NOVEMBER IS SWEET POTATO AWARENESS MONTH

Yes I know there’s just one day left in this month – thank you.  But this is important and can’t wait until next year – LOL!!!

Did you see the video that went viral – the one about Patti LaBelle’s sweet potato pie???  They could not keep them in stock at any Walmart in the U.S., which means that Ms. LaBelle will probably have a very Merry Christmas, I’m guessing.  She will be rolling in even more dough for gift buying.  Good for her!

https://youtu.be/eQRwFn7WPk8

The video got everyone wondering about this pie – and my husband and I wondered about it too.  We were bored one day in Kansas City and decided to go into a Walmart.  For fun, I looked on the display table to see if there might be one of these pies.  I didn’t expect to see one – but there was ONE.  Just one setting there!  It looked lonely – so we rescued it.  We took it back to our hotel room and ate it.

Did we look at the label?  NOOOO…  but I sort of wish we would have.  Let’s just say it was not a healthy version of sweet potato pie.  I rationalized – saying we will probably never do it again.  I knew it tasted sweet, but the amount of calories from fat is what really got my attention.  Yes – back on the bike I went!  But – it was close to Thanksgiving and we were really so bored.  It was a life experience, right?

In the weeks that followed, the pie became so popular that our local newspaper printed the recipe straight from her 1999 cookbook “LaBelle Cuisine.”  As I always do, I perused the recipe, looking for ways to make it more diabetic-friendly.  Patti LaBelle has diabetes, so I’m quite sure she not only understands, but would encourage it.

I made the pie for our Thanksgiving meal – and I’m very happy to report it was delicious!  I used this recipe, but tweaked it with Splenda Brown and a ready-made pie crust.

https://youtu.be/uUAmGUebSs4

 Using a ready-made pie shell helped cut down on some of the fat grams, and substituting Splenda Brown Sugar for regular made the filling more diabetic-friendly.  We live and learn as we go, don’t we?  The substitutions we make in cooking go a long way in helping us stay more healthy in the long run.

I’m very happy to have run across one of the “real” pies though – it was yummy.

Am I crazy for writing a poem about a sweet potato pie?  Um…  yeah, just a little.  Wink!  😉

 

 

ROMANS 11:29 ON 11/29

 

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  – Romans 11:29

There are tangible gifts that God gives us for a season – gifts that are not eternal, but temporary – we don’t understand why we have to lose these gifts / blessings, but we have to accept God’s plan and know that He will sustain us no matter what.

Paul has looked through a telescope to get a glimpse of just how big God is, and he invites us to take a look for ourselves.  The gifts in this verse are not tangible, they are special and spiritual gifts from God – His free grace, having to do with the spiritual and eternal welfare of the souls of men.  Once we accept Christ into our hearts and lives, these things are ours for eternity and will never be taken from us – they are without repentance – immutable and unalterable.  God will never revoke them or take them away from us once we’ve accepted them.  Why?  Because God never changes and He is faithful to love and care for His own at all times.  There are no degrees or shadow of distinction.  His grace stands immovable and reliable.

https://youtu.be/weJsIQldILM

Because God’s will is sovereign and He never changes – we can rest in and rely on His promises.

How many things are reliable in this world?  Not many…  in this life people make promises and often don’t keep them. 

God’s call on your life is forever – He will never take it back.  The gifts and abilities that God gave you are yours to use for Him.

Once you walk through the door of Salvation, you belong to God for eternity.  He will never sever that relationship with you.

Walk through the door, shutting the door behind you.  Use your God-given talents and abilities to glorify your heavenly Father.  He will help you find a ministry if you ask Him.  🙂

MATTHEW 11:28 ON 11/28

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   – Matthew 11:28

If there was ever a time when we need to be seeking opportunities to REST, it is this time of year!  Thanksgiving in our rearview mirror, and Christmas around the corner.  Some folks are now officially in STRESS MODE.  What descriptive terms do we see in this verse…?  Weary, burdened.  Does that sound familiar to you?  Do you want rest?  Have you gone to Jesus seeking rest?  Maybe now is the time to let go of everything and hand it to Jesus.

