Quote from Forum Archives on March 9, 2004, 2:22 pm

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman

 

3/9/04 EXPERIMENT, FREEZER MEALS, REGISTRATION, BLIND COPIES

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CONTENTS:

 

TURNING PAIN INTO GAIN 

A MOTHER TALKING ABOUT LOVE

A POWERFUL POEM

TRY THIS EXPERIMENT OF THE WEEK

SOLUTIONS IF YOUR CHILD WON'T EAT GREEN VEGETABLES OR IS LOW IN IRON

LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

REMEDIES FOR A SORE THROAT

FRUGAL & FREEZE AHEAD MEALS ~ TIPS FOR THE KITCHEN

FOLLOW UP ON HOUSE PLANTS ~ BEWARE OF POISONOUS PLANTS

A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE DEFINITION OF "OXYMORON"

KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON FAMILY & MORAL ISSUES, & VOTES IN CONGRESS

BE CERTAIN NOW THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE!   IT'S SO EASY!!!

TWO FREE E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS FOR TEEN GIRLS 

TEEN FRIENDLY RECIPES ~ Orangy-Banana Smoothie &  All-American Chili

BLIND COPIES ~ PLEASE RESPECT PRIVACY OF OTHER'S E-MAIL ADDRESSES

 

 

TURNING PAIN INTO GAIN 
Sample of Daily Encounter by Dick Innes

http://www.actsweb.org   http://www.911findGOD.org
 
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

-- 1 Thes 5:18, NIV
 
Into the shell of an oyster a tiny grain of sand finds its way. "The intruder, though microscopic, is a source of irritation and pain to the soft body of the oyster. Unable to rid itself of the unwelcome pebble, the oyster seeks to reduce the irritation by coating it with layers of soft,
iridescent mother-of-pearl material from its own shell. Over time, the oyster transforms a painful irritation into a beautiful pearl of great value."
 
Most of us have "grains of sand" -- annoyances that come into our life fairly frequently -- many of which can be very frustrating and even painful.
 
But every one of these annoyances gives us a chance to grow. Some will require great patience, others tough love, some will require turning the other cheek, some confrontation, some kindness and understanding. For example, addicts need to be treated with tough love.
Bullies require us to maintain healthy boundaries. Cheaters need to be confronted. Manipulators need to be managed. Control freaks need to be resisted, guilt throwers need to be challenged, and toxic people may need to be avoided, and so on.
 
With God's help, if we so choose, we can turn every one of these annoying pebbles into pearls, or we can allow them to make us bitter. For it is not what happens to us that matters, but what we do about what happens to us, that's what matters -- and that choice is ours.
 
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see an opportunity for growth in every annoying situation. Give me the courage to be strong when needed, have healthy boundaries where required, exercise tough love where it is essential, and show kindness, patience and understanding where these are needed. Help me to always ask, 'What would Jesus do?' -- and give me the courage to do just that. Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."
  

 

A MOTHER TALKING ABOUT LOVE

Author Unknown ~ Contributed by Alice Meyer of Virginia

Cited on The Funnies ~ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/andychaps_the-funnies

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker. If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness -not godliness. Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh. Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window. Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk. Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys. Love is present through the trials. Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.  Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood. Love is the key that opens salvation's message
to a child's heart. Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.

 

Note from Lois:  Moms, doesn't this give you some relief?  Now go play with, listen to, read to, teach, lovingly discipline or just hug and cuddle your precious children!   Housework can wait!

 

A POWERFUL POEM

We've all heard this poem before.  May I suggest you memorize it and teach it to your children?

(Key Words:  Sow and Reap ~ Thought ~ Act ~ Habit ~ Character ~ Destiny)

 

"Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny." 

 -- Unknown [Quoted by Scottish author Samuel Smiles]
 

 

TRY THIS EXPERIMENT OF THE WEEK

Note from Lois:  Whether you homeschool, send your children to a Christian or public school, are a teacher yourself, have grown children or grandchildren, you will find Robert Krampf's weekly experiment interesting, educational and fun!  Adults will find this one fascinating too!  It would even be fun to do at a party!  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, as told in Psalm 139, and this is just one proof of that fact.  Ladies, you could also incorporate some of these experiments into interesting family devotions with your children.  This is the main part of one of his latest newsletters.  He went into more detail, but space is limited in this newsletter.

 

From Robert Krampf's Experiment of the Week
To join the list, send a blank e-mail to:  [email protected]

 

This week, we will use the science of complex systems to confuse your body again.   To try
this, you will need: your hands and feet.

