4/12/07 PANTRIES, TEENS, CRAFTS, WIFE, STRESS BUSTERS, OBJECT LESSONS
Quote from Forum Archives on April 12, 2007, 10:24 pmPosted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~ :~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~4/12/07 PANTRIES, TEENS, CRAFTS, WIFE, STRESS BUSTERS, OBJECT LESSONS~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~IN THIS ISSUE:
STOCKING PERPETUAL PANTRIES FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
TEENS NEED RELATIONSHIPSHEPHERD'S PIEUNDESERVED GIFTSFUN CRAFTS TO DO WITH CHILDRENWHICH WIFE ARE YOU?A B C's OF BEING A HELP MEETSTRESS BUSTERS FOR WOMEN - "TEND" and "BEFRIEND"SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS AS A TOOL FOR SPIRITUAL OBJECT LESSONS
THE PILOTHUGGING IS GOOD MEDICINE
STOCKING PERPETUAL PANTRIES FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
By Leanne Ely - [email protected] - Copyright 2007 - Used by permission
There is nothing more depressing than opening up your cupboards and not having what you need to put a meal together. I've said it many times: a well-stocked pantry is a gal's best friend. I mean it -- you have to have your pantry stocked. And don't forget that in today's modern world, a pantry is more than a cupboard of dry goods. It is also your fridge and freezer.
Every day, I pack lunch (one child is homeschooled, the other goes to school), so I keep on hand things for lunches. First the non-perishable tools: plastic spoons, napkins, little containers, blue ice packs for the lunch box (frozen and ready to use) or lunch bags if you use them. I buy in large quantities, usually taking advantage of sales. I have two drawers I use for wraps and bags: one holds my rolls and the larger gallon zipper topped bags and the other holds all my zipper-topped bags. I have quart sized, sandwich sized and snack sized. There are back up boxes in the pantry.
Next, I consider the actual pantry itself. I pack rice chips (like a thin toasted rice cake), healthy ginger snap cookies, and a case of bottled water. I have all of this bought weekly or semi weekly and these things stay on my perpetual shopping list so I am sure to pick them up. In the bread basket, whole wheat bread, whole wheat bagels and fruit leathers (I get the natural ones without the sugar).
Then comes the fridge. Again, this stuff is all on my perpetual shopping list: string cheese or cheese twists (cheddar & mozzarella together), individual yogurts, Ranch dressing (ugh--this is where I cave to kid pressure), baby carrots, celery sticks, apples. I also have whole-wheat tortillas, cream cheese and homemade muffins (not all the time). I don't pack it all. I choose a few things each time and they take me five minutes to pack, tops. Sometimes I will have the kids help; sometimes they are doing other things themselves to get ready.
The sandwich is usually almond butter and a fruit conserve (like preserves, but sweetened with juice). I will do cream cheese and bagels, or a wrap made with the tortilla, cream cheese and maybe leftover chicken from the night before. My kids also like almond butter in a little plastic container to dip their celery in and I give them a different sandwich that day. Apples cut up and dipped in almond butter is also a favorite.
Breakfast is even easier. I keep two cold cereals in my pantry plus two hot cereals: oatmeal mixed with oat bran (I do this myself) and grits (I have to go to the health food store to get grits now!). I also have honey or brown sugar for the hot cereal. (I also recommend sucanat -evaporated dried sugar cane juice). Whole grain frozen waffles and whole grain French toast in the freezer (you can make and freeze or buy). In the fridge, I have the usual suspects: eggs and milk. We don't drink juice, but instead opt for whole fruit. There are always bananas in the basket and oranges off our tree right now. So take a peek: breakfast is there!
My morning routine is typed out and in a plastic sleeve and sits on the kitchen island with my timer (if you don't have a timer, you are missing out on one of the most important tools!). I put it out at night when I am doing my evening routine. We are out of the house every morning for school at 7:50 (school starts at 8:15, check in begins at 8:05 and it's a 10 minute drive) and there has only been ONE tardy since school started in September and that was beyond our control. When we leave, my son is showered, lunch is packed and he has had a good breakfast (I give him a choice between two breakfasts while he is getting in the shower). It's a cinch and I'm not stressed.
