December 28, 2012 - New Year's Eve Parties

New Year's Eve Parties are right around the corner and that takes some grocery shopping for us. Let all the trend setters lock and load, pack and carry, laugh and enjoy! Remember as you pack for the party, cover your bases. If you're not certain what's being served, plan a meat, some "finger food" veggies you can nibble while socializing and your own sparkling water. No one needs to know you're packing. (wink) Even last night at a party, when some saw I wasn't eating the bread or the croutons, I saw people passing their food off and refusing to eat the bread. I think they felt I was on some weird, hard diet and they were helping me. I hate for people to be awkward - I simply said "I'm not eating that right now." At a party is not the easiest or best time to uncover how we got healthy. Right? We need to remember, eating healthy is not the popular choice or the easy choice. When I asked for a third bowl of salad (I KNOW - I was hungry), they were smiling and looking at me odd. I simply stated, "I just LOVE salad." (which is not REALLY the truth, but it was the best choice) Then I thought......"Why do I need to comment?" If I was asking for a third piece of bread, I wouldn't do that. Nope, but anyway, the word for today is plan ahead! I didn't eat dessert so when we got home, I cut a big apple and ate it with some natural peanut butter and sugar free hot fudge mixed together. YUM! Then added a cup of Sleepy Time Peach Tea and Truvia - double yum! At the end of the day, I wasn't mad at myself nor angry that I had eaten too much. I LIKE feeling that way! Let's make a plan........ on January 1st we will ALL open our eyes and smile that we had a successful evening and made great choices. No bitterness or anger will reside within us from a fallen journey - AGAIN. Right??? And we will renew our strength by celebrating success and not comforting our failures. You can do it - I believe in you. A little bit of planning carries us a LONG way. We'll talk again on Monday, but remember as you shop to think about color. I am doing a lot of reading on inflammation right now and the foods that contribute to that condition and it's long-term effects on disease. One of the articles I read yesterday said, "eating well is like taking medicine everyday. If people could eat well, they could eventually strengthen their bodies to block and fight the establishment of so many known diseases." I will share some of this later. The issue is that inflammation lays silent until it's often such a fight that it's near impossible to win. Thanks for hanging with me this year! PK PS - Healthy 4 You Life Group on the January 6th at 6PM. It's chili and soup night.....YUM!

December 27, 2012 - Law vs. Grace

Good morning to all, Praying this chilly morning finds you warm and cozy. I have been drinking coffee and playing with my IPad mini for several hours. I am getting ready to get cleaned up and head to the pool to work out. I saw Les Miserables yesterday and was so reminded of God's grace and faithfulness in our lives. And, while reading this morning from James, remembering again that compliance with the law cannot save me. (I do realize the consequence of sin, and am grateful for the saving GRACE of Jesus) Remembering also that the commandments were summed up into only TWO - Love God and love others AS I LOVE MYSELF. Do I love myself?? Can I love others as God desires if my only thoughts concerning myself are loathing??? Not sure. :) We really need to conquer those nagging thoughts of failure and low self-esteem. There is NO GOOD in that manner of thinking - I know, I lived there for years. :( What about this.......if the law cannot save us, then can a "diet" plan filled with regulations "save" us from an unhealthy future??? For a season....maybe yes, but we will eventually falter (break the restriction LAWS) because our flesh is so powerful at times. Yes? BUT.......loving ourself ENOUGH to choose health and healthy eating is a much better plan than the legalistic journey of "do's and dont's." Filling my house with healthy choices is GRACE to me, not law. I eat protein, veggies, and fruits because I WANT to and the consequences are GOOD to my body. To me, this is such a deep parallel to the contrast between LAW and GRACE. So, enjoy your day, choose well, and reap the consequences of GREAT CHOICES. Much love, PK

December 26, 2012 - Wrapping the Gifts

Merry Christmas! I pray your day yesterday was filled with fun and laughter. Mine certainly was. I got a new baby - I Pad Mini - whom I have loving named Gigi. Why? I don't know. :) As we opened gifts yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder, "what new gifts can be opened for our team this coming year?" "What are the new foods, the new recipes, the new adventures sitting in front of us?" I now have all the 96 recipes that are going into the book recorded, printed and ready for editing. I am editing and uploading morning blogs, and working on finding nutritional values for all recipes. (that could take some time - ugh) Tthat's a new adventure sitting in front of me........something new to be unwrapped. I am also traveling to Thailand in March to work with an organization that helps children over there. I am just now beginning to raise support for the trip. Would love your prayers! New adventure for me. I want to be a voice in this year. I am also asking God for opportunities to speak more in this upcoming year. Where ever He needs me to go and what ever He needs me to say - I'm available! Are you making your requests known to God? Are you dreaming BIG and asking God to use you totally? I was reminded recently how GOD HAS OPENED YUMMY RECIPES FOR US IN 2012. I really don't take credit for this - a thought will come to me of how to mix this and that, I run to the kitchen and try it (some work and some need tweaking), and then respond to my husband's question, "where did you get this recipe?" "GOD!" Unwrapping the gift of health has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. BUT......here's the ticket - for so many years I would "unwrap" the NEXT diet plan, the NEXT miracle, diet pill, the NEXT "give me a chance" food journey. In about February, when the Valentine's candy would emerge, off the wagon I would fall. Then, I would try to re-package the program and start again only to decide "this is really not the plan for me." Anybody identify? How about you purpose today to unwrap a HEALTHY eating plan (that contains NO CHEATS) and be done. NO more re-packaging, NO more excuses, NO more failure. The next package you unwrap would be a healthy blood report that gets rewarded with a new shirt. Then, and from hence forth, you unwrap healthy, new foods and recipes as God shares them with you and you RE-GIFT them to this team who knows that we can live healthy in an unhealthy world, eat food that tastes amazing that's packed full of great nutrients, and successfully grow old as Moses did where he led people, looked out over mountains and enjoyed life. Now that's a gift I want to unwrap. How about you? Have a good one - PK

December 24, 2012 - Your Christmas Treat

GM and Merry Christmas! We are closing another year of health and looking forward to improved health in 2013. Improved? Absolutely! There is always room for improvement. Our food can taste better, be fresher, our blood reports better and our spirits laughing and enjoying strong bodies. Isaiah 61 talks about PROCLAIMING - well, let's proclaim! But, proclamation without actions is simply words in the air with no feet. I NEVER want to say again, "well, next year I'm REALLY gonna try to get healthy." NOPE - I'm doing health! NOW. You, too, or you wouldn't read this daily. Good job! BUT.....there is something to be said for aligning our actions with our declarations and watching our bodies come back to the health God purposed for us. The world offers every excuse for failure - fast foods, processed foods, sugared foods, too much food. YES? But we have chosen to be healthy and for our families to be healthy and our lives are offering success instead of failure to those around us. This Christmas, the GREATEST gift to anyone is Jesus Christ and I believe the second greatest is our health. Let's be honest, when we eat good, drink good, feel good, and look good...........we often ARE GOOD. It's amazing how extra weight and tight closes can bring out the worst in us. Well, maybe just me. :) Someone posted on Facebook last night that they were on an eating binge and felt horrible and ashamed. That was me for many years. I would dread the Christmas Eve Service as often my "big girl" clothes were beyond zipping and I felt sluggish and defeated. Can you relate? But not this year and I pray never again! Choosing to be healthy cannot be a fad, or the holidays win. NO.......I beat the holiday bulge. It doesn't control me or my response to others. So, gotta run and start the Christmas Day preps - made a sugar free cheesecake with a pecan bottom last night and a raspberry/blueberry reduction to serve on top. YUM. Getting ahead is a great thing, so I get to enjoy the morning. Here's a little Christmas something for each of you: As you know, people often give baked goods as Christmas gifts. Well, I choose not to taste. It's hard sometimes but an opened door, FOR ME, is an opened door. So, while my husband was eating and smiling, eating and smiling, I decided to find a treat for Kathy. I took 1 tsp of Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter (stirred well to get the oil mixed in) and 1 tsp of Smucker's Sugar Free Hot Fudge Topping (room temp) and mixed together. (I KNOW - I don't do sugar free products.........but it's Christmas and I am watching my husband enjoy all the goodies). I mixed this on a plate and sliced a HUGE apple to dip it with. YUM!!!!!!!! It's such a yummy, chocolate taste. I love it! I have been eating a small portion daily. When it's gone - it's gone - but so is Christmas. :) So, if you're headed to the store for the last minute items, try this. You'll be shocked how yummy. Merry Christmas FAM - I pray this is your best Christmas and Jesus brings peace to your home and life as only He can. Kathy

December 21, 2012 - Trash Talk

YEA! I'm back on line. It's really amazing how much we depend on our electronically - powered devices and when they are down - yikes! It took almost four days to work things out after going to a wireless home phone. But praise God, I'm connected again. This morning the chimes are ringing boldly on my front and back porches from the force of the wind. While we cannot see the wind, it definitely makes its presence known. Now, in my case, all this strong wind is filling my yard AGAIN with a heavy load of leaves. UGH! You know what that means. I see the yard being covered with leaves, but the leaves know they must fall to the ground in preparation for the new growth on the trees in the spring. Same scene - two different perspectives! I wonder how often we allow a negative perspective to overshadow the GOOD which is intended for a particular situation? As soon as the negative statement proceeds from our mouths, I wonder just what type of power it has? We cannot see the wind, but we SEE its power. Making negative statements about our day, our situation, our weight changes nothing. However, speaking and declaring the truth of God's word as we begin the day, does change things. The problem..........we "try" this for 2 days and if the result we "thought" was to occur doesn't, "this must be for EVERYONE but me." Really? Let's leave the "trash talk" buried deep within 2012 and boldly march into 2013 declaring, "God plans to do GOOD by me and not harm me. He provides a good hope and good future for me." Let's commit to allow the dead leaves of negative statements about ourselves and futures to be BLOWN AWAY by the power of the Holy Spirit. God's word was TRUE, is TRUE, and will ALWAYS BE true. NOW......I've tried the reverse and been whacked also. I would stuff myself, declare how beautiful I was and other promises from God's truth, gain wait and be mad at God. Can I be real? Can you believe it? It's true and I am thankful you are more stable than I. I'm not saying that declaring truth means we can stuff ourselves. What I'm saying is that we often cloak the morning with our negative declarations and in that pocket of self-pity, we comfort ourselves with extra layers of food throughout the day - for certainly if I declare that I am fat and ugly - I MUST BE. Let's STOP..........speak well, declare well, change the atmosphere and see if confidence can help us say, "NO" when we need to. Love you deeply, PK PS - Healthy 4 You Life Group on January 6th at 6:pm at my house. Love to see you!

