The Fit Christian Nov/Dec 2009 by His Work Christian Ministries

The

Fit Christian

A Christian Health & Fitness Magazine

Stay Fit During Thanksgiving

Holiday Entertaining

Scoliosis: Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Checking for It?

Trim the Tree

FREE

ONLINE! FitChristian.com

Nov/Dec 2009

On the Web The Fit Christian A Christian Health & Fitness Magazine www.fitchristian.com Jenny Harper Mix it Up With Jenny

PUBLISHER His Work Christian Publishing www.hisworkpub.com

Featured Videos: Holiday Roast and Cheesecake

EDITOR

Charlie Nardozzi Gardening with Charlie

Angela J. Perez editor@fitchristian.com

CONTRIBUTORS

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Chris Chapan

Jenny Burr jenny.burr@fitchristian.com

Clement Yeung Angela Willingham Cathy Morenzie

COLUMNISTS Nancy Napolitano Nancy’s New Beginnings newbeginnings@fitchristian.com Jenny Burr “Miss Communication” misscommunication@fitchristian.com David Luther Through the Bible david.luther@fitchristian.com Dennis Ellingson God’s Healing Herbs Angela J. Perez Scripture & Reflection editor@fitchristian.com

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http://www.fitchristian.com/videos.html The Fit Christian Magazine His Work Christian Publishing P.O. Box 5732 Ketchikan, AK 99901 P: 206.274.8474 F: 614.388.0664 www.fitchristian.com

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Recipe Search: Search from thousands of recipes and fight that perfect one for your next family meal.

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Editor’s Blog:

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More to Come!

PDF editions are available at www.scribd.com/hiswork Visit The Fit Christian Magazine’s online store at www.cafepress.com/fitchristian On the cover: Julia Wissink, a participant in the fund raising event Sea to Sea. Photo courtesy Julia Wissink. Used with permission.

Angela J. Perez, Editor of The Fit Christian, is a part-time blogger. You can read “On the Home Front” and more online.

We have more Web content coming. Want to see something specific on our site? If so, contact the editor, Angela J. Perez, at editor@fitchristian.com and let her know your suggestions.

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A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing. www.fitchristian.com

Features 1 Trim the Tree

2 Holiday Entertaining Gingerbread is synonymous with the holidays. Who can resist the sweet-spicy aroma of gingerbread baking, and the absolute fun of decorating gingerbread creations such as a welcoming gingerbread house, or cookies for dessert, gift giving and, of course, for Santa....

Nothing says special celebration like elegant, delicious American Lamb. Whether it's a holiday feast or an intimate family dinner, American Lamb is elegant yet easy to prepare. From the traditional leg roast to the quintessential rack, there's a lamb dish for Stay Fit During Thanksgiving every holiday occasion. When we think of the bread of American Lamb's unique, rich this world, do you think of flavor can make any meal seem special and will make your physical bread? It can be that family and friends feel especially appreciated.... as well as what I call the “soul junk food” of this world. I’m referring to the PG-13, R-rated and other, so-called Scoliosis: Who’s Checking for It? “entertainment” of this world Bill number SB10, which was such as TV, movies, music, prepared on March 30, 2007, etc..... mandated that each public

school assess for scoliosis and postural defects for chilInterview: Julia Wissink dren in grades 5, 7 and 9, has Julia Wissink is the grade four been repealed. teacher at Calvary Christian Academy in Franktown, Ontario. By repealing this policy, it While many teachers may enjoy allows the school personnel traveling and relaxing over the to conduct other school busisummer, last year, Julia did ness. This policy went into something unique. She spent the effect July 1, 2007 and any asentire summer of 2008 riding her sessment is a local school action. Unfortunately, this is bike across the United States and beginning to become the standard for the majority of the up into Canada. She was cycling States in the U.S. One needs to ask themselves why, espeto raise money to help alleviate cially as you read the following.... poverty....

issue can help dog owners take steps toward giving their canine companions a healthier, happier life. Find these articles only at FitChristian.com: Pregnancy A to Z With the right information, expectant parents Book Review: Mission Possible: Spiritual Covering by D. L. can understand their developing baby’s growth and find out how to McCarragher. This book is a great tool to have when battling for cope with the many changes a mother’s body undergoes during your mate’s soul... pregnancy. Excerpts from a new edition of a popular pregnancy journal share the latest medical information A Balancing Act Keeping a dog’s digestive system in balance is and insights on pregnancy. important in maintaining overall good health. Understanding the

A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing. www.fitchristian.com

Columns 20

7 “Miss Communication”

35 Scripture &

Texting

Reflection

8 Kids4Christ

Breaking Down the Walls

Fall Into Fall | Keeping Kids Safe Online | Memory Verse | Word Search

10 God’s Healing Herbs Feverfew | Figs | Frankencense

12 Food & Nutrition Holiday Helpers | Healthy Meals | Handmade Holidays

18 Gardening with Charlie Decorative Hollies | Holiday Cactus

20 Mix It Up with Jenny

Articles 15 Craft Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 19 Indulge in “Me-Time” for the Holidays 22 Kick off the Season with a Green Routine 31 Book Review: God’s Temple: 40 Days to Total Transformation

Tradition with a Twist | Trim-the-Tree Treats

26 Nancy’s New Beginnings

The Road that Lies Ahead

28 Exercise the Right Way How to Get Muscles | Strategy & Motivation | Weight Loss After the First Month | Weight Loss Exercise Programs

33 Through the Bible

A Blueprint for the Future

Holidays

Bodybuilding Events

November Holidays: Aviation Month | Good Nutrition Month | National American Indian Heritage Month 1 All Saints' Day; Daylight Saving Time Ends 2 All Souls' Day 11 Veterans Day; Remembrance Day; Armistice Day 26 Thanksgiving Day

December Holidays: 1 AIDS Awareness Day 7 Nat'l Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 11 Hanukkah Begins at Sundown 18 National Regifting Day 21 First Day of Winter; Forefather's Day 25 Christmas Day 26 Kwanzaa Begins; Boxing Day 31 New Year's Eve Source: www.holidaysmart.com © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved.

You can stay up-to-date on fitness events in your area by visiting these Web sites: Bodybuilding-Fitness-Figure Upcoming Events http://www.bodybuildbid.com/upcoming.html Natural Bodybuilding, Figure, and Fitness Contests http://www.naturalbodybuildingevents.com/month.html Professional Natural Bodybuilding, Figure, and Fitness Competitions http://www.naturalbodybuildingevents.com/ProShows.htm To list your event here for free, email the information to

editor@fitchristian.com

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iii

From the Editor... Greetings in Jesus! This holiday issue brings 2009 to a close and changes in the new year. I believe this ministry will continue to be blessed in the year 2010, and that God will continue to cover The Fit Christian Magazine and its expenses with His outstretched hand as we continue to reach toward Him and do His will. In this issue we introduce our new columnist Dr. Todd McDougle of Indiana. Dr. McDougle is a Member of the International Chiropractors Association, is on the Board of the ICA of Indiana, and is the Chairman for the ICA-I Insurance Compliance Council. He remains the only Chiropractic Doctor in Indiana to be Certified by Spine Corporation; the producers of the SpineCor Bracing system. He has been involved with local, National, and International sports figures since 1997. He is the developer of the McDougle Multi-Release Pelvic Technique and has trained many Chiropractic Doctors in his methodology. To learn more about Dr. McDougle visit his Website at www.INchiropractic.com. Please join me in welcoming him to our team of volunteers! I know that most people have had it rough this past year, myself included. I pray that 2010 brings in many blessings for everyone in every way. Be encouraged and know that God is in control, and if He isn't, it's time to give in to Him and allow Him to bring about changes in your life. His Word says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Let His plans unfold before you; allow Him to amaze you in ways you could never imagine; for His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Let us strive in the new year to conform our ways to His ways, our thoughts to His thoughts, and to believe in Him to bring about His plans for our future. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loves and lives in us! Happy Reading!

On th

Things never seem to slow down around here. The kids have all been busy with school, and I with both school and work. In the past month we have also been passing the H1V1 virus (a.k.a. Swine Flu) back and forth to one another. Due to that, we are all behind in our school work and trying hard to catch up.

e Hom

e Fro

nt...

One the publishing end, new books have been released with more to come. It is exciting to see God's plans unfold, and it is a blessing to be used for His glory in doing His work. I know He will continue to bless and grow His Work Christian Publishing and The Fit Christian Magazine in ways I cannot imagine.

As far as the move south goes, things are on hold for a bit. The sale of our property here fell through. So now we continue to wait on God's direction and timing, and for another buyer for our lot in Thorne Bay. It's all in His hands. As far as my health is concerned, I am in a big battle against the bulge! As the publisher and editor of The Fit Christian Magazine and a former personal trainer and gym manager, it is hard for me to admit that I have gained about 50 pounds in this past year! My husband keeps reassuring me that it's not my fault, and that I will lose it. After all, I was struggling with health and heart problems (including cardiac arrest!), recovering from surgeries, and even struggled through weeks of physical therapy in the past year. Not being able to be as physically active as I needed to be to lose or even maintain my weight was definetely good reason. However, I have to take responsibility in the way that I ate while I was living with the blues of being on bedrest so much. I ate whatever I wanted, then cried about gaining weight and not being able to go out and work it off! When I recently tipped the scales at 200, I freaked out and realized the error of my weighs (pun intended)! Now, I am making a "New Me" resolution! It's time to clear out the junk in my cupboards, fill the fridge with more fresh veggies, find a fitness buddy, and get back to the gym. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am not sure if I am as brave as Nancy (read "Nancy's New Beginnings") in posting 'before and after' photos of myself, but I'll think of something. Have a blessed holiday and a glorious new year.

