A year at THE LORD'S TABLE

New Website - New Blog

2011-01-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.deloresliesner.com

Come visit!

Days 364 - 365 - Look What God Has Done

2011-01-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

I thought of so many titles for this last post... like Shoulda - Coulda - or The Party's Over... but that would have been focusing on what got me into trouble in the first place and sent me running to Setting Captives Free ... and if I've learned anything this year it is to look to the Lord and what He can do in me.

We just returned from a Watchnight and I brought all the wheat and sugar I could find in the house to get rid of it :) - only brought back a little bowl of the cherries that went over the cheesecake. I'll put those in the freezer for the next potluck.

Earlier snack shown above - pan crisped sweet potatoes and onions. Delish... Still dear hubby has convinced me to join him in a midnight snack and I've compromised by having a half. Stomach still regretted it. I guess, though most of you can handle a little sugar now and then, my body is not ready for it. Halving such a huge treat is a viable option though, for anyone concerned with health, calories or sugar intake .

So, what has God taught me this year?

Filling up at the Lord's Table on a regular basis becomes a habit as strong - no, stronger - than craving for chocolate or potato chips. This healthier snack of Greek Yogurt mixed with raspberry juice, raspberries and blueberries, and topped with a bit of granola was so yummy. This day of snacks also had Blue corn chips with chunks of par-boiled Chicken (cooked in rice-wine with Herbes de Province, parsley and onion salt), and added onions.

I can clean out the pantry and have a healthy kitchen without feeling deprived
Cooking with fresh and colorful foods is full of taste and adventure
Many restaurants are learning about gluten intolerance and make accommodation
I do much better when I journal my intake - found using Weight by Date a tremendous help
Fasting is now an important part of my health - physical and spiritual - and is a great pick-me-up especially when I use Emeril's broth, and veggie juice instead of fruit or just water for lengthy fasts
Getting oxygen first thing in the morning - whether through stretching, oxycise, sauna or treadmill, makes the whole day go better
Eliminating wheat has improved my breathing capacity and stamina. It's far easier to walk up a lot of stairs, or to take a long walk (often did 4, 5, and 7 mile walks - occasionally doubled those)
Looking at food presentation as an art encourages adding color to the meal
Focusing on colorful food first, as the main feature, rather than what I can pour on top, has produced more exciting meals with 'brighter' taste
Meals are more enjoyable now that I am controlling the food, rather than it controlling me.

I'm thankful that my body responded by losing some weight and inches so I could fit into my former size again, and even more appreciative of an opportunity to apply what I've learned on a possible new column with Examiner.com.

Thanks for following my year-long resolution and Have a happy and HEALTHY New Year! If you are having difficulties with Food, Health, Cravings, Commitment to God first - please do yourself and your loved ones a huge favor and check out www.settingcaptivesfree.com - Your freedom in Christ awaits you.

Delores - P.S. Come visit me at my new website www.deloresliesner.com

Days 362 - 363 - Making excuses

2010-12-29T23:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a great time of being with family and receiving unexpected gifts from friends. It was also, upon reflection, an opportunity to make excuses because I wanted to eat some of every goodie that was available. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings because they'd given me the gifts... I didn't want anyone to feel sad I couldn't eat the desserts (yeah right :)... and on and on... and so I ate, and so I got sick.

Silly me. I've been paying for it since, and only began wanting to eat again today. 1 Corinthians 6:13 describes it well: " You know the old saying, “First you eat to live, and then you live to eat”? Well, it may be true that the body is only a temporary thing, but that’s no excuse for stuffing your body with food...Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body!" (The Message)

This spring my sister and I were in a situation which we felt had the potential to be abusive. She offered some excuses so we could avoid it and I'd responded I didn't any longer need an excuse to protect myself, and so we made the choice to leave. It was the right thing to do. Now I'm humbled to see the similarity in the overeating excuses and the failure to protect my body from abuse of improper eating.

It was a good lesson. Painful, but good.

My youngest granddaughter has been happy to 'sign up' as my new trainer, and has me working out for an hour at a time. Interesting how it hurts while I am stretching the muscles, can barely move the first few minutes after, and feel great a half-hour later.

Food photos: Christmas Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans. Looks pretty simple, but one allergy foods and two no-nos on that little plate. No photos of the piece of peach-cheesy pie, pecan cookies, chocolate-peanut butter cookies, or scoop of pumpkin ice cream.

OK -later - let's just have the green beans, no wait - some high protein pudding can't hurt (try chocolate heartburn and soy feels-like-a-brick in the stomach)

Then it felt good to eat nothing for a few days.

Breakfast Today - Cottage Cheese, raspberries, pecans (couldn't find the almonds in the fridge)

Lunch: Ham, Onion, Mozzerella Cheese, topped with Wild Thyme Cranberry-Raspberry spread.

Tonight - Turkey burger with yummy cherries - ate half and saved half the turkey for tomorrow.

Gave Ken a Baked Potato - I still can't face those.

Think I'd better make soup tomorrow.

Know what you eat

2010-12-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

Found this great site: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts

Simply enter the food and in addition to basic nutrition data, you get inflammation rating. Inflammation is what inhibits health and feeds disease in the body. There has been much hype and recent commercials saying high fructose corn syrup is no different from any other form of sugars. Well here is information that clearly refutes that without needing a degree in science!

Here is the explanation of the inflammation ratings:

IF (INFLAMMATION FACTOR) RATING™ The IF (Inflammation Factor) Rating™ estimates the inflammatory or anti-inflammatory potential of individual foods or combinations of foods by calculating the net effect of different nutritional factors, such as fatty acids, antioxidants, and glycemic impact.

How to interpret the values: Foods with positive IF Ratings are considered anti-inflammatory, and those with negative IF Ratings are considered inflammatory. The higher the number, the stronger the effect. The goal is to balance negative foods with positive foods so that the combined rating for all foods eaten in a single day is positive.

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5592/2#ixzz195oie8AO

Sucrose (refined granulated sugar) - inflammation number : -14
High Fructose Corn Syrup - inflammation number: -1022

Lettuce - green leaf, for example is a 6 (a positive number)

Chronic inflammation is a disease. Unlike other diseases, though, this type of condition can develop slowly over time, leading to complex health conditions.
Although this type of inflammation has been known about for years, it is only now that doctors are realizing that it is incredibly important to control.
Without treatment, this illness can lead to a variety of complications, including a wide range of degenerative conditions and diseases.

Days 348 - 350 - Sometimes you just gotta start fresh

2010-12-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Yikes - I went too far this time trying to be 'quick and simple' and ruined some food. First it was the "pastie pie" - why make four separate pasties, I thought, Ken could have less useless white dough and the same great taste - did NOT work out.

Don't they look nice thought? I guess there's another lesson that some things might LOOK good... but are not when you get past the cover....

Second lesson - I thought I'll make room in the fridge for the Christmas meat and found bits of ham, yellow peas, etc. and tried to make soup out of it... NOT... No picture of that - it hit the trash too fast :)

Then I wised up! Toss ... Toss... Toss... Start fresh.

Took Bulgur (a form of whole wheat that has been cleaned, cooked, dried, and ground) and cooked it in water with a little cranberry juice, caramel flavored sweetener (usually use it in warm apple cider) and added fresh cranberries. Result: a delicious - and pretty - side dish similar in texture to rice pudding.
Loved it warm with a little amaretto flavored creamer too. Who says grain always has to be a savory side dish!

A few pecans on top ...mmmmmmmmmm

Birthday lunch with friend at Grandview in Lake Geneva... What an elegant place. My lunch - Seared Salmon, asparagus, brandied sweet potatoes and Lemon-Yogurt dressing. It also came with a lovely salad with their awesome creamy Raspberry Vinigrette (my choice :)

We had dessert too - shared a piece of New York Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache - rich yet not too sweet.

Lunch snack today:

Ham, onions and cheese - a favorite sandwich without the bread!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Only 15 days to this challenge, yet it's made a firm enough group of habits to be a part of my life.

Days 345 - 347 - The Colors of Health

2010-12-21T22:10:00.000-08:00

The more color in your meal the better. Even though I've been running a triple schedule the last few days and haven't done any serious cooking, a few fresh vegetables make a quick dash of color:

This Greek Gyro Salad is part of the 'plate' special at Sparti's. It actually provides 3-4 meals (two for each Ken and I). Today I added a fresh carrot salad for color... grated the carrots in the processor and added minimal mayonnaise and equal amount of fresh lime juice. (Under 2 Tbsp. each). I thought it might have to be sweetened, but not so. The lime juice gave such a fresh crisp flavor to the salad, I'm sure it will permanently replace our old version of the sweeter and thicker mayo dressing. Cranberries added another color as well as delightful flavor. This meal is a winner for me because it has Green (Romaine), Red (Cranberries and Red Onions), Orange (Carrots), White (sweet onions) and brown (Gyro meat).

Sunday was pot-luck and I picked up pre-cooked tenderloin tips which were added to rice noodles 'cooked' in beef broth with a scant 1/2 tsp. of Italian seasoning. Will try to add a photo of that tomorrow.

Just began a simmer of a meaty ham bone and yellow peas with onions for tomorrow's soup. There's one good thing about delivering all the sweet treats - Just cooking, taste-testing and smelling all the sweet stuff while preparing goodies for senior citizens the past few days has convinced me I won't have a problem at Christmas - sugar just doesn't smell good anymore, so maybe I OD'd on tasting!

I wish I had time to do a liquid fast, but am thinking between Christmas and New Year will be the perfect time. I will be done with the blog, and can prepare broth, veggie juice and smoothies, all of which can be colorful too - but much more energizing than eating on the run.

Until then - color is my aim - three or more a meal.
Greens: Darker tones are better - Benefits: Vitamin A and vitamin C, protein (per calorie), fiber, iron, calcium, lutein, magnesium and folic acids. Low in calories, low in fat

Reds: Benefits: Vitamin A and C, potassium , antioxidants, and melatonin and magnesium and anthocyanins from Cherries (reduce pain a nd inflammation)

Yellows and Oranges: Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, fiber, lycopene, antioxidants, beta carotene, Vitamin B6, Iron, riboflavin, and potassium

Blues and Purples: Richest in antioxidants, Manganese, and Vitamin K., potassium and calcium, Vitamin A, magnesium, iron, potassium, Vitamin C, and fiber. Low in calories and fat. High in energy, protein, and carbohydrates.

The colorful palate keeps memory sharp, fights cancer, heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, and many other inflammation fed diseases while building up the immune system, and providing low calorie energy.

1Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Days 342 - 344 - Living Well - Without...

2010-12-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Ok - let's see if I can remember the list - most of the family no longer eats sugar - many are sugar sensitive but a few do look forward to treats... allergies I'm aware of are garlic, pineapple, gluten (all wheat products), corn, watermelon, cantelope, dairy, soy, macadamia nuts and then cooking for seniors at church it was suggested I eliminate nuts (I cannot relate to any baked goods without nuts being considered edible :)

So - what shall I make? For the seniors and the gluten free candidates - morning glory muffins without nuts. Flour is combination of Rice Flour Baking Mix and Spelt flour, and other ingredients are eggs, sweetener (xylitol/stevia mixture), grated apples, carrots, vanilla, baking soda and cinnamon. Surprisingly light and moist.

Christmas plans so far are Pumpkin ice cream for the treat, coconut milk ice cream for the Dairy Free, Turkey and 'safe' Maple syrup gravy, mashed potatoes and something with cranberries in it. Rice Milk pumpkin pies and a no-sugar added Apple Cobbler. A fruit tray will keep all fruits separate rather than the usual mixed bowl, and walnuts and pecans (the non-allergic nuts) will be "candied" with Maple syrup (about 1/4 cup to a pound) and olive oil (about 1/8 cup to a pound). Drizzle with mixture, bake 20 minutes at 320 and stir). Let cool if you can keep the lip-smackers away, and enjoy. Far better than the sugary ones we've tasted in the past.

But right now what is she eating? Green Onion Scramble above - with a little Feta and onion added. Organic canned cherries on the side and Salad makings...

Chicken breast and mixed Snap Beans - Yellow, Green and Red Onion.

Sweet Potato and Quorn "Chicken Nuggets" (gluten free and meat free) but you would swear they are chicken! These might be a good snack for Christmas too.

You know me, I went searching for the word without and was fascinated to be reminded of the Israelites time in the desert away from their gastronomic favorites from Egypt. Deuteronomy 29: 5 and 6 says: I took you through the wilderness for forty years and through all that time the clothes on your backs didn’t wear out, the sandals on your feet didn’t wear out, and you lived well without bread and wine and beer, proving to you that I am in fact GOD, your God.

Interesting isn't it, that I think I'm doing something sacrificial if I go without something for 40 days, or 40 hours, or sometimes 40 minutes! Many people give up certain foods or pleasures for the Lenten season before Easter, and find it challenging. I've found my one year plan to require constant planning and renewed effort. It's difficult to imagine a commitment for 40 years! Apparently bread, wine and beer were important to the Israelites, that to not just survive, but to live well without those items was evidence of God's presence and assistance. When first diagnosed with allergies our family too felt like we had it tough to have to live without wheat - or dairy - or sugar. But we too have found that we can live well without those ingredients. As a matter of fact, a favorite source of ideas comes from a new magazine and website called Living Without for those with many allergies.

Personally I think I'd better hop over to the website and see how this will apply to the new living without credit resolution! Come visit and share your ideas: www.deloresliesner.com

Days 340 - 341 - Unprepared on the road

2010-12-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Danger, Danger, that's all I can say. A road trip on Monday turned out to be a long hungry day. Friend and I left at 5 am for what we expected to be a 4 hour drive. Wind, cold, and partially plowed sections of I-94 between Manitowoc and Green Bay were treacherous, so it took 6 hours instead of 4. The only thing I'd tossed in my pocket was a high-fiber bar so that became breakfast. Our late arrival ran commitments together and there was no time for lunch, so we finally ended up eating the next meal at 5 p.m.

I felt like I was starving, and when the waitress asked what I would like I said one of everything on the menu! We toned it down, but appetizer, dinner and a free dessert was all welcome and delightful as you will see by the photo. Even with left-overs for lunch today, I ate far more at one sitting than I have for months and was really woozy from the sugar by the time I got home. I'm also more used to being hydrated now and I'm sure that was part of the problem, as I could not take my hands off the wheel to take a sip of water or tea for fear of losing control of the car.

Conclusions of course are never to travel again the day following a storm. The roads on the way back were better though not completely cleared, so a new resolution is to wait at least 48 hours after a blizzard before driving.

Dinner choices in my 'starving' condition were mostly good:

The thin sliced prime-rib sandwich without the bun was awesome except I forgot to omit the cheese, so it was a bit rich for an empty stomach. Couldn't pass up on a free dessert and chose carrot cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Although the dessert did not taste overly sweet and I only ate half the cake, I sure got a sugar hit. Not used to that anymore either, which is a good thing.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of how I felt when I wasn't eating as healthily to appreciate the victories I've attained. It made me realize how much better I felt without the sugar (which I used to think I NEEDED). It was a good reminder to be more prepared when on the road with little protein-filled snacks. New rule: pack protein first.

Dinner tonight was little preparation: Mrs. Grass' Vegetable Soup with added Broccoli.

Among the many scriptures that mention preparing food, I thought of Psalm 23 and how the Lord is preparing the table for us:

You have to love the way Eugene Peterson translated this verse: Psalm 23:5     You serve me a six-course dinner
        right in front of my enemies.
    You revive my drooping head;
        my cup brims with blessing.

Days 338 - 339 - Vandalizing the Temple

2010-12-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

As a Christian believer, healthy weight for God’s Temple is mandatory.

Think about it this way: When you allow God control of your life, your body becomes His temple. I Corinthians 3:16 states: “ Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

Look at the very next statement – it’s a warning!

God said, “No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.” 1Corinthians 3:17

Some examples of vandalizing the temple would be starving it, overstuffing it, not eating nutritionally and not exercising (knowing what is right and not doing it). All of these will rob our body of its health. Robbing is one form of vandalism. Can you think of others?

Common definitions include purposely destroying or damaging the property of another, and Webster’s dictionary includes the word reckless to describe the behavior. We are not to be reckless: a. heedless or careless. b. headstrong; rash. c. Indifferent to or lack of regard of consequences, neglect. So what is the opposite then, that we SHOULD DO?
Be:
Careful
Cautious
Mindful
Tractable
Show interest and concern – make it a matter of importance
Do not neglect

There should be a balance:
Healthy Eating - Healthy Thinking - Healthy Activity
Spiritual, Mental, Physical and Emotional balance

Out of shape? Feeling out of it? Need to have health restored? Proverbs 3: 5-8 tells us to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality

Food: Healthy granola, rice milk, blueberries
Hamburger and tomatoes on mini-croissant
Meatloaf, Green Beans & Home-Canned Peaches

Days 336 - 337 - Open the door!

2010-12-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

Taco Salad - other food abundance from yesterday

2Corinthians 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

I was reading about being the temple of God and this verse struck me - especially the word DWELL: The Hebrew word it originated from is yashab, yaw-shab´; and it means to dwell, to remain; to settle, to marry, to abide, to inhabit, to keep house, to endure. God's word is like - well, like potato chips used to be for me - once I look up one word, I cannot stop, I love it. So - the original meanings for several words are listed below in parenthesis.

What a relationship is revealed in these few words. It's not a visit, not a dating-and-let's-see-how-this-works-out type of relationship - it is an enduring relationship - close and intimate.

Then the order of the description of how I am a temple of God showed the progression:

First - He dwells (lives, makes His home, remains) in me
John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me and how do I know if He abides in me? 1John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.
Second - He walks (to go softly with) among (near/close to) me

Third - I will be their God - He will be (accept/will/want/content) my God (Almighty God)

Fourth -They (I) will be HIS people (fellow citizens) I was surprised as I personalized the verse and looked up each word to see that in both phrases be had the same meaning (I will be their God and They will be my people) - accepted, willed, wanted, contented)

Wow! God said He would accept me - He willed me to exist and to be His child, He wants me and is content to be my God.
Not one of my gods.... or a god - but my God - how personal, and how AMAZING.

Then He says that as He dwells in me, and walks softly close to me, I willingly will accept His constant closeness - I will accept Him as my all-in-all, and I will be contented when I learn and understand that I am God's will. I am wanted. I am accepted.

We each receive the invitation to eat at The Lord's Table (Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.)

If you haven't already, I hope you will join me - open the door!

Days 334- 335 - Counting Down

2010-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

High Protein Chili (Beef and lentils), over Baked Squash. I decided after heating to top with sour cream.

An easy and delicious meal

Below is Slow Simmered Pork and Ambrosia (Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges and Unsweetened Raw Coconut Flakes

Protein at every meal is the key for energy and weight loss for me. I understand some peoples metabolic type is vegetarian, and they can modify the squash meal above, by making a bean and vegetable laden chili.

Only 30 days to go on this resolution from January to eat at The Lord's Table for a year. So should that mean I can relax, or add in junk food? Several reasons tell me not to try that again. Again? Yes, there are occasions like church potluck dinners, birthdays and holidays where more than the usual 'treats' are available. A spoonful usually is enough to find out if my body will tolerate something.

Things I used to like now taste 'off' or too sweet. The habit is firm that if I don't really enjoy something why waste the calories eating it. That is such a switch from last year's "you paid hard-earned money for this - it should not go to waste." Instead it went to Waist!

Counting Down should be like a NASA shuttle countdown - on the way to victory - a Takeoff really! Each day provides opportunity to continue the countdown to:

A completely healthy pantry. No processed foods or so little they are only used rarely.
New habit of eating healthy every day and three times a day. (I know it's hard to relate to for some people but it has been a battle to retrain myself to eat more frequently than once a day.)
Naturally and automatically looking to the Lord first for that restless inner longing that only He can satisfy. This has certainly become more consistent through practice and I do not think about food all day, and I can plan the meals without thinking of dessert first!
No more buying something because it is cheap - if it is not good and good for me - forget it.
No more buying case lots - variety is more fun, and besides spending all the grocery budget on a few items locks my menu planning on one shelf in the pantry - boring!
Freedom - where food is not controlling me, but I am controlling (and enjoying) food

This race for health is done with purpose and I want to keep the goals ever before me. One of the verses that helped me a lot through this resolution is 1Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;

Days 331-333 - Habits for Health

2010-12-05T19:01:00.000-08:00

I've just been analyzing what I've learned through practicing The Lord's Table these 333 days. Six of the more obvious are:

Feeling dissatisfied and uneasy if the day starts rushed and either The Lord's Table or exercise get pushed aside until noon or later.
Recognizing healthy food faster (and unhealthy - label reading is speed reading now)
Noticing the refrigerator is more filled with color! Grandkids were looking for corn (I hardly eat it anymore as it is a grain not a vegetable and corn does not break-down/digest at all). Anyway, the only yellow veggie was Zucchini...everything else was green or red. That's a very good sign.
Noticing that many people around us are getting colds and flu symptoms. We are not. Processed foods - esp. refined carbs and sugar hinder the immune system. Encouraging to know eating right affects more than the waistline and keeps one healthier, longer.
I can stop eating when I am full even if there is more on the plate or in the serving dish.
I used to have trouble getting 3 glasses of water down - now it is a habit to drink a glassful first thing in the morning, before and during each meal, and one in the evening. A refreshing habit.

