Tuesday, December 24, 2013

What makes that "Super Foods" drink such a super hero for your body?


You know how you see all the posts all over facebook and Pinterest of Super Foods and shakes that are suppose to be so good for you? Well I decided to check it out for myself!  I think it is important to look into things for yourself!

This Super-Foods Shake is the ultimate start to your day!
½ cup of Fresh Orange Juice
½ cup of Greek Yogurt with Vanilla
½ cup of blueberries
3 leaves of Kale
Handful of Fresh Spinach
1 whole Carrot sliced
1 whole Banana
1 scoop of Advocare’s Spark

Blend it in the blender and enjoy!

So what are the health benefits?? Hold onto your hats people!
Ø  Fresh Orange Juice contains:
o   Vitamins: Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Beta Carotene
o   Reduces Inflammation
o   Balances Blood Pressure
o   Lowers Bad Cholesterol
o   Adds a radiant Glow to your skin
o   Produces Collagen
o   Vitamins: Calcuim, Thiamin Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Pantothetic Acid, Phosphorous, Magnesium
o   One of the highest carriers of Antioxidants which helps you to fight free radicals that damage cellular structures and DNA.
o   Improve Memory
o   Phytonutrients:
§  Anthocyanins: malvidins, delphinidins, pelargonidins, cyandins, peonidins
§  Hydroxycinnamic acids: caffeic acids, ferulic acids, couramic acids
§  Hydroxydenzoic acids: gallic acids, procatchuic acids
§  Flavonols: Kaempferol, quercetin, myricentin
§  Other phenol-related Phytonutrients: pterostilbene, resveratrol    
o   Significantly lower both systolic and dialostic blood pressure
o   Help to maintain healthy nerve cells and healthy cognitive function
o   Vitamins: Vitamin K, Manganese, Vitamin C, Fiber
o   Low in Calories
o   Increase Eye Health
o   Anti-Cancer Benefits
Ø  Kale
o   Lowers risk of Cancer
o   Supports the Detoxification System of the body
o   45 different Flavoids: combining both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits making Kale the leading dietary role in avoiding chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
o   Vitamins: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese, fiber, copper, tryptophan, calcium, vitamin B6, potassium, iron, magnesium, Vitamin E, Omega-3 fats, Vitamin B2, protein, Vitamin B1, Folate, Phosphorus, Vitamin B3
Ø  Spinach
o   Glycoclycerolipids: Helps to protect light sensitive organs, helps to protect the lining of of the digestive tract
o   Aggressively lowers the risk of prostrate cancer
o   Vitamins and Minerals: Carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin), Flaviniods, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, tryptophan, vitamin E, fiber, copper, vitamin B1, protein, phosphorus, zinc, choline, omega-3 ftas, vitamin B3, selenium,
Ø  Carrots
o   Lowers the risk of Cardiovascular Disease
o   One of the highest Antioxidant Vegetables in terms of Beta-Carotene content
o   Polyacetylenes: another category of phytonutrients that prohibits the growth of colon cancer cells
o   Helps to prevent oxidative damage inside our bodies
o   Provide a specific kind of beta-carotene called “(all-E)-beta-carotene-isomer which has a better bio-availability and antioxidant capacity than another beta-carotene form called Z (sis) isomer”.
o   Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin K, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, manganese, vitamin B6, molybdenum, vitamin B3, folate, vitamin B1, phosphorus, vitamin B2, vitamin E,
Ø  Banana
o   Vitamins: Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Manganese, fiber, potassium
o   Potassium and Fiber offer Cardiovascular protection. They are essential in maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function, and prevention heart disease.
o   Promote bone health
o   Act as an antacid protecting against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. They produce a thicker mucus barrier protecting against stomach acids.
o   Bananas help in elimination. Diarrhea depletes your body of important electrolytes and bananas replenish potassium one of the most important electrolytes promoting regular heart function and well balanced fluids.
o   Helps to protect against macular degeneration in older adults. 3 servings of fruits such as bananas, blueberries, and applies help to protect against age related macular degeneration.
o   Bananas increase your ability to maintain healthy bones. The level of potassium in bananas enable your body’s ability to absorb calcium via several mechanisms.
o   Exceptional source of prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic bacteria in the colon producing vitamins and digestive enzymes allowing us to absorb nutrients.
o   Promote Kidney Health: research shows that if women eat 75 servings of fruits and vegetables in a month with reduce the risk of kidney cancer by 40%.
o   Contains 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients that provide a source of energy
o   Sharpens mental focus with the neuroactive amino acids by supporting the brains ability to efficiently  transmit messages within the nervous system.
o   Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Zinc

