Obesity-The American Health Epidemic

 This isn't my video...but I thought it was worth sharing.  

Food: My Fickle Friend

Yes I am, Dr. Phil! So, I joined a gym.  Before I knew it I paid for a personal trainer. Thus started my weight loss journey. For the first week I ate low carbs, and fruit and veggies; did my exercises and lost 5 pounds. I feel like I was doing good on my own. I began debating whether or not I even need a trainer. After all, I can eat whatever I want as long as it's in moderation and substituted for something else... I went anyway.

Now, I am sad...why? Cuz, I love to eat!!! The first thing he did was put me on a strict lean protein diet. YIKES~I can't eat this way, I told him!  But my mother's mantra reminded me, Can't can't do anything. Besides I might as well go through with it cuz I paid for this.  And I want to do this right?  That's why I started this...it's part of the journey. 

Last night, however, I had a craving!  I want ice cream! I want cake! I want things I never really ate on a daily basis, but I wanted it then.  My husband's support helped me through last night...he yelled at me and told me NO! "I'll hide the carkeys!" Last night I hated him! Today I love him for it! And, today I have redirected my hate over to my trainer I will call Luke!

Luke has me eating this for the next seven days:

Meal 1:

1 egg 

3 tbs of Grape Nuts

1 Cup of soy milk

Meal 2:

1 tbs O.O. Mayo

3 oz. roasted turkey meat

2.5 pieces corn tortillas

(I can add a leaf of lettuce if I want to, and I probably will)

Meal 3:

2 tbs. grated parmesan cheese

3 oz. roasted chicken breast

1 cup pasta

1/5 cup veggie

Meal 4:

3 brown plain rice cakes

2 oz. broiled lean steak

I am going to waste away to nothing! I am going to starve through the day! I called my sister and told her this. She loves fitness and works out. She's one of those girls whose a stick insect who thinks they are fat. I started going off on her about this menu. How am I going to manage these meals working graveyard shifts? Maybe I can switch the meals around to better suit my day? Maybe I can have a stick of celery for a snack in the middle of the day...Raina stopped me. "Are you listening to yourself? Do you realize that your life centers around food?" Now that I think about it, you're right! I never realized this before!

I asked my sister if she ever remembered a time when I wasn't overweight, and she said not really. Maybe when I was 15. She recalled a memory of me hiding a box of donuts in our bedroom closet, and I wouldn't share. We laughed...totally sounds like me!

When I go out with friends or family it's to a restaurant. When I have company over I cook them a meal. Food is the center of my life. It has been comforting, it keeps me entertained when I am bored...I have always been there for food. But, has it ever been there for me? No! I am overweight, a chronic yawner, and can sleep all day and all night all from how I eat. It has never been my friend! What a wake-up call.

I need to redirect my thinking and refocus my day without food and go through these weekly meal plans without complaining. My sister quoted me Kate Moss: Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I wrote this on my refrigerator. I have had all the sugar, chocolate, soda pop, popcorn, bread, cream, cheese, milk, etc. to last me a lifetime. Now, I want to feel good and energetic...I want a lifetime!

 

Reach your weight loss goal fast at the Weight Loss Center



I am on a weight loss journey

Ode to Bella

 Beautiful as the dawning light

Early in the morning bright;

Lovely as the birds that sing

Lullabies each day in spring.

Afterall, beauty is her name!

Sending all my love and never any harm.

Know each day a prayer is said;

Yesterday, today and forever you will be lead  

Eternally in Jesus precious name!

Love Always,
Your Auntie!

Understanding Autism

http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip32.html

Understanding Autism

By Leah Davies, M.Ed.

Autism is a complicated developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others. Typically this brain disorder is diagnosed by the age of two or three. It affects children worldwide from various races, ethnic and social groups. Family income, education and/or lifestyle do not seem to affect the prevalence of autism, but the disorder is more common in boys than girls.
Autistic children often appear to be in a world of their own, oblivious to others. The way that they process and respond to information is different from what is considered normal. A combination of characteristics for these children can vary on a complex spectrum from severe to mild. Therefore, children with the same diagnosis often exhibit significantly different behaviors. In severe cases a person with autism will require lifelong supervision. While autism is not considered a form of mental retardation, many autistic children appear to function at that low level.