December 17, 2012 - Decorate YOUR Plate for Christmas!

Sorry this is late, I have been a busy girl. :) For those of you who know me well, you know I am a girl of color! I THINK that's one of the reasons I love Christmas so much. It's not the gifts, but the color and the decorations. I think one of the greatest delights of healthy eating is all the colors available to us. Meat and potatoes people - or people who don't eat veggies - have a somber eating experience, I think. Bringing color and creativity to the meal selection is really important to our survival. Someone asked me last night if not having starches meant my meals were boring. I guess that's a matter of semantics??? What they would consider boring could be different than what I NOW consider boring. Yes, lean proteins, fruits and veggies sounds simple - but it's really not. They felt deleting pastas and rice dishes limited my meals. But I reminded them #1 - meals are about refueling and I don't live for meals to bring me happiness any longer and #2 - I CAN EAT what I wan, but I CHOOSE to eat what brings health to my body. That's a shift in perspective. She asked about eating out - I told her I can eat anywhere. It's my choice. If the only item on a menu was a loaded hamburger, (which it never is) I can eat the meat, the veggies, and throw the bun away. Then, I told her I usually always have an apple close by which can add some color and fiber. BAM.............I told her, "if you want to be healthy, you can be. But, you must desire it more than the taste of rice and pasta." The moral of the story - rice and pasta don't have the color or the nutrition of steamed veggies or a salad. Decorate your plate for Christmas and give the gift of health to YOURSELF! PS - start planning now for our first Healthy 4 You Life Group on January 6th at 6:00 at my house. It's chili night - bring your best, healthy chili or soup. Please let me know you're coming so I can prepare. PSS - sliced jicama is a great addition to your salads. It provides GREAT nutrition, low fat, no sugar, slightly sweet taste and the crunch! YUM!

December 14, 2012 - Who Knew?

Good morning, How about that meteor shower last night? Any one see anything majestic? God is so good to allow us to see a few of the wonders that I am sure entertain him daily. :) I have been doing some additional research on xylitol. In addition to bringing health to your gums and teeth (mine have done a 180 degree turn around), one article reported that many are using xylitol with their neti pots and nasal solutions and are seeing great results with chronic sinus infections. Other people who are using xylitol in their everyday lives and are seeing a dramatic DECREASE in asthma and respiratory infections. WOW! My grand daughter suffers from winter asthma and I thought she had not had a bought because she was thinner, but I wonder if it's the xylitol???? She normally misses a good number of days each school year. She has not this year. :) I don't know - but this is certainly worth keeping our eyes on. However, the pharmaceutical companies would never verify this to be true. Could you imagine the cost to them? YIKES! But what a healthy gift for us. :) I love it - a natural sugar replacement that allows us to bake and enjoy our yummies while keeping our gums, nasal passages and lungs healthier. What could be better? Merry Christmas to US! If you find any coolness about the xylitol, pass it along. Talk to you Monday. PK

December 30, 2012 - The Gift of Health

GM all, Sorry about yesterday, I was battling a stomach virus. I am feeling better, especially when I don't eat. (wink) Today we can say we all survived 12.12.12! But, it did hail at our house and that was odd. :) As the staff at church blessed me with a beautiful Kitchen Aid for my birthday, I have been baking up a storm I am attaching a new strawberry cake and cream cheese icing recipe so you could use it at your holiday parties if you like. I am still working on the icing a wee bit. May delete the greek yogurt as it made the icing be less stiff than I thought. BUT, my husband loved it. I am well pleased with the cake, but as I said, you may need to play with the icing. I apologize for using a sugar free product, but occasionally I do. I wanted the color and I wanted the jello to hold the frozen strawberries in the mixture. Hope you enjoy making this. If you do, let me know. I really need some of my recipes tested as I am working towards the book being out in February. I am working every free moment I get. As we approach Christmas with all the beauty and majesty, let's remember that some people are smiling at the parties while crying on the inside. That was ME! Maybe our friends and families are trapped in the same prison cell we once were and don't have a clue where the key is. I remember dreading the Christmas season as I knew I would be gaining weight, smiling and partying, and slapping myself as I looked in the mirror daily. Not a happy memory, huh? Can I recommend a gift for you and your family? What about the gift of health! Make a healthy cake and bless someone; make some sugar free whipped cream and buy a pound of coffee with a small box of truvia. You can never tell who will grab that creative, healthy gift and decide that you are their hero. And, they may make the health choice, as you have, and their family be touched. Now isn't that a cool gift? So make a healthy snack and share - you never know who's future you're affecting. As you wrap those gifts and make your family and friends smile, remember a toy may break, new clothes will wear out, but helping someone realize that eating healthy can be yummy and the holidays can be healthy is a gift that may add years to their life. Smile and help someone today. PK

December 10, 2012 - Getting My Rain On

I pray your weekend was amazing! I am sorry this is late, I am working diligently on my recipe/devotional book and am a little tired today. :) I hope you understand. I was thinking about the devastation that lack of water is bringing to our nation. I read somewhere that it would take 9 feet of snow in some portions of the north to even begin to help with the spring run-off needed to bring health to the land. And, as I drove to south Georgia this past Saturday to take my mom to Westville for her birthday, my attention was dragged time and time again and focused on the destitute plight of the land suffering due to a lack of water. Ponds and small lakes were dried almost completely, docks sitting on the dry ground and ugly, parched land with pitiful weeds peeked out to inform me that death was near. I looked and wondered..........is that what our internal organs do when starved for water? Does my body shrivel and die from the inside out longing for ONE small hydration pocket. YES! Here's the bad part. Our bodies can't hydrate themselves no more than the dried and dying ponds and lakes can rain on themselves. They are totally dependent on water to arrive from an outside source. If not drinking each day causes my body to display what my eyes are beholding all around as water to the earth remains scarce, I am in trouble. Have you noticed the way the ponds and lakes around you appear? If not, take a peek. If yes, let's remember that God created our bodies with a high water content - 75% to be correct. When we fail TO WATER OUR BODIES, they become shriveled and dry and pitiful comparable to what we are experiencing around us today. Let's change that! We cannot create rain, nor can we make the heavens release rain to the earth. BUT......we can water our bodies. We DO have control over that situation. Take a look today and ask the Lord to allow the natural pictures of the earth to remind you that watering your body changes everything. Let that REAL picture make a REAL and LASTING impression. I'm getting my RAIN on as we speak.......how about you? PK

December 7, 2012 - Christmas Lights

Don't you love it when everyone has their Christmas lights up and the neighborhood is flooded with beautiful, colored lights that pierce through the darkness? I am such a light girl - keep the darkness - give me the light. As we were driving home last night, it was easy to spot the lights in the dark. The lights make a bold statement from deep within the trees and round about the corners they shine and bring a smile to my face. However, until they have been powered-up, they remain hidden. And, with no power or energy source, they never fulfill their purpose. I think that about us. When we are feeling bad about ourselves and not eating healthy, we seem to want to hide. (or at least I did) I was comfy in my house, on my sofa, in my baggy clothes. Those were days when it was easier to stay in the cave and "feel good about myself" as opposed to being in a group and being slapped with the reality that I was obese and sick. I'm a realist; I'm sorry. And, one bad gathering seemed to fuel the "lie" that I would never be free. So here's where I am going with this........ We made the choice to fight for our freedom, we made some strides toward health, we made it outside and started illuminating and displaying light (which says we're connected). However, holidays come - family gatherings come - opportunities to make excuses come and sometimes we start to rationalize that it's okay to remain unplugged for a couple of weeks. Is it really????? Remember, our lights help everyone else to smile, see the truth, feel the warmth. We never can tell HOW MANY PEOPLE are really looking for the beautiful lights in "OUR YARD." (our successful escape from the prison cell of obesity) I'm certain people feel encouraged when we bring our healthy lunches as they munch on the unhealthy ones. NOT! BUT.......it does remind them that "someone" is lighting the path to health and if they choose to start down that long, often "un-lit" path, your LIGHT could be their path maker. That's way DEEP this morning. :) Anyway, let your light shine this season. Make a stand for health and offer those who are suffering and in prison REAL HOPE that they too can "endure" holidays and enjoy the parties while eating nutritious, yummy foods. Have you ever thought of your successful, health journey as Christmas lights? :) Bless you this day! PK

December 6, 2012 - Great News!

Good morning to all, Today's blog will be short as I have been studying the book and character of Philemon this morning and lost track of time. :) It caught my attention that Paul writes, "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the heart of the saints." What a great thing to be said of each of us. Yes? It is my real joy to share the doctor's report on my youngest grand daughter, Kailey. As you know in late July her blood sugar level was 19 and she had gained 17 pounds in 4 months. We were told she would either need to lose a lot of weight and modify her foods, or start insulin. WELL...............Kailey (who is 9) hooked up with Nina (me) and started following our health plan. (I do bake yummies for her every couple of weeks, cook a big, healthy meal once a week and talk her through some tough situations - but KAILEY has grabbed this and run with it. Her mom makes healthy lunches now, and Kailey is so disciplined.) It's amazing! SHE NEVER STRAYS - NEVER. And NOW she gets to do the VICTORY DANCE! Yesterday, she went for her check-up. Since the 29th of July, she's lost and kept off 20 pounds, her blood sugar level was back to normal (although still on the high end of normal - still need to tweak a few things), and body fat ratio was significantly diminished. Again, she's NINE. Can you say proud? I am so proud of her. There were tears at times, and it does require that Teree and I cook special, shop special and buy special - but here's another life that has been rescued from insulin. Her birthday is in 2 weeks and she's asking for a sugar free cake. YES! Her health is my greatest birthday gift for this year. It brings tears to MY eyes. So, if you have kids, they can change. Kailey even challenges me now. Sometimes I might want another piece of meat and she'll say, "no Nina, I've had enough." YEA to health. Love you, PK

December 5, 2012 - Be It Unto Me According To Your Word!

