Joshua 24:15 (New Living Translation)
15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Who or what are you serving?
Is it the television? The computer? A video game system? Books? Your family? Your physical appetites?
We have many things around us that we can serve. Many things we can place before God in our lives. Many ways we can serve something or even ourselves instead of God. We can be guilty of serving our desires. It's time for that to change.
We must put aside those things that take the place of God in our lives. Whether it be food or people or some thing, there is a decision we need to make. Are we going to serve that thing or those people or are we going to serve God? Are we going to put our trust in a diet? Are we going to depend upon a television program to take care of us?
The time has come to get serious about serving God. We must choose to serve Him. The results will be out of this world!
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Add some steamed veggies and a tossed salad and this would be a very satisfying meal.
Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Source of Recipe
Internet
List of Ingredients
1 (10 3/4 oz) can Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup
1 (1oz) package dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
2 cups (6oz) uncooked instant rice
16 oz chicken breast, skinned and boned and cut into 36 pieces
1 cup sliced canned mushroom, drained
1/8 tsp black pepper
Recipe
Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine in the crockpot the chicken soup, dry onion soup mix, water and uncooked rice. Stir in the chicken, mushrooms and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Gently stir just before serving.
6 servings (1 cup)
3 POINTS each .................................
Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Source of Recipe
Internet
List of Ingredients
1 (10 3/4 oz) can Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup
1 (1oz) package dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
2 cups (6oz) uncooked instant rice
16 oz chicken breast, skinned and boned and cut into 36 pieces
1 cup sliced canned mushroom, drained
1/8 tsp black pepper
Recipe
Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Combine in the crockpot the chicken soup, dry onion soup mix, water and uncooked rice. Stir in the chicken, mushrooms and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Gently stir just before serving.
6 servings (1 cup)
3 POINTS each .................................
1 Chronicles 11:9 (New International Version)
9 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him
Do you feel the need for some power? Are you feeling a little drained? Maybe very drained? Are you beginning to believe it is time to just give up on this journey because you don't have the strength to go on?
No doubt David felt the same way at some point. There had to be times that he just wanted to give up. I would tend to believe that happened on the days he felt like he was in charge. Those times when he felt he was responsible for his own strength.
But his power did not come from himself. He did not have power because he declared it so. He had power because the Lord was with him. The presence of God in his life gave him strength and power. That same Lord is present in our lives.
We can tap into the power that David knew. We can turn to and depend upon God to give us power to make this journey. He will make it possible to continue when we feel we cannot take another step.
Remember, God is with us and He gives us power. He is such an awesome God!
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
9 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him
Do you feel the need for some power? Are you feeling a little drained? Maybe very drained? Are you beginning to believe it is time to just give up on this journey because you don't have the strength to go on?
No doubt David felt the same way at some point. There had to be times that he just wanted to give up. I would tend to believe that happened on the days he felt like he was in charge. Those times when he felt he was responsible for his own strength.
But his power did not come from himself. He did not have power because he declared it so. He had power because the Lord was with him. The presence of God in his life gave him strength and power. That same Lord is present in our lives.
We can tap into the power that David knew. We can turn to and depend upon God to give us power to make this journey. He will make it possible to continue when we feel we cannot take another step.
Remember, God is with us and He gives us power. He is such an awesome God!
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Have not tried this yet, but it sounds like it would be a great way to start a cool morning.
Baked French Toast With Apples
Yields 4 servings | Points per serving: 3
Ingredients:
Toast
1/2 cup eggbeaters (equivalent of 2 eggs)
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 slices Light 100% whole wheat bread, cut into cubes or quarters
(I recommend Arnold Bakery Light - only 80 calories, .5 g. fat, and 5 g. fiber for 2 slices)
2 medium apples, pared, cored and diced
Topping
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons reduced-calorie tub margarine (I recommend "Country Crock plus Calcium and Vitamins")
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ยบ F. Spray two 5x3" loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
To make toast, in medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add milk, brown sugar and cinnamon; stir to blend. Add bread cubes and apples, stirring gently; let stand until bread has absorbed all liquid, 2-3 minutes.