Get Fit4Jesus Today--Angela

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We are always looking for articles, recipes, photos, book reviews, suggestions, and new ideas for The Fit Christian. Please feel free to submit yours , as well as your comments to the editor. Feel free to print out this magazine and pass it out at churches, gyms, to your friends and family, co-workers, and anyone else who would enjoy The Fit Christian. © Copyright 2003-2009 The Fit Christian. A publication of His Work Christian Publishing (www.hisworkpub.com), USA. All Rights Reserved. No part of the magazine may be copied and reprinted without the express written permission from the editor, or the writers. Please contact the editor, Angela J. Perez, for reprint permission. Any views listed in articles or advertisements are not necessarily the views of The Fit Christian, His Work Christian Publishing or the owner or its contractors or employees. The Fit Christian and His Work Christian Publishing will not be held responsible for any claims against writers, or advertisers in the magazine or on the Web site. Contact The Fit Christian: editor@fitchristian.com His Work Christian Publishing The Fit Christian Magazine P.O. Box 5732 Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 www.fitchristian.com © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing. www.fitchristian.com

Features

Trim the Tree

1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ¾ 1

teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground nutmeg teaspoon ground cloves cup solid vegetable shortening cup granulated sugar cup molasses* egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 375?F.

'Tis the Season for Everything Gingerbread

ingerbread is synonymous with the holidays. Who can resist the sweet-spicy aroma of gingerbread baking, and the absolute fun of decorating gingerbread creations such as a welcoming gingerbread house, or cookies for dessert, gift giving and, of course, for Santa.

In large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices. In large saucepan, melt shortening; cool slightly. Stir in sugar, molasses and egg; mix well. Add 2 cups flour mixture; mix well.

Turn mixture onto lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining flour mixture by hand. Add additional flour, if necessary, to make firm dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface, 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick. Cut out cookies with holiday cutters in a variety of shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until lightly browned on edges, about 10-15 minutes for large sized cookies, 6-10 minutes for small to medium sized cookies. Cool on cookie sheet placed on cooling grid 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet and cool completely. Decorate as desired.

No time to bake, assemble and decorate a house? No problem! Start with a kit-all of the components needed to assemble the house are baked and ready to use. And the kit is complete with easy-to-follow instructions, icing mix, candies, decorating bag and tip, plus several ideas for completing the house. For a more customized house, like "Welcome Makes about 2 dozen cookies. to Candy Lane" pictured here, check out the complete in*Substitute ¾ cup light corn syrup for molasses to make structions in the new book, "Wilton Cookie Exchange." Blonde Gingerbread. This classic Gingerbread Cookie recipe, redolent with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, is perfect for cutting into Courtesy of Family Features holiday shapes, including the favorite gingerbread Source: Wilton Products man...which can be enjoyed plain, simply outlined in white icing, or more elaborately decorated. This versatile recipe could also be the basis for a homemade gingerbread house, or tree ornaments. For ornaments, don't forget to make a hole in the cookie (using a thin drinking straw) immediately after removing from the oven. Visit www.wilton.com to order "Cookie Exchange," or a Gingerbread House Kit and to find additional holiday gingerbread treats...plus many more ideas for holiday celebrations.

Gingerbread Cookies 3 ½ ½ 1

cups all-purpose flour teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt teaspoon ground ginger

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Features

Pecan Crusted Rack of Lamb

othing says special celebration like elegant, delicious American Lamb. Whether it's a holiday feast or an intimate family dinner, American Lamb is elegant yet easy to prepare. From the traditional leg roast to the quintessential rack, there's a lamb dish for every holiday occasion. American Lamb's unique, rich flavor can make any meal seem special and will make your family and friends feel especially appreciated.

2 2 1 3 2 ¾ Rack of Lamb - a Show-Stopping Favorite ¾ An impressive presentation that is surprisingly easy to pre- 4 pare at home, the rack offers versatility for holiday entertain- 4 ing. The rack of lamb is an icon of fine dining menus across 1

Pecan Crusted Rack of Lamb With Rosemary Balsamic Sauce Serves 8 frenched racks of lamb tablespoons olive oil teaspoon salt tablespoons coarse grain mustard cloves minced garlic cup fresh bread crumbs cup toasted and chopped pecans tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided ounces semi-soft goat cheese, crumbled cup balsamic vinegar

the country. Serving a rack of lamb during the holidays makes it easy to have an effortless, restaurant quality meal at Preheat oven to 425°F. Rub lamb with oil and salt. Place in a roasting pan, fat side down. Roast 8 minutes. Turn and home. continue roasting 8 minutes. Remove from oven, leaving oven on. Rack Lingo Lollipops - the rack is cut into individual chops and trimmed of all fat for an appetizer that is simple to make, impressive Combine mustard, bread crumbs, garlic, pecans, 2 tablespoons rosemary, and goat cheese. Spread over lamb. Return to present, and easy to eat right off the bones. Frenched - A few inches of meat removed from the end of to oven and cook 15 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and cover with foil to keep warm. the bones, creating an attractive presentation. In saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and remaining 2 tablespoons rosemary and let simmer for 6 to 8 minutes or Tips For a holiday party, cook two rack roasts at a time; they will until reduced to half. fit side by side in most roasting pans and two rack roasts will feed 8 people. Serve the two racks interlaced with fresh herbs Slice lamb into individual chops and drizzle sauce over twisted around the bones for a show stopping presentation. chops. Serve with roasted butternut squash.

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American Lamb Lollipops With Minted Tomato Sauce Serves 8 ½ cup Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 2 frenched racks of lamb

Combine mustard, balsamic vinegar, oil, rosemary, garlic and salt. Place lamb in a roasting or sheet pan with the ribs curving down, and coat the tops with mustard mixture. Allow to stand for 1 hour at room temperature.

Features

Tips

Let the lamb roast rest for 10 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches the ideal temperature. A cooling period will allow the meat's juices to settle and make carving easier. Serve lamb roasts family style with carved, sliced meat arranged on a large platter with fresh herbs and roasted vegetables. For more recipes americanlamb.com.

and

cooking

information

visit

Roasted Leg of American Lamb With Feta Vinaigrette Serves 8 to 10 1 1 1 4 1 American Lamb Lollipops With Minted Tomato Sauce

6 to 7-pound boneless leg of lamb pint plain Greek yogurt tablespoon curry powder cloves minced garlic teaspoon kosher salt

Mix all marinade ingredients together and rub over lamb. Marinate overnight in fridge.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Roast lamb for 20 minutes. Remove Preheat oven to 375°F. Place lamb on roasting rack in a from oven and cover with aluminum foil. Allow to sit for 15 roasting pan. Roast lamb for approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, then cut into individual ribs and serve with sauce. minutes or until the internal temperature reaches desired doneness. Once lamb is removed from oven, let it rest for 15 Minted Tomato Sauce minutes. Slice to desired thickness and top with feta vinaigrette. Serve with roasted fingerling potatoes and green 1 clove garlic, crushed with a little salt beans. ¼ 2 ½ 1 2 1 1

cup water tablespoons olive oil teaspoon dried oregano to 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar to 3 tomatoes, crushed tablespoon lemon juice tablespoon chopped mint

Feta Vinaigrette ½ 2 ½ 4

Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend for 1 ½ minute.

cup juice from 2 lemons ounces red wine vinegar bunch parsley chopped ounces extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste pound feta cheese (coarsely crumbled)

American Lamb Roasts for Holiday Entertaining

In a bowl mix together Perfect for relaxed entertaining, American Lamb roasts make all ingredients except a great holiday meal for sharing with family and friends. cheese. Add cheese at Nothing could be easier than roasting lamb. While lamb the end. roasts need to cook slow and low, they take very little preparation time, allowing you to spend time with your guests while the lamb cooks to perfection! Leg of lamb is a popular and traditional roast and is readily Courtesy of Family Features available at most grocery stores during the holidays. Shoul- Source: American Lamb der roast and boneless loin roasts are also great options but Board may need to be special ordered by your grocery store or butcher.

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Roasted Leg of American Lamb With Feta Vinaigrette

Features

Stay Fit During

Thanksgiving

“I am the bread of life” John 6:48 By Laurette Willis, Director of PraiseMoves, LLC www.PraiseMoves.com

hose words really put Thanksgiving overindulgence into perspective don’t they? Perhaps the overindulgence we could enter into this Thanksgiving is filling up on the “bread of life” instead of the bread of this world. When we think of the bread of this world, do you think of physical bread? It can be that as well as what I call the “soul junk food” of this world. I’m referring to the PG-13, R-rated and other, so-called “entertainment” of this world such as TV, movies, music, etc.. Okay, now I’m meddling, right? It’s just that I’ve found that if I’m filling up on the world’s junk food through my eyes and ears as well as mentally and emotionally. I also have more of a tendency to want to satisfy my mouth with the world’s processed junk foods for my body.