GM all, Can you believe we are 3 weeks away from Christmas? I remember blogging LAST Christmas. It's really amazing how fast the 12 months go. I wonder if our days in Heaven will feel as quick??? Will there be seasons or holidays? I think I need another cup of coffee. :) I am head long into the creation of my book which is a combination of blogs and recipes. For those who have tried my recipes, do you have favorites that you feel should be included? I am working on the nutritional content for each now, and while it's time intense, I feel it is necessary. However, would you try a recipe with no informational numbers? Some cookbooks don't list it. Is it important to you? Let's talk about FEAR this morning. In the first chapter of Luke - three times the angel Gabrielle says, "Fear NOT." Why? Because our flesh is weak and we are very familiar with our own failure. Can I get an amen? Fear of failure, fear of man and fear of rejection live at the top of our lives MOST of our lives. But we must remember FEAR is not stronger than we are. Our plans, our resolve, our information, our trust in GOD are really more powerful than FEAR. I find that when I KNOW what's going on - I am less afraid. I find that when my resolve is steady and I have not broken trust or strayed from the path - I am stronger and less afraid that I am "returning to my old ways." How about you? Fear is real - our response is real - but if we don't respond well, it can control the outcome of our journey. God told me once, "Courage is not the absence of fear; it's trusting me in the presence of fear." Can you imagine the fear Mary may have felt??? A baby.......a virgin.........the Holy Spirit will over shadow me............is that like sitting under a shade tree in the desert?????? And yet her response, "I am the Lord's servant. Be it unto me according to your word." We may never UNDERSTAND fully how GOD desires us to walk in health - He purposes that - he wants us to be in health spirit, soul, and body. We are his children - he wants the BEST for each of us. MANY events are lined-up in front of me the next three weeks and sometimes I feel myself getting a little "fearful" about trying to navigate three events in one day and fuel my body WELL during this season - I refuse to let my emotions control me. Mary was basically saying, "my emotions don't understand, but my spirit will submit to your plan." That's us - we can't live by the emotions or the parties that DRIVE us to eat. No, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to make the right choices and follow the plan ONE DAY AT A TIME. Let's follow Mary's example this holiday season and don't let our emotions drive the train. Let's stick to the truth and submit to the Holy Spirit. When he says, "no," we say, "be it unto me according to your word." Love you - PK

December 4, 2012 - The Christmas Announcement

We normally associate the announcement by Gabrielle of the birth of Christ as the Christmas Announcement. But it was so much more and so far reaching. Following the book of Malachi, God remained silent with no communication to mankind for 400 years. FOUR HUNDRED! Then, God chose to break the silence by speaking to Zechariah through the angel - "Do not be afraid, for your prayer has been answered." But Zechariah did not believe and was silenced. God turns to Mary and sends the angel - "Fear not, for you have found favor with God." But Mary's response to the announcement was quite different. She replied, "Be it unto me according to YOUR word." Mary had questions to the "how," but trusted that God was big enough. And finally, with Gabrielle's announcement to the shepherds, God not only speaks to mankind once more but ushers in a new covenant. "Fear not, for I bring you GOOD news of GREAT JOY that will be for all people." Can you stop and smile as you really connect with the phrase "and it will be for Kathy, for Paulette, for Shelly, for Laura????" WOW! Gabrielle said to all people, and that meant He was speaking our names! Double WOW! The shepherds were afraid also, but responded to the announcement and went immediately to find this JOY. For us, Galatians 5:1 declares our freedom from the chains of past addictions, bondage, and wrong thinking. Paul makes this announcement over mankind - "It is for FREEDOM that Christ came to set us free." He didn't say, "fear not," (but I assume he wasn't eight feet tall with wings either) so maybe it was unnecessary? But sometimes we can be fearful about getting through the holidays and doing well. Yes? I am so proud of Shelly as she announced the other day, "I'm loosing weight over the holidays." Now that's a Christmas announcement, too, with no FEAR involved. Don't want until January. I have spoken with more than 10 of you who are "waiting until January." Be careful - four weeks can mean a chunk of weight. Stay on top of your plan of healthy eating and motion. I have missed water aerobics so badly that I went and signed up at the pool yesterday. (and yikes are my muscles reminding me it's been 3 months). This Christmas I want to bring forth this reminder (A Kathy paraphrase) "Fear NOT, for behold I bring you a good message of GREAT HOPE, there is freedom for you which is found in Christ. The Holy Spirit will come and live within you and He shall assist you in making healthy choices and walking in freedom." Then we must respond. We ask for help, we rejoice that we are stronger than obesity, and we declare that we "stand firm, then, and will no longer allow ourselves to be burdened for the 100th time WITH A YOKE OF SLAVERY." (Gal 5:1) Enjoy Christmas, love your family, go to ALL the parties, and take your food. FEAR NOT! PK

December 3, 2012

As I sit here this morning beginning to write, the sun is flooding into my dining room window, There's something about light. The morning light breaking through the darkness signals a new start, a new chance, and a new day. That big, booming stream of light announces.......... "NEW!" I don't know how you feel, but during the morning light I seem to feel such peace. The light calms my spirit and really says, "it's ok." I love to look at the morning light and smile - it illuminates without the blistering heat of the midday. There are so many biblical directions here for us. Maybe the sunlight this morning needs to remind us that God is not mad at us and sends LIGHT to ILLUMINATE our PATH out of the CELL of DARKNESS that can sometimes cloak us so rapidly. I gotta confess, I've been wrestling with some things in my heart lately - not sin issues, but issues involving a fight with the evil one for joy in people that I care about. There is a time to rest and a time of war - I am fighting for some friends and sometimes feel like I've been cloaked with darkness. Ever experienced that? BUT THIS MORNING, the light just reminds me that God illuminates the whole earth and when HE ILLUMINATES the path, there's a way out. I don't know the way sometimes, but HE ALWAYS DOES! I am comforted by that! I know that even in providing us with a plan for nutrition for our bodies - and there are several, correct plans based on body types - there is the underlying truth that HEALTH is our objective as opposed to appearance. YES? If appearance is the main objective, it changes as do the seasons. BUT our health must remain if we are to bear fruit in our golden years. The following verse of scripture jumped out at me this morning: Luke 1:78-79 "Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Don't you love that? So, let's remember that the place of PEACE is not wrestling with the way we look, but being healthy. Continue to fight for that revelation and let's ask God to always keep illuminating the path to our BEST HEALTH. NOW......if our best health means the single digit jeans, "bring it on!" :) Smiling as I think of you this morning, PK

November 30, 2012 - NO OBLIGATION!

Good morning everyone and happy Friday! I love mornings while I have my Christmas Tree up.......I love to read my Bible, drink coffee and look at the lights. I guess the little girl in me lives on. :) I am a firm believer that the journey of our day and the journey of our health has A LOT to do with our attitude toward it. So many live their lives with such a lackadaisical attitude that never compels them to STOP SETTLING FOR AVERAGE. We know the routine, don't we? Successfully shed a few pounds, keep it off until the next feeding frenzy and cave. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Maybe you never did this - but if you find my picture in the dictionary, you'll find this. And rather than admit I was undisciplined, I blamed this cycle on my body. "Some people got the 'skinny gene' and I am destined to be fluffy," was a regular retort. (my close friends are saying, "we've heard that.") My attitude said FAILURE.......My actions created FAILURE.......My heart cried over FAILURE. I had finally come into agreement with my flesh that this was my "plight" in life - this was the "best it could be." However, one day in total desperation, I decided I WANT TO LIVE. I want to speak to you again - quit settling. Don't make a PATH of eating and drinking until January and then "try again." Do you realize that by January you could gain 15 pounds? YIKES! We CAN eat, drink and walk in health. We CAN enjoy the holidays (I made a yummy yellow cake with fudge icing that's under 200 calories per serving the other day). We CAN arrive at January 1st HEALTHIER than last year. But our attitude has to be adjusted and we have to realize that our flesh is always at war with our spirit. Our flesh LOVES it's own way, can make us think "this one, little bite can't hurt," and "life is short - you need to enjoy eating what you want - you deserve it." The only problem with that is our spirit is being bombarded with an attitude of death. The scripture says in, Romans 8:12"Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13For if you live by its dictates, you will die." I mean really????? How about this holiday season we determine that we owe our flesh NO OBLIGATION and therefore we are FREE to choose HEALTH instead of DEATH? Anyone with me? I am looking at this flesh TODAY, as I have a party tonight, and saying, "I owe you no obligation........you will not be overfed, you will not be fed inappropriately, you will not be allowed to dictate to ME, "what I "want is what I need." This is WAR! We WIN! Have a great weekend, PK

November 29, 2012 - That Three-stranded Cord

Good morning, As I was reading this morning in Ephesians, this jumped out at me: Ecclesiastes 4:12 "a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." I KNOW how critical being in a group and having someone as an accountability partner is to my health journey. You have been my accountability group for almost 2 years. But what about this new twist? What if the three-stranded cord is us, the scale, and our blood reports several times a year? I LIKE that! None of us really wants to be the one to announce, "you've gained a couple of pounds." Right? How rude! We'll do the GOOD friend stuff.........bring you some water, make a salad to share, comment when you look "thin," but the REAL truth tellers are in the scale and in the blood work. Let me remind everyone that EVEN our clothes don't tell the whole truth, as you can gain 10 pounds without moving beyond your size. YIKES. But the scale - DUDE - never lies and the blood report - NEVER lies. So, as we think about being a strong cord on this health journey - it's us, the scale, the blood report. YEP - that's accountability and truth. And, I can always do better with the truth than a lie. Come clean, lay the cards on the table - let me deal with the TRUTH. How about you? Have an amazing day!

November 28, 2012 - Are We There Yet?