So there you have it. Breakfast and lunch perpetual pantries. Your pantries don't need to look the same as mine, but I bet you can draw some similarities or at least, find a place to start. Let these ideas be a beginning place for you to make your own perpetual pantry based on your family's preferences. You can make your own perpetual grocery list. Mine is on the computer. I just tweak it as I need it for the week and then always return the document back to its original state after I have printed it. That way, it is ready to go for the next time.
That's it! It's that simple, and keeping a perpetual pantry (via your perpetual shopping list) keeps you stocked up and ready. Are you ready to be prepared with all your mealtimes? Pack lunches that are easy, healthy and good? Send your tribe off with full tummies in the morning? Then get moving and let's get those pantries cleaned out, decluttered and then fully stocked with what you need to make it happen.
Leanne Ely is the editor of Menu-Mailer. If dinner's a hassle at your house and you need some help, go to http://www.menumailer.netTEENS NEED RELATIONSHIPCopyright 2007 Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller - All rights reserved - Used with permission.
http://effectiveparenting.org/ - For free e-mail parenting tips sign up: www.biblicalparenting.orgGetting physically close to your child is important when giving instructions, especially with teenagers. Teens need relationship whether they'll admit it or not. In fact, the stronger the relationship, the less likely you'll get resistance. Sometimes young people resent having to share in the workload of running a household. You might hear them say something like, "My parents are always ordering me around. It's like I'm their slave." Of course that's not true, but when parents take time to show value for the relationship before giving instructions, they can build a greater sense of teamwork.When teens can't see how instruction is related to relationship, they're more likely to justify unkind words or dishonoring actions when they don't like what you've told them to do. They don't understand that obedience is a demonstration of love. Getting physically close makes a statement about who we are together. Face-to-face contact says, "I care about you."By affirming your relationship in the midst of the instruction, you teach your children an important lesson about the way God relates to us. Spirituality isn't just a list of do's and don'ts, but it comes within the confines of relationship. Alex, a father of three said it well, "I had a picture in my mind of a Father who yells instructions down from heaven. Distance and harshness characterized my view of God. It wasn't until I became a dad and I remembered how my parents treated me that I began to see the connection. I was viewing God from what I had learned in my family growing up. I work hard now to give instructions in a more relational manner. It's amazing how something as simple as giving and receiving instructions can give you a perspective of who God is and how he relates to us."For more on how to build a good Instruction Routine with your children, order the book, Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids. To learn more about relating to teens, consider Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in You and Your Kids.WHAT LISTENING LOOKS LIKE - OPEN YOUR EARS AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH
By Mrs. Lorrie Flem - www.TEACHmagazine.com - Used by permission
"Mom, guess what?!"
"Mmm."
"Mooommm, guess what happened?"
"MMMmmm."
"I lost my tooth! I was just taking a drink of my water and it popped out into my water bottle!"
"Neat. Did you throw it away?"
This is how I sounded when my darling daughter experienced one of the most exciting things that can happen to a 6 year old. She lost her tooth and I had been too distracted to pay much attention. I instantly was remorseful and she did forgive me. But I found it harder to forgive myself.
When I was a girl I bought my Daddy a little wooden plaque that said, "The best gift a dad can give his children is to love their mother." I thought that saying was so true then and now as a mother, I appreciate its truth even more. Another truth I have learned, as a mother is that one of the most precious gifts a mother can give to her children is to truly listen to them.
Now that I have a young adult and 3 teens, I believe it is even more vital that a parent really listen to their children and that if this is something that you train yourself to be in the habit of early on in their lives, it will stand you in good stead over the years. As they get older you might find that they talk less, at least about the things you really want to hear about, like what they think and feel in their hearts. Develop a habit of intent listening when your children are young and communication will be easier as they get older.
