Sassy Salad

Hi, My Dear Readers,
I made a sassy salad, that I served with dinner guest.  It turned out so good, that I thought I would share the list of ingredients with you.

I cut up Romaine lettuce put in the big bowl, then 3/4ths of a cumber cut in slices, then in half.  I cut up radishes, some red cabbage, small tomatoes, a package that had baby carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, which I then cut up into small pieces.  The salad was a big hit.  My guest had seconds and raved how good it was.  It's nice to have a big healthy salad that meets the expatiation of dinner guest.  Served with a few different style dressings.   

"Avocado Health Drink" / Getting Healthy

My Dear Readers,

My husband did some research on the internet to find ways of eating healthier. He found this one site called veggiegal.com on Net Flex. She has a video on eating vegetarian, and different recipes and links to other sites with more recipes. We started to check these sites out and have used a couple of her recipes, they are very good.

One of the things that we are doing is eating Ezekiel Bread, (Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread) it is very healthy and has no flour in it. Also, if we have cereal like Raisin Bran, we just use apple juice instead of milk. (It's not bad) We also put a few shakes of cinnamon and ginger into our food or drinks. It is an anti inflammatory, and has helped my husband walk again. At one point he was almost in a wheel-chair.

Since eating very little meat and lots of fruit and veg. We both have lost weight and are healthier.

So I thought I would share this healthy avocado breakfast drink that we got from veggiegal.com We drink it almost every day.

you take a handful of fresh spinach

you then chop it up, and put it in a blender.

you take a quarter size pinch of cilantro, and chop it up, then  put in blender.

you then take a lime, and cut it  into eight pieces

you then fa-lay it (taking out the insides and cutting it up.)  when you put into the blender you add the juice that squirted out.

you take about a fourth of a cumber, and cut it up. add to blender.   We add a little ginger, cayenne, garlic, onion powder, and  sea salt, or regular salt.  I then add a whole ripe avocado.  Spooning it out of the skin.  If you are like me, I leave a touch of it in the skin, so I can eat it!.  I then add about a cup of water and turn the blender on.  You don't need to mix prior to this.   

Our little blender makes almost two full cups.   It is very filling and healthy.  Please let me know if you have tried this and what you thought of this.  Enjoy!

  

"Strangle or Love"

Last night and this morning I have been having a hard time dealing with my husband. God has been dealing with me in crucifying the flesh. In my morning prayer this morning I was going over the fruits of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit, again. ( Found in Galatians 5:19-25)  I realized that in my flesh I wanted to strangle My husband. I knew that God loved him and wanted to use me to show Crickett His love. Again, If I couldn't love my husband how could I love the world, it starts with the home. 

 Anyway, I also knew that before I could love my husband, I had to receive an abundance so God's love could over flow to Crickett. I spent some time thinking and  receiving God's love.  While I was still a sinner, God loved me. I went through the list, receiving God's love,joy, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering.....I was doing good as long as my husband was sleeping.

When Crickett got up, I asked him if he would like some waffles.  He said, " sure."  I noticed that I only had enough eggs to make cookies, but not waffles.   I called my neighbor, an older single guy, and asked if I could borrow a couple of eggs. The first thing he said when he knew it was me, was," Hi there beautiful."  Boy did that make my day.   I happily told Crickett what he said, as I was going out the door. to go get them. When my neighbor got to the door, he had four eggs, he asked, "what's for breakfast."

 I said,  "waffles" then I asked him if he wanted to join us.  He said, yes.

I made breakfast as he talked with Crickett. After he ate and left, I was thinking, boy, I think I'll call him up everyday, just so I can hear those words. ( I sure don't hear them from my husband.)  Then the Holy Spirit reminded me that, that was the flesh!   Another realization of how strong the flesh is.  How I like those complements!  I then spent some time repenting. I had a hard time calming my flesh down. I prayed that God would help me to love the things that He loves and to hate what he hates.  

Before dinner my husband and I went for a walk.  It was starting to get dark and when I heard a dog barking I got scared,and grabbed for his belt loop. I was still a little raw, regarding dogs.   Crickett gave me a little lecture,and when I commented, he came back with you can be a big B---- why don't you use that energy to go towards the dogs. That hurt!   I wanted to respond.   In the past, I would bring him up, especially if he does the same thing.   I remembered that I was working on the fruits of the spirit. So, for the first time, I kept my mouth shut.

Oh it is so hard to crucify the flesh!   

“Chocolate Chip Cookie Lovers”

 My dear readers,
To all of you who like chocolate chip cookies. 

