Type II diabetes, Paula Deen, and me!

I read that Paula Deen announced that she has type II diabetes, and also read some of the comments about her keeping it a secret. Well, here is how I see it. Yes, she didn't tell the public all the while she still was pushing her comfort foods. But let's get real people! Everyone knows that high fat food, high sugar food, and high calorie foods are bad! You don't need Paula to tell you that! Her healthcare problems are nobodies business but her own! The fact that she didn't share until she had something to bring to the table was a very good idea! Not only did she need to get educated, but she needed to let it sink in what is happening to her. Let alone she probably had a contract to fulfill. That is not something that you take like you just won the lottery and want to share it with the world. This is serious stuff and takes awhile to find exceptance. I have never been a big fan of Paula Deen, but I know how this news hits you and how long it takes to except the changes you need to make. So give her a break! She owes you nothing! Everyone knew when you cook and eat that kind of food your health will pay! Go Paula! Always a business woman and making a success from her set backs. Here she goes again! If she does this right I just might become a full fledged Paula Deen fan!

Do we really see things as they really are?

We all see things from a different "point of view". Even our point of view is skewed by what we think is our POV. You may have a POV of a man, a woman, black, white, rich, poor, American, or from a third world. Everything that happens to you in your life lends to how we think and feel. If you have a bad day at work,if you have been abused, robbed, suffered great loss, these all change our POV. So now we add more into it; all our daily crap, inflation, bad weather, sickness, problems at home, car issues and the dog just ate your remote! Now, Christ tells us to love one another as you would love yourself. With all of this going on in our lives; you might ask HOW? Here is how:
1. Do Not Make Assumptions!
2. Do Not Judge
3. Choose LOVE
4. Be Kind
5. Be Patient
6. Do not blame.

And again do not make assumptions!! Do not assume you know why someone is having a difficult time making it in life and never assume that it is all about you! That you have had it so bad that no one could have it worse than you. That you work harder and pay more. Get over yourself. Chances are if your are reading this blog you are middle class, living in the USA, you may or may not have a job right now, but you have a roof over your head, have hot running water and you have eaten THIS WEEK! We have become so accustomed to our luxuries in life that we feel entitled to have them; our slice of the pie; our fair share. We are all born into this life with nothing and with nothing we will leave. I guess that kind of levels the playing field, don't ya think?

It's No Accident

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."

 -Henri Nouwen

I love this quote. It says it all. We cannot sit back and wait for good thing to happen to us. Just as in love and happiness, we choose it and keep choosing it every day! Get it? I got it! Share it! Spread it! EnJOY it!

Yum, to the smoothie!

My new year is, or should I say, has to be healthier! More whole foods, veggies and fruits, less meat. Today I honor the smoothie! It tastes so great, especially right now that I am under the weather. It's packed with good stuff!
Here is my recipe:
1/2 cup strawberry kefir (you can use yogurt but kefir is a good thing)
1/2 cup frozen blue berries
2/3 cup frozen strawberries
1 packet of stevia sweetener
Just enough fresca soda to loosen it all up

Run it all through the blender and enjoy!
Here's the best part; "155" calories! That makes 2 cups of smoothie! That is a belly buster! That my friend is a meal! I can so enjoy these while trying to be more health conscience!

If you are making it for kiddos or making this a meal, you may want to increase the protein by using a whole cup of Lifeway Kefir (11 grams of protein) which only adds 70 more calories and use fruit juice in place of diet soda. They will love it.

I challenge you all to do some research to see the great benefits of Kefir. I have only found it at Giant Eagle in Meadville. In the dairy isle.

Today has been a good food day, oatmeal and blueberries, that wonderful smoothy, and I am cooking up a pot of beef barley soup!

This is my thought for today. Thinking of all things healthful. Feed your mind and your body only good things. =)