Here is what I wish I had done when my daughter was excited to tell me about her tooth. This is exactly what I believe careful listening looks like:
The first three follow the firemen's saying of "Stop, Drop, and Roll."
Stop whatever you are doing.
Drop, or set down, whatever you are holding.
Roll, your eyes and body toward the speaker to let them know that you want to hear what they have to say.
Read your child's nonverbal communication. Sometimes it will tell you things that they won't say out loud. Do they look angry, sad, apprehensive, or happy?
Don't talk but make listening noises. Don't say anything. Just try to look like you want to listen. Do use noises that show you are listening, "I see," "Oh," and "Uh Huh."
Encourage them to open up more by asking questions or giving simple commands like, "How did that make you feel?" and "What happened next?" And listen behind the words for feelings that might not even be identified by your child, "You seem very excited about that!" or "I bet that made you angry."
Help them solve their problems as you feel like they need it. Always direct them to pray first by asking, "Have you prayed about this?" Then help them think about future actions by asking things like, "What do you want to happen next?" or "What do you think she feels like?" or "Did you say you were sorry for your part in this?" Don't try to come up with a solution but encourage them to think it through on their own. Look for biblical or personal illustrations that might point out how to achieve a good outcome. Remember, listening is what this is all about.
To wrap it all up in a nutshell, open your ears and shut your mouth.NATURALLY GOOD COOKIESA great recipe for teens, pre-teens, toddlers, the retired and everyone in between!2 cups flour, spelt or whole wheat1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. baking powder1 1/4 tsp. salt1 cup lightly salted butter1 1/2 - 2 cups Sucanat (Original recipe calls for 1 cup brown sugar & 1/2 cup honey)2 eggs1 tsp. pure vanilla3 cups old fashioned oats, uncooked1 cup coconut, unsweetened1 cup chopped walnuts1/2 cup toasted wheat germ12 oz. carob chips or chocolate chipsMix all together and form into balls the size of small walnuts. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F. They do not flatten as they bake, but remain more like balls. You could flatten them with the bottom of a glass, if desired.SHEPHERD'S PIE1/2 lb. ground chuck
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. chili powder
4 cups mashed potatoes
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese1 tsp. sweet basilBrown ground beef and onion. Add carrots and cook until tender. Add peas and just start to cook. Drain grease. In a casserole dish, combine tomato sauce, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder. Mix well and combine with the beef mixture. Top with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle grated cheese over the top. Bake uncovered in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with dried sweet basil and serve piping hot.UNDESERVED GIFTSBy Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]A young father was telling us recently how he was stopped for speeding while his two young children were in the back seat of the car. Upon hearing the police siren and seeing their dad being pulled over, one son began singing as the other one joined in, "Bad boy! Bad boy! Whacha gonna do when they come for you?" They continued as the policeman came to the driver's open window and quickly cracked up laughing, and let the father go without a ticket.Last March on a beautiful warm Friday afternoon, I was driving home from a good friend's home after a wonderful birthday lunch she had prepared for me, a time of prayer for our families and just a delightful visit together. When I was about a mile from home, I remembered my husband would be home early, so I hurried on home. Just then a police car passed me going the opposite direction. I held my breath and thought, "Oh no! I'm sure I was not going 25 mph!" Sure enough! I felt sick as I saw him turn around and start his flashing light! After I pulled over, the young officer about the age of my son, came to my car window. I was so upset with myself as I handed my driver's license to him and said, "Oh no! And today's my birthday too!" He saw I was telling the truth, and replied, "I'd have to be pretty heartless to give you a ticket on your birthday, wouldn't I?" Then he smiled and said, "Happy Birthday, and be careful!" I breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him for my undeserved birthday gift!A friend of the family said he also got excused from getting a speeding ticket because of his birthday, although it was 6 months after his birthday. "Happy Birthday" was written across the back of his dirty car. Here it was six months later and his car still hadn't been washed. The policeman said, "Oh, I see it's your birthday!" Our friend said, "No, that was from six months ago." The policeman said, "Well, Happy Birthday anyway!" and didn't give him a ticket.Speaking of undeserved gifts, the all time greatest gift we will ever be offered was the whole meaning of the holiday we all celebrated recently - Easter! Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, arose from the dead, and He offers us His love and eternal life if we simply reach out and accept His gift. I pray that each one of you has responded to Jesus' invitation, and if not, that you will today.You are among the "whosoever" in John 3:16. Insert your name in the blanks. For God so loved ____ that He gave His only begotten Son, that if ____ believes on Him, ____ shall not perish, but have everlasting life! Please let me know if I can help you with this most important decision in life!FUN CRAFTS TO DO WITH CHILDRENUsed by permission from Sheri Osborn at Family CraftsTeens who babysit might want to do a simple craft with the children in their care, by either taking the supplies or asking the mother if she would please provide the supplies. Most moms would be happy to have a babysitter even suggest doing a craft with their children. That beats watching TV!Finger Puppets: Bug Finger Puppet, Buzy Bee Puppet, CD Daisy Puppet, Caterpillar Puppet, Cardboard Roll Puppets, Film Canister Finger Puppets, Crawling Spider Puppet, Elephant Puppet, etc.: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/puppets/Toys to Make: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/toystomake/Doll Craft Projects: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/dollcrafts/WHICH WIFE ARE YOU?Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this!The Politically Correct Wife - THE WORLD'S WAY
1. You are in control of your own life
2. Marriage is a 50-50 Proposition
3. You should treat your husband like he treats you
4. Your feelings are your guide
5. Your husband needs to earn your respect
6. You should make him pay for your Forgiveness
7. There is no such things as Happy Marriage anymore
8. Your husband's Job is to make you Happy.The Politically INCorrect Wife - GOD'S WAY
1. Doing things God's way is the key to having a Joyful Life
2. I am 100% responsible to God for my behavior as a wife
3. I'll love my husband unconditionally
4. I will act the way I want to feel
5. Respecting my husband brings glory to God
6. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling
7. A Source of power is readily available to help! It says in Psalms that God is my helper.
8. My joy is not determined through another human beingA B C's OF BEING A HELP MEEThttp://www.heart4home.net/blessings/alphabet_help_meet.htm - Editor: Leslie SausageThanks to Tami Qualls in Oklahoma for sending this!And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. - Genesis 2:18Admit when you are wrong
Be positive
Cuddle
Do it his way
Encourage him
Fix his breakfast
Give back rubs
Hug often
"I love you" should be said many times daily
Joke around in a playful manner
Know his needs
Listen to him
Manage your home well
Never hold grudges
Open your eyes in the morning and smile
Pray for him
Quit nagging him
Reminisce about good times
Show respect and honor
Trust, and earn his trust
Understand his need for reverence
Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it
Wink at him
X is for private times
Yearn to please him
Zealously guard him with your loveSTRESS BUSTERS FOR WOMEN - "TEND" and "BEFRIEND"UCLA Study on Friendship Among WomenBy Gale Berkowitz - Thanks to Linda Klein in California for sending this very interesting article!A landmark UCLA study suggests friendships between women are special. They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe our tumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, and help us remember who we really are. By the way, they may do even more.
Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actually counteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience on a daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond to stress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women.
It's a stunning find that has turned five decades of stress research --- most of it on men --- upside down. "Until this study was published, scientists generally believed that when people experience stress, they trigger a hormonal cascade that revs the body to either stand and fight or flee as fast as possible," explains Laura Cousino Klein, Ph.D., now an Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State University and one of the study's authors.