 

Lift your right foot about 6 inches off the ground.   Now start moving it in circles, clockwise.   As you continue doing that, use your right hand to draw a number 6 in the air in front of you.   As you do that, you will find that your foot has changed directions and is now going counterclockwise.

 

Now, how did that happen?   Although the experiment is easy, it is far from simple.   It took quite a bit of digging to trace this trick back to Professor Haken and the science of Synergetics.   This science deals with the ways that complex systems work.   In a complex system such as your brain and nervous system, there are many different signals moving back and forth.   Some of these signals are treated with more importance than others.   Some of the signals also become coupled, with one signal guiding the other.   That is what is happening with your foot and hand.   Your hand movement couples with your foot movement, but your hand movement is treated with more importance, so your foot changes direction.

 

 

SOLUTIONS IF YOUR CHILD WON'T EAT GREEN VEGETABLES OR IS LOW IN IRON:

(Spinach, dried apricots and raisins are all iron-rich foods.  Adults love these as well.  For children under a year, you may use yolks only.)

Thanks to Roxanne Staufer and Kara Brush for these great recipes - both in Virginia!
 
Spinach Squares 
Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a 9 inch square baking dish.
Mix together:
        2 eggs
        1 cup milk
        1 cup flour
        1 tsp. baking powder
        10 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
        1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach, drained
        chopped onion (optional)
Mix well and pour into baking dish.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
 
Vegetable Quiche Cups 
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
3/4 cup egg substitute or 3 large eggs or 4 medium eggs

3/4 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup diced green or red pepper, optional
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 drops hot pepper sauce, optional, but it isn't too spicy with 3 drops
 
Microwave spinach 2 1/2 minutes and drain.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Divide among 12 greased muffin cups and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  These are good snacks to take along on trips. 

 

Fruit and Cereal

Meats contain iron, but many babies object to meat at least until their molars come in.  If your baby isn't getting enough iron, stew some apricots and/or raisins in water, separately.  Blend softened fruit in the blender or food processor.  Stir blended fruit in with baby cereal and feed to your baby.  If your child likes this, you will save time by preparing fruit in a larger quantity and freezing pureed fruit in ice cube trays.

 

 

LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

(With so many families experiencing illness at this time, this gal looks on the bright side! ~ Lois)

By Margie DeMonbrun of Missouri

 

Everyone is sick at my daughter's house!  All throwing up and diarrhea - everyone!  All the girls and all the boys.  What a mess!  No one to do anything.  My daughter says it is rough when it's all of them.  On the other hand, my 12 year old granddaughter says, "Well, at least we all have our own bathroom to be sick in!"  Now that's being "Miss Positive!"   And it's one good feature of having multiple bathrooms.  We all need to remember that when we weary of cleaning those little rooms in our homes. 

 

 

REMEDIES FOR A SORE THROAT

(Note: Babies under one year should not have honey, due to possible danger of botulism.)

By Kelly Frohnauer of Oregon ~ www.naturalfamilyhome.com  ~ Used by permission

 

When bothered with a sore throat, drink sage tea with lots of honey. For a quick fix try a spoonful of honey and lemon juice.  For an extremely sore throat use Grapefruit Seed Extract.  Put a few drops in a 1/2 cup warm water and gargle with it. Do this several times a day. You can also swallow some of it for extra benefits. We have used Grapefruit Seed Extract to get rid of strep infections. It works every time!

 
FRUGAL & FREEZE AHEAD MEALS ~ TIPS FOR THE KITCHEN
From Natural Family Home by Kelly Frohnauer of Oregon ~  www.naturalfamilyhome.com
Read newsletter online at www.naturalfamilyhome.com/newsletter.html ~ Used by permission
 
Advice from Readers:
*I know it's an investment but my greatest freeze ahead trick is to use my Seal-A-Meal!  I cook all my meals in large batches.  Since it's just my hubby and I, I freeze the rest in small Seal-A-Meal bags.  The advantages are that it lasts a lot longer than ziplock type bags and when heated, it tastes just like the day you cooked it!  - Pris Cooley

*Last year our local MOPS group started a recipe co-op. Once a month we each pick a recipe and make enough for 10 families (there are usually 10 of us participating, although not everyone takes part every month). All meals are packed in gallon freezer bags and frozen flat, so they take up no more than 1" deep of freezer space. This allows even those with the above the 'fridge freezer to take part. Then we pick a date to get together and 'swap out' our meals. Each family ends up with ten different meals. Most dishes include side dishes, such as noodles or cornbread mix although we decided everyone has rice and don't include that anymore. Come dinner time, for 1/3 of the month at least, we just defrost and reheat our meals. Making 10 of a recipe may sound daunting, but it is actually no more complicated than cooking for one family, you just need to allow more time. It saves so much time over cooking 10 different meals and putting them in the freezer, and there is always some variety.  Talk to some of your friends and see if this is something they would be interested in. The book, 'Once a Month Cooking,' is a great recipe source, plus check online or at your local library.  Around the holidays you could even try swapping side dishes or desserts. - Catie 

