November 5

Matthew 5:11 - NLT
God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.

Ken could hardly wait to get back to school. Peter had ridden him about his weight the entire year before. When Ken had vowed to lose weight over the summer, Pete had laughed at him. 'Fat boy, you can't keep away from food. You'll be back, big as a beach ball. Don't kid yourself!' Ken could hardly wait to make Pete eat those words. He had spent the entire summer as a Christian youth counselor at camp. The people there were so supportive of what he was trying to do. They had made it possible. Not only had they helped him lose weight, but they helped him show Peter just how wrong he could be!

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  I'm going to prove that there's more to me than my weight!

*********************

Today's Tip:  Lose 20 Lbs.
Omit just 200 calories every day for a year, and you'll lose up to 20 pounds! One step in the right direction: Use mustard instead on mayo on sandwiches, and skip the cheese.

*********************

LOW CAL FRUIT SALAD  

2 apples, diced
4 bananas, sliced
1 can mandarin oranges
1/2 cantaloupe, diced
1 wedge watermelon, diced
1 can grapefruit, diced
Grapes, destemmed
1 c. plain yogurt
2 tbsp. sugar

Make sure you drain all your canned fruits. Pour into a large bowl, combine all your other fruits and blend well. Chill and serve.

************************

October 23

Psalm 118:13-14 - NLT
You did your best to kill me, O my enemy, but the LORD helped me.  The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory.

Going home to Mother's was murder on the diet. Stacy dreaded it. She knew the minute she walked in, her mother would ask her why she wasn't eating right, and then, for the next week, her mother would shove fattening, although delicious, dishes in front of her face. Going home required a double measure of strength. At those times, Stacy had to pray doubly hard. Sometimes it worked, sometimes she gave in. In the end, though, Stacy was glad to have God to turn to. Once back in her own apartment, He gave her all the resolve she needed to get right back on her diet. Truly, the Lord was her strength and her salvation.

Today's Thought: I need saving from that which I would devour!

**************

Today's Tip:  Look for businesses that rent out equipment such as roller blades, kayaks, bicycles, tennis and racquetball equipment for a small fee. This way you’ll have no excuse for not doing something physical while you are traveling.

**************

Strawberry Lemonade

1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
4  medium lemons (approximately 1 cup juice)
3/4 cup Splenda
4 cups water

1. Place strawberries in a food processor or blender; process until smooth and pour into a large pitcher.

2. Add lemon juice to pitcher. Stir in Splenda and water.

3. Strain out strawberry pulp if desired. Add lemon zest.

4. Serve in tall 12-ounce glasses filled with ice.

Serves 4

October 22

2 Corinthians 11:29-30 - NLT
Who is weak without my feeling that weakness?  Who is lead astray, and I do not burn with anger?  If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

If there was one thing to respect Cynthia for, it was her humility. She was very talented, but she knew well what she could do and what she couldn't. She was never shy about asking for help when she needed it, and she never tried to make people think she could do things she could not. It was nice to see someone who could admit her weaknesses without being defensive or insecure. When Cynthia had dieted, she openly admitted that she relied heavily on God for strength and encouragement. It was a real inspiration to others to find someone who gained strength from being honest about weakness.

Today's Thought: It is more important to be strong of heart than strong of body!

**************************

Today's Tip:  Fitness
A good idea once you have a workout video is to watch it entirely before trying it. This way you’ll know what is involved in the workout and determine if you need additional instruction or equipment that is being used in the workout.

***************

APPLE CRISP

4 c apples, peeled, cored,sliced
1 tb lemon juice
2 tb butter or margarine
3/4 c rolled oats
2 tb brown sugar
2 tb nuts, chopped
4 ts cinnamon

Directions:
 
Substitute peaches or pears when they are in season.

Place apples in a microwave baking pan and sprinkle with lemon juice. In a small bowl, melt butter at High for 30 to 45 sec. Stir in rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts and cinnamon. Combine well. Sprinkle evenly over apples.