I guess habit is the key word for me on every one of the above reasons - repeating the action day after day and week after week has created new healthy habits. It works.

Here are two more habits that improves health:

Psalm 64:10 Be glad, good people! Fly to GOD!
Good-hearted people, make praise your habit.

Prov. 4:20-22    My son, give attention to my words;
    Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight;
    Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them,
    And health to their whole body.

Food: Cod browned in coconut oil

Salad topped with Pear, Apple, Toasted Almonds and Mango dressing

Cod again, this time topped with Tri-Color Vegetable salsa - onion, sweet peppers, zucchini and side of Baked Apples and Pears with fresh blueberries.

Chicken and Rice below - Rice cooked in broth and saffron, then stir fried with greens, carrots flat-leaf parsley and red pepper. Fresh chunky applesauce as a side.

Days 328 - 330 - Comfort Food

2010-12-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

Brrr - it's been cold out and warm Chicken Soup hit the spot. Chicken, a little rice cooked in the broth, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves and of course Herbes de Province make Mmm Mmm Good.

Salad has Greek Dressing from Sparti's and a some chopped Gyro meat.

Veggie lasagne is the best gluten-free I've made so far and will surely repeat this delight. Replacing the usual noodles were quarter-inch thick sliced zucchini and squash (Carnival, I think it was called - yellow and green stripe and shaped like a fat cucumber). The layers were:
Squash and Zucchini slices
Sauce: Ragu Chunky Spaghetti Sauce, 6 oz. tomato paste and 12 ounces tomato juice
Cheese: Mozerella and a few shreds of Colby
Onions and Italian Sausage (from RangerCity Marketplace in Wausaukee, WI)

Three layers of each and baked at 350 for 45 minutes.

Yum - ultimate gluten-free comfort food.

It's interesting that the scripture never links comfort and food. It is we who seek comfort from that which was never created with such power.

Need internal long-lasting comfort? Here is where to find it: 2Thessalonians 2:16-17 "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. "
Philemon 7 "For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you".

So, before I run to the temporary comfort food (like the hot chocolate I had tonight), I run to the Lord's Table and allow Christ himself to give me eternal comfort - through His Word and through His followers.

A special thanks to those who called today and ministered comfort to me.

Days 326 - 327 - Journaling

2010-11-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

Journaling spiritual thoughts, life happenings, and yes, what I eat and type and duration of exercise, continue to be an important foundation. If I cannot see where I have been, it is harder to determine where I am going, until I find myself on a detour because I was daydreaming.

I really like the program Weight by Date. It is reasonably priced, and helps keep track of daily calorie intake and output, including calories burned just by normal living. It is encouraging as you input either meal content or activity info and can instantly see how the day has begun, what needs to be done to complete the day with a minus calorie count (as long as I am losing weight), and how many calories are left to consume for that day. It also has many charts and a cheering session for each 2# lost. Check it out. It is about the fourth of the cost of those fancy armbands using electronics to read the same input.

Sunday's food was a birthday party - My choices were the lettuce wrap above with Roast Beef and onions, White Yams cooked with sweet red peppers, and half a squash (in the bowl) topped with High Protein Chili (beef and lentils) and Sour Cream. Thought I had a picture of dessert (crustless Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream sweetened with Agave Nectar and Stevia)

Monday's pic is the leftover Tortilla Chips I scavenged, cheese, mushroom and onions. Had a full day out - home for 'lunch' at 8 p.m. Too late to eat more than that.

Did you know scripture encourages writing? One of the verses I like about this topic is 1John 1:4 And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

So what are these things that we write? Here is the context:
1John 1:1 -3 From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we’re telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

Simply put, we are sharing our experiences with the Lord - saying "Look what God has done!"

Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!

1John 1:5and 6 further explain:
This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.

And we are to be honest, because others will recognize that "if we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim."

Days 323 - 325 - Thanks - giving!

2010-11-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

Nope - no 'glutton-day' here as one friend suggested their table appeared to represent. Lamb was our featured entree (appropriate reminder for a day to thank The Lamb for all our blessings). California white potato - halved and sprinkled with lemon olive-oil and Pressure-Cooked carrots (4 minutes and they are perfect!) made for a wonderful meal.

Dessert was a tiny slice of ganache-frosted cheesecake and a half of a Cheerfully Gluten-Free Chocolate Mint Brownie, topped with 1/3 cup frozen ice-milk. It was delicious but sad. Why sad? Because I haven't had that rich ganache for such a while, that I immediately got a stomach ache. It sometimes feel that my changing health is removing what I associated with happy memories - now that IS sad. Memories of eating bags of chocolate, and bowls of whipping cream covered in hot fudge until I was sick is a happy memory?

Can't say I'll never want ganache again, but also can't say I long for it like I used to.

I'd rather have the dessert I requested for my birthday - flan!

The house smells more like Thanksgiving today, as Ken decided he'd like a pumpkin pie after all. It is such an easy pie to make and tastes the same whether we use traditional refined sugar and brown sugar, or maple or rice syrup, and bake it without a crust.

Breakfast yesterday on the left - Egg over easy, with sauteed mushrooms, red sweet peppers an onions.

Below - Chunks of Honey-Crisp Apples and Red Pears cooked down and served with a few drops of Watkin's carmel flavoring and Greek Yogurt.

Much to be thankful for on this road to health. In addition to being thankful for increased focusing more on the Lord, the pleasure and satisfying fullness I receive from 'filling up' at His table, Here's just seven health improvements for which I'm thankful:

Lost weight - about 3 more pounds and I'll be halfway to goal
Feel tremendously better - except for those few visits to chocolate or unexpected wheat, stomach and breathing issues have totally disappeared
Lost inches - fitting clothes better and that feels so good
Improved stamina - no more shortness of breath climbing hills or stairs
Skin issues and scars finally healing
New cravings for healthier food. White potatoes were another downfall in the past, and now they seem to have little taste and make me feel 'heavy'. I'd rather have a salad!
Finished reading another dozen books - time on the treadmill goes faster when reading or watching a video.

Colossians. 3:15 says it so well: Notice the progression:
And let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.

Days 321-322 - Experiment!

2010-11-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Photos are from my old cell phone which was better than nothing :) when I forgot the real camera.

The pasta dish was my surprise (I really should have known better - I WAS at an Italian restaurant!) - but when the menu said Lamb with... I expected more Lamb than pasta. Ah well, what I forked out was delicious and will take my Thanksgiving cue and serve goat cheese with the lamb.

Mangia's Strawberry Soup alone is worth a visit to Kenosha. They were out of fresh blueberries - the usual accompaniment - and put in dried cherries which I left behind. The soup, though was delightful, not overly sweet, and the bit of whipped cream a perfect touch for the acidic berries. I previously had a berry soup on a cruise, and it was thickened with cream, and lighter in color than this version. It had the color and consistency of of arrowroot-type thickener. I'll be experimenting soon with my own berries.

Lettuce Wraps - an adapted part of life since I began going gluten free - Chicken and Farmer's cheese (every avocado in the sack I purchased was so black I had to toss them) but tomato slices provided a nice contrast.

The "pita" without the pita below has all the makings of Chicken salad with strips of roasted chicken, chopped apples, dried cranberries, and fresh greens. The little black cup you see on the right, is a little leftover raspberry vinigrette from a previous restaurant.

Experimenting is fun for me - to see what I can make that is gluten free, or find things I actually prefer to eat when compared with ordering off a menu, and then either suffering from eating as is, ordering 'special', or either tossing the parts I cannot eat or sharing them with Ken (he loves the pita). Maybe my stomach has always been this way because I recall eating the pie filling, and leaving the crust, the chicken salad without the bread, etc. I never could understand people's enjoyment of bread by itself - to me it was just a carrier of the food I really wanted. The only gluten-free baked goods I've really enjoyed thus far are the ones my daughter-in-law makes as they have the familiar texture and full taste of my memories! If you are a bread lover with a gluten intolerance, do yourself a favor and check out the magazine and website, for Living Without - www.livingwithout.com It addresses gluten, dairy and other allergies. Bob's Red Mill also has some easy-to-bake-with gluten free flour.

I recently combined some protein smoothie mixes with cocoa, milk, sweetener and arrowroot to make a protein pudding. Ken tried it cold and thought the texture was stretchy. Maybe that is why I like it warm :) Another pudding possibility was using vermacelli instead of rice, with raisins, pistachios, almonds and flavoring with saffron and cardamon. Now I'm going to go make something with a bit of the lentils that I didn't freeze. Probably a hearty protein Lentil-Potato pancake for dinner.

Experimenting with the Word doesn't work, however. I find more inspiration marching through a particular book, passage, or theme, than doing the Judas-point-and-shoot method (illustrated by opening the bible, dropping the finger and finding Judas went out and hung himself - then, repeating in an effort to find something more inspiring, and coming upon something like "go and do thou likewise.") Read through the Bible in a Year is a good plan, or a chapter, a Psalm and a Proverb a day. Right now I'm cruising through the book of John. Perhaps cruising is the wrong word - I'm using the book Beloved by Beth Moore as a guide to a deeper re-read of a favorite book.

The opening passage is a banner for the rest of the book and really for the 'rest' of my faith!

John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being."

It syncs with my soul belief of Genesis 1:1 - the famous In the Beginning verse... It has been said that once one understands and believes this verse, all other elements of a life of faith are little steps in comparison to this great foundation of understanding the sovereignty of God.

Have a great Thanksgiving - may your relationships have the priority over food and may you realize much for which to give thanks.

Days 319-320 - Don't make too much!

2010-11-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

You guessed it - I did - make too much, that is... this time it was lentils. The recipe from the conference was so good, thought I'd finish off that package and well, we are getting tired of lentils. I did make three varieties and need to check if they will freeze, or share them with my neighbors. Lentil soup was good (better with sour cream or Greek yogurt on top), Chicken added is good too. Then, marinating the lentils in a lemon-Greek dressing, and adding cucumber, tomato, flat leaf parsley, mint made a yummy Greek Lentil salad just asking for Feta cheese topping. Tasted as good as it looked. Any other ideas?

I was reading in Proverbs again from The Message and noticed this verse in Proverbs 25:16 which talks about how I've acted in the past with something sweet: "When you’re given a box of candy, don’t gulp it all down - eat too much chocolate and you’ll make yourself sick;" NIV and NASB are talking about honey which was the sweet of Biblical days.

This reminded me of the days of indulging - when I was young and had a metabolism that did not seem to be affected by caloric intake, I thought it was a great excuse to eat all I could of whatever I liked. Pizza? Extra cheese please. Cake? Extra frosting... Ice Cream? Heavy on the hot fudge... Rhubarb cake with cinnamon-sugar topping - triple that topping, please! Potato chips? Cheaper by the bigger bag. Let me tell you, it catches up with you, and it doesn't look as appealing the next time around either. It was unique to begin thinking why not keep a treat just that - by enjoying the occasional portion or half portion and then stopping! A novel idea for me, but it is working. Not because I've willed it, but because I've learned if I feast at The Lord's Table first, I've found that elusive craving to be satisfied, and the temporary sweets of the earth are just that - temporary. I like them, but I do not have to live for them anymore.

And then there are the lentils that grew......... gotta run look up some lentil recipes :)

Days 317 - 318 - Refrigerator creativity

2010-11-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, I've been gone a week and poor hubby didn't quite know what I'd had in mind with what he calls mystery containers in the fridge and freezer. A stash of beets, avocados, red pears, colorful peppers, carrots and onions came home from the market to accent those containers of "manna" (Ken's name because Manna means 'what is it').

The red pears combined with leftover apples to make a chunky pear-apple compote. Their sauce was honey and bay leaves, and 1/2 capful of Watkins carmel flavoring cooked about 3 minutes. Toss the apples and pears and bake until tender to taste (35 minutes for us at 375). I topped mine with roasted sliced almonds and a bit of creme fraiche mixed with 1 tbsp. of International creamer - amaretto flavor.

The peppers and onions combined for the Chicken and Brie dish which we finished at lunch today with a little Chicken-Rice with lemon oil replacing the butter called for in the recipe. Shown above with the Pear-Apple dessert.

The avocados dressed up leftover Mushroom Perogi and the Carrots, Onions and more Lentil soup is ready for tomorrow. I do love to get creative over the stove. Ken prefers a larger serving but a plainer dish so he got more rice, more chicken and no cream on his dessert. He was pleasantly surprised at the lentil soup which was very simple to make with Chicken Broth, carrots, onions, and salt and pepper. It's better to start with a small amount - say 1 cup of lentils and a few vegetables covered with broth, seasoned to taste and cooked for almost an hour. Lentils do expand a bit in cooking so be prepared.

I've been studying various Bible characters, including Esau, who was so hungry he sold his inheritance for a bowl of lentil stew. The Bible says we should not be an ".. immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal." Hebrews 12:16

Those are pretty strong words, yet if food, or anything else controls us to the point we would sell all for it, or even feel like we might, it's time to run - RUN - to the Lord and seek strength to see food for what it is - necessary to live, delightful to taste, but not created to satiate our souls.

Days 314 - 316 - Afterglow

2010-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

It is tempting. After a week like my past week - where I was nurtured, encouraged, and cared for - including having all meals prepared, to relax the vigilance on eating right. Once I experienced what it feels like to be healthier, lighter, and more easily satisfied with less food, I don't want to turn back.

Today was an outing with friends at Mangia's - an Italian restaurant in Kenosha. I should have known that a menu item that started with Lamb and ended with Gnocchhi was going to feature the latter, flavored by the lamb. A little teasing for picking out the lamb and goat cheese (delicious) from the pasta was fine. The strawberry soup (thickened and topped with whipped cream) was not only a healthy treat but an appetite quencher, as I was still hungry from leaving the pasta behind. Not a problem though, as I'll add more lamb to the pasta tomorrow for Ken.

Unfortunately I left the camera behind. After hauling around my too-large and too-heavy briefcase all week, I was tremendously relieved for an excuse to use a tiny purse today. The pictures on the phone will be uploaded tomorrow.

I got the additional protein by whipping up a Chicken, Carmelized onion and Sweet Pepper tart with melted Brie. Fantastico!

The next photo was from Sparti's Greek restaurant's Gyro Plate. From that one generous serving, Ken had two gyro sandwiches and a side of meat and I had two salads with gyros. I think I'd like to be their poster girl :)

Cooking is my solution to not wanting to be tempted. I made several meals that should easily take us through the weekend, so, other than one appointment and a possible party this weekend, I can get some work done without wondering what I will do to quell the hunger that eating at regular hours this past week has seemed to develop. Seems my appetite, at least, is easily trained!

I Timothy 4:7 says we should "train yourselves to be godly." As usual, I love the way Eugene Peterson expressed it in The Message: "Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please!"

Days 307 - 313 - Dining at the Lord's Table in New Mexico

2010-11-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

Wow - combine wonderful food for the body, soul, and spirit and you come home trimmer! It's true. I ate until satisfied three times a day, had a delicious variety of gluten-free offerings and came home minus 1.3 pounds.

Below are some photos of food from Ghost Ranch, NM.

Salad bar or fruit bar was the sidekick of every meal - it made it so easy and tasty to stay on course.

The white potatoes only got tasted, not eaten. I had to test myself to see if that was something I felt I needed. Not.

Colorful chips added a nice crunch to the turkey salad which I put on greens, and cukes. YUM

The lentil dish below, topped with sour cream was a favorite.
I asked for the recipe, and got it! I will serve that again and again.

Will include recipe tomorrow when I unpack it :) Deuteronomy 11:15 says "you will eat and be satisfied." I have to admit, a year ago I would not have thought it would be possible to go to a week long conference and to eat healthy and be satisfied at every meal.

You can be satisfied, but it is your choice to be satisfied for a moment, or for the duration. This bowl of lentils is about what Esau sold for his birthright - his inheritance. We too, have an inheritance in Christ that is far more valuable than all that Esau or his brother Jacob received. Why would we not choose to wait to fill our bellies instead of desperately allowing something that will rot and spoil control us. Eating at the Lord's table not only keeps me filled with satisfaction, it helps me make better decisions because I am not consumed with thoughts of what I will eat next. Blessings on you.

Days 303 - 306 Enjoy the colors!

2010-11-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

The more colorful the plate, the healthier it is likely to be - as long as the colors are natural :)

I know I am loving the variety of colors from this time of year - yellow and green and red tomatoes - squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes of every golden hue... both gold and red beets - just loving the roasted beets (cut in half sprinkle with olive oil and salt and roast in oven about 40 minutes until tender).

The first two pictures are from Charcoal Grill in Burlington - some of the best Tilapia I've ever had - perfectly done, moist and delicious. And they have Sweet Potato fries!

Third pic - Rice noodles, Yellow Tomato Sauce, Broccoli and Italian Sausage - We loved the low acid marinara.

Then check out the pink soup! Love, love, love it.

It is Simple Soup - Chicken broth with matchstick carrots and onions cooked in it. Add some cubed (roasted) beets for a delicious pink soup. You can add leftover meat of choice (I happened to have some scallops)

Thought for the day: 3John 2 - Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. -

Days 296 - 302 - Keep your eye upon the doughnut

2010-11-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

That title didn't sound very healthy did it! It is actually a quote from our high school autograph collection - when you go through life, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole. It's sage advice really - focus on what you have - not on what is missing.

This has been a crazy week getting ready for conference, a couple of birthday celebrations, fulfilling some commitments, a weekend away and eating out and cooking up a storm of beets. In the midst of all the activity the truth behind that silly doughnut saying has rebounded into our lives over and over. First with the birthday celebrations, I've finally learned to treat myself with something decadently healthy. For one birthday, we celebrated at PF Chang and though I normally would have ordered lettuce wraps, I chose scallops in a light lemon sauce with veggies instead of rice. It was well worth the increase in price and I also had sufficient take home for another full meal, plus a portion of the scallops to add to Pink beet soup - awesome.

My birthday was next and that weekend we also had excellent choices at our location. One lunch is half a prime rib sandwich (ordered without the cheese or bordelaise sauce) but I forgot to order it without the bread. That made Ken happy though, as he loved the bread and the second half of the sandwich the next day. Starting green made that possible - a delicious salad with an unusual Maple vinigrette dressing. Then Sunday's meal was at Fratello's - my favorite restaurant inside the Fox River Valley mall in Appleton. Oh, my that salad alone is worth the trip. Crisp tasty spinach, fresh sliced Strawberries, roasted Pecans, and homemade creamy Raspberry dressing - a favorite can you tell! This time, I also topped it with one third of an appetizer order of (3) crabcakes that came with a Mediterranean quinoa that tasted like roasted Sesame. The salad is so big I could only eat half. I'm not complaining that I had a repeat birthday lunch the following day, plus a crabcake today with leftover mashed sweet and white potatoes combined with a touch of shredded Asiago. It's been birthday all week!

I've been reading about several of the Biblical celebrations: The Passover celebrating salvation, The Celebration of the harvest, the Celebration of new beginnings for Lazarus, the Celebration of restoration in the Prodigal Son returning home, and the celebration of the Feast of Weeks which says Deuteronomy 16:10 "Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you. "

That is another important way to look at what I have - to recognize the blessings that God has given me and to give an offering in proportion to those blessings. (How could I ever find that much to give?). Today I offer praise for a dear husband, kind and thoughtful children, sisters, and grandchildren. Many friends who pray for me and who celebrated my life with me this week, a warm home, blessings to write about, places that print those stories and an exciting trip to look forward to next week. I truly have much for which to be thankful.

And did you notice - when you look at what you have, you realize that the hole (what you don't have) is so much smaller than the doughnut. How sweet life is.

Celebrate it!

Days 294 - 295 - Who inspires you?

2010-10-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm surrounded, it seems, by people who inspire me. Several in our family and in our church come to mind, then other friends, and I find as the list grows longer, the last ones to be listed are those I know the least. Though those written last may be "famous" or well-known, they are somewhat of an enigma as I know about them but have not had the opportunity to personally get to know them. Some things that people who inspire me have in common are humility and empathy. Not sympathy. Empathy.

I am touched when my friends encourage me by being straight with me - sometimes a kind of 'quit your whining and count your blessings!' Other times a gentle reminder of what IS good in the midst of a tough situation. And most important of all, I've watched them walk through their own Red Sea - first stepping in the deep water, in faith, and then walking all the way up to their chin until the water finally receded, all the way confident in their Savior. That's inspiring. Scripture says iron sharpens iron and I appreciate having such spiritual sharpeners in my life.

I was going to start listing names and decided not to, lest I forget someone. You all know who you are. The writer of 2Corinthians 8:7 talks about how others can inspire love in us: "But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also." Thank you for being my inspiration.

So what inspired all this inspiration thanks? A devotional from a Beth Moore Bible Study in the Gospel of John and The Walk by Richard Paul Evans. Got to thinking about my walk of life and all the dear people who have touched me in some way.

