Achieving Balance With Your Resolutions

If you are like most people, you set New Year’s resolutions. These may include personal, finance and fitness goals. I want you to approach this year’s resolutions by following your ABC’s: Attitude, Believing and Consistency. Creating a balanced list will help you set and stick to your lifestyle/ health goals. Your attitude can either be positive 
or negative. In turn, your attitude affects your emotional response, behavior and cognition.  
Start on the right track....have a positive attitude about the process and this leads to believing. When you really believe something can be done, your mind finds ways to do it. And this leads you to be consistent with the process. When you are consistent, your end result and goals are achieved. If your ABC’s are in balance, I guarantee you will succeed in achieving your resolutions. 

Happy New Year!!! 

Advent Week 2 ~ PEACE

It is already here, week two of Advent ~ PEACE!

Having peace during this time of year may seem crazy or ridiculous.  All the extra demands we put on ourselves can lead us to be a little less than peaceful.  I do appreciate those special days when I take a step back and enjoy the moment.  It might not be the perfect Hallmark moment of sitting in front of a fire and sipping hot cocoa, however having that inner peace does bring a certain calmness to stressful situations.  I have to remind myself of this often....that's because I tend to be a impatient person who really has to focus on having a peaceful heart:)

The GREAT NEWS is that God has "peace instructions" for us found right in His word.
" Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

 When we focus on Him and know that He can make everything manageable, those stresses and anxieties will be left leaving us with an inner calmness and PEACE!

It's the 1st day of Advent....the REASON for the season

Today marks the 1st day of Advent and the anticipation for Christmas.  It can be a crazy time of year, that often gets me stressed and wondering if I will get it all done.  When this happens, I really try and focus on the real reason for the season...JESUS!
I love the symbolism of the Advent wreath: evergreen wreath that represents the eternity of God as the base because God is the foundation of all good.  And for today, the 1st purple candle to represent HOPE.

I thought these weeks leading up the the best birthday celebration ever, I would share a great devotional I found from the amazing singer Mandisa.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“It’s Christmas”

A.J. Gregory

"It seems the minute Halloween is over and kids are either bouncing off walls or groaning from sugar-induced stomachaches, retail stores rush into overhaul mode. Out goes decorative pumpkins, fall paper foliage, and other autumn-colored accents. In comes a blinding array of red and green product. Holiday music blares through speakers. Aisle shelves are suffocated by wrapping paper, decorations and batteries, flanked by brazen signs promising to beat competitors’ prices.

To some, it can be groan worthy. Seeing Christmas décor plastered all over stores brings with it a sense of doom. It’s easy to envision long lines at the check out counter, unbearable traffic, the hassle of battling crowds for the perfect gift, and rising credit card bills.

And it’s just as easy to brush past the magic. The wonder. The joy. The miracle. The celebration.

Let’s not forget

In the middle of the craziness

Remember this

Jesus is the reason

For this time of the year

Every year we are warned against the sins of commercialism. We are told to stop focusing on presents, decorating, and spending money. Point taken. But it can be tempting to get distracted by the warnings ad nauseam and miss out on the joys of celebrating.

Heaven and earth proclaim

Come on, let’s celebrate

It’s Christmas

Think about this. Jesus wasn’t born in the best of circumstances. The political rule was like a dictatorship. Most people were struggling to get by financially. The folks who were waiting for Jesus expected nothing less than a Rambo-like warrior. So Jesus shows up in the midst of shaky times, deflating some expectations, and with barnyard animals and the stench of manure accompanying his teenage mom in labor. Not the best kind of set up for a promised Messiah.

But wait. It was time to celebrate!

Heaven rejoiced. Angels whooped and hollered, shouting out praises. The angel of the Lord appeared to unassuming shepherds and said, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Good news and great joy! Then a host of other angels came on the scene and joined the festivities shouting, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth” (Luke 2:14 NLT). It was a time of worship. Praise. Thanksgiving. Celebration.

So instead of feeling condemned, annoyed, or frustrated by overzealous retailers, mad shoppers, or Bah Humbug-ers, celebrate! Celebrate Christmas with a spirit of adoration and joy. Celebrate by stringing up twinkling lights on your front door. Celebrate by humming the tunes of Nat King Cole and “Silent Night.” Celebrate by giving to those in need.

If you need to, dial back your trips to the mall and spending habits. And, of course, keep your perspective in check. But don’t let the grumblings of commercialism keep you from celebrating the One who came to give you the greatest gift—eternal life."

Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili ~ HEALTHY!

It is a cool, raining day that just makes you want to cuddle in.  Of course this got me to thinking about yummy warm comfort foods :), so what can be more comforting than warm bowl of chili!  I've made this now a few times, and as always I have to have it family approved....and it has qualified!  My hubby and girls have all asked for it, and have usually had more than one bowl at a meal.  I hope you and your family enjoy it too!

• 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cans (15 ounces each0 white kidney or cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups fat free chicken broth
• optional garnishes: low fat shredded cheese, plain greek yogurt

Directions:
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper then place it in the bottom of the Slow Cooker.  Then add the onion, jalapeno, garlic, oregano and cumin on the top of the chicken.  Next add white beans and pour the chicken broth over everything.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or 4-6 hours on high.
Shred chicken and stir before serving.  Sprinkle with cheese or greek yogurt in you desire.

How is being a Christian like being a pumpkin?

For the past 5 years my husband and I have had a pumpkin carving party. It has grown to where we have over 100 kids and parents come share in the fun. A special friend shared this picture with me, and I just had to share it too. It gave me a new perspective on carving pumpkins.
"Let His light shine inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

Pumpkin Pancakes

I LOVE fall and the beautiful weather that comes with it.  Cool mornings and evenings, along with unbelievable colors that seem to explode on the trees and landscaping.
I don't know why I wait until this time of year to make these.....but I'm always glad I do.  I generally make a double or triple batch, fridge or freeze the extras, and have them ready for a quick breakfast by warming up in the microwave or toaster oven.
Pumpkin Pancakes:
1/2 C canned pumpkin
1/3 C liquid egg whites I use Egg Whites International
1/4 C almond flour
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Few drops of liquid stevia

Combine ingredients and cook on a skillet with non-stick spray or coconut oil.
I like to eat my plain, however a little peanut butter, fresh fruit or sugar free syrup is tasty too:)
ENJOY!

Mind Power!

When it comes to your weight loss goals, keep your word to yourself and others. Have your actions match your words. It starts with disciplining your mind. You can control your thinking and direct your thoughts where you want your body to go.
If you keep your eyes on the prize, you will win and stay qualified for the purpose to which God has called you!