Tuesday, June 30, 2015

June 30


Galatians 6:9 - NLT
So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Gwen hadn't seen Ed in almost five years. When they had last been together, she had been very overweight. She had struggled and fought to lose over the years, and she was quite proud of what she had accomplished. She could hardly wait to see his reaction. That was one of the best things about losing weight: seeing the faces of old friends who could hardly recognize you. The looks she got made the fight worthwhile. Their disbelief made Gwen feel she had performed a miracle. Good things truly did come to those who waited and stuck to
their hope. God had blessed her a hundredfold.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  What I lose today in weight will be gain in other ways tomorrow!

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Today's Tip:  Don't Skip Meals

Why not? Because you'll get hungry.
Result? Hunger will crush your willpower to lose weight.
And you'll binge on cookies!

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Healthy Sloppy Joes

12 ounces 90%-lean ground beef
1 large onion, finely diced
2 cups finely chopped cremini mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
5 plum tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup chili sauce, such as Heinz
1/4 cup ketchup
8 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted if desired

1. Crumble beef into a large nonstick skillet; cook over medium heat until it starts to sizzle, about 1 minute. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft and the moisture has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes and flour; stir to combine. Stir in water, vinegar, chili sauce and ketchup and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the onion is very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm on buns.

Monday, June 29, 2015

June 29



Philippians 3:8 - NLT
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.

A young man dreamed that he was standing before a table spread with a wide array of tantalizing foods. Beyond the table stood Jesus. The young man began eating the food, and he became completely engrossed in his consumption. When he finished, Jesus was gone, and he didn't know where to look to find Him. Whenever we engage in gluttony of any kind, our attention is turned from Christ to our own selfish wants. There should be nothing more important in our lives than doing what is pleasing to God. He wants us to be the best we can possibly be. Food, and our love of food, should always take a second
place to our love of the Lord.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Eating pleases me; dieting pleases God!

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Today's Tip:  Replace white bread with those loaded with grain including pumpernickel, rye, wheat, and other raw grains.

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Multi-grain Bread

1/2  cup 5-grain or 7-grain cereal
1 1/2  c. boiling water
2  T. honey
2  T. canola oil
2  c. whole-wheat flour
3/4  c. all-purpose flour
1/4  c. oat bran
1 envelope fast rising yeast
1  t. sugar
1/2  t. salt
1  egg

Combine cereal and boiling water in a microwavable bowl, set aside for 10 min.

Stir honey and oil into the cereal; heat until hot.  In a separate large bowl, mix 1 cup whole wheat flour with the all purpose flour, oat bran, yeast, sugar and salt.

Beat in cereal mixture and egg.

Beat for 2 min. at high speed.

Stir in enough remaining whole wheat flour to make a stiff batter.

With floured hands, pat dough in a 9x5 sprayed loaf pan.
Cover lightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel; let rise until doubled, 40-60 min.

Remove wrap, bake at 375F 35-40 minutes or until bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

June 28



Hebrews 4:16 - NLT
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.

Jeffrey never wanted to put anybody out. Instead of asking for help, he would struggle along on his own. Often, Jeffrey didn't get anything accomplished because he refused to impose on anyone else. Sometimes, we act that way with God. We ask ourselves why God would be interested in helping us solve our problems. The thing is, God wants us to come to Him with our heartfelt needs. We have been invited to come before the throne of grace, and that includes with our diets. When we're honest, we'll admit that we need help, and there is no greater source of help than God.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Our hope to lose weight becomes reality when we put our trust in God.

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Today's Tip:  Keep a pack of sugarless gum always close by. Make an effort to snack on healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Diet plan tactic - place baskets of fruits and prepared vegetables in easy reach for nibbles.

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Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

1 med spaghetti squash, cooked by your favorite method and separated into strands (follow link for instructions)
1 C sour cream
1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the all ingredients except spaghetti squash over medium-low heat and whisk until smooth and creamy, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the spaghetti squash strands to the sauce and stir until thoroughly mixed and heated through. Serve immediately.

Serves 6-8

Saturday, June 27, 2015

June 27



Psalm 31:24 - NLT
So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the LORD!

Gail's wedding day was getting close. She had vowed to lose fifty pounds by the time she got married. She was within ten pounds of her goal, but the last ten pounds were the hardest. She was so worried that she might not make it. She sat alone, looking at the dress, and then she bowed her head to pray. As she asked the Lord for help, she renewed her promise to do everything she could to lose the weight. Suddenly, deep inside, she knew she was going to make it. Everything she hoped for would work out, because the Lord was giving her the strength and courage she needed to succeed.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  When God says it will work out, it works out!