Food:
Baked Acorn Squash topped with Chili and Greek Yogurt

Golden Casserole: Squash, Swiss Chard, Cranberries, Eggs, spice and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Butter Lettuce Chicken and Avocado wrap with side of Cauliflower

Days 291 - 293- Soup

2010-10-25T22:34:00.000-07:00

Soup has always been a staple, particularly when the weather begins to chill. Vegetable soup this week began with soup bones carrying a nice portion of beef. Carrots, celery, green beans and 2 small potatoes (cubed with my new chopper toy - thanks Bette!) were added with a handful of bay leaves and some lemon basil and garlic. Delish.

And yes, I do remove the bay leaves when I serve the soup!

Sweet potatoes proved too hard to cube for the chopper, so did them by hand (ok, by knife). Add a little olive oil mixed with tsp. of maple syrup and toss in dry roasted sliced almonds....mmmmm. Will be happy to revisit that tomorrow. It's simple food, but we both love it.

Forgot to take picture Sunday at church - we had a pot luck to celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries. Gluten free selections were: Chicken Salad on lettuce, a lettuce wrap with cheese and turkey, and a mint-chocolate brownie.

I knew the scripture had something about simple fare. How's this: Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Think I'd want to eat veggies rather than a fat ox... :) When I was in Spain, a waiter in a fancy restaurant brought the menu - two choices - Ox Tails (no thanks) or Pez con Barba (Fish with a beard!). I asked him if the fish was served with the beard, and, so much for decorum, he fell out laughing. Turns out the fish with a beard is a Tuna and they are quite larger than the cans we see so frequently. Anyway, I digress - that's my way of saying the fat ox actually probably refers to a nice cut of meat like a prime rib.

Still, wouldn't we rather eat the simple meal than have someone glowering at you or threatening you while you are trying to eat. Yep, I'll take the veggies and love any day.

I've noticed clothing fitting better for a while, but having rings loose again is a good thing. Walked a couple of miles today.

Days 289 - 290 Who can forget to eat?

2010-10-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

I did it again. I forgot to eat, and didn't realize it until about 7 pm tonight. Haven't done that for awhile, since I've gone on the gluten free diet. Fortunately there was squash, chili and greek yogurt in the fridge which made for a delicious pick-me-up.

The only reason I see in scripture for forgetting to eat is depression: Psalm 102:4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. This person's heart has experienced something that prevents the growth or prosperity... Hence: To destroy the happiness of; to ruin; to mar essentially; to frustrate; as, to blight one’s prospects. (Strong's concordance). That is not my situation today, but I've certainly experineced feeling as though my heart or emotions are frustrated and withered like the grass during a hot spell. Haven't we all.

Wise people evaluate each day the wealth that is in their lives - including of course, all that we have in Christ: Psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

I love this verse from the Old Testament which tells me what not to forget: Deut. 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Food: Gluten Free BLT snacks and Acorn Squash bowl with Bean and Beef Chili and Greek Yogurt topping.

Days 283-288 - Life is Like a Chinese Buffet

2010-10-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Really - there are so many choices to make. Choices you know immediately are good. Choices you look back at, yet knowing they are second best - or third. Choices you clearly steer around - you've been there before and don't want to return.

Some things in life are not a choice - though we might think they are. A bumper sticker stated it well: Life is a gift - not a choice. Salvation through Christ is also a gift - not a choice: John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

Obedience is a choice - Rom. 6:16 "Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone [or something?] to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Food on the road: Really was a Chinese Buffet - where all the veggies and protein one can handle are healthy choices - Stuffed mushroom, warm Crab Salad, Chicken and Brocolli, sauteed Zucchini, apples and grapes and a small piece of bananna provided a sweet treat.

Taco salad - Beef, Lettuce and raw Vegetables tossed in homemade French dressing

Breakfast below - Over easy egg tops Gyro meat, onion, potato, green pepper - took half home.

Days 280-282 I will not, I will not, I will

2010-10-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Computer is back up again. Had some repair work to do on the window in my office, and all is so much better. I felt lost without my electronic umbilical cord :)

The Stupid Diet is fascinating reading.... more of what I think we all need to hear. Rather than a list of don'ts or a string of rules, it gets to the reasons behind overeating. Then it reveals some good habits of eating.

The I will not, I will not, I will, refers to the past couple days. Though there were several opportunities to eat to my regret, and prepared an appropriate lunch that I would love - not just like - and it was so much easier to not even look at "what I was missing" because I'd been more at The Lord's Table, and I'm sure because the thyroid is finally getting straight. The absence of gluten the past couple of weeks has relieved several digestive symptoms as well as a breathing response after eating breads or breaded food. I will stick with this because I enjoy the way I feel. OK that covers the I will not. The I will? I will enjoy eating while living within my boundaries. At Friday's luncheon with "old friends" one of the gals made a gluten-intolerant gals dream come true. A delightful flourless chocolate cake with ganache topping was served, and wondering myself how I'd handle it, I took the smallest piece. Then I discovered I wasn't used to the sweets the past week and a few bites were enough. The remainder will go in the freezer in two portions for some future time when I want a bit of chocolate decadance.

Exercising is much easier now I have a wider variety of choices. Calorie count continues between -450 (with Friday's lunch) to minus 1200.

On the will not or will thought - I found it interesting that the scriptures many will or will not topics included one on the tongue, which I also happen to be studying right now. Romans 15:18 "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." Isn't that a great thought - for an hour or a day - to choose to not speak any negative things - but only that which Christ has accomplished in me! Do you think anyone would notice? I dare you. OK I dare me too!

Food: Brocolli Cole-Slaw with Poppy-Seed Viniagrette, Chicken and almonds - and the Gluten Free Chocolate Torte

Today - Salad with Yellow Tomatoes, Pistachios, Cranberries, and Radiccio

Days 278-279 - Gluten Free

2010-10-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

What is Gluten? Gluten is the protein composite that makes the dough elastic, helping it to raise. Gluten Free is getting to be a healthy buzz-word these days. Why is that when most wheat has been tolerated for generations? Many believe it is due to the increasing amount of genetically modified grains. While Wikipedia describes the gluten-free diet as "A gluten-free diet as completely free of ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals, breads and other foods : wheat (including kamut and spelt) barley and rye, Malts and triticale, as well as the use of gluten as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent." Gluten comes in many forms: vegetable proteins and starch, modified food starch (when derived from wheat instead of maize), wheat and barley derivitives, malt flavoring, and glucose syrup! Here is a very complete list: http://www.csaceliacs.org/library/labelnames.php

Yikes - what is left to eat you might wonder. There are many great references out there for gluten-intolerant people. Living Without has a great website and magazine. There is a Gluten Free store in Milwaukee - Gluten Free Trading Company - www.food4celiacs.com

Gluten Free Living - glutenfreeliving.com

Gluten-Free Recipes - Gluten-Free Goddess Karina ... - glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

GFCFdiet.com - Explanation of the diet, menus, sources of foods ... - gfcfdiet.com

Glutenfreeda - Extensive collection of gluten and wheat free recipes ... - glutenfreeda.com

Eating out? www.celiachandbook.com/wisconsin.html is a Gluten Free Restaurant Guide. Searching Gluten-Free Milwaukee, or your own city, often is surprisingly fruitful.

Hope that helps. We like to joke about Manna sometimes. "Exodus. 16:31 tells us that "The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey."

Sounds gluten free to me - and Manna, after all, means "what is it" - explaining why my dear hubby calls new recipes or combo dishes "Manna-Casserole"

Verse for the day: Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established." (Nasb) - Other versions translate established to read "succeed" . The Message puts it this way: "Put GOD in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place."

In a similar way if I Put GOD in charge of my diet, (instead of my natural cravings) which by the way are not the body saying it needs that item, but are often caused by other imbalances such as adrenal gland or thyroid...then my plans for health (to build up and honor the body as God's temple and keep it healthy for service.) will succeed.

Food: Over easy Egg with sauteed Greens, Onions, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Yellow Tomatoes

Butternut Squash filled with Chili containing beans and meatloaf - topped with Greek Yogurt whipped with a quarter teaspoon of honey.

Days 276-277 - Choosing Fresh Produce - Clues in the labels

2010-10-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

I learned something new today, and perhaps there are others that didn't know you could tell if the fresh fruit or vegetable you just bought from the store is GMO - genetically modified, organic, or coonventional (pesticide laden - one fast food place actually injects the potatoes before planting so they can say no pesticide is sprayed on their plants!)

The clue is the numbers on the label - if the label begins with an 8 the produce has been genetically modified. If a 9 is the first number you see - that's Organic, and if the first number is a 4 -the product has been grown using varied pesticides - Conventional.

Now I don't just look, touch or smell for freshness or ripeness but I read those little sticky labels. It's a case of it was right there all the time, I just had to look, to read it, and then choose what I want to apply to my body.

Many Bible verses tell us we have choices in life to make - including how we will feed our body which is God's temple.

Isaiah 7:15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.

Job 34:4 “Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good.

We want to be careful, though, not to think we are the ones that 'accepted' or chose God. Jesus says plainly in John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

And really that is comforting to know that it was not my moody, emotionally varied, mostly Sanguine self that made the eternal choice. An unusual comparison would be me as a fan choosing my ultimate star - be it singer, actor, artist, politician, playwright, whatever. The average response would be, "OK so what?" Of course you'd choose that person. But to KNOW that the ultimate star looked over the audience of thousands or millions and chose me - well that is surprising and unfathomable to my finite mind.

Food:
Yesterday - Asparagus and side of Chicken on 1/2 cup mashed potatoes

Today - Swiss Chard, sauteed with olive oil, onions and a few cranberries and golden raisins. Topped with meatloaf

Days 274-275 - Walkin and Swingin

2010-10-10T01:31:00.000-07:00

Adding swing, beat, arm movement or poles to your walking will intensify the caloric burn while making the time go faster. Recent additions to my walking are 50s music and some upbeat Christian Music like Gordon Mote - Don't Let Me Miss the Glory - and light jazz of Michael Buble. Make exercise as pleasureful as possible. I am getting a thicker floor exercise pad this week because I believe it will help me stay down to stretch and exercise longer.

Two for One:
Lunch Friday was at Chancery - a unique Beet Salad with (Grilled) chicken, apples, pecans and a light balsamic dressing. The picture was the "leftovers" with some added Chicken from home - Saturday Lunch.

What kind of love gives a double portion [of good] back after being treated badly? Agape love -
Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs.

That's a lesson I have been trying to apply. If someone is rude, instead of humiliating them, give a double portion of agape love so that they shout joy over my response. It's a challenge, but a rewarding one.

I picture someone wanting something of us - often what they consider their "due". Instead of merely satisfying them (even though they may be wrong), God encourages us to double it. Can't you just see the difference in reaction?

Day 273 - Eat the Real Thing

2010-10-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Fresh ingredients - the Real Thing!

I'm personally on a mission to remove various forms of sugar from my diet, using mostly Agave Nectar, Maple Syrup, and Stevia for my cooking. I was using Xylitol until recently as I discovered most companies do not use purely the Birch tree, but use Corn cobs in the process. Aspartame is among the worst of fake sweeteners also known as sugar-substitutes. Please take the time to go to Mission Possible and read more about this product and the dangers it poses to your health.

Here are just a small excerpt from the site of side effects:
There’s an athlete alert written by neurosurgeon Dr. Russell Blaylock and one written by Dr. H.J. Roberts as far as dropping dead on it.

Taco Salad with Chicken and Beef, Cumin, Avocado Hummus

it causes male sexual dysfunction and ruins female response.

The woman or even the man can cause birth defects in their own child if they’re using aspartame at the time of conception.

If the woman is drinking it, she can’t get pregnant to begin with because it’s an endocrine-disruption drug.

It stimulates prolactin and causes infertility. Then she gets off of it and gets pregnant, and then she gets back on it. It’s an abortifacient.

Many people lose their babies before they know they’re pregnant.

Then it’s a teratogen and causes birth defects and mental retardation. I think I sent you the autism chart that showed autism going straight up with the approval of aspartame. You see how serious it is.

Then what about the relationship of a man and a woman? You have 50% phenylalanine, which is an isolate. It’s a neurotoxin. It floods the brain, lowers the seizure threshold, and depletes serotonin.

People suffering from depleted serotonin suffer suicidal tendencies, manic depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, panic attacks, insomnia, and other things. Then it interacts with all antidepressants.

Yum! This is a "Diet" I can live with!

When the whole molecule breaks down to diketopiperazine, that’s a brain-tumor agent. When you think of the worst things, the Ramazzini Study has shown that it’s a multi-potential carcinogen. All you need is just a little bit of aspartame to cause cancer. He has shown it causes lymphoma, leukemia, and kidney cancer. In original studies, it caused so many different types of tumors: adenocarcinoma and brain, testicular, pancreatic, thyroid, mammary, and uterine tumors.

You’re talking about a very poisonous product. It’s in 10,000 products. It’s hidden in products like over-the-counter drugs. Look what it is doing to children. Most of the pediatric vitamins that you find in the stores have aspartame in them.

What if you take your child to a pediatrician, the pediatrician says, “We need to give you pediatric penicillin.” He’s going to prescribe Augmentin which has Aspartame in it.

I personally can testify that Aspartame gives me seizures. If you've thought before that it must be ok or it would be taken off the shelves, please think again.

You are better off using the REAL THING.

Day 272 - BPA vs Eating Fresh Food

2010-10-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's rather fun right now to be able to run to West Racine twice a week for fresh produce. I am probably going to be challenged this winter to keep this up, but I'll do the best I can looking for fresh frozen foods, or items without BPA. Anyone who is expecting a child should particularly take note of this risky chemical. An article from Natural News rather surprised me in that traditional doctors were warning pregnant patients not to eat canned food:

"The entire life of that individual may be altered by a few months of BPA exposure in pregnancy. This is where the greatest risk lies."

BPA is an industrial chemical used to make plastic hard, as in water and infant bottles, and also to make liners for food and beverage cans. It has been strongly established as an estrogen mimic that disrupts the endocrine (hormonal) system, with potentially serious effects on development, the reproductive system and the brain.

Look who else is (finally) showing concern: The U.S. National Toxicology Program recently ruled prenatal and childhood exposure to the chemical a cause for concern, prompting the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to revisit its decades-long stance that BPA is safe. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has also declared it a chemical of concern.

For more details go to:

http://www.naturalnews.com/029932_BPA_canned_foods.html

So there you have it. One more very important reason to consume foods as close to natural as possible.

There's hardly a reason not to seasonally blanch and freeze vegetables. The cost is less than purchasing frozen vegetables, and the quality is usually much higher. Fruit also freezes well. I love doing apple slices dipped in water that has been mixed with citric acid (Vit. C). I use about 1 tsp. to 2 quarts of water. Just dip the apples in and out, and place in freezer bag. They freeze to a beautiful white fruit, and cook up wonderfully whenever you need them.

These verses about remaining fresh and fruitful seem appropriate and meaningful:

Psalm 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.."

God also promises that His presence will always remain fresh for us: Job 29:20 "My glory will remain fresh in me, the bow ever new in my hand.."

Food: Salad - Greens, Tomatoes, Onions, Green Peppers, Cucumbers, Chicken Breast cubed. Dressing is Olive oil and Red Wine Vinegar
Hamburger and fresh veggies - Brocolli and Cauliflower.

Exercise Wed: Only a little walking as plan to walk was interrupted by an urgent need and I ended up spending 4 or so hours in a car instead. -586 calories
Exercise Thurs: Treadmill and situps - 912 calories

Day 271 - Glycation and aging

2010-10-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

Glycation?

A relative’s friend, age 32 recently had a heart attack. He is slim and fairly fit. What went wrong? One of his habits that he was ordered to stop was drinking at least one large (I mean quart size) soda every day. I began to wonder what would that have to do with his heart? Read on what surprising things I learned about glycation.

Glycation is a process where sugar molecules, such as fructose or glucose, bond to a protein or lipid molecule (not water soluble - fats and steroids) without the controlling action of an enzyme. This process combines the molecules to form a tangled mess of tissue. Glycated tissue is tough and inflexible. What will that lead to?

Outside of body – wrinkling of skin
Inside of body – wrinkling of internal organs – tough inelastic connective tissue all through the body. This is especially important in the heart, kidneys, brain, eyes, and pancreas.

The lack of flexibility in the important organs leads to reduced functionality and early death.

Glycation (sugar) must be dramatically reduced if aging is to be minimized. However some feel it cannot be stopped completely or reversed. Reducing glycation considerably can be accomplished by making changes in diet and lifestyle.

Reduce sugar in the diet. Besides the varied forms of sugar including honey and maple syrup, many starchy foods are close to 100% sugar including potatoes, rice, pasta, and grain (think bread). All of these foods must be reduced to a minimum. This is most easily done by cutting them out totally at home, and eating minimal amounts when eating out. Add Enzymes to the diet. Everyone's body slows down enzyme production as they age and most enzymes from food are found in their closest to natural state.

A second cause of glycation is eating foods cooked at high temperatures.

Total carbohydrates (sugar and starches) recommended for a healthy diet has been suggested between 3-6 oz. per day. This would be from vegetables, beans and small amounts of fruit (instead of the usual starches at meals – potatoes, bread, pasta and rice).

Foods: Tomatoes, Avocado, and Chicken, and a piece of Cod (not shown)

Calories -798 - Treadmill 30 minutes and walked outside

Devotional Thought for the Day: 1Corinthians 6:20 "you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Day 268-270 Grandview Revisit and Detox

2010-10-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

I've discovered a wonderful product called Cleansology which is making me feel great. Besides no stomach distress, and no heavy feeling after eating, allergy symptoms are decreasing and I just have a great feeling of wellness. Don't know how else to describe it.

I plan to continue for at least 2 weeks, using this Chai flavored smoothie type drink (powder and water) for breakfast and dinner replacement and having salad or soup - with protein - for my main meal at noon.
Following that I will begin the Stupid Diet by Dino Prato from Envita. www.behealthyamerica.com

Consequently calories will be pretty consistent with varied exercise changing the minus mark. Without specific exercise (other than daily living) my count will be about -587. Friday I walked 4.36 miles outside and did indoor stretching. Saturday was daily living and dancing. Sunday daily living.

As the title states, part of the purpose of using the Cleansology is detox, which should help with inflammation too.

In case anyone is not familiar with detox (from bodydetoxdiet.net) Detox is short for detoxification. It is the process of removing toxic substances away from the body. The body itself performs detoxification daily via the liver, kidney, digestive tract, lungs and the skin. Lungs excrete toxic gases from the blood and gets fresh oxygen from the air. Diets that are high in saturated fat can lead to fat buildup in the arteries. Cholesterol and inorganic chemicals can build up on the internal organs, affecting their ability to detoxify. After several years of exposure to chemicals, the body can no longer efficiently eliminate these toxic substances inside the body. Thus, the toxins get re-circulated into the bloodstream which causes more damage in the body. The gastrointestinal tract can have ulcerations, imbalance in the acidity, growth of tumors and polyps. Whenever the efficiency of body waste disposal becomes reduced, you need a special program which would increase the rate at which the body disposes waste substances.

This is a great time to also take advantage of the spiritual benefits of a detox or fast of any type. The reason spiritual benefits usually accompany this type of 'diet' - at least for me - is that the daily focus does not expend so much time thinking about and preparing food. That means more time is spent on the thoughts of daily devotions, Bible study, or Bible reading. It's an especially good time as well to play uplifting music with words and melody that are encouraging. Why not cleanse all of us - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual?

Psalm 51:10 requests a detox in prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Food:
Friday - Abundance from The Grandview lunch - Greens, Wild Rice and a Crab Cake on Greek Pita which had been warmed with olive oil and garlic salt
Saturday - No picture, Scrambled Egg with Sweet Red Pepper
Sunday - Mixed Greens, Raspberries, Roasted Chicken and Raspberry Dressing from Grandview Restaurant in Lake Geneva

Day 267 - Recipe for happiness

2010-09-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

First the recipe for Creamy Asparagus Chicken Soup

Cooked asparagus in Pacific organic chicken broth

added a little garlic

Meanwhile, cook chicken chunks in more broth, this time with Herbs de Province, salt, and onion

Reserve asparagus tips for garnish. Blend the asparagus and a little broth and add to the chicken and broth mixture. Stir in creamy mixture of your choice - usually cream or half and half for us - and serve.

The whole meal takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare. If you like a thicker soup, you can add 1/2 cup of tiny pasta (like pastina) to the asparagus and cook together. It takes about 9 minutes. Fork the asparagus into the blender and add the pasta to the chicken mixture. Or just make the soup earlier in the day and let it simmer on warm for about an hour. The pasta swells to about 1/4" round balls, and absorbs much of the broth.

And now The Recipe for Happiness: Philippians 4:12 and 13 "I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." Taste and see - the Lord is good.

Day 266 - There's No Excuse

2010-09-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

No excuse for not eating healthy and attractively presented food when eating out. . . not when there are restaurants like the Grandview in Lake Geneva, WI.

