Antjie

Antjie

Thursday 27 June 2013

Tomatoes Health Benefits...



Posted by Sandra Japa 

Tomatoes are a natural health secrets that provided by the Earth for humans. Tomatoes contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which are very good for improving endurance and health. Good tomatoes are tomatoes that are still fresh and fresh-picked, so the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals still intact.


Tomatoes that are eaten directly or made ​​into juice has the same benefits. Although the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will be more optimal if tomatoes juiced. Human digestive not have to work hard to digest if you eat tomatoes in juice form. Each of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that contained in tomatoes would have completely absorbed.
French people called tomatoes as the apple of love, it is because potassium minerals found in tomatoes can increase stamina and refresh the body after a tiring work activity. And not just the stamina to work, but also to maintain the quality of sexual desire for men. In addition, the high content of vitamin C in tomatoes is also very good for keeping the immune system in the body. Tomato juice is also beneficial to increase glycogen levels in human liver. With the liver remained stable and healthy, then you do not need to feel worried if you have to keep working hard. 

Tomato juice is beneficial for blood circulation and prevent prostate cancer because of the antioxidant called lycopene. In addition, another benefit is to control the stability of blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Drinking tomato juice also improve the health of human bile. Bioflavonoids contained in tomato juice increases capillary resistance and can help avoid leaks in the blood vessels.


Drinking tomato juice is also very useful for maintaining a healthy digestive system while increasing your appetite. Tomato juice if consumed regularly can help cure the anorexia disease. Tomatoes and spinach that were served in the form of juice is very good for treating constipation.

Tomatoes Benefits for Skin Beauty
Tomatoes not only have many benefits for your health, but it turns out tomatoes are also very useful for maintaining skin beauty. Tomatoes are a fruit that is inserted into the vegetables. Having a high content of vitamins A, C, E, iron, and potassium. In addition, tomatoes also contain high antioxidant and astringent substances which are very good for maintaining skin beauty. 


Utilization of tomatoes to nourish skin beauty has actually been done for a long time ago, particularly to address blackheads and oily skin problems. However, several recent studies have provided additional information about the benefits of tomatoes for skin health and beauty. Here are some benefits of tomato for skin beauty:
Tomatoes are a natural health secrets that provided by the Earth for humans. Tomatoes contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which are very good for improving endurance and health. Good tomatoes are tomatoes that are still fresh and fresh-picked, so the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals still intact. 


Tomatoes that are eaten directly or made ​​into juice has the same benefits. Although the absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will be more optimal if tomatoes juiced. Human digestive not have to work hard to digest if you eat tomatoes in juice form. Each of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that contained in tomatoes would have completely absorbed.
Tomato is a fruit that is multifunctional, not only beneficial for maintaining a healthy body, but the tomatoes are also effective for maintaining skin health and beauty. Tomatoes can work well on any skin type. They can provide help to overcome the problem of acne and oily skin. They can also be combined with other materials to address various skin problems. Benefits of tomatoes for skin health can not be underestimated. 


Tomatoes are rich in antioxidant, which helps to fight free radicals. In addition, they are also a source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E, iron, and potassium. These are all very important elements for skin beauty. Tomatoes also contains natural acids that serve to overcome the excess oil, which in turn can prevent the appearance of acne. Furthermore, tomatoes can reduce pore size, moisturize skin, and make skin soft and relaxed.

Tomatoes Health Benefits For Weight Loss


Tomatoes have many health and beauty benefits. Including to help lose weight. To get the maximum benefit for your health and your diet, it is advisable to consume this fruit regularly every day.

Tomatoes In Your Meal:

Some people who know little about the benefits of tomatoes want to lose weight quickly. They think just by eating tomatoes for a short time can make their body become slim fast. This is certainly wrong. Since there are no foods that contain all the nutrients the body needs, including tomatoes. Although tomatoes contain a variety of nutrients, but the consumption of tomatoes alone would not suffice for the needs of your body. You still need to eat a varied diet, but by incorporating tomatoes as one of the healthy foods in your diet.Weight loss program will work well if you cultivate a good lifestyle. Adjust your sleep patterns and run a nutritionally balanced diet. Make a glass of tomato juice as part of your breakfast menu.

Tomatoes Health Benefits In General:


Tomato plants originally came from around Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia are now spread almost all over the world. Tomato is a fruit that is inserted in the vegetable group. Has many benefits for health and beauty. Tomatoes can be processed into various types of cuisine, such as for sauce ingredients, as a spice in cooking, salads and sandwiches, and can also be processed into pickles.
 

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fiber, dietary fat, protein, sugar and water. Eating tomatoes regularly can prevent disease, as well as to cure and control of several diseases. 
There are at least 10 tomatoes health benefits for the human body. In general, the health benefits of tomatoes are: 

1. Sources of High Antioxidants
Tomatoes contain antioxidants which are very high. Therefore, eating tomatoes is very good for skin health and organ cells in the body, because it can destroy free radicals caused by smoking, pollution and ultraviolet rays.

2. Effective Against Cancer
Tomatoes are a high source of lycopene. For information, lycopene is a substance that is very useful to prevent damage to body cells. And lycopene is also very useful in helping the body to fight prostate, cervix, stomach, and pancreas cancer.

3. Helps In Healing Lung Disease
Tomato juice is very good for consumption by those who suffer from lung diseases such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, and asthma. Consuming tomato juice regularly can help the healing process of these diseases.