The following are some symptoms an autistic child may exhibit:

• Inappropriate laughing or crying
• Temper outbursts, aggressiveness
• Extreme overactive or underactive behaviors
• Difficulty interacting with other children
• Irritation at changes in routine
• Little or no eye contact
• Inability to read body language or facial cues
• Gestures to communicate
• Inability to express desires
• Abnormal speech patterns, such as repeating back what was said
• Inability to carry on a meaningful conversation
• Speaking out or making sounds at inappropriate times
• Prolonged unusual play
• Fixation on an object, such as spinning objects
• Aloofness, indifference
• Unresponsiveness to verbal requests
• Repetitive, self-stimulatory behavior, such as hand-flapping, rocking, head banging or finger snapping
• Self-mutilation
• Little fear with insensitivity or oversensitivity to pain
• Overactive or underactive sensitivity to sounds, lights, touch or smells
• Unwillingness to be touched
• Impaired gross and/or fine motor development
• Sensory integration problems

Some autistic children have most of these characteristics, while others have only a few. The symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency.

Although numerous research studies are underway, no known causes for autism have been established. A variety of conditions affecting brain development before, during or after birth can contribute to a child developing autism. Mental illness in the family or inappropriate parenting are not considered causes for autism. Since there is no blood test or brain scan that can be used to determine the disorder at this time, diagnosis is based on observing a child's behavior.

Even though there is currently no cure for autism, many autistic children can live successful lives. Specialized education can reduce dysfunctional behaviors and increase the development of specific skills that can contribute to a child's quality of life. In some cases medication can relieve various symptoms. As the child develops and receives individualized instruction, characteristics of autism may diminish; however, children do not outgrow autism. For information on various treatment approaches see Behavioral and Communication Approaches at www.autism-society.org.

Asperger's Syndrome is a high-functioning form of autism. It describes children who are often preoccupied with a particular subject and are average or above average in intelligence. Children with Asperger's Syndrome tend to think very literally. Their voice may be emotionless and their speech is sometimes repetitive and/or stilted. When conversing they often appear to be self-centered and lack common sense. They may have unusually accurate memory for details and little interest in what others think. There is no specific treatment for children with Asperger's Syndrome. However, it should be noted that as adults, many persons identified as having the disorder are married, employed and lead productive, independent lives.

Educators are charged with helping autistic children reach their full potential by providing training in academics, and social, communication and motor skills. An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) needs to be provided for an autistic child whose needs cannot be met in a regular classroom setting. Autistic children have difficulty learning outside of a structured environment with a small teacher-pupil ratio. However, as deemed appropriate, many autistic children can participate in some classroom activities and complete classroom assignments. Each autistic child is unique and must be considered as such. Whenever possible, interacting with non-disabled students is considered desirable.

Families with an autistic child are often stressed. These children often require constant supervision, understanding and care. Parents worry about leaving home and having their child's behavior misunderstood by others; they frequently feel isolated and worry about the future care of their child. Siblings with an autistic brother or sister also experience stress due to embarrassment, frustration, jealousy, or anxiety.

Part of an educator's role is to be knowledgeable of the special services available for parents of an autistic child. In some states Medicaid and Waiver services are accessible to parents of severely autistic children. Parents can contact the Developmental Disabilities Council in their state or their nearest Social Security Office to discover if they qualify for assistance. Networking with other affected families may also be recommended.

