Inspired Women Magazine Digital Edition November / December 2012

November / December 2012

F E A T U R E

Interview with

Elle Zamudio

GOD HAS A BLUEPRINT

Get Your JOY Back!

Defeating Holiday Stress

Minimize Your Mary

GUILT

PLUS...

Eating Smarter Holiday Style Turkey Recipe and more

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Letting go of

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november/december 2012

inspiredwomenmagazine.com Contributing Writers Karin Syren Laurette Willis Lori Hatcher

in this issue

Mia Green

3 | Publisher’s Note

Lanette Kissel

4 | Return to Joy Defeating Holiday Stress

Corallie Buchanan

9 | Elle Zamudio Interview

Tammi Ector

13 | Surrounded by His Footprints 14 | Fast Now to Feast Smarter Over the Holidays

Dania Hernandez Ad Sales 305-720-5841

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

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Ada Hernandez Ad Sales contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

16 | Lifting my Head 18 | Holiday Style 19 | Minimize Your MARTHA: Maximize Your MARY 22 | Puerto Rican Style Turkey 23 | Guilt Trip 25 | Dream On Pray On

PUBLISHER’S NOTE “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you (me) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:6 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6 As Christians we are called to renew our hope--our hope in Jesus Christ. That’s what this season is all about. The true intent of this season is to give thanks and to celebrate the Good News—the birth of Jesus Christ. No doubt trials and tribulations obscure our focus and view on His promises. But instead of reflecting on the bad, let’s take a break and thank God for all He has done in our lives. For as His word says, in due season we shall reap, if you faint not.

Jeremiah 31:25 says, “I will give those who are weary all they need. I will refresh everyone who is filled with sorrow.” (GOD’S WORD ® Translation).

This season I pray that that YOU would get ALL you need. Lift up your hands to receive!

Enjoy this issue.

Be encouraged and inspired,

Adriana Zamot

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

This time of year brings forth many emotions. For some it is a season of great joy and celebration. They look forward to time with family and friends. They look forward to shopping, decorating, cooking, and the excitement that this season brings. I have always dreamt of this picture perfect season recurring in my life. But, it always and more often than not hasn’t. This is why I know, that for some this is a time of stress, sadness, loneliness and many other unpleasant emotions.

We know after reading the paper and hearing the news that stress is at an all-time high. You may ask, “What do we do? Has God forgotten about us? Does He hear us? Does He still love us?” Well, I am sure that Abraham, Moses, Naomi, Hannah, Job, David, Daniel, Elizabeth, and even Jesus at times may have felt forsaken and forgotten. Yet, we know that in each instance God showed Himself faithful. He was faithful to them, just as He will be faithful to us. God will do the exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. However, we also have to be faithful to Him and to His promises.

I know sometimes we can become weary of waiting, of being patient, and trusting in the Lord. But let’s refer back to His promises. Here are just a few: I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps, He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40: 1-3 “He has made everything beautiful in its time…”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

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CHRISTIAN LIVING

Return Return to to Joy Joy Defeating Holiday Stress

by Karin Syren

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Luke 2:10b-11

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Great joy in this scripture refers to overwhelming joy! This was joy above the circumstances. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:4, indicates that joy is a choice, when he exhorts us to Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

But Karin, you don’t know what my life looks like right now! How do I get to this great joy?

Let’s begin by looking at the common beast we are confronted with during the Holiday Season, that joy thief, STRESS. Where does it come from and how does it masquerade? Remember that knowledge is power. (Hosea 4:6) Let’s examine it and

then look at some practical ways to tame the beast.

Stress is the tension caused by a physical, chemical or emotional factor, a stressor. It is a byproduct of frustration, conflict, or pressure. There is motivating stress, eustress, and debilitating stress, distress. There is general stress and cumulative stress and critical incident stress. But the point is that there is stress! No one is immune, though some seem well-equipped to handle it while others fall apart in the face of it. It is a given and is always present seeming to take on a particularly virulent form at Holiday time!

TRIGGERS

and most of us are stretched beyond capacity with everyday obligations. (See the author’s website at www.

Solushunz.com for information on how to register for The Juggling Act workshop for you or your group.)

Holiday stress seems to spring forth fully formed and snarling at us along about November 1 each year. What triggers its release from its cave each year at the same time? The key is often found Relationship Expectations in our expectations.

Performance Expectations, the Abyss of Perfection

What I call the Martha Stewart1 Syndrome has been a common Holiday stressor ever since window displays, home magazines and neighbors!

Remember, as you gaze longingly at your television, Martha Stewart in not just a person; she is an organization with hoards of well-paid elves executing her flare for craft and design.

Media, Memories and Mom will stress you as surely as Black Friday follows Thanksgiving. Television, movies and magazines present a picture of the ideal Holidays, effortless, pristine and magical, which is all the more dangerous because they imply that the picture is not only attainable but somehow necessary.