Let me begin by saying THANKS to all of you who took the time to comment yesterday. It certainly helped to give me some clear direction. :) I appreciate you. When we think about this journey here on earth, sometimes we can feel tortured because we didn't get the metabolism that can "eat anything," or the "skinny genes." Yes? And maybe you were never TORTURED by this - I was! I spent a lot of my time being jealous of "skinny" people and making comments about the "fat me." But the Bible talks about the things we endure here as LIGHT affliction. You know what that says to me.......there are bigger things, eternal things, God things that are WAY more important than my being skinny. I met with someone yesterday who just came back from a foreign country who spent time working with an organization who fights children being sold, by their parents often, into the sex industry so that the parents can pay their bills. It really grabbed my heart. As I have pondered on our meeting I am thinking, "I felt "tortured" by looking at skinny people and these babies are REALLY tortured." I have mis-aligned my focus. I want us to embrace health, but not be consumed or tortured by our appearance. God DOES care about our health! He also cares about people who are suffering for other reasons. Lets's do what's right and follow our health plan, realize that denying ourselves could be LIGHT affliction, but let's not be captured by our own poor self-image at the expense of others. I like to look good and feel good, I do. But after yesterday I am REALY convinced that the greatest reason to be healthy is so this body can fulfill my God assignments. Yes, I am preaching. :) Are we there yet? (wink) Have an awesome day! PK

November 26, 2012 - The TRUTH is the TRUTH

Yea, it's Monday again and we are officially into the Christmas season! I hope you did the victory dance on Thursday as I did. Doesn't it feel good to really be able to enjoy a holiday meal and know you had options? The chocolate cake and fudge icing I made is a definite KEEPER, but I have to get it typed and tweaked a wee bit. Also, the scalloped jicama is SO amazing. It is some work, and it is laden with cheese and ham, but for an occasional side dish for something special - A HIT! I will also get that recipe out soon. Got any recipes to share? Hey Shelly, hit us up with the pumpkin, whipped dessert recipe. Mackenzie asked me about it. :) I did receive a note from one of our members, Wendi, on Friday reminding us BOTH that while our food may have been legal, over indulging only reminds our stomachs they have the capacity to stretch, hold more food, BEG to be fed, and nag at us with strong hunger pains. That is so annoying to me. So yes, we can be legal but we must use restraint too. She gave me permission to share her comments in response to my blog: That is excellent. I overate:( not anything bad just ate too much. I too was very busy but just caved to eating more than I should. No condemnation, just repent and choose better today, minute by minute. We can and do stretch our stomachs even when eating good foods which will make us hungry. I think that is important to remember. Every time we eat more than necessary it stretches our stomachs and if we continue to do this our stomachs will require more food than what our bodies actually need. Yep, good learning points. I don't feel like a failure, but I do wish I had done better. I wasn't actually going to eat much because of being so busy but I kept listening to someone ask me if I was going to eat. Normally I wouldn't have listened but for some reason I did. So I filled my plate with delicious yummy food. Too much. Yep I ate it all and then continued to eat the rest of the day. Here's the thing, I forgot to have a plan. I usually go in with a plan for eating whether it is eating out, at home or a holiday meal. I just didn't take the necessary precautions I needed. I will be more aware and do it next time and tomorrow as well. I have been sticking to my eating plan today and that is called, recovery and VICTORY! Isn't that a great reminder to us all as we have crammed schedules and holiday meals ALL STINKIN' MONTH? :) LOVE IT! So, let's not have our stomachs or our undisciplined lives win. BUT.......glad to see my Wendi girl has the right response. Make a plan and stick with it. Have you discovered that being tired and busy causes you to grab "whatever?" I have! I went through a three week period just recently where I lived at work more than home and was chasing my tail. I had no time to shop or cook - so store bought salads and nuts were my choice. Often, I went without hydration all day as I "never stopped" during the day to sit down. BAD GIRL! And, I kept thinking, "I'm probably loosing some weight here as I am so busy." Reality - I gained a few pounds. 2 weeks ago - back to the store, back in the kitchen, back to the plan....... God knows what our bodies need, he provided it, the world provides something different and we have a choice. Amen. :) I will be sharing a new avocado recipe tomorrow - tune it. Choose well this day, PK

November 22, 2012 - Choices

Happy Thanksgiving FAM, Just a quick blog as the day is full. My heart is that TODAY we would choose well, eat healthy and rejoice at the end of the night because we DID IT! My Thanksgiving meal is a combined healthy and traditional approach. I worked hard to offer the choices. I made a baked turkey, HCG dressing, green beans, scalloped jicama, and a sugar free/starch free chocolate cake with fudge icing so that I COULD eat without being mad at MYSELF tonight. Do you ever do that? I will say, however, the jicama casserole is fat laden, but everything else is really low fat also. :) Choose well today friends and let's not be discouraged tonight. Also, remember that food will be here tomorrow. (wink) I was always notorious for eating "as if there were NO tomorrow." I have always said "I got the appetite of a man" - NOT SO! I was undisciplined. As my friend Shelly says, "true that." Love, love you all. Victory dance tonight? You bet! PK

November 21, 2012 - Let God PIck Your Clothes!

GM to you all, I pray this morning that you feel "chased down and over taken" by the Spirit of the Lord! I know that God has great plans for each of us to do good by us and never harm us. That is a GREAT reason to give thanks this day. This morning I was thinking about how we clothe ourselves differently depending on seasons, activity, the way we feel about our body, etc. But God's Word in Psalm 3:3 teaches that God is the shield around us. I immediately thought of Him being my clothing. When He is the shield wrapped around me - my clothing choices are often below par. How about you???? He clothed Adam and Eve in the garden when their choice for clothing wasn't a great choice. They were hiding and ashamed. Sometimes when we have a bad day on our journey, we want to hide and are ashamed that we failed. We can become discouraged to the point of giving up. But the Psalm concludes by saying, "He is the glory and lifter of our head." I realize TOTALLY that we have a real choice in our health journey, but I also realize that God ALWAYS desires to clothe us with His Spirit regardless of what we weigh or how we see ourselves. We must do our part and the Holy Spirit is always ready to give us strength when we are weak, lift our heads when we feel we are trapped in this body of flesh! Be encouraged this day, fam. God has your clothes picked out........wear them well. Off to the dentist. PK PS - if any of you make the HCG dressing for tomorrow, get me some feedback please. Trying to taste test my recipes for the cookbook.

November 19, 2012 - Psalm 139

Good morning to you all, As I reread Psalm 139 again this morning, I was reminded how CLEARLY God knows me - my intent, thoughts, actions. Sometimes we don't really know why we do certain things. I don't........but God does. For a moment I thought, "does God know/care if I'm tempted to deviate from my health journey?" Stupid question - YES! And, he cares that we choose life and health as our daily portion. He really does. What father would want their child to fall into a trap when they KNOW the trap is just ahead. I wrote this morning, "Eating healthy is our choice. The consequences of choosing to NOT eat healthy is NOT our choice." God's heart is for us to make wise choices and do what's right. I watched Mary Murphy this weekend, one of the judges in the television show So You Think You Can Dance, being interviewed by Marie Osmond. She has been battling thyroid cancer. Marie was asking about treatment and she said it was all pretty straight forward but one of the hardest things for her, and I quote, "I'm trying, but not doing too good, in deleting sugar from my diet." REALLY? Another person linking sugar and cancer. Yikes! But I could totally relate to her frustration - we understand don't we? I know how hard it is to delete certain things and really make peace that they may never be a part of my life again. BUT..........if you know a deadly trap is ahead SOMEWHERE in the next 12 feet, wouldn't you be on high alert? I would. More and more and more evidence is emerging that supports that our fight for health is spot on. It's not just about feeling and looking better; it's about trying to avoid diseases whose intent is to remain nameless until they have conquered our cells and caused them to act rebelliously. I praise God that He knows I am an information junkie and "the more I know, the better I do." AND, God continues to put me in places to see and hear TRUTH that establishes convictions deep within. I NEVER watch Marie Osmond......I don't read medical reports. But God continues to place me on a path of uncovering because He KNOWS ME THAT WELL! PRAISE HIM! So this morning, let's give thanks that Psalm 139 proves that God knows and God cares! Keep your eyes open and listen carefully - God is illuminating our path. PK

November 16, 2012 - Thank the Lord

Happy Friday to you all, I am sorry I couldn't blog yesterday as I had issues with ATT, which affected my computer and phone. MY husband spent over 2 hours with their reps by phone to solve the problem. UGH! It seems that monthly I am having communication issues.......too much of a pattern to be coincidence I think - but who knows, could really be random. But anyway - everything is back up. :) As we approach this BIG 30 day window of parties and food prep, let's thank the LORD for several things: 1. HIS help to bring restraining discipline when we want to "taste" someone's BEST cookie recipe. 2. HIS provision of healthy choices for us. I wonder sometimes if it's easier to bless our meal when it's unhealthy? :) Just asking? When it's what we "want" to eat as opposed to fish, which is rich in Omega 3's, is it easier to rejoice and be grateful? 3. HIS desire for us to walk in health and not our own motivation to be skinny so we can look like someone we "want to be." Remember Psalm 139. 4. HIS creativity in the kitchen as we create recipes that are healthy, hearty, and yummy! 5. HIS provision to purchase healthy foods, as they tend to be more expensive. 6. HIS blinders which prevent us from accessing the "fast food joints" and allow us to head home for some lean protein and veggies. 7. HIS taste for apples daily that provide fiber and help lower our cholesterol. 8. HIS wisdom in all areas of our health journey. These are just a few of the areas that came to my heart this morning. Let's confess these truths for the next 30 days and allow TRUTH to encourage us. HIS ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than ours. He is seated in a place far above and can see things we cannot. So, let's take HIS perspective and allow it to bring success to us in this upcoming month. Remember, food is about REFUELING. It's not or source of pleasure - God is! Choose life these next 30 days - AND EAT TO LIVE! PK