Now the researchers suspect that women have a larger behavioral repertoire than just "fight or flight." "In fact," says Dr. Klein,"it seems that when the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the stress responses in a woman, it buffers the "fight or flight" response and encourages her to tend children and gather with other women instead. When she actually engages in this tending or befriending, studies suggest that more oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect. This calming response does not occur in men", says Dr. Klein, "because testosterone --- which men produce in high levels when they're under stress --- seems to reduce the effects of oxytocin. Estrogen", she adds, "seems to enhance it."The discovery that women respond to stress differently than men was made in a classic "aha!" moment shared by two women scientists who were talking one day in a lab at UCLA. "There was this joke that when the women who worked in the lab were stressed, they came in, cleaned the lab, had coffee, and bonded", says Dr. Klein. "When the men were stressed, they holed up somewhere on their own. I commented one day to fellow researcher Shelley Taylor that nearly 90% of the stress research is on males. I showed her the data from my lab, and the two of us knew instantly that we were onto something."
The women cleared their schedules and started meeting with one scientist after another from various research specialties. Very quickly, Drs. Klein and Taylor discovered that by not including women in stress research, scientists had made a huge mistake: The fact that women respond to stress differently than men has significant implications for our health.
It may take some time for new studies to reveal all the ways that oxytocin encourages us to care for children and hang out with other women, but the "tend and befriend" notion developed by Drs. Klein and Taylor may explain why women consistently outlive men. Study after study has found that social ties reduce our risk of disease by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. "There's no doubt," says Dr. Klein, "that friends are helping us live." In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In another study, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%. Friends are also helping us live better. The famed Nurses' Health Study from Harvard Medical School found that the more friends women had, the less likely they were to develop physical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to be leading a joyful life.
In fact, the results were so significant, the researchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes was as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight! And that's not all! When the researchers looked at how well the women functioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in the face of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friend confidante were more likely to survive the experience without any new physical impairments or permanent loss of vitality. Those without friends were not always so fortunate. Yet if friends counter the stress that seems to swallow up so much of our life these days, if they keep us healthy and even add years to our life, why is it so hard to find time to be with them? That's a question that also troubles researcher Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., co-author of "Best Friends: The Pleasures and Perils of Girls' and Women's Friendships (Three Rivers Press, 1998).
"Every time we get overly busy with work and family, the first thing we do is let go of friendships with other women," explains Dr. Josselson."We push them right to the back burner. That's really a mistake because women are such a source of strength to each other. We nurture one another. And we need to have unpressured space in which we can do the special kind of talk that women do when they're with other women. It's a very healing experience."SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS AS A TOOL FOR SPIRITUAL OBJECT LESSONSBy Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]Science Experiments by Robert Krampf's Experiment of the Week - Used by permissionThese videos below from Robert Krampf's Experiment of the Week can be seen online on at: www.krampf.com/experiment_vid.html. As I watched them, several spiritual object lessons came to mind that you may want to use for Family Night.Since children learn by watching and especially by being involved themselves, parents can use these experiments as a springboard for teaching their children a spiritual truth. I still remember some spiritual object lessons I saw as a child, and can remember the lesson as well. After you watch these videos with your children, do the experiment with them, then talk about a spiritual lesson you could draw from the science lesson. Below are five examples.You may find your children will soon come up with spiritual objects lessons of their own. Most Christian parents want their children to see all aspects of life through the eyes of God's Word, and this is a wonderful tool.Parents who use these science experiments in teaching their children may have each child do a notebook of each experiment, do the experiment, understand the science aspect and write out a spiritual object lesson to go with each lesson at www.krampf.com/experiment_vid.html.Steam Powered Can Crushing - Science Lesson on Air PressureStress and pressure from the world could easily make us cave in. That's just another reason to be in the Word, pray constantly, and get life's priorities in order.Orange Slices - Science Lesson on PlantsGod had a purpose and plan when He created each living thing, including citrus fruit.Heating a Balloon - Science Lesson on Heat EnergyGod can protect us from harm and danger as the water in the balloon protected the balloon from fire. (Daniel 3) That doesn't mean God never allows difficulties or even death to come to His children. There are times when He allows harm to come to His children to bring glory to His Name.High Bounce - Science Lesson on Forms of EnergyWhen we spend time in God's Word and prayer, He will infuse us with His power.The Old Tablecloth Trick - Science Lesson on InertiaIf we are rooted, grounded and steadfast in God's Word, Satan can not pull the rug out from under us. Our future is secure in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Romans 8:37-39Grandparents, make special times like this happen with your grandchildren as you plant seeds of biblical truth in their hearts.THE PILOTAuthor unknown ~ Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this moving story!Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on - Fasten Your Seat Belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her! She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane spinning out of control. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky. Just remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control. He is taking us home!Guilt is concerned with the past. Worry is concerned about the future. Contentment enjoys the present. -- Author UnknownHUGGING IS GOOD MEDICINE"Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one." -- Author UnknownLadies, consider this newsletter a hug from me!The new column, "Ask a Nurse Midwife" will be in the next issue of "Heart to Heart," and we'll try to include it once each month. Please send me your questions about pregnancy and childbirth.Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers, soplease remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.(¨`·.·´¨) God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!`·.¸(¨`·.·´¨) And remember, I love to hear from you dear ladies!`·.¸.·´ Your Heart to Heart friend,LoisThe purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a "Start-Up Kit."