Memories of childhood, including Mom’s “effortless” production of a picture perfect holiday, can leave us not only stressed but discouraged and depressed. Our Holiday remembrances tend to be selective. Try asking your siblings what their memories of specific childhood event consist of.

You’ll probably be very surprised. Does anyone really remember who flushed Uncle Henry’s toupee…?

1 More information on Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart® Living, a registered trademark, can be found at MarthaStewart.com

Financial Expectations

Unrealistic Financial expectations fueling unrealistic financial decisions will put most of us over the top of the stress charts! Every poll on holiday stress lists finances as a major source of stress. It can take many months to pay off Christmas expenses. Budgets fly out the window and in an attempt not to be outdone or to produce a largely unreal holiday scenario, we often resort to eleventh hour panic spending.

Ugly Stepsisters – Vicious Cycle (Triggers AND Symptoms)

There is a group of ugly stepsisters which are double duty stressors, acting both as triggers and symptoms: exhaustion, strife, overindulgence, illness, grief, disappointment, and disillusionment. Do any of these hags sound familiar? They are all out to keep you away from the ball! inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

The Professional/Personal Tug of War will leave most of us cowering in a corner. Office luncheons, after-hours parties, school functions, family parties, neighborhood functions, all requiring attendance as well as varying degrees of advance preparation loom on the horizon between Thanksgiving and New Years.

On top of it all, professional obligations do not cease during this period, often actually increasing over the holidays!

Time Constraints are the order of the day! Turning out that picture perfect holiday experience takes time

Existing relationship issues with spouses, family, friends and coworkers are intensified with the onset of the Holiday Season. Irritability surfaces and fuels unpleasant moments. Incidents of dangerous miscommunication grow like bacteria in a laboratory and tempers flash. Our expectations of our children and their behavior are yet another setup for flare-ups. Good will among men seems a distant dream.

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COPING STRATEGIES

Focus on the Reasonable

All is not lost however. There are extremely effective strategies for creating a memorable Holiday experience with a minimum of negative stress. And the great news is they are very simple, logical, and will not break your budget. None are new, but in many instances they remain overlooked.

Practice Moderation in ALL Things

Build and stick to a Vision for your Holidays, making sure your plans are realistic and reflect the needs and desires of your family. Consider a return to basics by determining the central point of your holiday and then build everything else around it.

Include your family in developing the Vision.

Trim, trim, trim, over-doing, over-buying, over-eating, over-drinking, over-committing and most importantly, over-expecting, of others and of yourself. Think simple. For instance, candlelight hides dusty corners worn slipcovers and stains on the carpeting. It makes food look more appetizing, flatters every skin type, has a miraculously calming effect and creates an unforgettable atmosphere, and the cost is minimal.

Perfection does not make memories; perfection is dull and boring. Remember the imperfections of Holidays past and laugh together, rather than crying over what never was. No one remembers the years of perfect turkeys, but everyone recalls the year Grandma roasted the turkey upside down and Grandpa couldn’t figure out how to carve this strange new bird…

Use Commonsense Time Management Techniques

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Maintain a List of Simple Commonsense Tips & Reminders

• Keep a running To Do list – update it throughout the day, electronic or pen and paper, whichever works best for you. Just keep it fluid.

• Delegate! A producer doesn’t do everything; they just see that everything gets done.

• Use travel time as personal development & refresh time. Listen to the Bible on CD, an audio book or a favorite Bible teacher’s new CD series.

• Make a working file for every project at work and at home and then file everything in it immediately. Keep it simple.

• • • • • •

Healthy relationships, in any season, grow and flourish in an atmosphere of careful communication. Everyone who has attended a team-building session remembers the rules of engagement. But how often do we incorporate them not merely as an exercise, but a way of life. Foster good will in every relationship!

•

Practice Fruitful Communication

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Mishaps Make Memories

LISTEN & REPEAT, OBSERVE the effect, VALUE the other person, and EVALUATE the interests of both parties

• • • • • •

Plan Ahead Organize & Delegate It’s about You and Your Family!

Keep A Sense of Humor Focus on the Needs of Others Give: Time, Talents (double your favorite recipe, freeze and give), Affection, Friendship, and the Gift of Companionship.

Set a Budget and Stay Fixed LISTEN Deeply Call a Friend or Prayer Partner – Ask for Grounding Take Responsibility for Your Own Happiness Create Atmosphere, NOT Display – Light Candles, Simmer Spices Alone for the Holidays? Volunteer where others are alone; call a local nursing home or homeless shelter (check with your church).

Stop and enjoy the things that really matter.

IN CLOSING…

Keep your focus! For people of faith, it is all about God’s immense love for mankind; the rock

on which the rest is built. These are days to remember God’s faithfulness to His promises, His people, His gifts, and the ways in which He has touched each of us in our earthly lives and histories. These are Holy Days; keep that focus. (Isaiah 9:6, 7a; John 1:14-16; Luke 1:6-14)

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For those who have not yet experienced the joy of being in Christ, there is missing that foundation, a house built without a central point. For them, adhering to the coping mechanisms will help to a degree, but there is bound to be underlying emptiness. These are the people for whom we must stay grounded. The world is watching us closely to see if we are authentic, if the joy we talk about is evident in our lives, if the Gospel is the real deal.