This simple combination of fruits and veggies offers more than your daily requires of specific vitamins and minerals that support long time health! So drink up friends!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

A Call

         The other night, I shared a GREAT night with 3 other women from different walks of life, but with things in common and some differences. We enjoyed dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, Dallas and then went to see the Micheal Buble' Worldwide Tour! There are several interesting conversations that took place, some that were funny and frivolous, but others that were providential. One of these conversations was about hearing God's voice in different ways. The one thing I am positive of is that God created us all very different, which is funny since we are all made in His image! As each of us experience learning and life in different ways, I think we each can agree that we experience God's voice in a different way. I will boldly state that I have heard His voice in several ways.

         There are so many things I want to say right now. The words are swarming in my mind. Let me start with an example, a simple and quick example.

         There are days when we do things to that don't make us comfortable, right? Okay, so this was one of those days. Just wasn't comfortable. Not that it was a 'bad' situation or I was doing something wrong. Just a feeling of not fitting. :) So I was uneasy or maybe on edge. (I'm sure that is what my family would say that was an understatement.) So, when I am in uncomfortable situations, whatever they are, I long for change. My easy change usually is to change something easy such as redecorating, rearranging furniture, change my hair or my personal style... you get the point. I try and make changes that make me smile or feel better, even for just a moment. So, tonight during dinner I glanced over at a wall in my house that had a chalkboard in a place that was just 'ok', but I wasn't sure where to put it to make it better or what to put in it's place.

          A little background, my vision for months for this wall was this work of art from the local Craft/Decorating store that I had actually been dreaming about! When I finally bought the piece, I was so excited and was just waiting on getting rid of a piece of furniture to place it right where this chalkboard is now. But, we soon were remodeling the powder bath and it fit perfectly there. Not what I wanted, but yes it was absolutely perfect there. So now what. So I placed the chalkboard in it's place with our last name and our anniversary. Since we are a blended family, it didn't bring such peace for everyone in the household to see something that states "Our family began on such and such date". My children don't share the same last name so in a way it left them feeling like they weren't apart and that is not okay. So I have been trying to figure out what to do with the wall and the chalkboard next.

          So backing up where I left off...at dinner, I glanced over at the chalkboard and heard a small whisper that said, "Rise and Shine". I heard it in a sing song voice, kind of like the what I sing to my children sometimes when I'm being silly. So I thought I could move the chalkboard to the wall at the base of the stairs, oh and I can look up a verse that goes with it! I did just that, moved a clock in it's place, moved around my mantle (even thought, I need to add my fall decorations when I finally get them out of the attic), and temporarily hung a shelf I got from a garage shelf to see if I like it there. :)  and then I started looking for the verse that I wanted to use.

 Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." 

         This was awesome. What a great verse for them to see every morning! I spent the next hour uneasy, but just processing everything. I finally had the thought, I really needed to read a devotional. Maybe it would give me some answers or encouragement. I opened it up to today and read the title, "Get that Bulldog, Never-Let-Go Kind of Faith". Now isn't that intriguing!! Of course I want that kind of faith. If you only knew what we have been facing and how my Faith has been tested. I have heard that the way you handle attacks speaks volumes about your Faith. I can tell you, it seems to scream that I have very little faith. That can't be further from the truth. I believe that God has healed me physically, I know exactly how the enemy attacks me and my family, God gives me so much insight into so many things that I don't know where they come from... none of this is by accident. So I of course went on to read the devotional. It talks about having a faith that continues on even during the most extreme circumstances. That only comes through training, such as at the Air Force academy. When they are training, they train them to look past the most extreme circumstances a plane crash, the death of a friend, and more. They are training to move through it, to get their duty done first. Basically, the writer was suggesting that we are going through training, a training to build our faith. A faith that will withstand a war. We are at war, a constant war. We are blindsided by the attacks of the enemy, not people-- they are just his tools to try and breakdown our faith. If we learn to walk by faith, we will win this war. Here's where I am going... listen to what is said next, "If you'll keep your faith strong and your spirit activated through the Word of God, when the devil takes a punch at you, you can rise up." It goes on to say, "... when you hammer away at the devil with faith and refuse to let up, the Annointing of God will come on you. Your spirit will be activated. You'll get bigger on the inside than you are on the outside. Instead of whimpering in the corner, you'll begin to roar like the Lion of the tribe of Judah!"  