To prepare topping, in small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, margarine and cinnamon with fork.
Divide the bread mixture evenly between the prepared loaf pans; sprinkle each evenly with topping. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly and serve warm.
Yields 2 loaves
Serving size = 1/2 loaf
Nutritional Info: (per serving) 182 Calories, 3 g. Total Fat, 4 g. fiber
Original Source: Dotti's Weight Loss Zone
(I made my version lower in points than hers though, by using Eggbeaters and a low-fat wheat bread.)
Dotti's Comments: If you're not a morning person, then prepare this healthy version of the classic the night before. Simply make the bread mixture and topping separately, cover and chill. All you'll have to do is combine and bake in the morning.
Baked French Toast With Apples
Yields 4 servings | Points per serving: 3
Ingredients:
Toast
1/2 cup eggbeaters (equivalent of 2 eggs)
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 slices Light 100% whole wheat bread, cut into cubes or quarters
(I recommend Arnold Bakery Light - only 80 calories, .5 g. fat, and 5 g. fiber for 2 slices)
2 medium apples, pared, cored and diced
Topping
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons reduced-calorie tub margarine (I recommend "Country Crock plus Calcium and Vitamins")
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ยบ F. Spray two 5x3" loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
To make toast, in medium bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add milk, brown sugar and cinnamon; stir to blend. Add bread cubes and apples, stirring gently; let stand until bread has absorbed all liquid, 2-3 minutes.
To prepare topping, in small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, margarine and cinnamon with fork.
Divide the bread mixture evenly between the prepared loaf pans; sprinkle each evenly with topping. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly and serve warm.
Yields 2 loaves
Serving size = 1/2 loaf
Nutritional Info: (per serving) 182 Calories, 3 g. Total Fat, 4 g. fiber
Original Source: Dotti's Weight Loss Zone
(I made my version lower in points than hers though, by using Eggbeaters and a low-fat wheat bread.)
Dotti's Comments: If you're not a morning person, then prepare this healthy version of the classic the night before. Simply make the bread mixture and topping separately, cover and chill. All you'll have to do is combine and bake in the morning.
Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
The eating plan gets so confusing. Eat this. don't eat this. This is okay, in moderation. Don't eat this food with that food. You have to get the combination of foods correct.
The exercise plan is just as confusing. Cardio on odd days. Strength training on even days. Or is it the other way? 3 set of 15 reps. 3 super sets. Reach your fat burning zone with your heart rate.
It can all become a jumble in our heads. We get confused and confounded. Sometimes to the point of wanting to just give up. We'll never get this figured out.
However, God says that if we love Him we do not have to worry about these things. Now I am not pushing a secret formula here. Just the fact that God can make it all work for His people. We need to quit leaning on what we know and instead lean on Him. He can make all things work together for our good. Exercise. Eating. Determination. Desire. Results.
He can do it for us. He can lead us on a great and enjoyable journey.
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
The eating plan gets so confusing. Eat this. don't eat this. This is okay, in moderation. Don't eat this food with that food. You have to get the combination of foods correct.
The exercise plan is just as confusing. Cardio on odd days. Strength training on even days. Or is it the other way? 3 set of 15 reps. 3 super sets. Reach your fat burning zone with your heart rate.
It can all become a jumble in our heads. We get confused and confounded. Sometimes to the point of wanting to just give up. We'll never get this figured out.
However, God says that if we love Him we do not have to worry about these things. Now I am not pushing a secret formula here. Just the fact that God can make it all work for His people. We need to quit leaning on what we know and instead lean on Him. He can make all things work together for our good. Exercise. Eating. Determination. Desire. Results.
He can do it for us. He can lead us on a great and enjoyable journey.
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
One word---DELICIOUS!!!!!!
Low-Fat Strawberry Pretzel Salad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yields: 9 servings | 2.5 points per serving
Ingredients:
30 fat-free pretzels (3 servings of any brand fat free pretzel)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-fat Margarine
8 oz fat-free cream cheese
8 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 small box sugar-free strawberry JELL-O (4 servings)
1 cup strawberries, sliced
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Coarsely break-up pretzels (using hands or rolling pin). In a medium bowl, mix together pretzels, margarine and brown sugar. Place in bottom of 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. Bake at 400 for 15 mins.
