Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Have You Ever Thought About Becoming A Vegetarian?


There are many reasons why people decide to eliminate meat from their diet: 1) mistreatment of animals, 2) antibiotics injected into animals that may get into our bloodstream and possibly cause us to become immune to antibiotics and 3) fattening agents given to animals could cause human obesity. I've been a vegetarian for 8 months now and some people ask me, "How do you survive on lettuce?" There are tons of things to eat besides lettuce BUT after I explored a multitude of different types of rice, pastas, legumes, beans, nuts, fresh fruits and veggies (and I am sure I have only explored the tip of the iceberg) I decided to try soy meats and I must admit, I am very pleased. There are soy chicken strips, soy sausage, soy steak strips, soy meatballs, soy crumbles (like ground beef) and soy burger and chicken patties, etc. The texture is good and the taste is great. Basically, you're not cooking the soy meat, but heating it through so once your recipe is prepared, toss the soy meat in about 10 minutes prior to completion, stir and enjoy. If you are taking steps to improve your health, I encourage you to try the vegetarian lifestyle...maybe have vegetarian Thursday then move up to 3 days a week or something like that. It helps to have onions, bell peppera (green, red, yellow, orange) and celery, etc. cut up and put in freezer bags so as you prepare different recipes, it is easy to incorporate more flavor via fresh veggies. Keep fresh garlic available. I also use Sea Salt, Black Peppercorns and Extra Virgin Olive Oil now. Some of my recipes have been posted on The Mom Squad Blog. My children are enjoying the change and slimming down too. As an old commercial used to say, "Try it...You'll like it." Let me know if you do. My oldest daughter, Shae, became a vegetarian 14 years ago. Thanks for paving the way honey!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Just Shut Up!


Oh how that phrase sends chills through me and I hear it more and more as parents are out with their children. I find children to be the most interesting little people. Their honesty and creativity is incredible. They are gifts from God, on loan from the Heavenly Father to us. I wish more parents would just take a moment and simply listen. True engagement with a child can bring so much joy in both directions. Your attention makes them feel important and many times they offer great information and advice. This past weekend, a little girl, about 4 years old sitting in a shopping cart, kept trying to tell her Mom something. Over and over again she said, "Mom ... Mom your...Mom please I am trying to tell you something." The Mom just kept ignoring the little girl. She was seriously reading the ingredients on various product boxes, and checking items off of her shopping list and then she yelled, "Just Shut Up!" I said, "Excuse me but I believe your little girl was trying to tell you that you dropped your gloves in the previous aisle." The lady turned so red. Her serious demeanor changed. She took a deep breath, smiled and said "Oh thank you so much. I better run and get them!" But there was no need as I had already picked them up and I handed them to her. She shook my hand and said how wonderful it was that I was so honest and that I took the time and that these are her favorite gloves and on and on. But I reminded her that it was because of her little girl that her gloves were recovered. I heard the little girl trying desperately to get her Mom's attention and when I looked at her, she kept pointing downward but the Mom totally ignored her cry. Her little one deserved the smile and the kind words more than I. Children have a lot to say. Some of it is funny, some of it may make no sense to you but it is all worth hearing. They grow up so fast, slow down and enjoy every word and if you are really that busy that you can't take a moment to engage in conversation...maybe you are too busy and need to make a few changes in your life. But at least, take the time to calmly and politely explain to them that you need them to "be quiet for just a moment please". My Mom always taught me that we are "once a man and twice a child". So if you live long enough to enter into your second childhood, guess who most likely will be there to listen to you...Your Child. And who do you think would be more apt to show you loving, considerate care - the child that you were patient with and engaged in conversation with or the child that you told to "Just Shut Up"? If you are too busy for them now, it's possible they may be too busy for you later. (Remember the words to Harry Chapin's, Cat's In The Cradle? - 'When ya comin home Dad?' 'I don't know when, but we'll get together then...' But the time never came and the Dad heard his son repeating the same words to him once he became a grownup.) Every moment of your life is a gift from God. That's why it's called The Present. (smile) Living in the moment lowers your blood pressure as you are not thinking about the disappointments of the past or dealing with the what ifs that might come in the future. (By the way, most of what we worry about never even takes place so toss out the what ifs and just pray for God's protection and guidance). Enjoy your children...Enjoy your life.

Friday, January 25, 2008

I Am Loving My New Bible Study!

