FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"I hope it goes without saying that guilt is not a proper motivational technique . . . " (Elder M. Russell Ballard, "O Be Wise," Ensign, November 2006)

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Proverbs

I apologize for my shoddy appearances in blogland of late. My internet isn't feeling so hot and I rarely have time to post from work. :( Hopefully we'll figure out what's wrong with our home computer soon.

I have been studying Proverbs with Tyler lately. I LOVE these awesome little gems. They are so filled with wisdom and hope. He are a few of my faves:

Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction. For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

Proverbs 4:26 "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy paths be established.

Proverbs 6:6-8 "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise, which having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest."

Proverbs 16:20 "He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good, and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."

AND THE WINNER IS . . .

jnkeller!!!!

It was honestly just a random coincidence that my top commentor won this giveaway, but I'm SO excited it was her. Nicole, you're awsome! I'll facebook you to get your address then have the book shipped to you. Enjoy!!!

Thank you everyone else who entered the giveaway. Look for another one soon! I love you all!

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Awake, My Soul!

I recently returned from camping for several days. I love camping, but always wind up SO EXHAUSTED afterwards! This morning as I tried to get out of bed and get ready for work, after hitting the snooze button at least four times, I thought a scripture in Romans, Chapter 13: "And that, knowing the time, that it is now high time to awake out of sleep. . . "

This is a call to awaken our spirits, an admonition to get up and "at 'em" in doing all righteousness. Another verse, this time in the Book of Mormon offers the same "wake up call":
"Awake, my soul, no longer droop in sin!" (2 Nephi, 4:28)

I started thinking, am I hitting my spiritual snooze button? Am I awake to the reality of my spiritual standing? Or am I in sleep-mode, snoring away while I could be working hard to build my own testimony, serve those around me, share the gospel or magnify my callings?

Anyway, something to think about . . . cock-a-doodle-doo!

FOOD FOR THE BODY

GRILLED CORN ON THE COB (from http://www.allrecipes.com/)

Serves: 6

Points: 3

6 ears corn
6 tablespoons butter, softened
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Peel back corn husks and remove silk. Place 1 tablespoon butter, salt and pepper on each piece of corn. Close husks. Wrap each ear of corn tightly in aluminum foil. Place on the prepared grill. Cook approximately 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until corn is tender.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

‎"We have a sacred obligation to SEEK after the power of God and then to USE that power as He directs."
--Sheri Dew

"Life, like classical music, is full of difficult passages that are conquered as much through endurance and determination as through any particular skill." --Sheri Dew

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Turning Our Lives Over to God

President Ezra Taft Benson once said: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.”

I have always loved this quote. It has always served as a sort of compass. Several times in my life, as I have struggled with various aspirations, it has occurred to me, that perhaps, I should invite the Lord to figure into the equation. Once I begin living with His will in mind and heart, praying more sincerely, serving with more frequency and earnest, studying His words more faithfully, I begin to see things falling into place. My heart becomes a conduit to the glorious power of personal revelation, which allows me to live with greater clarity of objective.

I have a often-quoted-by-me, very wise friend, Diane, who begins each day with an invitation. She asks the Lord to allow the Holy Ghost to help her to "orchestrate" her day. She has had many, many experiences where she was able to run into the right person at the gas station, or to read just the right conference talk, or think of just the right thing to say to her children. I want to be more valiant in following her example because I think that as we live thusly, we become better and better. Little by little, we become people so unlike what we had in mind, but more like what the Lord has in mind.

My life has had many twists and turns, especially in the last few years. I have faced personal adversity, and have been blessed beyond comprehension. I was thinking today, specifically about changes to my body in the last ten years since I was married and began having children. In that ten-year time period, I have had four children and have miscarried four times. Add to that, the general stresses of being a mother and of life in general, and my body is COMPLETELY different now. I'm not making excuses and I'm not accepting my weight gain and health as mere fate. But when all is said and done, I wouldn't change much else. If having my perfect size 10 wedding-dress body back meant that I couldn't have my babies, or even that I had to trade in all my trials with their attendant lessons and blessings, I wouldn't even consider it. Despite its challenges and dips and ditches, I love my life. Moreover, I invite the Lord to guide me, to continue to try me, and even to chastise me, if needed, because without all that, who would I end up as? I don't want to finish life without these experiences, because they TEACH me who I was and who I will become. So today, I publicly recommit to the Lord, that I will accept His will for me. I will follow Him and turn my life over to Him. I will invite Him to lead my paths in all things.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

FRUIT KABOBS AND FRUIT DIP (from http://www.skinnytaste.com/)

Serves: 10

Points: 2

3 lbs. fruit

10 bamboo skewers

Cut fruit into bite-sized pieces to keep them all relatively the same size. Place onto wooden skewers and keep chilled until ready to eat.

