Healthy Poolside Snacks

I have to admit, I love snacks after a good swim. Something about swimming, whether I am swimming laps or floating around, makes me really hungry. So every day when I come in from swimming I feel like I need a snack.

Here are some healthy ideas for pool/beachside snacking that are not high in fat or calories and are easy to pack in a cooler or beach bag.

~ Fruit

~ Carrot and celery sticks

~ Yogurt

~ Crackers and cheese

~ Applesauce

~ Natural potato chips (in small servings)

~ Sliced apples with peanut butter 

~ Natural sunflower seeds

Happy swimming!

  

Buy of the Week

Mix and match with modest tankini tops and swim bottoms. 

Lime Ricki has great tops!

Hapari Swimwear has incredible bottoms!

Also check out these sites for vintage-inspired suits.

ModCloth

Shabby Apple

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Confidence in God's Normal (You're Not as "Weird" as You Think!)

First off, I want to let you know that I am not someone you'd call a normal teenage girl. I've never had a boyfriend, I like to wear dresses all the time, and, unlike many girls I know, I've watched just about every episode of Leave It to Beaver. I also can be a bit of a chatterbox, even to people I've just met, and (you may want to take another look at this next one) I think my mom is really cool. So none of these things I've listed are completely normal by today's culture. But this next thing beats all when it comes to out of the ordinary.

   A few weeks ago, my family went on a vacation to Orange Beach here in Alabama. On the upper deck of the condo we stayed in, there was a little platform that kind of looked like a stage. So what did we do? My sister, my cousin, and I went back to our room and, instruments in hand, went back to the platform and proceeded to play a two-hour-long show of our favorite songs UNINVITED. And it wasn't popular songs either -- no One Direction or Adele for us. We played everything from "I'll Fly Away" to my own personal favorite "Beulah Land." Now I'm sure you all think that we were either feeling really confident or really crazy that night. I could tell by the pointing and laughing that some of the people at the hotel thought the same thing. But that was not the reason we did it. We wanted to make a statement, to show that teenagers don't have to do things at the beach that they'll regret when they get home -- that instead of dishonoring God by going out and doing sinful things, we could lift Him up and show others the Great Love He has for us.

Now, when hearing this story, you might think, "What a confident girl! She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her." But if you did think that, you'd be wrong. On that night, we saw an opportunity and we took it. But when I think of the world with all its sinfulness coming at me in full force, sometimes I want to be just another face in the crowd. I have times when I doubt whether I can keep it together and show the world who God is because I'm afraid of what other people have to say about it. But then I remember that if God wanted me to blend into my surroundings, then He would've already made it happen. So obviously, He doesn't.  

If there's one thing that helps me when I doubt myself, it's this: the world's normal is not God's normal. And a lot of people think that God's normal is kind of different and weird. But wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same? We "weird" people give the world the variety it so desperately needs. And you know what that means? It means we need to keep it up. So believe in yourself and don't worry about what other people think. God made you who you are for a reason, and you need to honor Him for it. Because He sees you as His perfect creation, and isn't that all that really matters?     
 

Bathing Beauty Secrets 2

Let me start by saying I don't believe two-piece swimsuits are appropriate worn alone, but I will say that they can be worn when making a swim outfit. Consider what you'll be doing before you go for fun in the sun. If you're slipping and sliding on a water slide, you will not want to wear the same thing as lounging on the beach.

Buy of the Week

Found these cute swimsuits as foundations for your swimwear closet! 

Check them out with the links below!

http://www.reyswimwear.com

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/swim/one-piece.aspx

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-swimsuit-halter-ruched-tummy-control-swimdress?ID=626075&CategoryID=8699#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D551%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D18

F.S. ~ Waterfront Etiquette

This weather is just begging for us to go to the pool, beach, lake -- anywhere waterfront! Like every other aspect of life, there are things that make our time there more enjoyable. Here are just a few...

• Playing music at the beach or pool can be nice, but be sure that you keep it low enough so as not to disturb those around you.
• Especially when coming from the beach, be sure to rinse off any dirt or sand before getting in to the pool. 
• Respect the lifeguards. Don't bother them or distract them from their job. 
• Dress modestly and appropriately for those around you.
• Be sure to clean up your area when you are ready to go in for the day.
• Many people this time of year are training for triathlons or other swimming events. Be courteous of lap swimmers in the pool. They are zoned in to their workout and a disturbance can be very disruptive. 
• Be courteous of those around you -- be careful not to sling water or sand on your neighbors. 
• At the beach, take the colored flags seriously. Use appropriate caution when the purple, orange, or red flags are flying. The coast guards are not trying to ruin your day at the beach...in fact, quite the opposite. They would much rather you have to spend the day in the village or at the pool or sitting on the sand, than being swept away by the current or eaten alive by a jellyfish! 
• It's easy to get caught up in our own agendas when we are at the beach, pool, or lake. Just remember to consider others and their preferences. This is especially true at the lake when half of those in the boat want to tube and the other half would prefer to ski. Defer to the boat driver to make the ultimate decision, and remember that most likely you will have fun doing either. 
• At the pool, beach, or lake (just like everywhere else), you are a witness for Christ!