As a Caregiver, I have to plan accordingly for off site situations and I truly miss having a Bible Study that I can attend on a regular basis. During the 20 years I lived in VA, the Pastor impressed upon us that we are in a spiritual battle. Each and everyday we must put on the whole armor of God, Ephesians 6:10 - 18. We have to be girded up (ready for action) from our head to our feet. There are many ways to fight this battle and one way is by speaking God's Word to the enemy when he approaches. The Bible tells us to resist Satan so he will flee, I Peter 5:8. It's that simple and that complex. In order to have a strong spirit, we must BE IN THE WORD so the WORD can be IN US. Bible Studies like Community Bible Study (http://www.communitybiblestudy.org/), Women's Worship Groups like AGLOW (www.aglow.org/aglow/Default.aspx?id=758), church studies like those written by Beth Moore (http://www.lproof.org/) and Christian Retreats are priceless in my opinion. I have thoroughly engaged in those listed and many others during my years in VA and I miss the fellowship in addition to the wonderful information. So once I relocated back to OH, I prayed for a Women's Study. Then I asked the wife of one of the church leaders where I presently attend, if she knew of any upcoming studies and she informed me that there was nothing on the horizon. Well, you know God is so faithful. He hears our every prayer and truly answers them. The very next week, there was a notice in the bulletin, 'Women's Bible Study to Begin Next Month'. I jumped for joy (literally). Though this is an entirely different topic, the older I get, the better I seem to feel so I do a lot of jumping, hopping, skipping and dancing just to burn calories and it makes me giggle inside like when I was a little girl...but back to the subject. It was an 11 week study I believe and man, what an experience. I got to meet and feel closer with the women of the church. This meant so much to me being new. At my VA church there probably are about 2,500 people. I was Director of several ministries so I was in constant contact with lots of people. I missed all the smiles and allllllll the hugs. I needed the interaction. Caregiving can be isolating but I thank God everyday for the opportunity to be with Mom and to care for her. I wouldn't have it any other way. She was always the sweetest most caring Mom I ever knew so being her Caregiver is my privilege, my pleasure and definitely a ministry in itself. I do quite a few things to make myself feel alive and to keep myself strong and healthy, including praying, so I can take good care of her...but I will share more about that at another time, back to the subject. (smile) After that study was over, the church arranged another one but Mom's sleep schedule changed which made it difficult for me to get out early in the morning. Since that time, I have been praying for another way to have a study and feel a part of a group. 2008 has brought about such a fresh outlook and a renewing...an appreciation of my being, so I wanted to start the New Year off with a new Bible Study. I began to surf the web and found a daily online study that I just love. Every morning I am greeted with a synopsis and question(s) pertaining to text. I selected the study on I Peter. If you have been looking for a Bible Study and for one reason or another have been unable to locate a group study or maybe you just enjoy a private study, try this site. It is free, easy to register and there is an online community in which you can share your answers and read others information, if you like. You do not have to enter your answers online if you do not wish to. The site address is http://www.joyfulheart.com/ Even if you don't want to do a study, there is tons of info there, periodicals and you can sign up for a monthly newsletter. I pray the Lord guides you to the Bible Study that fits your needs. Our bodies need food daily...Our spirits need daily nourishment as well. Bless you.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Jesse & Angie Return to All My Children!


Now I must admit, I don't get a chance to watch a lot of television but the return of Jesse and Angie really excites me because it takes me back to the days of my youth. And though Jesse was killed, there was a funeral, he came back to several people over the years as a ghost and then they even brought him back as his look alike cousin on a spin off soap (a Patty Duke moment-haha), I really don't care HOW they bring him back, I'll just be happy to see he and Angie together again. I feel the same about Luke and Laura from General Hospital. I can never get enough of them so though Laura is supposedly rocking away in a chair in a mental institution semi-conscience or something like that, whenever she regains her conscience and appears in a few episodes now and then, I do my best never to miss them together on screen. It's magical. You know how it is when you hear one of your favorite songs from the '60's and '70's and for a moment, you can actually remember where you were the first time you heard it. It's magical. Great shows and great music from the past also makes me think back to the times when television and music were worth remembering. You did not have to worry about an inappropriate word being sung or spoken. Certain situations were more so implied. One had to use their imagination perhaps. I believe the lack of censorship in the entertainment industry is robbing our society of its integrity...robbing our youth of their innocence but that's just me.... What do you think? Talk to you later. Stay blessed

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

What a Fine Day It Is...

Burrrrr. It's a bit nippy out there but all is well. Often in the winter we have an issue with our water pipes so we are right on schedule today. Thank God for my nephew who came over and fixed the break. Stay warm everyone. It is great to dress in layers during this time of year. For some reason, I feel as if Spring is going to start tomorrow. I guess I am sooooo looking forward to the nice weather I am using the power of positive suggestion. (smile) Well, take care until the next time I check in. Have a blessed and Wonderful Wednesday!!!