More than a Conqueror during Thanksgiving

You don’t have to be one of those persons who customarily gains five to eight pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Just because many choose to eat 2,000 to 5,000 calories during one Thanksgiving meal it doesn’t mean YOU have to do that! Make the decision TODAY that you are not When I’m taking in less life through the Word into my spirit, going to follow along with the world and become a statistic. my discernment and choices in other areas of my life aren’t as clear or focused. Psalm 103 exhorts us to bless the Lord. You can say, “Since Jesus has overcome the world, and Jesus Meaning we should love, glorify, thank and praise Him – not is living big in me today, I will be fit and healthy over the because He needs it, but because we do. Verse five says holidays! Thanksgiving will be a time I will fill up on God’s about God, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things so Word, the bread of life. I will take one verse or a portion of that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” the Word every day and chew, chew, chew on it until I’m full! When I’m tempted to overindulge my flesh, I will indulge my spirit and ‘chew on’ that healthy portion of Word for the day. I can go over it in my mind and heart, say it quietly to myself when I’m with others and praise the Lord for it! I always feel fuller on the inside when I praise the Lord and feed my heart with God’s Word. In addition to that, I choose to allow only those things which are pure and wholesome into my ‘ear gates’ and my ‘eye gates.’ I refuse to allow If we speak the doom and gloom of the world’s predictions, anything to dull my spiritual senses or God’s anointing on our future looks bleak. We will feel and look older, and be my life. I am a light in this world, not a dim bulb!” less fit physically, emotionally and spiritually. The good news is Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This can be viewed as clean, natural, unprocessed foods. Foods that are still in their fresh-from-God package! Foods which give us energy and renew our youth from the cellular level. God also satisfies our mouths with the goodness of His Word,,“the bread of life”. Which we then speak out over our lives, our families, our day, our future, and our nation.

See “Thanksgiving Fitness” p 6

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Scoliosis:

Features

Who’s Checking for It Now? By Dr. Todd McDougle

Bill number SB10, which was prepared on March 30, 2007, mandated that each public school assess for scoliosis and postural defects for children in grades 5, 7 and 9, has been repealed. By repealing this policy, it allows the school personnel to conduct other school business. This policy went into effect July 1, 2007 and any assessment is a local school action. Unfortunately, this is beginning to become the standard for the majority of the States in the U.S. One needs to ask themselves why, especially as you read the following: Scoliosis affects between 2 and 3% of the population. Ÿ Among the most severe scoliosis cases, 8 out of 10 are young females. Ÿ Scoliosis begins in childhood or adolescence. It occurs at different ages and is categorized as an infantile, juvenile or adolescent scoliosis. It can be detected at all ages but as it is related to growth. Scoliosis most commonly occurs in adolescence. Ÿ In more than 80% of the cases, the real cause of scoliosis remains unknown; this is why it's called idiopathic. There are many hypotheses being studied by researchers. Heredity and growth control mechanisms are the main focus for modern research. There is no scientific consensus on the precise cause and progression factors of idiopathic scoliosis, enough is known to improve non-surgical treatments. In Scotland, a study infers that it may be related to the Polio Vaccination. In my own experience with post-polio syndrome patients, I too can see a physical resemblance.

So, as a parent, what should you do? There are several ways to evaluate for scoliosis. First; take a look at your child while they are standing erect in front of you. Look for a tilt in the shoulders and see if there is one shoulder that may be more elevated than the other. Second; with the child in the same position, check to see if there is one hip that is higher than the other. Have the child bend over and check to see if their rib cage is flat, or if there is a hump or deviation in their rib cage that suggests an anomaly.

These are simple procedures to screen your kids for scoliosis. But, by no means does this make you an expert. With 20 classifications, there are numerous ways to miss the compliIf untreated, most severe scoliotic deformations have cated presentations. mid and long-term consequences on: Many people will ask when a good time to check for scolioŸ Vital functions: respiratory and cardiac pathology sis may be. A good time to start checking for these curvatures Ÿ Walking: pain and mobility limitation may be as early as age 5. I have seen curves as high as 65 Ÿ Appearance: hunchbacked aspect and short trunk. degrees in an 8 year old (90 degrees is a right angle). See “Scoliosis” p 6 © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

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Features

Thanksgiving Fitness cont....

article where Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Throughout the day when I was working, writing, driving, shopping – More Practical Tips eating – I went back to that Word and asked the Lord to give In addition to ensuring your heart and mind are full of the me new revelation on it. I noticed my focus became clearer, Word, here are 5 tips to help you spearhead the movement in I made better choices in a number of areas and I feel fuller on your family to a healthier Thanksgiving holiday: the inside as a result. I do not feel stuffed and numb from overindulging my flesh as I had so many times before. 1. Make a difference in someone’s life. Focus on one or two people you are going to get to know better over the Armed with a battle plan worthy of those who are more than Thanksgiving weekend. This can be a member of your own conquerors through Christ, I believe we will find more reafamily, a friend, a neighbor, perhaps even someone at church sons than ever to be truly thankful to the One who has given who needs to be with a family at Thanksgiving—why not us all things to enjoy. We enter Thanksgiving and sail into your family? the holidays and 2010 with our hearts full, our minds clear 2. If you don’t move, you lose. Much of the weight gain during the holidays is due to a lack of physical exercise. Exercise early in the day before the hubbub of activity starts. Even if you take 15 minutes to walk and pray, you’ve just combined faith and fitness that will have a positive impact on your entire day. It will also impact the day of those around you – you know you are a nicer person when you take time to pray. 3. Make it a family affair. After the turkey and fixin’s, be the instigator and say, “Let’s all go outside and walk off some of that delicious dinner before dessert!” I think you’d be surprised how many will think that’s not such a crazy idea. Not everyone wants to be the first one to suggest something different – but remember, you are spearheading the movement to a healthier family tradition. They’ll thank you for it later. 4. Don’t skip meals. Even if you think you may be eating more over the holidays, don’t make the mistake of skipping meals so you can “stock up” later. That’s a sure-fire way to overindulge on the wrong foods because you haven’t been eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and two whole food snacks during the day. Choose your indulgences carefully. Do you want Aunt Anna’s pumpkin pie or Uncle Joe’s wombat surprise? Eat sane portions, don’t skip meals and you can still have a piece of that family favorite. Don’t try to diet during the holidays – you know how cranky you can get and that’s not a very good witness to your unsaved loved ones..

and our bodies full of energy as fit witnesses for Christ. He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Let’s believe Him for it and share our victory with others this holiday season. i Romans 8:37 ii Ephesians 4:20

And now I'd like to invite you to get my free "Fit Favorites Devotional" and PraiseMoves FitNews. To get yours, go to http://praisemoves.com. Christian Fitness Expert and author Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves, offering fitness programs, DVDs, books and training for those interested in a Christian alternative to yoga, and fitness for spirit, soul and body at http://praisemoves.com . To follow Laurette on Twitter visit http://twitter.com/Fit4Christ and on FaceBook: http://facebook.com/praisemoves

Scoliosis cont....

One of the reasons that schools may no longer offer the assessments may be liability issues when scoliosis is missed. Another issue may be that parents are unwilling to follow-up with their doctors as recommended. Either way, who will step up to help?

Our office has a division called Indiana Scoliosis Specialists located in Fishers. Visit www.INchiropractic.com for more information on how we may help. Nationally, call 800-5625. Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated. It will 6272 and mention that you read this article. Locally, call also ensure you eat less when you drink more water. We 317-490-8633 for more! often reach for a high-calorie snack when our body is really Dr. McDougle is a Member of the International Chiropractors Association. crying out for water. He is on the Board of the ICA of Indiana, and is the Chairman for the

Pick a Scripture “Snack” Every Day Above all, stay focused on making sure your spirit is well fed. Pick one scripture “snack” to chew on each day. Today my scripture “snack” was the verse at the beginning of this

ICA~I Insurance Compliance Council. He remains the only Chiropractic Doctor in Indiana to be Certified by Spine Corporation; the producers of the SpineCor Bracing system. Dr. McDougle has been involved with local, National, and International sports figures since 1997. He is the developer of the McDougle Multi-Release Pelvic Technique and has trained many Chiropractic Doctors in his methodology. Pendleton: 765-778-1722 Fishers: 317-770-5775

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By Jenny Burr for The Fit Christian I tried again, “Iclickkdd nexttwrnn.” She again replied,

“Mom I can’t understand you.” Believe me, I knew exactly how she felt. I couldn’t understand me, and that was pretty sad.

Texting

My cell phone had no idea what I wanted to say and yet it kept guessing. Not only was I getting upset that I couldn’t My first attempt at texting send my daughter a message, I was getting mad at myself for my youngest daughter went somehow pressing a wrong button on my phone. I had like this: I handed my cell unknowingly turned on an automatic message writer. phone to my oldest daughter and she By this time, I was getting ready to toss my phone into the showed and talked garbage, but I didn’t. I did give up trying to text, at least me through how to temporarily. I thought, That’s it, I’ll never be able to send use it. She did another text again…at least not until someone saves me from most of the texting my phone. while I observed and kept thinking, When our oldest daughter arrived home, I asked her to rescue I don’t know if I’ll me. It didn’t take her long to figure out how to turn off the ever get the hang of texting. When my youngest texted me automatic message writer. back, I handed my phone back to my eldest daughter and Just when I thought I was getting the hang of texting, it threw asked her to show me what to do. me a curve ball that I didn’t know how to catch. “Miss Later, I attempted a text message on my own to my husband. Communication” is just like that. We all may be talking the It ended up looking like this: “Gg” I hit send and waited. I same language and even the same dialect but words become think that he was probably laughing at me as he returned the misconstrued. same message and added, “to you too.” I hadn’t quite figured out how to make the move to the correct letters for texting God has given us a huge text message in His Word, the because I was aiming to write “Hi” instead of “Gg.” At that Bible. It provides us with living proof of His love. If we always read it and pray for God’s will and direction, we point, I was almost ready to give up. likely won’t end up with garbled messages. Then I noticed a co-worker of mine texting her daughter who is living in the States. When I asked her about it, she told me that it was a fairly inexpensive way to communicate with her daughter. Taking this info to heart, I determined that by the time my eldest would be in college that I would have mastered texting.