The only thing middle-class about this dining experience was the very reasonable pricing. The service and ambiance are outstanding and customer care (two of our ladies were gluten intolerant) was caring and careful, providing us all equally with choices for a delicious and healthy dining experience. I’ve already recommended the restaurant to others.

I hope the photos do justice to my selections – Jumbo crab cakes enhanced with wasabi and rice wine (a very pleasing toasted flavor). They were served with a bed of greens and wild rice – and just the right fruity accent of mandarin oranges and pineapple. The creation’s topper was a crown of sesame potato sticks. Wow. Crunch, flavor, fresh quality, and presentation made for a delightful meal. The entrée came with a dinner salad of greens and dressing of choice (creamy lemon vinaigrette for me). The dressing was so delicious (as was my friend’s creamy raspberry vinaigrette) that I requested a carton of each to take home. The price was exceptionally reasonable. I also had sufficient salad and crabcake to take home for tomorrow’s lunch (probably will end up a crab-pita).

Dessert choice was coconut sorbet served in a half coconut shell. Half would have been a sufficient portion, but that would not carry home too well. A top contender for best sorbet I've tasted to date.

Dinner this evening: Creamy chicken asparagus soup.

See – there is no excuse! And there is no excuse to not accept the provisions that have been made for us spiritually.

2 Peter 1:3 says, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Everything.
Everything pertaining to life.
Everything pertaining to godlinesss.

God’s divine power is pretty encompassing isn’t it – and I have no reason to whine and say I would but I am not, I can’t, I don’t have … as though they are real reasons for not remaining committed. Not when everything has already been provided.

Nope, no excuse.

Day 263-265 - Too excited to eat

2010-09-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's true - I've been preparing in faith that I'd get a scholarship to a writer's conference and I did. Too much to think about to care about eating.

Well, I did try one thing yesterday - I deep fried carrots! Won't do that again. It's not that it was bad - but because sweet potatoes are better and it didn't do the carrot any favors - as a matter of fact the flavor was less than a nice pressure-cooked carrot with lemon and olive oil or butter... Had a 6 oz. glass of protein shake with it.

Then Ken stopped me about 2 today and told me to eat something so I do have one pretty picture. It is home-made Avocado-hummus. The chips seen there are also made of Hummus - and add a nice 6 grams of protein.

The last photo is my too late for dinner snack - Very thin chicken slices rolled around a wedge of dill pickle. I should have happy dreams :)

You'd think that would make me exhausted, but it doesn't - I was up before 4 and for once had my devotions and exercise done before Ken got up!

I'm eating with friends tomorrow, so it's not a worry although I hear the metabolism wants at least something every few hours - and for me that means protein and something. It is far better for me to be busy - if I am too preoccupied with food - well - these verses talk all about it:

Luke 12:22 and Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
Luke 12:29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

and the Message explains it further:
Luke 12:22 He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion.
Luke 12:29 “What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving.

Days 261-262 - Stupid Sin and A Stupid Diet

2010-09-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a grandchild's birthday party, which I thought I was determined to resist, but didn't :)

Was too busy for breakfast and Lunch was Breyer's mint chip ice cream and a couple of corn chips and refried beans. Dinner a portion of Cottage-Chicken (cottage cheese, eggs, onion, chicken and spices). Side of 1/2 fresh peach and Columbia Gorge Cherries and juice.

Sunday we used a certificate to Perkins and the entrees were good but mediocre - I had half a Reuben without the dressing but the Wildberry Pie (no sugar or sugar substitutes) was outstanding. We were also sufficiently filled we didn't want an evening meal.

Those choices could be called a stupid diet, and I an my body are regretting them. However, there is a real nutritional program called The Stupid Diet which I am heading toward embracing. Why? I'm finding most grains (including corn) are not agreeing with me, and so I am cleaning out the pantry to go head toward the program known as The Stupid Diet. (www.behealthyamerica.com)

I was not surprised to see what the Bible says about stupid:
Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.
and from the Message:
Psalm 19:13     Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
        Keep me from stupid sins,
        from thinking I can take over your work;
    Then I can start this day sun-washed,
        scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.

Looking forward to that clean slate tomorrow, as well as a clean pantry and restoration of energy.

Calorie Count Sat and Sunday - Saturday was minus due to a fun 30 minutes on the rebounder and time on the treadmill. Sunday no exercise except the stairs.

Days 259-260 Double your joy

2010-09-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Visiting those with deeper pain is always a humbling and thought provoking situation. Both friends I visited this week I’ve known for decades. We’ve prayed through a lot of trials and celebrated a lot of victories. How blessed I feel as I’m reminded that such friendships are rare happenings and what living is all about.

The memorial service for a third friend with a favorite saying of God is Good - All the Time was the culmination of 48 hours of pondering about eternity, and being thankful for these forever friends.

“"Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows." – unknown author

C.S. Lewis "Friendship … is one of those things that give value to survival."

I’ve certainly experienced all of those sentiments with these friends and most remarkably, though it had been a couple of years since I’d personally sat down with one of the friends, this verse was still true:

Phillipians 1:26 You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

I also could not help but remember that the food is not the most important aspect of the meal but the company with which it is shared. How marvelous to have that relationship of a great reunion whenever we get together, no matter how long the parting.

Romans 14:21 from the Message “Rom. 14:21 When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus.

Food: No pictures today
Thursday – lunch with friend in rehab (no picture) – chicken, carrots, baked apple

Thursday dinner – Salad of Mixed Greens, Cucumber, Tomato, Chicken, Tangerine dressing

Friday – lunch with friend in treatment, then a funeral in another town

Friday dinner –Gyros takeout - saved part for salad tomorrow, still over-full

Day 257 - Restoration

2010-09-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

Got the SD card and photos restored. Such a little thing and such a relief to figure out what I did (tried to delete photos from computer instead of from camera).

Some of my – uh – adventures – are bigger and I am unable to fix them on my own. Usually if I cannot figure out how to un-do my own destruction I am able to call in Mighty Man (Husband), Mighty Tech (Son), or Mighty Woman (Daughters or Daughter-in-law). Think of it – my very own restoration team!

I’m so thankful that all I have to worry about are the little things – and that I have a Mighty God to handle the Big Deal – How to restore ME. It’s so calming to know that God wants to and can restore all of me – mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually.

1Peter 5:10 - And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Jeremiah 31:25 - I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.

Deuteronomy 30:3 GOD, your God, will restore everything you lost; he’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered.

Calories: -439

Food - Not shown - Peach Yogurt Custard. Photo - Chicken and Tomato sandwich.

Days 257 - 258 - Rushing

2010-09-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

Rushing seems to be the theme these days. Everyone I know has a schedule that is jam packed. I'm rushing right now because I'm going to soon have the window by my desk replaced, and don't know how long this corner of my world will be out of commission. Packing too much into a day may be productive but it can also produce heartburn - or it could be because I seem to have ruined an SD card for the camera.

Rushing through devotional time can intensify that heart-burn, as each hour's pressures are packed down into that deal-with-it-later space that has potential to 'blow' by the day's end.

Rushing through exercise or physical therapy can result in injury, or at the least, less benefit to the bod.

Looking for rush in the scriptures, I found only warnings of how man rushes into sin. Now that I ponder on it, it's true isn't it - from big and hasty decisions we regret, to those little things - grabbing an unhealthy snack, to not preparing for a good day is usually because we are rushed.

It challenges me to read the opposite of rushing - waiting - patiently.

Romans. 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Food: Only two pictures:

Chicken Salad Sandwich: Chicken cooked in rice wine, added grapes, apples and few pecans. On Pumpernickel bread.

Peach Yogurt Custard: Greek yogurt, eggs, honey, a little rice milk, sprinkles of pumpkin-pie spice and added cut fresh peaches. Baked in water bath.

Also had cereal bowl of spaghetti and one meatball last night.

Calorie balance (goal: use more than consumed)

Monday: -720

Tuesday: -1100

Days 256 - What's GOOD about today?

2010-09-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Lunch was "what's in the fridge" because I did not stop for salad ingredients. Chicken, shared a sweet potato, and applesauce. That was good.

The dinner photo didn't turn out, but neither did part of the dinner. A gluten free flatbread mix apparently did not get stirred well enough. Though the bread looked great, our first bites were mostly a salty baking-powder taste. Out it went.

Fortunately the casserole was fine. (Brown rice, pesto, coconut milk, toasted coconut and chicken) but I knew I forgot something. Clearing away the dishes, there it was - toasted onions were supposed to top the dish. That was good but could have been better.

Ah, well, the Packers won. That was good. And Calorie count: - 214 (no exercise makes a difference!)

Days like today, I need to take a second look at what was really GOOD today, like having nursery and holding my great-grandchild Braelyn, great discussion on Job in Sunday School, finishing a series of phone calls as caretaker, and finally contacting a friend Bev, after several years. Bev has a rare form of cancer and treasures each day just for being alive and around loved ones. As usual all of these good things that happened today are far more important than my next meal. Like Bev says, we are all dying, really, some just have extra knowledge of its immanence.

Would you pout if dinner didn't turn out right. Normally I might, but every contact with someone of Bev's character and straightforward trust changes my perspective. We'll all "burn the biscuits" or have an imperfect meal from time to time. So what? We don't stop eating, or cooking.

Similarly there are things in our lives that could be used as 'excuses' for stress that "makes" us eat. Maybe they are not so important to let them control our lives. What a waste of time, I think, looking back to times when I allowed not-so-important details to become the day's focal point, or to control my mood or reactions to others.

Thanks Bev, for teaching me that in all of life's details, a bad photo day, a bad meal day, a bad hair day - are pitiful excuses that will not be allowed to rob my joy from all the other GOOD things that surround me.

I have a choice - I will rejoice...

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. What a day Habakkuk had when he wrote this concluding statement

Day 255 - Being refreshed and Be THERE

2010-09-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

It is good to be refreshed - refreshed in body, refreshed in our soul, and refreshed in our hearts. Today I had all three - from three different groups of people...

Are your days as busy as mine - multiple choices of things that must be, should be, could be and would like to be done and never enough time to do them all? Of course part of the answer is to prioritize and eliminate, postpone, simplify or share some of the items where possible... As important, I believe, is to look for refreshment in the midst of the jumble of life's activities.

Instead of being so busy that while I'm doing something I am thinking of what is next, I'm learning to grab a cup of tea - and to be THERE - totally there - where ever I am. I do not drink black tea, but those made from fresh herbs - or quality tea like Amazon Tea, or White Tea. These drinks do more than hydrate - they refresh and energize - and take the edge off of cravings as well, because some of them work as digestive aids.

Many times much of our cravings - and after-dinner discomforts - are from foods being improperly digested, so adding herbal tea mixtures to some of the water during the day can really control input. And they help me to refresh and refocus, so I can fully present enjoy each event.

Another form of refreshment and distraction from thinking about what my stomach is craving is to spend quality time with others. I was privileged to do that today as well, and appreciate the benefit I received from those who shared their precious time today. Philemon 20 - "I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ."

Calories: -700

Food: Sauerkraut, chicken, peaches - sound weird? It wasn't!

Salad with Italian dressing
Soup - chicken broth and vegetables
Pizza toppings (I'm avoiding wheat, testing for gluten intolerance and didn't eat the spinach pizza topping as it tasted like fish. Now that's weird!

Day 254 - ADD this to SUBTRACT calories

2010-09-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat. (fat - prosperous, rich, abundant)

Isn't that the truth - if I follow cravings alone I will never be satisfied - I will have nothing, and will be known as a sluggard for not making the effort to find the real meat of the Word that brings rich, full, abundant portions of satisfaction.

Add this to subtract calories:

1. Scripture - seriously – “filling up” at The Lord’s Table will reduce food cravings. When the soul is ‘fat’, there is no room for that which decays

2. sleep (more than 5 but less than 8 hours)

3. movement (2-3 times a day make a choice to move for at least 10 minutes)

4. water (one glass before waking and sleeping and one before each meal)

5. oxygen (Oxycise!) or add CellPower to your water

6. fiber – some fiber in every meal

7. music that lifts your spirits –naturally move body to music

8. MUFA’s – good fats will slim you down

Net Calories for today: -1047
(burned 1047 calories more than consumed)

Food: What's in the fridge day:

Breakfast: Egg over easy surrounded with quartered Yellow Grape Tomatoes and Sweet Onion. Could eat this every day - Light, sweet and savory and looks like sunshine.

Snack: Rye Crisp Cracker with trio pesto
(soft cheese layer, basil pesto layer, sundried tomato layer)

Dinner: Two Mini Chicken-Salad on Pumpernickel sandwiches (Chicken, grapes, apple, pecans in raspberry vinagrette/mayo dressing.

Snack: 1/3 portion of Peacheesy Pie

Day 253 - To Subtract . . . Add!

2010-09-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

Healthy Math: The problem; Desire to lose health problems, extra weight, all those things that slow one down.
The response: Heb. 12:1 (The Message) Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.

How do I do that:

2Pet. 1:4 … he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2Pet. 1:5 -7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

So in order to subtract, I need to make every effort – to add more healthful activity so I will be so filled with health the excess fat and parasitic sin will have no source of growth and no room to contain it.

Food: Breakfast - Abundance of Baked potato (1/2 potato), sweet onion, and Kale, topped with an egg, over easy.

Snack: Greek Yogurt, 1/2 peach, cubed, drizzle of sweetener (honey or maple syrup)

Dinner: Pita Pizza - Homemade Tomato Sauce, Sausage, leftover grated Cheese, Watermelon

Starting tomorrow and for the next several blogs, I’ll be looking at each of the promises listed above that enable us to escape the corruption (health, spiritual, moral) caused by evil desires. And I’ll be starting to post the calories ADDED and calories SUBTRACTED (burned). The goal of course is to SHOW subtraction at the end of each day. The tool I will use is Weight by Date. Notating every bite that I eat, and every step that I take will add a little time to the routine, but it is an inexpensive commitment that has not failed to show results.

Days 251-252 - Eat what is GOOD - according to Websters!

2010-09-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

Repeating part of my theme verse this week seems most applicable: Isaiah 55:2 - Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. NIV

Surprisingly Webster's Dictionary gives 14 entries for the word good, and every one of them has meaning for our health.
The definitions are in regular type. The answers are in italics.

1. Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor. Thousands have followed “diets” that were negative to health, hoping to tough it out long enough to reach the goal. No more. Eat what is good.

2. Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: Food should look good, taste good, be good for me.

3. Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable: Is this a good thing for my health – will it help my body?

3. Not spoiled or ruined: is the food even a “little bit” moldy or spoiled? I can’t tell you how hard a habit it was to stop cutting off the spoiled part and eating the rest to “save a few pennies”.

4. Superior to the average; satisfactory: Food should satisfy, not just fill me.

5. Of high quality: Discriminating: good taste, good quality.

6. Worthy of respect; honorable: I should present the meal the way I would to guests – and treat myself as a guest at every meal.

7. Attractive; handsome: good looks – breaking this rule is why many people don’t like casseroles. A sprig of green or a twist of citrus can greatly improve an otherwise plain meal.

8. Beneficial to health: enough said

9. Competent; skilled: can the food do what its advertisement claims?

10. Complete; thorough: should be no need for something sweet to satisfy me. A healthy, high quality attractive meal should be complete and thoroughly please the palate.

11. Reliable; sure: Genuine; real – As unprocessed as possible.

12. In effect; operative: Don't overcook. Keep food as close to nature as possible. Fiber and protein keep us full longer – have some in every meal.

13. Able to pay or contribute: -Able to elicit a specified reaction: Can the meal contribute to my health and well-being?

14. Ample; substantial: Bountiful: Is it so calorie dense that an actual serving is about a teaspoon?

Food: Turkey, Avocado, Soya Kaas Mozerella with Lime Rice Chips

Fresh peaches, with a dab of International Delight Amaretto, and a repeat from yesterday - but I don't mind because it is so pretty and so tasty - Fresh greens topped with strawberries and chicken. Served with heated blend of Raspberries/honey/balsamic vinegar.

Days 244-250 - Thirsty

2010-09-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Lots of running and on-the-road time is no excuse that I came home Sunday night exhausted and dehydrated. I know better. I need to drink much more water. I could have brought an additional bottle of filtered water, but didn't want to "lug around the weight." Yet, I also declined to purchase available bottled water because it irked me to spend $2-3 for a bottle which I could get in the store for about 25 cents.

And so I concluded after downing three huge glasses of water after I stumbled into the house, I guess I suffered by choice. A dumb choice. A very unpleasant choice. But, it was a good lesson, because as long as I keep living, looks like I will keep learning and (hopefully) I will not do that again.

Spiritual thirst is very similar. Today's schedules are hectic and exhausting. Do I take time to prepare for the day with refreshment? Do I carry the source of refreshment? Do I pause during the day for a needed 'drink' at the Father's well? Or do I wait until I am exhausted, depressed and spiritually dry before I run - or crawl - and ask for help because I am too weak to access the remedy? Foolish choice. Unpleasant choice. Also a good lesson that I do not need to return to those foolish decisions. I have a choice. I resolve to make it a good one.

Food: Mixed Berries with Trader Joe's Vanilla Almond granola topping and a spoon of DairyQueen ice milk.

Meyer Lemon parfait with graham cracker crunchies.

My favorite chicken part: the "oyster" found behind the drumsticks.

There are no pictures of food from the Native American Festival where I spent the last two days, although there were a few good offerings, namely: corn off the cob with garlic and dill, baked potato with toppings, vegetable soup, sweet potato fries, and fresh fruit and vegetables. The Cedarcrest Coconut Joy ice cream was a refreshing treat, and the most unusual was a dish called moccasin nachos - 1/2" thick potato slabs covered with ground beef, wild rice, and a cheese sauce. It would have been even better with a white cheese (Mozzerella or a tiny bit of asiago).

Best breakfast remains the cooked Barley Flakes with chopped strawberries, Greek Yogurt, and maple syrup.

Lunch: 1/2" thick slices of baked potatoe, pan sauteed with candy-sweet onion from Outpost, and a little kale chopped and tossed in.

Wilted Mixed Lettuce, Chicken and Strawberry salad closed out the day. Dressing was warmed mixture of blended raspberries, honey and balsamic vinegar - so delightful.

And with each: Cool, clear water!

Rev. 21:6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Rev. 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Days 234 - 243 - Rebound!

2010-09-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

Diet rebound – aren’t we always? Many have tried various fad diets – you know – the cabbage soup diet, the eat all the protein and no carb diet, anything raw for 10 days, and on and on. While eating a grapefruit or an apple before every meal does help to fill one up, it isn’t realistic to do so before every meal for the rest of our lives.

Choose instead a plan you can live with for life. Little steps of choosing things that will only improve our physical life, (Acts 27:34- Please eat something now for your own good) with the foundation of first going to The Lord’s Table for the satisfaction no food can bring.

Attitude rebound – these I’ve found as required material whether relating to diet, marriage, friendships, work, or… well, life. Chuck Swindoll said, “ I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” That helps to keep things in focus. As my hubby said this morning, “As long as we keep laughing…” [referring to signs of our aging being kept in perspective].

Hope rebounds – this of course comes from getting in the Word. No matter the day’s course, hope can be renewed by being reminded of God’s sovereignty, power and unchanging character.

His thoughts are ever toward me…“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts towards us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”

His thoughts toward me are for a good plan… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

When we choose life in our diet plan, choose life in our attitude (focus on whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, any excellence, and anything worthy of praise- Phillipians 4:8 – we also experience a bonus – a Health rebound

Food: Unfortunately, I also experienced a recommendation rebound this week. Returning to the site of one's ultimate dining experience is not recommended - just park it in your good memories box, and move on was how I felt after returning to a restaurant in Iron Mountain. The salad above was challenging in that cutting the "baked pear" was like trying to carve a marble... just as hard and the pear went flying across the plate and onto the outdoor table (where we'd preferred not to eat, but the indoor area was blocked). The spinach, dressing and candied nuts were tasty but not worth $9. The entree - 2nd picture was mostly left behind. Despite the great description of the Tilapia and coating with almonds, there was no flavor, and it took almost 10 minutes to get the attention of a waitress for salt but the Tilapia was cold by then. Ah well. It sounded good.

A better choice was this sandwich from Holiday Kitchen - Ham, tomato and lettuce on homemade Flat bread. I'm still learning that simpler IS better.
I'm not sure what happened to the photo of the soup that came with the half-sandwich. It was an unusual Beef-Roast creamy stroganoff-like taste. Awesome flavor.

Then home again, I'm cooking up a few specialties In the lovely blue bowl is Coconut Rice pudding (brown rice cooked in equal amounts of coconut milk and half and half) topped with chunks of Asian Apple and toasted unsweetened coconut. Warm it was decadent, yet healthy.

The next dish is CaseNifla Casserole - using Ricotta cheese, pizza cheese, a dozen eggs, leeks, onion and pasta spices. Sides are brocolli, and mixed fruit (no sugar added) topped with Trader Joe's Vanilla-Almond granola. Ken enjoys 2-3 pieces at a time, sometimes with a meat or sandwich side, so the casserole will last us both several days.