Microwave at High for 8-10 min. Allow 5 to 7 min after cooking time.

October 12

John 1:12 - NLT
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Corey had to admit that his friends were making better progress than he was. He just wasn't disciplined enough. His friends didn't seem to have nearly as much trouble with discipline. When he asked them why, they all just grinned and told him to pray about it. Finally, it dawned on him what they were talking about. Corey wasn't much of a Christian, but he wasn't stupid, either. His friends obviously had something he needed and wanted. If God could do so much to help them, then Corey believed He would do it for him, also. By receiving the truth of Christ, Corey was given all the strength needed to succeed in his diet.

Today's Thought: God is ready to help me lose weight!

*************************

Today's Tip:  Health and Diet
Which sounds more appealing: dried plums or prunes? Manufacturers have taken to calling the tasty prune (which had acquired an indisputable reputation as a digestive cure), the dried plum. It’s a terrific source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants. Whatever you call them, they make a terrific on-the-go snack, mix-in for yogurt, or salad extra!

***********************

LEMON ESSENCE PRUNE AND APPLE SALAD

1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup pitted prunes, cut into halves
1/2 red apple, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

In large bowl, combine salad ingredients.  Serve with desired low-cal dressing.

October 6

Isaiah 40:31 - NLT
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.

Kip was amazed at how easily he took the stairs. When his kids had begged him to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty with them, he had squirmed. He remembered what a labor it had been when he was fat. He knew that he never would have made it before. Instead of a painful trauma, he found the climb a relative breeze. Thank God he had been able to lose the weight. It was the best move he ever made. It had been tough, but Kip had relied heavily on God to help him out. While he had been dieting, he had needed God's strength. Now that he was thin, God let him use his own strength once again.

Today's Thought: Food gives us temporary strength. God gives us strength forever!

*********************************

Today's Tip:  Health and Diet
Are you relying too heavily on that multivitamin supplement? The best way to get vitamins and minerals is through food, not pills. Try swapping your favorite junk food snack for a piece of fresh seasonal fruit, like a Fiji apple or an Anjou pear, or munch a serving of baby carrots and cucumber spears with hummus.

******************

Apple Crisp

Sliced apples, enough to fill 9-inch
    square baking dish 3/4 full
2 tablespoons flour
Sugar substitute to equal 1 cup granulated sugar
Cinnamon

Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup quick oatmeal
1/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place apples, flour sugar substitute and a sprinkle of cinnamon in 9-inch square cake pan.

Mix topping ingredients together like a pie crust and add to apples.

Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for 40 to 50 minutes.

NOTE: Directions for substituting sweetener for sugar are on the box.

September 30

Psalm 27:14 - NLT
Wait patiently for the Lord, be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Kerri wished she could lose weight just a little bit faster. She really didn't have anything to complain about. Since she started her diet, she had consistently lost. There were days, though, when she simply got tired of dieting. She doubted whether she was ever going to lose the weight she wanted to lose. All those times, she turned to God for encouragement. Talking to the Lord always made Kerri feel better. She really believed that He knew what she was going through. If God could be patient with her when she complained about her diet, she figured she could be more patient as she attempted to lose weight.

Today's Thought: Without patience, I'll never lose weight!

***********************

Today's Tip:
Simplest Diet, Health Tip – Add Fruits and Vegetables
Read more at:  http://www.odwalla.com/enwfiles/release73.html or look at the Produce Color Chart here:  http://www.odwalla.com/enwfiles/enw_art/OdwallaClipAndSaveChart.jpg

**********************

Summer Fruit Salad

 Cool off quick this summer with a delicious fruit salad!
 Fresh bananas, oranges, strawberries and grapes combine
 with creamy dressing for one cool, refreshing treat.

