"Beam-ectomy should precede all mote micro-surgery. Just saying." Ginger Conrad paraphrasing Jesus Christ.

Paradigm Shift

“The list of health problems I think it would very hard to live with is SO much longer than the list of foods I previously thought I couldn’t live without,” Merrill Alley.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

accentuate the positive

Praying For...Tyson...that he will hold fast to faith in Jesus Christ and adopt His character...that the innocence of his childhood will be preserved...that leaders of nations will soften their hearts toward Christians, will stop usurping the rights of men for their own gain and power, and choose to follow the commandments...that all who are ready to receive the gospel will be able to find it and not be persecuted for their beliefs.

Ponderizations...1 Peter 4:13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." When my children were small, we watched Pollyanna over and over. As I ponder the theme of Pollyanna's life, I conclude that she is absolutely right. We must choose to be glad and accentuate the positive. “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache,” Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I am glad that I am a partaker of Christ's sufferings and other gifts. AND I prefer smiling and laughing my way through life.

Cucina Fresca...I used to make miso soup during the winters. Now that my anemia seems to be a thing of the past, I can't eat so much hot broth anymore. Plus, the miso I must use with soy and wheat allergies is difficult to obtain and sort of expensive. Because I like to begin the day with a pound of veggies, I decided to take my soup idea and turn it into fried rice. It's a real hit.

Breakfast Fried Rice

1/2 t grated ginger
1/2 t grated turmeric (optional)
1-2 t sabal oelek
1/2 clove garlic, pressed
1 T Southriver miso tamari or other if you don't have allergies
1/4 c salt free veggie broth
1/2 c minced parsley
2-3 green onions, minced
2-3 shitaki mushrooms, sliced
1-2 small tomatoes, diced
1-2 leaves lacinato kale, stripped and chopped
1-2 large leaf bok choi, chopped
1/3 yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 c purple cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 c minced cilantro
pinch of wakame
a few twists of black pepper
1/2 c green peas
1 c cooked brown rice
1/2 lime

Put ginger, turmeric, sabal oelek, garlic, tamari, broth, parsley, onions, and mushrooms in a large frying pan. Turn on high and bring to a boil. Add kale, cover, and cook for five minutes. Add all other ingredients except lime and cook until everything is warmed up. Drizzle with lime juice. Adjust seasonings and enjoy.

Dr. Ginger, Medicine Woman...not a 'real' doctor but a student of natural and nutritional healing...ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and hot peppers all help with pain and inflammation. Starting the day with these instead of something sweet, we choose painfree movement. According to research that Dr. Gregor presented these may work as well as Tylenol without the side effects. In addition to eating them for breakfast, I take capsules of ginger, cayenne, and turmeric along with slippery elm and marshmallow to protect my tender stomach. While I still have pain in my frozen shoulder, I don't have any hip pain now. This is a real plus.

Movement...I don't, however, think all my pain relief is from the above herbs. Essentrics provides a tremendous amount of pain relief along with flexibility, strength, and mobility. AND 45/15 is wonderful to keep the spirits high even if my hair is thrashed from the wind and rain. I feel better than I ever have, except for my stupid shoulder. It will resolve eventually if I keep working at it.

Scholarship...I love studying. How did I forget this?


Thursday, January 28, 2016

45/15





Someday, I want to have a treadmill desk. Since I travel so much, I can't do the treadmill desk thing. However, when working my brain, I like to break during the last 15 minutes of each hour to exercise. Brain Gym is great for keeping sharp for studying and a good break activity a couple times a day. Other good choices are walking the dog, essentrics, or yoga.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

mine

Praying For...Oakley that she will learn to love the Word of God and prayer and worship...nothing in the world can approximate the peace and joy that come from these...also that families with children around the world can find safety, security, faith, and hope in this frightening, contentious world.

Ponderizations..."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts," Isaiah 55:8-9. When I remember this, it is much easier to be content. Boldly, I go out and make all sorts of plans. Then I remember who is in charge of it all. While it is important to move forward in one's life with goals and such, it is also important to thoughtfully listen for inspiration and direction.

Cucina Fresca...I ate the most delicious Thai Pumpkin Yellow Curry over brown jasmine rice the other day. Now I want to replicate it (in a fat-free way). If I'm successful, I'll post the recipe.

Scholarship...It was slow getting started with algebra again, but this week I found my groove. Studying is ever so much more fulfilling than watching movies. Learning about Tyndale again reignites my gratitude for all who paved the way for religious freedom. Scripture study continues to bless my life; I highly recommend it. Other studies begin soon.

Puppy Prattle...I don't know how she does it, but dash is a master at finding and destroying my pens. In the two weeks we've been here, she has ruined all but one of the pens I brought. Now I keep them on a high shelf. She really detests it here. Because she can't see out to bark at golfers or chase birds, she is a bit grumpy. This means she must be walked a few times a day. With her long hair, wet sidewalks and rain drench her to the bone. Thursday, we have an appointment for a puppy cut. Maybe we should have stuck with the name Pixie.

Super Kids...I love watching my children find success as adults. E has a fantastic job AND is a great mom. J loves his work and is growing into a fine, compassionate man. Sp is a natural in the tax business and has overcome his too reserved nature. S diligently supports her family. El loves homemaking. L coaches swimming and interprets for the deaf. All are different but do the best they can with what they have at this time in their lives. They try to raise good people and be loving spouses (except for Sp who is unmarried). Nobody is perfect, but each of them progress. I'm pleased to call them mine.

Sound of Music...Now that my hands aren't so stiff, I've begun playing uke again. It's so fun. However, my violin will have to wait. Sooooo...after watching this cute dad and daughter duet, I looked for chords and lyrics to Tonight You Belong to Me. Serendipity reigns. DoctorUke.com is now my favorite practice site.

 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

free from wily assaults

"As pertaining to good deeds therefore, do the best thou canst, and desire God to give strength to do better daily; but in Christ put thy trust, and in the pardon and promises that God hath made thee for His sake; and on that rock build thine house, and there dwell. For there only shalt thou be sure from all storms and tempests, and from all wily assaults," William Tyndale, The Obedience of a Christian Man.

Sometimes on this journey to becoming a better person, I feel quite lonely. When I read hundreds of years old quotes as above, I am lifted. It's the same struggle for all who wish to see God again. It's a good road.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

marvel time and again

I marvel time and again that I live in this time and place with its wealth of the written word and liberty of thought, word, and religion. Each evening I listen to Alexander Scourby read the Bible. Each morning I read a bit of William Tyndale's biography. Since before Tyndale's great work common people were forbidden to read the Bible, which wasn't even translated into English, these two directly correlate. What a blessing to have scripture!

"I vehemently dissent from those who are unwilling that the sacred scriptures, translated into the vulgar (common) tongue, should be read by private persons. Christ wishes His mysteries to be published as widely as possible. I would wish even all women to read the gospel and epistles of St. Paul, and I wish that they were translated into all languages of all Christian people, that they might be read and known, not merely by the Scotch and the Irish, but even by the Turks and the Saracens. I wish that the husbandman may sing parts of them at his plow, that the weaver may warble them at his shuttle, that the traveller may with their narratives beguile the weariness of the way." Erasmus translated from Latin by William Tyndale.

Some say these sentiments of Erasmus began William Tyndale's desire to translate the Bible into English. I'm so grateful for his sacrifice.