Who needs restaurants! Going without also brings on a budget rebound! I might start paying myself at least what I save by not going out... hmmm wonder what I could save for!

Just Food Pictures - Catching Up

2010-09-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Strawberry French Toast - protein bread, topped with strawberries (surprise!), 50/50 Maple syrup and Golden Flax from Foods Alive and Flowers of Whipped Cream
Ground Beef and Green Beans
Georgie Porgie Hamburger
1/2 Baked Potato, Sour Cream, Haricot Verts (Green Beans), Chicken tenders cubed and simmered in Rice Wine.
Abundance from Chicken and Green Beans with added egg making a Breakfast Omelet
Mixed berries, topped with Quick Cooking Kashi and pecans
Perogi stuffed with sauerkraut and mushrooms
Lamb chops and South Seas fruit mix -

Which one is your favorite?

Choose Life – Days 229-233 - Bring Life

2010-09-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

A teenager shared today how her life was changed by a visit to Africa. Her transparency, emotion, and life-investment affected (convicted) many of those listening, and it struck me how blessed she is to have learned so young to choose life. One of the things she shared was how the church is to ‘bring” the gospel to others - and how:

With the passion of one who has seen God work she shared the truth behind Acts 13:47, “ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – that the most important word to her was the word ‘bring’. That it comes with us – we don’t just ‘send the message through others’ or ‘send money’ but if we truly care about others, we bring – we share the most important message of all – salvation. We choose to bring the message of life.

She saw a church begin with less than half-a-dozen people who were ready to put their time, strength, and lives on the line to show love to those around them. They helped in any way they could – building schools, churches, homes, and orphanages. The people began to feel loved and trusted these who cared for them, and joined them. The church, now with several hundred members, continues to be intensely involved in the neighborhoods, caring for people, bringing the message of life, and helping them to arise out of their situation.

So my lesson today is thanks to Kim… reminding me to choose life – and to bring life with my words and actions.

Food: Sliced beef, mushrooms, onions, and greens - carmelized -mmm

Pear baked in sauce of honey and bay leaf, topped with Greek Yogurt and almonds

Roast Beef, Chunked Baked Potato, Lime sauce

Roast lamb, peppers, onions, tomatoes, avocados. Served with protein chips.

The following week -(actually this last week) was on the road again - report tomorrow

Days 225-228 - Choose Life - Photo day

2010-08-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

There are so many ways to choose life, in addition to food, as discussed in the last post.

Both of these days were party days - two baby showers and a birthday party. And too many choices.

Still, the first shower was a brunch, so there were good choices like egg-bake and fruit. The second shower was later in the day with cake and fruit and we picked a great restaurant - Casa Capri - in Kenosha which has an extensive menu.

Here are some of my choices -
The Danish puff on the right tasted overly sweet - funny how I used to down that stuff like water. Guess my tastes are changing.

Soup, then salad, then entree - Casa Capri's dinner portions provided lunch and dinner the following day!

Prime Rib when I'm out with Ken - Fish when my allergic hubby is not there :)

Love it when it is pink perfection. Ken does too, as he says he 'finishes cooking it' the next day!

And breakfast after all that 'choice' living... Healthy but decadent tasting, Rolled Barley with strawberries and Greek Yogurt, and a Tbsp of Food of Life Golden Flax Oil. Outstanding!

I am learning to appreciate the choices listed in 2Kings 18:32 which describes " a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey." and ends with my new favorite words - Choose life

Day 223 -224 Choose Life - continued

2010-08-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

Continuing the ideas of ways we can choose life:

6) Choose untreated sea salt – did you know the white sea salt got that way with bleach? Yuck. Try Celtic Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt. I also use mixed salts like celery salt and rosemary-cranberry salt

7) Cut your own carrot sticks – bleach water also preserves those cute pre-cut mini carrots.

8) Check your meats – and if necessary contact the manufacturer to see what type of feed they use. I got unexpected increased mercury levels from eating a certain brand of chicken because the company feeds their chicken fish meal!

9) Get outside – 15 minutes per day or take 2 drops of liquid Vitamin D

10) Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you have a shortage of time, ride up and walk down. Down is better for building the bones.

11) Portion leftovers and freeze instead of refrigerating. They will be fresher when you thaw and reheat.

Food these days:
Homemade Pizza - Greek Pita for the crust, sauce, sausage and cheese found at RangerCity marketplace in Wausaukee, WI. Side of fruit - Strawberries,Blueberries and Santa Claus Melon

Senor Sol in Mequon - the Pineapple, Mango & Ice drink was awesome. I took half home, froze it and it was just as good.

Dinner there was the Fajita plate - steak and chicken. Very good, and enough for Ken to finish for lunch the next day. It came with warm flour tortillas.

Last picture - Leftovers from Minoqua - Lightly breaded fish and garlic potato ball that was browned. Sauce is lemon-garlic

Another spiritual way to choose life is to monitor a month of your life. (Everything in the month would be great, but is unrealistic - so let's just say the money you spend for food and what the food is). The idea can be found in many verses.

The theme verse of the blog, for instance, is Isaiah 55:2 - asking why I would spend my money on things that will not give me life... A simple column - date - amount - life and (your choice of words here) junk? - I prefer writing the word death because it reminds me that unwholesome foods actually do shorten our lives.

When I look at a month of the choices I made, I can easily see where my heart is and exactly what is controlling the areas mentioned in Isaiah 55:2 and 3. It's becoming a habit now to look at a menu and say "Choose Life."

Days 215 - 222 - Choose Life!

2010-08-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

These words are a portion of a verse from Deuteronomy 30:19 “…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” It struck me that this phrase can relate to so many parts of life.

· Jesus – He said, “I am the way, the truth, the life – no one comes to the father,

but by me.” – choose life (more abundant now and eternal)

· Unexpected pregnancy – choose life.

· A medical treatment that can prolong life with quality – choose life

· Depression and sadness – thoughts of suicide – choose life.

· Exercise to strengthen the heart and body – choose life

· Credit card use without funds to pay will also increase stress – choose life

· Food of course in choosing processed foods or whole food – choose life!

What are some examples of choosing life with our eating?

1) Buy fresh as frequently as possible and only enough so the food will not spoil.

2) Don’t eat food that has begun to spoil, or cut off the spoiled portion and eat the rest

3) Wash foods that have had pesticide application – don’t just use water either – use appropriate products or put ½ tsp. of hydrogen peroxide in a gallon of water

4) Read the ingredients – buy as low a level of processing as possible. Daisy sour cream for example contains one ingredient – sour cream. It is amazing after reading that to look at other containers and see the list of unnecessary ingredients that do nothing for the product or your health

5) Grow herbs and add fresh crushed to your food or keep ground herbs in the freezer.

I could go on and on and maybe I will another time – but for now here are some samples of food from the past few days on the road again.

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche, Fresh Pineapple and cherries. Delicious and not a processed food in sight. My daughter, the health food chef!

Next a fun meal at Minoqua Brewery - Half a smoked turkey sandwich with orange-date-cranberry cream cheese, and a side of sweet potato fries. Exciting treat for the taste buds!

Back at daughter Laurie's, a wonderful filling breakfast I'd not tried before, but will again; Rolled Barley (cooks similar to oatmeal) with chopped strawberries, 2 Tbsp. of Greek Yogurt and drizzled with a little Maple Syrup. Oh, my, love breakfast again!

I should have listed buffets as a place to choose life as well :)

Golden Corral restaurants are found in several states and have many wonderful choices - here are Rotisserie Chicken, Marinated Onions and Sweet Peppers, several veggies, a couple of onion rings, a piece of fish (chose lightest breading).

Day 214 - A way of Life

2010-08-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve been reviewing the PAPA prayer by Larry Crabb. This is the final chapter. The teaching behind the PAPA Prayer

Present yourself to God (be honest about yourself)
Attend to how you are thinking of God (finally, in this chapter, he more correctly states that we should be attending to WHO God really is)
Purge yourself of anything that blocks your relationship with God
Approach God as the first thing in your life

Has sometimes resonated with scripture, sometimes seemed like a forced acronym on prayer remarkably close to the lessons taught in “The Lord’s Prayer”, and sometimes heavily leaned on Postmodern teaching that actually misrepresented what the author later concluded.

For example this last chapter was a better explanation of the teaching of this book than much of the previous chapters. His conclusion that “when we mature enough to want from God what He’s ready to give us, incredible things happen”
Sometimes around us (when God chooses to change our circumstances)
But
Always IN us, because He will always use His power to change our hearts to be like Him

The lesson then, is that “getting close to God is better than any blessing this world can provide.”

I originally picked up the book because of a recommendation of a respected Christian teacher. I found I disagreed with much of the jargon, particularly at least the majority of the first half of the book because there was little scripture backup as it explained what Crabb called the PAPA prayer. Although there was valid teaching and I found the final chapter to be the most legitimate in that it most clearly explained what the author had, I felt, intended to convey through the rest of the book, which to be honest, instead had me constantly scrambling to scripture and feeling the need to clarify.

Despite the good points I could not recommend the book to others, although I do recommend the more thoughtful aspects of prayer - the four steps, rephrased closer to scriptural teachings

P – present yourself to God
• be in the mirror (the Word of God) and to be honest [confess] before God with what the law reveals about me
A - attend to how you are thinking of God (chap 20 he says Attend to Who God is as revealed in the scripture NOT who you think God is based on life experience)
• study the Names of God to better understand WHO God really is

P – purge yourself -
• bow before Almighty God and let him purge the sin from my life (repent)
A – approach God as the ‘first thing’ in your life
• approach the throne of Grace, realizing I need God and His grace, more than I need any thing and to approach Him and His presence as first - all other issues, people, circumstances and things being secondary

Interestingly my words for the four steps – Confess, Attend, Repent and Approach spell CARA – an Italian word meaning dear one.

After all this discussion Crabb finally says what I’ve been waiting for – now you are coming to Him not to change things, make you happy, or give you things, but “You’re now entering His world to bring Him glory, to become a source of joy [to Him}.”

End of review and discussion on The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb.

Food for today was the Pineapple Chicken Teryiaki& Sweet Potatoes

and finish off the Naan with Asian Coleslaw (replaced a little of the oil in the dressing with Toasted Sesame Oil)

Days 209 - 219 - And...

2010-08-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

I've been on the road again. Glad to be home for a few days - and then on the road again tomorrow. At least this time I plan NOT to forget the camera!

Chapter 19 the PAPA Prayer analysis

A brief synopsis of this chapter is a parable about a Christian who discovers that all the ‘things’ they had been asking for are second things and might be received with the cost of lost fellowship of God. Ultimately the Christian learns that without the presence of God none of those asked for things has meaning. Crabb concludes that “the central point of prayer is to come to God for first things” (bolded word my emphasis) but he lists “things” the believer already has – a guide, a healer, a king, a friend, etc.

I can understand thanking God for those first things… but one does not ask for what you already have…

Consequently my interpretation of scriptures teaching on prayer would instead conclude to say that the central point of prayer is to glorify God. That, to me, is the “First thing attitude” I want to pray with

“Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This verse is often quoted alone, missing the very important truth in the next verse connected with the little word “and”…

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Food: Saturday air show - nasty food for the most part. Was excited to see roast chicken on one menu, but when we got there it was swimming in some type of sauce. No way I am going to try that again when one taste of sauce a an Italian diner a few weeks past had me sick for about 36 hours.

Without the camera and on the road – breakfast was one egg and fake “homemade” American fries (cubes from a freezer pkg) – lunch 1 chicken strip, side of California blend and dinner –and the bet meal of the trip - pineapple chicken stir fry, sweet potato fries and mint ice cream

Food at Home – Garlic Naan, natural chicken sandwich – Lime rice chips and No camera again on Sat. – Company picnic. Pulled pork (tossed the bun), ½ corn on the cob (rest was burned – I don’t eat black things), Kewpee’s tiny wheres-the-beef but wonderful tasting hamburger (tossed the bun), a peach, small slice of watermelon, and ice cream.

218 – Sunday – Chicken drumstick, ½ baked potato, lemon-olive-oil and cole slaw and Santa Claus Melon as shown above - similar to honeydew - a little softer, a little sweeter - Found at Woodmans

219 – Monday – Stonyfield yogurt, maple granola and fresh strawberries and Broiled Cod, lettuce salad and "real" American Fried Potatoes with as many or more onions on top.

Days 207-208 - First, First, First

2010-07-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I looked at God being First in my life. Today I want to focus on what the Word says opposed to Crabb’s dialogue which appears to suggest people can ‘empty yourself’ – saying “we can create opportunity for God to fill our empty hearts” and that “discovered emptiness is our opportunity to learn what it means to know God”).
Rev. 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Here is the issue I have with Crabb’s wording - I do not see that I can DO anything to MAKE God First in my life – I simply need to SEE that HE ALREADY IS THE FIRST, and bow before that.

When I bow before Him, it is true, I am answering His call with an obedient “Yes”. God miraculously allows that free will – He will not MAKE me obey Him, He will not empty me of sin, nor fill me with Himself, without my willing heart, and I cannot MAKE God do anything! But He will, at my desire, make me willing to be willing. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

There are many similar promises of what God wills (wants) to do for me and within me. Scripture says (Isaiah 30:18) Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.

Here Crabb clarifies another area that previously “turned me off” when he’d implied a holy place within each of us. He now explains in Chapter 18 that he calls that inner place “holy because it’s a void filled with desire for what only God can provide. Counterfeit satisfaction can never fill it.”

His point becomes clearer as he explains the more we “face who you are and where you are the more you become aware of that holy space within you”

My translation: The more we expose ourselves to the Word, the more the Word exposes our true selves and our need for God, and we gain the realization that nothing we’ve ever tried has truly satisfied that desire because that desire is for God and not for anything earthly or temporal.

This is what Crabb calls “presenting yourself to God”. Kind of, “Here I am Lord.” And so I close with part of another song I’ve heard sung – this time by Daniel O’Donnell – Here I Am Lord…

Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.

The second line from the beginning and ending tell the story for me. Is it I Lord? Wow – are YOU calling me? And If YOU lead me… recognizing once again that only IN HIS STRENGTH will I choose to put HIM and others first.

Spiritually and physically fed yesterday. Naperville's Sweet Tomatoes provides a multitude of choices - easy to have a healthy assortment of salad, potato, bread, soup, dessert, though the temptation is to sample too many things at once! Forgot to take a picture, but did get one from our evening venue: Ted's Montana Grill - The best hamburger I've ever had. (I used to say that about the one I had at Arizona's hockey stadium). This one is called Skinny Dip. Usually served with cole slaw as shown above, but I asked for sweet potato fries (a kind accomodation as it was not on the menu). I would most definitely return here. http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/menu.html Let me change that - I look forward to revisiting Tom's bringing others with me. Cozy decor, fresh tasty food, and large enough portions to save half for today's lunch! Food seven stars on scale of 1-5!

Days 205 and 206 - What or WHO is FIRST in my life?

2010-07-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

Part of the song called One Thing that Rich Mullins wrote and sang:

Everybody I know says they need just one thing
And what they really mean is that they need just one thing more
And everybody seems to think they've got it coming
Well I know that I don't deserve You
Still I want to love and serve You more and more
You're my one thing

My one thing
You're my one thing

Can I honestly say that - is God my One Thing?

Chapter 18 of the PAPA prayer talks about hearing God’s voice and food-related examples of how I can evaluate what or who is first in my life:

“If I really do get more enjoyment out of [pie] than God, then an unhealthy addiction is inevitable.’

“Whatever brings me the most joy will prove irresistible.”

Crabb says that if we are “using” all the “second things” to fill up that empty space within us reserved for God, that we’ll not hear his voice, and our relationship will be shallow if at all real.

Again the rhetoric presents a very high wall for me spiritually speaking. Crabb says [we} should empty our inner space of everything but God and then – approach Him with freely acknowledged emptiness, claiming no hope of fullness unless He fills us.

That’s confusing. God only can empty us [purge] by filling us with His presence. I CANNOT ‘empty my inner space’ on my own. If I could, if anyone could, there would be no bad habits – just empty – present to God and he fills the cleaned-out vessel.

A clearer view of scriptural cleansing and filling would in my opinion be this - presenting whatever I’m filled with to God, and allowing Him to cleanse it by replacing it with His filling. Whatever space is filled with God no longer has room – it cannot contain the sin that used to reside there.

Why waste all that time trying to cleanse on my own and then present the empty bucket to God (doubt I’d ever get to that point anyway), when I can instead, come to Him AS I AM (remember – Christ came WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS), and as He fills me, I’ll be renewed, contents replaced… the old becoming new.

At least we both agree on the main thing – that my ONE THING, my FIRST IN MY LIFE relationship, must be with Christ if I hope to fill that inner void.

Food: Ruby Tuesday's Trout Almondine,
Brocolli and instead of rice pilaf - SugarSnap Peas

Pizza Casserole and Fresh Green Grapes

Days 202-204 - Results of filling at the Lord's Table

2010-07-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

Chapter 17 - The PAPA Prayer

Relational prayer and relational sin are discussed, with examples in Chapter 17. Crabb’s description of relational sin is “anything we do for the primary purpose of getting something for ourselves.” Illustrations show praying people who are ‘not abandoned to holiness’ and therefore not recognizing or aware of relational sin (someone whose praise to God has more to do with their blessings than with intimate fellowship with God) as compared to those who are abandoned to holiness and aware of relational (selfish or self-centered is what I am reading) sin.

In my experience this type of sin results from seeking satisfaction outside of or from any source other than Christ himself. That usually is accompanied by a lack of time in the Word. Ignoring the Word can delay the confrontation and repentance but often at enormous cost. Any time I do not go to the Word of God first, would be considered a relational sin. I heard a quote recently where someone described faith as prayer without scheming.

The chapter ends with a comforting bit of advice: that “focusing on your failure (looking in the mirror of God’s Word and allowing it to confront us with our true motives) does not cause you to hate yourself, but to hate your sin.” I would agree and would add that it also builds the wall between you and your enemy. As James 4:7 outlines –[Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ]... first you must draw near to God. Then, and only then, with HIS strength, you resist the devil, and then (and only then) he will flee.

I must note since this is a food blog that I am NOT condoning the food-related illness of binging on food and then purging to hopefully avoid weight gain. That too is sin, and a whole ‘nother subject.

Purging is a good thing – it might be as unpleasant as food poisoning, but once the root cause is cast out, health and well-being follow.

Spiritual ‘purging’ as Crabb calls it, is useless or temporary unless it follows filling. That is one order of principle in this PAPA prayer that I truly feel is vital.

If you think of a straw that has a foreign object in it, or an artery to the heart, lined with plaque and blocking the life-giving flow of blood, neither will clear itself unless some force assists – water, air pressure, etc., and the debris can be released. If we want the debris of our hearts cleansed, we must first draw close to the Master, opening the doors of our hidden clutter, and be so filled with His love and power that what was formerly blocking the way will flee at His presence. There simply is not room for both.

Food: Chicken Slouvaki from Greek restaurant but you can easily make this at home. Skewered chicken roasted or grilled, served with tomatoes, onion, (and sometimes sauce) on a pita.

Perogi: (Say what?) Polish in origin, they are little triangles of dough filled with sweet cream, or oftentimes, potatoes, onion, spinach, mushroom or other various fillings.

Baby Rice Popcorn: not so hard on the stomach - the golden topping is Foods Alive Golden Flax Oil. Rich buttery flavor with only healthy goodness. (also awesome mixed 50/50 with maple syrup for either Kettle Corn flavor or served over waffles or pancakes).

Days 199-201 - Love begets love

2010-07-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

Had an opportunity today to bring a friend to an appt. in Wauwatosa. She showed her love back with this exciting lunch:

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in Wauwatosa, WI presented this exciting dining experience. Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese, balsamic dressing and garnished with greens was a treat. The entrée is a Crab tower surrounded with succulent chunks of mango and avocado. Pretty too isn’t it!

I keep asking who am I to find offense with a few printed words. Is the meaning what they seem and if so should I toss this book (The PAPA Prayer) in the trash? I have to admit that although I find the concept of the four steps of this book spiritually based in that they so similarly line up with the concepts presented in The Lord’s Prayer , I do not believe I would pass it on to another person – in part because of the words at the bottom of page 119 and in the middle of page 120 introducing the next chapter and ‘step’ of what Crabb calls the PAPA prayer. But there it is in big letters – purge yourselves of anything that blocks your relationship with God. The author’s words – and order of words. Chapter 16, ironically explains somewhat that NO ONE CAN PURGE ANYTHING FROM THEMSELVES. Perhaps the author was desperate to spell PAPA with his prayer plan, I don’t know, but he correctly states that recognizing who we are talking to makes us feel “impotent and humbled” and “we realize we have no power”… and that our part is to be willing to “recognize and confess the obstacles” between ourselves and God.

Once again I feel like yelling, finally! - It’s when he says ‘come to God to be purged of sin’

Then what comes next in Chapter 17 makes me want to skim the rest…As he completes the sentence - be purged of sin we can “release what’s holy” –

He seems to be referring back to an earlier comment he made that the very shekinah glory of God rests within our center. Since that unusual comment is not clarified, one can only assume that he means since we are created in the image of God, the stamp of our designer is on our soul. With that I agree, but only to the point that it causes us to seek that which is holy. We cannot possibly find anything within us that is holy (all our righteousness are as filthy rags, there is not one righteous, no not one).

