Wednesday, August 29, 2007
So....
The guys are cleaning up around the patio and installing flower beds. I should have pictures soon!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Prayer List
If you haven't heard, a high school friend of mine (who also grew up around the corner), is having a really rough time. Upon coming home to visit her mom and dad, Nicole's son ran out to see his grandpa who was outside mowing. He slipped on the grass and fell under the lawn mower. Doctors had to amputate his leg, but he will survive. You can read about Bryson's accident and recovery progress here.
Saturday night, Mom and I ran into Chuck, the grandfather. I can't imagine the guilt that he has had to deal with -- even if this was just a horrible accident. But Chuck didn't seem to be wrestling with guilt. Instead he spoke of the miracles that God was performing through Bryson. He talked about the number of people who had reached out, shown love and compassion and lifted the family up through prayer.
Often, I am asked to pray for something specific. Some requests are big and some are small. Sometimes I'm asked by people who have been walking with Lord longer than I and sometimes I'm asked by people who are just trying to cover their bases. And sometimes, people don't even know I'm praying for them!
I've started a prayer list on my blog. It occured to me that I look at it, read it, and pray for these people every day. I don't however, share it. Now I would never betray a confidence, but the people to the right could certainly benefit from a few more voices from the faithful. So if you have the time, please say a prayer for them. After all, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (and I love how simplistic The Message is!):
Saturday night, Mom and I ran into Chuck, the grandfather. I can't imagine the guilt that he has had to deal with -- even if this was just a horrible accident. But Chuck didn't seem to be wrestling with guilt. Instead he spoke of the miracles that God was performing through Bryson. He talked about the number of people who had reached out, shown love and compassion and lifted the family up through prayer.
Often, I am asked to pray for something specific. Some requests are big and some are small. Sometimes I'm asked by people who have been walking with Lord longer than I and sometimes I'm asked by people who are just trying to cover their bases. And sometimes, people don't even know I'm praying for them!
I've started a prayer list on my blog. It occured to me that I look at it, read it, and pray for these people every day. I don't however, share it. Now I would never betray a confidence, but the people to the right could certainly benefit from a few more voices from the faithful. So if you have the time, please say a prayer for them. After all, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (and I love how simplistic The Message is!):
Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Grilling
So last night, I fired up the grill -- literally. It's the old-fashioned charcoal kind. Of course, it was so hot, I probably could have thrown things on my patio and grilled them. I figured since I was going to a lot of effort, I might as well try something different.
So, I rubbed some chicken breasts with brown sugar, espresso powder and black pepper. Good start...we're covering sweet and spicy and bitter. What other taste sensations do I need? Sour! So I split some peaches and threw them on. What else? Smoky? I considered throwing the lettuce on (I've actually had grilled lettuce before...it's surprisingly good), but decided there was too much on my tiny grill as it was.
So, I chopped up the lettuce, added some sweet vidalia onions, fresh cukes out of dad's garden and topped the whole thing off with some shredded swiss cheese. Diced chicken and warmed sliced peaches completed my meal...along with some drizzled poppy seed dressing.
Wow. The peaches were warm and syrupy...but not too sweet. They were all blistered and blackened on the grilled side, and warmed all the way through. I bet grilled peaches would be good with ice cream!
The chicken had a lot of depth and flavor. The espresso powder makes SUCH a difference, and the brown sugar carmelized into a crunchy bite.
If only I had thought to toast up some nuts, it would have been a bit better. Oh well...maybe next time.
So, I rubbed some chicken breasts with brown sugar, espresso powder and black pepper. Good start...we're covering sweet and spicy and bitter. What other taste sensations do I need? Sour! So I split some peaches and threw them on. What else? Smoky? I considered throwing the lettuce on (I've actually had grilled lettuce before...it's surprisingly good), but decided there was too much on my tiny grill as it was.
So, I chopped up the lettuce, added some sweet vidalia onions, fresh cukes out of dad's garden and topped the whole thing off with some shredded swiss cheese. Diced chicken and warmed sliced peaches completed my meal...along with some drizzled poppy seed dressing.
Wow. The peaches were warm and syrupy...but not too sweet. They were all blistered and blackened on the grilled side, and warmed all the way through. I bet grilled peaches would be good with ice cream!
The chicken had a lot of depth and flavor. The espresso powder makes SUCH a difference, and the brown sugar carmelized into a crunchy bite.
If only I had thought to toast up some nuts, it would have been a bit better. Oh well...maybe next time.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Nutritional Book Reviews
Knowing that I'm not the only one trying to mind what I eat, instead of eating whatever comes to mind, I thought I'd share some thoughts on some "nutritional" books I have read lately.
