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