4. Relieves Fever
Tomatoes also contain antipyretics. Therefore, eating tomatoes can also be useful to relieve fever.

5. Good For Patients With Diabetes
The results found that consuming tomato juice can inhibit the formation of blood clots. Therefore, it is recommended for those with diabetes to consume tomato juice on a regular basis, because it would be very helpful.

Fuzzy Rainbow Sweater


Size: 2 (4, 6, 8) years
Finished Measurements:
Chest: 25 (27, 29, 31)"
Sleeve Length: 9½ (10½, 11½, 12½)"
Materials:
Yarn:
Dream by Premier Yarns (100% Acrylic; 224 yards/205 meters; 3.5 ounces/100 grams)
24-201 White – 2 (2, 3, 4) balls (A)
LashMax by Premier Yarns (94% Acrylic, 6% Polyester; 37 yards/34 meters; 3 ounces/85 grams)
04 Orange Fizz – 1 ball (B)
02 Sunburst – 1 ball (C)
05 Power Pink – 1 ball (D)
03 Kryptonite – 1 ball (E)
07 Turbine – 1 ball (F)
Crochet Hook: US K-10.5 (6.5mm) or size to obtain gauge
Extras: Split-ring stitch markers, yarn needle, three 1" buttons
Gauge: 12 sc and 14 rows = 4" using A. Use any size hook necessary to obtain specified gauge.

Abbreviations
beg – beginning; ch – chain; dec – decrease; dc – double crochet; mm – millimeter; rem – remaining; rep – rep; rnd – round; RS – right side; sc – single crochet; sk – skip; sl st – sl stitch; sp – space; st(s) – stitch(es); WS – wrong side; [ ] – rep instructions in brackets the number of times specified; * – rep instructions after asterisk as specified.
PROJECT NOTES
Row 3 color sequence for front and back: B, C, D.
Row 13 color sequence for sleeves:
F, E, D, C, B.

Instructions:
SWEATER
Back:
With A, ch 38 (42, 46, 48).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across; turn – 37 (41, 45, 47) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, * dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, change to B; turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, change to A; turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Row 6: Rep Row 2.
Row 7: Rep Row 5, following color sequence above.
Rows 8-11: Rep Rows 2-5.
Rows 12-17: Rep Rows 2-7.
Rows 18 – 38 (18-44, 18-48, 18-52): Rep Rows 2 and 5.
Right Shoulder—Row 39 (45, 49, 53): Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in 10 (10, 12, 12) sts across, turn – 11 (11, 13, 13) sts.
Rows 40-41 (46-47, 50-51, 54-55): Rep Rows 2 and 5. Fasten off.

Left Shoulder—Row 39 (45, 49, 53): With RS facing, sk center 15 (19, 19, 21) sts, join yarn, ch 1, and sc across rem 11 (11, 13, 13) sts, turn – 11 (11, 13, 13) sts.
Rows 40-41 (46-47, 50-51, 54-55): Rep Rows 2 and 5. Fasten off.
Right Front: With A, ch 22 (24, 26, 28).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across; turn – 21 (23, 25, 27) sts.
Rows 2-24 (2-30, 2-32, 2-34): Work same as back.
Row 25 (31, 33, 35): Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts (buttonhole), sc across, turn – 21 (23, 25, 27) sts.
Row 26 (32, 34, 36): Ch 1, sc in first st, * dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across to last 4 sts, dc and sc in ch-2 sp, dc in next st, sc in last st, turn.
Rows 27-28 (33-34), 35-36, 37-38): Rep Rows 5 and 2.
Rows 29-30 (35-36, 37-38, 39-40): Rep Rows 25 and 26.
Row 31 (37, 39, 41): Rep Row 5.

Shoulder—Row 32 (38, 40, 42): Ch 1, sc in first st, * dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across 7 (7, 9, 9) sts, sc in last st; turn – 11 (11, 13, 13) sts. Leave rem center front sts unworked.
Rows 33-41 (39-47, 41-51, 43-55): Rep Rows 5 and 2 as for back to end. Fasten off.

Left Front: With A, ch 22 (24, 26, 28).
Rows 1-24: Work same as right front – 21 (23, 25, 27) sts.
Rows 25-31 (37, 39, 41): Rep rows 2 and 5 as for back.
Shoulder—Row 32 (38, 40, 42): With WS facing, skip 10 (12, 12, 14) sts from center front, join yarn, ch 1, sc in next st, * dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, sc in last st, turn – 11 (11, 13, 13) sts.
Rows 33-41 (39-47, 41-51, 43-55): Rep Rows 5 and 2 same as back. Fasten off.
Sew shoulder seams.

Neck Trim:
Row 1:
With WS facing, join A to left neck edge. Ch 1, sc in first st, sc evenly around 55 (59, 65, 69) sts, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts (buttonhole), sc in next st, sc in each st across; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.
Row 4: With WS facing and F, join yarn, sc in each st across. Fasten off.
Sleeve (Make 2): With RS facing, measure 5 (5½, 6, 6½)" down from shoulder seam on each side, place markers on front and back to mark armhole.
Row 1: With A, join yarn with a slip st at first marker, ch 1, sc in first st, sc 30 (32, 36, 38) evenly to second marker – 31 (33, 37, 39) sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, * dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Rows 4-8 (4-12, 4-16, 4-20): Rep Rows 2 and 3.
Row 9 (13, 17, 21): Ch 1, sc in each st across, change to F; turn.
Row 10 (14, 18, 22): Ch 1, sc in each st across, change to A; turn.
Row 11 (15, 19, 23): Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Row 12 (16, 20, 24): Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across; turn.
Row 13 (17, 21, 25): Ch 1, skip first st, sc across to last 2 sts, skip st, sc in last st; change to E; turn – 29 (31, 35, 37) sts.
Rows 14-25 (18-29, 22-33, 26-37): Rep Rows 10-13 three more times, following color sequence above – 23 (25, 29, 31) sts.
Row 26 (30, 34, 38): Rep Row 10.
Rows 27-33 (31-37, 35-41, 39-45): Rep Rows 11 and 12. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Sew side and sleeve seams. Weave in ends. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes.

