November 3

Psalms 126:6 - NLT
They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

The groaning was over. The long nights of hunger lay behind. For some strange reason, the diet was getting easier. Finally, Diane's body had gotten the message that snacks and heavy meals were no more. The cravings and cryings of her stomach subsided. It had been a tough war, but Diane felt she had scored a victory at long last. All the weeping was behind, and she felt a wonderful joy. She knew that plenty of tough times lay ahead, but she also knew she could handle them. With God's help, she would make it. The hardest part was behind her.

Today's Thought: When I take it one day at a time, the days fall away as fast as the pounds!

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Today's Tip:  Health and Diet
Side dishes don’t have to put a dent in your diet. Eliminate some of the fat from those side dishes. Use low fat mayo in potato salad or cole slaw. Mix some low fat yogurt with regular mayo to decrease the fat content. Add spices, tomatoes or vegetables to baked beans. Toss cole slaw with some shredded apples for a sweet taste and extra vitamin C.

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LOW-CAL CHICKEN & RICE SALAD  

2 c. chicken or turkey, white meat
2 c. cooked, cooled rice
1/4 c. diced green pepper
1/4 c. diced red pepper
1 c. grated carrot
1/2 c. sliced celery
1/4 c. diced onions
Lettuce or spinach

Toss all ingredients with low-cal or fat-free dressing. Serve on greens. Serves 6.

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September 4

Matthew 7:7-8 - NLT
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Barry never really believed that he'd lose weight. That was probably his problem. His heart was never in it. Whenever he got the least bit discouraged, he'd immediately give up. His friends tried to offer support, but Barry always came up with excuses why he should give up his diet. If we want to lose weight, we need to believe in ourselves. Self-doubt is a killer. If we lack faith in ourselves, then perhaps we can overcome it by the faith we have in God. God can fill us with a self-assurance that allows us to do almost anything we set our minds to. Push aside doubt. Be filled with the confidence of God.

Today's Thought:  With God's help, I'll knock off a few pounds!

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Today's Tip:  To make brights brighter and whites whiter, add 1/4-cup baking soda to your laundry in addition to laundry detergent.  Not only is it great for combating juice, ketchup, and drool stains, it also removes odors and costs just a few cents per load.  Better yet, unlike bleach it's environmentally harmless.

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Summer Berry Parfait with Yogurt and Granola

3/4 cup sliced strawberries
3/4 cup blueberries
1 (6 ounce) container vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1/2 banana, sliced
1/3 cup granola

Layer 1/4 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/3 container yogurt, 1/3 tablespoon wheat germ, 1/3 of the sliced banana, and about 2 tablespoons of granola in a large bowl. Continue to build the parfait, repeating the layers until all of the ingredients are used completely.

August 16

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - NLT
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Joining the group was the best move she ever made. Fay had struggled alone through a dozen diets with no real success. Then she saw the notice on the church bulletin board about the group that dieted and exercised together. She was a little hesitant at first, but finally she decided to give it a try. What a difference it made! Dieting with a group was much better than dieting alone. Fay felt that God had really led her to this group. She gained so much strength from her new friends, and she was amazed at how much she was able to help others.

Today's thought: A diet for two is easier to do!

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Today's Tip: "If you change just one thing a week, at the end of a year, you'll have made 52 changes." -Pam Brown

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Italian Rice
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Teaspoons Olive Oil
8 Cups Fresh Spinach, chopped
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Cups Cooked Rice
1/2 Cup Red Pepper, chopped

In a non-stick skillet, sauté the garlic in the oil for 1 minute. Add the spinach. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until tender. Drain. Add the remaining ingredients and heat through, about 2 minutes.