How much luggage do you haul around with you?  Doesn’t it get heavy to carry?  I know a man who will gladly take it and lighten your load.  There’s not a time when you will ever have to take it back either.  Once you give excess stuff to Jesus, you’re done with it.

I love this poem, The Baggage Carrier, by Lucinda Berry Hill.  I don’t understand why it takes us so long to get to the point where we will let Christ take the excess baggage of life – and trade it for the light yoke that He happily gives us.

As we face the busy Christmas rush, may we take a deep breath, keep a good attitude and continue to be grateful to God for His blessings in spite of all that happens.  Christmas will come regardless of whether the family gets everything they wrote on their Christmas list or not.

Let’s be quick to ask God to help us this season.  It’s easy to stress out in a crowd or yell at people who cut in front of you in traffic.  Let’s not lose sight of what this lovely Christmas season is all about, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How wonderful would it be if we began our Christmas shopping by letting Christ have our old bags that weigh us down every day?  When we give them to Him, we are lighter and more free to be the sort of person He wants us to be.  I’d say that’s the goal, wouldn’t you?  To God be all the glory – now, go tell someone else this good news!  🙂

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

I believe the trend toward pitching a tent in front of an electronics store on Thanksgiving just to save your place in the ridiculously long line the next morning when the store opens – is finally waning – at least I hope it is.  Let’s just look at this thing logically for a minute.  We just spent a day around a table with loved ones, giving thanks to God for all of our many blessings – OH – but wait – we gotta pitch a tent so we can sleep on the sidewalk because there is a piece of technology I still need to possess.  WHAT???

It’s insane…  and we all know the definition of insanity…  it’s doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result or outcome.  Look, there are two schools of thought about Black Friday – some people say we need to frequent the stores and the sales because the folks who are working need their job and don’t mind working on Thanksgiving and the day after.  Others, like me, believe that stores have no business being open on Thanksgiving at all – and should be closed the day after as well.  Those employees deserve a 4-day weekend before the Christmas nightmare begins!  I’m just one person with an opinion.  Will anyone listen?  Probably not – but that doesn’t stop me from speaking my mind.

You know, God did not create us to kneel in front of the BEST BUY store.  God created us to praise and worship HIM.  He wants us to take time to sit and reflect on His Word and be quiet before Him so we can hear Him speak to our hearts.  Put your feet up by the fires of God’s Holy Spirit.  When we get so wrapped up in retail therapy that we can’t focus on anything except which stores we want to get to and when, then we are the ones who lose out.  I’m not saying that retail therapy is a bad thing, but I don’t think it’s so important to participate in Black Friday.

I’m not opposed to online shopping, and frankly I think most people would rather stay home and shop in their pajamas.  If consumers would resist the temptation to shop on the Friday after Thanksgiving, eventually the stores would not see the need to be open and employees could have the 4 day weekend they need – and more time with friends and family.  When did we stop thinking of others?  Wouldn’t you rather spend 4 days off than just one – and some don’t even get Thanksgiving off because stores are feeling like they need to be open on Thanksgiving.  It’s sad because everyone should be with family and friends – not co-workers – on Thanksgiving – and the day after and the weekend after that.  🙂

 

 

THANKSGIVING

I asked my group, A Second Helping of Wellness…  with a Dash of Humor & a Pinch of Faith, to help me think of things they are thankful for.  This is what we came up with – enough to cover the entire page!

There are more things we thank God for, of course.  Even when our circumstances look so lonely and sad from outward appearances, we can still look up to God and thank Him for LIFE.  If we are breathing, we absolutely need to be grateful for that gift.

I thought it would be nice to share some cherished verses about thankfulness.  Some are very familiar, but a few may not be ones you would choose.  In any case, please take this opportunity to read them and meditate on them today.  🙂

What is your favorite Bible verse having to do with Thanksgiving?  Let me know in the comments below.

