HELP!!!

I know Thanksgiving is over, but since John and I were out of town visiting family for Thanksgiving, I am going to make a turkey this Thursday for us.  It will be my first attempt at making a turkey, so I need your help.  I am looking for easy turkey recipes.  Help a girl out.....

Just Dance

If you want a great work out that will make you sweat all while you are having fun, check out Just Dance 3 for Wii.  I discovered it a few weeks ago and all I'm saying is...get ready for a butt kickin'.

Just Dance 3 full track list:

• 2 Unlimited - "No Limit"    
• African Ladies - "Pata Pata" 
•   a-ha - "Take On Me"
• Anja - "Dance All Nite"
• Bananarama - "Venus"
• Bollywood Rainbow - "Kurio ko uddah le jana"
• Brahms by Just Dance Classical Orchestra - "Hungarian Dance No. 5"
• Cee Lo Green - "Forget You"
• Countdown Mix Masters - "Beautiful Liar"
• Daft Punk - "Da Funk"
• Danny Elfman - "This is Halloween"
• Donna Summer - "I Feel Love"
• Dr. Creole - "Baby Zouk"
• Duck Sauce - "Barbra Streisand"
• Girls Aloud - "Jump (For My Love)"
• Groove Century - "Boogie Wonderland"
• Gwen Stefani - "What You Waiting For?"
• Inspector Marceau - "The Master Blaster"
• Janelle Monae - "Tightrope (Solo Version)"
• Jessie J featuring B.o.B - "Price Tag"
• Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg - "California Gurls"
• Kiss - "I Was Made For Lovin' You"
• Konshens - "Jamaican Dance"
• Latino Sunset - "Mamasita"
• Laura Bell Bundy - "Giddy On Up (Giddy On Out)"
• Lena Meyer-Landrut - Satellite
• Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way
• LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock - "Party Rock Anthem"
• Madness - "Night Boat To Cairo"
• MIKA - "Lollipop"
• Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland - "Promiscuous"
• Pointer Sisters - "I'm So Excited"
• Queen - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
• Reggaeton Storm - "Boom"
• Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baila
• Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - "Somethin' Stupid"
• Robin Sparkles - Let's Go To The Mall
• Scissor Sisters - "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"
• Sentai Express - Spectronizer
• Sweat Invaders - "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"
• Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
• The Black Eyed Peas - "Pump It"
• The Buggles - "Video Killed The Radio Star"
• The Chemical Brothers - "Hey Boy Hey Girl"
• The Girly Team - "Baby One More Time"
• The London Theatre Orchestra & Cast - "Think"
• The Sugarhill Gang - "Apache (Jump On It)"
• Tommy Sparks - "She's Got Me Dancing"
• Wilson Pickett - "Land of 1000 Dances"

Biggest blessing

Hands down, the biggest blessing of this year was marrying my best friend, John.  Having to move to another state has been really hard and has brought many challenges, but I thank God for John and for the way he supports me every day. I love you John.

Do you want to get well???

I love Wednesday mornings because I get to attend a ladies Bible Study.  Today is just radiating with sunshine and I'm just in a really good mood. I love my small group at Bible study, because then women in my group are so transparent and aren't afraid to get real with each other.  Today we studied the tail end of John 4 and delved into the beginning of John 5.  I love these two stories because they both showcase the healing power of Jesus.  Any story in the Bible that has to do with healing always touches me and excites me.  In these two stories you see two different people:  a royal official whose son is near death and a man who has been an invalid for 38 years.  The thing that strikes me about these two stories is that Jesus healed both in two different ways.  This is just evidence that God knows what is best for us and his timing is impeccable.  I am particularly drawn to the the healing of the man at the pool of Bethsaida.  JOhn 5:1-15 says the following: (I've added emphasis to some of the words to bring attention to them.  My comments will follow the passage)

John 5

The Healing at the Pool

 ¹ Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 
²Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda^[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 
³ Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.^[4] [b] 
5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 
⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
 ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
 ⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 
⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
   The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 
¹⁰ and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
 ¹¹ But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
 ¹² So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
 ¹³ The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
 ¹⁴ Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 
¹⁵ The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

John 5:4 Some manuscripts include here, wholly or in part, paralyzed—and they waited for the moving of the waters. From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.