November 14, 2012 - Look on the Bright Side

GM friends, Our journeys have a lot to do with how we view life. Yes? And, how many of you know that so often we allow our circumstances to cloud the truth about God's plan for our lives. I am amazed at how many times gaining weight or failing to drink all my water GRABS my attitude. How about you? We try to smile and enjoy life but the constant voice of failure, buried deep in our mind, brings its colored influence to the table. Then, SOMETIMES, (let's be honest) our attitudes and daily encounters can be affected......people see our moods and attach their assessment . However, many times it's our own intense battle for success that dictates the face they "see" daily. I hear from so many of you as to how this day to day battle for health affects everything. I understand! You are not alone. Often the enemy of our soul wants people to embrace the lie that they are the ONLY one struggling. If we were honest - EVERY day has its OWN struggles. That's why Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow - today has its own issues - let's not battle 2 days at a time! HOWEVER, our response to the internal struggle doesn't need to be reflected in our mood. Our families don't need to bear the brunt of our bark which really says, "I'm hurting." Sometimes when we respond in a negative manner - and IF we are honest, we must admit we do this more than we should - we MUST grab that attitude, that face, that bark and sit back and let God's word recalibrate our hearts and minds. Yes, our health is important, but sometimes it becomes the "drive." NO, no.......God's Word and His love has to be driving force in our journey! God's word brings a smile to my heart and a joy like none other. How about you? I picked a scripture today to share that made me smile. I like starting the day with a smile and I plan to remind myself of this verse ANY TIME I am tempted to allow life's journey to draw me away from this internal pocket of joy. Isaiah 30:18 Amplified Bible (AMP) 18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect andlook and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!(A) God expects, looks and longs to be gracious to EACH of us. That's worth a smile. Yes? So today, when you are tempted to see your failures, SEE this verse and choose to look on the bright side. Keep saying the second half of the verse and smile - "that's me. I am happy, fortunate and to be envied because THIS DAY I earnestly wait for God and expect and look and long for HIS JOY, HIS FAVOR, HIS LOVE, HIS PEACE, HIS MATCHLESS, UNBROKEN COMPANIONSHIP." AMEN!!! Smile today! PK

November 13, 2012 - Thanks!

GM all, I am so excited to be sitting in Brentwood, Tn right outside Nashville this morning looking at a thick layer of frost on the car - THICK! It really feels like winter here. I made some God connections yesterday and will wait to see what doors God opens. I have told him for years, "I'm available." Having said that - God has always held me to my word. He has moved me and done things in my life I never imagined. I always tell people, "if you're available to God, you can count on the ride of your life." Sometimes those changes were not easy, but I know God shifted me as He needed to. My heart is always to please him. I thought about this morning the EXTREME value of being in a group who are walking the same path, understanding the day to day issues that challenge each of us, and knowing that we are better TOGETHER. I don't tell you enough - THANKS! Thanks for being my friends and helping me choose health when my whole life I have aways lost my way SOMEWHERE. Thanks for sharing your recipes and insight with a girl who gets bored easily and always looks for the "next thing." Thanks for the hugs, smiles, and "gritting teeth" experiences we have shared. God knew I needed a group in order to experience life-long success and He sent me you. Thank you, God! Now, as we are planning our FAMILY dinners for next week let's challenge each other. Have we planned foods that are healthy, foods that taste good, foods that will allow us to enjoy the holidays WITHOUT GUILT? God doesn't want us to be guilty. Jesus came to bring freedom to our lives. Remember Galatians 5:1??? Let's refresh our hearts and make that declaration as we approach next week. Don't plan to cheat - plan to eat healthy. Don't plan to fail - create a great plan that excludes the possibility of failure. Don't allow family to coax you into a place of compromise - know what you believe and have YOUR healthy options close. (even in the movie theatre) Love to you all - heading off the mountain soon. Gotta run, PK

Thank You to the Veterans

This weekend was filled with "giving honor where honor is due." Many men and women have boldly defended the freedoms that sometimes I take for granted. (I repent!) As we had our veterans stand yesterday in church so the congregation could honor them, I felt a real tugging on my heart and a sense of honor. I was proud of their accomplishments and sacrifice. I doubt I will ever fully comprehend their journey, but I am proud that I live in a country where they were willing to take a risk for me and so many others they would never know. There is really something to fighting for freedom. I would imagine in non-war times the preparations for war are not AS intense, but our military still prepares - there's combat simulations, PT, and all the educational experiences to become proficient with the latest technology. While war may not be occurring, the threat is always a reality. For us on our health journey, this should serve as a reminder that we must always remain alert and be prepared. Sometimes internal weaknesses in our bodies can lay quietly for years without our attention. Poor diet, lack of exercise and improper rest can actually be aiding the illness in its silent development. Then, at a most inopportune time, the "enemy" surfaces - like a military submarine under the water lurking. Our response is often fear - and rightly so. All creation houses a desire for LIFE. I don't know TOOOOO many people, or animals, that when confronted with death give up without a struggle. A desire to live resides within us all. But again, when the submarine emerges and we are unprepared, our options may be limited. I like the proactive approach - how about you? We KNOW that food and water, exercise and rest are our best weapons against poor health. We KNOW that; however, sometimes we forget or we get tired of doing what is right. For our military, I am certain PT at 5:30am (without being at war) is not pleasant - but being physically fit at the exact moment needed IS! The submarine of disease is always lurking, but we have our own weapons and victory strategy. Let's stay on top of being physically fit and remember - preparing for a battle with the enemy standing over you is too late. The outcome of that encounter requires a miracle. Yes, we KNOW a miracle maker, but let's do our part to always be prepared. Have an amazing day, PK

November 8, 2012 - The Smell of Victory

I have been thinking about Thanksgiving morning and my favorite part: the smell of Tom Turkey baking in the oven. To me, there are not many scents that fill the entire house - every inch - and are proud of it. When I think of that scent, I immediately travel to past years of family mornings of watching the Parade by the fire - and that scent; of setting the table with baby turkeys and pumpkins - and that scent; of watching my father carve the bird delicately collecting the skin that we fought over as children - AND THAT SCENT! I was thinking about how powerful that fragrance and ALL the memories that flood my soul are. They are so real to me, and yet fifty years old. Sometimes I will make a turkey breast and I am convinced that I JUST NEED THE SMELL. There are places in our lives where we experienced JOY, family, happy memories, peace. Where is that for you? That's my happy place. Along our freedom journey, there are going to be times when giving up may seem easy. Returning to the prison of obesity may seem to be the only "easy" thing to do. When you have those days, can you find a place, a scent and family tradition (not related to food) that brings a smile and releases some endorphins? Sometimes we must remember the good and the victorious spots and we must encourage OURSELVES that life is GOOD. Negativity and failure seem to suck the LIFE from our will to be free. Then, the excuses begin to flow. I challenge each of us to be real - there will be bumps, daily, but as long as we continue to do what's right in the face of wrong options.........we win. God told Cain that sin was crouching at the door, but he simply needed to do what was right. I like to remind people that making excuses for weaknesses means you get to keep them. ALL of us have temptations and weaknesses, but our response on a consistent basis, is the real hope. SOMETIMES, when I am weak, it's critical that I stop and remind myself that I have experienced victory on many occasions. I go to my "happy place" and gain strength. Sometimes we need to light a candle that reminds us of Christmas morning and smile. Life throws hard things and we can get consumed. Stop and find the thing that makes you smile and remember the good - stop focusing on the failure. Put the cookie down and grab and apple. Burn the candle and make a new sensation connection. Our minds and memories are amazing. I challenge you today, no matter where you are on your journey, find the victory slots and smile. The releasing of endorphins will help you feel good about yourself and that is usually enough of the boost we need to drink another 8 and eat the apple. wink Choose life this day and eat to live, PK

November 7, 2012 - SEED-TIME-AND -HARVEST

Just a follow-up to yesterday's blog (if you didn't read it yet - probably should read it first): I wanted to point out that once a seed has been planted (you make a commitment to follow a healthy eating plan) you must nurture that seed as it's roots FIGHT for their space in the ground - in uncharted territory in the hopes of producing fruit. (evidence that the TRUTH has taken root) Just because we "desire" to loose weight, doesn't mean we really will do whatever it takes to be healthy. Right? If our REAL heart is to be healthy, then we will do whatever to protect the seed (the new plan) and eliminate as many variables of opposition as possible. SO hard isn't it???? Yes.........there are the storms of life that come to uproot the seed and pull us away from the goal of positive life change! And it is hard, BUT IF WE ARE CONSISTENT AND PATIENT, and if we stick with the plan long enough against all odds, there is a GREAT chance that a harvest of life will come. A seed (a new life style) is placed in a cold, dark environment and then fights to push it's roots down into the soil DEEP enough to sustain the ability to produce life-giving fruit. I am sure the little seed struggles - wants to quit - fails on occasion........BUT, eventually fights for it's purpose and in time produces a harvest. That's us! We must realize the work it takes to produce a life change. It doesn't happen overnight nor without opposition, but if we keep PRESSING and reaching into a DEEP place within our resolve, it can happen. We talked at work yesterday - NO DIET - ONLY REAL Life Change. So keep allowing this life-change journey to take REAL hold of your heart and mind. Embrace the concept that it's NO LONGER a seed, but a real change and you cannot keep changing seeds. (seeds=every new fad under the sun) Eating healthy has it's challenges but in the long run, over coming those obstacles produces a beautiful, colorful "life" that gives life to others. Hope you see the analogy this morning. Gotta run - loving you........PK

November 6, 2012 - Tune Your Ears.