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chiefs of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God…all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.  – Nehemiah 12:46-47

O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.  – Psalm 95:1-6

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!  – 1 Chronicles 16:8

Here’s a verse I pray we all commit to memory and hold on to when we don’t think there is anything to be thankful for.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  – James 1:17

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.  – Psalm 31:19

There are a ton of verses I could share, but I think I smell some good fixin’s cookin’ in the kitchen.  It’s almost time to eat, I think!

We like pumpkin and sweet tater pies at our house.  What kind of pies are you eating today?  Post the answer in the comments below.  🙂

I saw something interesting on facebook yesterday as I was scrolling through the newsfeed.  So many recipes call for heavy cream, and most of us don’t keep it on hand.  Instead of making a special trip to the store, try this:

Have a great Thanksgiving – God bless you and yours!  🙂

 

INTERNATIONAL HAT DAY

WHY DO YOU WEAR A HAT?  – a blog poem sort of thing for International Hat Day by Linda Palmer © 2015

Do you wear a hat to feel good?

Does it make you feel like you’re great?

If that’s the reason, it’s okay,

Put it back on – don’t hesitate!

Do you wear a hat to cover

Your head where there used to be hair?

Don’t worry, I won’t take it off

To reveal what’s now under there!

photo courtesy of Dave Mock

Do you wear a hat to dress up

For Christmas or Easter Sunday?

It’s a form of Christian worship

To Jesus Christ, Who is the Way.

photo courtesy of Lucinda Berry Hill

 

Do you wear a hat to show folks

That you can be easy going?

Is it your way to be relaxed

And show that with life you’re flowing?

 

Do you wear a hat that’s funny

Just to make other people smile?

I admire those who use humor

To help others walk the next mile.

photo courtesy of Bill Woods

Do you wear a hat to go with

An entourage on wedding day?

The attention will be focused

On you for sure, what can I say?

 

Do you wear a hat to honor

This great country’s military?

Is it part of a uniform

As you serve civilians like me?

Do you wear a hat just for fun?

Is it just what you want to do?

Far be it for me to change things,

God just wants for you to be you.

 

Do you wear a hat to keep warm?

A sock cap can be very nice.

Winter is coming and it’s cold,

There will be so much snow and ice.

Do you wear a hat in summer

To keep the sun off of your face?

That’s a very good idea

Along with sunscreen everyplace!

If you like my little hat verse

I wish you’d leave a comment here.

Your comments mean a lot to me,

They fill my heart with love and cheer!

HAVE A VERY HAPPY INTERNATIONAL HAT DAY!  🙂

 

 

NOVEMBER 18-24 IS NATIONAL FARM-CITY WEEK

Kansas is rich in agricultural traditions.  As you drive along our state’s highways you can’t help but notice the lovely quilt of farmland with the occasional horse, herds of cattle or sheep, and of course the state flower, the sunflower.

The farmers of Kansas provide food and other resources for the rest of the country.  It’s a proud heritage to be a farmer, but it certainly won’t make you rich.  Maybe it does make you rich, it’s just not from monetary gain.  There is a rich satisfaction in farming… knowing that you’ve done a good day’s work for your fellow-man is worth more than money.

You know when I think of a Kansas farm, I think of the Peterson Farm.  Those guys are crazy…  yep – they’re Kansans alright!

https://youtu.be/hSp9mGcaESc

When I think of Thanksgiving, it’s natural to think of harvest.  I can’t imagine living in a big city where harvest is just a concept and not a reality.  Something about having harvest as a way of life just makes me more thankful than I would be otherwise.

It’s a silly memory, I know…  but I remember taking field trips to my 5th grade teacher’s farm around this time of year.  Maybe it had to do with this holiday – who knows?

It’s important for children to be exposed to farm life once in a while.  They need to know that they’re milk comes from a cow and eggs come from chickens.  Some of those city kids might decide they want to move to a farm one day and enjoy a slower, more structured, simple life.

The only downside to farming is the butchering of livestock.  I know some don’t have a problem with it, but I’m just a bit of a squeamish soul, I suppose.  I thought it would be fun to have a herd of sheep and sell wool.  There is a new kind of farm emerging on the horizon that sounds interesting – Alpaca farms!  Alpaca fleece is softer than cashmere and is in demand.  As an alpaca farmer you can raise the animals and not have to butcher them – just shear them.  I think I could handle that!