 Prep: 10 min

 3 medium bananas, sliced
 4 medium oranges, peeled and sectioned
 1 cup strawberries, cut in half
 1 cup seedless green grapes, cut in half
 Sour Cream-Honey Dressing (below)
 
 1. Toss bananas, oranges, strawberries and grapes.

 2. Make Sour Cream-Honey Dressing; pour over fruit. Toss
 until fruit is well coated.

 Makes 10 servings

 Sour Cream-Honey Dressing

 1/2 cup sour cream
 1 tablespoon honey
 1 tablespoon orange juice
 
 Mix all ingredients until smooth.

September 22

Mark 11:24 - NLT
'Listen to me!  You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it.'

Abby knew that God hadn't lost her weight for her, but He sure helped her be able to lose it. When she felt most like giving up, He encouraged her and gave her the will to go on. When she was most tempted to break her diet, He reminded her of how important it was to stick with it. When the pounds began to fall, He filled her with a deep joy that insured she would continue. She never forgot to pray, whether it was for help, for strength, or for thanksgiving. Abby hadn't lost the weight all by herself. God helped more than she could ever know.

Today's Thought: I'm glad that I'm a loser. . .of weight!

*************************

Today's Tip:  Grab-and-Go Breakfast.

The key to any healthy grab-and-go meal is a balance of protein, fat and carbs. For a quick and easy breakfast, stuff half a whole-wheat pita with cottage cheese and sliced peaches or pears.

*************************

5-Minute Fat-Free Chilled Strawberry Soup

1 quart strawberries, stem tops removed
12 ounces fat-free vanilla yogurt
A pinch of dry ginger
Juice of 1 orange
4-6 mint leaves

Place ingredients in food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Chill and serve with a small dollop of yogurt and a mint sprig as garnish. It can be further enhanced with a shot of Grand Marnier or a couple ounces of sweet champagne.

Serves four.

************************

September 17

2 Corinthians 12:9 - NLT
Each time he said, 'My gracious favor is all you need.  My power works best in your weakness.'  So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may work through me.

There are times when the hunger pangs get to be almost unbearable. A person gets shaky, she feels weak-kneed and light-headed; it almost feels like an illness. Hunger makes us aware of how really weak we are. A person who is hungry is a person who is humble. It is good for us to realize that we need help, that we are not always able to stand on our own two feet. In those times of weakness, we learn to rely on the true strength: the power of Jesus Christ. Christ comes to us in our moments of weakness, to strengthen and support us. Praise God that He never lets us fail for very long.

Today's Thought: Hunger makes me weak; losing weight makes me strong!

*****************************

Today's Tip:   Firm Up Your Dinner Plans.
Deciding ahead of time what you are having for dinner will keep you from grabbing the wrong foods when you are in a pinch. Set a deadline for yourself, say 3 p.m., to know what you're serving. This will give you plenty of time to plan and pick up what you need.

*****************************

SLIM 'N FROSTY FRUIT SHAKE
Number of Servings: 3

1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup cream-style low fat (1%) cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups chilled cut-up fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches, cantaloupe, blueberries, or raspberries)
1 banana
1 cup ice cubes
2 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate

Place all ingredients into blender container. Cover; process on high until smooth.

Note: For extra frosty shake, freeze peeled banana several hours before using.

September 2

Isaiah 41:10 - NLT
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Ben was afraid to even try a diet. He never had much luck with things that required a lot of willpower on his part. He caved in much too easily. If only someone else would make his decisions for him. He had never been overweight when he lived at home and had his mother around to tell him what to eat and what not to eat. Ben would be the first one to admit that he had no self-control.  Unfortunately, we all have to learn to discipline ourselves. God doesn't tell us what to do. He gives us complete freedom, but He will help us have the strength to make right decisions if we ask Him to. Include God, and He will make some wonderful things happen.

