For Sunday, January 17th, 2010

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ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JANUARY 17^TH, 2010

It's SUNDAY…

I’m so thankful for another relaxing morning just to enjoy my good cup of coffee. Tomorrow I’ll go back to work, but the great thing is that those days are numbered now and soon I won’t have to be rushing anywhere.

Our temps are hovering right around the mid to upper 30’s the next few days and the forecast is either for rain or snow depending I suppose on what the temperature is at the time. Today they are calling for rain. This will wash away some of the dirty slush that still remains. And will clear the ground until the next snowfall comes.

There is still a lot of that white stuff on the ground so it will probably get a little sloppy and hopefully not slippery outside.

We’ll see…

THINKING

It's sometimes hard to face the reality of January and we may have already lost the joy of Christmas that we felt just a few short weeks ago.

The only way not to run out of the joy in life, the only way to be happy and not just entertained, the only way to love January is to love Jesus.

Jesus is still saying:

Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you

Matthew 11:28

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

HONEY OAT QUICK BREAD

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, or quick-cooking (not instant) oats, divided

1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour, or white whole-wheat flour (see Tip)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

8 ounces (scant 1 cup) nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt

1 large egg

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup clover honey, or other mild honey

3/4 cup nonfat or low-fat milk

Position rack in middle of oven; preheat to 375°F. Generously coat a 9-by-5-inch (or similar size) loaf pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon oats in the pan. Tip the pan back and forth to coat the sides and bottom with oats

Thoroughly stir together whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, beat the remaining 1 cup oats, yogurt, egg, oil and honey in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in milk. Gently stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture just until thoroughly incorporated but not over mixed (excess mixing can cause toughening). Immediately scrape the batter into the pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon oats over the top

Bake the loaf until well browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. (It’s normal for the top to crack.) Let stand in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around and under the loaf to loosen it and turn it out onto the rack. Let cool until barely warm, about 45 minutes.

PRAYERS

God, help us to bless your name in good times and in bad. When we feel overwhelmed, be our strength.

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

I’m just sharing a little tip about healthy eating today. There are a few in my family that have concerns with high cholesterol so maybe this information would be helpful to them.

Whole grains are considered good carbs because they contain important nutrients like fiber, which helps slow down digestion, stabilize blood sure levels and ward off hunger and cravings. Studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grans can help to lower total cholesterol, LDL the bad cholesterol and dangerously high triglyceride and insulin levels.

Whole grains provide a healthy boost of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients and are also rich in carbohydrates, the body’s main fuel supply—no wonder we need to eat more grains.

It’s best to add one serving to your morning meal, which will help stabilize our blood sugar for the day.

When buying whole grain pastas, breads and other products be sure to check that the label says 100% whole wheat or whole grain. If the label uses words like multigrain or 100% wheat there is no guarantee that the product is whole grain.

Brown rice just recently joined the ranks of healthful whole grains recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Start your day with whole-grain muffins or yogurt topped with granola, an swap out white rice or potatoes for sides of brown rice at dinner tonight.

FAMILY

When you look at your life, the greatest happiness’s are family happiness’s.

Joyce Brothers

COUNTING THE DAYS

61 DAYS UNTIL SPRING !

89 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

74 DAYS UNTIL MA RETIRES

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma