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Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

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

 

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7/3/04 GOD SAYS, MUFFINS, GREEN SALADS, PICNICS, HOME DECORATING

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CONTENTS:

YOU SAY verses GOD SAYS

WHY AM I SO TIRED?

FABULOUS FIBER 

APPLE, OATMEAL & RAISIN MUFFINS
APRICOT MUFFINS 
GREEN GARDEN SALAD VARIATIONS AS A MAIN DISH OR SIDE DISH

        15 TIPS

"SPUR  OF  THE  MOMENT"  PICNICS 

SIMPLE FRUIT SALAD
NO-COOK RECIPES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO MAKE                     

        PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS
        FRUIT COCKTAIL ICE POPS 

DECORATING TIP FOR CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS
THE OLYMPICS

YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED!

IF YOU'RE A BIG SPENDER

A NUMBER TRICK 
KID'S QUOTE

ANOTHER A NEW BABY!

PLEASE KEEP CALLING SENATORS!

 

 

YOU SAY verses GOD SAYS

Contributed by Shelley Camden of Virginia
 
You say: "It's impossible." ~ God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)   
You say: "I'm too tired."  ~  God says: I will give you rest  (Matthew 11:28-30) 
You say: "Nobody really loves me" ~ God says: I love you  (John 3:16 & John 3:34)   
You say: "I can't go on"  ~ God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psm. 91:15)   
You say: "I can't figure things out"  God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)  
You say: "I can't do it"  God says: You can do all things  (Philippians 4:13)  
You say: "I'm not able" ~ God says: I am able  (II Corinthians 9:8)   
You say: "It's not worth it" ~ God says: It will be worth it  (Roman 8:28)  
You say: "I can't forgive myself" ~ God says: I Forgive you  (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage" ~ God says: I will supply all your needs  (Philippians 4:19)  
You say: "I'm afraid" ~ God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear  (II Timothy 1:7)  
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" ~ God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Pet. 5:7) 
You say: "I don't have enough faith" ~ God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Rom.12:3) 
You say: "I'm not smart enough" ~ God says: I give you wisdom  (I Corinthians 1:30)  
You say: "I feel all alone" ~ God says: I will never leave you or forsake you  (Hebrews 13:5)
 

 

WHY AM I SO TIRED?

Author unknown

For a couple years I've been blaming it on iron poor blood, lack of vitamins, dieting and a dozen other maladies. Now I found out the real reason:
 
I'm tired because I'm overworked. The population of this country is 237 million.  104 million are retired. That leaves 133 million to do the work.  There are 85 million in school, which leave 48 million to do the work.  Of this there are 29 million employed by the federal government, with 19 million to do the work.  Four million are in the Armed Forces, which leaves 15 million to do the work.  Take from the total the 14,800,000 people who work for State and City Government and that leaves 200,000 to do the work.  There are 188,000 in hospitals, so that leaves 12,000 to do the work.  Now, there are 11,998 people in prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work.  You and me ... and you're sitting there reading jokes.

 

 

FABULOUS FIBER 

"Seasons," Blue Cross of California, Fall 2003,  P. 4. © 2002 http://www.bluecross.com

        Fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may play a vital role in keeping the heart healthy. Researchers from Tulane University in Louisiana looked at national nutrition and health date to see if fiber intake lowered the risk of heart disease.
         They found that people with diets highest in fiber reduced their risk of heart disease by about 10%, compared with those who consumed the least amount of fiber.
         Fiber's health benefits may come from its ability to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates after eating. A high fiber diet has also been associated with improved blood pressure and blood sugar levels and weight control, all of which contribute to heart health.
         The following are good sources of fiber and soluble fiber:

Whole grain cereals, Oatmeal, Legumes, Fruits, Vegetables
         A half cup of legumes contains 6 grams of fiber, 2 grams of which is soluble fiber. The American Heart Association suggests aiming for 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day for a health heart. Your doctor is the best person to ask about diet changes and modifications.
 

