Opportunity

"And of some have compassion making a difference" ~Jude 1:22~





We have opportunities to do good all around us. We just have to look around!

The Power Within.

Each of us is striving to find purpose in this life. We all want happiness and peace. Each day we must face new challenges, triumphs, joys, and pains. Whether we are being given happiness or facing challenges, it is how we handle each situation that is important. In my own life I feel that I have been given many blessings and good examples to follow that lead me towards a sense of self worth and lasting happiness. A healthy lifestyle is more then just taking care of our physical bodies. It is taking care of our mental and emotional natures as well. I would like to share 5 tips that I have received over the course of my life that have helped me to recognize my own self worth and be happier despite what is going on in the world around me.

1.) We must first recognize our divine worth. We are not here by chance. We all came from God and we will all return to God one day. It is important that we remember that we are special. That we are children of a loving Heavenly Father and that He wants us to be happy. It is our choice what we will be and what we will do in this life.

2.) We must be constant. In a world that it is ever changing it is only those who are consistent and steadfast that accomplish what they want to. It is easy to get discouraged and want to give up but we must not falter. If we do falter or struggle we must get back up and try again.



3.) Surround yourself with good people. Who or what we surround ourselves with is who or what we will be come. If we our surrounded by negativity we will develop negativity; likewise, if we surround ourselves with positivity and those that lift us up and help us to be better then we will achieve great things.

4.) Love and serve all who you meet. Amy Carmichael once said, "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." My favorite scripture from the Bible is Jude 1:22 "And, of some have compassion making a difference." We can all make a difference every day by the way we treat others.

5.) Be a person of Integrity. “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” (George Washington) Our integrity is one of the greatest gifts we posses. It is easy to be led away into false security to think that it is okay to lie a little or take advantage of someone else. These are false ideas and will only lead to unhappiness in the end.
As we strive to recognize and put in practice these five tips I promise that we will live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

How to Avoid Common Health Quackeries

Everyday we are bombarded with advertizements via the internet, magazines, tv infomercials , ect. Inviting us to try new products at a low affordable prices. We live in a consumer age and we are constantly looking for ways to feel better and get more for our money. However, with so many products available it is hard to distinguish if we are getting a quality product or just falling victim to another gimmick or quackery.

" 'Quackery' derives from the word quacksalver (someone who boasts about his salves). Dictionaries define quack as "a pretender to medical skill; a charlatan" and "one who talks pretentiously without sound knowledge of the subject discussed." These definitions suggest that the promotion of quackery involves deliberate deception, but many promoters sincerely believe in what they are doing." (Stephen Barrett) The term Quackery can be used when referring to a product or service.


Here are 4 tips to help you avoid common quackeries especially concerning products and services for your health.

1.) Make sure the product or service comes from a reliable source. Look for .org or .edu websites they are usually government based or done by non-profit organizations. These websites are more likely to give you quality information then .com websites, which are usually trying to get you to purchase something. Check who is posting the information and if the site is linked to any other reputable ones.
2.)Consult your physician or medical staff. Your physician is up to date on standard procedures and treatments. He will be able to guide you to what would be useful along with your normal medical treatment.

3.) Beware of buzz words in the advertisement. Secret or secret formula, miracle, fast acting, and guranteed are all examples of buzz words. If these products really were 100% guranteed then we would see medical professionals, and main stream society using them.

4.) Be aware of any product that tells you to use them in place of professional medical treatment. Any hollistic or natural products treatments should always be used along with standard professional medical treatment not in place of.

In the end health and happiness aren’t something that we can buy in three simple payments of $29.95. They are earned through patience, research and weighing the pros and cons.
So do your homework and don't get duped into wasting your money or time.

How to Make a Budget That Works for you!

Budget,That awful six letter word that even our government can't seem to figure out. In economic times such as these it is ever important that we get our finances in order. 

The First step is to get organized. O Magazine gives 4 simple steps for getting your finances in order:

Step 1: Get the Tools You Need

Step 2: Dig In

Step 3: Start Sorting

Step 4: Stay on Track

One of the biggest burdens that people create for themselves involves debt, especially credit card debt. Jean Chatzky of O Magazine shows how we can begin to consolidate and eventually eliminate our credit card debt. click on Jeans name to hear her great tips.

After your finances have become organized it is time to create a budget that works for you. Every person is different and so every budget is different as well. The key is to find one that is right for you. Some simple steps to follow when creating a budget our:

1.)  Start by tracking your expenses. Determine which expenses are necessary for every day life ( rent, mortgage, food, car, ect.) and which ones are casual or optional expenses (eating out, movies, games, vacations ect.)

2.) Then make a list of current debt and make a plan to start paying it back.

3.)It is important to begin saving now even if it is only  a small amount each month

4.) Next, take your monthly income and subtract out your necessary expenses. Take the left over portion and subtract the money you want to use towards paying off your current debt. If there is still money left over, put the rest in savings.  You may choose to put a little bit aside for recreational purposes.

Once you find a financial strategy that works for you and your budget stick to it. Some times the results take a little bit of time to start showing. So be patient. In the end consitancy is the most important factor in maintaining a sucessful budget. 

Recipe of the Week # 3

Sister Worthen's Amazing Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup crisco
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cup applasauce
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup nuts (optional)
• 2 cups oats (optional)

Directions:

Cream Crisco and Sugar together and set aside. Add applesauce Baking Soda, and cinnamon together. Then mix in salt, nutmeg, flour, and eggs. Mix well and then add in chocolatechips and nuts and oats if desired. Bake at 375 for 15 mins.

The applesauce makes them healthier without losing out on taste! I give them two thumbs up!

Recipe of the Week # 2

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

"My vegetarian husband goes crazy over these every time! They are really cheesy, a little bit spicy, and a little bit sweet. Feel free to play around and add chicken or veggies, if you desire. Don't forget the salsa and sour cream!"

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PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	40 Min
Original recipe yield 8 small quesadillas

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (10 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans and corn, then add sugar, salsa, and pepper flakes; mix well. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.

• Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle evenly with cheese, then top with some of the bean mixture. Place another tortilla on top, cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

• To cut out some of the fat. Cook the tortillas with out adding butter. Also, chose whole wheat tortillas and low fat beans.
  

Recipe of the Week #1

Cranberry-Buttermilk Scones

Preparation Time: 15 minutesCooking Time: 30 minutes16 servingsIngredients
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1-3/4 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsps. unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 tsp. water

InstructionsPreheat oven to temperature 375°F. Butter 2 9 inch diameter cake pans. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a food processor or bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cranberries. Combine buttermilk and 2 eggs in another bowl. Whisk until blended. Add to dry ingredients and process until just combined. Turn out onto floured surface. Knead briefly until soft dough forms. Divide dough into 2 pieces. Form each piece into a ball. Transfer each ball to 1 prepared pan. Press out dough into 8 inch diameter round. Score top of each round into 8 wedges. Whisk remaining egg with water in a small bowl. Brush over scones. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 30 minutes, until golden. Cool 5 minutes. Invert scones onto platters. Turn over and cut along score marks. Serve warm.