Dip:

1 cup low fat sour cream
4 tbsp brown sugar

Combine sour cream and brown sugar. Place in a bowl to use as a dip

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56-57)

30 Things to Do in My 30th Year Update

Here's a quick update on my list of 30 Things to Do in My 30th Year.

Goal #8 Eat a guilt-free candy bar. As you can imagine, this took me about five seconds to accomplish :)

Goal #1 Be someone's miracle. I noticed a post on Facebook from a single, working mom whose regular daycare arrangements had fallen through. She was asking for a babysitter and I volunteered. I really saw it as a way to pay it forward for all the childcare help I've received from my family since I've gone back to work. I took my kids and the two boys to Willard Bay and we played at the beach. It was so nice to see the look of gratitude and relief in the mother's eyes. I'm so grateful that I listened to the Spirit.

Goal #3 Dance in the rain with the kids. Our chance came when it started sprinkling in the parking lot at Wal-Mart. It was truly uncharacteristic of me to break out in a boogie there in front of all those complete strangers, but my kids loved it and surprisingly, so did I!

Goal #14 Meet someone famous. Today I had the amazing opportunity to meet one of my personal heroes, Becky Douglas. Becky is a former Miss Georgia, a classical violinist, a member of the church, a mother of seven and also the founder of Rising Star Outreach. Her foundation offers microloans, mobile medical services, and educational opportunities for many whose lives have been touched by leprosy in India. She has been featured on Oprah, CNN and Larry King Live. My boss knows her and asked her to come speak for his Kiwanis meeting today. After the meeting, she came to our office to change out of her sari, then sat at my desk while she ate her lunch. She and I had an opportunity to talk about her work in India and about life in general. She was warm, approachable, very humble and I loved every minute I spent with her. I feel so blessed that our paths merged for half-hour or so. It was AWESOME!

If you want to watch some of the TV spots about Becky and her work in India or find out more about her foundation, go to www.risingstaroutreach.org

FOOD FOR THE BODY

COCOA FUDGE COOKIES (from http://www.cookinglight.com/)

Serves: 24

Points: 2 (per cookie)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter
7 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, soda, and salt; set aside. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in cocoa powder and sugars (mixture will resemble coarse sand). Add yogurt and vanilla, stirring to combine. Add flour mixture, stirring until moist. Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray.

Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until almost set. Cool on pans 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"He knows the way because He is the Way." --Sheri Dew

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--He'll Tell You Too!

"I was raised on a farm in Kansas where we lived next door to my Grandma Dew, and I was her shadow. We went everywhere together—to the bank, the doctor, the Early Bird Garden Club, and to an endless procession of Church meetings. When it came to the gospel, Grandma was zealous. She would talk about the Church anytime and with anyone—including her eldest granddaughter.

I’ll never forget an interchange she and I had one night as we drove home from yet another meeting. It began when I blurted out a question that flashed through my eight-year-old mind: “Grandma, what if the gospel isn’t true and we’ve been going to all of these meetings for nothing?”

Charming little eight-year-old, wasn’t I?

'Sheri, you don’t need to worry about that,' she answered, 'because I know that the gospel is true.'

I challenged her: 'How can you know for sure?'

Several seconds passed before she said slowly, 'I know for sure that the gospel is true because the Holy Ghost has told me that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that this is His Church.' She paused, and then she added something I will never forget: 'And, Sheri, He’ll tell you too, and when He does, your life can never be the same again.'

I still vividly remember what happened next. A sensation unlike any I had ever experienced charged through my body, and then I began to cry. Though I didn’t understand the reason for my outburst, I’m sure Grandma realized exactly what was happening—that the Spirit was bearing witness to me that what she had said was true. (Quoting Sheri Dew)

FOOD FOR THE BODY

Asian Noodles (from http://www.womansday.com/)

Serves: 5

Points: 7

1 pkg (7 or 8 oz) soba noodles or 1/2 pkg (16 oz) wholewheat linguine

1 bag (16 oz) frozen edamame veggie blend

1/2 cup bottled peanut sauce (such as House of Tsang, found in the Asian section)

Bring a 6-qt pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles as package directs, adding frozen vegetables 2 minutes before noodles will be done. Cook 2 minutes or until noodles and vegetables are tender. 2. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Drain noodles and vegetables in colander. 3. Return to pot. Add peanut sauce and a little reserved cooking water; toss to coat. Garnish with chopped cilantro and peanuts, if desired. (You can also add shredded chicken to this recipe if you want, for an additional 2 points per serving.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, be still.