I’m starting to feel like Winnie the Pooh here – saying “Oh, bother” every few sentences.

Like Brad shows in the previous post, God first gives that holy desire – the want to. To obey, to desire His character and will as a life-constant. Only God can do that, and finally Crabb gets it right (or perhaps I should say finally makes it clear) saying if we are trying on our own to work at being holy “we might as well quit now.” Instead he encourages an application of Leviticus 11:44 – to consecrate ourselves to the Lord.

So what would that mean? Well, wanting more to see where I am wrong than my neighbor. Being aware or sensitive to God’s law and character. Living intentionally. Purposely setting ourselves apart to a relationship with God first, and then others needs before our own. It’s a decision to LET God work in and through me, following the work of Christ as He said, “Not my will, but thine.”

Back home again - Lime Marinated Chicken and Sweet Peppers brightened up the lunch table, and

A Blueberry Waffle was just the right touch for a light evening meal.

Day 197 and 198 - Revelation of God

2010-07-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a little Sunday snack - The Raspberry Honey Mustard Dip is a favorite - and is more often found on a chicken or turkey sandwich than on pretzels! Also had a little leftover Asparagus Chicken Soup -

Meanwhile…Eating at the Lord's Table...

The Hebrew and Greek names of God (Father, Son and Spirit) have taught me much about Who God Is. Studying these names helps me to know God better, to realize and acknowledge to whom I am praying, and to better understand the deceit of the world and the enemy for demeaning our Savior and our understanding of all three figures of the Godhead.

Some of the ways that author Larry Crabb viewed God were from outward teachings and illustrations – church, picture books or flannelgraph stories, hymns about God, movies – a lot of other’s views of God. Please don’t misunderstand, I do not think those are necessarily bad – but insufficient. We all need to learn from others, and we all will hopefully teach others what we know, but isn’t it just like our entertainment-crazy world to so easily deceive us that God’s Word must be illustrated, animated and set to music before we can ‘understand’ or appreciate its teachings. I just found it interesting in his illustrations that he grew to “assume” he already knew about God, and who He is from those experiences.

And then he directs the reader to the book Revelation and the descriptions of Christ in those chapters. I would certainly recommend that excursion through Revelation – highlighting the phrases describing the Lord – ‘eyes like blazing fire’ and ‘voice like the sound of rushing waters’ – God himself holding seven stars in His right hand, and on and on… it truly IS a powerful illustration of Who God IS.

What prepared me before the book of Revelation was the gospel of John – going through and underlining who Jesus said he was – marking every I AM in the book proclaims the same powerful and transcendent God. The thing that connected for me was looking back to my first love in the book of John – seeing who Jesus said He was, remembering my realization of who He is just as Christ asked His disciples (who do you say I AM?) and then going to Revelation and seeing the image of Christ at His return.

Get out your markers – or if you cannot bear to write in your Bible – (I cannot bear NOT to!) then write the phrases in a notebook.

Your image of God will likely never be the same! That’s my interpretation of getting a more accurate picture of just WHO it is we are praying (talking) to, and it will also give us a more accurate picture of ourselves, and cause us to come before Him humbly. I'd love to hear WHO God is to you...

Day 196 - Same is OK

2010-07-17T21:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 90% of those who still cook (!) all their meals at home use the same recipes over and over? Several statistics say the variety numbers only between 40-60. That is good if you can find a healthy way to cook them all... When it comes to cooking, that can simplify life, or make it a temptation for some of us to want something 'different' for a change!

Here's one of our favorites - easy - tasty and only 10 minutes to the table - Chicken Asparagus Soup. Simply cube leftover chicken and set aside. Cook asparagus in chicken broth seasoned with garlic and onion salt or other preferred herbs to taste. Drain the Asparagus, cut the tips off for garnish, and process the rest. If you prefer creamy soup, here is where you can add 8 oz. of cream. Pour into bowls over the chicken cubes. The hot soup will warm the chicken. Garnish with the asparagus tips. Simple, classy and delicious.

Spiritually speaking, sameness can be comforting or dangerous. Chapter 14 of Crabb’s book reviews several common, though mistaken, views of the great I AM.

Some false pictures of God that we get too comfortable with are: Smiling Buddy, Backroom Watchmaker, Preoccupied King, Vending Machine/Santa Claus, Stern Patriarch, Kindly Grandfather, Impersonal Force, Cruel Tyrant, Moral Crusader, and Romantic Lover. I’m sure we can all relate to these and other ways we have limited the powerful and almighty God. If those above are not God, who is He?

Rather than fall into the trap of any of these narcissistic views of God and prayer, and beyond believing that God is only what my thoughts and experience limit him to be, Crabb moves on, fortunately, to Chapter 15 to see who God is – and “who He has shown himself to be.”

For me the Hebrew and Greek names of God (Father, Son and Spirit) have taught me much of who God is... and I would surely recommend your review of those names listed on other pages in this blog, as well as the page showing Jesus in all 66 books of the Bible. While the persons of God have separate names and those names have unique characteristics, the unity (Elohim - We) shows that all are fully God.

Humanly speaking we long for predictability, and though we will never in our finite minds be able to fully grasp an infinite triune God who loves us more than any earthly person could, God fulfills our desire for predictability by assuring us that He never changes. – the same yesterday, today, and forever.
That's a sameness that brings assurance, comfort and hope.

Day 195 - Don't Buy It!

2010-07-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

If it won’t build up my health I don’t want to bring it in the house. It's safer that way. Unfortunately, the human mind and emotions are not that simply controlled - to just say no is always easier to say than to do, and this is closely related to the PAPA prayer lesson for today.

Author Larry Crabb calls our center of unsatisfied desire (and consuming terror of exposing our innermost fear) our “red dot”. Imagining the depth of our person and personality superimposed with a red dot can help to visualize what is going on within us. While I am frustrated with some of Crabb’s postmodern expressions, hang on with me here.

You might have a different name for this, but I have tended even more than usual, since this study, to analyze my feelings before God. For example I recently had a concern that had me restless and undecided. As I analyzed how the concern related to God’s will, and then my comfort, I was confronted with the fact that I was allowing fear to cloud my decision. As soon as I confessed the fear, the cloud was gone and a clear decision was made. Crabb is merely suggesting we continue this dialogue throughout the day – from our waking moments, to several times during each day, every week and month until we have developed a new lifestyle. The premise reminds me of an old booklet by Brother Andrew titled “Practicing the Presence” (of Christ). When we acknowledge Him and place Him at the center of each plan, decision or dream, will find true guidance.

Some of Crabb’s illustrations have me saying the same thing as I began this blog – I don’t buy it. Things like don’t try to see what your emotions mean or where they come from simply follow their lead. Don’t Buy It. Or a time when perspective was lost in a complicated situation and as though he found a better way he says “I didn’t try to calm myself down or recite Bible verses to gain perspective.” Ummmmm – If you can’t gain perspective from God’s words, where can you? His solution was the first P of the PAPA prayer – “present yourself to God and He will present Himself to you. “ I think that sounds dependent – like God’s action is dependent on my action. I Don’t Buy It. But – if he really meant to say acknowledge who I am (unclean sinner) and who God is (holy righteousness) makes me want to pray – to thank and praise Him for even acknowledging my existence, let alone loving me so miraculously, then yes, yes, I’ll buy that.

Food from the top: Boiled Cabbage with MCT Oil, Watermelon, Beef Tenderloin
Rotisserie Chicken and Case-Nifla on bed of Green Beans. - Ken got more meat and a Gluten Free Carrot-Walnut muffin :)

Days 184-194 - Taking the Risk of Love

2010-07-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

The few pictures shown are results of cameras on loan for testing while repair parts for my camera are supposedly still in transit.

Hemp hearts, though tasty, have ‘cramped’ my eating habits, and light fare has been the result for the past week or so. Friday will attempt a full 3 meals – smoothie breakfast, light lunch with some protein (stomach still cannot handle a salad alone), chicken or fish entrée for dinner.

Jamaican Beef Patty and watermelon - and - Case-Nifla in Fillo, (Dry cottage cheese, onion, eggs, salt and pepper filling) Green Beans, and Chocolate glazed almond cake and below - Plum Sauce Stir Fry and then Rotisseree Chicken. Mostly in between was cottage cheese, fruit and hemp hearts and protein shakes.

Back to the PAPA prayer, Crabb discusses the many personalities that resist fully expressing emotions. Perhaps we’ve all been hurt at sometime and it is risky to love completely, accepting the world’s standard to be more social than real?

The premise seems accurate that many who pray also keep emotions on the surface- even when presenting ourselves to God. I’m sure I’m guilty too. Even though we all have this deep longing within that nothing in the world can satisfy, and we would ‘lower ourselves’ to the point of addiction to things, substances or people as we try to fill that longing, we strangely enough hold our inner selves aloof from God – the only one we truly subconsciously know can fill our depths. Perhaps it is because we realize he already knows all that we are and are not and to voice the truth would be to admit that that is who we are.

Another author has captured the basis for this longing within men (respect) and women (love) with a wonderful Bible Study appropriately titled Love and Respect.
The Bible too, shows us the way to attain this balance in marriage – the husband commanded to LOVE his wife as Christ loved the church (willing to die for her) and the wife commanded to show RESPECT to the head of our home, as we show respect to Christ as the head of our hearts and lives.

If I’ve come to the place in life where I’ve found the man I want to live with the rest of my life, and have expressed, at least in marriage vows if not in a more intimate setting, I then found someone I can trust with my risk of loving fully. As wonderful as that is – as wonderful as he is – as wonderful as that love is – how much more amazing is complete and total resting in the arms of my Savior!

Is it a risk to love this completely – to communicate and give love with such real honesty and honor without looking back at how it might affect myself? It seems so, unless I examine the character and kept promises of my affections. Study the names of God found on another tab in this blog. You will surely find what I did. Knowing who it is that loves me, and how it is He loves me, frees my heart to total abandon. To realize that God knows each little quirk I’d love to hide (because I’m either ashamed or even despise some of them), opens the possibility of purpose within His hands, for every nuance He allowed to be created in me – physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, spiritually. Godly purpose releases me from the grip of fear. Crabb concludes “You’ll never find yourself until you find God in your red dot (his description of unsatisfied desire and consuming terror) – or until He finds you in your brokenness.

PAPA Prayer – Day 22

July 5 – 183 – The Velveteen Rabbit and Fireworks!

2010-07-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

Today marks half the year.

All bunny stories are part of my life since Daddy called his little girls his ‘honey bunnies.’ The Velveteen Rabbit, as most of you know, teaches about being real.

Many of us, myself included are almost proud that we have hidden some of ourselves from everyone – including loved ones. I like to think or give the impression that there are mysteries yet undiscovered, yet I know many of the mysteries and would not want them brought to light!

Are we real with God? Do I keep that veil in place as I present myself to Him, as I realize anew that this is the Almighty God – El ohim – that I have come before. Sometimes I risk big, telling my story, or part of it, to someone in particular need, but seldom to I reveal that deep longing that Larry Crabb knew – a longing that nothing in this world can satisfy.

Food today negligible – upset stomach.

The Independence Day parade and fireworks always remind me of my spiritual birthday - July 4th.

If you would like to read the 'testimony' of that special day, click on my picture and check it out at Examiner.com

Pictures, hopefully tomorrow as I get a camera on loan.

Days 181 - 182 - Fellowship with God, Friends, and Food

2010-07-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

July 3 – 181 – July 4 – 182 –
Oftentimes we have an agenda when we ‘go to God in prayer.’ We already know what is wrong and we usually have some inkling of what is right and what is wrong – what we could or should do. Does God have an agenda too? We act like it a lot of times, trying to ‘be’ the person we should be, to ‘do’ what we think scriptures say to ‘do’, or to ‘say’ the words we think we should pray, to fulfill our imaginary God agenda, so that He will answer our prayers.

What if, as Crabb suggests, that before we ask for a thing, we relate with God. Commune with Him. Just tell Him where we’re at – what we observe and what we’ve examined that we know does not belong. Then recognizing that God is sovereign and can work these things together into something good, we let Him.

We let Him. Without sharing our thoughts or suggestions, no parameters when prayers need to be answered. Truly believing that we know to WHOM we are praying and we are ready to listen and be directed. I mean, how can I hear God talking, until I stop?

Sometimes I have a food agenda too, like I NEED chocolate – or potato chips – or its been a long time, I think I will have a slice or two of pizza today, but how can I do that in a more healthy way… See all food agendas aren’t naughty!

Today my food agenda was to try a new vegetable recipe with the result of a big smile and wanting to peruse more of the Vegetables cook book.

Food Saturday:
My own Calci-cookies
Blanched sugar-snap peas with a Sour-Cream mint dip – surprisingly refreshing.
Mix sour cream (I used about 1/3 cup) with 1-2 Tbsp. Mayonaise, a Tbsp. of freshly dried mint (just picked some yesterday). If desired add tsp. of favorite sweetener.
Food Sunday:
Calci-cookies
½ baked potato, Chicken cooked in rice wine and sauce of lime, chicken broth, herbs, rice milk and sour cream
Slouvaki – Chicken & red pepper kabob on a pita, creamy sauce, chopped tomato and onions – Best food at high school event yet – (Tremper Field) Drum and Bugle Competition

Papa prayer days 20-21

Thursday and Friday Day 179-180 of 365

2010-07-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

Photoless. It’s worse than misplacing my purse, I feel like an appendage is missing. Found a camera part online which may or may not repair it but will not do the $120 mail-in-estimate from the Geek Squad. Looks like I’ll need to reformat the budget for July as I need a camera for several events this week. Going hunting.

Food these two days:

Protein Pasta Salad – High protein pasta sauced with garlic and lemon and topped with raw veggies that were marinated in Italian dressing and lemon.

Tilapia – cooked after the (allergic) master went to bed. Neatly packaged to warm and eat out on the porch J - Today’s brushed with olive oil and seasoning, future portions rolled in crushed nuts and/or crushed root vegetable chips.

Chewable calcium tablets were combined with ground nuts, coconut, protein powder, almond extract and egg to make tasty little Calci-cookies. 24 mini muffin cups sprayed with oil made perfect cookie shapers.

PAPA prayer – Day 18 and 19 –

Perhaps you have already experienced some of the responses Larry Crabb felt once he remodeled his prayer life, but here are some of the personal benefits he listed:

New power in petitionary prayer
Unmistakable guidance from God
Discover hearing the voice of God
Renewed confidence that God is listening
Experience His presence
Deepen appetite for God until wanting Him more than any thing
Develop confidence that every empty space in your life is filled

In a way it reminds me of the difference between playing the dating ‘game’ – showing only the best side of one’s personality, always presenting self in best possible light (neat, clean, smelling good), and then taking the relationship to a deeper level where you talk about ideas, goals, beliefs. It’s risky but it has profound benefits.

Jesus risked all for me. And now he wants to hear something from me besides, "I want", "could you?" or "please". It's not just a 'fair' request - it's amazing that he would want to hear from me at all! Even though I've practiced relational prayer in the past, focusing on it day after day has been uplifting and revealing - encouraging me to make sure I am always communing before requesting. Hope you are encouraged as well.

Now off to find a camera.

Day 178 - More of God or more from God?

2010-06-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Paradigms of Prayer

Getting more OF instead of getting more FROM - PAPA Prayer - Day 17

The author shares how much of his Christian life he has been taught and encouraged by various churches/ministries/examples that praying is getting something FROM God – usually a blessing that would make his life more comfortable. Many ‘health and wealth’ subscribers questioned faith and relationship with God when specific things were not received in answer to sincere and fervent prayer requests. Hard times were often unexplainable to these subscribers and sometimes resulted in a falling away from the faith.

Other scripture emphasized the difference between petitional praise and relational praise. Psalm 103:1-2 for example shows how the praise is first directed toward God’s name and then toward His benefits. Several times in scripture we also see people praising God in the midst of trials, so relational praise would there be focusing on hope and promises that God has made for eventualities – rather than ‘just’ praise for immediate things or happenings that we’d requested.

Eight assumptions form a convincing difference between the ‘Get to Know God Better” way of praying (relational prayer) and the “Get Things from God way of praying. I’ll share the first and the last:

Assumption 1 is the main one often missed – We are the audience. Prayer is more about us hearing God than about him hearing us.

That is the difference between the first two definitions of prayer – Webster’s dictionary:

a devout petition to god .

a spiritual communion with God as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession

Assumption 8: Knowing God changes what we most want in this life, and that changes what we most fervently request.

Food:
Dropped the camera - hope it's ok - will have it checked out tomorrow.

Food today: Watermelon, Tuna steak, Raw marinated peas, onions, tomatoes

Day 177 - The Lord's Prayer and a cooking storm

2010-06-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

The Lord’s Prayer and Relational Prayer (day 16 of PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb)

I was grateful for the more detailed explanations of Chapter 9 - personal examples from Crabb’s personal life – because it revealed that I’d misunderstood the first basic outline of the acronym PAPA.

P – presenting myself to God – was better explained as telling God what He already knows - what is going on in myself at the time and not hiding under ‘religious’ language or goals – just talking to him like I would my Daddy. (for Crabb the precious name is PAPA – hence the title)

A – attending how I am thinking of God – being honest. For me this would be using the Word of God – telling God that in my finite way I’m tempted to consider his character to be like mine – impatient, bored, or tired of hearing the same old same old. However, scripture tells me He is … (and here I would fill in the appropriate scripture) Verses like Is. 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.

P – purging to me is only what God can do – getting rid of something. Crabb finally clears up that he too believes only God can do that. Purging to him is more like [recognizing] that saying yes to immediate satisfaction is often a way of saying no to trusting God with the hope that deeper satisfaction is available in Him. He describes idolatry as ‘filling up my empty stomach with junk food, so I have no appetite when the chef brings out the steak.’Recognizing that cry for ‘satisfaction’ as self-obsession - an unholy desire, he concludes, “I bow before God in brokenness – which is the proper position for listening.

A – approach God as the first thing in my life – The first three points are preparation to the acknowledgement that God is my greatest good.

Acknowledging God as :

the first thing in my thinking

the first thing in my affections

the first thing in my purposes

the first thing in my choices

I acknowledge that I want to trust HIM with my need for satisfaction by devoting my life to HIS pleasure.

Today: Greek Salad with Gyro Meat, Lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion
Watermelon

Made a strawberry smoothie and forgot to drink it with all the cooking - ready for tomorrow!

Cooking storm: Took all the veggies out of the fridge - and some cartons of chopped beef which I combined in the food processor with Italian Sausage, Tenuta's Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt, Onion and Red Pepper. Made:
Chop Suey, Beef n Beans, Blond Spaghetti (garlic-butter sauce instead of tomato sauce), green beans for Ken's fav fritatta (add chopped bacon, eggs, 1/4 c. flour and 1/2 tsp. baking powder), and taco meat for a later salad or tostadas. Still have veggies for a stir fry for later in the week.

The rest of the week will be easier as I have his food prepared, and different meats for me are portioned.

Day 176 - Focus: The provider or the provision?

2010-06-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

Featured product: Steinke's Rice-Kernel Popcorn
a tender 'hull-less kernel. Found online or in area stores like Mars Cheese Castle on Highway 94

Lesson for Monday from the PAPA prayer is

Focus on the provider – not the provision. How can I do that? The Lord's Prayer was Jesus' model for us:

Matthew 6:6-9 [the Message] amplifies the prelude to the Lord’s Prayer

Matt. 6:6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

Matt. 6:7 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.

Matt. 6:8 Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.

Matt. 6:9 With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

Crabb’s example of sitting with his wife and focusing on her brings home the beauty of focusing on the person rather than the provision. I know when my hubby and I are relaxing or walking and holding hands, focused on one another, there is not a desire to request anything that would, as Crabb states, “violate our togetherness”.

He closes out Chapter 8 by listing three things to focus on to remain in Christ: 1) The value of what Christ has done for us that we could never do ourselves (more than all the little miracles, adoption into the family of God). 2) our helplessness to arrange for our satisfaction or do anything of real significance without daily strength from God 3) to spend time alone with Him in silence and solitude.

I think that was one of the most difficult challenges as a young Christian, when I was encouraged to spend 24 hours with God – and as little noise (including music) as possible. I was shocked to realize how much I depended on activity and noise to form my thoughts and prayers. Fortunately she started me with 7 minutes first.

Today was challenging for me, dealing with some complicated -issues. I find when things like this come up, I tend to focus on the details and the solution so much that the rest of life's details often get forgotten or ignored. Not good. It was after 6 pm when I finally got away from the telephone and did what I should have done this morning - get on the treadmill and get secluded time into the Word. I can't even remember what all I ate today as I've grabbed a bite or a sip of this or that as I ran from one detail to the next.