As for me and texting, I’m getting there. I’m still a pretty slow “texter” but I am managing. I’m also trying not to click on the wrong choice so that it doesn’t need to guess at what I’m writing.

What about you? How are you doing at texting? Are you With this goal in mind, I managed to learn texting sooner keeping up with your kids? Are you still reading God’s text than I needed. That was a year ago. I’m fairly slow when it message for you? Please feel free to let me know by writing comes to typing in the message that I’m texting. My daugh- to me at ters, on the other hand, are very quick and efficient. Even my husband is faster.

misscommunication@fitchristian.com

One day I was attempting to text our youngest, but something went terribly wrong. What I wanted to communicate and what was actually coming out were two different things, “Gorrble calbbiring ooooo.” Her reply was, “What!” © 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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Fall into Fall

Fall is a time for beginnings, and these games are great at Thanksgiving. They also make fun games in an elementary Scarecrow Statues or special education classroom or at a children’s party. How to play: [Play holiday music, and] when the music They’ll ensure children have a great time! stops, the players must stay as still as scarecrow statues. Anyone who moves, quivers, or shakes is out. The winner is Materials: Beanbags, plastic pumpkins, turkeys, or the last one still playing. orange/brown balls, rings, newspaper, picture of a pumpkin, hockey sticks, two spoons, hula hoops

Listen and Move

Ring the Pumpkin and the Turkey Line up three large pumpkins or turkeys to form a ring toss. Make hoops with the rope and duct tape. Mark a throwing line on the floor, and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin or a turkey with the lasso. Or you can have children try to ring an entire large pumpkin or turkey with a hula hoop.

Pumpkin Rolling Contest Divide the children into two teams and mark a starting line and a turnaround line. Have the first child in each line roll a pumpkin with a hockey stick from the start line to the turnaround line and back to the next person on their team. The first team to finish the relay wins.

How Place paper leaves on the floor in a circle. Children walk around the circle while listening to music. If the music is loud and fast, the children move fast. If the music is quiet and the tempo is slow, the children have to move slow. When the music stops, the children stop on the closest leaf. To make it more challenging for older children, have one less leaf than the number of children. Continue to remove shapes as the children are out.

Pass the Pumpkins and Gourds

This musical chairs type of game involves passing small pumpkins and gourds. When the music stops, the person without a pumpkin is out. Play until there is a winner. Kids sit in a circle and you hand out one less pumpkin than there are children in the group. Then, instruct the children to start Musical Bales passing the pumpkins or guards around when the music Play musical chairs with bales of straw instead of chairs. begins to play and to continue passing until the music stops. Once the music stops, the child without a pumpkin is out of the game. Now remove a pumpkin or gourd from the group Fall Dance Get the children to pair up into dancing partners. Place the and restart the music. This pattern continues until you have newspaper on the floor and have each child dance on either one pumpkin or gourd and just one winner. side of it. When the music stops, the pair needs to step on the newspaper. No part of their feet (or any body part) is allowed The Great Popcorn Challenge to be outside the paper. Any pair who has any body part Imagine you have two bowlfuls of popcorn but use beanbags outside the paper is out. Fold the newspaper in half after each instead. Put them in one hoop and the players are to take one round. As the newspaper gets smaller and smaller, they will beanbag on a spoon and transport it to the other hoop at the have less space to step on. They can either carry each other opposite end of the room. The team that gets the most or step on each other’s feet to fit into the increasingly smaller beanbags in their hoop wins. squares. Get creative. The pair that successfully stays within Sources: the boundaries wins. Amazing Mom Halloween Games

Pass the Turkey Beanbag How to play: Give each team a brown beanbag, which the first child should tuck under his chin. This should be passed to the next child in line. When the brown beanbag gets to the last person, that child comes to the front of the line and starts again. The wining team is the first one that gets their starting person to the front again.

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/halloween_party.htm Fall Fitness http://boards.thenest.com/boards/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=34523122 Fall Games Activities http://www.stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/heartlinks/documents/GameIde as.pdf Halloween Party Games http://familyfitness.about.com/u/ua/seasonalsportsandfun/ua_halloweenp artygames.htm Halloween Party Games http://www.partygameideas.com/halloween-games/index-childrengames_3.php

Keeping Kids Safe Online Photo courtesy of Photolibrary

A cyberbully is a minor who uses the Internet, phone or other digital device to post hurtful messages or images to another minor. Parry Aftab, executive director of the charity that runs StopCyberbullying.org says, "They do it by posing as each other, stealing or misusing their passwords, stealing points in online games. They call each other names, or send offensive messages to their friends while impersonating them. They even take embarrassing pictures of others and post them online." Cyberbullying affects children as young as seven and up BLESSED through high school. The most important thing parents can do to protect children is to monitor computer and Internet usage. "Knowing you are watching, kids are less likely to put themselves in risky situations and you can safely oversee negative or dangerous behaviors," says Aftab.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS FAMILY FEAST GIVING HOLIDAY

JESUS JOY LOVE PEACE THANKFUL

For more cybersafety tips, visit WiredSafety.org or WiredKids.org. For a fun and safe place for kids to play online, visit buildabearville.com. Courtesy of Family Features | Source: Build-A-Bear Workshop

Memory Verse Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:15 NIV ÂŠ 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

God’s Healing Herbs

By Dennis Ellingson, Pastor for The Fit Christian

Herbs from A to Z come with a lot of side effects that are not so good. In recent days Feverfew is being tested and used for people who suffer from migraines.

Slumber, the Long Winter’s Nap

For the most part the herb garden is finished for this year. We have harvested everything we can. We have dried and frozen everything we hope will get us through until next year. At this time of year, I go to the post office with hopeful expectation that new seed and plant catalogs will be arriving so I can begin to think about spring 2010. Alas, it is too early for that and I have to keep myself entertained chopping wood and shoveling snow. In this season, we are blessed with two of my favorite holidays; Thanksgiving and Christmas. Herbs have a part of these great celebrations and commemorations. My wife will use the garden sage we gathered in the summer to season the turkeys we have for these holidays. We enjoy cranberries that we have gathered or purchased. I prefer them in their most natural state. Soups and stews, seasoned with Winter Savory that we gathered in the summer, take on a special flavor and remind me of the summer now long gone.

Figs: This is a wonderful fruit with many herbal qualities. It is also a perfect fruit to consume at this time of year, and here is why: First of all, dried figs, which is probably the only way you are going to be able to find them at this time of year, are full of fiber. We tend to be more sedentary in the winter and our diet tends to suffer from not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Figs will keep you regular while providing vitamins and minerals that a few servings of fresh fruit would have provided if available.

One of the great benefits of fig at this time of year is its effect upon your mucus membranes. It will help ease the cold and flu symptoms by easing your tortured sinus cavities, throat, and chest.

Figs go well with hot cereals and oatmeal cookies. I recently With the colder weather, and being cooped up more inside, had fig jam, which was absolutely wonderful. comes the flu and cold season. God has blessed us with wonderful herbs to help us combat these bugs that want to A combination of oatmeal or barley and fig is not only delicious but helpful when trying to ease the symptoms of the keep us down. We will discuss two of these: cold and flu season. Feverfew: Before the advent of modern Do you remember what the first clothes were that Adam and medicine, if you had a fever or headache Eve wore after their fall into sin? Fig leaves that God providthen you would seek out some feed for them. I like to think about the lessons the herbs can verfew. This plant is very attracteach us. Fig is a good reminder of our sin nature and the tive the flowers looking like small need for us to always be thinking about staying on the white daisies that grow in groups. straight and narrow in obedience to God. The plant is actually part of the chrysanthemum family. Finally, we talk about Frankincense. This wonderfully aromatic herb reminds me of Christmas. You probably rememIt is a fine plant for the flower garber the three gifts the Magi brought to baby den as well as the herb garden. It is Jesus. They were Gold, Frankinquite hardy and grows well in most places in the U.S.A. The cense, and Myrrh. It was no coinciparts used are root, stocks, leaves and flowers made into a dence that the wise men chose those tea. The plant is steeped in nearly boiling water. At this time gifts. Gold was a gift for a king, of year you may have a little problem harvesting the plant but and Christ is our King. And one capsules and teas are available in many natural and health fine day Jesus will rule the Earth. food stores. It is a powerful herb but, I think, perhaps a better choice than over the counter pain and cold medicines that © 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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Myrrh is a reminder that he came as the sacrificial lamb. Most people of those days purchased myrrh in advance of their own death and burial. It was one of the main embalming spices used to ready the deceased person for burial.

Frankincense, the gathered resin or pitch from the Boswellia tree, is used mostly for perfumes and incense. It is costly and not easy to get. I love to use a little of it in anointing services. The smell of the olive oil and the frankincense is a heady reminder of the wonderful God we celebrate at Christmas Frankincense was brought to the “Little Lord Jesus” as a and commemorate at Easter. symbol that Immanuel, “God with us” had come. The babe, God’s One and Only Son, was now born, born of woman and May these herbs be of help to you during this time of year. of Spirit. Jesus, born to us as the greatest gift, in that God May you have the most blessed of Thanksgiving and Christwould come to man, forgive his many sins, save him and mas holidays you have ever had as you keep Him foremost secure heaven for him for all time. in your thoughts and celebrations.