One book is called Eating Mindfully by Dr. Susan Albers. It was recommended to me by a nutritionist. Honestly, if you like reading stereo instructions, you will LOVE this book. Dr. Albers takes Buddah's discourse on the four stages of mindfulness and applies them to food. When we eat we should be mindful of our mind (isn't THAT redundant), mindful of our thoughts, mindful of our body and mindful of our emotions. Basically, it's striving to be aware of when and why you are eating. Are you eating without thinking? Eating only when scared? Judging your eating habits and or others? On and on it goes...with self-help exercises to go along with it.
If you didn't have an eating disorder before reading this book, there's a good chance you might after reading it. Phew. I felt totally incompetent and unprepared to do anything when I finished. I also found myself arguing against the logic that it's all on me. I know that I'm not perfect. If I put that much emphasis on myself, I know I would be doomed to fail.
Another book that says basically the same thing, but with a positive spin is French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. Mireille suggests that we fall in love with our food and only accept the best quality. She also suggests that you slow down and enjoy your food. Don't read or watch TV while eating...make every bite like it may be your last. She also recommends lots of water and walking for exercise. Of course, she also suggests eating nothing but leek soup one week-end a month, but what can I say, she's French.
My friend Monica was telling me about a time that she and her husband were in a car accident in Europe. They were taken to a hospital in Paris where everyone spoke English. Monica spent about 10 days recovering in the hospital, during which time she ate only hospital food. Now this hospital had a gourmet restaurant in it...so good that people off the street would come in and eat. Monica was having wine with meals, rich food, and the good stuff -- butter. She complained to her doctor that they were going to have to roll her out of the hospital. No, no no -- he said. When you prepare your food with natural ingredients, you will be fine. It's when you start adding in all of the pre-packaged foodstuff that things don't go so well. A nurse went on to explain that because of a chain of events, most French families now had both parents working. Because there isn't as much time to prepare food, the French are turning to pre-packaged meals and take-out. Result? Their obesity level is rising. Hmmmm...
I can't help thinking back to Daniel and what a role-model he is. No, not in the lion's den, but clear back in chapter one:
Daniel 1:8-16
One book is called Eating Mindfully by Dr. Susan Albers. It was recommended to me by a nutritionist. Honestly, if you like reading stereo instructions, you will LOVE this book. Dr. Albers takes Buddah's discourse on the four stages of mindfulness and applies them to food. When we eat we should be mindful of our mind (isn't THAT redundant), mindful of our thoughts, mindful of our body and mindful of our emotions. Basically, it's striving to be aware of when and why you are eating. Are you eating without thinking? Eating only when scared? Judging your eating habits and or others? On and on it goes...with self-help exercises to go along with it.
If you didn't have an eating disorder before reading this book, there's a good chance you might after reading it. Phew. I felt totally incompetent and unprepared to do anything when I finished. I also found myself arguing against the logic that it's all on me. I know that I'm not perfect. If I put that much emphasis on myself, I know I would be doomed to fail.
Another book that says basically the same thing, but with a positive spin is French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano. Mireille suggests that we fall in love with our food and only accept the best quality. She also suggests that you slow down and enjoy your food. Don't read or watch TV while eating...make every bite like it may be your last. She also recommends lots of water and walking for exercise. Of course, she also suggests eating nothing but leek soup one week-end a month, but what can I say, she's French.
My friend Monica was telling me about a time that she and her husband were in a car accident in Europe. They were taken to a hospital in Paris where everyone spoke English. Monica spent about 10 days recovering in the hospital, during which time she ate only hospital food. Now this hospital had a gourmet restaurant in it...so good that people off the street would come in and eat. Monica was having wine with meals, rich food, and the good stuff -- butter. She complained to her doctor that they were going to have to roll her out of the hospital. No, no no -- he said. When you prepare your food with natural ingredients, you will be fine. It's when you start adding in all of the pre-packaged foodstuff that things don't go so well. A nurse went on to explain that because of a chain of events, most French families now had both parents working. Because there isn't as much time to prepare food, the French are turning to pre-packaged meals and take-out. Result? Their obesity level is rising. Hmmmm...
I can't help thinking back to Daniel and what a role-model he is. No, not in the lion's den, but clear back in chapter one:
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Daniel 1:8-16
Monday, August 20, 2007
Who Am I Casting Crowns
WOW! I love when the same message can be presented in a new way. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
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