Related Projects

Buttermilk Biscuits


Ingredients:  (Serves 5) 
  • 1 tablespoon cream of tartar 
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 
  • 5 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more as needed 
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed lard ORa 
  • Unsalted butter, chilled and cut into pieces 
  • 2 cups chilled cultured buttermilk, plus more as needed 
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 

How to:
  1. Place a rack in the upper-middle position of the oven and preheat to 500°.
  2. Make your own baking powder by sifting together the cream of tartar and baking soda.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the salt, baking powder and salt. Add the lard or butter and quickly work the pieces into the flour with a pastry cutter or the tips of your fingers. The pieces should be coarsely blended and resemble large peas.
  4. Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour in the buttermilk. Quickly mix the ingredients until the mixture just comes together and forms a shaggy mass. Add 1-2 more tablespoons of buttermilk if the mixture seems dry.
  5. Immediately turn the dough out onto to a generously floured surface and quickly knead the dough about ten times until a ball forms. Gently flatted the dough and use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the dough out a thickness of 3/4 inch.
  6. With a fork that has been dipped in flour, pierce the dough at half inch intervals before using a fluted, 2 1/2 or 3 inch biscuit cutter to stamp out the biscuits. When you have run out of room to stamp out more biscuits, carefully reform the dough and press out as many as you can.
  7. Arrange the biscuits on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until golden, about 10-12 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven a brush the tops with the melted butter. Serve warm with butter, honey and/or jam.

Foundation of Truth.....

There is a foundational truth that you must believe: 
God's love and mercy are infinite. Therefore everything that happens to us in life, good and bad (from our viewpoint), is the best thing, of all possible things, for our salvation and the salvation of our loved ones. 

The main sections of this planet involve creation, created by power, the power of God, the Earth and the Living being because they have been the easiest to find and point out striking similarities among various cultures stretching across Time and Earth.

Human is a gift of the power, the reason therefore, when a child (Embryo) is conceived (after conception) in the mothers womb (ege or uterus), no scientists or doctors can tell the exact time when the child is conceived in the womb, not even the mother.
Now...
Have you been watching the skies and paying closer attention to what is going on in the world lately? Do you wonder about the decline of today's civilization? Are you in search of multicultural prophecies potentially relevant to these times? Are you simply looking for new sources outside the mainstream media and /or contact with kindred souls? Just want to rest your weary spirit?

You might be surprised to find similar prophecies and myths from many different cultures. Those similarities, as well as some idea of the cycles of history, are keys to the doors of the future. You will, I hope, be happy to discover that this site neither promotes a particular religion or theology nor exists for commercial purposes. I'm simply offering free food for free thought.

I and those who have come to call this place "Home of Guardian Angel" are happy that you've found us and look forward to meeting you at some point. Suggestions and reports are always welcome. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
I realise that Wisdom comes from Truth, and Truth comes from Reality.


Manage Your Stress...

Of course, in today’s world we have many different kinds of stressors. Instead of having four legs, they often have four wheels or rechargeable batteries.

BY: Joseph Shrand, M.D.

It’s all about evolution. Hard-wired into every mammal’s brain is an apparatus for automatic and unconscious scanning of our surroundings, assessing for danger, safety, predators, and much more.
These days it is unlikely that we will be eaten by a hungry predator. But our ancient brains still respond the way they have for millions of years. Of course, in today’s world we have many different kinds of stressors. Instead of having four legs, they often have four wheels or rechargeable batteries.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Stress:
1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching or pain
2. Gritting, grinding teeth
3. Stuttering or stammering
4. Tremors, trembling of lips, hands
5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness
7. Ringing, buzzing or "popping” sounds
8. Frequent blushing, sweating
9. Cold or sweaty hands, feet
10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing
11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores
12. Rashes, itching, hives, "goose bumps"
13. Unexplained or frequent "allergy" attacks
14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
15. Excess belching, flatulence
16. Constipation, diarrhea
17. Difficulty breathing, sighing
18. Sudden attacks of panic
19. Chest pain, palpitations
20. Frequent urination
21. Poor sexual desire or performance
22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility
24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
25. Increased or decreased appetite
26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
28. Trouble learning new information
29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
30. Difficulty in making decisions
31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality
35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
37. Overreaction to petty annoyances
38. Increased number of minor accidents
39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior
40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity
41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
42. Rapid or mumbled speech
43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
44. Problems in communication, sharing
45. Social withdrawal and isolation
46. Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue
47. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs
48. Weight gain or loss without diet 
49. Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use 
50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying

We’ve all heard the phrase, “stop and smell the roses,” to get you to slow down and enjoy life. Indeed, that’s one way to keep stress at bay. But when it comes to scents that can seriously decrease stress, skip the roses and grab a lemon, a mango, or some lavender. These fragrant plants have been found to contain “linalool,” a naturally occurring chemical in many flowers and spice plants. For the first time, Japanese researchers have shown that inhaling certain fragrances can actually change gene activity and blood chemistry in ways that reduce stress.
Manage Your Stress
Of course, in today’s world we have many different kinds of stressors. Instead of having four legs, they often have four wheels or rechargeable batteries.