         So my first point is, in my day today, I was NOT roaring like a lion. I was wilting like a flower. I did not rise up to feel His glory in me. I was not walking by faith in the least, other than showing up. The second, is that God is trying to reach all of us. Our purpose in whole is to love God, love the way He loves us and to tell others of His love. 

So my friend.... here is my challenge to us both..... 2 Corinthians 5:7   "I refuse to walk by sight. I will walk by faith!"

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Ah ha moment...

Today, I went 'home' and got to spend some time with friends and family that I don't get to see very often. 

As I was driving home I was processing why I felt so different, fulfilled almost. Why the change? What was it that made the difference? I spent several hours with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousins, sister-in-love, and many others. My good friend, Joy, came out and it was so good to just being in her presence. On the way home, my kids were so gracious to allow me to make some 'pit' stops. We stopped at my friend Carmen's for about 30 minutes, then we went to see my cousin, Jenn, for about 15 mins and then we topped it off with 10 minutes at David and Patti's. Each of these visits were just a drop in a bucket of time. But they made such a difference. 

We live in a world that is instantaneous, quick, give it to me now. We text more than actually dialing a phone number. We email instead of writing letters. How many phone numbers do you have memorized? 

I spend a ton of time texting my friends and family. But when I get just a handful of minutes eye to eye with people who know me, I mean know my heart, my history, who have lived life with me. There is something about that that is renewing. The hugs were like lifelines, giving a renewal of a broken spirit. There are precious people in my life all over this world. We can talk to them over text or email, but wouldn't you agree there is something different about being face to face? 

When you look into someone's eyes, you see their souls. You can see emotions that you might not see in text or email. When you look someone in the eye, you might see a flash of something in their eye that gives the truth. Feeling the emotion of a hug is like water refilling your soul. 

Today, these people gave something that I don't get everyday. Take time for your friends... no, MAKE TIME for the people who matter to you. If there were gone tomorrow, what would you regret? PEOPLE MATTER. You matter. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Hey sweet friends, I know it's been a long time since I've shared some time with you. For that, I apologize.
Ido find it funny how God calls us to do things at the most unexpected and inconvenient(to me of course) times.

Today, I've been fighting an absolutely horrible headache... the kind that is throbbing all over your head, into your neck. You know the kind that makes your body, skin hurt all over? Also, a little insecure about the few pounds I've put on (seriously, it's only a few, but you ladies know exactly what I'm talking about). So all together, just not my best day! So the tv is on and the kids are watching Wreck It Ralph. Now we all know that we don't all agree on types of movies. But I really do love animated movies... I would likely pick a Disney Movie or the old fashioned Looney Tunes cartoons over many shows that are on tv or even out on DVD, Netflix, etc. But this isn't doing it for me today. Also, the sound is just making my head hurt worse. But I wanted to spend time with the family and not ruin their movie time. So I sat down to watch it with them when I heard this quiet voice say "go grab that Bible you got." So I went and grabbed that Bible that came instead of the book I actually ordered. See, I thought I was ordering 365 days of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, but when it came in the mail, I actually received was Jesus Calling Devotional Bible. I was disappointed because, it wasn't even the translation I read or wanted. So I went and grabbed it not knowing what was coming next. I wasn't even sure where I was supposed to read. As I started flipping through the books of the bible. I heard go to Colossians. See, my hubby and I had read through Colossians last month together. Honestly, I struggled to find how it applied to us. It's amusing NOW how it might have been a different conversation between my hubby and I. If I had been in this Bible I would have seen this prayer she inserted in the book of Colossians 3.
 "Why does life have to be so hard? I'd love to rise above my circumstances; live victoriously for You, God. But my troubles drag me down every time. Sometimes I blame my circumstances for my problems; more often I blame others; and occasionally I blame You. But the underlying question is always: "Why Me?"
I need a new attitude. A fresh outlook. What's not clear is how I can be a winner in this ongoing struggle. I'd like to know, because I really don't want to live this way anymore!
 A long time ago_back when I first began walking with you_my faith appeared to be a lot stronger. Now it seems to have vanished underneath an avalanche of worries and negativity. I need Your guidance for each step I take. I'm asking now, God. I desperately need Your Spirit to strengthen me in the journey. Feed me with Your Word. Increase my faith. Hold me up. Fix my mind on Your blessings and give me a grateful heart. Empower me to live the life You designed for me to live." 
                                                                                      Signed, You and Me
Do these words sound familiar? Are they similar to your heart's cry? Have you felt these words? I have; more times than I could count. In fact, I literally cried out to God words extremely close to these just a few weeks ago. We've faced several difficult situations that wore us out physically, mentally, and spiritually. I know, you know exactly what I'm talking about because, you have faced a trial that has left you in the same state. Right?