The Painted Hills The Circuit Rider Series Volume One By Dennis Ellingson

Saddle Up for Some Great Western Adventure! In the Old West, it took great faith and bravery for men and women of God to share the gospel with pioneers and settlers. Battling hardship and danger, these courageous souls are honored in Dennis Ellingson’s Circuit Rider Series. The Painted Hills is set in the 1870s in The Dalles, Oregon, along the Oregon Trail. It is the story of a man in need of salvation. ISBN: 978-1-60860-609-2

Hardcover $24.99

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he holidays are upon us, which means not only are you preparing those huge meals, but you also have an endless stream of other fun and festive get-togethers with hungry guests. To help you whip up those extra special 2 dishes during the holidays, the folks at Carnation have creat- 1 2 ed some rich and creamy holiday recipes.

2 ½ For the early birds in your family, try Eggnog-Spiced French ¼ Toast. The added touch of eggnog spices puts just the right 8

holiday touch on traditional French toast.

Eggnog-Spiced French Toast Makes 4 servings large eggs can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk tablespoons granulated sugar teaspoons rum extract teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground nutmeg slices (1/2-inch-thick) firm, day-old bread, divided Nonstick cooking spray Powdered sugar Maple syrup (optional)

To use those leftovers, try Turkey & Cranberry Encore Salad - the combination of the uniquely creamy cranberry dressing along with fresh greens and succulent turkey make the per- BEAT eggs, evaporated milk, sugar, rum extract, cinnamon and nutmeg in shallow dish until well blended. Place 4 slices fect post-holiday entrée. You'll be happy for the leftovers. bread into egg mixture turning over to evenly moisten both Fun Mexi-Meatball Kabobs are party perfect and easy to sides. prepare. Use skewers to make them easy to eat. MEANWHILE, spray large skillet with nonstick cooking Want to be a hit at the next potluck buffet? Bring along this spray; heat over medium heat. Transfer prepared bread to perfect bake and take dish, Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite. skillet in single layer. Cook for 3 minutes on each side or It gets its creamy texture from Carnation Evaporated milk, until golden brown. Remove slices to serving platter. Repeat which is fondly referred to as "The Cooking Milk." Did you with remaining bread slices, spraying skillet with cooking know you can substi- spray if necessary. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve tute it for drinking immediately with syrup. milk in any of your favorite recipes? These rich and creamy recipes are perfect for any entertaining you'll be doing this holiday season. Find even more recipes at TheCookingMilk.com.

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FOR SALAD: TOSS greens, turkey, blue cheese and 3/4 cup dressing in large bowl. Sprinkle with cranberries and walnuts. Serve Makes 16 servings immediately and with additional dressing, if desired. Refrigmedium potatoes (about erate any remaining dressing.

Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite

2 ½ to 3 pounds total), peeled and cut into 1inch chunks 1 cup Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk ½ cup sour cream Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite 3 1 teaspoon salt 2 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 2 cups (8-ounce package) shredded cheddar cheese, divided 2 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided Sliced green ½ onions (optional) 2

Mexi-Meatball Kabobs Makes 30 servings, 2 skewers each

Nonstick cooking spray pounds lean ground beef cups quick oats can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk large eggs cup ketchup packets (1.25 ounces each) taco seasoning mix 1 teaspoon ground black pepper PLACE potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water; bring 3 large bell peppers (any color), cut into 60, 1-inch pieces to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes 60 4-inch wooden skewers Salsa and sour cream (optional) or until tender; drain.

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Foil-line 3 dish. baking sheets and RETURN potatoes to saucepan; add evaporated milk, sour spray with nonstick cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until cooking spray. smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon COMBINE ground beef, oats, evapomixture into prepared casserole dish. rated milk, eggs, BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through. Top with ketchup, taco searemaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green on- soning and black ions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is pepper in large Mexi-Meatball Kabobs bowl until just melted. mixed. Form mixture into 120, 1-inch meatballs. Place on prepared baking sheets. Turkey & Cranberry Encore Salad BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Makes about 8 servings Drain on paper towels, if needed. DRESSING THREAD two meatballs and one piece of pepper on each 2/3 cup (5-fluid-ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk skewer. Place on large serving platter. Serve with salsa and ½ cup jellied or whole-berry cranberry sauce sour cream. ¼

cup Italian salad dressing

To get your free Carnation "Holiday Houseful" Recipe

SALAD 1 bag (10 ounces) mixed salad greens of your choice (about 10 cups) Guide (while supplies last), go to TheCookingMilk.com. 2 cups (about 10 ounces) cooked turkey, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese 1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

FOR DRESSING: PLACE evaporated milk, cranberry sauce and Italian dressing in small jar or container; cover tightly with lid. Shake for 1 to 2 minutes. Makes about 1 1/2 cups. (Dressing can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Shake well before using.) Turkey & Cranberry Encore Salad © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

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Healthy Meals

at the Holiday Table

Ÿ Perfect Pilaf: Cook brown rice in low-sodium broth and add toasted nuts and dried fruit. Ÿ Don't Forget Dessert: Make creamy rice pudding with whole grain rice for a tasty dessert.

s the holidays draw near and family gatherings are planned, it's time to start thinking about menus that will create special memories. Festive meals can often mean add- For families looking for alternatives to traditional stuffing ed calories and fat, so here are some tips to prepare distinc- and potatoes, Uncle Ben's makes sitting down to a healthy holiday dinner easy with its Long Grain & Wild Rice variettive, healthy dishes incorporating whole grains. ies, which are low fat and high in flavor. Made with whole Whole grains are beneficial for everyone, including healthy grains, they also are filled with essential fiber, minerals and people, and especially for those with diabetes, trying to lose vitamins. For more holiday recipes and information, visit weight, or with high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They UncleBens.com. also keep you feeling full, which means less temptation For a heart healthy meal that's delicious and nutritious, try around those sweet treats. serving the following recipe this holiday season, made with Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice. Whole Grains for the Holidays

Heart Healthy Long Grain & Wild Rice Stuffed Ÿ Salad Spin: Use whole grain rice in marinated grain Chicken Roulades with Cranberry Sauce salads. Difficulty Level: Moderate | Prep time: 20 minutes Ÿ Stuff Your Vegetables: Use whole grain rice as a Cook time: 52 minutes base for stuffed vegetables such as bell peppers, Makes: Four servings, each serving equal to one chicken roulade zucchini, portabella mushrooms, eggplant, tomatoes with 3 tablespoons cranberry sauce and artichokes. Ÿ Quiche with a Twist: To make a lower fat quiche, Ingredients for the Roulades: use brown rice for the crust instead of a regular pie 4 4-ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4crust. inch thickness © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

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¼ ¼ 1

teaspoon salt teaspoon black pepper 6-ounce package Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice, Handmade holiday items bring a unique and personal touch prepared according to package instructions, omitting to the season, making the giver and receiver feel special. To butter or oil inspire you, here's an idea to get you crafting this holiday tablespoon olive oil

Craft Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

season. Ingredients for the Cranberry Sauce: 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries ½ cup orange juice ¼ cup water 2 tablespoons brown sugar plus 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon corn starch ¼ teaspoon fresh orange zest

Family Holiday Wreath Courtesy of www.terriocraftprojects.com

Materials: Wreath; Words of inspiration (K&Co.); Rub-ons (K&Co.); Favorite photos or seasonal stock photographs from iStockPhoto.com; Heavy cardboard; Metal saying; Wire; Wire cutter; Glue gun

Instructions: Place each pounded chicken breast out on a cutting board and spread with 1/3 cup rice, leaving a 1/4-inch border all 1. Attach metal saying with wire to center of wreath. around the edge. Tightly roll up each chicken breast, starting 2. Print or download photos. The ones in this craft were printed in sepia. with the short side, and secure the ends with a toothpick. 3. Adhere photos to heavy cardboard to fit the size of photo. Preheat oven to 350°F. 4. Add rub-ons to photos. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium- 5. Glue words to wreath. high heat. Add chicken roulades to pan and cook, rotating for 5 minutes or until browned on all sides. Remove roulades Courtesy of Family Features | Source: from pan and place on a small sheet pan lined with foil. Bake Craft & Hobby Association 15 minutes or until cooked through. While roulade bakes, prepare sauce. Place cranberries, juice, water, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to low, cover pan, and simmer until most cranberries have burst, about 12 minutes. Combine cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and add to sauce; stir well. Simmer sauce for 1-2 minutes until thickened and press cranberries slightly to mash. Remove from heat and add orange zest. To serve, remove toothpicks from roulades and cut the roulades horizontally into 3-4 slices. Top the roulades with cranberry sauce. Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 306; Fat: 7 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Cholesterol: 89 mg; Carbohydrates: 24 grams; Dietary Fiber: 2 grams; Protein: 34 grams; Vitamin C: 30% DV

Courtesy of Family Features Source: Uncle Ben's

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Holiday giving does not have to be elaborate or expensive. More and more, people are finding that not only are handmade gifts easy on the wallet, they tend to have more meaning, too.

Gifts Made Simple Food can play an important role in holiday gift giving. "The warmth of sharing good food with family and friends contributes to some of the best memories around the holidays," said chef and cookbook author Tina Salter, who develops This year, take a little time to put together some handmade recipes for Diamond Foods. "Favorite holiday foods help gifts. Let these ideas serve as inspiration for you to get keep the festivity in holiday traditions." creative about gift giving this holiday season. Homemade cookies and snacks - packaged with the recipe in decorative tins, tucked into a coffee mug wrapped with cellophane or displayed on holiday plates - make an ideal gift for colleagues, a favorite babysitter or delivery person. Consider hosting a cookie and snack exchange with friends, where everyone brings enough of one recipe to serve several dozen, and the group exchanges so all leave with a delicious assortment of treats that can be gifted, or kept and enjoyed! As your calendar fills up with holiday gettogethers, consider thanking a hostess by offering to help with appetizers or a side dish for the meal. You will find savory recipes like Emerald Sea Salt and Pepper Cashews, White Beans, and Spinach Bruschetta or Diamond Pecans and Citrus on Sweet Potato Rounds at feedyourfingers.com. Or, if you do not have time to make anything yourself, take advantage of savory mixes such as Original Glazed Walnuts or Pecan Pie Glazed Pecans from Emerald

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Nuts. Put them in a fun container and no one will know you Using a heavy sharp knife, score brittle into squares, or let did not make them yourself! brittle sit and use a small hammer to break into pieces. For more delicious ideas, Diamond Foods offers a variety of free downloadable recipes to feed your fingers this holiday season at feedyourfingers.com. You will find recipes for the whole family, like Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts and Pop Secret Popcorn Sour Cherry Brittle, and recipes that are sure 1 to impress a crowd, like Diamond Shelled Walnuts With Brie ¼ 2 and Pears Crostini.