Whether the moments are small or large in another person’s life, you can have a profound effect on other people’s experiences, especially their stress levels. Whether you’re aware of your ability help alleviate others’ stress or not, it is likely you have done it without knowing you’re doing anything more than being thoughtful, kind, or neighborly. It’s important to recognize that those things really do matter when it comes to relieving individual as well as societal stress.
In fact, our brain chemistry is actually altered when we help others, or they help us. You feel good when another driver allows you to proceed first. Someone else feels good when you hold the door open for him or her. …It is oxytocin, also a hormone, which is released by the brain when people receive help from another human being, as well as offer help.

We know from personal experience that the stress of someone else can cause stress in ourselves. But did you know that stress can be passed down to the next generation? The stress you experience in your lifetime can be passed down through your genes to your kids. We call this new science and awareness “epigenetics.”

Since the discovery of DNA, scientists have been delving ever deeper into the mysteries of genetics. What they’re learning is that certain of the genes we carry can be switched on or switched off. Sometimes these changes make us more susceptible to certain types of illness and disease. Sometimes they make us less susceptible. Quite recently, scientists have also identified potential DNA markers for the stress response and increased cortisol, making it another genetic trait lying in wait to be switched on - or not.

In their quest to understand this mystery, scientists stumbled upon a most interesting and vitally important discovery: Sometimes the on-off signals are not in-born or inherited, but the result of influences from the world that we live in. Genetics is just part of the show, not the entire reason why we are who we are. This new knowledge has exciting, terrifying, profound, and promising implications. This is the power and promise of epigenetics.

Joseph Shrand, M.D., is an Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, an Assistant Child Psychiatrist on the medical staff of Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Medical Director of Castle (Clean and Sober Teens Living Empowered), an intervention unit for at-risk teens which is part of the High Point Treatment Center. Shrand has served as Medical Director of the Child and Adolescent outpatient program at McLean Hospital, has run several inpatient psychiatric units, and is currently the Medical Director of the Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit for High Point Treatment Centers in Plymouth. He is also the Medical Director of Road to Responsibility, a community based program that tends to adults with significant developmental disability. He is the author of Manage Your Stress.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes...

by Ashton


Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients For the Cake:
  • 1 box devil’s food cake mix
  • 1 small pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup chocolate milk (the good kind)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Buttercream:
  • 1/2 c. butter, room temperature or margarine
  • 1/2 c. shortening
  • 4 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2-3 tbsp. milk
For the Hot Fudge:
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • approximately 1 cup heavy whipping cream (don’t measure it out)
Toppings:
  • Red Pretzel M&Ms for the Cherries
  • Sprinkles
Instructions For the Cake:
Mix all ingredients until smooth batter forms, reserving the chocolate chips.
Mix in the chocolate chips with spatula.
Divide evenly among 24 cupcake liners. Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cool before frosting.

For the Buttercream:
Whisk together the shortening and butter or margarine until smooth.
Alternately add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and the liquids– whisking in between additions until smooth.

For the Hot Fudge:

Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.
Pour in the whipping cream until just barely level with the chocolate chips– you should still be able to see the chocolate chips.
Microwave for 60 seconds.
Whisk for 1-2 minutes until smooth and thick. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Assembly:
Use a 1M tip to pipe buttercream on the cupcakes.
Spoon the chocolate over top each cupcake.
Top with an M&M and sprinkles.



Enjoy!

A Small Bite of Cupcake History

Eliza Leslie's Receipts


Here at the HELLO CUPCAKE CANDY LAB, we're always busy--having fun, experimenting and researching. Today we happened to come across the cover of a book some say contains the very first mention of the word "cupcake." It's Eliza Leslie's SEVENTY-FIVE RECEIPTS FOR PASTRIES, CAKES AND SWEETMEATS, published in 1828. We thought you might enjoy seeing the almost 200-year-old cover as much as we did!


And here's the recipe. Sounds like Eliza--and her 19th Century readers--liked a really spicy cupcake.


Happy Cupcaking, 
Alan and Karen

Save Sex for Marriage...


Almost everyone who’s had premarital sex has a tragic story. That’s because sex before marriage is full of ugly surprises, heavy price tags and life-long scars.

What about you?
Are you dating someone and wondering if you should have sex? Take my advice, don’t do it! Wait till you get married. Otherwise you’ll end up saying, “If I had only known.” And waiting’s not so bad anyway. You can still have an exciting life with great relationships, fun times and real love – all without sex before marriage. We want you to have the facts so you can make the best decisions possible for yourself regarding sex, love and life.

True love waits
You see, love is about a lot more than sex, and sex is about more than pleasure and physical desires. Sex is about totally committed love. It’s about bonding for life. It’s about babies and more. That’s why you should save sex for the committed love of marriage. Many youth realize this and they’re happy to be waiting.

Why are they waiting? 
They’re saving sex as a wedding gift for that meaningful, emotionally fulfilling – in essence, the ultimate – lifetime sexual partner that they marry. Controversial? Yes, but you’ll find that waiting for marriage is the best way to go. Read on and you’ll find numerous testimonies from experts, celebrities and peers to prove it. Plus, studies show that saving sex for marriage builds self-respect, willpower, trust, strong communication skills and true love – essential ingredients if you want to build a solid foundation for a life-long marriage.

We Waited - and so can you!