Today's Thought:  True power is the ability to say no!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

TODAY'S TIP:

Take a small sponge and cut it in half.  Place it in a container that you can seal tightly.  Add one part fabric softener to three parts water.  Just throw the wet sponge into the dryer when you get ready to dry your clothes.  It takes the place of those costly fabric sheets and works just as well.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Cherry Banana Fruit Salad

1 1/2 cup Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling, No Sugar Added
1 1/2 cup Del Monte Pineapple Chunks In Its Own Juice
2 medium banana(s)
1 Tbsp sugar

Slice bananas. Mix all ingredients and chill.

August 27

Ephesians 2:14-15
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

As wrong as it was, Rachel had to admit that being thin helped her fit in. She really wasn't a different person now that she was thin, but people sure treated her that way. It was unbelievable that people were so biased against those who were fat. Rachel sighed a prayer of thankfulness to God that He had helped her lose weight. It was hard, being on the outside. Nobody likes being ostracized. She also prayed that God might make people see how unfair it was to judge others based on their appearance. If God could help Rachel lose weight, perhaps He could change the bigotry of some concerning obesity.

Today's Thought:  Fat or skinny, I'm the same person inside!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:
Pack low fat yogurts in your kids’ lunch boxes, and small boxes of low fat milk, or bottles of water, instead of sugary drinks. Always pack at least one fruit offering in your kids' lunches—dried or fresh, and preferably not immersed in syrup.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Banana-Peach Smoothie Pie

1 2/3 packages vanilla pudding mix, 3.12 oz each or one 5.1 oz box
2 c fat-free milk
2 med peaches, chop one and set the other aside
1 large banana, sliced
6 oz reduced-fat graham cracker pie-crust
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Prepare pudding according to package directions, using fat-free milk. Set aside to cool. Purée chopped peach in a food processor and stir into cooled pudding.

Lay banana slices in bottom of pie-crust and cover with pudding. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Just before serving, thinly slice remaining peach and decorate top of pie with peach slices. Sprinkle with nutmeg, slice into 10 pieces and serve.

August 22

Titus 3:4-5 - NLT
But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.  He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy.  He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.

It was a miraculous metamorphosis. Darleen had lost one hundred pounds. Though everyone encouraged her as much as possible, no one really believed she could do it. The proof was before their eyes: Darleen looked great. Someone asked her how she had done it, and she told them that a crisis in her life had made her realize she didn't just need to lose weight, she needed to be saved from her own body. She fell in her kitchen and had not been able to get up again. Through her pain and frustration, she believed she was being taught a valuable lesson. She thanked God that He had gotten through to her before it was too late.

Today's thought: Save me from being a prisoner to obesity!

*********************************

Today's Tip:  Picking the Best Canned Soup.

Keep your eye on the total fat -- it should be no more than 3 grams. Some canned cream soups pack a whopping 25 grams. Others pour almost an entire day's worth of sodium in one can; if a can has more than 500mg of sodium, put it back.

****************************************

Easy Strawberry Orange Salad

2 (3 oz.) pkg. strawberry-flavored gelatin
2 c boiling water
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen strawberries, thawed, drained, reserve juice
1/3 c orange juice
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/3 c sour cream

Place gelatin in bowl. Add boiling water; stir until dissolved. Combine reserved strawberry juice and orange juice; stir into gelatin. Reserve 1 tbs. mixture; set aside.  Cover gelatin mixture; refrigerate until slightly thickened. Gently stir in strawberries and orange segments.  Cover; refrigerate until set.  Combine sour cream and reserved gelatin mixture until well mixed.  Cover; refrigerate until serving time. Serve sour cream mixture with salad.

August 13

Isaiah 40:1 - NLT
“Comfort, comfort my people,”
    says your God.

