Log Cabin Living: Two Choices

I am loving sharing some of our Log Cabin Living
ideas with my bloggy friends.
Just to recap what it is though, in case you missed it…
In my heart of hearts, pre-Ruby, I have always 
longed to move to a remote area 
{with the desert weather!} 
where we could enjoy Log Cabin Living 
as a sweet family.  
I am so grateful that I had the privilege of living in our little log home
before we lost it in the fire. 

No doubt, with Ruby’s fragile health, this is not in the realm of
possibility unless the Lord totally heals her – 
which is, of course, totally possible!
So in this season, we embrace our wonderful home in Phoenix, 
with close proximity to Phoenix Children’s Hospital 
while we enjoy the gorgeous Phoenix 
weather and all the beautiful perks that come with it!!

The series will be an on-going and I will share our version of 
large family living, on a very limited budget while practicing Simplicity.  
We graciously invite you to journey with us.   

*******

I realized that it’s been a really long time since I shared about our
“menu option” theory.  No doubt some bloggy friends, when
reading about our meals
have commented or written me and said,

“That’s great for you – but my family would never, ever eat that!”  


And it is about that time that I assure them
that we are not as mean as they might think –

We always, always, always 
give our kids



options for any meal!!!!


Yes, we do!!

Two options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
 hardly sounds mean now, does it?

Our 

options????




Take it




OR 




Leave it.




Okay, okay, okay,
before you hang me out to dry,
let me explain…

God’s word tells us that we are 

“To give thanks in all things…”


It’s hard to give thanks if we are complaining
and belly-aching about the food that’s about to be served
or anything else for that matter.

So we implemented the “Take It or Leave It”
meal plan option when our bigs were little.

It was explained this way:
 
“If you complain about what’s being
served, your plate will be put away and
we will see your delightful little self next time around.
Simplicity at its best!”

Once upon a time there was a young boy
sitting next to me at a picnic.  His mom
had made Ham and Cheese sandwiches for them.
Upon opening the sandwich bag and realizing
what she had made, he began to whine and cry loudly
that he did not want Ham and Cheese today!!
His mom was clearly embarrassed as she
leaned close to him and gritting her teeth together mumbled,
“Eat it now!”
He, of course, continued whining and crying – 
even louder now.

What would have happened if years before
they had practiced the two choice option?

“Dude – you have two choices – take it or leave it.”

Likely, the boy would have eaten anything
given to him knowing that the alternative would have been a hungry tummy.
And his mom would have not had
to mumble under her breath through gritted teeth!

Sometimes parents think that our job
is to make our kids happy.

That couldn’t be further from the truth!
In fact kids who have been given everything
they want to “make them happy” are usually
some of the most unhappy in the world!

I have to say, once the Two Option plan
was set into motion, twice {that I can recall}
someone had to skip a meal because of complaining. 



Final Thoughts:

I have heard many people tell me over the years that their
 spouse or children 
“would never stand for that for dinner” 
when I have shared some of our meals.
For our family, over the years the way we eat has been a journey.

A long journey.  

Yet a very purposeful, intentional journey. 

Bringing treasures home from places where food was sparse, 
has given us all a renewed thankfulness for all that we do have.
Most of our treasures remember well their stomachs gnawing from
 hunger.  One remembers ‘chewing’ on rocks to ease the hunger.

Food is a necessity, however, what and how much we eat is 
not a ‘right’.  We have the privilege of living in one of the wealthiest
nations in the world.   Our simple, meals in our cozy
home would be a feast in most countries.  

We have to remember that!

We actually don’t “deserve” anything.  

All we have is because God has graciously given to us out of His
abundance.  But He didn’t give us in overflowing for us to hoard and indulge
on ourselves, but rather to share generously!!

Our joy is to live in Simplicity, prayerfully honoring Him and 
thus enabling us to share more of our resources with others.  

It’s that Simple.  

9 thoughts on “Log Cabin Living: Two Choices

  1. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I have been fretting over this for awhile. We have fed our children well… probably too well and their expectations have gotten to high. Instead of thankful hearts and minds they grab to get the best one only to decide they really don't want it… What was once easy has become too challenging and just plain feels wrong to this Momma. We will be implementing the take it or leave it policy. WITH a thankful heart and no bacon until the egg and toast has been eaten 😉 That may not make sense to others but it does to us! Amen Linny!

    1. Set them all done. Explain the new rules. Ask each one – in front of everybody to explain back to you what it means. When all understand – don't go back! Stick to your guns mama. You can do it. And I would make the meals much simpler. Beans and rice some times. Or beans and rice on stop of a bed of lettuce. Soups with corn bread. Simple. Simple. Simple. Beans and rice everyday would be better than what 3/4 of the world eats every day!! You are an awesome mommy and you *can* do it!

  2. I love you! Haven't done this officially, but it's the essence of what we do. Also, kept forgetting to thank you for the bananas and peanut butter meal idea. It has become my favorite and I eat it nearly every day for breakfast!

  3. We do the same thing at our house, although we use a "one bite" rule as well. The kids need to eat at least one bite of each food that's one their plate at each meal. It doesn't need to be big but it does need to be eaten completely- spitting out food gets you sent to you room. Our kids are still little (4, 2, and 3mo) and there are times when they refuse but they all know the rules. My 2-year-old is trying to be picky these days and while I hate the battle, it's redeeming to see my daughter who's 4 eat mushrooms, eggplant, avocado, onions, and artichokes. It can be hard to stick to your guns but for us, it's been worth it. Picky eaters aren't allowed at our table where just a few miles away, there are people going hungry!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Amber at OurCharmedLife

  4. We had days where it didn't matter what I cooked, one of the kids didn't like it or maybe dad didn't like it. But he ate it. If there was something the child didn't like, they had to eat two bites of it. My mom, especially, made me sit there until I ate whatever I didn't like. I didn't force my kids to eat what they didn't like. I have a story to share another time, but not tonight cuz time is running out and I need to head for bed! Thanks for sharing!

  5. Oh how I wished I had the leave it option as a child. I have a very vivid memory of sitting at the table trying my hardest between gagging and swallowing regurgitated food to eat some bean soup. I was gulping it with as much water as I could until I was cut off from water because I had drank "too much" and told to sit and eat my supper. I sat but I could not eat because if I would have taken one more bite I would have vomited everywhere. Finally HOURS later I was allowed to go to bed. I would have gladly taken that option earlier in the night and slept with a rumbling tummy versus loosing my cookies with each bite. Because of this I will never force the kids to eat anything but that doesn't mean they get anything else.

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