Amazing as this may sound, Tami and I were both virgins when we got married. It wasn’t easy – let me tell you – but we’re glad we waited!
We started dating in the ninth grade and dated for seven years before we were married. As our love and commitment grew, sexual temptations became a real struggle. We were both practicing Christians who wanted to please God. But, even though God said “No,” our bodies were shouting “Yes!” And it seemed our bodies were screaming louder! 
Resisting Sexual Temptations 
Hormones were racing! We wanted to wait, but our flesh was saying “go for it.” TV, movies and music made matters worse. Their messages encouraged “sex, sex and more sex.” Our conviction to wait was weakening. Sexual impurity, leading toward intercourse, was destroying our relationship. Pain, sin, guilt, and confusion were breaking us apart. 

On the brink of disaster, we made a commitment to save sex for marriage and to pray together regularly. We reinforced our decision by reading a book together about maintaining sexual purity in a dating relationship. Committed to chastity, we helped each other fight sexual temptations. It was hard at times, but we developed great discipline and respect for each other. A new openness and trust grew in our relationship and our love flourished and deepened.
Now we can gratefully say that when we finally got married, we were both virgins. We can’t tell you how great our honeymoon was – and we won’t! Let’s just say it was worth the wait. We had struggled, but we won the battles and we’re both happier, stronger and more in love because we waited. 
“One Flesh” – What’s That Like? 
Tami and I share everything – our worldly possessions, our thoughts, our dreams, our emotions, our fears, our pains, our prayers, our entire selves. Sharing our bodies is the physical expression of our total giving to each other. Sex is not only a sign of our love, it also unites and bonds us like a human super-glue, giving us grace and strength to overcome adversity.
When a couple becomes “one flesh,” it’s the most intimate “knowing” possible. Not only do you bare your body, but you also bare your emotions and your soul. This giving of your most private self, and the receiving of your spouse’s most private self, are magnificent privileges. But if either partner can “walk away,” the gift and privilege are misused and cheapened. Love means wanting the very best for a person forever. To have sex without the committed love of marriage hurts and usually destroys the entire relationship. 
Sex also brings forth babies as a sign of the love between a husband and wife. Isn’t it incredible that a spiritual and physical union of love can create new life? Imagine that – two people so in love that their gift to each other creates a new child – a new person – a son or daughter like you and me with a soul that will live forever. (Pretty cool! Co-creators with God!) 
And babies need strong families with loving mothers and fathers. That’s the ideal situation and that’s one reason God designed sex specifically for married couples. Sex is for bonding and babies, and before marriage, these both have painfully grave consequences. 

What Should you do if You’ve Already Started?
We realize that you may already be having sex and you’re wondering why after giving so much of yourself, your relationship is still floundering. Just because you’re having sex, it doesn’t mean you’re giving your “all” or receiving their “all.” Even if two people say they love each other, they’re not really giving their all if they haven’t publicly vowed to commit their entire lives to each other, “Until death do us part.” 
Outside of marriage, sexual intimacy usually indicates that at least one party is acting without self-control in a selfish or dishonest manner. This destroys the relationship by becoming a wedge and a stumbling block to the development of mature love. Premarital sex guarantees you that sooner or later, you’ll have a major communication breakdown. 
To resuscitate your current relationship and to protect your future marriage, you need to stop all sexual activity immediately, including all foreplay. Give your love a fighting chance to deepen and flourish. It may seem impossible at first, but you can do it! You and your current flame (and your future spouse and your children) will be very grateful that today you made a commitment to save sex for marriage. And if you’ve already made this commitment – congratulations!
by:  Keith & Tami Kiser

Love Life: God’s Precious Gift

Every new day is the first day of the rest of our lives. Thank God for every new day because several have not lived to see another day.

As life is a priceless gift from God, there is no justification for suicide, there is no justification for wasting lives with addiction, there is no justification for termination of prenatal lives, there is no justification for cursing our existence and the day we were born. That would amount to the highest degree of ingratitude and crudeness. That would make God cry. To be a winner in the cosmic warfare is to praise, thank and to bless God in all circumstances and to appreciate and thank Him for the precious gift of our lives.

Some people tend to think that their lives are their personal possessions and that they are entitled to do whatsoever with their lives, even to terminate their existence. “Its my life. Leave me alone.” This is typically known as pride of life. We often hear this bravado from the young and old. Unfortunately, a life that is guided by a person’s own human spirit, without the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit, fall an easy victim to this kind of thinking encouraged by the evil one.

The victimization begins at the level of the intellect. Whether we like it or not, we are caught in the cosmic forces of the good and the evil. When we do not have the foundation of our lives in God, we are gradually led on to the road to darkness and deeper and deeper into the abyss. Unfortunately, most of the times, we are not even aware that we are led on. We simply tend to think we are exercising our human will. Indulgences and gratifications of all sorts, at the end of it, leave us emptier than when we first embarked on this self-gratifying hedonistic journey.

In fact, the mind is the battlefield. Temptations begin here. Temptations if not controlled, lead to afflictions and afflictions lead to bondages.

Most atheist existential thinkers deny the existence of God on grounds that injustice in the world and human suffering is not commensurable with the existence of a benevolent God. They opine, since life is short and full of sorrow and since a man is born by chance and no one can escape death, after which he is never remembered, the best thing to do is to enjoy to the maximum capacity.