Let's see... I had a little of Ken's hash and pineapple (a favorite of his) sometime today... and - oh yeah, a half cup of a lemon dessert found cleaning out the freezer, and a couple handfuls of "rice"corn to ease the digestive upset of the dessert. Not a good nutrition day, so, lesson learned, I'm going down to prepare the menu for tomorrow.

Days 174-175 - Focus and Danger

2010-06-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday

Brunch– 3 Cod Filets – sautéed in tangerine wine reduction and sweet onions
Dinner- Stuffed grape leaves from local Greek festival - ate them too fast & didn't think of photos!

Sunday
Breakfast – 1 pancake, ½ slice ham,
Lunch – Sauerkraut and sausage and ½ slice cantelope

Dinner – Pasta and strawberries - a different kind of danger - deciding to empty the freezer and eat whatever we find first. A salad would have been so much better.

Sunday School surprise - discussing Job brought out how Job’s response to the disasters of his life revealed that his relationship with God was not based on the things/blessings that God had given him. His prayer following the disasters was relational.

Have you ever noticed that when your mind is focused on something you see more of that thing? For example if you are thinking of replacing an appliance, a car, or need new glasses, or a haircut, one begins to ‘notice’ those things more than before.

Similarly, I’m finding that focusing on a spiritual theme – like this 21-day focus on relational prayer – has brought my attention to many examples of prayer [which are relational and which are not] that I believe I’ve missed before. It makes the study more ‘fun’ as I’m observing examples in real life that augment the study.

Getting back to the book The PAPA Prayer, I reviewed the portion in chapter 7 that assures the book was not written as a ‘gimmick’ or formula that could/would/should manipulate God to do anything for us. Crabb confirms in multiple ways that “nothing we do makes Him do anything.”

As I continue into the book, I am more impressed with the author’s honest exposure, and immensely pleased that chapter 8 spends some time exploring John 15:5-7 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me, and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.” (from the paraphrase – The Message). This passage very effectively shows how the power of petitionary prayer is dependent on the priority of relational prayer.

If we don’t remain in Him – we remain in self. Self is more concerned with the satisfaction and fulfillment of experience or things than the giver. Crabb’s quote from Oswald Chambers shows how we can utilize God for the sake of getting peace and joy. Similarly, in people-to-people relationships we do not want to be ‘utilized’ for whatever we can ‘give’ the other person. We want to be valued for who we are. Chambers is saying that is how we need to relate to Jesus Christ. To know Him. To love Him. To relate to Him for who He is.

PAPA Prayer days 13 and 14

Days 172-173 - Something's fishy...

2010-06-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Will you take a look at this - no wonder we should focus on pure unprocessed food - I 'found' some breaded fish filets in the freezer and set to 'peeling' them - removing the breading. When I saw the actual size of the fish pieces, I realized that most people would hesitate to pay that price for what would be a much smaller package of product, yet we are willingly often paying more for filler, coating, and unhealthy additions to real food.

All that breading was actually on the three pieces shown. The smaller photo is the actual three pieces of Cod, carmelized with onions.

Three more peeled Cod filets on Friday, this time covered with plum salsa and accompanied by some bright spooned cantelope

Unexpected company coming tomorrow, so will see if I can challenge myself to eat healthy while treating some teenage boys!

Peeling breading off fish and reading and examining the PAPA prayer by Larry Crabb has impacted my daily thinking on prayer. How?

Well, a friend asked me today what I knew about prayer and it was a good opportunity to review the difference between petitional (Santa Claus) prayer and relational prayer. How do I coat my prayer?

Chapter 8 has a more intimate tone and much more scripture. I wish the book had started here. Crabb relates how "second-things" (blessings/results/answers to prayer) are good, and quotes Deuteronomy 8:10-14 when God was talking to Israel about getting to the Promised Land: "When you have eaten, and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you." But they/we are also warned further on in the passage to "be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God...otherwise when you eat and are satisfied (when your prayers are answered i.e. perhaps children obey, spouses relate etc)... you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out of slavery."

This is key to taking our spiritual relationship that huge step closer to focusing on the 'first-thing' - WHO we are praying to - WHO we are communing with. Let's not forget that like the fish above, it is all too easy to coat the real 'first-thing' with all sorts of "attractive" or appealing second-things that we really want. Have you heard Rich Mullin's song - where he sings to the Lord, how so often when we get things from God, we want one thing more, and the chorus rings with this truth as Rich sang to the Lord, "You're my one thing." I could give you a dozen things - or more - that I REALLY want in my life right now - or in the lives of my children, grandchildren, or other loved ones. So my question to myself has to be are they - are those things - my FIRST thing - or is it knowing God, walking with Him, abiding with Him? It's comforting for me to realize that He knows and wants those things for me and for my family far more than I ever could. It's also challenging - and more on that tomorrow.

Days 170 and 171 - Feeling invisible?

2010-06-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

PAPA prayer – Day 9 and 10 - Tuesday and Wednesday -

Unanswered spoiled child prayer – Sometimes we think we want things but find out we really wanted the Lord’s presence more than those things. We do foolish and childish things when we are feeling invisible.

Too often it takes time and maturity to come to that rightful conclusion – to admitting that secondary things have climbed up to first place in our lives. Crabb shares some stages of whining, gimme and sit-on-Santa’s lap and ask for stuff stages of prayer life, and some nitty-gritty changes when prayer changes from petition first (for those secondary things) to repentance and honest worship.

I think most parents and grandparents have at times felt ‘invisible’ – invisible unless someone wanted something. As I think over those times in my life, I wonder if my behavior toward God has been any different.

Some thought provoking questions in chapter seven painfully twist the focus off of self and rebend it upward, to Christ. Questions and prayers that make me wonder: have I wanted God’s resources more than I’ve wanted Him? Have I been so intent on filling up my emptiness through others or through things that I’ve been focusing on protecting and promoting myself and my agenda (my kingdom) instead of the Kingdom of God?

Rather than a prayer to make one powerful and visible, it is just the opposite that is suggested – becoming more invisible and focusing on abiding IN Christ and praying obediently with trust and humility. This chapter (7) focuses on following Jesus’ example of prayer – “The Lord’s Prayer”.

The portions that most spoke to me were, first of all, the reminder of Jesus response to the temptation of the enemy after his forty-day fast. “Of course He wanted a good meal after a 40-day fast, but not if it would distance Him one inch from His Father.” That can only be my response if I am fed at The Lord’s Table, for then only will I long for Christ alone - nothing else.

Secondly, even in Gethsemane, Jesus trusted His Father completely. He looked to nothing else and no one else. In Christ’s examples, His relationship with God preceded any petition.

The concluding point of Chapter 7: “Getting God is worth infinitely more than getting the things we want from God.”

Food today: Blueberry smoothie, Salad, green beans, pasty filling and portion of baked fish

It has been difficult cooking seafood for dinner as Ken is allergic and we prefer having dinner together, so I am going to switch the meal order.

I therefore shared the pasty and after he left the kitchen, I baked some fish and had that instead. I will try switching the protein to lunch when I have fish, and keep the protein at dinner when I have chicken. Hopefully that will solve the dilemma and allow for dinner together.

Day 169 - Other centered prayer

2010-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Storm outages yesterday negated entries but glad to be back in our world of readily available electricity again.

PAPA prayer day 8 -- Other-centered prayer = Other-centered actions

That is the formula Crabb sees when he discusses relational prayer, and YEA! He uses John 15:4-7 – Jesus telling us to remain in Him, to abide in Him as a branch sticks close to the vine.

I heartily agree with him that “when we are caught up with WHO it is we are relating to, prayers of worship and adoration naturally follow”.

This idea of building-block prayer is a lot like a love relationship. When you spend time with someone, get to know them, you begin to share more personal thoughts and events, and your relationship grows. Only after you come to know the person, who they are, and who they are to you, do you get to the stage of gratitude and then to petition. The author is right in that many Christians go at prayer backwards, beginning with a feeling of entitlement and prayers of petition only, or perhaps prayers of thanks when their requests are answered the way they hoped.

Love is more concerned with what will make the other happy and finds total delight for oneself just in being with that special person. Imagine the disappointment on the face of the one we love the most, if the first thing we did in the morning, and the last thing at night was recite a list of things we wanted for them to do for us or to give us. When we delight ourselves in the miracle of receiving their love, we instead should be looking for how we can make that person delighted, and how we can send that wonderful love back. Love begets love. Asking, demanding, only requesting – well, I would think that would beget disinterest, for I know that I would soon think the person is not interested in me at all.

In Chapter 5, Crabb gets to this, describing the prayer of a spoiled child – claiming John 14:14 (Jesus said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”) without fulfilling the central –perspective – IN MY NAME.

For years I worked as an administrative assistant and had to sometimes fulfill some duties, in the name (or in place of) my boss – as he or she would have done it. As we were raising our children, we agreed on certain rewards and disciplines. If only one of us were there, we had to fulfill it in the name of our spouse – as he or she would have done if there. You have to know the other person thoroughly and intimately to make those responses and decisions. Regarding relational prayer, then, the question is – How do I know what Jesus wants or what He would do about something in order to pray in HIS name instead of in mine? More on that tomorrow.

Today's food: Strawberry smoothie and lettuce salad topped with warm veggies and chicken. Warmed cabbage, carrots, sugar snap peas and carrots. Delicious.

Day 169 - Knowing WHO you are talking to...

2010-06-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

PAPA Prayer 6 and 7 – Relational Prayer – Sat. and Sun.

Continuing with the introduction to the PAPA Prayer, Larry Crabb, lists the benefits of this type of ‘relational’ prayer:

Relational prayer leads to personal transformation

I like the analogy that accompanies this portion – basically it is Augustine’s argument of a God shaped space or vacuum within each of us that only God can fill. When we have committed our lives to Christ, His Spirit indwells us and fills every available space.

Note the word available! I know I’ve been guilty of this – filling myself with things rather than leaving ‘space’ for the Spirit.

‘…wanting God more than any other blessing I can imagine’ is the way Crabb describes a major result of this prayer, and making room in the soul for God to fill begins with surrender and wanting God alone as the first thing.

Relational prayer lets us hear God’s voice

“Sometimes”, he says, “not often, I hear His [God’s] voice.” That is a second blessing from relational prayer, as listed in Jeremiah 32-40-41 where God says, “I will never stop doing good to them…I will rejoice in doing them good, with all my heart and soul.”

And, as love begets love, Crabb calls this ‘falling in love with God’

This form of prayer helped him to look forward to prayer, to not find it boring as it had seemed in the past, and actually providing passion for other types of prayer such as petitionary and thanksgiving.

Communicating with God

Other-centered prayer = Other-centered actions

That is the formula Crabb sees when he discusses relational prayer, and YEA! He uses John 15:4-7 – Jesus telling us to remain in Him, to abide in Him as a branch sticks close to the vine.

I SO agree with him that “when we are caught up with WHO it is we are relating to, prayers of worship and adoration naturally follow”.

Birthday Party today - Taco Salad Makings

(Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Avocado, cheese, onions, crushed Fritos for topping, meat not shown).

Day 168 - What is my First Thing?

2010-06-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

PAPA Prayer - 5

A – Approach God as the “first thing” in your life – “As your most valuable treasure, the Person you most want to know.” Crabb encourages honest prayer, suggesting if true we “admit that other people and things really do matter more to you right now, but you long to want God so much that every other good thing in your life becomes a ‘second thing’ desire.”

This thought reminds me of consecration. If we have allowed God in the previous three steps to see us as we are, to forgive and cleanse us, then as Ephesians 3:12 says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Again, Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

While I agree that I should approach God this way – as the FIRST thing in my life – my most valuable treasure – if I have not gone to the Word and seen WHO HE IS, I might feel hopeless after looking into the mirror of His Word and seeing WHO I AM.

The first three steps should have prepared me to approach God with confidence that He will hear me, but so far Crabb does not reveal the tools with which to do so.

Granted, he is writing as a mature Christian, likely to other ‘mature’ believers, yet if so many of us have missed such basic prayer instruction, don’t we then need basic guidance to find and understand it?

I will complete the study, hoping for more exposition and direction to God’s Word, but to be honest, I believe these four steps were ‘there’ all the time in the Lord’s Prayer, albeit perhaps in a different order;

THE FIRST A - Our Father, Who Art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name (recognize how am I thinking of God – Who is God – is He my Father? etc. –)

THE FIRST P - Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (present myself to God without pretense – what is really going on inside of me – do I want HIS kingdom, HIS will, HIS presence in my physical life as it is in the spiritual?)

THE SECOND P - Give us this day our daily bread … and forgive us as we forgive others (Purge yourself of anything blocking your relationship with God) – Placing the irritating grain of ‘yourself’ into the shell of God’s provision, confess, repent and be forgiven)

THE SECOND A - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory. – Approach God as the first thing in your life, as the most valuable treasure. (admitting that I need to be delivered from the truth that people and things (evil if they replace God) may be more important in my life and ask God’s help that only HIS kingdom, power and glory would be first-place in my life.)
This forms APPA
• "Appa" in Korean and Tamil (Indian language) is similar to the word meaning "father" or "dad", and also an anagram of the word "Papa". "Apa", in Hungarian means "Father" or "Daddy"
•
• Many young people will recognize that word as a character in the movie Avatar.. A trivia source says “that name "Appa" also sounds like "Abba", the Hebrew word for "father". This may be intentional, and rightly so, as the group rely on Appa to carry them around the world, and to protect them when everything else fails. “Now isn’t that interesting. Not all that spiritual – but interesting ☺

Pondering on what - or who - is my first thing is more the purpose of ‘relational prayer’… more on that tomorrow. But first: Today's food pictured above:

Full Strawberry Smoothie

Italian Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken, celery, and Tenuta's Italian Seasoning

Asparagus-Nectarine Chicken - yummy combination

Day 6 of this 21

Day 167 - Protein, purging and sleep

2010-06-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

No sleep (adrenal supplements at night and hormone imbalance). Add to the mix too little protein in the morning (finally fell asleep about 7 a.m. for a couple of hours, and was too sluggish to drink a whole smoothie) is not my best combination. A couple of walks outdoors helped lower levels and increased the appetite again.

Recovered now after dinner with protein, I can continue on the PAPA prayer and the second "P" - purging - not to be confused with a detox diet or any symptoms of anorexia or bulemia.

Today's food pictures are Strawberry smoothie. I only drank 1/3.

Red and Green Lettuce Leaf Salad, with celery, tomato and a dressing of ginger, sesame, oil and a little cherry juice to cut the spicy bite of the ginger. Oh, so good. The color and tang of a balsamic with mysterious notes of the cherry.

Dinner was a fun taste for me. Ground chicken breast mixed with capers and lemon made a moist burger. The colorful side-dish is a melange of beet greens, rubbed beets and dark cherries. Very tasty and glad I made enough for tomorrow.

PAPA Prayer - 4

P for purge yourself of anything blocking your relationship with God. Do you see the word that offends me here? YOURSELF.

The dictionary explains purging; To remove (impurities and other elements) by or as if by cleansing. 2. To rid of sin, guilt, or defilement. 3. Law To clear (a person) of a charge - ONLY GOD CAN PURGE SIN

Perhaps the author means confessing or repenting (Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,)

But I/we can never purge ourselves of anything. I believe from his further description to “put into words whatever makes you uncomfortable or embarrassed when you’re real in your relationship with Him (God)… How are you thinking more about yourself and your satisfaction than about anyone else including God and His pleasure?” –sounds more like putting my name into every one of the ten commandments – making it personal – in other words recognizing, CONFESSING and then REPENTING. But only God can do the purging.

A girlfriend and I reviewed our past of personal attempts of purging habits and addictions in our lives - every one ended in failure. Only when we are in the Word and feeding at The Lord's Table FIRST - 'putting on' the character and nature of Christ - will be begin 'putting off' the old nature and breaking the chains of addiction.

Losing a pound a day on the Daniel program is a bonus, and I may be able to do more if I hydrate better and drink all my breakfast protein. Day 5 of 21

Day 166 - Pretense

2010-06-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

PAPA Prayer – 3

Recalling the P is for presenting yourself to God without pretense.

A is to attend to how you are thinking of God. Being honest, admitting what or who God is to you? A spiritual Santa? A vending machine? A judge? Or “your gloriously strong but intimate Papa?

Again, to answer this question I must get the answer from truth, not from my emotions. The list of Hebrew names and the list of Jesus names at my blog http://deloresliesner.blogspot.com is a great inspiration to me, for as I mediate on these truths, and test them out in life’s circumstances, I find that their meaning is not “just” who IS God, but this is WHO GOD wants to be to me and who God IS TO ME. Psalm 18:31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

Certainly it is good to ask, as you read God’s character, if this is who God truly is to me today, (if I welcome and embrace these characteristics in my life), but I would caution anyone to not just depend on individual thinking and emotions to evaluate what only God can judge. It is certainly a review or examination of my actions compared to the Word of God that is required here along with necessary repentance, yet I would encourage that the petitioner allow God to do the reviewing, recalling and convicting as needed. Otherwise we can end up once again either weighing our actions and beliefs by the standards of the world – looking for and counting the good works accomplished or worse yet, believing the enemy that our sin is permanent and unforgivable.

Examining our journaling, our prayer life, or even our thought life – what I most think about – if most of my prayers are asking or thanking - for me or for others – are good to help us recognize how others might perceive God by our lives. Studying God’s character as revealed through His names can help us gain perspective if we have a need to recognize and bow before the great I AM.

Photos tomorrow - I got the SD card stuck where it doesn't belong! You DON'T want to know what I did!

Breakfast was blueberry smoothie - my favorite flavor so far... Lunch 1/2 apple and raw veggies
Here is dinner from today - Tuna steak, Mixed veggies and beets are the dark things in the lower right. Great meal.

Day 165 - Hunting for Gold

2010-06-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Papa Prayer – 2

Encouraging dialogue today calmed many of the ‘warnings’ I’d received. In the author, Larry Crabb’s words – this book isn’t about a model prayer – centering prayer, contemplative prayer, liturgical prayer, or any other ‘magical’ formula. In his words there are “no means to manipulate [God], no ways to persuade Him to do things our way”. It is, instead, a personal story or discovery of ‘a way to relate to God that “lets us hear Him speak…a way to know God so well that the deepest desire of His heart actually becomes the deepest desire of ours, and that frees us to ask God for what we really want, with confidence…because what we want now matches what He wants.”

This puts me in the mind of Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Larry Crabb’s acrostic PAPA outlines what he calls relational prayer. It seems basic to me, but don’t we sometimes miss the “simple” basics as we search for a deeper walk through studies, commentaries, and teachers?

P is for presenting yourself to God without pretense. (not coming to God with the public personality – but opening up to what is really going on inside you.) At this point there is no encouragement where to look but I recognize that I seldom willingly recognize who or what I have become unless I look into God’s mirror – the Bible

Romans 1:20-22 clarifies what happens when God’s people stray away from God’s mirror:
Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Rom. 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom. 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.

An unusual Bible translation, ironically called The Mirror Translation concludes in verse 23 “Their losing sight of God made them lose sight of who they really were.”

If I want to find who I really am, I need look INTENTLY (having the mind or attention firmly directed or fixed; engrossed) into the mirror of God’s Word.

James 1:23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror James 1:24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

This is what I believe is being said: Seriously and honestly look intently into God’s Word – recognize and admit to God who and what I am. Know that God uses His law to reveal His standard – a standard that I am incapable of meeting without Christ. Be free to say this is me right now, God, and I seriously need your makeover skills, particularly in named areas.

I just wish it was said more clearly, and was presented with the scripture to explain and enforce it. Perhaps he will later in the book… But now - today's food:

Raspberry Smoothie - same portion in taller glass instead of two glasses like yesterday :)

Vegetable Soup (abundance from yesterday, now 'thickened stew-like") and green beans

'Steamed-fry" A new term for sure - Thinly cross sliced cabbage, carrots, celery and cut a few sugar-snap peas. Sliced chicken tenders and steamed with a little ginger and garlic. I've previously not appreciated vegetables that were still crispy - but this! Fresh taste with just enough crunch to add variety. Couldn't resist the picture with a new favorite kitchen tool that Kris picked out for me for Mother's Day. This dish looked even prettier in the bowl.

Day 164 - Hungry... for God

2010-06-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Papa prayer – 1

I’m still hungry – as a matter of fact – more hungry than before I began. The introduction and first chapter of Crabb’s book on prayer repeatedly describes the book as a personal narrative, but I am disappointed to not read a single scripture yet.

He asks 9 questions that he answered yes to – all relating to ‘feeling’ or lack thereof after praying – and often after not receiving answers to prayer. One, ironically almost describes the “feeling” I have after beginning his book: he asks if one has ever prayed and then felt empty…

I’m certain there are greater depths of prayer than I have known. Yet, I do see God as a more intimate friend than any of the world I’ve been privileged to count as dear sisters and brothers in the Lord. I have experienced miraculous answers to prayer, and I have experienced peace that God is in control of a situation even though I do not see the ‘escape’. Reviewing God’s character through His names inspires me to worship, remembering what God has done through Bible days and my own days, inspires me to praise, and reading of His love and intent for me as His child, permits me to request. All of my past prayer experiences have building blocks of scripture.