 

*When I've made a big meal of a roast chicken or turkey I make a pre-seasoned soup stock from the carcass using bay leaf, basil, cracked peppercorns, anis seed and a bit of salt. Once 

I've removed the bones and skin from the stock, I condense it to half the volume for freezing. I let it cool before packaging so the natural gelatin that's been extracted in the process has time to thicken the broth and any fat comes to the surface and hardens for easy removal. I generally divide what I have into two so I have a ready supply of broth with meat and broth without meat.  I use medium weight small plastic bags for freezing, ones that use reusable twist ties. I also use ice cube trays for doing up small amounts. They thaw quickly and can be easily bagged once frozen. The broth is great for making soups or stews later and is also very good for adding flavor to stir frys, cooking rice in and deglazing the frying pan when frying meats for a quick delicious sauce to go with dinner. - June   
   

 

FOLLOW UP ON HOUSE PLANTS ~ BEWARE OF POISONOUS PLANTS

This is regarding "Houseplants in Living Color," an article I wrote in the last newsletter. ~ Lois:

From Virginia Knowles, The Hope Chest Home School News, http://www.thehopechest.net 

 

As a follow up to your great article on house plants, here is one very helpful web site that lists poisonous plants and gives tips on plant safety around children and pets. This site lists pothos as mildly toxic.  I had pothos plants many years ago, but haven't had ANY house plants for a long time because, as a mom of 9, I've always had young children who don't know better than to chew on things, and somehow any leaves always ended up on the floor!

http://www.childfun.com/safety/plant.shtml 

 

 

A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE DEFINITION OF "OXYMORON"
Contribution of Angela Thompson of Virginia

"Oxymoron" -  Removing the Ten Commandments from the courthouse while making people in court swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you GOD.  While your hand is on the BIBLE!  

 

 

KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON FAMILY & MORAL ISSUES, & VOTES IN CONGRESS

Written by Sara Roberts, another "Heart to Heart" friend in Virginia

 

I have recently become more convicted that I can no longer just sit back and let things happen in our country without voicing my opinion or casting my vote.  Fortunately for me, I recently stumbled across a website that can keep you up-to-date on family and moral issues and upcoming votes in the House and Senate.  It also keeps track of your federal representatives and their e-mail addresses along with their votes on key moral issues.  You can e-mail them directly from this website.  Often the AFA (American Family Association) has prepared specially worded letters that you e-mail so you don't have to spend time determining how to say what you want to say.  You all probably already knew this, let's just say I'm a little slow.

 

The website for the American Family Association is www.afa.net.  I encourage you to check it out.  You can even set their website up as your home page so that it comes up when you log on so that you can be aware daily of what's up.

 

Note from Lois: Citizen Link, an excellent ministry of Focus on the Family, is another great source to keep informed in helping us to make a difference. 

Sign up for Citizen Link e-mails at http://www.family.org/cforum/clinksignup.cfm
To visit the Citizen Link Web site: http://www.citizenlink.org

 

 

BE CERTAIN NOW THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE!   IT'S SO EASY!!!

Note from Lois:

 

If you're not sure if you're already registered to vote in the next election, please call the Registrar in your city or county now and ask.  The Registrar is listed in the government pages of your phone book.  If you are not registered - and this is so easy to do - just go to any post office or library and pick up an Application for Voter Registration.  Then mail it in to the address given.  That's it!  You will be sent a Voter Registration card in a day or two.  If you lose your card, don't worry.  They have a record that you are registered.  On election day, you will be asked to show identification.  Your driver's license will do.

 

What about college students who won't be in their hometown on election day?  Call the Registrar for your sons and daughters who are away at college and get an Application for an Absentee Ballot sent to them.  You may need to remind them that it is on its way and that they need to send it in before it gets lost in the shuffle.  Then when the time comes, they will be sent an Absentee Ballot!

 

If there is a slight possibility that you and/or your husband (or anyone) might be out of town on election day, you may vote by Absentee Ballot, even if your plans change at the last minute.  

