthastewart.com via Pinterest

brought to you by bhg.com via Pinterest

brought to you by Unknown via Pinterest

brought to you by homemadebyjen.blogspot.com via Pinterest

brought to you by sherellechristensen.typepad.com via Pinterest 

brought to you by shealynnbenner.com via Pinterest

Thanks for stopping by, friends.   Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite pin is.

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Summer Dress Love: Pinterest Monday

Its Monday, which mean its Pinterest day.  

Late last week I posted about a dress I am trying to make.  I thought I'd continue to show you the dresses that inspire me.  

In honor of staying cool and being pretty!

Nordstrom.com via Pinterest

Anthropologie.com via Pinterest

Modcloth.com via Pinterest

Modcloth.com via Pinterest

Shopbop.com via Pinterest 

Sweet-verbena.blogspot.com via Pinterest

Havealittlefaithinme via Pinterest

Sewpetitegal via Pinterest

Nordstrom.com via Pinterest

Aren't they lovely?  Wouldn't hate it if these gems showed up in my closet!

To see other great Pinterest finds, head on over to Courtney or Kimberly's Blogs.  They are hosts of the weekly Pinterest Link-Up & Hop.  Link up your own Pinterest Loves.

{Post Sponsored by This Lovely}