 

APPLE, OATMEAL & RAISIN MUFFINS
Delicious and a good source of fiber!

1 apple, chopped                                                       1/2 cup olive or Canola oil
1/2 cup raisins and/or chopped dried apricots       1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts                                           1 cup unbleached flour
1 egg                                                                            1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup buttermilk                                                          1/2 tsp. salt

    (or 1 cup milk with 1 T. lemon juice added)         1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup old fashioned oatmeal                                     1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup of brown sugar

 

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Chop apple into a small mixing bowl.  Add the raisins and walnuts and set aside.   Beat egg and milk together in larger bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and stir just a bit before adding the fruit and nuts.  For tender muffins, stir only until moistened.  Grease muffin cups and fill to 2/3 full.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Yields 2 dozen muffins.
 

APRICOT MUFFINS 
1 cup chopped dried apricots                    1 heaping Tbsp. sugar
1 cup boiling water                                      1 cup apricot nectar          
2 cups self-rising flour                                  3 Tbsp. melted margarine or oil
 
Method: Pour boiling water over fruit and stand for 30 minutes, then drain well.  Put flour and drained fruit into a large bowl.. Add liquids to bowl and stir with a fork until just combined. Divide evenly into 12 greased muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes in a pre-heated 350 F oven. Leave in the pan for a few minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

 

GREEN GARDEN SALAD VARIATIONS AS A MAIN DISH OR SIDE DISH

By  Lois Breneman ~ Heart to Heart ~ © 1999, Revised 2004 ~ [email protected] 

For a delicious and nutritious green salad, use romaine, green leafy or purple leafy lettuce.  Iceburg lettuce has almost no flavor or nutritional value.  Wash, spin dry in a salad spinner and cut with scissors into individual salad bowls.  Strive for variety in color, texture and flavor.
 
To make a Quick and Easy Salad, top the green lettuce with the following:
Raisins, dried cranberries or apricots, cut into slivers with scissors.

Diced apple--be ready to serve shortly, so apple does not turn brown (or dip in citrus juice).
Salad dressing
Mixture of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and soy nuts
 
(For additional variety in color, texture and flavor, add sliced bits of purple cabbage, sliced green cabbage, grated or sliced carrots, sliced radishes, sliced celery, sliced cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, fresh herbs, edible flowers, slivered almonds, grated cheese.)
 
SALAD TIPS 
Tip #1:  A salad spinner is a great timesaving device.  It saves on paper or cloth towels as well.  I found one at a yard sale for 50 cents.  A plastic one is inexpensive and very worthwhile.  Some people wrap lettuce in a towel and spin it in their washing machine, but this still uses a towel, and unless your washer is in the kitchen, it is more trouble than it's worth.
 
Tip#2:  Make a mixture of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soy nuts and maybe almonds and store in a freezer bag in your freezer door.  It will be quick to grab for salad toppings.  These can be found at a natural foods co-op, if they cannot be found in your grocery store.
 
Tip #3:  Keep dried apricots, raisins and cranberries handy in the refrigerator or freezer door to quickly add to salads.
 
Tip #4:  Simply serve a large green salad for dinner with a baked sweet potato or white potato.  The potatoes can be baked quickly by washing, wrapping in plastic wrap and positioned in a circle in the microwave to bake while your family eats the salad.  The e-mail circulating about the harmful carcinogenic effects of microwaved plastic wrap touching foods relates to fatty foods, but potatoes should be safe.
 
Tip #5:  For a colorful salad, add pansy petals, bee balm, nastursiums, day lilies and other edible flowers.  Be sure they have not been sprayed with insecticides.
 
Tip #6:  Use fresh herbs in salads.  Peppermint, oregano, chives, garlic chives, Italian and curley parsley, rosemary, tarragon, cilantro and basil give wonderful flavors to salads.  Peppermint is especially flavorful and refreshing.
 