True it’s only the introduction, the first chapter and part of the second, but I’m wondering when I will get to something of God in Crabb’s story that will inspire me to pray, close the book, disappointed for today, and turn back to my study on fasting which ironically enlightens a quote from Mr. Crabb.

Inspiration today is from two passages: John 16:22-23, where Jesus is speaking to his followers, predicting his death and resurrection. “You too now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you…”and Luke 5:35 “But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.”

After the resurrection (now) and until Christ returns He says my heart WILL rejoice and no one can TAKE AWAY that joy from me. I can, however, ignore it, deny it, or leave it lying unused in the clutter of life’s cares. I cannot experience that joy (but will experience the lack of it) if I depend on how I FEEL instead of depending on the truth of God’s Word. It is obvious to me that the joy we all long for is not mentioned as a result of what was asked for but from Christ’s presence alone, for Jesus says – “I WILL see you again, and your heart WILL rejoice.” The passage in Luke also indicates that until the Lord returns, there will be fasting.” Fasting to me is refraining from that which would claim or deceive me to believe it can fulfill me as only the joy of Christ’s presence, or any of the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

That is one thing that does concur from Crabb’s narrative when he shared how he finally discovered that the complete happiness he sought could only be received from God, and to receive that he had to “give up on the happiness he [thought he could] find elsewhere.” He rightly concludes "To not ask [of things] “to fill me up more than they can.”

Things were not created with the capability to provide that which only our Saviour can. John Piper called experiencing the presence of God “Indestructible Joy”. Conversely, created things will rot, burn, degrade, and disintegrate. They are not eternal. No temporal thing can provide the spiritual ‘side-effects’ we crave.

Now I conclude I found a nugget in Crabb’s book after all – I just hope the Word will more clearly be shared as he expands on the rest of His personal prayer experience. Without it, it is like eating the spices that enhance the meat, without the meat.

Today's Smoothie: Bananna - with Watkin's coconut and bananna flavor added

Vegetable Soup - Tomato & Vegetable broth, celery, carrots, onion and garlic topped with Swiss Chard (very yummy - hope Ken leaves me some for tomorrow!)

Tuna in celery - topped with cranberries. A good day, but I need to drink more liquid.

Day 163 - Reflection on Confession

2010-06-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I've heard it before, but the word confess struck me anew today - collided you might say - with the weighty caboose of it's description - Confession - agreeing with God.

God knows what we've done already - so why not admit it. Why instead do we hesitate to agree with Him, either speaking of other things, remaining silent, or acting out our disagreement that we are indeed, guilty?

Confession is one of the reasons why I was led to read this book; that and a recommendation of a Bible teacher I trust. Confession that I've not yet read the book and that I've received comments pro and con about the book, it's author, and his mentors, including warnings of unbiblical teachings, leads me to further examination and explanation.

Admittedly, I'm a risk taker, but open only to the point that if any teachings do not match with scripture, I'll toss it midstream. As a reader, I'm curious about the experience of another believer, particularly as it related to my respected Bible teacher, and his personal comments. As a Christian, I believe my spiritual life would benefit from a deeper look at how I pray or could pray. As a skeptic, I am not looking for, nor would I use, anyone else's personal prayer as mine, yet will appreciate lessons learned which brought another believer closer to Christ. As a reviewer, I've already noted the meaning of the letters in the acrostic PAPA: Present, Attend, Purge and Approach. Sounds like a four-step plan to approaching God in prayer - focusing more on God than myself. I will let you know.

I confess this is more of an experiment than I anticipated.

Meals today consisted of:
Breakfast - smoothie - Total Health Whey Protein, Golden Flax seed, Golden Flax Oil (Foods Alive), 3 ice cubes, 6 oz. of water and 1/2 cup of raspberries.

Lunch: Unlimited allowed veggies - today - Asparagus and Cabbage

Snack: Macintosh Apple and 1/8 cup raw almonds

Dinner: 3-4 oz. Chicken and Cauliflower

Daily breakfast will be a smoothie with varied fruits. It makes quite a large glass (for me) - photo tomorrow.

Lunches are vegetables - raw or steamed and Dinner includes up to 4 oz. of chicken or fish and unlimited allowed vegetables

Day 1 of 21 - Days 163 through 184 - MDD - Modified Daniel Diet

Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Day 162 - Modified Daniel Fast

2010-06-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow begins the 21 day modified "Daniel" diet. The kitchen is ready, fresh veggies and fruit are in the fridge and the devotion I will be doing is The Papa Prayer by Larry Crabb.

Any time I do a restricted menu for a planned term, my first and primary focus has to be the spiritual undergirding. Larry Crabb begins the 21 section book with this description of prayer: "It's just recently become clear to me that my prayer life has been mostly about trying to get God to do something for me.... I've read books that say prayer is an opportunity to have a conversation with God, like two good friends getting to know each other better." The idea of the PAPA prayer is a way to get so close to God," Crabb concludes, "that He actually lives His life through me. Prayer now feels less about asking for something and more about enjoying someone."

It's not so much a particular prayer, but an attitude that I feel expresses the purpose behind my goal of freedom from the captivity of food addiction through first spending time at The Lord's Table.

Join me for the next 21 days looking into the PAPA prayer while also focusing on a detoxing and clarifying nutritional plan to reset the physical and recharge the spiritual.

Day 161 - Recipes

2010-06-11T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the promised recipes thanks to Benita from South Carolina!

Fruit Dressing

6 oz. frozen or fresh strawberries, cranberries or other fruit of choice (canned may be substituted)

1 c. apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1 Tbsp. salt

1 lg. clove garlic, pressed

3 cups corn oil

In large food processor, pulverize frozen cranberries. Add vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, salt and garlic. Process thoroughly. Through feed tube gradually add oil. Remove from processor and store in refrigerator for up to one year. Yield: 5 cups dressing

Serve with romaine lettuce, toasted and salted chopped pecans, and fruit such as mandarin oranges and craisins or strawberries. If desired add sliced red onion. Can also be served as a luncheon salad by adding turkey or chicken breast.

It tastes as good as it looks.

Gluten Free Chocolate Lava Cakes

Grease four 6 oz. custard cups (or large muffin cups), then sprinkle sugar on each and place on a baking sheet.

Melt 1 stick of unsalted butter and 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
(2 minutes in microwave or melt on stove - stir until smooth)

Whisk together: 2 large eggs plus 2 large yolks at room temperature and 1/4 cup sugar of choice - whisk till foamy

Whisk in the chocolate mixture and then 1 Tbsp. gluten-free flour.

Fill the cups 2/3 full with the batter. Bake at 425 until edges are puffy - 13-15 minutes.

Optional toppings: whipped cream and fruit, or ice cream

Yum - thanks Benita for a memorable lunch!

Days 159-160 Roadtrip recovery and Preparation

2010-06-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

5,000 miles is a lot of eating and, when with your sisters, not enough sleeping! Life continues though, and after only one day of recovery was on the road again for a day. Left at 4 a.m. and got home about 10:30 p.m. very exhausted.

A spirulina bar (Raw Revolution) helped begin the day and an opportunity to stop at Spiros in Iron Mountain and fellowship with good friend Julie was a bright spot in an intense day. Grape Leaves stuffed and seasoned to delight the palate were accompanied by a cup of beef vegetable and barley soup - very delicious. The only thing that would have made it better would have been a Greek dessert which was not on the dessert tray. I should have asked.

Dinner was at Applebee's for a repeat favorite - half size Oriental Chicken Salad. Dessert was a mini hot fudge sundae topped with walnuts. Just the right size.

Still recovering in every way - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and certainly nutritionally. I'm reminded of the second phase of the Setting Captives Free classes - The Lord's Table. It was some time before I was prepared to begin that phase because I knew it meant a 21 day fast. After weeks of reading on fasting and prayer I was finally ready. Conversely, when I did a health class online with Nancy Desjardins I was at first dismayed that the entire first week was preparing for the change in diet. We were instructed to take the first week and prepare not just ourselves but our kitchen. After the first day's examination of my kitchen and cupboards, I understood the need for a week of preparation! Thought of that as I spent most of today cleaning the refrigerator - post roadtrip.

Oh my, the things you find in that neglected cold-storage box. Hubby's 'undetermined items', sisters' forgotten things, I meant-to-make it ingredients, and of course some green and black potential science experiments. We are now one day closer to the new plan.

The new plan? Beginning Sunday for three weeks I'll be on a nutritional plan similar to a modification of the "Daniel Fast or Diet" of the Bible. I'm encouraging myself to prepare, and use the next few days to log promised recipes, other trip photos and encourage you to join if you need a detox, a fresh start to your diet, a good nutritional base, or all three.

Reading Daniel chapters One and Ten will help with the preparation - the main verses used for the Daniel Fast or Daniel Diet are:
Daniel chapter 1 describing how Daniel and his three friends ate only vegetables and drank only water. (Daniel 1)[1] At the end of a ten day trial period, Daniel and his three friends appeared healthier than their peers who ate the rich foods from the royal table. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel fasts again, abstaining from "choice food," meat, and wine. (Daniel 10)[2]

An internet search of the Daniel fast will garner you several sites with reflections, food lists, recipes, and even cookbooks for purchase. But first...

about 48 hours more of preparation.
I Thessalonians 2:13 And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message [RECEIVE God's Message) that you heard from us, [LISTEN to the messengers God sends me] you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God’s message, [ACCEPT it as God's Words] which is at work among you who believe [LET it work in my life and change me].

Days 145 through 158 - Five Thousand Miles of Eating

2010-06-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

I never thought I'd tire of eating - or driving - and long for the quiet of my computer, but here I am - home again. Rather than try to enter all those missed days I'll list some highlights and add a few photos followed by a post of a few recipes and pictures, then start up anew on Thursday after another trip to Michigan.

After visiting Becky we headed to Benita's in South Carolina. Unfortunately I forgot to turn the camera on during lunchtime which was a lovely salad of reds and greens with strawberries, chicken, and pecans and a wonderful home-made strawberry salad dressing. Dessert was a chocolate 'volcano' - one of the best gluten free desserts any of us have ever had. Recipes forthcoming.

Lasagne and Salad with Dessert Heaven at Virginia's in Tennessee (Samples of three desserts and our personal chocolate bunnies above).

Happily, we stopped off Highway 51 in Missouri at Lambert's - home of the throwed rolls! What a hoot. We highly recommend your stopping at this unique antique decorated lively restaurant. My entree was the bowl of Kielbasa and sauerkraut, but it came with three sides (pineapple salad, applesauce and beets were my choices) AND the "pass-arounds" which are giant silver bowls hawked by lively young waiters - fried okra, chicken, fried potatoes, black-eyed peas, tomatoes and pasta etc. All were accented by the huge, fluffy, warm, melt-in-your-mouth Lambert rolls - which were lobbed at the request of a raised hand from wherever that server was located - across the room or across the aisle. We had an evening to remember from good food, good laughs, great personal service and a warm and fun atmosphere. A must stop!

On the way home at daughters - healthy fare enhanced with fresh picked herbs - mmm I love tarragon. A perfect accent to the turkey burger, fresh fruit, Laurie''s black-bean salsa and blue corn chips. Yum!

Cousin-in-law Myrna made a childhood favorite (above) Polenta and Rabbit Stew - a long awaited meal that brought a joyful smile. Other meals were at the nursing home (scalloped potatoes, ham and green beans), Pine Cone Restaurant (baked potato and cod), and home again below (baked chicken oregano and asparagus) cooked only because I still had company. I am SO ready for a fast :)

Days 142-144 - Beyond internet reach

2010-05-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday - Has it really only been two days driving, driving, driving? Thursday we didn't get to the motel until 11 pm. Way too far away, but we hadn't originally planned on an additional 'just off the road' family visit. We were glad we did but exhausted. Stopping at a Subway and bringing lunch one day saved time, but the chicken salad I ordered was barely edible. Looks like my tastes are changing as I got used to selections of 'real food'.

Shoney's near Fayetteville, NC delivered on the best strawberry pie (I could still skip the crust). Even the sauce was a reduction of REAL strawberries. Dinner that evening was at friend Becky's - a light meal as requested made of food from her garden.

What a difference when food is fresh! We had a french vegetable soup topped with pistou, puff pastry cheese straws made a pretty and tasty side dish, and a unique 3 layer strawberry pie topped off the exceptional meal. Thank you Becky for a refreshing visit.

A lunch stop at Benita's brought us farther south again and another thoughtful friend made a gluten-free lunch that included a beautiful salad topped with chicken, strawberries and pecans. Relishes and rolls were served for the 'other two sisters' and I got a remembered favorite of gluten-free chips. Lava never tasted so good ... for an almost flourless (less than a tsp. of flour apiece) chocolate lava cake. I'm truly sorry I was so excited to see my friend I forgot to photograph lunch, but will include the recipe later. Ours were served with fresh blueberries, strawberries and whipped cream. Benita has a MaryKay business so we got hand treatments and facials after lunch and my sister Marvel, who is appropriately named, gave us marvelous massages. A relaxing and delightful afternoon.

Dinner was in Candler just south of Asheville with friends of Marlene. We ate at Fatz and my fish (no one knew what kind it was - even the waitress (!) but the risk for a broiled whitefish was rewarded with melt-in-your mouth lightly seasoned seafood and giant sweet potato fries which we all shared.

RAIN! Plans for Dollywood were postponed and instead we bargain hunted in Asheville and Cherokee and headed for friend Barbs. Lunch on the way was SMACKERS. Got a picture of this one as we were served a fresh loaf of pumpernickel before lunch and we all decided to request hamburgers on that bread. A delicous - and yes, lip-smacking choice!

Relaxing in the woods with friend Barb was a great way to end that rainy day and prepare for a long, curvy, ear-popping ride up and down the smoky mountains. The fog was pretty for picture taking but not so pleasant to drive through. That harrowing drive brought us right to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.

Forgot to photograph food at Dollywood but will tell you we were delightfully surprised at the freshness, the taste and even the price. Lunch was a chicken fajita salad. Lettuce topped with grilled onions, peppers and chicken, then a layer of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and green peppers. The crest of the mountain of salad on our plates was ranch dressing. Wow.

Snacking the rest of the day as we moved from show to show only left room for a kiddie hamburger sans bun at Cracker Barrel. Besides we needed time to shop at their sale!

The girls are waiting for me - on the road again heading west now for another friends! We are surely blessed with wonderful family and friends who seemed as happy and excited to see us as we were to see them!

It is such a blessing to enjoy the special qualities, skills, talents and love of these special people in our lives.

Days 140-141 - Spoiled by the Best

2010-05-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had something that couldn't be matched? The best strawberries, the best dessert, the best entree... Florida's best was the Rum Shack and I seriously hope someone from the food channel makes a visit to Lake Worth. Seldom has every single thing I've been served been over-the-top perfect and all for about $10 a meal including the beverage and dessert. Breakfast Monday was half of the salmon abundance from Olive Garden. I shared the rest with Cadbury, a chocolate lab. Lunch was the final portion of Chicken Picatta from Cheesecake Factory.

Breakfast Monday - Salmon and Flan!

Monday we dined at the Key Lime Club on intercoastal waters near Lantana, FL. Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Italian flavored relish (tomatoes, green peppers, onions and spices) were accented by green beans (switched instead of the usual Jasmine rice) and we all tasted the key lime pie that was awarded the area's best award. (Maybe second best). They could not meet or top the key lime pie from the Rum Shack in Lake Worth FL. I am spoiled by having tasted the best. I doubt I'll ever have a crab cake that good again.

The best thing about Ruby Tuesday's in this Georgia town was the salad bar - so I shouldn't have ordered a crab cake.... inedible in my opinion.

Bready textured though offered as 'just enough to keep it together', blah tasting, greasy and unappetizing in appearance. (Also half the size of the crab cake from Rum Shack). See what I mean. No picture as I sent it back.

I feel spoiled having had the best - not just the crab cakes though as I've been reminded anew of the blessings of the ultimate experience of a relationship with God (Psalm 118 started our day with reminders of praises for the privilege of a personal relationship with Christ)

Another blessing is having a wonderfully easy-going thoughtful husband. He is a peach - speaking of which - we just bought perfectly beautiful blushing Georgia peaches for breakfast tomorrow.

Day 134 -139 - Tuesday - Sunday - Focusing while Working

2010-05-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

Work has been the focus though we took one night for fun. Most of the week we had either cottage cheese and fruit or yogurt for breakfast and salad for lunch.

I'll recap with pictures the fun food - Our evening out was at Cheesecake factory - Chicken Piccatta with snow peas and julienned vegetables instead of pasta - a very yummy and healthy switch. The veggies were sauteed in dark sesame oil and were very tasty.Later tres desserts from Publix bakery - Tirimisu, Key Lime cheesecake, and brownie cheesecake with strawberries.

It was a relaxing and hilarious night - greatly aided by the chair massages we got at Sawgrass Mall :) Luxurious and greatly needed.

Mango, pineapple and coconut blended together make an awesome smoothie. That and the previous night's leftover Tiramisu formed our 'lunch' as we traveled. A return to the Rum Shack in Lake Worth for another crab cake was a taste treat with an apple relish this time - lettuce, julienned granny apple, and a lemon-juice and water marinade formed the base for the world's best crabcake... my world anyway.

Olive Garden's chef graciously "non-grilled' my salmon - don't know if he cooked it in foil or what but it was perfectly cooked - flaky, moist and oh, so good. I will have leftovers for breakfast today, It has not been difficult to stay on diet as we have worked 12-16 hours a day most days and were too busy keeping hydrated to worry about fancy food. While working at the storage unit we had tacos brought in, ice water and oranges in the cooler. We did stop at a Dairy Queen Sunday to celebrate work being done. I had half a small blizzard with mint, chocolate and pecans and tasted a non-fat sugar-free amaretto almond ice cream which made me wish I'd ordered that! I think I will try adding a little amaretto flavor to vanilla DQ ice cream when I get home.

Time for breakfast of leftovers: Salmon and then flan which we bought for dessert night and forgot to try. Then on the road again. Sorry for the brief and infrequent updates, but this has been a hectic trip. Devotions have been focused around Beth Moore's study on Breaking Free of Childhood Abuse. I can highly recommend the book and the study.

We both tossed out a couple of things which are too loose as we have lost several inches in the waist and hips. That is a fun result of working long hot hours in the Florida sun. Feeling victorious and ready to travel.

Day 131 - The Sea-Food Diet

2010-05-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

Smoooooooooooth!

I didn't know there was another fish I would love, but here it is: Grouper.

HUGE portions, had grouper for breakfast on Sunday too!

Tasted the clam chowder - and had to agree, it was the best I've tasted to date. Bowls were size of our family vegetable bowls at home though! A great inexpensive meal out for Friday's or Saturday's. On to Fort Lauderdale... to be continued.

Days 132-133 - Pampered and Farther South

2010-05-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Sunday - Spinach and Mushroom Knish - from food court at Festival Flea Market in Pompano Beach.
Delightfully delicioius - phyllo dough surrounding creamy mashed potato background supporting the spinach and mushrooms. They were huge and Marlene and I shared one and were both satisfied. It was our best bargain lunch - Food and drink for two for $4.00!

Mother's Day Barbecue - My nephew's mother-in-law invited us to an awesome Tuscon style home in a gated community. Classic surroundings with a sheen-enhanced pastel table setting made us feel honored. Jim cooked chicken at the grill (mine hidden in foil of course) and Ann served recipe-requesing potato salad flavored by a light white french dressing, brightly colored salad and a heavenly light ladyfinger lined strawberry 'cake'. Actually layers of ladyfingers, a sweetened mixture of cream cheese and whipped cream, and strawberries. The kind of dessert this woman wished she could eat 3-4 portions, it was so refreshing.

Monday - Cottage cheese and strawberries and banannas for breakfast, Activa peach yogurt for lunch and salad, chicken, strawberries and almonds for dinner. A Dave Ramsey workshop on finances was instructional and a testimony by Marvel's friend on being saved from Buddhism to Christ was inspirational.

Days 128-130 - Enzymes and End Times

2010-05-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

End Times:
Speculation is rampant with the stock market drop and other world threats and predictions. Some are fearful, others suggest taking all stocks, funds, etc. and buying precious metals, or buying land for survival.
For many financially it would be too little too late, so is panic the expected mode? Not for believers. Deuteronomy 31:6 says "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Isn't that what the world and financial system does? It fails us. It forsakes us. Unlike our Lord.

Does knowing that the Lord your God is the one who goes with you give you comfort amidst all the turmoil? If not, you need to know Him - to know with certainty that he IS your God. If you are unsure who the Lord is, read the book of John and underline His claims each time he says I AM.

Enzymes:
Digestive enzymes make a world of difference - I've lost several inches in the stomach since I started taking them just days ago.

Diet: These past three days have been one meal of cottage cheese mixed with flax oil, and topped with dark cherries and pineapple, except for today which I ended with a meal of turkey, brocolli, zucchini, carrots and fruit (mostly watermelon, 2 grapes and some pineapple and honeydew.)

Hopefully tomorrow I can find a radio shack and get the appropriate part for my computer to load the pictures.