I have been especially stirred of late as several of you have contacted me with a "cry from your heart" that somewhere you opened a door or gave over to temptation and have gained a lot, if not most, of your weight back. I totally understand - been there and done that! We must be reminded that Satan desires to sift us (test, test, and test again) to break us down and eventually have his way. Do any of you remember baking with your grandmothers? My Nanny had a sifter and we would place flour in there and sift it sometimes 3-4 times so that it was broken down into fine pieces and she could make it do as she wished. Get that picture in your mind. Remember the Bible teaches that satan comes only but to kill, steal, and destroy. He has the same agenda every day and never grows weary of the plan - back into the sifter we go. For me, my weight was such a HUGE component through which I filtered everything. Not being able to zip my pants = a bad day. Gaining 6 pounds in one month = a bad month. Looking at the fatness of my face in photos = a look at failure and a stab in my heart AGAIN. Anybody been there? I totally understand your frustration and still face that myself on occasion. Let me encourage you, as I told someone last week, CONGRATULATIONS for reaching out to someone and admitting you've gained weight. I always tried to hide and make jokes about being a failure. It became easier to laugh at obesity than try ONE MORE TIME to conquer it! I HEAR you..........but my heart wants to bring you hope. Let's ask God where the breech is and let's repair that. We need to determine why you gained weight and fix that issue. Is it sugar? Is it lack of prep? Is it boredom? Is it an issue with saying "no"? These are fixable issues. I promise. Proverbs 2 holds the key I believe: The Benefits of Wisdom 1 My child,* listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. 9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Here's what the Lord showed me this morning - some have their stations on the wrong frequency. Tune your ears back to the truth! Somewhere along the way, the "truth frequencies" got bumped, stifled, confused, whatever.......YOU MUST TUNE IT BACK. Ever been in a car where it's not "quite" on the station - close but not quite? Sometimes we can find ourselves there - close but not really. We KNOW WHAT TO DO, but sometimes another frequency (voice) questions our truth and unless we become so fixed on the TRUTH - we question it ourselves! Then, when we begin to gain weight it's a truth check. We must TUNE OUR EARS back to wisdom. I don't believe it's a one time event either.......sorry. And the word YOU means no one can do that but us. :) So, as we enter the holiday gauntlet, let's tune our ears to truth and remember food is simply for refueling. Don't make it more than it is! Look at verse 10 above - when wisdom is TUNED back into our heart (follow the plan) then knowledge (truth) will fill us with JOY. Is a piece of chocolate cake worth the feeling of failure the day after? Tune your ears to wisdom that says healthy foods will give you long life and chocolate cake will steal it. That's JOY. Are you tuned in? PK

November 5, 2012 - Keep It Simple

Good morning to you all, I am resting from a LONG couple of months - pjs on, coffee cup warm, and movies about to start. I need to REST my brain. Do you ever need to REST your brain??? If not, pray for me, it could be my age. (wink) Last night's Life Group was amazing - we won't meet again until January! Linda wowed us with several salads, some baked pears and a little chocolate ball made with chia flour. YUM! Linda, we're gonna be like you when we grow up. We also had breakfast frittatas and cheesy garlic biscuits for Christmas breakfast and a yummy dessert pizza. Hope in January some of your schedules will open up and you can join us once a month with a dish and a smile. :) I was reminded last night, as we were discussing alternatives for sweets at Christmas parties, that we cannot over eat simply because what we eat is healthy. We also have to remember that portion size helps the scale to be "our friend" during the morning weigh-ins. Yes? But most importantly, we have to remember that processed foods contain things we cannot pronounce and probably have no idea what they do in our bodies. Pricilla said last night, "so, I guess I'm gonna have to cook." YEP - that's really a major component in this journey. I know that those of us who work are pressed for time, but simple meals work - they really do. Life Group is our time to explore fun foods for weekends and events, but the day-to-day eating regimen can be very simple. I like to cook 6-8 pieces of chicken, 6 turkey patties (or whatever meat is on sale that's lean), and veggies, as well as cut up various vegetables once a week and get them in baggies for my lunch and dinners. I can always add a fruit or steam another veggie and be really happy. If I'm lighting the grill, I'm loading the grill! After my movie I am making clam sauce to go on top of my spaghetti squash and I will top with some fresh grated parmesan reggiano cheese. Yum, yum, and yum! Are you struggling with keeping things simple? Being healthy is about refueling not grueling hours of prep. Let your natural foods provide the nutrition and you provide some creativity and wow - amazing combo. Now that's a recipe for success. I would encourage you to stray from so many products that are processed and choose whole foods as often as possible. Peel and eat - SIMPLE! Talk again tomorrow - going to peel some jicama and follow my own advise. :) PK

November 1, 2012 - It Takes Time

Okay, we cleared one hurdle - got through Halloween. How did you do? Did you get through the day sugar free? :) If not, today is a new day in a new month. Ask God to show you the balance needed. Perhaps you can have sugar and starch in limited amounts. That is awesome! Each of us knows where our triggers are and each of us should be using regular blood tests to determine the internal health of our bodies. Gotta remember, just because your clothes fit doesn't mean you're the healthiest you can be. People who are skinny can have high cholesterol. Right? Being healthy is composed of several elements and zipping our jeans is only one of those. wink I was thinking about how busy our lives get and sometimes I wonder if people are not healthy because it takes TIME TO BE HEALTHY. I wish it didn't, but it does. Someone asked me last night about this and all I know to say is I was desperate to live. (sometimes I sound like my Iphone on repeat) I think people really expected that within a few months I would be back at the obese stage again. I can understand why they would think that. But as I have started to really LIVE this life, not because of HCG or loosing weight, but out of a real love for health, I realized that one component is critical in the success of this journey...........TIME. It takes TIME to shop and find the healthiest foods, as well as TIME to explore different things so we don't get bored with the eating plan. (a 100 calorie snack bar is easy - full of sugar and processed flour, but easy) It takes TIME to stop and drink water all day. It takes TIME to prepare and cook real foods. It takes TIME at a restaurant to examine the menu, ask for modifications, and choose the healthy items. It takes TIME to go for a walk. Come on........this JOURNEY takes TIME. But let me remind us.........we make TIME for the things important to us. I spend hours on Sunday and Monday preparing foods for lunches and quick-fix dinners after a long day at work. I try at least once a week to prepare something special for my grand daughter who will be 10 soon and has lost over 20 pounds recently choosing to eat healthy. This takes TIME - it would be easier to buy a bucket of candy. But the candy would lead her back to a place of being diabetic, so I'll give my TIME to assist in her journey. The moral of this morning's blog - being healthy DOES TAKE TIME - but you and I are SOOOO worth it. Where can you take some time from another venture that is not going to allow you to live a full and healthy life? Maybe take one television show a week - perhaps and hour - and give that to your HEALTH. Pull out some of the recipes from Life Group and make those, freeze some and do something wonderful for YOU. I watch some TV too, but not before I prepare my foods and invest my TIME in the future of my health. Have an awesome day! PK

October 31, 2012 - Turn It Around!

GM to you all, Genesis 50 (the story of Joseph) reminds us this morning that God is able to take our mess and create a message. God is able to take our desperation and give someone else hope. Joseph commented to his brothers that what they had intended for evil, God intended for GOOD. As we journey though this day, we need to remind ourselves that Satan wants to discourage and trap each of us. He can use the BIG things in our lives or the simple things like candy, Halloween cupcakes, and issues that may serve to "seemingly" place us in a pocket of hopelessness. I can't even imagine what being betrayed by your family and left to die really feels like. But Joseph not only escaped the entrapment, he went on to help others escape entrapment. Let's make that pledge. I remember the YEARS of eating so much sugar on Halloween that I would be literally sick by the end of the night and wanting to hit myself in the stomach in order to throw up. UGH! (true confession this morning) So many today will be on a "sugar high" only to crash tomorrow and look in the mirror in the morning and confess failure AGAIN. My heart hurts when I think of the prison I endured for years - and others as well. Maybe you are thinking - "really - not that serious," but sugar is so addictive and so hard to overcome. I even looked at some sugar free peanut butter cups yesterday so I didn't "feel" deprived. Then I stopped and almost shook myself - I will not be trapped by that again. Sorry, wrong girl! So today I packed two apples and some natural peanut butter and I will create something to replace the peanut butter cups SOON. Yes, I will. God is taking the mess of my past and giving me creative energy in the kitchen as HIS tool to help rescue me. And guess what, He'll do that for you as well. I promise. Joseph endured and then conquered. That is going to be our testimony. Can I encourage you today? NO candy or sweets. It may be hard, but tomorrow you'll thank me. Make a pledge with me - NO sweets today - not one bite. We can do it. :) PK REMEMBER - Life Group at 5:00 this Sunday due to time change and Falcon's game. :) Hope that's okay. It's our Christmas Life Group, so if you're bringing something healthy to share, make a note.

October 30, 2012 - Let's Pray!

Good morning to you all, No blog today as I cannot stop watching the television concerning Sandy. My heart is heavy and I feel we need to come along side these families in prayer. The storm, the winds, the fires, the snow - they are claiming this is the largest storm in recorded history. God protect these precious people. The weather man is saying the storm will continue another 36 hours. I pray for wisdom and help from on high. Several have asked for the pumpkin pound cake recipe - it is close, but I am still adjusting the cooking time. It tastes amazing, but when it cools it condenses like a pumpkin pie. I am going to look at this again this week. I will send it out when finished. I think the combination of pumpkin and almond flour may need to be adjusted. :) Give me a few more days. I did serve jicama at a shower last night with hummus and it was a HIT! Don't forget we have Healthy 4 You life Group this Sunday. Can we meet at 5 as the Falcons play at 7:30??? I know some won't come due to the game - I'm a big fan too - so can we move the time up and hour. That may be better too as the time changes on Sunday and it will feel later to us. :) Those who have responded yes, let me hear from you. Have an amazing day, PK

October 29, 2012 - Say NO Ahead of Time!