Shelled Walnuts With Brie and Pears Crostini Makes 25 crostini

cup Diamond Shelled Walnuts, toasted and finely chopped cup minced green onion tablespoons minced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes 2 tablespoons oil, from the sun-dried tomatoes 1 tablespoon minced fresh Italian parsley 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped Give Back 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil There is no better time than the holidays to give back to your ½ teaspoon kosher salt community, and food plays a role there, too. ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Ÿ Deliver a batch of cookies or a tin of spiced popcorn and 25 1/3-inch-thick slices of fresh baguette, lightly oiled and toasted nuts to the local fire station on Christmas Eve. Ÿ Volunteer your time to help serve a holiday meal at a 1 pound Brie cheese 2 ripe, red-skinned pears, cored and thinly sliced local shelter or food pantry. Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish, optional Ÿ Join with some neighbors and hold a bake sale to raise

money for a local charity.

Mixed Nuts and Popcorn Sour Cherry Brittle Makes about 8 cups 1 10-ounce container Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts 4 to 5 cups Pop Secret Homestyle Popcorn, popped 8 ounces dried sour cherries 4 cups sugar 1 cup light corn syrup ½ cup water ¾ cup unsalted butter ½ teaspoon large sea salt crystals, for sprinkling

In a medium bowl, combine walnuts, green onion, sun-dried tomatoes, sun-dried tomato oil, parsley, thyme, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper; mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. To assemble the crostini: Spread a heaping tablespoon of Brie on each crostini, top with 1 teaspoon of the walnut relish, and tuck 1 to 2 pear slices diagonally into the relish. Garnish with a sprig of thyme; serve immediately. Courtesy of Family Features Source: Diamond Foods

Lightly oil a large baking sheet; set aside. In a large bowl, combine nuts, popcorn and sour cherries; mix well. In a large (4-quart) saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water; bring to a boil, stirring, over mediumhigh heat. Add butter; cook, without stirring, until caramel reaches a temperature of 300°F, about 8 minutes. Carefully remove from heat; immediately pour over popcorn mixture. Wearing an oven mitt, and using a wooden spoon, stir well to make sure that each nut and popcorn kernel is coated. Quickly pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; press, with back of wooden spoon, to make it as even as possible; sprinkle with sea salt. Let cool slightly. © 2009 The Fit Christian. All Rights Reserved. A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

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Decorative

Hollies

Kathie Bond-Borie, Guest Columnist

Spring is also the best time to fertilize. Spread a balanced fertilizer, such as 1010-10, on the soil surface. The roots are shallow and can be damaged if you try to dig it in. Apply one third of the fertilizer inside the branch If you're looking for a plant with year-round appeal, holly belongs near the top. No matter where you live, hollies offer canopy and the rest outside the drip line. shiny red, orange, or yellow berries, and many varieties have characteristic waxy leaves that cloth the plant in all seasons. There are thousands of different varieties (the main distinctions being either evergreen or deciduous), and they all prefer similar growing conditions. Here are some tips to keeping hollies healthy and full of fruits. Ÿ Hollies need a neutral to slightly acidic soil that's well drained and loamy to sandy. Ÿ If you have clay soil, amend it with compost or composted organic matter. Ÿ Full sun will promote the best fruiting, but hollies will grow reasonably well in partial shade. Ÿ All hollies are tolerant of air pollution and road salts.

Celebrating with a Holiday Cactus

With their exotic-looking flowers adorning gracefully drooping stems, holiday cacti - both Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti - are favorite plants to give and receive. But once you take the colored foil off, how do you keep the plant healthy and happy for the New Year?

There's still time to plant hollies this fall. In northern areas, the best time is after the plant has gone dormant but before the soil freezes. In southern areas, you can plant any time. Dig a hole that's deep enough to allow the root ball to sit slightly above the soil line. Make the hole twice as wide as it is deep. After planting, spread mulch to keep the roots cool and moist, but keep it about 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent nibbling by mice during the winter.

These spineless, succulent cacti are native to the Brazilian rainforest, which gives an indication of the kind of care they require. Unlike desert-dwelling cacti, these plants need to be kept moist, and they don't need full sun. Bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil most closely replicate their natural environment, where they are typically found growing in pockets of leaf mold high in the trees. Mimic these conditions and your plants will have the best chance of thriving.

If you want to cut some branches of berries this fall for holiday decorating (they last about two weeks indoors), make cuts with an eye to the plant's shape. Most shrubby hollies grow naturally into an attractive shape. The taller, tree-like hollies, such as English and American hollies, look best if trained when young into a pyramidal shape with a dominant central stem. Hollies with small leaves tolerate shearing. Selective hand pruning will give your plants the best overall shape and the best crop of berries. Save this type of extensive pruning for the spring, just before new growth begins.

A plant in bloom will often drop some flowers when it's brought into a new environment, often because of sudden temperature changes. To reduce this loss, keep plants away from heat sources such as hot air ducts and fireplaces. Ethylene gas from space heaters and gas stove, as well as ripening fruit, can also cause bud drop.

Holiday cacti grow well in our typical 70-degree homes, and turning down the thermostat at night helps them, too. Give them an acidic soil with high organic matter content, such as a mixture of 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite. To

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Indulge in "Me-Time" for a Smooth Holiday Season

test the soil for moisture content, stick a toothpick into the soil and if it comes away clean, it's time to water. Once the plant has finished flowering, reduce watering but don't let the leaves shrivel, and place it in a cooler location for the next several months. When new growth begins in spring, begin fertilizing at half strength and continue until fall. If possible, set the plant outside in the shade for the summer. If you leave the plant outside (temperature permitting), it will naturally begin blooming in late fall. To encourage blooms at Christmas time, in mid October start giving the plant 14 to 16 hours of complete darkness at night. Move it into a closet, cover it with a box, or place it in a room that you don't use at night. It will take at least three weeks of this treatment for the buds to show about 1/8-inch long, at which point you can stop the long-night treatment. In the absence of long nights, exposing the plant to temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees at night will initiate flower buds.

"Me-time" - Taking a personal time out, even for only a moment, can make a big difference.

With hectic holiday schedules, how do you find a moment to yourself? Taking an hour or more to relax during the day can be unrealistic; however, almost two out of three women admit indulging in premium chocolate, like Lindor Truffles, can give them a moment of "me-time." Taking time for yourself, even for only a few minutes, can make a big For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org difference, especially when trying to avoid the strains of everyday life. As you go through your to-do list, these tips in A former floral designer and interior plantscaper, Kathie mind. Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as a garden writer/editor, including her current role as Horticultural Editor for the Ÿ As you think about the perfect gift for others, don't forget National Gardening Association. She loves designing with about yourself. While shopping, pick up a small, delicious treat to keep you going through the day. plants, and spends more time playing in the garden - planting and trying new combinations - than sitting and appreciating Ÿ Finding the perfect present can be made simpler by choosing gifts that are elegant and ready-to-give. You it. can even use the time you save on gift wrapping to do something for yourself. For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org Ÿ When running holiday errands, try to plan ahead, consolidate trips and remember to factor in some "me-time" A former floral designer and interior plantscaper, Kathie Bond-Borie has when you get home. Put your feet up and enjoy an spent 20 years as a garden writer/editor, including her current role as Horticultural Editor for the National Gardening Association. She loves indulgence or a cup of tea or coffee to reward your designing with plants, and spends more time playing in the garden holiday efforts. Holiday cacti flower best when kept somewhat root bound. Every three or four years, repot your plant by removing it from the pot, cutting off about one-third of the outer roots, and repotting it with fresh mix into the same size pot.

planting and trying new combinations - than sitting and appreciating it. Courtesy of Family Features

For more information on "me-time" tips or Lindor Truffles, visit www.LindtLindorTruffles.com. Source: Lindt A Publication of His Work Christian Publishing.

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Tradition With A

Twist

Have you ever tried out a new dish during a holiday meal only to be met with comments like, "This is good, but I was looking forward to the usual stuffing," or "Where's the corn pudding we always have?" Photo courtesy of Nestlé Some dishes are such a part of family tradition that they simply must be made or the holiday You'll find more pumpkin dessert and pie recipes - and a just isn't the same. Like pumpkin pie. Don't get me wrong - helpful cheesecake video - at www.VeryBestBaking.com I love pumpkin pie! And I will always make one. But sometimes I get the itch to mix things up a little bit and bring some new version to the table. And this year, I have just the thing. Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake In addition to the family's favorite pumpkin pie, I'm going to (Makes 16 servings) make a Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake.

Not only will they get the traditional - and yummy - taste of pumpkin, but they'll get it combined with little bits of toffee and a scrumptious caramel topping. This cheesecake is perfect throughout the holiday season - and I'm hoping it will become a new tradition that everyone asks for!