Copyright ©2010/2012 Karin Syren Adapted & Reprinted with permission from The Bible Minute: One Year of Concise Bible Studies for On the Go Christians Order your copy at BarnesandNoble.com

For more information click Solu’shunz Leadership Services Or visit http://solushunz.com/home.html.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

email: contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Karin is a Vision Coach helping individuals and groups articulate and realize the manifestation of their dreams. Increase your confidence by developing a clear picture of where you are going and how to get there. Discover what makes you unique and how to form your future around it. You may contact Karin for information about her Life With A Plan program and Solu’shunz Leadership Services at ksyren@solushunz.net. For more information about Karin’s private and group coaching offerings, check the So-lu’shunz Leadership Services website at Solushunz.com. *** Turn your RESOLUTIONS, DREAMS & VISIONS into REALITY with Karin’s powerful 6-week private coaching program Resolution to Reality. For details, email Karin at ksyren@solushunz.net

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inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

FEATURE

Elle Zamudio

God’s Blueprint

by Adriana Zamot

Elle Zamudio is an up-and-coming new Christian artist out of Miami, Florida. With a strong fusion of rock, R&B and classical sounds, she will release her first album in midNovember, “Bold Christmas”. I’ve had the opportunity to know Elle for many years and have seen her grow amidst struggles and disappointments. I’ve also had the pleasure to see first-hand what God has done in her life as she walked out His plan for her life.

Elle reminds us that God does have a blueprint for your life---a blueprint that in due season will be revealed or make more sense. I hope you’ll be inspired to grow closer to the Lord by learning more about Elle and her music. Her CD, “Bold Christmas” will be available at iTunes.com and Amazon.com…a perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas. inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

I had an opportunity to ask Elle some question so you may get to know her a little better...I hope you will be inspired

by Elle’s talent and her drive to glorify God through her voice and journey.

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IWM: I’ve known you since you were “weee big”, but you are a new artist for many. Tell us about your road to your first album?

Elle: I know…it seems like just yesterday. You’ve actually seen me grow up, and have seen all the phases I have gone through as an artist. It has been a long and winding road, but one that after recording “What Child is This,” I have come to see why and where I am headed. God has given me a purpose and I will see to it that I do as Daddy has commanded.

IWM: When did you know you wanted to sing?

Elle: I have pretty much sung since I can remember.

I’ve seen videos of me singing along to the choir as early as two, but I think I came to know that I wanted to sing at about the age of ten when I started singing in our youth group.

IWM: What are your songs about?

IWM: What have been some of your greatest challenges as a Christian music artist?

Elle: Pretty much the same challenges any artist would have, trying to find my style. But one thing I did know is that I wanted my music to reach the people that don’t listen to Christian music and have put the genre into some not so great stereotypes. A lot of people think that because I am a Christian I should be singing the kind of music you hear at church. So when they hear my music they think, well wait that doesn’t sound Christian. But, we were given all of these instruments to praise His name. Yes, even electric guitars!

Elle: I write mostly about life experiences and things I would like to see change, either on this planet or in ministry. Sometimes it’s about things that are happening in my life or in the lives of those around me. In a nutshell a positive message of hope.

IWM: I love the way you recorded “What Child is This.” What is your favorite song?

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Elle: Well, if we are talking Christmas songs “What Child is This” is my all-time favorite, but if we are opening it up to everything else, the song that has been my favorite is P!nk’s “Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self ” there is such emotion and passion IWM: How would you describe your music to in that song that it gets me every time. someone who’s never heard it?

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Elle: If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be bold. We have taken the two sounds that I love and combined them to make my sound. It is a mix of classical almost motion picture type soundtracks with rock. I couldn’t have asked for a better combination.

IWM: If and when you get the opportunity to sing a duet with someone, who do you wish that would be?

Elle: Wow! Do I only get to choose one? My top three would be P!nk, Israel Houghton and Michael Buble’ in no particular order.

IWM: Who influences you in music?

IWM: What image do you think your music conveys?

Elle: The teachings in the Bible, my husband and my parents. Life and its ups and downs can be a very powerful influence and those whom I surround myself with contribute to my music more than they know.

Elle: An image of keep going no matter what life throws at you. We have a Father that walks with us no matter what, but sometimes it’s hard to see when you are in the trenches.

IWM: What would you say to women who have a dream about how they can make their dream a reality?

