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Mealtime Variety with Two Quick Healthy Recipes

Posted on October 9, 2013 by adminOctober 26, 2016

Crisp, cool air reminds us autumn is here. For our family we search for quick, healthy foods that offer nutrition and variety to match the changing seasons.
With little cabinet space and less time, I am always on the lookout for meals I can prepare quickly without much cleanup. I enjoy finding recipes that use foods on sale. For instance, shredded cabbage this week was ½ price. My family turns a nose up to traditional coleslaw but found this new cabbage dish quite tasty.
Apple Cabbage Salad (easy to double/triple)
Mix together ½ cup walnuts-broken in small pieces, 1 cup tart apples-chopped, and 1 cup cabbage-shredded.
To vegetables add just enough mayonnaise (or yogurt or sour cream) to moisten. Dress it up: scoop onto a cabbage or lettuce leaf, sprinkle with paprika.
Personalize the recipe by adding craisins, sunflower seeds, or pineapple tidbits. Experiment with finely chopped green onions, celery, peppers, or other veggies your family enjoys.

Here is a tasty warm casserole using shredded cabbage and apples.
Apple Stuffed Cabbage
1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pkgs. shredded)
2 cups hot water
5 tablespoons bacon crumbles
salt and pepper to taste
Mix above ingredients together and bake in lightly greased casserole dish at 375 for 20minutes.
Peel and core 3 large apples. Remove casserole from the oven, make indentations in cabbage mixture for the apples. When apples are nested in cabbage, add 1/8 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar to center of each apple. Dot with butter and return to oven for another 30 minutes. Will serve six.
You know already that I have another idea for this one. Instead of using the apple whole, I like to cut the apple in thick slices and arrange them on top of the cabbage. Mix the vinegar and brown sugar and sprinkle on top, dot with butter and finish baking.
NOTE: If you have space for a food processor and a little time, you can shred your own cabbage; for my schedule and space, pre-shredded works well.
Either of these dishes are easy to make; fun and nutritious. Cabbage is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and fiber. Another good use for shredded cabbage is tossing it in soups and stews.

For more recipes, check out my e-zine articles under the Articles for Caregivers tab at the top of this page.

Hugs and happy, healthy eating,

Mother Caregiver Friend A Solution to Time Management

Posted on September 23, 2013 by adminOctober 26, 2016

Are you a mother? Grandmother? Caregiver? Elderly? Young? Stressed to the max?

Do you, as I do, find it difficult—impossible—to visit everyone you need to? Are your daily task lists getting longer instead of shorter?

Does a day’s end find you longing for a Days Inn to seek refuge?

Two months ago my husband and I found ourselves locked into schedules even a younger person could not handle. Guilt weighed heavy on our shoulders and we were burdened for those we had no time to care for.

We began daily asking God to make our appointments for us; to literally put us where we needed to be, when we needed to be there in order to follow His schedule for our lives.

At the same time, we looked at our calendars and realized some “important” commitments could be adjusted, if not eliminated. We waited for God to show us His plan. As I reflect on this day (Sunday) I realize it paints a vivid picture of God’s plan versus our plan.

My husband, Russell, is Director of Missions in Dallas County (MO). This morning as he supplied the pulpit in one of our churches, we learned one of their members was admitted to the hospital, in ICU with heart problems and would welcome a minister’s visit.

Choosing to go the hospital after church meant we had to cancel plans to attend an ordination service in another church. This was a young man we had seen grow up and follow the Lord’s leading. We were close to his family and his wife’s family as well; it was a difficult decision.

At the hospital the patient was alone in the room and very pleased to have company and prayer support. Car trouble had left his family stranded on their way to the hospital so Russell’s visit was very timely.

Later, in the cafeteria, we felt sure God had arranged appointments for us:

1. We met an elderly man and his caregiving daughter and shared some special thoughts with them. We gave her a copy of My Mother My Child followed by tears and hugs as we praised God for His direction.

2. We both hugged on a senior widow who had suffered two light strokes and needed encouragement from friends. Neither she nor us had been to that restaurant in months but “just happened” to be there at the same time on this day.

3. I listened and wept with a lady as she confronted some issues regarding a future testimony in her church. As we talked, we prayed for wisdom and God’s direction and His peace in her life. Our lives were both enriched as only friends can be as they share honestly with one another. We vowed to pray specifically for each other on our upcoming ministries.

4. My husband and another pastor openly shared concerns and praises as they renewed a friendship and recounted how God had been at work in marvelous ways.

We were home in time for a nap before evening church but were too wound up to rest. Off to church now—wonder what God has in store for the rest of our day.

Proverbs 3:5-6 admonishes us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

I hope you are allowing God to plan your day. His schedule is amazing!

Hugs,

PS. An old friend “just happened” to show up at church for evening worship—more hugs and laughs and praises! Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter (upper right hand corner of page); I’ll look forward to hearing from you soon.

Join Me in a Healthier Summer

Taco Tomatoes

Join Me in a Healthy Lifestyle

Join me in a healthier summer; that means eating better and moving more. Are you ready to roll?

Let’s face it, whether you are single or have a large family, a caregiver, or have small children, it’s difficult to serve nutritious meals every day. Often it seems easier and quicker to use fast foods or boxed mixes.

Add to that, it’s difficult to find (or make) time to exercise properly. Summer is here and my bod’s not ready, how about yours?

Finding myself unable to do some of my basic tasks has reminded me of the need to make daily changes to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few of my goals for a healthier summer. Want to join me?

#1 Plan what I will eat each day.

Plan what I will eat each day” Hmmm! I plan already, I plan to eat all that’s set before me! Well, I don’t think that’s much of a plan, do you? The truth is, without another plan, my healthy lifestyle is doomed from day one.

Sadly I admit I have all too often relied on fast foods or boxed mixes because they are easy and at least seem to be cheaper to prepare. Click here for healthy, quick meals that are easy on the budget!

#2 Determine my triggers.

I took time to look at my most troubling foods and determined to eliminate those as much as possible. (Goodbye salty snacks and bargain baked goods!) What are some of your triggers that could be eliminated or cut down a bit? Bread, sugars, others?

#3 Incorporate movent.

To incorporate movent is simply plan to move more., get some exercise each day. I did better this week because I planned for at least ten minutes of exercise in the early morning. My main challenge is to make myself get up and at least stretch a bit or walk through the house every hour or so. It’s easy to spend two or three hours glued to my seat as I finish an article or work on the computer.

#4 Make it fun and enjoyable.

I enjoy walking, especially in our woods. I used to walk down the hill through the walnut grove and across our little bridge. Truthfully, today I can’t walk around the outside of our home without stopping to rest. (Sad to admit, but honest!)

What is your main challenge to a healthy lifestyle? If you need more exercise, remember to begin slow. We seem to think we need to begin with hours of exercise. A few minutes a day can and will make a world of difference, especially in how you feel–you will feel better and look better.

Here is another great link for healthy, easy meals. Enjoy and please let me hear what is working for you.

Healthy Hugs,

Have you checked out Quick Nutritious Meals for Your Family?