Hello and good Monday, The arctic blast has certainly shouted loudly that it is tired of being bottled up. It hasn't been this cool in almost a year. All that cold air, which is so dense and heavy, must be clapping with joy as it got to move and spread out. OOPS - science teacher stuff. :) Anyway, what a busy week this is for me with our Fall Family Festival AND one of my best friend's son's wedding. Lots of opportunities for eating wrong foods this week. SOOOOO - I am up and making plans. I really feel that victory resides in the planning. Most feel victory resides in the ability to be disciplined - but being disciplined to BRING the correct foods to an event and not be dependent on your host to provide them IS DISCIPLINE. Halloween was my "open the gate" starting point to the holiday season. I started eating candy as soon as I started buying it for parties, as well as making the excuses that January was only 8 weeks away. Even as I type that I a shaking my head........STUPID! No wonder I was so sick. As I look forward to this week, which kicks off with a bridal party at my house tonight, I have planned a menu that works for me including a sugar free/starch free pumpkin pound cake with pumpkin spiced whipped cream and "sugared" pecan pieces. YUM! I bought extra apples and natural peanut butter and will be packing my lunch Wednesday for the festival including some brownies that are legal. I REFUSE to watch all those folks "yumming" on the candy (MY DELIGHT) and feel bitterness in my heart. I CHOSE this journey, I am healthy because of this journey and I am HAPPY because of this journey! However, I have planned ahead of time to say, "No thank you." There will be many people who offer me unhealthy choices this week, but none of them control my destiny. I am strong enough to smile and say, "no thank you" without justifying, defending or explaining. I want to encourage you that these next eight weeks don't have to be times of denial OR failure. Say "NO" ahead of time - practice if you will - with NO explanation - and bring your own foods that bring a smile to your body. Let's start January healthy and running and with NO regrets. :) I know this is a tough week for those addicted to chocolates - say "NO" early and don't deal with the frustration of feeling you failed on Thursday. We can eat sweets - we just have to make them. wink PK

October 26, 2012 - My Drink of Choice

GM, Those who know me absolutely know that I like unusual and abnormal things. And......I feel that way about my water. I get bored with things easily. How about you? Today I thought I would focus on some new water/drink recipes that are fabulous. Do remember that you need to allow TIME for the flavor to be infused into the water. So plan ahead. :) There are a million combinations, but the following are some of my personal favorites. (and, some suppress appetite while others calm my spirit). Hope this makes your weekend smile. However, as it's going to chill down by late Sunday, how about some all natural apple juice, truvia, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves? Heat until almost a boil and then simmer. Makes your house smell amazing and this really warms you. :) Drink up. Let's talk again Monday, PK. Tarragon Spa Waterby Leslie Bilderback INGREDIENTS 1 small lemon, sliced in wheels 1 cup fresh spearmint leaves ½ cup fresh rosemary needles ½ cup fresh tarragon 2 quarts water The spa is where you go to get refreshed and rejuvenated. You can replicate the experience in your own kitchen with this herb-infused water. Make it in the morning, and let it steep all day soit’s ready when you get home from work. Combine lemon and gently crushed herbs in a large pitcher. Add water, stir, and steep for 1–8 hours. Strain over ice to serve. Photo by: James Carrier Herb-infused Spa Water Relax and rehydrate with a tall glass of spring water touched with the tastes of fresh herbs and produce. Sunset MAY 2002 Yield: Makes about 1 1/2 quarts; about 4 servings Ingredients 6 cups chilled still spring or mineral water 12 thin slices cucumber 4 thin slices lemon 4 sprigs (each 2 in. long) fresh mint, slightly crushed 2 sprigs (each 2 in. long) fresh rosemary, slightly crushed Preparation In a 2- to 2 1/2-quart pitcher, combine water, cucumber, lemon, mint, and rosemary. Serve, or cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours. Add ice cubes just before serving. Spa Water Recipe courtesy Chef Scott Leibfried Ingredients 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced 1 lime, sliced 1/2 grapefruit, pink or white, sliced 1 cup fresh mint leaves Directions Add all of the ingredients to a clear pitcher and fill with ice water. Best served slightly chilled or at room temperature.

October 25, 2012 - The One

Good morning to you all, As you remember from the past weeks, our church hosted a women's conference recently. For those not connected to NCC, we really saw the RAIN of God poured out on our ladies - healing, deliverance, restoration, chains broken. And if that weren't enough, we had 22 sisters water baptized. Amen! I want to share a very tender moment I had with the Lord concerning the conference and then bring this into our world. Our women's ministry team had worked for 7 months on this conference. I knew it was going to be amazing. But for whatever reasons, the attendance didn't build as I thought it would. I was a bit discouraged because I knew that we had planned BIG and I wanted to share it with everyone. I knew God was going to do amazing things, and HE DID, and I wanted to share it with as many ladies as possible. :) So Thursday morning, the start of the conference, I was praying and asking God to move on the last few who had not registered and bring all those who were supposed to attend. I felt the Lord speak to me in that place in my belly and ask me a very profound question. He asked, "would you do all this elaborate planning and creation of a conference for JUST ONE?" That question shook me! God would have done it ALL "for the one." He's so amazing to bring balance to everything, isn't He? Why am I bringing this up today? Sometimes when God doesn't quickly answer our prayers and we are still battling with that last few pounds, we can become discouraged and even reason that God has "more important things" to accomplish than helping us be healthy. STOP! God cared about THE ONE at the conference. He is intimately concerned with our lives and according to the scripture knows how many hairs are on our head and every thought in our head. He cares about THE ONE - that's us. Stop today and thank him for giving you great health according to HIS plan to use you. Ask Him to remind you to hydrate and to give you will power throughout the day when stress may cause your natural eyes to fix on a solution other than something healthy. I promise - God loves and cares about each of us at that level. We're THE ONE. Great news - after God asking me that profound question, I probably had FIVE women come to me, on their own and say, "You'll never know how this touched me - I feel like I was THE ONE this conference was created for." How cool is that???? wink Have an amazing day! Healthy 4 You Life Group NEXT Sunday. Last one for the year - please let me know if you'll be attending so I can prepare. :) PK

October 24, 2012 - Priceless

GM, I was thinking yesterday about the word priceless. The word basically defines itself - that to which NO PRICE can be ascribed. Right? I was thinking about the things in my house and life that are priceless........my Bible, pictures of my family, my mother's engagement ring, letters from my daughter and granddaughters, a cassette tape of my oldest granddaughter singing at the age of 2 (I'm not certain I can still find a machine to even listen to it), my relationship with God, my husband, my family, my close friends. There are just some things that if threatened by destruction, a murderous "spirit" will arise from within me. (just sayin') How about you? Can you make your list? But the question to each of us is.........do we see ourselves and our health as priceless? Do we really place great value on who we are? I venture to say in my many years of pastoring, that countless people really do not love anything about themselves. Shame, guilt, un-mended wounds, hurts, failures all seem to remind us that we are certainly NOT priceless. And yet someone saw us of such value they were willing to give their life for us. THAT IS priceless. We are of high value because of our relationship with God, Jesus' sacrificial gift, and the residence of the Holy Spirit within us. Again, PRICELESS! Now, I want to suggest that to the list of priceless we each add our health. If we could establish the VALUE of our health, I feel it could move to the priceless list. YES? Is our health worth guarding? YES! Is it worth placing in a SAFE PLACE? YES! Ask yourself honestly - right now - is your health as valuable as your most priceless possession? It should be close. :) Why? The foremost reason is our body houses the Holy Spirit and was created in God before the earth began. PRICELESS! (re-reading John 17 again this morning) But also, none of us REALLY wants to break down and run our life as a "old clunker" and be tossed aside as having no value simply because we chose to eat wrong and abuse the vehicle by which we experience life. That's not God's best for any of us. No, no......we want to live our life in fullness and health and we ALL know what that requires. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of our value and that we ARE WORTH the extra time, energy, and sometimes money it takes to be healthy. Yes we are! So today, remind yourself that you belong on the priceless list and do whatever it takes to maintain your best health. Praying for you today - PK PS - Healthy 4 You Life Group on November 4th at 6 at my house. Theme - Christmas (as we won't meet in December)

October 23, 2012 - Cotton Candy

Don't you love going to all the county fairs that are being held now? I love the people, the pomp, the circumstance, the color, all the fun things that remind me of my childhood. But one of the things that was always such a disappointment to me was the cotton candy. Can I hear a yes from somebody else? I loved the color, the "melt in your mouth" texture, the taste, but there was NO SUBSTANCE! It was sticky, but NO substance. Within seconds this huge PILE of prettiness was gone. Let's make a connection......... On our journey to health, sometimes we choose the fluffiness of "in January I'm gonna get serious about my weight." COTTON CANDY "Well, I know I should make some changes to my diet, but there are just certain things I cannot live without." COTTON CANDY The Bible, in Proverbs 18:21 states, "21The tongue can bring death or life;those who love to talk will reap the consequences." Given the choice of cotton candy or an apple, I wonder what most would choose? The apple doesn't appear to be the favorite choice, but it is the best choice as it contains the fiber. The fiber sticks with us and helps to draw excessive fluid from the body. I spent most of my life TALKING about being healthy and TALKING about learning to eat veggies without frying them and TALKING about "in January of this year I'm gonna really get this." COTTON CANDY My talk was never really intended to stick - it was just a comforting word to me in my obesity. Somehow it gave me false hope. However, two years ago, in a desperate state, I finally starting talking about my health and confessing my health and allowing negative thoughts and words to be murdered. I quit making excuses and giving myself false hope. I QUIT eating the COTTON CANDY and grabbed the apple with an intense passion to never grab the COTTON CANDY again. It may look good for a moment, but it wanes to nothing. In our journey, there are a lot of choices DAILY. Let's remember to be real with OURSELVES first. Speaking life to our bodies can just be a ritual or false hope (Cotton Candy) if your heart and the Holy Spirit isn't helping you to walk in reality. We may all have a bad day. I had one Sunday - exhaustion took over and all I thought about was food. BUT.........NO COTTON CANDY. I did over eat, but it was foods on plan. I ate all day, in fact, and then realized how strong our emotions are and that I am still vulnerable - but praise God I never crossed the line. Portions went out the window, but health was still in my heart. I also had gone 2 days WAY under my water intake. It was like my mind went CRAZY. But Monday, 13 cups of water, and back on plan. AND.......I never said, "Well, in January I'll really start working on getting healthy." I let my tongue bring LIFE to me as I did't default to a negative confession. I knew Sunday I was on the roller coaster, but I never ate the COTTON CANDY! Yea! Moral - sometimes we're gonna hit a pocket - don't revert to giving yourself false moments of hope. EAT - eat healthy (even if WAY too much) and deal with your emotions. :) Let the words from our mouths that originate in our hearts say LIFE! Being real with my family this morning........maybe it encourages you. :) REAL TALK again tomorrow. PK PS - if you want to share this you can have folks go to my blog site - kathyshcgfamily.blogspot.com

