Thanksgiving Day at Cumberland Falls

Family needs are different this year, so we found ourselves with the day together and nothing planned.

We decided to make a 2 1/2 hour trip into eastern Kentucky to see the waterfalls at Cumberland Falls State Park.  They are known as the Niagara Falls of the south.  The falls were lovely.

We intended to hike a 5.8 mile trail which would have looped us around and ended at the falls, but the trails weren't well marked (or maybe I'm a lousy trail guide 😉), so we ended up taking 3 or 4 shorter trails.

After we were all done walking, we made a detour to see what was at the end of the picnic area parking, and there we found the marker for the trail that we intended to take!  

We enjoyed ourselves.  Sandra packed turkey sandwiches, veggies, and crackers.  We ate in the beautiful outdoors beside the Cumberland River. 

It was refreshing to spend the days outside in God's magnificent creation.  We praise Him for all the beautiful things that He has made.

"Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. 

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth."

Psalm 96:10-13

A Veteran's Day Walk

 

The sun was out, the air was cool, and we had the afternoon together, so we spent this Veteran's Day walking a greenway in Hendersonville, TN.

All total, it was about 7.25 miles.

We had a small breakfast which didn't stick with us long.  We were starving afterwards, so Sandra and I decided on our favorite Mexican restaurant.  You put a plate of refried beans and rice in front of Sandra and she's happy as a hog on ice.  I always opt for the chicken fajitas.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Our favorite coffee place was giving away a free coffee for veterans.  That was a nice end to our adventure.

We're grateful to God for the strength to be outdoors and moving.  We're grateful for people who have fought for our freedom.  We're grateful for God's Son Who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our spiritual freedom.

"And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long."  Psalm 35:28

God Gives Good Things

"Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."  Psalm 145:16

God has given us some great things to eat.  This morning, I made a pineapple, mango smoothie.  Pineapple is an anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamin C.  Mango is an antioxidant and helps lower blood pressure due to the presence of magnesium and potassium.

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup of almond milk

1/2 cup of orange juice

1/2 cup of mango frozen

1 cup of pineapple frozen

It's high in vitamin C, so it's a good choice for cold and flu season.

For protein and healthy fats, I chose low sugar Chobani Greek yogurt, Purely Elizabeth granola, and 1/4 cup of shelled pistachios.  This yielded about 24 grams of protein. Not bad for a breakfast.

Finding healthy options doesn't have to be hard. God has created some great foods for us to eat, but that means putting down the processed, addictive junk that is designed to hook you by feeding a craving.