I was encouraged to put a little food on my site. so here goes.  I just made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies for my husband.  It was so good, (actually, the best I've ever had.) I thought I would share it with you. I used Hershey's Special Dark, real mildly sweet chocolate instead of the Hershey chunks.  I used the recipe on the back of the package.  I  used for the first time, unsalted sweet cream Butter, (which the body digests easier than the imitation ones.)  The butter made them very creamy, it was perfect. The cookie melted in my mouth.   Now, I like my cookies pretty flat and chewy.  And that's just how they turned out.   I try not to stir more then necessary because the more you stir, the more air gets in the mix, the fatter the cookies.   Also, I try to use a little less flour for the same reason.   In the past, I would have trouble with the bottoms of the cookies burning, so, I now use a smaller baking sheet inside a bigger one, so I have a double layer of protection.   I let the cookies cook for 12 minutes instead of the 8 to 10 minutes the package calls for. The cookies come out golden brown,   Perfect.    So, for all you chocolate lovers enjoy!        

The Grave Hole/ Rosh Hashanah and Repentance

My Dear Friends

I was reminded of a time when God was doing a lot of healing. I had this impression of being in a grave hole with this small shovel. I was not allowed to come out until I had it all smooth and clean. The dirt was packed hard and clean every where except this one corner where a small stream of sand would pour down every time I shoveled that area. At that rate, I was never going to get out of the hole.

God was really dealing with me and my striving to be perfect. I did not believe I could be loved or accepted until I was perfect.

This is the week of Rosh Hashanah, which is  the biblical “Feast of Trumpets” it's considered to be both joyous and somber: joyous because it's a celebration of the new year and somber because custom has it as a “Day of Judgment” in that it is a day of looking back and taking stock of one's life over the past year. It is a time of forgiveness, both personally and spiritually. Personally we should seek to forgive those who have hurt us, and seek forgiveness from those we have harmed. Also, it is a time to remember God has forgiven us!

As I think about that grave hole now, how far I have come! I am no longer in that hole.  I am on top of the ground, never to go down again. I no longer have to strive to be perfect, the Bible says that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

                                                       ------

During this time of repentance, purging from you, Lord, no matter what comes up, YOU LOVE ME!

You know all about me. You know what is in my heart and attitude. You know all the dirt and stains that I have. When you adapted me, you took me as I was.

 I can imagine You, God, buying a rusty, filthy pot that has been used and abused and the inside all filled with stains. I know that you look at that pot with a vision and a plan. You know exactly what  to do, to bring that pot to where you can put your most precious ointment in it. That's how you see me.  It's because of your love for me that you clean, scrub and bring to the surface everything that  is not right.

Lord, I want to be your shinny vessel that you have envisioned me to be. I want to be pure and Holy.  I want to be able to hold your precious ointment. With fear and trembling, I give you permission to go through this house of mine, the attic, the main house, the basement, the cellar, under the beds, in the closets, in the corners, with a large flash light. I give you permission to expose to the light, the dirt, stains, bad attitudes, selfishness, anger, hatred, unforgiveness, that is in me. I come to you in humility, as a sinner. 

 I thank-you that you will not show me everything that there is wrong with me all at once. You will only give me what I can handle and I thank-you for the verse in 1^st John 1:9,  If I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank-you!

May we all be able to pray this prayer!  God so wants to clean us up, so we can  become the men and women of God that he has envisioned us to be.

Remember, It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit say's the Lord.

May you have a Blessed Day and Rosh Hashanah.

Dog Attack And Gods Protection

On Monday, (9-5-11) I had a pretty terrifying experience!   My husband Crickett, and I got up early to go to this guys house, to look at cars.  I'll call him Bob.  When we got there, there were about six dogs that were on the large property.  They looked like pit bull and something.  We walked around, looking at all the cars and stuff.   The place looked like a junk yard.  The dogs didn't bother us.   At one point, I was able to call one of the dogs over.  He sniffed my hand, and I gave his head a pat.

Bob needed to have his computer looked at, so Crickett, went into this small, over crowded trailer to help him.  I thought I would look around.   Very carefully, I made my way through a maze of stuff, amazed by all the different things that he had.   I walked past this small trailer where a young man was staying to help with the property.  I heard movement inside, so I quickly walked away. 

  I was looking in this one area, when one of the dogs, gave a loud bark.  The dog seemed far away.  I said, “It's OK,” then all of a sudden all the six dogs came at me.  Before I could blink, they were in front of me.  The dogs started to bark aggressively and nip, both my arms and legs.  I  walked backwards.   Panic and fear took over.  I was terrified!  I was afraid to grab something for defense.  I was afraid they would  get angrier.   I was getting more and more scarred.  I didn't know what to do.  The dogs knew that I was scared.  I did not want to make matters worse by screaming, so with some control, I calmly yelled,  "help me, Please!   Help me!"   It seemed liked forever.  The dogs were not relenting.