Tip #7:  After the salad is assembled, line the edge of the bowls with baby carrots, and/or garnish with strips of red, yellow or green peppers.  I like to cut carrots lengthwise into slivers.

 

Tip #8: Look for Mesculin mix (assorted greens) in the produce section of your grocery store.  It may be much less expensive in the salad bar section, however.  This is great added to a salad.
 
Tip #9:  If you call a restaurant manager, you may be able to purchase salad bowls like they  use.  Quite a few years ago I really liked Red Lobster's white salad bowls with black rims and purchased some (new) from them for a great price.  
 
Tip #10:  You can find lovely glass crystal serving bowls at yard sales that can be used for individual salad bowls.  When you serve a green salad as the main course, a serving bowl is what you need.  It's fine to mix and match different styles.  
 
Tip #11:  You can purchase dressings from the Red Lobster Restaurant.  Creamy Caesar Dressing is my favorite.  I like to put the dressing on each person's salad as they do in some restaurants, to prevent overdoing it!   By using a squeeze bottle, such as a plastic mustard squeeze bottle or a plastic honey bear, you can drizzle the dressing across your salad in parallel lines like some fancy restaurants do. 

 

Tip # 12:  You can also save a lot on your food budget by making your own salad dressings.   

Tip #13:  We have all heard that you should tear your lettuce, rather than cut it.  The reason is because cutting can cause rust on the edges - if the lettuce, especially iceburg lettuce, sets for a long period of time after cutting it.  However, if you cut green lettuce with scissors, it works very well and speeds up the process.

 

Tip # 14:  Purchase a large quantity of slivered almonds at a food coop and toast them in the oven until lightly browned.  Freeze to have on hand to sprinkle salads with these almonds for extra flavor and crunch.

 

Tip # 15:  For protein, add chicken, turkey, beef, hard cooked egg slices, cheese in strips or grated, flaked salmon (fresh or canned) or tuna.

 

"SPUR  OF  THE  MOMENT"  PICNICS 

By Lois Breneman ~  From Heart to Heart ~ © April, 1999 ~ Revised ~ [email protected]

 

Now that the weather is so beautiful, keep that picnic basket handy!  This week my husband and I have already been on two picnics.  I used to think a picnic was all about "typical picnic food" like fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, fresh veggies, apple pie ~ the works!  But to me, that's too much work to do very often, not to mention the calories!  What I have done for the past several years is just make a regular dinner in the electric skillet and pack our light Corelle dishes and silverware, napkins, serving spoons, water in 16 oz.Tupperware glasses with lids for each of us, a large colorful sheet for a tablecloth, salt and pepper and a wet washcloth in a baggie.  Sometimes we take chicken breasts cooked in a variety of ways in the electric skillet, baked potatoes done in the microwave and added to the skillet and a vegetable cooked in the microwave and added to the skillet. All the food is in the electric skillet and still hot when we arrive at our favorite picnic spot just ten minutes away.  Any casserole can be baked at home and carried to a picnic, with a salad or vegetable and possibly bread to complete the meal.  Try a spaghetti casserole or lasagna.  Chili in the crockpot with some bread or crackers makes a nice picnic or tailgate party with the family or friends.  Some fresh vegetables and a dessert would round it off. 

 

Last evening we took a green salad, corn on the cob and fruit salad.  I put the crunchy seeds and nuts, as well as the dressing in separate Tupperware containers to pour over our salads at the picnic site.  The corn on the cob was cooked at home and wrapped in foil. It was still too hot to eat after our salad was eaten, so it will stay hot for quite a while in the foil.  A simple fruit salad was refreshing too, but if you don't want to attract mosquitoes, leave bananas out of your summer diet because mosquitoes really love bananas and people who eat them.  Repellant may still be needed to keep them completely away.