(Hymns, "Master, the Tempest is Raging")

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Deliberately

Tonight was wonderful. At dusk, after I tucked the kids in bed, I went into the backyard with a camping chair and a book. I started to read, but decided instead to just lean back and watch the clouds. It was so peaceful. I watched the clouds slowly drift, finding shapes in them, just like I used to as a kid. I listened to the crickets (they were going crazy!), and watched the tree limbs waving gently in the breeze. Sigh.

It reminded me of the verse that says: "Be still and know that I am God."

It was just so good, so needed for me to take a few minutes and just let God be God. I was blessed with a moment to appreciate the immense dome of the dark sky and watch the stars pop out one by one. It was cleansing to feel the temperature drop, degree by degree as the moon and the sun changed guard.

Many feel so small as they look up at the stars, but not me. I feel so loved. I feel watched over and protected as I stare upward. I would like to share a little poem I wrote a few years ago for a writing competition. (Honorable mention :) I hope you like it. And I hope you "get yours" this week. Remember to remember to be still this week.

Deliberately
by Kristen Walton

No accident of any kind, Nor result of amateur life forms
No path created by drunk cowboys On the backs of drowsy horses

The cosmos share no company with randomness
But find their beginning, and destiny

In practiced laws of God's science,
Each swirl or ball of flame

Formed precisely as was meant
By the Creator of Creations

Each star set in its realm,
As a quilter lays each seam: deliberately.

and one more. . .

Nachtmusik
By Kristen Walton

My knees greet my chest
As I hug them closely,
Perched upon the stubborn trunk,
Watching the garden nocturnally grow,

The sound of irrigation flowing
Becomes a thousand tiny symphonies,
Melodies tumbling from canal and down each row,
Perhaps my own sort of Nachtmusik,

And the woodwind section whispers
As the owl’s oboe-tone sails, joining the crickets’ strings,
Then off in the distance, thunder announces
The timpani’s big finish

FOOD FOR THE BODY

TURKEY LETTUCE WRAPS (based on South Beach recipe)

**I learned to LOVE these a few years ago when I did the South Beach Diet. They are not much to look at but you'll LOVE them and so will your kids. Going without bread or even a tortilla saves you TONS of calories. Don't knock it until you try them!

Serves: 4 (two wraps per serving)

Points: 3

16 slices low fat deli-thin turkey slices

8 (1 oz.) slices Swiss cheese

8 larges leaves crisp lettuce (iceburg or Boston)

Any thinly sliced veggies you desire (I use green peppers or tomatoes)

regular or honey mustard or light Miracle Whip (optional--they are also good without)

Take each leaf of lettuce and spread with desired amount of mustard or Miracle Whip. Top with turkey slices (2 slices for each wrap), then cheese, then veggies. Tightly roll wraps and enjoy!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (Christopher Robin to Pooh, by A. A. Milne)

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Courage

On Courage:

Joshua 1:5 "I will not fail thee nore forsake thee."

Joshua 1:9 " . . . Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord, thy God, is with thee, withersoever thou goest."

Joshua 1:16 "All that thou commandest us we will do, and withersoever thou sendest us, we will go."

FOOD FOR THE BODY-BIRTHDAY BASH!!!

SUPER MOIST CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (recipe and photos from http://www.skinnytaste.com/)

Serves: 16

Points: 7

3/4 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. wheat flour

1 c. granulated sugar

1/4 c. flaked sweet coconut

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 T. canola oil

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. peeled, grated carrots

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained

1/4 c. chopped walnuts, plus 1/4 cup for topping

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 oz. 1/3 fat cream cheese

1 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350*. In large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix eggs, oil and vanilla, stir well. Add carrots and pineapple and mix well. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Fold in 1/4 c. chopped nuts. Sppon batter into greased layer cake pan. Bake at 350* for 40-50 minutes or until done.

To prepare frosting, beat together cream cheese (room temperature), powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread on turned out, cooled cake. Sprinkle with remaining walnuts and serve.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"If we truly understand the full stature of the name by which we are called, we will live different lives. No longer will we do less than our best in school. No longer will we be dishonest in paying our bills or in the treatment of our family members, nor will we take unfair advantage of anyone in any way. Our word will be as binding on us as our bond. No longer will we be unkind to our associates or be unvirtuous or immoral or selfish in any way, either secretly or openly. We will do nothing to bring dishonor or shame to that holy name we carry as children of Christ. We will respect and honor our covenant Father, Jesus Christ, and be righteously jealous and protective of the holy name we bear. We will judge everything we do on the basis of how it might reflect on Him whose name we carry, not only on our lips, but in our very hearts." (Theodore M. Burton, "To Be Born Again," Ensign, Spetember, 1985, 66).