I find it interesting that Jesus' first question to the man is "Do you want to get well?"  Seems a little strange because you would assume that this man that has been an invalid for 38 years would say "Yes, yes, I want to be well".  But notice he doesn't give Jesus an answer of yes or no.  He just says he hasn't had anyone to help him to the pool.  I get the feeling that his tone was very "woe is me" like. 


 Think about people you know, or even yourself that have been sick.  It is very easy to sometimes like the things that come along with being sick:  
more attention from others, 
people dropping meals off,
 people offering to help around the house, 
pity from others.  


Now I am not saying that sometimes these things aren't needed, because they are.  I myself have been very grateful for the ways others have reached out in my time of need.  But again, there are some people out there that get caught up being sick and actually don't really want to get better.  Some people let their diseases define who they are and then use the disease as a crutch or an excuse not to be lazy and not do things.  Again, I am not trying to be offensive, because there are people that are suffering greatly.  I am not undermining that.  I am sure though someone came to your mind when I first mentioned someone making excuses for everything under the sun when they are sick.  Or the people who "milk it for all it's worth". 
This is the sense I get about the man at the pool.  He tells Jesus that he has no one to help him in the pool.  Now.... this pool was very crowded, especially around the times when people thought they could be healed by it.  My question to the man would be, "How much effort does it take to ask someone to help you?"    
Many of us do not like to ask for help, myself included.  But actually, what it comes down to is a pride issue.  By not asking for help, you are saying you are too prideful to ask someone to be a blessing to you.  You are actually robbing someone of being a blessing.....think on that for a moment. 
Jesus wanted to know if the man wanted to be healed.  How often have you been doing something that you know is a sin, especially something that has become a habitual sin for you?  Think about it.  We are all "sick"  due to our sinful nature.  It's interesting how we get comfortable in our sins.  If we really wanted to change, we would be on our knees repenting, finding an accountability partner to hold us to our wanting to change, and daily asking the Lord to give us the strength to fight against our flesh.  
Jesus is asking us today, "Do you want to get well?"    Take a moment to evaluate your life. Think of something that is "ailing you" whether it be physical or spiritual.   Commit it to the Lord.  HE WANTS TO HEAL YOU, SO LET HIM BE THE GREAT PHYSICIAN THAT HE IS. Sometimes he chooses not to heal our physical sickness but he can heal your attitude toward it. 
Notice that in the story, Jesus tells the man get up, pick up his mat and walk.  Three distinct actions.  And guess what??  The man did so immediately.   If Jesus is asking you today if you want to get well, you need to act now!!!  He's waiting for you to recognize him as the Great Physician.   The man later on then told the Pharisees that it was Jesus who healed him.  Do the same.... give honor where honor is due. 

DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?

LET YOUR MISERY BE YOUR MINISTRY...

Be joyful always..... A Challenge

So I have to admit that there have been some days where I have struggled down here in South Carolina.  I have struggled with missing home, having a purpose, not teaching, loneliness.... you name it, I have felt it.  Moving to a new state is a BIG DEAL, especially if you have lived in the same city for 29 years.  

Last week was a break through week(even though the Phillies lost)  as I saw God answer many prayers.  I got a call from a school, I had a fun lunch with my neighbors, a fun outing with my mother-in-law, awesome weekend with my husband, and just great stuff.  It was just what I needed to boost my happiness.  But I was also challenged by this as well.  Why do I let circumstances in life determine how happy I am??  There are things to be thankful for every single day that we take for granted.  I have really struggled with knowing my purpose down here.  I went from a life of teaching at a job I absolutely adored, being a social butterfly.  being surrounded by many friends and family to a life where I am happily married but in a new state, knowing only three people here, and a DRAMATIC  change of pace in life.  


I had a revelation last week:  I have no excuse to sit around and feel sorry and sad and wallow in my so called "lonliness".   I am not lonely.  I have a wonderful husband, fantastic in-laws, and  wonderful family and friends that check in on me.  (Thanks mom and dad for the Skype call last night).  And... I have my Lord and Savior who is always there to listen.  And guess what else????  TO HAVE FRIENDS, YOU HAVE TO BE A FRIEND.....  Reach out to people!  It's a benefit to you and them.  


If you are struggling with purpose in life. take encouragement from these verses.  I love, love, love them!!


"Be joyful always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  I Thessalonians 5: 16-18


So here is my challenge for you today.  Answer these five questions.  They are taken from a book that my mother- in- law gave me called "The 4:8 Principle" by Tommy Newberry.