 

It was wonderful and so relaxing last evening sitting at our favorite picnic spot among all the azaleas and wild flowers and hearing the singing birds and the rippling brook!  Afterwards we went for a walk in the woods.  Just a green salad, a baked potato and fresh fruit would even be a nice picnic with very little fuss. 

 

A picnic doesn't need to be fancy at all, and with that misconception out of the way, we are free to be more "Spur of the Moment."  A timesaving device in having "Spur of the Moment Picnics" is to have a basket ready with a clean tablecloth, paper plates and cups, plastic knives, forks and spoons (if you'd rather use them, rather than plates and regular flatware, as I usually do), napkins, salt and pepper, and anything else that you can have ready ahead of time.  You might keep a list of all the last-minute essential picnic items, such as serving spoons, a wet cloth, butter (if needed), a quilt to spread on the ground in case you can't find a picnic table. 

 

Sometimes you may want to plan to meet other families at a special picnic spot.  Each family could bring a dish or two to share with the others and serving spoons for their own dishes.  If every family brings their own tablecloth, plates, cups, napkins, utensils and drink, it seems easier.  I'm sure that every location, whether here or overseas, has great picnic spots.  In our area the Lord has blessed us with quite a few beautiful mountain tops and valleys as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I marvel at and enjoy God's creation every day!  But no matter where you live, find a good spot near your home if you plan to take a hot meal.  Happy Picnicing!

 

SIMPLE FRUIT SALAD
(A quick, easy, refreshing, and nutritious fruit salad for the whole family!) 
Mix applesauce and orange juice concentrate in a bowl.  Add the following and stir:

   Pineapple Tidbits

   Sliced peaches                                                                        

   Mandarin oranges or sectioned fresh oranges
   Diced apples

Note: Bananas are delicious in this fruit salad too, but since mosquitoes especially go after people who eat bananas, you may choose to eliminate them from your summer diet.

 

 

~~  NO-COOK RECIPES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO MAKE ~~

                     PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS
Here is a recipe using peanut butter that makes a great-tasting and nutritious snack for children and adults alike!  Kids can put graham cracker crumbs in the waxed liner from a cereal box, clamp the bag shut, and step on it to crush the crackers, unless the children are old enough to operate a food processor.  This is a wonderful lunch box, after-school or anytime treat.  Makes 24.  Note: Children under one year should not have honey, because of possible botulism risks.
 
1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)        1/4 cup honey 
1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder                        graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup raisins
 
Mix all ingredients except the graham cracker crumbs in a large bowl.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.  Roll in the cracker crumbs and refrigerate.

 

FRUIT COCKTAIL ICE POPS 

(Cooked and pureed apricots could be added to this for extra iron.)

1 can (29 oz.) fruit cocktail, in extra light syrup, undrained
12 popsicle molds or paper cups and sticks
 
Use whole fruit or pureed in blender or food processor.  Fill molds up to 1/2 inch from the top.
31 calories, 3 mg. sodium, 0 cholesterol, 8 gm carbohydrates, trace protein, trace fat (1/2 fruit exchange)

 
DECORATING TIP FOR CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS
This tip originally appeared in the Mommysavers Newsletter. Free weekly newsletter: www.mommysavers.com

My 2 year old recently moved to a toddler bed and rather than get her bedding with a character or something she would soon outgrow, I chose a patchwork comforter with lots of color.  I painted the walls a solid color that was in the comforter. I can now use an overhead projector to project images of characters she currently likes onto the wall, and paint them on.  When she decides she is into something else, these can be easily painted over and the whole room decor won't need changing.  I also bought chalkboard paint for a portion of one wall.  She can have a chalkboard that doesn't require putting holes in the wall to hang nor does it pose a threat of falling off onto her when she uses it.  When she gets older, we can also paint over the current one and paint on a new one higher up according to her height. -- Kirsten, 29, from VA

 

 

THE OLYMPICS

With the Summer Olympics in Greece coming soon, you might enjoy this story from an athlete who was in the Winter Olympics!  The famous Olympic skier Picabo Street (pronounced Peek-A-Boo) is not just an athlete, she is also a nurse who works in the Intensive Care Unit of a large metropolitan hospital.  However, she is not permitted to answer the telephone while she is at work.  It simply caused too much confusion when she would answer the phone and say, "Picabo, ICU."