Finally, this guy came over holding this six foot stick.   My rescuer!   He told the dogs to get back and escorted me to where my husband was.  I was never so glad to see someone, in all my life.  I don't know what would of happened if he was not around.   How long could I have held off the dogs?  Was I going to be eaten alive?     I was very, very, shook up!   I started to cry.   One nip was so hard that it made a big bruise on my leg and a small hole where a tooth broke the skin. 

My husband was so preoccupied with the computer that when I came in, he hardly noticed.  They did not realize the significance of what just happened.  Without even looking, my husband asked if any skin was broken.   I said, I didn't think so.   He said, “You'll be ok.”  Then Bob added, “I'm sorry that you had to experience that.”

The computer was pretty messed up.    Crickett was trying to fix it and put these virus protectors on it.   We were there for hours and hours.  When they wanted a break they would go out side.  I would stay in the small trailer and just cry, to afraid to go out the door.  At one point in the afternoon, I was ready to go out

side with them, but when I saw a dog close by, I quickly changed my mind.

Finally it was time to leave, I held on to Cricketts hand for dear life.  I made sure Bob was close by.  I heard the dogs following behind, panic set in again.  I quickly jumped into the truck, heart pounding a mile a minute.

After getting home and eating a quick meal, I called a friend for prayer.  I needed peace!  Crickett  gave me a hug and I just cried and cried, the thought of all those dogs, really freaked me out..

                                                    Very, Very, Traumatic!

  

I've been encouraged that if that happens again, to pick up something to defend my self.    If your going to go down, go down fighting.   Also, a dog may try to bite the back of the neck, so clasp your hands together to protect that area.   With elbows forward, try to protect your face.  If you have a knife, use it.  And If at all possible stay standing.  If you fall down, they will think they won, and may not give-up. 

In the midst of all this, I want to give Praise to God.   As bad as it was, (and it was very bad!) it could have been worse.   The dogs could of violently growled and bit me all over.   They could of torn me into pieces.

I also want to Praise God For the location the dogs came after me.  I had walked in places that no one would of heard me.  I also Praise God that, that guy was in the trailer and that he heard me. 


                               And I Praise God that I'm still alive to talk about this! 

I  want to leave you with this.  In Romans, 8:28  It says,"I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."       I believe that God is going to use this in many ways.  May you all be Blessed and be SAFE!

"Touched By God"

My Dear Friends,

Yesterday, I was on the bus going to a cleaning job.   I was reading 2^nd peter 1...in the living translation.  When I got to the part where Peter repeats what God says, during Jesus transformation, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”   I almost cried, I was hoping in my heart, that I would bring Joy to God also.

This morning I spent some time praying.  Giving the day to the Lord.   My husband got up and so I spent time with him before he left for work.   I was hoping that my friend would call, and spend time with her.

Mean-while I was getting ready to work on creating some earrings, when I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to read a couple verses in the bible.  So, I  read in 1^st Corinthians 6:13, ...Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body.   That really touched me.   My body is for the Lord.  I am his temple.   How could I want this temple to have unforgiveness, anger, ect...  How could I walk in the flesh, if I am the temple of the living God.  That really helped me.  I've been dealing with crucifying the old man.   Romans chapter 6 and 8 have been very helpful.  In Romans 8:13, it says, by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body.   It is not the flesh that does this, but the Spirit.

  Here's another part of The Lord for the body, that touched me.   here I am, desiring my friend to call, when right here I have  my Father, who sacrificed his Son, so that I could have a relationship with Him.   How privileged I am, I really felt that God wanted to spend time with me!   I went to the couch and asked God, my Father, to join me.  I brought my Bible and started to talk to Him.  My month old dark calico kitten, joined us.    I mentioned  how neat these baby kittens are, and I sensed that he wanted me to choose this kitten to keep instead of the other calico.   I asked,  "are you sure, this one wines when you pick it up."  I did not want a kitten that wined if I picked it up.   I wanted one of the other two.   Not this one.  I sensed he was telling me, that's why I want you to have this one, because it's more timid.   I also want you to have it, because my heart is for the one that is rejected and not wanted.  Another lesson in His love.

As I was taking all this in, the other two kittens joined us on the couch.  I was watching them play, appreciating God's creation.  I felt that He was saying that he created them, and gave them the ability to jump, play and be loving.   And that just like he created them, he created me, my talents, my compassion.  He was letting me know that he loved me, and that just as I took pleasure in watching the cats, He takes pleasure, (joy,) in watching me.  He was answering my question, do I bring him joy.

So, instead of being with my friend, I was able to be with the God of the universe, my daddy.   He loves me and takes joy in watching me.   I want to leave you with this verse, Psalms139:13-14,  "God, you formed my

inward parts;  You covered me in my mother's womb.   I will praise You,  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."     That's both you and I.   He formed us, loves us, has a plan for us, and is filled with joy in watching us.   May you be encouraged today!!