I read a Proverb everyday in my daily Bible reading. The following verses really stood out to me today. I have a few comments, but mostly wanted readers to plainly see the Word of God for themselves. Because this blog is kind of a personal blog it is a good place for me to put things the Lord has shown me.
Proverbs 19:19, "A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again."
Proverbs 19: 20, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."
I need wisdom and where does that come from...getting counsel...counsel from godly friends and family...counsel primarily from the Word of God. Notice it doesn't just say "hear counsel." It also says, "receive instruction." Anyone can hear something, but receiving requires moving if you will. I can hear it, but I don't have to act upon it. When I receive godly counsel and instruction I must act on it. Why? So I can have wisdom in my "latter end."
Proverbs 19:21, "There are many devices in a man's heart: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand."
I wish I could tell you how much I needed this verse today. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding." (emphasis added...I am supposed to say that right? :) ) Lean not unto my own understanding. I have many devices in my heart. I have my own understanding of how things should be. My own plans and purposes. My own ways. BUT Proverbs 19:21 tells us the Lord's counsel shall stand. What is the Lord's counsel? Where do we find it? His holy, pure, and perfect word. (see Pr. 30:5, Ps. 12:6, Ps. 119:140). I might not always understand what the Lord is doing or how His plan works, but His counsels are right and in the end they "shall stand."
Proverbs 19:23, "The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied, he shall not be visited with evil."
I don't want to be visited with evil. Do I deserve evil? Yes. Do I fear the Lord as I should? No. Do I want life? Yes. Why not just fear the Lord then since it tendeth to life? My flesh. My flesh needs to be subdued. (I Cor. 6:12). A great book for ladies regarding the flesh...other than the Bible, of course...is Having a Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver. WARNING: The author does not use the King James Bible, so you will have to read this with your Bible open beside it...do it...it is worth reading every scripture.
Proverbs 19:26 and 27, "He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."
Cease. Stop. Psalm 1...don't walk in the ungodly's way...get away...don't look that way...Pr. 4:14-15...run...avoid it. In the end you will be like a tree planted by the water. What is the water? God's word. Isn't that my goal? To be a christian with depth. Sometimes pushing my roots through the dirt is slow, hard work, but that is what I want...to be grounded in God's word. Then when the winds of life blow and the storms come I won't be moved because my roots are deep. How deep are my roots now? I think maybe I just barely sprouted.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Low-Fat Italian Dressing
Salad is a staple in my home and my diet. I love to get a nice spring mix or baby romaine with spinach. Sometimes I like just plain romaine or artisan mix lettuce. I top my salads with apples and walnuts or cheddar cheese; chicken; black beans and corn; almonds and dried cranberries; and lots of veggies. But salad isn't salad to me without the dressing.
Growing up...and while pregnant for one of my kids...French was my favorite. That changed to Ranch or Italian when I grew up. I gave up Ranch for the most part because of how bad it is for you...not just the fat content, but the other yucky stuff in it like MSG. I don't care for the natural Ranches because I don't like mayo and they seem to have a mayo taste. Then I switched to Balsamic. I love the sweetness of balsamic. Being on a hypoglycemic diet I am supposed to reduce my sugar so that counts that out. My new favorite has been Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar. The vinegar flavor is mild...which I like...it is natural...I can clearly read all the ingredients...and there is no added sugar...a plus for me as I avoid white sugar. It does have a higher fat content, so that really limits how much I can use.
Recently, I have become very diligent (again!) about what I eat. I am really trying to get the weight off. So far I have lost about 8-10 pounds. I also feel terrible when I eat too much and things I am not supposed to eat...Duh! I found a low fat Italian dressing on Taste of Home.com. Of course, I can't ever make a recipe without changing it. So here you will find my modification to the recipe.
Low Fat Italian Dressing
5 Tbl. thawed apple juice concentrate
1/8 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each onion powder, ground mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, salt
Combine all ingredients in an jar with a tight fitting lid (an old vinegar bottle works great!!). Chill several hours or overnight. Shake well before serving. Yield 3/4 cup.
This was really yummy!!!! It is a great substitute for Balsamic Vinaigrette...probably could use balsamic instead of cider vinegar. Next time I may reduce the apple juice to 3 TBL and use 2 TBL water. It was a little sweet, but I like it...my sweet tooth coming out. The recipe doesn't call for oil, but oil definitely can be added. I am going low fat and am not a big olive oil fan, so I will keep it how it is. I am excited because now I can have as much salad as I want WITH dressing and not have to worry too much about it.
If anyone has any other HEALTHY low fat/low sugar dressing recipes I would love to hear them.
Enjoy!