One more video from the Peterson farm.  https://youtu.be/toyN81wZzLw

I hope sometime this week you will take a city kid to visit a working farm – maybe even the Peterson farm!   The only way we can encourage kids to appreciate the food they eat is to show them where it comes from – and all the work involved in making it happen.  Have a great week!  🙂

 

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.   – Steve Martin

I don’t mean to sound whiny, but I miss the sunshine already!  It’s not even winter yet – we have another month before winter even begins!  Does the fall back time change affect anyone else like this?  I’m not prone to be depressed, but the time change gives me the blues.

Every year I hear the same story – they’re going to discontinue the fall back time change and stay on daylight savings time.  Blah blah blah…  I’ve heard that every year – yet here we are – changing our clocks and trying to cope with the aftermath for weeks afterward!  I’ll be honest – I’m getting older and this time change is not the piece of cake it used to be.  Like most middle-aged people, I find change to be more difficult than ever before.

Reverting to standard time is generally thought to be less physically stressful than the clock springing-forward, since people get an extra hour to sleep that morning, research indicates that even a relatively small 60-minute time change can have effects on the body, health and even traffic safety.  We know that the Monday morning after DST is in effect, there is a significant increase in traffic accidents – but the same is true when we fall back!

It all has to do with the body’s circadian rhythm.  Obviously our sleep patterns are messed up – granted, it’s only an hour, but it really messes with older people – trust me!

Do you get more hungry for comfort food after the fall back time change?  Well, I’ll be the first to admit – I do!  I could easily eat an entire Knolla’s pizza all by myself!  I can’t explain it except to say when it is dark outside and there’s a little chill in the air, I just want to snuggle in and hibernate – and eat pizza!  It’s sad to admit that my ambition does not extend beyond that scenario, but it is what it is I suppose.  I want to go on the record though – it’s not the holiday season that makes us gain weight – it’s this stupid change back to standard time!  I don’t indulge in a big holiday feast with lots of people – but when the time changes I can lose control in the quiet of my house.  It’s not Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas that keep me tipping the scales.

There is a 7% increase in traffic accidents the week after DST comes to an end, according to a study done by Texas A&M University.  It’s like having jet lag – performance is diminished and cognitive abilities decrease because we’re groggy.  Our rhythms aren’t adjusted to the change and that means we will make mistakes.  It’s roughly the same statistic for the week of DST – so whether we are falling back or springing ahead – the change is reflected in an increase in traffic accidents.  Those statistics alone should be sufficient evidence that this time changing is not a good idea!

Since it’s dark by the time we get off work, we have to adjust to driving home in the dark, which may be to blame for more accidents in the evening.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns, it may take some time to adjust to low-light driving when you are used to commuting home in broad daylight.

I hope that one day the powers that be decide that this time change takes too much of a toll on people – and END IT!  Those of us who are older and have become creatures of habit and set in our ways would surely appreciate it!  🙂

 

 

 

A COMMENTARY FROM THE HEART

In case it’s not abundantly clear, not everyone in America celebrates the birth of Christ at Christmas time.  That’s why Christians have to keep witnessing to others – because some are not in the ark of safety yet.  Some are even adamantly opposed to Christianity in America.

So it is with Starbucks – it’s not a Christian-based company – at all, and they are arguably opposed to Christianity, although according to SNOPES, they prefer to think of themselves as neutral this Christmas, calling it “Christian cleansing”, whatever that means.  The blood of Christ cleanses me, how about you?

