November 8

1 Thessalonians 3:9 - NLT
How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God.

Gail wished she could do more for Mrs. Cooper. One night Mrs. Cooper had passed by her apartment and heard Gail crying. She stopped to see if there was anything she could do to help. Gail told her about her diet and how hard it was. Mrs. Cooper had been very sympathetic, and had spent many hours with her since. She helped take Gail's mind off food. Gail really felt strongly that she wouldn't have made it through the diet without Mrs. Cooper. We have someone who will listen to us when things get to be too much for us. That someone is God, and we can be thankful that He is ever with us, ready to listen to the concerns of our hearts.

Today's Thought: Let your praises to God be louder than the grumblings of your stomach!

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Today's Tip:  Restaurant "Value" Is No Bargain.
Big restaurant portions typically shatter any healthy limit for fat and calories at a single sitting. Don't feel you're wasting your money if you can't eat it all -- eat half, wrap up the rest, take it home, and make it a second meal later.

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Vegetarian Pasta-Mexicano

1 lb. fettucine
2 T olive oil
1 large (or 2 small) onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 C mild green chiles, such as Anaheims or Poblanos
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 C chopped tomatoes
1 can (15oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 C corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1/4 C chopped cilantro

Serves 4
Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, peppers and chiles and sauté, stirring frequently for about 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except cilantro and pasta and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add pasta and cook to heat through. Stir in fresh cilantro and serve.

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November 6

Mark 10:49-50 - NLT
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!"   Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Kate was so thankful.  God had truly blessed her.  She had been on the verge of collapse, and the doctor told her that her weight had to go.  Reluctantly, she had started to diet, not expecting any great results.  She prayed for God to help her, because she felt so weak.  When the doctor gave her a clean bill of health, she closed her eyes and prayed. God is God of the impossible.  When we say "can't," He says "can".  Faith is believing that God can, and will, help us when we are in need.  God cares for His children, and for that we should be eternally grateful.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  I'd rather be grateful than have another plateful!

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Today's Tip:  Keep a Food Diary.
The best way to start eating healthier is to log everything you eat for 3 days. The first step in changing for the better -- see how often you eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day. Make reaching that mark your first goal.

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TORTELLINI IN BROTH - LOW CAL  

1 lb. frozen tortellini w/cheese, cooked al dente
32 oz. chicken broth
10 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 lg. tomatoes, peeled, deseeded & diced
2 c. fresh spinach, washed & cut up
5 fresh basil leaves

Begin by putting 2 saucepans on stove top. 1 filled with water to boil tortellini. 1 filled with the chicken broth, which should be brought to a boil and then simmered until reduced by half.
Meanwhile, saute the garlic in butter and oil until golden brown. Add the tomatoes and saute until they release their juices. Then add spinach to cook until wilted. At this point add the reduced chicken broth and bring this mixture to a boil, turn down heat and simmer until reduced by 1/2 again. Drain cooked tortellini and add to broth mixture. Serve immediately.

October 31

Philippians 2:14-15 - NLT
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.

Peggy kept looking at her daughter's trick-or-treat bag. Her daughter had made a grand haul of chocolates and sugary candies. It was all Peg could do to keep her hands off it. A little devil inside kept telling her that her daughter wouldn't miss a few pieces. Peggy wanted to dive in so badly it hurt. She walked over to the bag and looked in. On its own, her hand moved toward the sweets. She was about to grab a handful when a still small voice stopped her. What had she been trying to teach her daughter about honesty and respecting things that weren't hers? Now she was attempting to pilfer her daughter's trick-or-treat bag because she wanted candy. When would she ever learn some strength and self-restraint?

Today's Thought: I will avoid things that make me less of a person, but more of a body!

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Today's Tip:  Never combine Wheat or Rice or Potato with one another; they don't go. This means that you don't eat Bread or Pasta if you are having Rice or Potato with your meal.

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Fettuccini Alfredo II

1.5 c nonfat evaporated milk
10 cloves garlic
1 lb dry fettuccine pasta
0.5 c nonfat milk
1 tsp cornstarch
2 tbs lowfat cream cheese
0.5 c grated Parmesan cheese

Combine 1 1/2 cup milk and garlic cloves in a  pan, simmer until garlic is soft, 15-20 min. In a blender, puree milk and garlic mixture with cream cheese until smooth. Return mixture to pan and add 1/2 cup nonfat milk and cornstarch. Heat to simmer. Add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  Toss sauce with pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with remaining Parmesan cheese.

October 27

Hebrews 12:12 - NLT
So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.

Monica hated evenings that she had to spend alone. When she was with friends, she felt so much stronger. She put forth all her energy to have a good time when she went out. On the nights she stayed home, however, she just didn't have the strength to put on a happy front. Dieting was so much more difficult without help from friends. It is good to know that God is ever with us. On those occasions when there is no one around to help us, we can turn to God for strength and endurance. He helps us pick ourselves up and continue on our way. He strengthens feeble knees and lifts hands that hang down.

Today's Thought: My energy comes from a source other than food!

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Today's Tip:  Water facilitates weight loss and helps you stay healthy and regular. Drink eight glasses of water a day. The more water you drink, the less you will retain.

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Spicy Pasta

1 (12 ounce) package rotini pasta
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1  onion, diced
2  red chile peppers, seeded and chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 drops hot pepper sauce
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic with basil and Italian seasoning for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onion and chiles; cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes and hot sauce; simmer for 5 minutes, or until heated through. Toss.