Used by permission of the author, Leah Davies, and selected from the Kelly Bear website [www.kellybear.com]. 3/03

PETA Kills Animals | PetaKillsAnimals.com

PETA Kills Animals | PetaKillsAnimals.com

Psalms 23

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makth me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

                                                             

Consider The Lillies

Consider the lilies they don’t toil nor spin

And there’s not a king with more splendor than them

Consider the sparrow they don’t plant or sow

But they’re fed by the Master who watches them grow

We have a Heavenly Father above

With eyes full of mercy

And a heart full of love

He really cares when

Your head is bowed low

Consider the lilies and then you will know

Now may I introduce you to this friend of mine

Who hangs out the stars and tells the sun when to shine

And kisses the flowers each morning with dew

                                           But He’s not too busy to care about you

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body what you put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Then God so clothed the grass which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye waht ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you" Luke 12: 22-31

Jesus loves you so much. He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him for he cares for us.  Are your finances in the red? You may have lost your job? The cupboards are as bare as Old Mother Hubbard's and you may have little ones to feed. Don't worry. Pray my friend. And God will make away! Jesus is the answer! Money is here today and gone tomorrow, this has proven time and time again. Money is not your God. Jesus is! Put your trust in the one who created the heavens and the earth! He will supply all our needs. Remember Jesus died for our sins so that we can have a place with Him in heaven.  Be kingdom minded: Pray for the lost, witness to those who don't know Jesus, spread the gospel, study to show yourself approved and let Jesus do the rest!  The birds of the air and the flowers in our garden don't worry about a thing they just do what they are designed to do...Consider the Lilies!
 
 

Tunnel Of Fudge Cake

I found a recipe written on a piece of paper in a cookbook I picked up. On it was the statement "this is so good!" Well, little did I know that it is a Pillsbury recipe.  This cake was fun to make. It is very chocolaty. Since it calls for six eggs I was hoping I could practice cracking an egg one-handed. But, alas eggshells still get everywhere.  One day! LOL.  And, yes it is very good.

Anyway, here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

Cake:

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups margarine or butter, softened

6 eggs

2 cups powdered sugar

2 1/4 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose or Unbleached Flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups chopped walnuts*

 

Glaze:

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

4 to 6 teaspoons milk

 

DIRECTIONS

• 1Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 10-inch tube pan. In large bowl, combine sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar; blend well. By hand, stir in flour and remaining cake ingredients until well blended. Spoon batter into greased and floured pan; spread evenly.
• 2Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is set and edges are beginning to pull away from sides of pan.** Cool upright in pan on wire rack 1 1/2 hours. Invert onto serving plate; cool at least 2 hours.
• 3In small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients, adding enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Spoon over top of cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store tightly covered.

* Nuts are essential for the success of this recipe. ** Since this cake has a soft filling, an ordinary doneness test cannot be used. Accurate oven temperature and baking times are essential.

Welcome Spring

Yay! Spring is finally here! My flowers are starting to bloom again and the sounds of birdsongs in the air! Fresh scent of wet grass illuminates the atmosphere.

Here is a poem by Thomas Nashe:

Spring, The Sweet Spring
Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king,
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing:
    Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay:
    Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,
In every street these tunes our ears do greet:
    Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to witta-woo!

                                                             Birds in my weeds hehe

                                                                 Beautiful flowers from my gar

Enjoy spring everybody...summer is around the corner!

To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Mag for April...Shop Smart

Shop Smart Magazine from Consumer Reports!

Full of great buys, bargains and shopping tips from household appliances, cars, to everyday items like food and clothing.  Provides info for internet shopping at the best sites on the web and much more.  
Products are tested by consumer reports technicians before they are published. +++

Good Book, Good Read:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

What are HELA cells? Who is Henrietta Lacks? Very informative book about the origin of medical advancement in the past 60 years. The medical research/pharma community got incredibly rich of HELA cells and left the family of this young, black mother in poverty who died of cervical cancer.  Of course, her children found out and it changed their lives forever. 
This book makes the reader think about ethical and legal ramifications and who has rights to "medical waste". 
This book is intriguing.  And, it should be IMO required reading for science students.  