Crust 1 ¾ cups (about 14 to 16) shortbread cookies, crushed 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

Cheesecake 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar 1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin Here are some tips to help your cheesecake turn out just right: 2/3 cup (1 5-fluid ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk 2 large eggs Ÿ For optimal blending, make sure all your ingredients 2 tablespoons cornstarch are at room temperature. ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Ÿ Spray the bottom and sides of your springform pan 1 cup (about 25 to 30) crushed toffee candies

with nonstick cooking spray before adding the crumb crust. If you want to remove the cheesecake from the base for serving, cut a sheet of parchment paper to fit. Ÿ To get pretty slices, use a large, sharp chef's knife. Slice by cutting it straight through to the bottom don't use a sawing motion. Rinse the knife off in hot water, dry, then cut another slice. Another great cutting idea - use unwaxed dental floss. Hold the ends of a long piece in both hands, then bring the floss straight down through the cheesecake.

Topping 1 container (8 ounces) sour cream, at room temperature 2 tablespoons granulated sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Caramel ice cream topping (optional)

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. For Crust: COMBINE cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom and 1-inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. See “Mix It Up” p 22

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Trim-the-Tree Treats

Chocolate Gingerbread Boys and Girls (Makes 30 cookies) 2

cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 3 tablespoons granulated sugar ½ cup molasses ¼ cup water 1 container (16 ounces) prepared vanilla frosting, colored as desired, or colored icing in tubes

MICROWAVE 1 1/2 cups morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted. Cool to room temperature. COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in small mixer bowl until creamy; beat in molasses and melted chocolate. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with water, When it's time to decorate the Christmas tree, I love having beating until smooth. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour or until helpers. And to keep all my holiday helpers happy, I like to firm. bake up some treats we can enjoy while decorating. Photo courtesy of Nestlé

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. For your tree trimming helpers, try out this delicious twist on gingerbread cookies - Chocolate Gingerbread Boys and ROLL half of dough to 1/4-inch thickness on floured surface Girls. The chocolate gives them an added sweetness that will with floured rolling pin. Cut dough into gingerbread boy and bring a smile to everyone's face. girl shapes using cookie cutters or a stencil. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Frosting Cookies Use a pastry bag with tips, commercial frosting in tubes, or BAKE for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are set but centers are a plastic bag with a corner snipped off. If spreading frosting still slightly soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; with a knife, thin frosting with milk to desired consistency. remove to wire racks to cool completely. Special Toppings Use candy sprinkles, cinnamon red hots, chopped nuts, Nestlé Toll House Morsels, raisins, candy corn, turbinado sugar, or colored sugar to adorn cookies.

PLACE remaining morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 30 to 45 seconds; knead. Microwave for 10 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; To use as a tree decoration, make a hole with a drinking squeeze to pipe chocolate. Decorate straw at the top of the cookie prior to baking. After baking, cookies with piped chocolate and tie a loop of nylon fishing line or pretty ribbon through the prepared frosting or icing. hole for easy hanging. For more tree trimming www.VeryBestBaking.com.

treat

ideas,

visit Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.

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Kick-off the Season with a New Green Routine

contest, and for more of Aldrich's simple, attainable greenliving tips, visit www.LighterSaferGreener.com. Courtesy of Family Features Source: Airwear

Mix It Up cont...

BAKE for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. For Cheesecake: BEAT cream cheese and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, cornstarch and cinnamon; beat well. Pour into crust. BAKE for 60 to 65 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly. Remove from oven; top with toffee candy pieces. Photo Courtesy of Getty

A change in seasons brings a chance for families to make For Topping: changes in their routines. A new season is a great time to COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract "green your routine" and establish simple, everyday eco- in small bowl; mix well. Spread over warm cheesecake. friendly habits with your family. BAKE for 8 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Green living expert and mother of three, Beth Aldrich, en- Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of courages families to try little things to make a difference springform pan. Drizzle with caramel topping before serving. every day and to look for products and adopt practices that work for them and the environment. Ÿ Keep your family's eyes healthy while helping the environment by purchasing new "green" Airwear eyeglass lenses. Now manufactured using 100 percent recycled water and packaged in 100 percent recyclable cardboard, the lenses are greener than before. Ÿ Switch the light bulbs in your house to energy-efficient, inexpensive, compact fluorescent bulbs. If every household in America exchanged five light bulbs, the energy savings would be equivalent to taking 8 million cars off the road. Ÿ Clean out the clutter by recycling old school papers and giving away outgrown clothes. Before going shopping for anything new take inventory and identify what can be reused so you only replace what you really need. In addition, Aldrich invites other environmentally-conscious people to submit the creative ways they are making their world a greener, more sustainable place through the "Lighter.Safer.Greener." contest. The grand prize is the latest in Airwear eyewear for their entire family. To enter the

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Interview: Julia Wissink

By Jenny Burr for The Fit Christian

Julia Wissink is the grade four teacher at Calvary Christian Academy in Franktown, Ontario. While many teachers may enjoy traveling and relaxing over the summer, last year, Julia did something unique. She spent the entire summer of 2008 riding her bike across the United States and up into Canada. She was cycling to raise money to help alleviate poverty. and how did you first learn about “Cycling FC: When from Sea to Sea?” a flier in my church mailbox which simply JW: Through stated, “Are you In” which went on to explain the

I love being active and able to do most anything I put my upcoming bike ride to help alleviate poverty and mind to ... my intent is to do a marathon next spring. increase human awareness of the situation. Every three pedal strokes someone dies due to impoverished conditions or How many kilometers/miles did you cover? poverty. I cycled just under 4,000 mi. or approximately 7000 km for the summer. I was away for 63 days and 54 What kinds of fundraising activities did you do of them were cycling days. June 28- Aug 30 2008, to raise money for this charity? were the dates. We averaged around 130 km per I held and had many fundraising activities: a base- day. The cyclists ranged from the age of 18-81. All of the ball tournament, pancake breakfast; I sold an as- funds went to programs that break the cycle of poverty. sortment of handmade jewelry (which I made) and cards with photos I have taken of local and foreign places; I What was a typical day like for you and your offered family photo sittings and sessions. Generally, I team? spread the word and hoped people felt a calling to support More than 130 participants rode the whole way this endeavor. I raised over $12,000.00 and throughout the from one ocean to the other, and we were joined in whole tour more than 2.2 million was raised. Grand Rapids by 50 plus more riders. Most days we rose around 6 a.m. then had breakfast that the kitchen and a Were you much of a bike rider before you be- group of cyclists had put out (we were all in groups and came involved in your training? rotationally had work to do, the evening after a ride and the I bought my first bike in January of 2008, so that morning of the next … and then not again until our turn came should give you a clue as to how much I biked prior up, it ended being every 9 days or so). At breakfast or during to the tour. you would usually pack up a lunch, consisting of a few granola bars, a sandwich of sorts (what ever was on the tables How many hours/months of training did it take from PB and Jam to leftover eggs from the evening meal to prepare yourself for this? before), a fruit, and some other snack I prepared some in February and foods that were out on the tables. These continued to increase my cycling in you packed into either your cycling jersey the warmer months of April, May or a pack you had on your bike. and June. I put in about 1,500 km prior to the tour, which was a recommended amount to Most often I rode with males and we prepare. would stop somewhere for a coffee or a snack or just for water to break up the ride. Are you someone who is normally At lights and intersections we would give physically active? out these business cards to people who Physical activity is part of my nawere curious to seeing so many cyclists ture; I am normally active. My going through their towns and cities. The background is in Human Kinetics business cards had the highlights of the and I am a certified fitness consultant. I purpose of the tour and the places we were thoroughly enjoy the effects of exercise, and All photos courtesy of Julia Wissink going.

FC: JW:

FC: JW: FC: JW:

FC: JW: FC: JW: FC: JW:

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We biked six days a week. We came to rest each day in a campground, field or a school yard, where we ate supper, rested and socialized. We also had small groups and large groups for communication purposes.

did you find the time to do your laundry? FC: When We were to try to do our laundry on Saturday but it was more convenient to do our launJW: nights, dry in the shower.

did you do for meals? What is your fondest memory of this experience? FC: What FC: Our meals were buffet style. We had to have our The impact we made and how the first pond ripple own cutlery and plate/bowl/cup with us and we started in Seattle continues to create waves to JW: would go through a line and get what we needed for JW: that this day. People are still finding out about Sea to

breakfast. We would make our own lunch at breakSea as well as being affected by the allocation of fast and go through lines at supper. There were tables set up the funds to certain programs such as: CRWRC, CRWM, for us to wash our utensils. Partners worldwide, and the CRC foundation.

On tour there was a kitchen truck as well as a gear truck. On the gear truck (18-wheeler), we were allotted two laundry baskets on a shelf and a hockey bag, which held our tent, pillow, and chair (minimal camping max lbs of 50). These were thrown in the gear truck in the middle aisle for packing purposes … it was amazing the amount that it held and how busy it actually was with the number of riders, yet we kept it neat despite the busyness. Envision yourself living out of two laundry baskets, having a bicycle as your only mode of transportation, a hockey bag that is your home, and you think about how thankful you are that you have somewhere to rest your head, something to wear and so much in comparison to those you are biking for. did you and your team members do if any FC: What of you had a flat tire, a bicycle chain break, or else? JW: anything There were a few SAG (support and gear) vehicles

FC: Would you ever do anything like this again? JW: IN A HEARTBEAT! NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

wrote a blog to journal about all that hapFC: You pened. Would you be interested in sharing the address with our readers? JW: blog juliawissink.blogspot.com you have any words of advice or recommenFC: Dodations for someone considering cycling a lengthy distance? JW: DO IT and don’t look back! Don’t underestimate the power you hold and your ability. You can do all things through HIM who gives you strength.

learn more about Sea that had some extra spare parts you could buy, but To you were your own bicycle’s mechanic. Usually you would www.crcna.org/pages/sea_front.cfm have a spare tube with you and change your tire on the road. My fastest tire change was under four minutes and that’s including pumping it up to 120psi. It was always a challenge to see how fast we could beat our last record. Bike maintenance was completed by the bike owner whenever the feeling of cleaning up your bike arose. It’s actually quite easy to keep your bike in good shape. Almost all of the bikes were road bikes; we fellow cyclists would chat about what needed to be done and how to keep them in good running condition. Road bikes are an expensive investment and a lot of us want to keep them running well for a long time to come. I continue to bike once or twice indoors throughout the winter and now with spring here every weekend.