Disclaimer: Various web sites are given as credits or to supply additional information for readers. However, all the views and advertisements represented by web sites given in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editor. Please use your own discretion regarding all information given in this newsletter.-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
TEENS NEED RELATIONSHIP
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS AS A TOOL FOR SPIRITUAL OBJECT LESSONS
By Leanne Ely - [email protected] - Copyright 2007 - Used by permission
There is nothing more depressing than opening up your cupboards and not having what you need to put a meal together. I've said it many times: a well-stocked pantry is a gal's best friend. I mean it -- you have to have your pantry stocked. And don't forget that in today's modern world, a pantry is more than a cupboard of dry goods. It is also your fridge and freezer.
Every day, I pack lunch (one child is homeschooled, the other goes to school), so I keep on hand things for lunches. First the non-perishable tools: plastic spoons, napkins, little containers, blue ice packs for the lunch box (frozen and ready to use) or lunch bags if you use them. I buy in large quantities, usually taking advantage of sales. I have two drawers I use for wraps and bags: one holds my rolls and the larger gallon zipper topped bags and the other holds all my zipper-topped bags. I have quart sized, sandwich sized and snack sized. There are back up boxes in the pantry.
Next, I consider the actual pantry itself. I pack rice chips (like a thin toasted rice cake), healthy ginger snap cookies, and a case of bottled water. I have all of this bought weekly or semi weekly and these things stay on my perpetual shopping list so I am sure to pick them up. In the bread basket, whole wheat bread, whole wheat bagels and fruit leathers (I get the natural ones without the sugar).
Then comes the fridge. Again, this stuff is all on my perpetual shopping list: string cheese or cheese twists (cheddar & mozzarella together), individual yogurts, Ranch dressing (ugh--this is where I cave to kid pressure), baby carrots, celery sticks, apples. I also have whole-wheat tortillas, cream cheese and homemade muffins (not all the time). I don't pack it all. I choose a few things each time and they take me five minutes to pack, tops. Sometimes I will have the kids help; sometimes they are doing other things themselves to get ready.
The sandwich is usually almond butter and a fruit conserve (like preserves, but sweetened with juice). I will do cream cheese and bagels, or a wrap made with the tortilla, cream cheese and maybe leftover chicken from the night before. My kids also like almond butter in a little plastic container to dip their celery in and I give them a different sandwich that day. Apples cut up and dipped in almond butter is also a favorite.
Breakfast is even easier. I keep two cold cereals in my pantry plus two hot cereals: oatmeal mixed with oat bran (I do this myself) and grits (I have to go to the health food store to get grits now!). I also have honey or brown sugar for the hot cereal. (I also recommend sucanat -evaporated dried sugar cane juice). Whole grain frozen waffles and whole grain French toast in the freezer (you can make and freeze or buy). In the fridge, I have the usual suspects: eggs and milk. We don't drink juice, but instead opt for whole fruit. There are always bananas in the basket and oranges off our tree right now. So take a peek: breakfast is there!