I think many times we may get overwhelmed by the circumstances surrounding us and  we fall stagnant as we walk through the horrible situations that lay around us. These times seem to last forever, but when we are able to gain perspective (usually within hind-site) we see that the days, months or even years that we have to walk those paths were only a blink of God's eye. If we set our eyes on Him, it will then become a blink of an eye in our own story. If we take our eyes off of Him then, it becomes the equivalent of the Israelite's 40 years in the desert.

My point is, don't lose site of God. I know how hard it is. But, ask God what He wants you to learn as you are walking out this difficult time and then listen closely for Him. We all hear Him differently. For me, I am so grateful it is a quiet voice that aligns with Philippians 4:8-9. It is always pure in motive. I have spent many years questioning this voice and not always listening the first time, but I'm learning to listen and hear it the first time. I'm hoping you will learn the same and find joy in these trials that we are ALL destined to face.

Praying for you,
Wendi

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thanksgiving Surprise

My Thanksgiving Day...what a surprise!

I thought today would go exactly as planned. 
We went to serve the homeless with Our Calling and wow, I was blessed. 

As always, there is a comedy of errors involved as I prepared for the day. I counted out the plates, remember the number of plates I was to pack is what I set the table with daily... not a big deal, Right??? Well definitely not so. I miss counted and only brought 6! Really, Wendi??  So grateful for a friend that packed an extra 2 plates and it actually looked like it was planned that way! We have 2 goblets that didn't match the other 6 as well. So it all worked out. We sat and waited... next year we will definitely host a table by ourselves. We invited my best friend and her daughter at the last minute because, they were alone this Thanksgiving. Her hubby is serving in the North East accessing the damage and doing insurance claims. We were so blessed to serve a sweet single parent family with 7 kids. 
When we finished, with a deep breath we headed to my grandmother's house for my family Thanksgiving! I'm standing outside of the house, waiting for my friend to catch-up when my walks out and I feel almost is if she is hurrying me inside.  When I walk in, I see my Daddy, my hubby talking, my Papa and brother on the couch and then as I scan to the left, what a HUGE surprise! 

My cousin, Bill and I... 

Even now, I have tears in my eyes. My cousin Bill, a little piece of my Dedaw and holidays past.  We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving with 20+ people at my Memaw's house. One thing I love about most of the Holiday's that we celebrate with my family is that we open our doors to our friends and neighbors who don't have a place to eat with 'family'. 



 


Family is more than the blood that runs through your veins. 
It is the love you share for a person's soul. 
It isn't what they can do for you, 
but it's the bond you have that will live between the two of you.

So we had a GREAT food and I even had a fabulous Dressing that soon to be sis-in-love made... 

Cornbread-Sage Dressing
Serves 8 as a side dish

3 TBSP Butter
1 large onion, diced
3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
1 9x13 day old GLUTEN-FREE cornbread, crumbled into small chunks (see notes below)
2 TBSP of dried sage
1 cup vegetable broth (or more for taste)
Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery, saute until onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss together cornbread and sage. Add the onion and celery mixture and toss until well combined. Add enough vegetable broth to moisten the cornbread, about 1 cup. Season to taste with Salt and Pepper. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, cover (aluminum foil if the dish doesn't have a lid), and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through and top begins to brown. 

Note: If you do not have time to let the cornbread sit out for a day, then crumble it up, place it on a sheet pan, and bake it at 250F for about 20-30 minutes until it dries out. 

It was soooo good!!!

So we had a wonderful time catching up. We also began the Christmas Holidays by decorating the outside of Memaw's house for her... so much fun! 




  Lot's of Laughter too...



and then... God blessed us with beautiful scenery!









I 
Love
Living a Blessed life!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

When you think of Thanksgiving, what do you think of? 

Food
Family 
Nature Changing
Is it the things you value the most
The things or people you miss the most? 

Are you happy or sad? 
Does the thought of being with your family make you anxious? 

I would start planning for Thanksgiving in September in years past. I LOVE spending time with my family and friends. I love the kick-off of Fall because, it means baking and food and family time with the people who mean the most to me. In that same breath, I would have to admit that it also brings grief and tears. Thanksgiving was the last holiday we spent as a 'whole family' with my grandfather and at the farm. We have neither of these today. 


I love this man, my Dedaw. 