Please note: In this low-fat version, the pretzel layer is not as "crust like" as in the real thing. But this is much lower in fat than the real thing, which calls for 2/3 cup butter and 1 cup sugar!!! :)
In a medium bowl, use hand-mixer to combine whipped topping, cream cheese and powdered sugar til smooth. After pretzel crust has cooled, spread cream cheese mixture over top.
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup hot (not boiling) water and 1 box of strawberry jello. Stir til dissolved. Slice strawberries and add to jello. Let sit til cool, but not formed. Pour on top of cream cheese mixture. Set in fridge for several hrs til set.
Yields: 9 squares (2.5 points per square)
Nutritional Info: (per square): 125 calories, 1.2 g. fat, 0.7 g. fiber (2.5 points)
Source: Weight Watchers Recipe Review Board
Low-Fat Strawberry Pretzel Salad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yields: 9 servings | 2.5 points per serving
Ingredients:
30 fat-free pretzels (3 servings of any brand fat free pretzel)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-fat Margarine
8 oz fat-free cream cheese
8 oz fat-free frozen whipped topping
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 small box sugar-free strawberry JELL-O (4 servings)
1 cup strawberries, sliced
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Coarsely break-up pretzels (using hands or rolling pin). In a medium bowl, mix together pretzels, margarine and brown sugar. Place in bottom of 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. Bake at 400 for 15 mins.
Please note: In this low-fat version, the pretzel layer is not as "crust like" as in the real thing. But this is much lower in fat than the real thing, which calls for 2/3 cup butter and 1 cup sugar!!! :)
In a medium bowl, use hand-mixer to combine whipped topping, cream cheese and powdered sugar til smooth. After pretzel crust has cooled, spread cream cheese mixture over top.
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup hot (not boiling) water and 1 box of strawberry jello. Stir til dissolved. Slice strawberries and add to jello. Let sit til cool, but not formed. Pour on top of cream cheese mixture. Set in fridge for several hrs til set.
Yields: 9 squares (2.5 points per square)
Nutritional Info: (per square): 125 calories, 1.2 g. fat, 0.7 g. fiber (2.5 points)
Source: Weight Watchers Recipe Review Board
Psalm 116:1-2 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
This morning I return with a renewed purpose. After much crying out on my part I feel the Lord has listened. I believe I have listened also. I also believe others have done much praying on my behalf. I am so very thankful for that.
For each of us the journey can become very difficult. For each of us it may seem impossible to take another step in our walking or running. It may seem like we can not do one more rep in our strength training. We cannot muster the energy for one more kick in our cardio. We just want to give up.
It is when we reach this point that we must remember that God will hear us when we call. When we beg Him for mercy He listens. I read this verse as saying He does what is necessary to hear us. It says He bends down to listen. Apparently He really wants to hear what we have to say. Then He not only hears but He listens. He has mercy on us.
Prayer has much power. Power that comes from the one who listens and hears. Power from God Himself, the source of our strength and power. Thank you God for hearing our prayers!
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
This morning I return with a renewed purpose. After much crying out on my part I feel the Lord has listened. I believe I have listened also. I also believe others have done much praying on my behalf. I am so very thankful for that.
For each of us the journey can become very difficult. For each of us it may seem impossible to take another step in our walking or running. It may seem like we can not do one more rep in our strength training. We cannot muster the energy for one more kick in our cardio. We just want to give up.
It is when we reach this point that we must remember that God will hear us when we call. When we beg Him for mercy He listens. I read this verse as saying He does what is necessary to hear us. It says He bends down to listen. Apparently He really wants to hear what we have to say. Then He not only hears but He listens. He has mercy on us.
Prayer has much power. Power that comes from the one who listens and hears. Power from God Himself, the source of our strength and power. Thank you God for hearing our prayers!
Peace and Grace,
Don
John 3:30
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