Amazon review:
 From a single, abbreviated life grew a seemingly immortal line of cells that made some of the most crucial innovations in modern science possible. And from that same life, and those cells, Rebecca Skloot has fashioned in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a fascinating and moving story of medicine and family, of how life is sustained in laboratories and in memory. Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five in Baltimore, a poor African American migrant from the tobacco farms of Virginia, who died from a cruelly aggressive cancer at the age of 30 in 1951. A sample of her cancerous tissue, taken without her knowledge or consent, as was the custom then, turned out to provide one of the holy grails of mid-century biology: human cells that could survive--even thrive--in the lab. Known as HeLa cells, their stunning potency gave scientists a building block for countless breakthroughs, beginning with the cure for polio. Meanwhile, Henrietta's family continued to live in poverty and frequently poor health, and their discovery decades later of her unknowing contribution--and her cells' strange survival--left them full of pride, anger, and suspicion. For a decade, Skloot doggedly but compassionately gathered the threads of these stories, slowly gaining the trust of the family while helping them learn the truth about Henrietta, and with their aid she tells a rich and haunting story that asks the questions, Who owns our bodies? And who carries our memories? --Tom Nissley

Yes, I Am A Sinner

This song puts me in tears every time I hear it. Why? Because I am a human being and like everyone else face the human dilemma. I am a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of God.  I am so imperfect.  Even though I have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, I find myself still a sinner in need of repentance and forgiveness. As the Bible states,... my righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  
I think about my sins of yesterday and today and my heart cries-  Oh, how I have disappointed my Savior, my Lord, my Father, My Jesus!  But, in the midst of my grief and sorrow I hear the Shepherd calling my name, leaving the fold to come and find me again, and again, and again...because He loves me and died on the cross for my sins.  I have a promise in Jesus that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" I John 1:9. 
God turns everything around for those who love Him!  Only through Jesus am I holy and righteous.  I've learned a long time ago that I can not live this life on my own.  My life is empty and torn.  Jesus has come to bring me life and life more abundantly.  Through confession and Jesus' forgiveness I can stand before my king as Esther had done..."Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16.

April 1st, April Fool's Day~Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool%27s_Day

I'm A Pentecostal

Read Acts 2:38~It's where it's at people!

Wheel of Prophecy

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Colossians 2:9

Let's Just Praise The Lord!

There's a song that has been around for over 25 years. Hearing it and singing it over and over again still brings victory and joy through the Holy Ghost. It's a song that Russ Taff sang and the Imperial's still sing; it's called “Praise The Lord”. Those three words when put into action are powerful and life changing. Praise is truly key in winning spiritual warfare.

I would like to share a short personal testimony of such a victory in my life. When I was a teenager I was diagnosed with bipolar depression. I even tried to take my own life twice before I turned 18. Into adulthood I allowed life situations and struggles to worry me causing so much doubt and fear. I spent many years believing I was useless and a failure. During it all Jesus found me and filled me with His Holy Spirit (Later on , I was taught and received the precious truth of who Jesus is, and was re-baptized in Jesus Name). Yet, I was still living under the cloud of defeat and low self esteem.

One day while I was in church , I was feeling miserable about something going on in my life at the time, as well as ruminating over my past. While others around me were singing, clapping, shouting, and praising, I stood behind the pew crying and praying for the Lord to help me. Feeling powerless, I sat down and opened my Bible hoping that the Lord would speak words of wisdom and comfort to lift my spirits. What I received from the Lord that day would change my outlook on life forever!

In Exodus 17: 9-12 the Israelites fought a battle against the Amalekites. And the Lord did something quite miraculous. Moses lifted up his hands until he could lift them no more. His friends, Aaron and Hur, had to hold Moses's arms up for him. They had noticed an important pattern in the midst of their battle. Every time Moses' arms were lowered the Amalekites prevailed. But, every time Moses' arms were raised the Israelites were victorious!

As I was flipping through the pages of the Bible that morning, the Holy Ghost redirected me. He said, “Put the Bible down. Stand up and praise Me! Lift up your hands and sing!”. The Lord had reminded me of Moses lifting up his arms and winning that battle. I learned that day that praise is the key to victory. God is bigger than anything that can come my way. When we give praise we are opening doors for the Lord to fight the enemy for us! When we praise the Lord we are allowing Jesus to come in and be our Comforter, our Rock, our Provider, our Healer, our Strength, our Song. He is everything we need.