Happy Swimming!

Bathing Beauty Secrets

Even one-piece swimsuits have problems of their own, but with a little creativity, your swim outfit can be modest, practical, and express your personal style. Below are many suits that need a little tweaking to make them oh-so-effortlessly modest!

Add a tube bikini top under a low cut suit.

A stretchy crop top can work great as part of your suit.

No straps? No problem! Add a coordinating sports bra under the suit for support and coverage. 

For a suit that has great built-in support and coverage, add a stretchy swim short!

Use a lace beach dress, even to swim in. It will dry fast when you get out of the water.

Find a lightweight romper to wear over a swimsuit. Also, wear a lightweight cardigan while sitting poolside.

Wear a trendy short like these stretchy lace shorts instead of athletic wear.

Beating the Hot Sun of the Culture

"I feel so fat compared to them." 

"I'm not skinny enough to look good in a bathing suit!" 

"I wish I had the perfect body size."

---

Have you ever thought any of these things? I'm ashamed to admit that I have. The world wants us to think that we have to be a certain weight and size to be beautiful. For a girl who has always been tall and has a larger-built frame, I thought that I would never be considered "beautiful." I hated even the thought of putting on a bathing suit. But several years ago when the Lord brought me to Himself, He slowly began changing the way I think about myself and what I define as "beautiful." 

- Our culture defines beauty as a certain weight or body size. But God defines beauty as, "Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:4)

- Our culture's form of beauty will pass away, but God's beauty is imperishable.

- Our culture wants us to think that all we should care about is making ourselves more beautiful, but God wants us to pursue and live for Him. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

- Our culture tells us that to be beautiful we must wear seductive bathing suits and clothing, but God wants us to be beautifully modest. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Learn to accept and cherish the body that God has given you. Eat healthy, exercise, and get adequate rest. If you do these things, you will be at the perfect weight that God meant you to be! All the while, keep in mind that your bodies are dust and will perish one day. But your soul will live forever, so make sure that you cultivate and grow your relationship with the Lover of your soul, Jesus Christ.

So how do we beat the hot sun of the culture? By living for Jesus Christ and shining as a bright light in a dark world! We must dress in a way that brings honor and glory to God, not to our bodies. Instead of focusing on ourselves and how we can dress to please others, we must be consumed with giving God all the glory.

"For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:16-17)

Swimwear 101

It's really hot outside. Not just sunny hot, but your hand can almost push through the air because it's thick with moisture; if you live in the South, you know what I mean. It becomes so hot the only thought pulsing through your head is cool water... the pool, a lake, a pond, the beach, even the sprinklers on the lawn.

It's so tantalizing, yet, do you ever feel you shouldn't? Sort of like an awkward guilt because you want to be modest, but part of you just wants to be in your scants cooling off under the lovely feel of refreshing water! Finding a balance in enjoying the sun and decently covering our bodies can be hard. 

Can I wear spaghetti straps?

What about halters?

Or backless?

Can I wear a tankini?

Should I wear a swim skirt or shorts?

How long should a swim cover be?

Would a tube cover be appropriate?

Is a bikini always forbidden?

What about support built in a swimsuit?

How do I stay cool when it's so hot out?

What about surfer wear?

AND SO MANY MORE!!!!!

Instead of going through each question, let's make things simple. 

1. Swimwear as clothing, not just unmentionables

What I mean by this is applying the same principles to swimwear as you do clothing. You wouldn't wear a top without the proper support under it. You wouldn't wear a skirt without your unmentionables. Think about a swimming outfit! Buy items made from swim material, a supportive bikini for your foundation, a swim top or tank, board shorts or a swim skirt, then add a fun wrap skirt or dress. If we think of swimwear more like the layering we already do -- remembering we'll be more active and in the water -- we will be more successful in dressing.

2. Keep with your personal style

If you like classy, don't buy a sport swimsuit. Keep with your personal style choices when choosing swimwear. It should be a pleasure to get dressed :)

3. Make Adjustments

If you purchace a one-piece with a plunging neckline, buy a little swimsuit fabric and add a trim. Move straps and bows or ruffles. Get handy with a needle and make things work!

4. Seek Advice  

If you don't know your parents' thoughts on this subject, ask! Knowing what they approve or disapprove of will be your starting point. If you have stylish/modest friends, ask how they handle swimwear. They can be very helpful with tips on where the best buys may be in your hometown.

Swimming Upstream

This is a big week for Silk and Purple! We want to talk with you on a subject that many girls talk about around this time of the year... swimsuits! We are calling this series Swimming Upstream -- all about beating the heat from the surrounding culture and the summer sun! 

Why "swimming upstream"? Unfortunately, we will be considered weird for talking about and practicing modesty in this way. We will probably offend a lot of people, but it must be addressed -- not only in our thoughts, but how to practically wear swimsuits on a hot beach in the middle of July.

Below is a video that seems to be getting a lot of attention lately, and rightfully so. I love this video and hope you enjoy as we kick off this series!

We will be back!

We'll be out this week, but we will be back with a special series all next week, Swimming Upstream -- all about beating the heat from the surrounding culture and the summer sun!