Di
Growing up...and while pregnant for one of my kids...French was my favorite. That changed to Ranch or Italian when I grew up. I gave up Ranch for the most part because of how bad it is for you...not just the fat content, but the other yucky stuff in it like MSG. I don't care for the natural Ranches because I don't like mayo and they seem to have a mayo taste. Then I switched to Balsamic. I love the sweetness of balsamic. Being on a hypoglycemic diet I am supposed to reduce my sugar so that counts that out. My new favorite has been Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar. The vinegar flavor is mild...which I like...it is natural...I can clearly read all the ingredients...and there is no added sugar...a plus for me as I avoid white sugar. It does have a higher fat content, so that really limits how much I can use.
Recently, I have become very diligent (again!) about what I eat. I am really trying to get the weight off. So far I have lost about 8-10 pounds. I also feel terrible when I eat too much and things I am not supposed to eat...Duh! I found a low fat Italian dressing on Taste of Home.com. Of course, I can't ever make a recipe without changing it. So here you will find my modification to the recipe.
Low Fat Italian Dressing
5 Tbl. thawed apple juice concentrate
1/8 cup Bragg's apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each onion powder, ground mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, salt
Combine all ingredients in an jar with a tight fitting lid (an old vinegar bottle works great!!). Chill several hours or overnight. Shake well before serving. Yield 3/4 cup.
This was really yummy!!!! It is a great substitute for Balsamic Vinaigrette...probably could use balsamic instead of cider vinegar. Next time I may reduce the apple juice to 3 TBL and use 2 TBL water. It was a little sweet, but I like it...my sweet tooth coming out. The recipe doesn't call for oil, but oil definitely can be added. I am going low fat and am not a big olive oil fan, so I will keep it how it is. I am excited because now I can have as much salad as I want WITH dressing and not have to worry too much about it.
If anyone has any other HEALTHY low fat/low sugar dressing recipes I would love to hear them.
Enjoy!
Di
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Is it April already?????
Where did March go? I was just posting my March Resolutions, wasn't I? As I was washing the bathroom floor I realized we are in April and I have not written a post about my April Resolutions. I guess that is because I don't have any. March was a rough month on so many levels. I did a terrible job keeping my previous resolutions and barely did any of March's resolutions.
So...my April resolution is simply...
GET BACK ON TRACK!
That is the good thing about focusing on a month at a time. Each new month is a new start...mentally anyway...except for when you miss the beginning of the month and don't realize it until 5 days in...anyway...I am going to be working on getting myself back in order.
Next week we have our church's anniversary celebration. It is a week of special evening services...with preaching and singing. In addition to that my hubby will be on call during the night for work. It will be a busy week!!!
Yesterday I spent almost the entire morning ironing clothes for all of us (except LE...her clothes rarely need ironing...yay!!!) to wear to each service...that is about 22 outfits...not fun, but I will be thankful next week. Today I am trying to completely clean the house and maybe get a few meals together. I am hopeful this will help get me back on track with my 10 minute chores, exercises and such.
One thing that has been going well is my diet. There hasn't been much weight loss which is discouraging. The encouraging part is the way I feel...so much better when I eat right.
Well, I must sign off for now. LE got a Fancy Nancy book from the library and is making her room "Fancy" I need to go check and make sure "Fancy" isn't turning into "Messy." I am not sure I can take all this "poshness" ( You will have to read the book...posh is a fancy word for fancy). :)
Enjoy the day!
Di
So...my April resolution is simply...
GET BACK ON TRACK!
That is the good thing about focusing on a month at a time. Each new month is a new start...mentally anyway...except for when you miss the beginning of the month and don't realize it until 5 days in...anyway...I am going to be working on getting myself back in order.
Next week we have our church's anniversary celebration. It is a week of special evening services...with preaching and singing. In addition to that my hubby will be on call during the night for work. It will be a busy week!!!
Yesterday I spent almost the entire morning ironing clothes for all of us (except LE...her clothes rarely need ironing...yay!!!) to wear to each service...that is about 22 outfits...not fun, but I will be thankful next week. Today I am trying to completely clean the house and maybe get a few meals together. I am hopeful this will help get me back on track with my 10 minute chores, exercises and such.
One thing that has been going well is my diet. There hasn't been much weight loss which is discouraging. The encouraging part is the way I feel...so much better when I eat right.
Well, I must sign off for now. LE got a Fancy Nancy book from the library and is making her room "Fancy" I need to go check and make sure "Fancy" isn't turning into "Messy." I am not sure I can take all this "poshness" ( You will have to read the book...posh is a fancy word for fancy). :)
Enjoy the day!
Di
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New Month Resolutions-March
Looking ahead to March, I am looking forward to warmer weather, hubby starting plants for the garden, and the kids being able to spend more time outside. About this time of year I think we all start to get the spring cleaning itch. There are so many areas that desperately need spring cleaning in my home. It is hard to keep focused on little steps.