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Mi Cumpleanos!

Well, it's here! My 30th birthday! As I woke up and studied this morning, I found myself reflecting on the principle of rebirth. I wondered to myself, have I ever really, truly, had a "re-birthday?"

As this thought occurred to me, I turned to Moses 6:59:

"Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became the dust of a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of my Only Begotten, that ye might be sanctified of all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory."

I'm sure this scripture is nothing new, but thought I'd reflect a little further on the beautiful comparisons made in this simple, yet life-changing verse.

First, we were born into the world by water, literally immersed in amniotic fluid. Our first rebirth happens as we are baptized and are drawn from the water. Later, as we live righteously, the water of the sacrament can cleanse us again and again as we partake worthily.

Second, as babies, we are most definitely born of blood. (Ask any mommy who's given birth!) At our rebirth, we are renewed through the blood of the Savior, the very blood He gave as part of the Atoning sacrifice.

Third, our lives truly begin when the miracle of life begins with the union of a body and a spirit. Our spirits become born anew as we repent and turn our lives over to God. More specifically, our hearts are offered as a sacrifice, and we subject ourselves to His loving will for each of us.

Also noteworthy, is the innocence of an infant, newly come to the world. As we turn our lives over to the Savior, we too, become innocent and free of all guilt, just like a very small child.

This is really deep doctrine I'm attempting to understand and explain here, and I hope I'm handling it delicately and accurately. I hope that as I think of my birthday, and contemplate what I've done here on Earth up to this point, I will be touched to begin anew, the process of rebirth. I will pledge to remember Him and the atoning sacrifice He made so that I could be born again and I will never, ever take it for granted.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

ZUCCHINI PIZZA BITES (from http://www.skinnytaste.com/)

Serves: 1

Points: 2

4 slices zucchini (1/4" thick)

spray olive oil

2 T. pizza sauce

1/4 c. part skim mozzarella, shredded

salt and pepper

Spray both sides of zucchini with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or grill about 2 minutes on each side. Top with sauce and cheese and broil an additional minute or two. Enjoy!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment. And the living of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a greater investment than any of which I know because its dividends are eternal and everlasting."

Gordon B. Hinckley

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Jenny's Pearls

I thought today I'd share a little parable that I used for my Young Women's lesson on Sunday. It is a great way to describe the Law of Sacrifice.

JENNY'S PEARLS

A small, bouncy little girl was at the store with her mommy one day. At the checkout stand, on a small table, she noticed a display with a little pick jewelry box, lined with shiny satin. Inside the box, laid the prettiest little pearl necklace she had ever seen, just her size.

"Oh, Mommy! Look at the beautiful necklace! Please, can I have it?"

Jenny's mother couldn't afford the pearls, but told Jenny that if she worked really hard and saved all her money, it wouldn't be long before she could buy the pearls for herself.

Jenny worked and worked and saved and saved until finally the day came. She skipped to the store, bought the necklace and brought them home to her bedroom. She lifted the necklace out of the box and fingered them with awe. Occasionally she would wear them, but mostly they sat in their perfect little box, a little girl's prized possession.

One day, Jenny's daddy came into Jenny's room. "Jenny", he asked tenderly. "Do you love me?"
"Oh, yes, Daddy! You know how much I love you!"

"Then please give me your pearls."

"OH! Daddy I love my pearls! I could never give them away. You may have my princess dolly. Or my shiny new shoes. You may have them."

"I need your pearls, honey, but I will wait until you are ready. Sleep well." Jenny's Daddy gave her a kiss on the cheek and left Jenny's room.

A few days later, Jenny's daddy came into her room again and found Jenny sitting cross-legged on the bed, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Sweetheart, what is the matter?" He asked.

"Daddy, I love you and trust you. I don't know why you need my pearl necklace, but I will give it to you because I love you more than anything."

She lifted the dimestore necklace out of the perfect, pink little box and handed it to her father.

He smiled tenderly, took it from her tiny, outstretched hand, and gave her a hug. Then, to Jenny's surprise, he pulled from his jacket pocket . . . a real pearl necklace.

(Author Unknown)

I love this sweet little story! I love the tenderness of a small child and her "daddy." He wanted to swap the little plastic pearls for so long, to be able to bless his little daughter with the real treasure. It was such a trial of Jenny's faith to give the one thing, the best of all she had, to her daddy, even though she loved him. But once the offering was made, her pure love was known and she laid claim on the blessings of her sacrifice. I know that sacrificing my time, talents, abilities, energy, possessions, pride, and ultimately, my heart is the way to show my Father the love I have for Him. I look forward to the day when I will have the faith that little Jenny did, and be able to offer Him all that I have in pure, childlike submission and faith.