My morning routine is typed out and in a plastic sleeve and sits on the kitchen island with my timer (if you don't have a timer, you are missing out on one of the most important tools!). I put it out at night when I am doing my evening routine. We are out of the house every morning for school at 7:50 (school starts at 8:15, check in begins at 8:05 and it's a 10 minute drive) and there has only been ONE tardy since school started in September and that was beyond our control. When we leave, my son is showered, lunch is packed and he has had a good breakfast (I give him a choice between two breakfasts while he is getting in the shower). It's a cinch and I'm not stressed.
So there you have it. Breakfast and lunch perpetual pantries. Your pantries don't need to look the same as mine, but I bet you can draw some similarities or at least, find a place to start. Let these ideas be a beginning place for you to make your own perpetual pantry based on your family's preferences. You can make your own perpetual grocery list. Mine is on the computer. I just tweak it as I need it for the week and then always return the document back to its original state after I have printed it. That way, it is ready to go for the next time.
That's it! It's that simple, and keeping a perpetual pantry (via your perpetual shopping list) keeps you stocked up and ready. Are you ready to be prepared with all your mealtimes? Pack lunches that are easy, healthy and good? Send your tribe off with full tummies in the morning? Then get moving and let's get those pantries cleaned out, decluttered and then fully stocked with what you need to make it happen.
Leanne Ely is the editor of Menu-Mailer. If dinner's a hassle at your house and you need some help, go to http://www.menumailer.net
http://effectiveparenting.org/ - For free e-mail parenting tips sign up: http://www.biblicalparenting.org
By Mrs. Lorrie Flem - http://www.TEACHmagazine.com - Used by permission
"Mom, guess what?!"
"Mmm."
"Mooommm, guess what happened?"
"MMMmmm."
"I lost my tooth! I was just taking a drink of my water and it popped out into my water bottle!"
"Neat. Did you throw it away?"
This is how I sounded when my darling daughter experienced one of the most exciting things that can happen to a 6 year old. She lost her tooth and I had been too distracted to pay much attention. I instantly was remorseful and she did forgive me. But I found it harder to forgive myself.
When I was a girl I bought my Daddy a little wooden plaque that said, "The best gift a dad can give his children is to love their mother." I thought that saying was so true then and now as a mother, I appreciate its truth even more. Another truth I have learned, as a mother is that one of the most precious gifts a mother can give to her children is to truly listen to them.
Now that I have a young adult and 3 teens, I believe it is even more vital that a parent really listen to their children and that if this is something that you train yourself to be in the habit of early on in their lives, it will stand you in good stead over the years. As they get older you might find that they talk less, at least about the things you really want to hear about, like what they think and feel in their hearts. Develop a habit of intent listening when your children are young and communication will be easier as they get older.
Here is what I wish I had done when my daughter was excited to tell me about her tooth. This is exactly what I believe careful listening looks like:
The first three follow the firemen's saying of "Stop, Drop, and Roll."
Stop whatever you are doing.
Drop, or set down, whatever you are holding.
Roll, your eyes and body toward the speaker to let them know that you want to hear what they have to say.
Read your child's nonverbal communication. Sometimes it will tell you things that they won't say out loud. Do they look angry, sad, apprehensive, or happy?
Don't talk but make listening noises. Don't say anything. Just try to look like you want to listen. Do use noises that show you are listening, "I see," "Oh," and "Uh Huh."
Encourage them to open up more by asking questions or giving simple commands like, "How did that make you feel?" and "What happened next?" And listen behind the words for feelings that might not even be identified by your child, "You seem very excited about that!" or "I bet that made you angry."