Here are my resolutions for March:
1. Continue to follow February's resolutions
2. "Target Room Cleaning" I have divided my home into sections to clean each day. Here is my schedule (Sorry it is blurry. I am not exactly sure how to insert a document):
3. Pick 2 Popsicle Stick exercises to do each weekday. My exercise ideas are simple and include crunches, push-ups, arm exercises, jumping jacks. I plan on having the kids participate as well.
That is all for this month. I am pleased with how things are going as I move to more order in our home. It is a satisfying feeling to look around and see things that have been cluttered or needing attention cleaned up.
Go pick a Popsicle stick. :)
Di
Here are my resolutions for March:
1. Continue to follow February's resolutions
2. "Target Room Cleaning" I have divided my home into sections to clean each day. Here is my schedule (Sorry it is blurry. I am not exactly sure how to insert a document):
3. Pick 2 Popsicle Stick exercises to do each weekday. My exercise ideas are simple and include crunches, push-ups, arm exercises, jumping jacks. I plan on having the kids participate as well.
That is all for this month. I am pleased with how things are going as I move to more order in our home. It is a satisfying feeling to look around and see things that have been cluttered or needing attention cleaned up.
Go pick a Popsicle stick. :)
Di
Monday, February 27, 2012
February-New Month Resolution Check up
Two more days and I made it.
On January 31, I set some new New Month Resolutions (see earlier post). I am happy to say that 98% of the time I was able to complete each task.
Here were my resolutions and a little note on how I did (in bold):
1. Set New Month Resolutions for March during the last week of February. In the works. Should be ready by Wednesday.
2. Do one full load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every weekday and as much as possible on the weekends. Do one delicate load on the days that are necessary. I shocked my self at how well this went. Mondays are hard after not doing much on the weekend. I wash and dry in the morning. In the afternoon the kids and I fold and put away. Really has helped a lot.
3. Complete one 10 minute chore (see http://stephanieodea.com/) each weekday. This has been great!! The kids are having fun seeing how quickly they can get their chore done. I am pleased with how much I have been able to get accomplished in a short time. There is still much to do!!!
4. Work on "after meal chores" with the kids (washing dishes, wiping table, cleaning under their chair). My main focus with this one has been breakfast. So far, so good.
The Popsicle Stick Jars have worked great. The kids have really "risen to the occasion" and helped out. We have started some other things with the kids as well.including nightly bedroom checks before supper and new chore charts (a post for another time)...same chores new chart. I feel good about the progress we have made. I like little steps. There is still so much to do, but I feel like we will get there...one little step at a time.
Enjoy the day!
Di
On January 31, I set some new New Month Resolutions (see earlier post). I am happy to say that 98% of the time I was able to complete each task.
Here were my resolutions and a little note on how I did (in bold):
1. Set New Month Resolutions for March during the last week of February. In the works. Should be ready by Wednesday.
2. Do one full load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every weekday and as much as possible on the weekends. Do one delicate load on the days that are necessary. I shocked my self at how well this went. Mondays are hard after not doing much on the weekend. I wash and dry in the morning. In the afternoon the kids and I fold and put away. Really has helped a lot.
3. Complete one 10 minute chore (see http://stephanieodea.com/) each weekday. This has been great!! The kids are having fun seeing how quickly they can get their chore done. I am pleased with how much I have been able to get accomplished in a short time. There is still much to do!!!
4. Work on "after meal chores" with the kids (washing dishes, wiping table, cleaning under their chair). My main focus with this one has been breakfast. So far, so good.
The Popsicle Stick Jars have worked great. The kids have really "risen to the occasion" and helped out. We have started some other things with the kids as well.including nightly bedroom checks before supper and new chore charts (a post for another time)...same chores new chart. I feel good about the progress we have made. I like little steps. There is still so much to do, but I feel like we will get there...one little step at a time.
Enjoy the day!
Di
Sunday, February 5, 2012
New Month Resolution Check-up-Week One
It wasn't a full week. February started on Wednesday. It was a challenging week to keep up with my resolutions. Dentists appointments, home school chapel, a sick little girl leading to lack of sleep, not feeling well myself really pushed me to the limits. On top of all that, I had the bright idea of organizing all of the kid's clothes I have in the attic. I am talking 10 years plus of clothes here both genders. What was I thinking!!!???!!!!
I have to say I was able to keep up with the laundry as well as complete a 10 minute chore each day. Since I didn't want to bring a coughing little girl to church she and I stayed home today. That helped me stay on top of the weekend laundry. There isn't much on the schedule this week, so I should have a better week.
Working on the kids table chores has been a little inconsistent, but I am trying.
I made this little system to help with our 10 minute chores. I didn't come up with the idea on my own. I am pretty sure a fellow home school mom told me about it many years ago. The basic idea for 10 minute chores came from http://www.stephaniodea.com/ and http://www.flylady.net/.