Josh was feeling down and depressed. Nothing seemed to be working out for him. His job was a nightmare, his social life was even worse, and he was lonely. He sat alone and ate. His weight had skyrocketed. He wouldn't eat so much if he had someone to talk to. His main problem was that he just didn't have anything else to do. Often, the most comforting thing we can hope for is someone to spend time with. Company gives us pleasure and takes our mind off eating. It is up to us to find people to spend time with when that is the only reason we sit and stuff ourselves. God sends us comfort in many ways. Seek the comfort of company.

Today's Thought:  I'm never so tempted to cheat as when I'm alone!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:  Artichokes
Looking for a new vegetable?  Try artichokes.  To cook, place artichoke in a microwavable dish, stem up with 1/4 c water and 1 tbsp lemon juice.  Microwave high 5-7 min.  Let stand 2 min.  Peel and enjoy--Only 25 calories!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Apple-Cinnamon Wantons

butter-flavor cooking spray
2 medium apples, peeled, cored
wantons
powdered sugar

Place wanton wrappers on a flat surface. Drop apple mixture by teaspoonfuls onto center of each wrapper. Moisten edges of wrapper with wet fingers, fold over one corner to make a triangle and press sides together to seal. Transfer filled wrappers to prepared baking sheet and coat surface with cooking spray.  Bake until wantons are golden brown, about 15 min.  Place wantons on individual plates and sift with powdered sugar. Serve with ice cream on the side.

August 10

Romans 2:11 - NLT
For God does not show favoritism.

Andrea was furious. She hadn't wanted to go on the hike in the first place, and now she was falling farther and farther behind. No one would give her time to catch up. Some of them were even laughing at her. It wasn't her fault she wasn't in good physical condition. She had to carry around a lot more weight than they did. It just wasn't fair. In this life, we don't get a lot of breaks. Just because we're overweight doesn't mean we deserve special treatment. God doesn't give preferential treatment. He wants all of His children to be the best they can possibly be. He expects us all to do our best.

Today's Thought: I am trying my best to please God!

***********************

Today's Tip:  Take Control of What You Eat

There are few things that we have complete control over, but what we put in our mouths is one of them. We don't have to lose control in a restaurant or a friend's home, and we don't have to eat everything that's put in front of us.

********************

BANANA SPLIT SMORES

12 Marshmallows
24 Gingersnaps
1 Milk Chocolate Bar (1.5 Ounces),
separated into 12 pieces
1 Small Banana, cut into 12 pieces

Toast Marshmallows on Skewers until browned. To make a smore, ease a marshmallow onto a gingersnap, top with 1 piece chocolate and 1 piece banana. Cover with other gingersnap. Press down until chocolate melts.

July 30

Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

Alice was right: Doug had been doing his diet halfway. His heart hadn't really been in it, and Alice asked him why he was even doing it at all. Now, he felt he was ready. Alice had offered the challenge, and he aimed to take her up on it. No more halfway measures: he was going to throw all his energy and commitment into losing some weight. God wants us to mean what we say. Our yes must mean yes, and our no must mean no. Whatever we choose to do, we ought to do it fully, for God wants children with commitment and resolve, not indecision and insincerity.

Today's Thought:  My diet is an all-or-nothing proposition!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:  Add More Activity

Find ways to build more activity into each day - take the stairs rather than the elevator. Park in the far corner of the parking lot rather than near the door. Put on music and dance through chores or just for fun.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Fruit-Filled Breakfast Wontons

8 square wonton skins
1/4 c golden raisins
4 large walnut halves, cut in half
1 tbs packed brown sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees; line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.  Bring a large pot of water to a simmer.  Brush edges of wonton skins with water to moisten.  Place raisins and walnuts in the centers of the wonton skins; fold in half on the diagonal, pressing the edges to seal tightly.  Place the wontons in the simmering water about 1 minute.  With a slotted spoon, transfer the wontons
to paper towels to drain; place them on the baking sheet.  In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the wontons.  Bake until lightly browned and crisp, 8-10 min.