Elle: Most dreams take hard work, dedication and many times going through the mud. But we have to trust that there is a God with a plan and that in

of the highlights of Christian conferences that she had attended. She enjoys writing and sharing of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Her hope is that IWM will inspire, motivate, and encourage other women towards their divine excellence. Most people refer to her as “AZ.” She has a Master Degree in Human Resources Administration and Development. She attends Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach, Florida. You may contact her publisher@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

IWM: Your husband who you’ve been married to for due time that plan will come to fruition. Don’t give three years has been very influential in producing up when the going gets tough because that’s usually your music. Correct? when your blessing is right around the corner. If it’s a mate you desire, it will come in due time. If Elle: Very. God has brought us together not only as life it’s a dream or passion, believe it will happen. Just partners, but our connection in music is something because we can’t see the blueprint doesn’t mean there I couldn’t have dreamed of. Carlos arranges and isn’t one. It was very hard for me to understand that produces classical music, like the kind you hear in a until I found the man that God had prepared just for movie. He has made a fusion of my rock and R&B me, in every aspect and my dream began to unfold. with classical and came up with a sound that is fitting for me.

IWM: I know your mom Dania is a very strong influence in your life. What has she instilled in you IWM: I remember when you would pray for God to to be the person you are today? bring you your mate? Tell us a little about him and how you met?

Elle: Among many things, to be true to who I am.

She has encouraged me not to give up, to trust in God Elle: That story is a long one but in a nutshell, I had and everything He promised will come to pass. My all but given up on finding someone that I could share mom is a woman of great faith and she trusts in the the rest of my life with and you know what happens God she serves 110%. She has taught me that even when we stop trying….God steps in. Carlos and I had though everything looks dark there is a light at the a mutual friend that had been trying to get us to meet end of the tunnel. To this day, she has proven to be for months and neither of us was very much into a absolutely correct. Sometimes we don’t know why we blind date. Carlos was moving from his apartment go through hardship, but we find out later that it was to a new building. But as God would have it, he had necessary to be able to help someone who may need moved in three doors down from me and neither of help. My mom has been a pillar in my life and I have us knew. learned a lot from her character and her teaching on God’s grace, purpose, and love.

Our mutual friend one night was visiting me and when she came through the lobby to come upstairs she ran IWM: What’s your favorite bible verse? into him and asked, “Hey! What are you doing here?”

He replied, “I live here. What are you doing here?” So Elle: Proverbs 3:5-6 she went on to tell him that she was visiting me and that I lived on the 16th floor. He was dumbfounded!

We were living that close to each other. It would take See and hear more of Elle: Facebook.com/ellezamudio Twitter @ellezamudio YouTube.com/Ellezamudio us another couple of weeks before we met. But the night we finally did, we spoke pretty much all night. I got to work in the morning where I was working with my mom and told her that I had met the man I was Adriana Zamot is editor and publisher going to marry! Six month later we were married. We of Inspired Women Magazine. IWM have a beautiful son named Alejandro and we have began as a two page newsletter when she the privilege of working as a team. I couldn’t even wanted to share with a few friends some have possibly dreamed of it turning out the way it did.

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in·spire (n-spr) v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires ~ To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. ~To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: ~ To stimulate to action; motivate ~ To affect or touch ~ To breathe on. ~ To breathe life into

INSPIRED POETRY

Surrounded by His Footprints

by Lanette Kissel And when my life seems to be going smoothly, He steps beside me, setting the pace, so I can maintain my rhythm and flow as I attempt to run this earthly race.

When I begin to gaze upon His footprint, I have to wonder what size it will be.

Will it be the footprint of a giant, or more the size of you and me?

When I am frozen in my tracks, and find myself paralyzed with fright, it is then He stands behind me.

His gentle nudge frees me from my plight.

Just what will I see as I look down?

Will His print be toe to toe with mine?

Or will there be times I cannot see both because the prints appear to intertwine?

There are times when my load is too heavy and I feel I’ve reached the end of my rope.

Those are the times He’s had to carry me till I could find enough strength to cope.

At times His footprints are in front of me and He is gently taking the lead, knowing that I’m feeling lost and confused and that His guidance is what I most need.

When I glance around me in any direction, I am certain that I will see that I’m surrounded by His footprints.

For He will always be there with me.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

It would seem I have an invisible companion, the One who holds me in the palm of His hand.

It appears I’m not making this journey alone.

Someone makes prints beside mine in the sand.

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inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

FITNESS

Fast Now to Feast Smarter Over the

by Laurette Willis, PraiseMoves.com “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:17-18)

s y a d i l o H

There are examples in the Bible of fasts lasting one day, three days, seven days, ten days, twentyone days and forty days.