-What are five things I am thankful for right now?
- What are five of my strengths or positive traits?
-What are five of my best achievements so far?
- Who are the five people who love me the most?
-What five things am I looking forward to in the next seven days?


Answer these questions, and then thank the Lord for your answers and the things he has blessed you with. 

Kale Recipes...

So yesterday I shared with you some of the health benefits of kale.
Here are a few of my favorite kale recipes:
#1   Kale Chips.... these are super easy and oh so yummy.


Take the kale leaves and break them apart into bite size pieces.
Spread over a tray lined with foil.
Drizzle with olive oil.  Don't drench it.
SPrinkle with your desired amount of salt.
Bake at 350 degrees for 18 min.

Enjoy!


#2  Kale Shake

In a blender, combine....
- a handful of kale
- 1 cup of V8 Fusion- I like strawberry banana
- Assortment of frozen fruit.  Walmart sells a huge bag for about $7.00
-A few Ice cubes

Blend, Blend, Blend...... the color will be less than attractive, but trust me, it is sooooo good:-)


#3  Apple-Kale Smoothie
I haven't tried this one yet, but found the recipe in Real Simple

Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 05m | Total Time: 05m

Ingredients

             

• 3/4 cup chopped kale, ribs and thick stems removed
• 1 small stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice                                                    

Directions

1. Place the kale, celery, banana, apple juice, ice, and lemon juice in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and frothy.

Kale......Oh so good and oh so good for you!

I have discovered Kale in the past year.  It is so yummy and so healthy.  Check this out... Tomorrow I will post two of my favorite kale recipes. 

Kale is not only one of the more beautiful cruciferous vegetables, but it also one of the most nutritious. Here are nine reasons to eat kale, and eat it often.

Diet and Digestion 
One cup of kale has only 36 calories and zero grams of fat, which makes it a great diet aid. Furthermore, one cup contains nearly 20% of the RDA of dietary fiber, which promotes regular digestion, prevents constipation, lowers blood sugar and curbs overeating. Finally, kale contains the glucosinolate isothiocyanate (ITC) that fights the formation of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), a bacterial growth in the stomach lining that can lead to gastric cancer.
Antioxidants
Kale is a superstar in the arena of carotenoids and flavonoids, two powerful antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals that cause oxidative stress. The key flavonoids kaempferol and quercitin (not to dismiss the 45 other distinctive flavonoids in kale) have also been shown to specifically fight against the formation of cancerous cells. With the addition of high doses of well-known antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and manganese, kale is certainly a smart choice in the battle against cellular oxidation.
Anti-Inflammatory 
One cup of kale provides about 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids that helps regulate the body’s inflammatory process. A megadose of vitamin K further aids to fight against excessive inflammatory-related problems, such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and asthma.
Cancer 
Not only do kale's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities work together to prevent and even combat cancer, a healthy diet of kale also provides glucosinolates, which have been shown to prevent colon, breast, bladder, prostate, ovarian cancers, as well as gastric cancer.
Cardiovascular Support
The high fiber content of kale lowers our cholesterol by binding with bile acids that the liver produces from cholesterol for digesting fat. Because many of these bile acids are coupled with fiber, the liver is charged with producing more bile acid to digest fat, and therefore requires more cholesterol to so, ultimately lowering the amount of cholesterol within our bodies.
Detox 
The isothiocyanates (ITC) from glucosinolates found in kale aid in both phases I and II of the body’s detoxification process. The high sulfur content of kale has further been shown essential for phase II of detoxification.
Vitamin K 
Kale provides a whopping dose of vitamin K (providing 1327% of the RDA in one cup), which is necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein that strengthens the composition of our bones. Vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue that can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Finally, vitamin K is essential for synthesizing sphingolipid, the fat needed to maintain the myelin sheath around our nerves, and therefore our nervous system as a whole.
Vitamin A 
With over 192% of the RDA of vitamin A, one cup of kale is an effective antioxidant, boosts immunity, maintains healthy bones and teeth, prevents urinary stones, and is essential to our reproductive organs.
Vitamin C 
Vitamin C, which one cup of kale heartily provides (over 88% of our RDA), is not only a powerful antioxidant, but also lowers blood pressure, ensures a healthy immune system, and fights against age-related ocular diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Taken from http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/9-health-benefits-of-kale.html