July 22

1 Corinthians 9:4
Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Kevin blamed the diets. Kevin blamed his friends. Kevin blamed a bad childhood, glands, communists, and a government plot. Kevin blamed
everyone but Kevin. Kevin tried and Kevin failed, but he never learned to take responsibility for his obesity. We can never hope to get anywhere unless we are willing to take ownership of our own
problems. God has given us freedom of choice. We have the ability to abuse that privilege if we so desire. It is our choice, however, and we control our own destiny. Dieting is nothing more than learning to tame a freedom that has degenerated into gluttony. God will help us tame that beast.

Today's Thought:  I'm in control of my life; my stomach isn't.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:  JOURNAL, JOURNAL, JOURNAL

This is one of the most powerful tools to help you stay on track or get back on track. Your journal can help you see where you are perhaps going over or under on your number of points for the day, or
aren't getting in the Guidelines for Healthy Living requirements.

Use your journal as a detective tool: Had a good week? Look over it at the end of the week and try and see what you think contributed to that success. Had a not so good week? Again, look over your journal to see what may have contributed to you playing a little looser with the program. Look at last week's journal for clues too, sometimes it takes a full week before the effects of a blown week show up.

Using the journal on a consistent basis is the best way to make sure that you're really eating the amount of food that you think you're eating, which can be two different things sometimes.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Fruit Kabobs & Yogurt Dip

3 cups cut or small whole mixed fruit
8 skewers
3 cups aspartame-sweetened fat-free yogurt

Thread the fruit onto the skewers, alternating different types of fruit.  Serve 2 skewers to each person, along with 3/4 cup of yogurt for dunking.

July 10

Romans 8:18 - NLT
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Jimmy was fascinated by the cocoon. He watched the caterpillar work on its new home for hours. Everyday he came in to look at the cocoon. When the monarch butterfly finally emerged, Jimmy was delighted. God works some amazing miracles in nature. It shouldn't be so hard to believe that He will work such miracles in the lives of His people. Losing weight might not seem like a miracle, but for those who struggle with their weight, it often feels as if only a miracle will suffice. If God can transform a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, He certainly can help us when all we want is to lose weight.

Today's Thought:  I am one of God's miracles, and He will help me be my best!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:  Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Red, White and Blueberry Crisp

2 c blueberries
2 tbsp sugar
2 c strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 c uncooked old-fashioned oats
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1/2 c lite whipped topping

Toss blueberries with 1 tbsp sugar; set aside. Toss
strawberries with 1 tbsp sugar; set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Stir together oats, brown sugar and
margarine; spread mixture on a sheet pan and bake, stirring
occasionally, until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Spread blueberries and strawberries in an 8 x 8-inch glass dish, alternating to create stripes. Sprinkle with oat topping, decorate with whipped topping and serve. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Serves | 8
POINTS per serving | 2

July 9

2 Peter 1:10 - NLT
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.

Beverly never let her Bible get very far away from her. At the first tiny pang of hunger, she grabbed it and immersed herself in the Gospels. Feeding on the word of God was much better for her than feeding her face, and it always took her mind off her hunger. God wouldn't let her fail. He gave her strength and commitment when she needed it the most. Her diet had helped make her a much stronger person, spiritually. She had seen God's power to help her lose weight, and it had given her even more confidence in His power to do other things. Beverly knew that her diligence and perseverance came from God and nowhere else.

Today's Thought:  I am keeping God between me and the refrigerator!

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Today's Tip:  A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye and YES science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

<>< J <>< E <>< S <>< U <>< S <><

Banana and Peach Chips

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 medium banana, sliced 1/4" thick
2 medium peaches, pitted and sliced 1/4" thick
Ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 175oF. Line large baking sheet with foil; spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. In small bowl, combine lemon and lime juice. Dip banana and peach slices into juice; arrange in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Bake 2-3 hours, until golden. Store in airtight container.  Serves 4

EACH SERVING PROVIDES: 1 Fruit
WW Points: 1 point