Cautionary note: Anyone desiring to go on a fast for longer than three days would be wise to consult first with their health care provider. Those taking medication should see their physician before starting a fast. Please do not fast if you are pregnant or lactating. Toxins are eliminated during fasts, and we don’t want a baby ingesting toxins into his or her little body.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

While many look forward to Thanksgiving Fasting is the Bondage Breaker! and Christmas with joyful anticipation, others 1. To be freed from bondage and strongholds fear it will be a time when they will gain weight, (physical, emotional, mental) 2. To be freed from lusts of the flesh (greed, unable to control the amount of holiday foods gluttony, covetousness, perversion) they eat. I was one of those people who had no 3. For clearer guidance and direction from control. Fasting helped me. the Lord on a specific issue One of the most powerful tools I’ve found to 4. During a season of intercession for others train the flesh is fasting. For many years I would 5. To strengthen your relationship with God not fast. I was convinced I could not fast. The idea 6. To debilitate the power of the enemy of going without food for even one day was beagainst you yond my grasp. Part of the reason I wasn’t obedi7. To overcome temptation, confusion and ent to Jesus’ words “And when you fast…” was befrustration cause I was afraid I couldn’t do it. Yet, if the Lord 8. For physical cleansing and healing excluded me from fasting, He would have said, 9. When seeking new focus and direction for “And if you fast…” your life from God There are over 80 references to fasting in the 10. To walk in greater strength and victory in Bible. It appears 30 more times than the word every area of your life “food.” Fasting is a time of spiritual discipline during which you deny the body’s physical desire I have found fasting to be a vital part of overfor food in order to devote yourself to prayer and coming food addictions (sugar, caffeine, and communion with the Lord. overeating); destroying mental strongholds (neg-

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ative patterns of thought); defeating the lusts of the flesh; and receiving clear direction from God when unsure what path to take.

Fasting doesn’t “win points” with God or enable Him to hear you any better. It does quiet your flesh and mind to help you hear from God more clearly. If your carnal nature has been in control, fasting will enable your spirit (the real you) to gain the upper hand—if you fast as unto the Lord.

Fasting without prayer yields limited results beyond the loss of a few pounds which are quickly gained back when the fast is over. Fasting with prayer breaks strongholds at the root of overeating, depression, or whatever bondage is holding you back.

Physical Benefits of Fasting Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can yield profoundly positive physical results.

1. Healthful Weight Loss – In addition to losing several pounds, fasting will help you train your tastes toward more healthful foods.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

2. Fasting promotes the secretion of Human Growth Hormone – HGH is important for burning fat. Fasting can also promote muscle building, while decreasing insulin levels. Fasting can actually transform your body into an effective fat burning machine.

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3. Fasting helps normalize insulin sensitivity- When your body gets too many carbohydrates and sugar, it can become insulin resistant, which will then lead the way to a host of chronic diseases. It’s important to help keep your body sensitive to insulin. Fasting is an effective way to do this. When insulin sensitivity is up, you can better prevent diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

4. Fasting can normalize hunger hormone levels (ghrelin) - Ghrelin helps your body know that it is hungry. When you fast, the ghrelin levels in your body normalize, so it actually becomes more accurate in telling you if you should really should eat or not.

5. Fasting can slow the aging process –Fasting can cause the body to produce more Human Growth Hormone. HGH is closely connected to the aging process. When the body produces less HGH, it tends to age faster. We can therefore conclude that fasting can help the body age more slowly.

How to Fast Plan ahead of time when you will fast. Begin by fasting one meal or for one day and devoting the time to prayer instead of a meal. When I fast, I like to have a particular prayer subject or reason why I’m fasting. During meal times instead of eating I devote that time to praise, prayer and reading the Word.

I recommend beginning a fast on the weekend or time when you can be at home without the everyday stresses of the workplace. If you work at home, pick a time when you know you could rest if you needed to do so.

For those new to fasting, I recommend a fruit and vegetable juice fast instead of a water-only fast. Another option is what many call a “Daniel Fast.” The concept of the Daniel Fast comes from Daniel 1:8-14 when Daniel and his friends decided not to defile themselves with the royal food and drink of the Babylonians.

Daniel said, “‘Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.’ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.”

This type of fast means you eat only vegetables I have also seen bondages will power could not and fruits, abstaining from all meat and “pleasant break absolutely shattered and prayers answered during times of prayer and fasting. bread” (breads and sweets).

Are you ready for a breakthrough in some area of your life – or in many areas of your life? Fasting Facing the Holidays without Fear IS the bondage breaker!

A fast is a great way to overcome our flesh’s “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose cravings for heavier, processed fare. Your diges- the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burtive system has had a cleansing, so you will find dens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you the taste and fragrance of natural foods more break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6) pleasing.

You can actually train yourself to desire purer Christian Fitness Expert Laurette foods this way. Fasting is how God broke my adWillis is the Director of PraiseMoves dictions to sugar and caffeine. I remember when Fitness Ministry (http://PraiseMoves. com and on Facebook http://facebook.

I could not have imagined being able to pass by a com/PraiseMovesFan). Get your free sugary dessert without having one—or two! Now fitness kit at http://ChristianFitnessKit. by the grace of God and the strength He’s given com and something brand new: me through prayer and fasting, I’m able to say, www.MIRAdance.com – MIRA! is “No, thank you.”