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Today's Tip:  Simple Changes
Always use nonfat or 1% milk and other nonfat dairy products.  If you can't make the adjustment to either one, start with low-fat 2% and work your way down.  After several weeks you will not miss the others.

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Low-Fat Sour Dairy Dressing

1 c  1% fat cottage cheese
1/4 c  buttermilk from skim milk
2 tb lemon juice
1 tb corn oil
 
Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend
until completely smooth, scraping sides down with spatula as
necessary.
 
NOTE:  Use with 1 percent-fat cottage cheese or with fresh, stewed, or preserved fruit and a good bread for breakfast.

Friday, June 26, 2015

June 26



1 Timothy 4:4 - NLT
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.

Greg tried not to get discouraged, even though he gained back most of the weight he'd lost. This time it would be easier. He'd done it once; he could do it again. The first time had been so hard because he had such a low opinion of himself. His self-image had improved immensely, and he had the confidence he needed to know he could lose weight. Greg knew he was made in God's image, even if that image got hidden a little now and then. Knowing that he was loved made losing weight much easier. Greg was thankful that God loved him so. He could conquer anything with God's help.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Good things come to those who believe they will!

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Today's Tip:  Eating Away at Exercise?
Many people think exercise allows them to eat more, but all that does is add back the calories you burned off. Never think of exercise as a license to overindulge.

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Eggless Pancakes Recipe

1 cup wholewheat flour
1 cup white flour
3 tbsp wheat germ
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp baking soda
1 tsp baking soda
1 salt, optional
1 sugar, optional
1 water to mix

Combine all the dry ingredients. Add water, starting with 1/2 c & beating well. Add enough water till you have the consistency
desired. If you prefer thicker batter, add less water, thinner
batter, add more water.

Fry in a very lightly oiled skillet till brown, flip & continue to
cook the other side.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

June 25


Hosea 6:3 - NLT
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring."

Carol went to a Christian prayer group with some skepticism. Gladys and Ann had started going, and they had immediately made great strides in their diets. Both women gave all the credit to God, but Carol wasn't convinced. She thought it sounded way too easy. Why would God do something for her that she ought to be able to do for herself? Carol wanted to believe, but she just couldn't quite believe that God would be interested enough in her weight problem to help her out. Too bad for Carol that she never realized how trustworthy the Lord is. If we put our faith in Him, He will be sure to help us.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  No matter is too insignificant to bring to God!

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Today's Tip:  Painlessly Meatless.
When making tomato sauce, substitute mushrooms or eggplant for meat. Either will add a depth of flavor and a chewy texture that is just as satisfying as meat, without the fat or calories.

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Meatless Spaghetti Sauce

1 No. 3 can (1 quart) tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) Italian tomato paste
1 small onion, minced
1/2 green pepper, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, halved
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper
1 package (8 ounces) thin spaghetti
grated Parmesan cheese

Combine tomatoes and tomato paste. Add onion, green pepper, and garlic to tomato mixture with butter or margarine, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer at least 2 hours or until sauce is thick. Remove garlic. Meanwhile, cook thin spaghetti in boiling salted water to cover until tender; drain. Rinse with hot water. Pour sauce over spaghetti; sprinkle generously with cheese. Makes 6 servings.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

June 24



June 24

Phillipians 4:7 - NLT
If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
 
Promises. Every diet made promises, and they very rarely came through. Jenny had tried a dozen diets, each time putting her faith in their promises. Quietly, with tears in her eyes, she prayed for God's help. She wanted to lose weight so badly. As she prayed, she felt calm and hopeful. If only she could feel so peaceful when temptation raised its ugly head. Jenny vowed to try turning to God for help in the future instead of turning to more fad diets. Maybe God could do things for her that diet plans couldn't. She didn't really understand it, but she believed it was true.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT:  If I turn to God, there's always hope!

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Today's Tip:  Health and Diet
“Natural” vitamins are not necessarily superior to generic vitamins. The body recognizes the vitamin and uses as needed, regardless of whether it’s synthetic or made from “natural” ingredients. The letters “USP” on a supplement shows that the supplement meets voluntary standards of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.
 
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TOMATO SALAD WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

4 cups fresh tomatoes
2 bunches of green onions with tops
1/2 tbls. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. of pepper
1 cup fresh basil (chopped)
1 yellow pepper

1. Chop tomatoes in small cubes, finely slice the green onion and toss with the chopped basil.

2. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt & pepper. Pour over the salad mixture, let stand at room temperature for two hours or so, marinating.

3. Cut the yellow pepper in half, removing all seeds and pulp. Fill with the salad mixture. Put left over mixture in a small bowl in the center of serving plate with pepper halves on either side.