Daily Word~

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:8

Help for Home Makers....

My niece referred to a website that gives advice on cleaning and cooking....it is an adorable blog...that gives tips on organizing, cooking and doing house work faster and more efficient....all with a sense of humor. I think you would enjoy visiting this site.


Flylady.net

Daniel Fast Completed!

Today we had a church fellowship dinner for the STWC members who completed the Daniel Fast. We had a large amount of the congregation ....families, (children & teens)...who felt this years Fast was a great blessing to them. Saturday night we had a Family Devotion & Communion Services to finish out our church Fast. It's been such a great experience to share with the whole congregation.
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*received this from a friend--

A GREAT HAPPY NEW YEAR RECIPE...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Day 17 of the Daniel Fast

We just returned from our 1st SoCal District Conference. It was great. Such a wonderful spirit of unity and excitement for the future. I had a bit of a challenge finding fast Vegan meals. That are not junk food. I've been living on Jamba Juices....no sugar-no dairy fruit drinks. Also, Middle Eastern food has been very tasty. Tabbouleh, Hummus, Salad with lemon-garlic dressing....various tasty veggie dishes that are available in MidEast Restaurants....highly recommend it. My husband is looking forward to rolling Grape Leaves after the fast. He loves to have a meal of Meat filled Dolma, Rice, Tabbouleh....he's already pick the day he wants me to make it after the fast. Next week we will be in Louisiana for BOTT.

Daniel Fast-Day 12

Proverbs 3:7-8

"Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality."


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Try this~~It's Awesome

A friend sent me this....**Very cool link....You click on an icon to go to all types of websites! Try It!

All My Faves Why Search?


**You will be amazed. lol

Darling Picture of My Aunt Theodora

Daniel Fast~Day 11....Wheel of Life Restaurant

Today I went to lunch with about 12 of our church family on the Daniel Fast. One of our young men found it online and we tried it. They had a lot to choose from and everything in the restaurant is Vegan....made with no meats or animal product. The owners are from Thailand and very friendly and energetic about the Vegan lifestyle....they are 4th generation and said their parents lived to over 100 without health complications. It was a very small place and they were very happy to have a group our size...that was enthusiastically ordering everything on the menu to try and share. lol If you are looking for something different that you don't have to cook...I recommend you try the Wheel of Life Restaurant in Irvine. They also use Agave for sweetener in their foods and desserts. We actually met others eating there-also doing the Daniel Fast from other churches in the area.

THE WHEEL OF LIFE

**Below is a link of several places that serve vegatarian or vegan meals in O.C. SoCal....

Irvine California Vegetarian Vegan Restaurants

Daniel Fast--Places to find good produce and sugar-free/dairy free products

My favorite place to shop is:

Whole Foods -- Whole Foods Market: Natural and Organic Grocery

...Next Fav. is: Mother's Market....

Find Organic stores in Cali or other states--

Food Co-ops, Health Food stores, Natural Food Stores, health food, natural food

Trader Joes, Sprouts, Clarks.....all of these have many choices of healthy foods.

Day 9-Daniel Fast

I have been experimenting with Tofu and Soy "meat" products. The kids have enjoyed the Soy Nuggets and Tofurkey for their lunches. Yesterday I took Sharayah to one of our favorite little Lebanese Restaurants....it's in a converted(small) house in the Chapman University area of town. We had Hummus and Tabbouleh and Vegetarian Grape leaves. I got brave and ordered Eggplant Moussaka...thinking I may like Eggplant more....since I'm eating on the Daniel Fast. I still didn't like it. lol So, I wasted the whole meal...took one bite and didn't eat the rest. It's a learning process to find what we like and how to make our food look appealing. :-) I'm in favor of ethnic foods. I've been into cooking Middle Eastern, Mexican, Asian on this fast...I like the spices and it smells good when cooking. It's hard to reproduce the American diet on this...and I don't care to. I recommend using Whole Wheat Tortilla's for a variety of meals...ie Veggie Fajita's. I have done it many different ways...I took the small baby potatoes-slice, saute' with sliced red pepper, green bell pepper, onion, zucchini, squash or any other veggies you prefer---put a layer of organic-dairy free refried beans if you want....or black beans...homemade salsa...you can add any of your favorite veggies to make it as elaborate as you wish...sometimes I like it simple...other times I add shredded lettuce and tomato....it is delicious. :-)


Tabouleh
Ingredients
1 bunch parsley
1 small onion
1 small tomato
3 tbs Bulgur (cracked wheat)
juice of 1 lemon
olive oil

Instructions
Soak bulgur for 1 hour in warm water
chop parsley very fine
chop onion and tomato
combine all ingredients
drizzle olive oil and squeeze lemon into mixture
salt to taste

I use whole wheat pita(cut in half) to put hummus in or even the tabouleh. You can buy the box mix for Taboule. Sometimes I also like to buy my hummus already made....from Trader Joes. I prefer the original/traditional....now they make it with all types of flavors.

Hummus~
Ingredients:
1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional).Serve immediately with fresh, warm or toasted pita bread, or cover and refrigerate.

Daniel Fast Tips

I have several people telling me they are having headaches from caffeine withdrawals. It is okay to take 2 Tylenol or whatever tablets you prefer to help you through the beginning detox. It will get better. Soon you will be feeling great.

I went to Trader Joes today and stocked up on Soy and Tofu "Meat". The kids are loving it. Jeriah says he wants to eat this the rest of his life. HA There are hot dogs, lunch meat, hamburger patties, nuggets all in either tofu or soy. Jeriah enjoyed the soy nuggets with spicy mustard as a dip. So many of the children and teens in the church are wanting to be on this fast and mine have insisted...(I thought it would be too hard for them or for me to please them)....It is becoming a family fast and one that we will remember for a long time. This is a healthy way to live and reminds us daily that we are putting God before our favorite restaurant or social dinners. We are setting this time aside for Him.

I still recommend you do the Green Smoothie in the morning to get your veggies and important nutrients....It's great if you need something fast and nutritious. My kids are loving a fruit smoothie....you can use soy milk....it feels like an ice cream treat. I make it with lots of ice and give them a spoon to eat it with. It is very satisfying.

Be sure to get at least 8 -10 glasses of water in. Keep a water bottle with you to be sure you do not become dehydrated.

This Blog.....

Hello my dear family and friends...hope your New Year is splendid so far. I had contemplated deleting my blog as I seem to go for a week or more and not write on here. Maybe it is just the holiday season that has distracted me. Today, I heard from family and friends wondering what happened...that they were trying to get thru and were disappointed that I was going to take it down. So, I will see how I do for the next little while. :-)

Our Congregation is on a 21 day Daniel Fast Journey together. I will pass on great Daniel Fast blogs and websites that can assist you on this united effort to honor God with your favorite things...usually has to do with food, time, entertainment.....etc... Our church began yesterday January 4th. I began Jan 1--so today is day 5 for me. Below are some links that I hope help you find a recipe or encouragement.

Blog --

Daniel Fast Diet

Website--Eugenia~ forwarded this one...

Daniel Fast Recipes from the Caring Carrot Cook Book


**If you have any questions please ask....we will look for an answer...

The things to avoid are:

Meat, tea, coffee, sugar, refined grains, fried foods, or dairy products.


Meat, because Daniel didn't want to take the chance of eating non-kosher meat and/or meat that was offered to idols.
white flour and all products using it
white rice, white bread, hominy and pasta
fried foods
caffeine
carbonated beverages, including diet sodas
Wine or any other alcoholic drinks
foods containing preservatives or additives
refined sugar
high fructose corn syrup
chemical sugar substitutes
margarine, shortening, animal fat, high fat products