Christian Fitness with a Latin Beat! Hallelujah!!! ©2012

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BEAUTY

Holiday Style Psalms 90:17, NKJV “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.”

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

It’s never too early to start preparing for the holidays! Pretty soon your inbox will be filled with e-vites requesting the honor of your presence to attend special social gatherings or to bring in the New Year. Instead of going out and purchasing something new for your holiday gatherings, why not revamp what’s already in your closet to create this year’s holiday style!

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Sparkle & Bling

Classic Pieces

Anything with sparkle and bling is a must have during the holidays. Find a sequined camisole or halter top and pair it with a blazer and a great pair of pants or a figure flattering skirt to instantly dress up your look.

When you look at the history of fashion there are certain pieces that are considered classic or timeless; the little black dress is one of them.

I believe that every woman should have one. You can take a simple black dress and make it exactly what you need it to be. Dress it up with an ornate blazer, or drape a beautiful shawl around your shoulders.

This is one piece that you can never go wrong with.

Mia Green is a professional makeup artist, and the owner of Les Fleur Cosmetics a makeup studio that specializes in ethnic skin and custom blended cosmetics.

For more info you can visit www. lesfleurcosmetics.com

Knits, Sweaters, & Cardigan Sets

You can pull out your knits, sweaters, and cardigan sets and dress them up with great accessories. Your shoes and accessories are key when making a statement with simple knit clothing, so use a creative eye when mixing and matching with knits.

Why wait until tomorrow when you can start now? Revamp your closet, sort your

belts, categorize your handbags & accessories and create a brand new look for the holidays with hidden treasures located right inside your own closet!

Minimize Your MARTHA: Maximize Your MARY

by Tammi Ector

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

If your Martha drives your holidays while Mary takes a back seat, read on for tips to get her back at the wheel.

For once, I couldn’t come up with anything to write about. In an effort to overcome my writer’s block, I posed this question on Facebook: What are some of the issues women face during the holidays?

And here’s a response I got from Brooke McDerment, a mother of two school-age boys and a little girl. She said, “As women, I think we end up being responsible for all the work that comes with carrying on holiday traditions. In general, we are the ones shopping for gifts, baking, cooking Christmas dinner, decorating the house, sending out Christmas cards, etc. I know in my household Cliff enjoys these trappings of the season, but probably wouldn’t continue most of these traditions if left to do it himself. I think we (women) get caught up in trying to keep up with all the extra holiday commitments (parties, church and school events, etc.) while also trying to fulfill our own expectations of creating “the perfect” holidays for our families.”

This scenario sounded familiar. Like the account of Martha and Mary. “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42).

Brooke got my creative juices flowing and I had my issue. So, how to address it?

INSPIRATIONAL INK

Inspirational Ink: Insight for a Woman’s Life

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Make Modern Conveniences Your Friends Natasha Bigl, mom to school-age Julia, does some preparation in advance by utilizing today’s conveniences and technology. “Make the freezer, crock pot, and bread maker your friends. Order presents online; they come in unmarked packages and they arrive where you want.”

“Martha was worried and upset about many things.” Though she was in the very presence of her beloved Lord and Savior, she let her own expectations of “the perfect visit” work her into such a frazzled state that she robbed herself of the opportunity to simply be with Him. In fact he told her, “Only one thing is needed.” Jesus just wanted to be with her… How often have we done this with our own family and friends? Often we’re so intent on the “perfect” gift that the focus becomes the presents and not the people. Here’s a way you might be able to avoid this in the future.

I turned to FB again and solicited more input by asking, Ladies, how do you create memorable holidays for your family and not miss out on the magical moments yourself due to the amount of work this requires?

The responses I received gave me valuable insight on how to strike a balance between my Martha and my Mary – and hopefully yours as well.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Minimize Your Martha

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Bless vs. Stress Lisa Schmidt, a mother of three and “Grammy” to a beautiful baby girl, and her family continue the tradition her grandmother started many years ago.

“My sweet Mama White decided to challenge her family to bless others instead of stressing over trying to “buy for those in our own family. We have continued the tradition and take on a family project each year.” These have included adopting several seniors in a nursing home who had no family and purchasing individual/portable DVD players and a movie collection for the cancer center where her late brother-in-law received treatments. “It has proven to be a wonderful blessing over the years, and we have created many blessed memories in the lives of our kids. We also have a great time brainstorming and selecting the project! Plus, it has drawn us closer as we consider all the possibilities.”

I’m a strengths based kind of girl. So before examining where Martha missed the mark, I think it’s important to acknowledge where she hit it spot on: “Martha opened her home to Jesus.” From this one sentence, we can deduce that Martha was hospitable. Like many women, she may have truly enjoyed entertaining.