“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15. Praise God even when you don't feel like it. When the devil has you convinced that you are defeated and there is no way out of a situation praise Him anyhow. That's the sacrifice of praise.

The devil is out in this world trying to take away our joy in the Lord (1 Peter 5:8). He is seeking to devour God's people. Years of habitual thinking and familiar feelings still affect me sometimes. But, now I have a choice and so do you. Just like Moses, we have the choice to accept defeat and lower our hands because of heaviness; or, we can raise them and win battles in the Name of Jesus Christ. Just like Moses, we have friends who are there to help lift them up through prayer. I choose to sing “...so, lift up the mighty shield of faith for battle must be won. We know that Jesus Christ is risen so the works already done. Praise the Lord...”!

Whatever Your Hands Find To Do...

I made a dress this week.( My mother-in-law taught me.  I love her!  Ya, I love my mother-in-law).  I want to learn to sew so what better way than to make a dress with a matching bag.  Out of this project I learned patience, and that practice does make perfect :)  Making mistakes happen and taking the time to fix it makes a huge difference in the end!

Spiritual Goals for 2011 and Beyond

 http://martynballestero.com/2011/02/05/15-things-to-do-in-church-before-you-die/

I found this via facebook through Pastor Satterwhite. Very inspiring. There are quite a few points here where are needs in my personal walk with the Lord.

#1. Pray is and will always be one of them. "Pray without ceasing" I Thess 5:17

~This category I will work on all of the points.  However, I have never prayed anyone through to the Holy Ghost. In Jesus name, I pray I can be used of God in that service.

#4. Believe God

~I want to trust and believe God in all aspects of my life. I will believe that He will do miracles. 

*I thank you Jesus, for the miracles in my life so far.  You have done so much for me I can tell it all!

#5. Get Lost In The Spirit

I haven't gone home drunk in the Holy Spirit in SOOOOOOOOOOOO LONG!!!!  Praise Jesus!  I can't wait!

#6. Witness

I've been a major failure in this department.   Lord help me to be a witness. Open the doors of opportunity for me to lead souls to you. Lord, remind me that I am your child and that I am NOT of this world. Thank you, Jesus!

#8. Give

Lord, I pray that I can give my tithes. Open this door for me and open my husband's heart to trust you in all things.

#9. Read the Bible everyday. I cannot live on yesterday's manna!

#10. Testify. I'm shy. 

#11. Fast.  

#14. Forgive

~I need to let go of bitterness and the hurts from my past.

#15. Get the Pastor's Heartbeat

I'm praying for revival!  

Every single one of these goals can be achieved when I pray, pray, pray; be faithful; and read the word!  I'm ready for my husband to come to church and live for God, for my family members to be baptized in Jesus name and in the Holy Ghost!

 

JoJo The Wonder Pug

JoJo wearing the cone of shame due to hot spots

JoJo is my brindle pug. I got him since he was about 2 months old. He is two years old now. And still has much of his puppy behavior.
He is trained to sit, stay, and knows his bed. However, he sometimes refuses to obey. And, as many pugs do believes he can do no wrong.  He really believes that every soul on the planet loves him.
He's a great watch dog. If a stranger comes to the house they have to beware lest they get licked to death and jumped on.  Still working on that. So, if anyone has any suggestions on how to train a dog to not jump on visitors just leave a comment.
He loves to go for walks and car rides. He begs for attention. Snorts, chortles, snores all day and all night.

This is JoJO's first bath the day we brought him home.

This is him as puppy:

 

There will be more pictures as I go. 

As for now, he needs to be walked more often as he's put on the pounds this year!  

The Action Bible

Excited about Blogging

My experience with Blogging has been the occasional post to Myspace and Facebook. But, nothing as serious as Blogger :) I hope to find this quite rewarding as I relay my thoughts and feelings over the world wide web. No one will actually read this anyway. So, what do I care?

I hope to journal about the wonderful works of God, a little prayer journaling, friendly banter, maybe even a bit of venting every now and then. Why not?