1. Get some Popsicle sticks. Write one chore on each Popsicle stick.
2. Put Popsicle sticks in a jar.
3. Each day pick one Popsicle stick and complete the chore written on it. Remember this is a 10 minute chore. The goal is to complete it in 10 minutes. So, set your timer and get to work. If your time is up and you haven't completed your chore you can keep working if you have time or pick up where you left off on the next day. I made a jar for the kids too. It will be a challenge to see who can complete their chore in 10 minutes.
4. Store all of your jars in a basket. I have a jar for me, a jar for the kids and two discard jars. Some chores will go back into the jar when completed. Some will go in the discard jar and after a month will be put back in the rotation.
5. Do it. I am a planner. I love to write lists and make up chore charts. The hard part is the action. The last part of the 10 minute chore jar is action. Pick a stick and get going.
Some 10 minute chore ideas:
I have to say I was able to keep up with the laundry as well as complete a 10 minute chore each day. Since I didn't want to bring a coughing little girl to church she and I stayed home today. That helped me stay on top of the weekend laundry. There isn't much on the schedule this week, so I should have a better week.
Working on the kids table chores has been a little inconsistent, but I am trying.
I made this little system to help with our 10 minute chores. I didn't come up with the idea on my own. I am pretty sure a fellow home school mom told me about it many years ago. The basic idea for 10 minute chores came from http://www.stephaniodea.com/ and http://www.flylady.net/.
1. Get some Popsicle sticks. Write one chore on each Popsicle stick.
2. Put Popsicle sticks in a jar.
3. Each day pick one Popsicle stick and complete the chore written on it. Remember this is a 10 minute chore. The goal is to complete it in 10 minutes. So, set your timer and get to work. If your time is up and you haven't completed your chore you can keep working if you have time or pick up where you left off on the next day. I made a jar for the kids too. It will be a challenge to see who can complete their chore in 10 minutes.
4. Store all of your jars in a basket. I have a jar for me, a jar for the kids and two discard jars. Some chores will go back into the jar when completed. Some will go in the discard jar and after a month will be put back in the rotation.
5. Do it. I am a planner. I love to write lists and make up chore charts. The hard part is the action. The last part of the 10 minute chore jar is action. Pick a stick and get going.
Some 10 minute chore ideas:
- Clean a section of a closet
- Sweep porch or deck
- Clean one drawer (kitchen, bath, bedroom)
- Dust the top of door jams and windows
- Clean of top of your washer/dryer or laundry area
- Wash the windows in one room
- Clean 2 kitchen appliances
- Wipe off light switches
- Clean out one linen closet shelf
- Clean out one kitchen cabinet
- Disinfect one garbage can
- Wipe off refrigerator shelf
- Dust random knick-knacks
- Wipe down kitchen cabinets, furniture
- Wash one bathroom wall
- Wash stairs
- Dust trim/corners
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Month Resolution
A new year means new resolutions for most...a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. Three months later the new year is no longer new. Resolutions have faded into the background and old habits have once again taken over. Several years I ago while thinking this over I thought why can't every week be like this. Maybe a week is too much, but what about every month? Why not? Why not sit down on the last day of the month and set some monthly goals? Maybe sit down with your husband and set some goals together. Talk over what new things have worked during the past month, what goals (projects, habits, etc.) you want to accomplish/establish during the new month. Discuss your children...behaviour issues, school situations, schedule time to spend with each one (a kid date). Talk over the month's schedule.
So, what will my New Month Resolutions be?
1. Set New Month Resolutions for March during the last week of February.
2. Do one full load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every weekday and as much as possible on the weekends. Do one delicate load on the days that are necessary.
3. Complete one 10 minute chore (see http://stephanieodea.com/) each weekday.
4. Work on "after meal chores" with the kids (washing dishes, wiping table, cleaning under their chair).
God's plan for us is one of order. God is a God of order. The Bible tells us in 1Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." The books of the law are full of order. As Christians our lives should show order. We shouldn't be running from one thing to the next leaving behind a trail of chaos. We should have a plan, a purpose in everything we do. A plan and purpose that is attainable.
So, what will my New Month Resolutions be?
1. Set New Month Resolutions for March during the last week of February.
2. Do one full load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every weekday and as much as possible on the weekends. Do one delicate load on the days that are necessary.
3. Complete one 10 minute chore (see http://stephanieodea.com/) each weekday.
4. Work on "after meal chores" with the kids (washing dishes, wiping table, cleaning under their chair).
God's plan for us is one of order. God is a God of order. The Bible tells us in 1Corinthians 14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." The books of the law are full of order. As Christians our lives should show order. We shouldn't be running from one thing to the next leaving behind a trail of chaos. We should have a plan, a purpose in everything we do. A plan and purpose that is attainable.
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