October 22, 2012 - With All My Heart

Good morning all, I am refreshed and renewed and charged UP this morning. :) The conference was great and I am catching up on my loss of sleep from the past couple of months of events and travels. Now it's time to reflect, renew, regenerate and rejoice. How about those words??? Sometimes it's critical to MAKE ourselves sit down after a long journey and do these things. I need to look back and jot down the altars I created (places of remembrance) along the path and have those ready when the evil one tries to bring sorrow or point out my failures. Sometimes satan even wants to point out that, "God didn't come through for you." How dare he! When this "voice" tries to speak to my heart, I have to visit one of the places of remembrance and remind myself of the GOODNESS of God. Psalm 119:34 reads, "Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart." Sometimes along our LIFE journey to health, we need understanding to come to our heart as it alone brings consolation when everyone else "seems" to eat whatever they desire with no consequence. God created our bodies with particular filters and tolerances and we must obey those. As we journey and share insight with one another, it becomes instruction to our souls. THEN......there is the CHOICE to practice them. THEN........there is the CHOICE to practice them with ALL OUR HEART. I will tell you that "yo-yo" practice will NEVER bring you to a place of stable health. We can understand what is needed from us in order to renew and regenerate our cells and we can CHOOSE to obey these instructions for a couple of weeks and then NOT for a couple of weeks and "REASON" with ourselves that we've been "good" and deserve a rest. But does this "yo-yo" practice demonstrate REAL understanding in our hearts? Does it communicate to our flesh that life is critical and we must feed and hydrate our bodies PROPERLY in order for them to maintain health? I am afraid not. What that really means is that we get to eat and do what we want and not PRACTICE what we KNOW is critical to survival, but our cells and organs are then slammed and pay the penalty. Let's choose today to understand, obey, AND PRACTICE sound instruction with ALL OUR HEARTS. Have a great Monday, PK

October 22, 2012 - With All My Heart

Good morning all, I am refreshed and renewed and charged UP this morning. :) The conference was great and I am catching up on my loss of sleep from the past couple of months of events and travels. Now it's time to reflect, renew, regenerate and rejoice. How about those words??? Sometimes it's critical to MAKE ourselves sit down after a long journey and do these things. I need to look back and jot down the altars I created (places of remembrance) along the path and have those ready when the evil one tries to bring sorrow or point out my failures. Sometimes satan even wants to point out that, "God didn't come through for you." How dare he! When this "voice" tries to speak to my heart, I have to visit one of the places of remembrance and remind myself of the GOODNESS of God. Psalm 119:34 reads, "Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart." Sometimes along our LIFE journey to health, we need understanding to come to our heart as it alone brings consolation when everyone else "seems" to eat whatever they desire with no consequence. God created our bodies with particular filters and tolerances and we must obey those. As we journey and share insight with one another, it becomes instruction to our souls. THEN......there is the CHOICE to practice them. THEN........there is the CHOICE to practice them with ALL OUR HEART. I will tell you that "yo-yo" practice will NEVER bring you to a place of stable health. We can understand what is needed from us in order to renew and regenerate our cells and we can CHOOSE to obey these instructions for a couple of weeks and then NOT for a couple of weeks and "REASON" with ourselves that we've been "good" and deserve a rest. But does this "yo-yo" practice demonstrate REAL understanding in our hearts? Does it communicate to our flesh that life is critical and we must feed and hydrate our bodies PROPERLY in order for them to maintain health? I am afraid not. What that really means is that we get to eat and do what we want and not PRACTICE what we KNOW is critical to survival, but our cells and organs are then slammed and pay the penalty. Let's choose today to understand, obey, AND PRACTICE sound instruction with ALL OUR HEARTS. Have a great Monday, PK

October 17, 2012 - What To Do Around The Bonfire?

So, as you know, today is my last blog for the week as our women's conference starts tomorrow. I'll be too tired to be creative :) but so FULL of the Holy Spirit. :) I know with these cooler temps, we are all being asked to bonfires, etc and sometimes I REALLY miss roasting a marshmallow. Well today's blog is a recipe share. I think I found one. So, as soon as we have time, let's start playing with this and share what we found as we made them. I will use xylitol for the sugar substitute. If you play with this, let us know. Until Monday, keep lifting up your eyes and asking for God's help. He wants His kids healthy every bit as much as we want it. Ask him for the anointing to skip the fries. (a couple of us are working on a recipe with Jicama that may REALLY satisfy that.) So thankful we're together! I need you, PK Marshmallows Low Carb Recipe By Fitness and Freebies Make your own low carb marshmallows with gelatin, sugar substitute, egg whites, vanilla extract and water. Not that difficult and well worthwhile! Great toasted over a bonfire. Recipe Ingredients 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin 5 tablespoons sugar substitute 3 egg whites 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 cup cold water 3/4 cup boiling water Recipe Directions Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a mixing bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes to soften. Add to boiling water in saucepan; cook and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat. Cool to consistency of thick syrup. Stir in Splenda and vanilla. Beat egg whites until soft peaks begin to form. Very slowly, trickle a small stream of gelatin mixture into egg white, beating until all gelatin is mixed in. Continue beating until light and fluffy (but not dry.) Pour into pan, cool to set, and cut (smaller for mini-marshmallows). 5 carbs in entire recipe.

October 16, 2012 - Talking to Myself

Good morning all, We are on point for our women's conference starting Thursday. YEA! I did speak with Lady Joy Hill last night who is experiencing some physical challenges. I would love for you to cover her in prayer - while in Atlanta 10 days ago (preaching and leading worship for Woman Thou Art Loosed) she collapsed in her room and had to be taken to the ER. She was experiencing extreme hydration issues. Prior to coming to Atlanta, she had been preparing for a 2 week journey (she came to Atlanta, flew to Seattle, then to Texas to be on DayStar and now back here this weekend) and was exhausted from all the prep and not been hydrating herself. That caused the collapse of her body. That's a great reminder that we need to MAKE CERTAIN that we get our water in daily and give our cells a chance to produce life. She was better and laughing when I spoke last night. She is now carrying a water bottle and a bottle or gatorade everywhere. I don't know if there's a natural alternative to gatorade - if you do, can you share with the family? Join us for the conference if you like, all are welcome, and you can pay at the door. :) Does anyone in this group EVER speak to yourself other than me? While in the grocery store yesterday, I was having this conversation about the healthy contents of jicama and whether or not I could justify the price of the crab legs (even though they were 40% off) and last night I caught myself having a "challenging" conversation with someone ALL BY MYSELF. I was giving "this person" my best arguments and then I caught my husband staring at me. I thought, "what a waste of time - what a distraction!" It's hard enough to have a difficult conversation ONCE, but do I need to practice it on myself and the air????? YIKES! Our bodies don't need any extra tension; they need to relax and enjoy life. Life is too short to have the same intense conversation twice. Maybe too short to do it once? :) Being healthy, for us, has to encompass all areas: water, attitude, tension. It just does. I wish the journey wasn't quite so complicated, but it is. The Bible says, "when it's up to you, live at peace with all men." And guess what, most of the time it's up to me. Tension is an emotion that causes a response that most of us don't like.......either anger or hunger. Neither is good. But it is OUR choice. Today, let's get to the end of this day and compliment ourselves on dropping the small things and minimizing the large. In the long run, living in peace and finding JOY IN THE JOURNEY is the real winner. PK

October 15, 2012 - Humility to Ask

Good Monday morning to you! The power of the storm awakened me last night, but the freshness of the water on my grass and plants this morning brings a smile to me face. Sometimes it's just a good soaking RAIN that brings life to areas of death in our spirit. How many of you know there are those "suddenly" moments in the Bible? One soaking rain.......and suddenly! I truly believe that sometimes God allows a period of time before he answers our prayers so we don't become spoiled and accustomed to snapping our fingers and seeing the answer. And then I believe there's the SUDDENLY. Me personally, I like suddenly. :) But God is all-knowing and TRUSTING him requires that we KNOW he HEARS, he CARES, and he has a PLAN. That's when it gets hard, right? We know God desires us to be free, and in Jesus we are eternally free RIGHT NOW. But, in many cases our freedom is challenged DAILY and requires that we work to maintain the fruit (or evidence) of that freedom. Sometimes we get out of balance and start "working" on our own, in our own power and might. Maybe we feel God is tired of helping us in this ONE AREA. Can I tell you that's NOT true. God knows us - he knows our hearts. He knows we desire to walk in health and that we struggle with remaining FREE at times. Can I tell God is ready everyday to help each of us - he NEVER gets tired of us coming and asking for help. Let's say this - if Jesus came and said, "I will grant all your prayer requests from yesterday," what would be answered???? Let's ask the Lord for wisdom and help and care for others and laughter and passion for the Lost and total healing. Let's smile during the day knowing her HEARD every word. Let's thank him at night for His help and when we awaken tomorrow........ASK again. My prayer for each of us is that Jesus would help us be the BEST we can be IN HIM this day. Don't get tired of asking for help. It shows humility NOT WEAKNESS! Proud folks don't ask.......... PK - and remember our Women's Conference begins this week (you can still come if you like) but I won't be blogging on Thursday or Friday. Too busy.

October 12, 2012 - Outlasting Boredom

Hey gang - sorry this is late - I haven't stopped since 6:15am. Pausing now for a moment to bring a reminder to each of us prior to the weekend. :) Isn't boredom a trap sometimes? I, like many of you, get bored easily! But, we cannot allow that emotion to control our lives. Yes, being bored can serve to push us to expand and explore, and that can be good. But when we explore and want to abandon the very thing that has kept us - it becomes a weapon! We cannot become bored with our spouses and trade them in. God's Word speaks against this! AND.....we cannot become bored with our health plan and submit to the flesh who is always screaming, "give me the french fries." I love a line spoken by Lady Guinevere in the movie First Knight - "it is my will that keeps me to my course for it is stronger than my emotions." Boredom can be a huge giant, but we cannot allow it to conquer us. If you are bored with healthy eating - find some new recipes, get in a healthy cooking class, go to the market and search for new foods - but don't get bored and quit. Boredom is EXPECTING that from each of us. It's strength........IT IS VERY PATIENT. So, moral of the story, let's not allow boredom to pull us toward defeat but propel us to victory. :) Have an amazing Friday - we'll chat again Monday. PK