The first rule to remember is that God is not the author of evil. In fact, God saves us from evil. His plan for our lives is always good. But the Devil has a plan for us too. “Ungodly people have invited death on themselves by the things they have said and done” (Wisdom of Solomon 1:16). Another grave but erroneous thought that comes to the rationalists is that there is no one-to-one correspondence between human character and prosperity. They feel, evil, on the contrary, prosper. “Look at what happens in the world: sometimes righteous men get the punishment of the wicked, and wicked men get the reward of the righteous (Ecclesiastes 8:14). God’s response to these charges is as follows: “On the day when I act, they [righteous people] will be my very own. I will be merciful to them, as a father is merciful to the son who serves him. Once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and the wicked” (Malachi 3:17-18). God has set a time for His judgment.

There is beauty and wonder in human existence that can be felt only when we remain connected to God. What does this connection offer us? Peace, joy, security and unconditional love. “I am the tree and you are the branches” says Jesus. When the branch is dissevered from the tree, it suffers from lack of nourishment and withers away. God is truth, God is love, and God is beauty. The beauty of our existence cannot be realized if we do not remain with Him. The joy of faithful, unconditional love cannot be ours if we do not remain in Him. The bliss of divine protection and security cannot be ours if we do not remain in Him.

Every man has a deep quest for a friend who will never betray or desert, who will love him in all situations and in all conditions. Such a friend exists and makes Himself available to those who call on His Name. He has passed all tests of faithfulness and loyalty. He never forsakes us when we are in trouble but stands by us at all times and in all situations. He is never ashamed of us. He doesn’t stand on pride and ego. He even washes our feet. He is the epitome of humility. His name is Jesus Christ. He redeems and validates our lives with His blood and washes us white as snow. He doesn’t make us pay for our sins but He so loves us that He ransoms us with His blood. He is love. He is truth. He leads us on the path of truth and holiness and reveals to us the beauty of righteous existence. He helps us love our lives and to thank God for the gift of our lives. He teaches us the redemptive beauty of suffering and gives us the grace for endurance. Even suffering takes on a different significance when we are connected to Him. Without Him, life is meaningless, a series of routine and mechanical activities.

God created us in the bounty of His everlasting love, in His own image, but did not leave us alone to be devoured by the evil. He has not recklessly given us lives but created us with great care, as per His plans and purposes and His plans for our lives are always good. That He has made each one of us unique is revealed by the fact that no two individuals are alike, no two fingerprints are alike, no two pupils are alike. Our birth is not a chance, cosmic accident. How concerned is God about us? So concerned that he has counted the hair on our head and carved our names on His palm. His concern for us is demonstrated in the free gift of His only Son for our salvation and for the gift of immortal life that is assured to a righteous life. We have but one life to live and no second chance.

Is it really worth living a righteous life and what are the benefits of righteous living?

The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come (Proverbs 4:18). He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him (Proverbs 1:8). As a father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor Him (Psalms 101:13). He will cover you with His wings; you will be safe in His care; His faithfulness will protect and defend you (Psalm 91:6).

We’ll taste the beauty of living in an intimate relationship with God and we will be able to appreciate every year, every month, every day, every moment that He has gifted us. We’ll be able to live each moment with intensity.

We’ll not let our neighbors die in sin. We’ll be good Samaritans and teach them to value their lives as much as we learn to value our own, because life is divine.

Let us pray: 
O God, I thank and bless You for the precious gift of my life.
Save me from pride of life knowing that it is but your generous gift born out of the bounty of Your everlasting love. 
Help me value and cherish each moment of my existence.
Lord, thank You for making me unique in the universe. Help me live with intensity and a passion for life. 
Lord, help me reach out to others especially those who are on the brink of destruction of their lives. Help me to unfold to them your unfailing love and mercy. Help me to reveal to them your burning desire to save them. 
Amen.
By
Dr. Nina Caldeira

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Learning To Accept My “Muffin Top”....

 by Courtney


I hate my muffin top. It makes certain dresses and shirts fit ALL wrong. So I resort to ruffled shirts, A-line dresses and anything that hides it. I wish I had a flat stomach… a flat stomach is only some self-discipline, exercise and a bit of lipo suction away, right?

But I’m learning…

I’m learning that I don’t have the discipline it takes to make this muffin top go away any time soon…maybe that will be next years New Year’s Resolution…{again –*sigh*}

And maybe you don’t have a muffin top - but you carry extra weight somewhere else…maybe in your thighs, arms, chin, or bottom. And maybe, like me when you look in the mirror, you judge yourself for the food you ate yesterday –cause Opposite World tells you –you really should work on that “trouble spot.”

Well, recently I was comtemplating my muffin top –deep thoughts right? lol! I was thinking – why in the world is that still there? I’m on the eliptical 5 nights a week and I don’t drink milkshakes or eat fries! And then it hit me –because God has given me my daily bread. Actually I have a fridge full of food –he’s given me my weekly bread!

My muffin top is evidence of God’s goodness in my life!

You see, when I make a meatloaf for our family of four –after we each have an appropriate portion for our body size – there’s a few slices left. And guess what happens –I eat a little extra. And after my son finishes a game of basketball at the gym, we take the kids through the Dairy Queen drive through to cool off (I always get a kids sized cone). And in the fall there’s candy corn, at Christmas there’s cookies, Valentine’s Day there’s chocolate –and the list goes on! Pizza Bread, Crock Pot Mac n Cheese, Taco Salad, Burgers and Hawaain Meatloaf grace my dinner table every month.

Now all the dieting books say the above eats are the reason I have a muffin top –right? You may be thinking, “goodness — don’t make meatloaf and mac n cheese. Those are not on the healthy food charts!” Well, I do cook chicken and fish and lots of veggies too .

And I get it – I do. I get that I am making choices that keep me from getting rid of my muffin top. So I need to stop whining about it.