This is what I see in my minds eye, when I think of the holidays. This is my family so many years ago and yes that is me on the right waving at the camera. 

I am a BLESSED woman. I have so many years of memories with each of these people. My great-grandmothers (the two older women on the right), what wisdom they hold. My Aunts and Uncles, grandparents, cousins and ALL my extended family. 

The farm was a place where I got to know these people, learned to shoot, fish, hunt, bake, put puzzles together, play Rummicube, heard stories from generations after generations and learned to love in a way that many do not understand and learned the love of our Lord and Savior through years of wisdom. These people have all endured life harder than you and I could imagine. Oh how I strive to live a life that matters and would make each of these people proud. 

So, why has Thanksgiving changed this year for me? I'd like to know the same thing. :) 
Maybe it's that eating isn't as much fun anymore and it's just flat harder to cook. Maybe it's that all the kids are gone. Maybe it's that my precious hubby and I are going to serve Thanksgiving to those less fortunate this year instead of eating with family, or maybe it's that life is so different now. I live a life today that is so different than in years past. I use to only dream of being loved and cherished in a way that I am today. I use to only dream of living a life as blessed as I do today. I use to dream that some day I would be something, worth something to somebody. The funny part is I always was something to someone...just not to me. It didn't have to do so much with the people around me, but the way I saw myself. Yes, I had a biological father who walked away. Yes, I chose to be involved with guys who reinforced the lack of self-confidence. I chose not to pursue my goals. What is different today? Honestly, I was shown who I am, my value and the potential I possess therefore, others see my value and potential! It wasn't that my immediate family didn't instill my value or build me up... because, they loved me in an amazing way and told me how precious I was/am. They told me how smart I was/am. I just heard a small voice that told me all the bad and as I began to hit walls in school and with people, I began to believe it! 
Today, I am setting goals and reaching them. I am living a life with challenges that I hear people daily say, "I do not know how you do it". Between health issues, being a StepMom and Mom to 6, a wife, student, creating a new career, volunteering in our community both in our church and politically I am a busy woman. But as one of our 8th grade students in our Sunday School Class recently pointed out, when you put Jesus first, Others second and then Yourself, you can't help but live a life full of JOY and thanksgiving. 
So maybe it's just that this Thanksgiving is no different that any other day of this year!

Praying that you will find a daily life filled with Thanksgiving and Pure Joy. 








Monday, November 19, 2012

Soon after my last post, my darling hubby and I noticed there had been a vast change in my physical health. I was exhausted all of the time and sleeping during the day out of physical necessity. After allowing it to progress for several months with other symptoms, I went to the doctor under protest. I did see a natural doctor in hopes to avoid medicines. It was cut and dry, he diagnosed me with fibromyailgia, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, and a chronic carrier of the mono virus. That was a lot to swallow and then he said..."I want you to cut gluten out of your diet completely. Start the Paleo diet I want you to add x# of vitamins to your diet (making it 27 vitamins I was going to be taking) and I want to add a thyroid medicine." Walking out of that office all I wanted to do was cry and go to sleep. I did do that for several days. I was overwhelmed by the life style change. Now it is 7 months later and I have to say things are looking MUCH brighter. I am still gluten-free. When I have gluten, I will literally shut down. My body stops working. I am not on the thyroid medicine anymore and I do watch my diet carefully as to how I respond to food and environment. I definitely keep my stress level down as much as possible as well. I also watch my activity level though too. 

I have not allowed this new lifestyle to change who I am or what I want for our future. I am at the end of my education requirements for my real estate license. I completed the majority of my classes online, self-paced in a month. I completed a designation course at the beginning of this month and will hopefully complete the last course and the national and state exams. I REFUSE to change my goals because, my body is changing. 

Somethings that are awesome... 

Tropical Traditions Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil. I use it for just about EVERYTHING. I use it for conditioner in my hair (on the ends not at the crown), hand cream, face moisturizer, lip conditioner, cooking oil and So much more. 

Baking Soda- This stuff is amazing!!! I had an oil spot on a brand new sweater and a brand new blouse... ARGH! Right??? Ok, so I sprinkled some baking soda on top of the spot with a little bit of liquid detergent making a paste and rubbed it in and then threw them in the wash and ohhh yeah, baby!!! 

Grape Seed Oil- I use this for high heat cooking, scars and so much more. This oil provides a wonderful flavor to whatever you eat. It doesn't take a lot and it is so healthy! 

Guys, your health is precious and so easy to take care of!!! Enjoy!