 

In speaking to the Registrar this morning, she said we may pick up as many applications as we need in any post office or library.  We can ask friends and relatives if they need to register.  Then if they aren't registered, we can hand them an application. 

 

The 2004 election may be the most important one yet, in terms of the meaning of marriage, religious freedom and other issues that concern Christians and future generations.   In past elections Christians have been extremely negligent in exercising their voting right and duty.  We can't afford to continue in this apathy!  Not only must we all vote, but we need to remind other Christians to vote.  But first we need to have them all registered!  Ask yourself what you can do to help, so your children can grow up experiencing the same freedom you enjoyed.  It's time to vote for our freedom, rather than take it for granted.

 

 

TWO FREE E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS FOR TEEN GIRLS

HAVEN is a newsletter written by Katherine Campbell, a 16 year old homeschooler.  HAVEN is intended to encourage, inform and uplift girls as they grow into the women God has called them to be.  It is published monthly and is free of charge.  If you would like your daughter to receive a free copy, please send an email to Katherine's mother, Barb at [email protected].  Please mention that you are a Heart to Heart subscriber.

 

Time for Tea for Teens is a newsletter written by Elisabeth Rushton.  E-mail Elizabeth at  [email protected].  Also see her website at www.elisabethrushton.com to contact her online.  If you want to subscribe to this newsletter so you don't miss one issue, check online at  http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/timeforteaforteens/

 

 
TEEN FRIENDLY RECIPES

From Parents & Teens by Patti Chadwick ~ www.ParentsandTeens.com

Used by permission 
 
Orangy-Banana Smoothie

Prep: 5 min. ~ This recipe created by Kraft Foods.

1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 medium banana, peeled, cut into chunks
3 Tbsp. orange marmalade
1 cup ice cubes

 

Place all ingredients in blender container; cover.  Blend until smooth.  Makes 3 (1 cup) servings

 
Great Substitute: Substitute strawberry preserves for orange marmalade.

 

Nutritional Info Per Serving: Calories 170, Total fat 2.5 g, Saturated fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 15.0 mg, Sodium 290.0 mg, Carbohydrate 28.0 g, Fiber 1.0 g, Sugars 17.0 g, Protein 10.0 g     
Diet Exchange: 1 Fruit, 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Meat

 

All-American Chili

1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar 
2 tablespoons McCormick Chili Powder
2 tablespoons McCormick Instant Minced Onion
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Garlic Salt
Sliced scallions and dairy sour cream to serve, if desired
Shredded Cheddar Cheese to garnish 

Cook meat in 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring constantly. Drain off excess fat. 

 

Stir in beans, tomato sauce, vinegar, chili powder, minced onion, sugar if using, and garlic salt. Heat just to boil, reduce heat immediately, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Serve topped with sliced scallions and dairy sour cream.  Garnish with shredded Cheddar cheese.  Makes 4 servings, 1 cup each

 

This recipe created by McCormick and was brought to you courtesy of Back of the Box Recipes of www.backofthebox.com

 

 

BLIND COPIES ~ PLEASE RESPECT PRIVACY OF OTHER'S E-MAIL ADDRESSES

 

Do you know how to send "Blind Copies" to your friends?  There is a way to send e-mails so other people's e-mail addresses aren't visible to those receiving your e-mail.  This method works with at least Juno and AOL.  Maybe more.  If not, please find out your e-mail service's method, in order to respect the privacy of other people's addresses.   

Here's how with some e-mail services: 

 

1. Insert your own address into the "Send to" box.

2. Insert your friends' addresses in the "Cc" (carbon copy) box.

3. Enclose all addresses in Cc box with parentheses.  That will "hide" all the addresses.

4. Example for Cc box: ([email protected], [email protected])

5. If you include your own address in the Cc box within the parentheses, you will see exactly what others receive, when you send yourself an identical copy.

 

You (and only you), will still have a record of the addresses to whom you sent a blind copy.  In your SENT folder, if the addresses were enclosed in parentheses, instead of seeing Cc: and all the addresses, you should see Bc: (meaning blind copy), along with all the addresses. 

 

Other people will not see any of your friends' addresses with this method - only your own.  This helps protect the privacy of other people's e-mail addresses, and cut down on the unwanted spam, worms and viruses one receives.  Please give it a try next time.

 

   

God bless each of you ladies!
Love from your "Heart to Heart" friend,
Lois

 

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to bring godly and practical encouragement to women through creative ideas for the Christian family – regarding homemaking, marriage, children and much more.  You may receive this bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, country and the name of the person who referred you to Lois Breneman at [email protected].

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