"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can."
IF WE REALLY LIVED THIS WAY, what would the world look like? What would our homes look like? What would we look like?
Susan
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Friday, January 14, 2005
French Women Don't Get Fat
Have you heard of the book? The commonsense approach combined with good humor( a bit of a poke at the American way of eating and obsession with weight loss/gain) has me rethinking my eating habits. In America, is it really possible to eat the way French women do? I'd like to think so. I want to try. Ideally, I would need a months stay in a Paris apartment to really absorb the ways of French women. That's not going to happen, so I think I'll reread the book.
My first step towards thinking "French" was to visit a whole foods market and buy organic produce and a chicken. HUH? Yes, it is very important to THINK about what you are going to eat before you ever pull out a pan. So, I slowly savored the sights and sounds of the market. French women like to try new foods so I bought leeks!
Second step is to have fun cooking. I had fun preparing my organic roast chicken and veggies(tried not to reflect on the cost of said meal) and took note of the glorious smells emanating from my kitchen; roast chicken, lemon, thyme, a whole head of garlic, onions. YUM!
Third step is to only eat till satisfied and drink a glass of wine with your meal.
I did fairly well on this one, though I think I went past satisifed because it was so good. Need to reread the chapter on eating small. I had Llano Blush wine. It would have probably been more "French" to have white but everything in small steps, right? That's the French way.
Fourth step is to make exercise an easily incorporated part of your life. Have I mentioned how much I detest going to a gym? It depresses me worse than going to the mall. I much prefer walking outside. Give me sunshine, blue skies and birds singing. This morning I headed out for a walk around the neighborhood, enjoying the sights and sounds. Wouldn't it be lovely to walk to the market and walk to work like they do in some of the European towns? I digress. hehe
Fifth step is to reprioritize my day so I have time to have 2 hour meals. There is lots of conversation that goes on during those 2 hours, as well as several small courses. Well, maybe I'll shoot for 30 minute meals.
If you haven't read "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano, I highly recommend it!
Bon Appetit!
Susan
My first step towards thinking "French" was to visit a whole foods market and buy organic produce and a chicken. HUH? Yes, it is very important to THINK about what you are going to eat before you ever pull out a pan. So, I slowly savored the sights and sounds of the market. French women like to try new foods so I bought leeks!
Second step is to have fun cooking. I had fun preparing my organic roast chicken and veggies(tried not to reflect on the cost of said meal) and took note of the glorious smells emanating from my kitchen; roast chicken, lemon, thyme, a whole head of garlic, onions. YUM!
Third step is to only eat till satisfied and drink a glass of wine with your meal.
I did fairly well on this one, though I think I went past satisifed because it was so good. Need to reread the chapter on eating small. I had Llano Blush wine. It would have probably been more "French" to have white but everything in small steps, right? That's the French way.
Fourth step is to make exercise an easily incorporated part of your life. Have I mentioned how much I detest going to a gym? It depresses me worse than going to the mall. I much prefer walking outside. Give me sunshine, blue skies and birds singing. This morning I headed out for a walk around the neighborhood, enjoying the sights and sounds. Wouldn't it be lovely to walk to the market and walk to work like they do in some of the European towns? I digress. hehe
Fifth step is to reprioritize my day so I have time to have 2 hour meals. There is lots of conversation that goes on during those 2 hours, as well as several small courses. Well, maybe I'll shoot for 30 minute meals.
If you haven't read "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano, I highly recommend it!
Bon Appetit!
Susan
Monday, January 10, 2005
STRESS REDUCERS
Today was our first day back to school(homeschool, that is) after the holidays! I received this list of "Stress Reducers" today and thought it timely. Perhaps something in here will encourage you and lower your stress level!
36 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
"Never borrow from the future. If you worry about
what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.
Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or
that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7 Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often
too many).
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects
over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern,
find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't
do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary
purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house
key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can
prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your
quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small
problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray!.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is
often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best
they can).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the
universe
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for
that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING
THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans
8:31)
Here's to a stress-free day, month, and year!!
Susan
36 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS
"Never borrow from the future. If you worry about
what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.
Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or
that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7 Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often
too many).
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects
over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern,
find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't
do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary
purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house
key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can
prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your
quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small
problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray!.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is
often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best
they can).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the
universe
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for
that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING
THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans
8:31)
Here's to a stress-free day, month, and year!!
Susan
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
I WISH YOU ENOUGH!
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
Living in the "Land of Plenty" most of us have enough material items to satisfy our wants and needs. This poem reminds me of those things that aren't material but are vital to our spirit!
Wishing you enough,
Susan
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
Living in the "Land of Plenty" most of us have enough material items to satisfy our wants and needs. This poem reminds me of those things that aren't material but are vital to our spirit!
Wishing you enough,
Susan
Saturday, January 01, 2005
JANUARY 1, 2005
Last night my husband and our two youngest children rang in the New Year with tamborines, drums, accordians, bells, little popper firecracker thingies and lots of cheering! Then we toasted the New Year with some bubbly grape juice, blew bubbles outside in the dark(I blew wishes with each bubble)and talked on the back porch till 1 am! I called our two older daughters, that were celebrating with good friends in another town, to wish them a "Happy New Year"! It was a lovely way to start the New Year! Our youngest said, "New Year's Eve is sooooo much fun because you get to stay up late, make lots of noise and eat good food." What more could you want?
Now, onward on this journey of life. What will 2005 hold? I suspect it will be filled with joy and sorrow, as is common to man. I can choose how I react to the events in my life. The words below inspire me regarding my choices today and tommorrow.
~ I Choose ~
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot.
The sky is still black. The world is still asleep.
The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive.
It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.
The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love...
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose
love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I will invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fists at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the
rich for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind for that is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be
overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will
not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
(addition (husband) for us females :-)
I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I choose self-control...
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest
~ Author Unknown ~
Now, onward on this journey of life. What will 2005 hold? I suspect it will be filled with joy and sorrow, as is common to man. I can choose how I react to the events in my life. The words below inspire me regarding my choices today and tommorrow.
~ I Choose ~
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot.
The sky is still black. The world is still asleep.
The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive.
It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun.
The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love...
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose
love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I will invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fists at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the
rich for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind for that is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be
overlooked before I boast. I will confess before I accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will
not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
(addition (husband) for us females :-)
I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
I choose self-control...
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest
~ Author Unknown ~
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