Help them solve their problems as you feel like they need it. Always direct them to pray first by asking, "Have you prayed about this?" Then help them think about future actions by asking things like, "What do you want to happen next?" or "What do you think she feels like?" or "Did you say you were sorry for your part in this?" Don't try to come up with a solution but encourage them to think it through on their own. Look for biblical or personal illustrations that might point out how to achieve a good outcome. Remember, listening is what this is all about.
To wrap it all up in a nutshell, open your ears and shut your mouth.
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. chili powder
4 cups mashed potatoes
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1. You are in control of your own life
2. Marriage is a 50-50 Proposition
3. You should treat your husband like he treats you
4. Your feelings are your guide
5. Your husband needs to earn your respect
6. You should make him pay for your Forgiveness
7. There is no such things as Happy Marriage anymore
8. Your husband's Job is to make you Happy.
1. Doing things God's way is the key to having a Joyful Life
2. I am 100% responsible to God for my behavior as a wife
3. I'll love my husband unconditionally
4. I will act the way I want to feel
5. Respecting my husband brings glory to God
6. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling
7. A Source of power is readily available to help! It says in Psalms that God is my helper.
8. My joy is not determined through another human being
Admit when you are wrong
Be positive
Cuddle
Do it his way
Encourage him
Fix his breakfast
Give back rubs
Hug often
"I love you" should be said many times daily
Joke around in a playful manner
Know his needs
Listen to him
Manage your home well
Never hold grudges
Open your eyes in the morning and smile
Pray for him
Quit nagging him
Reminisce about good times
Show respect and honor
Trust, and earn his trust
Understand his need for reverence
Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it
Wink at him
X is for private times
Yearn to please him
Zealously guard him with your love
A landmark UCLA study suggests friendships between women are special. They shape who we are and who we are yet to be. They soothe our tumultuous inner world, fill the emotional gaps in our marriage, and help us remember who we really are. By the way, they may do even more.
Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actually counteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience on a daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond to stress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women.
It's a stunning find that has turned five decades of stress research --- most of it on men --- upside down. "Until this study was published, scientists generally believed that when people experience stress, they trigger a hormonal cascade that revs the body to either stand and fight or flee as fast as possible," explains Laura Cousino Klein, Ph.D., now an Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State University and one of the study's authors.
The discovery that women respond to stress differently than men was made in a classic "aha!" moment shared by two women scientists who were talking one day in a lab at UCLA. "There was this joke that when the women who worked in the lab were stressed, they came in, cleaned the lab, had coffee, and bonded", says Dr. Klein. "When the men were stressed, they holed up somewhere on their own. I commented one day to fellow researcher Shelley Taylor that nearly 90% of the stress research is on males. I showed her the data from my lab, and the two of us knew instantly that we were onto something."
The women cleared their schedules and started meeting with one scientist after another from various research specialties. Very quickly, Drs. Klein and Taylor discovered that by not including women in stress research, scientists had made a huge mistake: The fact that women respond to stress differently than men has significant implications for our health.
It may take some time for new studies to reveal all the ways that oxytocin encourages us to care for children and hang out with other women, but the "tend and befriend" notion developed by Drs. Klein and Taylor may explain why women consistently outlive men. Study after study has found that social ties reduce our risk of disease by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. "There's no doubt," says Dr. Klein, "that friends are helping us live." In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In another study, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%. Friends are also helping us live better. The famed Nurses' Health Study from Harvard Medical School found that the more friends women had, the less likely they were to develop physical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to be leading a joyful life.
In fact, the results were so significant, the researchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes was as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight! And that's not all! When the researchers looked at how well the women functioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in the face of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friend confidante were more likely to survive the experience without any new physical impairments or permanent loss of vitality. Those without friends were not always so fortunate. Yet if friends counter the stress that seems to swallow up so much of our life these days, if they keep us healthy and even add years to our life, why is it so hard to find time to be with them? That's a question that also troubles researcher Ruthellen Josselson, Ph.D., co-author of "Best Friends: The Pleasures and Perils of Girls' and Women's Friendships (Three Rivers Press, 1998).
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a "Start-Up Kit."
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