What do you think of the plain red cups with the familiar green and white logo?  I’m fine with them – I think the red represents the precious blood of Christ.  It doesn’t to Starbucks – yet.  But there’s always hope for a change as long as Christ tarries.  I’ve read all kinds of opinions about the new cups they are using for the next couple of months – the simple and tasteful design – just red instead of the white we are accustomed to.  But let’s take a closer look at the red cups.  Starbucks has never claimed to name Christ as Savior before – why would they put Merry Christmas on their “HOLIDAY” cups?  I’ve seen snowmen, snowflakes and reindeer on their holiday cups – never a manger with a star!  They sell coffee, folks!  That is all they do – that is their function in America – to keep people caffeinated and on edge with extremely strong, calorie-laden drinks!

https://youtu.be/QnkXr4VVWgA

Some Christians are going to Starbucks and having MERRY CHRISTMAS written as their name on the cup.  My first thought was, “Wow – what if more than one person did that?  You might not get the right drink!”  But it’s really a little immature to do that – I mean…  oh I don’t know – it just seems a little childish.  The word petty comes to mind.

Until the day the CEO of Starbucks comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (and that certainly could happen), there will not be a Merry Christmas greeting on the coffee cups at Starbuck’s at Christmas time!  Do you think that having Christians up in arms is going to make the CEO want to accept Christ as personal Savior?  Well, I seriously doubt it.  Instead of being a stumbling block to this precious soul, let’s just accept that – for now, Starbucks will have a non-religious view of the “HOLIDAYS” and pray for the CEO to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I suppose if it really bothers a person, they could find a Christian coffeehouse.  There are several here in Wichita that I tend to patronize.  There are at least three in my immediate neighborhood, and the coffee at all three is much better and less expensive than Starbucks.  And as far as the color of the cup or what it says???  You know, I don’t pay much attention to the cup my coffee is put in – unless it leaks – then I pay a lot of attention to it!  To be offended by a cup seems like a lot of negative energy that could be better used to pray for the CEO.

I don’t know who the CEO is, but I do know that he / she is a soul in need of the Lord.  God doesn’t want anyone to miss out on heaven – not even CEO’s of coffeehouses.  I suggest we stop the boycott talk and get on our knees on behalf of this person’s eternal soul.  Let’s do what we can to live in peace with one another and let God do what He does best.  He’s the only One who can change a heart and soul forever.  To show hate won’t accomplish anything, but to love by praying just might accomplish something wonderful in this CEO’s life for eternity.

Could you imagine a combination of Christianity and Starbucks???  Wow…  now that would be some AWESOME CHRISTMAS COFFEE!!!  Maybe it will happen one day – let’s hope and pray so!  🙂

 

 

NATIONAL BUNDT PAN DAY

Some of my favorite food comes from a Bundt pan!  I worked with a sweet lady who brought monkey bread for every special occasion.  I think we made up special occasions just so we could eat monkey bread!

Of course, that was before I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1994.  Things have changed in my diet significantly since then!  But I can still write about monkey bread and all sorts of goodies without my blood glucose being affected – and that’s a good thing!

I like what Lucinda has to say about monkey bread – for sure!  🙂

Don’t you particularly appreciate the last stanza of her poem?  I sure do!  I’m so thankful that God sticks close by my side and that His angels watch over us as we live our everyday lives.  It’s great to know that He has every life situation under control – even when we wonder if it is under control – ya know?  😉

Here’s a traditional recipe for monkey bread – ooey gooey and sticky good!

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pillsbury.com%2Frecipes%2Fpumpkin-spice-monkey-bread-with-caramel-sauce%2F23feb2bf-d28d-48db-b57f-077fc47c0dcb&h=OAQEaHsOb

Here’s an alternate recipe that cuts a whopping 300 calories per serving and saves on sodium as well – I think you’ll like it.  One note I will add – I never use sugar, as you know.  I always use Splenda and Splenda brown sugar.  You can use it cup for cup – just use it as you would sugar.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/monkey-bread-0

For 234 calories per serving, you can afford to splurge a bit today!  I would guess it would be even fewer calories if you use the Splenda sugars.

You know, one thing my mother taught me was that when we bake for someone, we’re really showing them love!  There are so many ways of telling someone you love them – and that’s why we call comfort food – well…  comfort food!  Share some monkey bread with a friend or loved one today – along with God’s love!

Hopefully you will have an opportunity to make one of these great recipes today – and use that Bundt pan that’s been setting in the cupboard for such a long time – feeling all neglected and sad.  😦