But like many of us, she seems to have gotten so caught up in her hostess duties (probably cooking and cleaning) that she didn’t even spend any quality Maximize Your Mary time with her guest.“ Martha was distracted by all Armed with my laptop during my daughter’s the preparations that had to be made.” Here’s a tip session at The Little Gym, I told one mom about to avoid this pitfall:

the article I was writing and asked how she creates memorable holidays while enjoying the meaningful moments themselves. After enthusing over what a great topic it was, she explained how she’s always felt Christmas day is such a blur that she hardly gets to enjoy it at all. To my delight, she went on to describe in detail how she searched on Pintrest and got the idea to use a twenty-four shoe organizer to help her celebrate the days leading up to Christmas with her children. She fills each pocket with small meaningful gifts and each day of the week they share a few precious private moments opening them and talking about their significance. “It’s my private pleasure!”

Watching the joy fill her face as she recounted this wonderful time, I was again reminded of Mary and the way she truly basked in the fact that Jesus would visit her and come to her home.

And isn’t that was Christmas is really all about?

Basking in the wonderment that God Himself would come to this earth and be born in manager?

Here’s how we can experience the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us, this season.

Private Pleasures

Tammi Ector Fisse is a writer, speaker and singer who is passionate about sharing stories for God’s glory. As a domestic violence survivor, Tammi’s own story contains a great deal of hurt, but it is also full of healing and hope. God not only transformed her from a victim into a victor through Christ, He turned her trials into her testimony. Though this process was painful and sometimes still is, Tammi longs to encourage other women, whatever their circumstances, by sharing in the “comfort wherewith she is comforted” (I Cor. 1:3-4). She also seeks to educate others about domestic abuse. Tammi is currently working on her first novel. To schedule Tammi to speak or sing, please contact her at tectorfisse@hotmail.com. You may also visit her blog “True Confessions of A Christian Girl” at trulytammi.blogspot. com .

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Imagine those shoe organizer pockets filled with Scripture that focuses our hearts and minds on Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection. Or even on those red letter verses – the things He actually said. That would be following Mary’s example.

It may be challenging to think differently about Christmas in order to truly make the most of the meaningful moments, and you many even feel some pressure from those who believe you should do things the way you always have, but that’s OK too. Looking again at the story of Martha and Mary, we see “Martha complained to Jesus about Mary leaving her to do all the work,” and “Martha asked Jesus to command Mary to help her.”

It appears Jesus would approve of women minimizing our Martha and maximizing our Mary. After all, instead of commanding Mary to help Martha, Jesus gently told her, “Mary chose the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

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RECIPE

Puerto Rican Style Turkey Thanksgiving is a time to cherish your family and stuff your belly. Puerto Ricans are all about food and family, so it only stands to reason that they love this holiday. But they’ve injected a little island flavor into the festivities, coming up with a tropical twist on an old classic: Thanksgiving Turkey.

• • • • • • • • • • •

12 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled 3 tablespoons dried oregano 2 tablespoon black pepper 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt Adobo 2 packets of Sazon accent (Goya makes a good one with coriander and annato) 1/8 cup distilled white vinegar 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 12-15 pound turkey 4 fresh limes Vegetable oil, for brushing

Rinse and wash turkey, inside and out, and wipe dry. Do the same with the heart, liver and gizzard, and then chop innards coarsely. This will be combined with the ground beef when preparing the stuffing. Rub the turkey with the fresh limes.

Pound together the garlic, oregano, black pepper, Adobo, and 3 teaspoons of salt in a mortar. Add 1/2 cup olive oil, Sazon, vinegar, and combine. Rub the turkey with the seasoning inside and out. This is done a day ahead (the turkey should be left overnight, in a covered pan, in the refrigerator). This will allow it to absorb the flavors.

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Place turkey in a roasting pan breast side down. Roast in a slow to moderate over (325 degrees F.) for 3 1/2 hours. To brown bird, raise temperature to 350 degrees during the last 25 minutes of cooking. This is an excellent way of cooking if in doubt as to tenderness of turkey. Some people prefer covering the turkey with aluminum foil while roasting, and removing this during last 20-30 minutes of cooking time to brown the skin.

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Stuffing: Use your favorite stuffing or try a new recipe and stuff the turkey prior to roasting.

For gravy: remove turkey from roasting pan and keep warm. Drain drippings from roasting pan into a sauce pan. Skim off the fat but retain 1/4 cup of the drippings. Add 2 cups water or 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1 1/2 cups water to pan drippings. Bring to a boil over high heat while stirring in the 1/4 cup fat. Lower heat and thicken slightly with a little cornstarch and water combined. If you want to reduce the grease content, mix 3 teaspoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Add this to the strained pan drippings and heat, thereby omitting the reaming fat content.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Guilt Trip

by Corallie Buchanan

David was so overcome with guilt about his sin that he felt as if he had been shot with an arrow. He looked at his sins as being so great and so numerous.

He felt like he was drowning in his own sins. The guilt he felt was so strong, it seemed as if God had inflicted it himself.

Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt this depth of guilt upon your heart? Have you spent your mornings waking up and the first thing you do is begin to list all of the bad things you have done? Your first

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

Do you ever have those mornings where you struggle to get out of bed because the heaviness you feel is so great? Are your inner thoughts being ransacked with guilt? Just because I am an author it doesn’t mean I don’t have my moments where guilt seems to overwhelm me. I find myself looking deeper and deeper into myself to find out what is wrong. The deeper I look, the more depressed I become because I realize that I am not all there. I am not the person I want to be, and I can’t seem to make myself become that person.

I want to be the awesome wife who has no problems with trust and intimacy. I want to be the awesome mother who has her house spotless and her baking all done by nine o’clock in the morning. I want to be the awesome person whose inner life is organized and categorized. I want to be that perfect person who I know God has created me to be.

But then I realize that I am not that person. I realize that I fall short. I look at who I could be and who I actually am. I realize that I can never get there on my own.

King David had these same reflections. In Psalm 38, we see him struggling with major feelings of guilt.

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. (Ps 38:1-8)

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waking moments are spent feeling bad about yourself.

Those feelings continue with you all day. Until late at night, they are the last thing you find yourself doing before you go to sleep.

David’s cry begins rather passionately with a diatribe of how bad he feels about himself. Yet slowly, over the course of the Psalm we see him focusing on himself less, and on God more. The change comes over David when he realizes that God’s watchful eye is over him, even when he is struggling with a heavy burden of guilt.

O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. (Ps 38:9)

inspired women magazine NOV/DEC 2012

He realizes that God is still there, even when he is struggling with feeling bad about himself. This is something I guess we all need to learn. I need to learn.

Just because I am a published author, that doesn’t make me exempt from struggling with emotions like these. I work with a lot of young adults, and many of them would be surprised to discover that I struggle with exactly the same issues as they do. I’m no different to anyone else.

I wish I could be the person I wanted to be, the person I see that I could be. Victorious wife with a victorious life. That’s who I want to be. But when I find myself falling short of that goal, I get the attack of the guilts. Lately, I feel as if I have been drowning in it.

In my head, I know that God is there. But my heart does not know it. I have a head knowledge of God’s presence with me, but not a heart knowledge. In that sense, I feel a lot like king David.

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But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Ps 38:15) Even though my flesh and my emotions may fail, I will wait for God to answer my cry. Like David, I feel like I’m ready to fail. I am sorry for the sins I have committed. My sins are before my eyes every day. Yet I know that God is still with me, even in that.

Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation! (Ps 38:21-22) Do you notice that God doesn’t answer David straight away? At the end of this Psalm, David is still waiting for God to answer his cry. I am still waiting.

Maybe you are still waiting too.

As we read through this Psalm, David struggles from beginning to end, from a passionate hate of his sin to the absolute surrender of his will to God. Maybe we can learn something from his example. When you or I are overcome with guilt over our sinful nature, maybe we need to take a step back. Instead of listing all of our failures to God (like He will somehow be surprised), maybe we should just surrender our angst to Him, and allow Him to make it into something beautiful.

Will I still struggle with feelings of guilt? Probably.

Do I know better? Yes. Am I capable of changing myself into the person I want to be? Not at all. But I am going to choose to be okay with that. There’s no other way because no matter how hard I try, I’m never going to be good enough on my own. I’ve got to have God’s help, otherwise I’m going to be going nowhere. God has got to be enough for me.

Full time mother and author, Corallie Buchanan, is a woman who writes from her heart. Over the years, she has shared her heart with magazines such as the Queensland Baptist, Christian Woman, Footprints, Mum to Mum, Captivated, Being Women, The Haven Journal, amidst other magazines and ministries.

Corallie is the author of Watch Out! Godly Women on the Loose; a book which won her the award of Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2007. She lives with husband David and daughter Esther in Brisbane, Australia

Dream On Pray On

by Adriana Zamot In the last issue we talked about dreaming and re-awakening those things that have lied dormant inside you. By now, I hope that you have listed all your dreams and desires along with those things that have been an obstacle for you to fulfill them.

Understand that while your dreams and desires look nice on paper, there are several things that you must do in order to see them come to pass. And without question, one of them is prayer. Most of us know or have experienced what prayer entails. When we yield ourselves to God in prayer, He has promised He will give us peace of mind when our problems in life rob us of our joy and weaken us of our dreams and desires. I Peter 3:12 tells us “For the eyes of the Lord

are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.

In Hebrews 11 we are reminded that he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Today, let’s re-commit to diligently seek Him. Come prepared for what you want to talk to the Father about.

What is it you are coming to Him for? What promises do you want to remind Him of? Ask of Him today to re-awaken those feelings, dreams and desires that have lied dormant within you.

God does has a plan for your life. As you spend time in prayer today, let this awesome truth resonate in your mind, soul and spirit.

What is your prayer to the Fulfiller of your dreams? Write it all down. _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

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“You are blessed for believing that the LORD would keep His promise to you.”

Luke 1:45 God’s Word ® Translation

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