Those overflowing plates of food –those are evidence of God’s abundant blessings in my life.

Now you may wonder if I feel this way about other’s muffin tops. Nope – yours doesn’t bother me at all! I have a double standard. Yours looks great and if you complained about it –I’d tell you, you are beautiful. I’d probably point to your children and tell you, they are SO worth the muffin top!!!

But Opposite World whispers in my ear –every time I look in the mirror, “you should not have eaten that yesterday.”

First world problems right? They don’t have to set up treadmills in third world countries where women are working themselves to the bone to survive or worse… starving. I’ve read of women in Haiti whose children are so hungry they feed them dirt cakes just to stop their hunger pains.
My muffin top is evidence of God’s abundant blessings.

And so we bow our heads and give thanks for our daily bread. And we eat –not as gluttons, but we never miss a meal – and we get to eat an abundance of fruit, vegetables, meat, and bread.

Thank you God for these blessings!

Jen Wilken writes:
The expectation of physical perfection hits modern females early and often. In middle school, girls cut themselves to deal with the pressures of conforming to the ideal. In middle age, women do, too—but allow the surgeon to hold the knife.

Oh that is so profound – is it not?

We carve the record of our self-loathing into the very flesh of our bodies—a self-marring, a literal carving of an idol. Increasingly, physical perfection is the legacy of womanhood in our culture, handed down with meticulous care from mother to daughter, with more faithful instruction in word and deed than we can trouble to devote to cultivating kindness, peacemaking, and acceptance that characterize unfading, inner beauty.

What are we passing on to our daughters? This weekend I attended the sobering funeral of my beautiful Aunt Lori. She died at the age of 54, after a brave 5 year battle with cancer. And you know what…no one mentioned her waist size at the funeral.

Do we get that –no one cares! And certainly God does not care! He is not going to greet me at the pearly gates and say –you should have never eaten those Christmas cookies!!!

I don’t want my kids to look at my picture after my death and say “our mother was so beautiful“, I want them to say ” My mother oozed with the love of Jesus. She loved God, loved Daddy, loved us and loved people!” That’s what I want my legacy to be!

Christian women should be the most joyous and cheerful women in the neighborhood. We have hope, security and a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally! Let’s not torture ourselves with the Opposite World’s lies…grumpy because we’re famished from dieting. I have learned that I need to eat and have energy to serve God heartily.

Oh friends and foodies and marathon mamas – I am NOT saying we should not strive to be healthier or eat healthier. I love the way you take care of the temple of the Lord. I love reading your blogs and learning off of you all. I admire your diligence and discipline and let’s be honest –I dream of having your waist size! This is not a post dissing healthy living.

This is for all the women who feel like they are “less than“ because Opposite World says –strive for your dream weight that is–just.out.of.reach…And maybe…

Maybe I’m trying to learn to NOT hold that double standard…

Maybe…just maybe -I’m trying to tell myself…

I’m okay


”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”~ Proverbs 31:30

Thank you Lord for my abundant blessings that my muffin top represents. Help me to stop fearing food and Opposite World and to fear YOU only.

Walk with the King,

Knitted Little Ballerina Shrug...

By: Natalia for All Knitted Lace
Keep your little girl warm and cozy during lessons with this Little Ballerina Shrug. It's a quick and simple knit made with a cute polka dot stitch. You'll have an adorable shrug for your little ballerina in no time with this knitting tutorial.

Materials: 
Yarn:
Caron Simply Soft yarn, 1 skein
Needles: US size 8 (5 mm)
Size: 5-6 years old

Instructions: 
Note: Shrug is worked in one rectangular piece.
Cast on 46 stitches.
Work 1x1 ribbing (k1, p1) each row for 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Switch to a polka dot stitch
Row 1: knit all
Row 2 and all even rows: Purl all
Row 3: (k3, yo, k2tog) 9 times, k1
Row 5: knit all
Row 7: k2, (k3, yo, k2tog) 8 times, k4
Work in this manner for 14.5 inches (37 cm) - total 15.5 inches (40 cm) from the cast on row.
Switch back to 1x1 ribbing. Work the ribbing for 1 inch. Cast off all the stitches.
Wash the piece, dry flat. Fold lengthwise. Sew the ribbing together on each side of the shrug.
The shrug can be left as is or the neck/back sides can be finished with crochet border.

Nutter Butter S’mores Ice Cream...Yummy!!!!

by Ashton


Nutter Butter S’mores Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients:
  • 2 – Cool Whip, 8 oz.
  • 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 2/3 c. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars, broken up
  • 8 Nutter Butter Cookies, divided
  • 1/3 c. Marshmallow Cream
Instructions:
  1. Whisk together the cool whip and the sweetened condensed milk.
  2. Fold in the chocolate and 6 crushed Nutter Butters.
  3. Fold in the marshmallow cream– this can be a little tricky. I sort of “chopped” it in, using a firm rubber spatula.
  4. Crumble the remaining 2 Nutter Butters in your hands (you want chunks, so don’t crumble them so much that they’re “crushed”) and fold in with rubber spatula.
  5. Spread in a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours.

Everything Happens for a Reason.....

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there…to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realize your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and downfalls that you experience can create whom you are, and the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and open your heart and eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate everything that you possibly can, for you may never experience it again.

Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
"The belief in your vision is the key to creating your own destiny"




A-N-G-E-L
You are...
Always there for me
Never selfish or unkind
Good to talk to and hang out with
Eager to help me when I have a problem
Loving and friendly

Monday 24 June 2013

Health Secret with Lemon - Say Adios to Varicose

Lemon oil has vessel-strengthening properties that can help fight varicose and spider veins. For spider veins, take 2 to 3 drops of lemon oil every day and mix in a small bowl with jojoba, avocado or almond oil and massage the affected area.
For varicose veins,add 6 drops of lemon oil to 1 ½ oz (50 ml) wheat germ oil, and 2 drops each of cypress and juniper oil. Use this mixture daily for a gentle massage of the legs from bottom to top, in the direction of the heart. For a vein and vessel-rejuvenating bath add 8 drops of lemon oil to a warm bath. Also add 4 drops of cypress oil blended with 1 tablespoon (15ml) of honey. Soak in the bath for 15 minutes and when you come out, pat your skin dry – don’t rub it.

Medical Precautions Note: If you suffer from heartburn, kidney or gall bladder problems or have a citrus allergy consult your doctor before using these remedies or drinking lemon juice. To protect your teeth enamel, wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after chewing, drinking or rinsing with lemon juice. Rubbing lemon juice or oil and drinking lemon juice is not suitable for children under the age of 10. Lemons are effective home remedies for a variety of health concerns but in the case of serious illness always consult your doctor first.

Turtle Burger !!!



......hahahaaaaa......just messin' with ya.....found this photo on the internet.......... Scroll down for the edible version of the Turtle Burger!


Turtle Burger Recipe

Ingredients:

2 lbs hamburger
12 strips bacon
6 hot dogs
salt & pepper
make 4 1/2 pound hamburger patties.
create a 6×6 bacon weave and cut into quarters
cut hot dogs into four equal partsmake three slices 1/2″ into the end of 16 hot dog pieces for the legsshave four hot dog pieces to form the tailsattach hot dog legs, 
heads and tails to burgers with tooth picscover each patty with a bacon weave quartergrill on medium heat, turn and grill briefly on ‘back’ being careful not to burn the bacon

Here is how it’s done step-by-step:Step One: Mold hamburger meat into patties.
Step Two: Season the beef.
Step Three: Take a shot of cheap whiskey, our chef chose Bushmills.
Step Four: Continue to season the beef patties.
Step Five: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step Six: Fold the bacon over the seasoned beef patty in a basket weave pattern.
Step Seven: Secure the bacon with toothpicks.
Step Eight: Insert five hot dog ends into the patty. They will serve as the turtle’s head and legs.
Step Nine: Make several small slits at the tip of each “leg” to serve as “fingers.”
Step Ten: Cut a triangle-shaped piece of hot dog and insert it into the patty as a tail.
Step Eleven: Pose awkwardly with your raw meat turtle burger.
Step Twelve: Place the turtle on an oven rack and then place on aluminum pan. Cover turtle loosely with foil dome and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step Thirteen: Remove turtle from oven, let cool briefly and remove toothpicks. Enjoy.

Congratulations, you have successfully made a turtle burger, the most epic meal you will ever cook.

Having Dessert for Breakfast Could Help You To Lose Weight!

by Rachel Au
Looks like depriving yourself of that chocolate bar isn't worth it at all but we can all look forward to breakfast every morning now!

Having something sweet along with your usual breakfast could be the key to shedding off those kilos.
                                                 

Research says that if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, mornings are the best time to do it because that's when your body's metabolism is the most active and you'll have the rest of the day to work off those calories too. In addition, eating cookies or chocolate as part of your 'breakfast set' (which should include proteins and carbs) will help reduce your craving for sweets later.

 

The 32-week study split 193 'clinically obese, non-diabetic adults' into two groups:
A low-carb 300-calorie breakfast versus a balanced 600-calorie breakfast with chocolate cake included. In the first half of the study, both groups lost an average of 14.9 kilograms. But in the second half, the low-carb group regained an average of 9.9 kilograms while the sweet-tooth eaters lost another 6.8 kilograms each.
At the end of the study, the dessert group had lost an average of 18 kilograms more per person than the other group.

The two groups had actually consumed the same daily total calories but Professor Daniela Jakubowicz of Tel Aviv University said, "The participants in the low-carbohydrate diet group had less satisfaction and felt that they were not full."

Image via A Cute A Day 

Instead, they suffered even more intense cravings for sugars and carbohydrates which eventually led them to cheat on their diet plan. Prof Jakubowicz continued by saying, "But the group that consumed a bigger breakfast, including dessert, experienced few if any cravings for these foods later in the day." 

So, ladies, looks like depriving yourself of that chocolate bar isn't really worth it, but we can all look forward to breakfast every morning now.

Source: Telegraph; Photos: Stock Exchange

Angels Everywhere....


                                                                                                                     

An angel here, an angel there,
I’m surrounded by angels everywhere. 
When I’m in the middle of a terrible storm 
They come with their candles to keep me warm.An angel to comfort, an angel to guide, 
An angel to fill that dark hole inside.
                                                                                                                                  An angel to cry on, an angel who cares, 
I’m surrounded by angels, everywhere.The angels who reach out when times are rough 
Who’ll listen to my heartache and all kinds of stuff 
Bright in the sunshine and in dark of night 
The angels surround me with comforting light.                                                                                                                                                                                           
I guess God is busy and can’t come on down
To give me a smile and take care of my frown
So he sent a few angels to brighten my day 
And help to carry my burdens away. 
So thank you, dear angels, more than you’ll know 
For watering the happiness and making it grow!!


                                              This is pretty unique way TO PRAY ...
Place your mouse on the E below and drag it to U.
Even though you can't see Him, GOD is there for yoU