 

 

YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED!

Author Unknown ~ Contributed by Mandy Joy Johnson of Florida

I'm sure you've all received applications for credit cards in the mail.  However, I'm here to advertise a different card.  You see, my life is a product for others to see.  I'm a card-carrying representative for The Master's Card.. That's right, The MASTER'S CARD.

Let me tell you about it.  There are no finance charges, no payments due.  My bill has already been covered...it's a prepaid deal.  I couldn't afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.  My name is written on the card for all to see.  It is accessible twenty-four hours a day
from anywhere in the world.

The MASTER'S CARD has so many benefits it's hard to list them all.  Let me share some of them with you ...  you might want to apply for a personal card yourself.  Just for starters there is...UNLIMITED GRACE.  That's right, there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from The MASTER'S CARD.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places?  Then, look no farther than The MASTER'S CARD.   It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered.  The MASTER'S CARD gives you access to many "members only" benefits.  Want real joy despite the difficulties of life?  Apply for The MASTER'S CARD.

Want a lasting peace? Apply for The MASTER'S CARD.   Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam?  The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you.  Another great thing about The MASTER'S CARD is that it never expires and will never be cancelled.  Once you're a member, you're a member for life ... Eternal life, that is!

Membership has its privileges, you know.  So why not apply today?  It's only a prayer away!

 

IF YOU'RE A BIG SPENDER ... leave your credit card at home when you go shopping.  I heard that it's a good idea to have only one credit card and to keep it frozen in a container of water in your freezer.  Then if you think you need it to buy something, at least you have a brief waiting period to think about whether or not you really need to make that purchase as it thaws out!  I wouldn't advise rushing the melting process by using the microwave either!  It will melt your card!

 

 

A NUMBER TRICK 
142857 is a cyclic number - its digits always appear in the same order but will rotate around when multiplied by any number from 1 to 6:

 
142857 x 1 = 142857
142857 x 2 = 285714
142857 x 3 = 428571
142857 x 4 = 571428
142857 x 5 = 714285
142857 x 6 = 857142 

Pretty cool, huh?  Now multiply 142857 by 7!  Very interesting! ~(Barbara Henry)

 

 

KID'S QUOTE

Contributed by Linda Bahn of Pennsylvania

I was babysitting three year old Lexi one rainy afternoon and she kept wanting to go outside.  So we got our umbrellas and were walking around in the gentle rain.   Finally the sun came out and she was standing next to a piece of black landscaping plastic that was showing through the stones.  The sun was sparkling off of the bumpy, shiny plastic and Lexi said, "She's wet."  When I asked her, "Who's wet?" she just said, "She melted."  I was really confused at that point and asked, "Who melted?"  Lexi kept staring at the shiny blob of plastic and said, "The witch melted."   It took a few seconds to figure out how she came up with that idea, but I almost fell over laughing when I remembered that her favorite video is The Wizard of Oz! 

 

 

ANOTHER A NEW BABY!

Naomi Anne Dausman was welcomed into the world on July 25, 2004!  She is the second daughter of Andrew and Miriam Dausman.  She is the ninth grandchild of Richard and Rhoda Long.  All reside in Virginia.

 

 

PLEASE KEEP CALLING SENATORS!

Please continue to call and e-mail Senators about the Federal Marriage Amendment Act.  They need to know our viewpoint now.  The vote will take place around July 11.  Time is short. 

Find out which Senators are sitting on the fence regarding this issue and call them:

www.family.org    www.citizenlink.org          www.pointofview.org

 

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July as we thank God for the freedoms we still enjoy.

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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