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Sea

visit

Nancy’s New Beginnings

By Nancy Napolitano For The Fit Christian

The Road that Lies Ahead

asked how much weight I’d lost. God is sending me hope when I feel like giving up. How’s that for a bit of grace?)

There are mountains yet to climb, potholes in the bumpy road of life to avoid, sharp turns ahead with unclear vision … paths to choose. One path leads toward failure and a road paved with past mistakes; the other path, though unfamiliar, leads to success.

Losing weight involves peeling many layers back, it’s not just about eating all the right foods or exercising “X” number of times per week, though these things are essential in leading a healthy lifestyle. Looking at the successes in my life, I realize I have overcome many obstacles that have convinced me of the fact that I am a much stronger person than I ever thought I was. I was a single parent who gained a nursing degree while raising two young children. I’ve overcome depression. Many years ago I suffered from a depression so severe that it required hospitalization on more than one occasion. I was told I would have to take medication the rest of my life. Not so. Today, I take no meds. 15 years ago, I used to smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day. Today, I face each day without having to resort to such crutches. There was experience gained in facing those life challenges, even though there is some “poundage” I still deal with as a result of those efforts. All of us, if we are to be mentally healthy and have some measure of success, have to move away from our past failures and mistakes and move down the road ahead without letting our past “weigh” us down. That is what happens on a daily basis with people suffering from weight issues. Those past failures “weigh” us down. As a matter of fact, that mentality is much more familiar and comfortable than trying to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Seems like a no-brainer, huh? I mean, after all, who wants to dwell on past mistakes? Who doesn’t want to be successful? Yet, at times it seems an elusive dream. What could possibly make reaching my goal a reality? “Hard work, lady!” “Just stick with the program!” “Haven’t you heard of Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem, or hey, how about a personal A few days ago in a conversation with a chiropractor friend trainer?” Of course, there is accountability! of mine–one whom I know God placed in my life at this point in time–led me to the realization that the answer lies Believe me when I tell you I have considered the options with God, as I have known in my heart. However, his focus thoroughly. Remember, I am a registered nurse who worked on wellness is that these lifestyle choices are made in obediin a weight loss program for many years and know all the ence to God. That really struck home with me. All things right things to do. I also know that the problems I have now considered, it has been that obedience that has given me the stem from that “rigid perfectionist program” mentality. I measure of success I have known. lived that role model existence of 103 pounds. So.... why don’t I just join some program somewhere? While the scale continues down (though not QUICKLY), I thank God for the gradual changes that have occurred. My I ponder these thoughts. I also ask myself by whose stan- BMI has improved. It was 30 and now it is 26.5. I am dards am I being measured? How many people do you know healthier at 56-years of age. I am no longer considered to be who have gained weight, lost it, only to gain it again? So, I obese, though overweight, I have only 2.4 points to go before remind myself of my successes in life. Then, I know I am I am considered a “normal” BMI. The scale tips below 150, still headed in the right direction. (I recently saw a friend I’d hovering at 145 lbs. Each day brings hope and promise, but not seen in almost a year. She told me how good I looked, I would be lying if I said the past failure issues never entered © 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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So, while the road ahead is long, and perhaps bumpy, my obedience to Christ and to a healthier lifestyle grows. I’m rebuilding the temple … one stone at a time. I hold to Philippians 3:13,14, “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

my mind. I recently found a photo that reminded me of this (it’s a dinosaur, symbolizing a large scary past). This dinoEvery night before I go to sleep, I pray to continually let go saur thought struggles for primary position in my mind with of the past and look confidently to the future in obedience a beautiful swan. with God by my side. You can contact Nancy at

newbeginnings@fitchristian.com

The swan thought is new to me. I see it, but I’ve not embodied it–yet. So, I keep plugging away. Someday the total healthy lifestyle will reflect on the scales. While I may never be as beautiful or graceful as the swan ... those “dinosaur” thoughts will truly be fossilized! There are stressors that battle for my time, like the illness of dear family and friends, knocking me off course from time to time. But my faith sustains me. I keep peddling, praying every step of the way. My next goal is to train for a half-marathon promoting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s efforts. It’s more accountability, being part of a team fighting for a cause, more training, and more embodiment of the healthy lifestyle. Am I crazy at 56 to attempt it? I don’t think so. Two years ago I didn’t think it was possible to complete a 5K and I’ve done that. True, it’s farther ... but try, I will!

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How to Get Muscles 8 Tips Every Hardgainer Must Apply

Exercise the Right Way

If your primary goal for weight training is to get muscles, you need to know the basic principles of building muscle mass. Three key areas you need to master are Nutrition, Weight Training, and Recovery, but here I'll focus on how to get muscles through proper weight training technique. Regardless of how you structure your muscle training routines, you must apply these eight weight training principles if you really want to get maximum muscle growth. There are no shortcuts–fail in one area and you seriously decrease your chances to get big muscles.

Ÿ Don't let the muscle relax or rest during the set–keep it stimulated by squeezing, contracting, breathing right–don't pause and no "resting" in between reps!

How to Get Muscles Tip #1: Warm Up! Warming up is very important because it makes you less prone to injury. There's nothing more frustrating than making significant muscle gain only to suddenly be unable to train for weeks just because you pulled a muscle!

How to Get Muscles Tip #3: Sets and Reps Repetition Maximum (RM) is the number of maximum reps you can do for a given weight. For example, 8 RM means you need to find a weight so heavy that you can only lift it for 8 reps and 8 reps only. Your RM will change as you get You can warm up by doing 5 to 10 minutes of cardio, lifting stronger and as your body adapts. lighter weights (about 50% to 60% of your normal load) for 1 to 2 sets prior to your actual weight training program, and Rep ranges affect the muscles in different ways. As a general then giving each muscle group a good stretch. I found that guideline: stretching in between sets and after my work out too really helps speed up my recovery time. Ÿ 1 to 7 RM is for strength training Ÿ 8 to 12 RM is for muscle growth How to Get Muscles Tip #2: Proper Form Ÿ 13+ reps is for endurance Lifting heavier weights doesn't equate to getting bigger muscles. What really counts is not the load per se, but the quality To get muscles, concentrate on the 8-12 RM range. Howevof muscle stimulation you get. er, be aware that some muscles, like your abs and calves, respond best to 13+ RM. It's a common mistake to lift "too much" weight. A weight is too heavy for you if you need to use momentum to finish a How to Get Muscles Tip # 4: Do Whole Body Exercises whole set. Using momentum doesn't target the muscles so Train by doing compound exercises because they recruit the you don't get any benefits. In other words, your muscles will optimal muscle fibers, and because you can get more musnever grow. cles trained in less time. Forget isolated exercises– Compound exercises will give you the best and fastest musHere's how to execute with proper form: cle gains. Ÿ Avoid extraneous body movement and momentum. The best muscle producing compound exercises are squats, Ÿ Be still and let the target muscles do ALL the work. bench press, chin ups, dips, deadlifts, clean and press, rows, Ÿ Let the target muscle move the weight–no momen- military press, calf raises, and crunches. tum, swinging or bouncing. © 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine.

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How to Get Muscles Tip #5: Intensity Progressively challenging your muscle is the only way to If you have been training for a while and you still look the force it to change and thus grow. If you keep doing the same same, chances are you haven't been training intensely enough. thing, your body will get used to it and ultimately stay just the way it is. Bad news if what you want is muscle growth. Remember that in the gym your objective is to challenge your muscles. You need to give your body a reason to think, How to Get Muscles Tip #8: Variation "uh-oh I need to get bigger and stronger, otherwise I won't be Change your routines, exercises, rep range, and your weight able to keep up with all these demands!" That can only training program every 4 to 6 weeks or whenever you notice happen if you train with intensity. So work hard, and your diminishing gains. The trick is to prevent your body from efforts will pay off. getting used to anything. Keep your body “on its toes”.

Exercise the Right Way

As you improve, your body will adapt and settle in its new comfort zone. Pretty soon you'll notice the law of diminishing returns kick in. This is good news. It means you've progressed and are ready for more challenge. When you see your gains decreasing, it's a sign that it's time to increase the intensity of your work out up by another notch yet again.

Conclusion Many hardgainers get to the gym to do weight training without really understanding exactly how to get muscles, or what elements are involved in the process. Don't be one of them.

The weight training principles we covered are Warming Up, How to Get Muscles Tip #6: Tempo Proper Form or Technique, the importance of Compound Believe it or not the tempo or rhythm of your movement as Exercises, Sets and Reps, Intensity, Tempo, Progressive you do each rep impacts your results, too! Many people Overload, and Variation. make the mistake of only working their muscles during the exertion phase of a rep (e.g., when you curl during a bicep But it's not easy to achieve maximum muscle growth all by curl), and then they relax their muscles and let gravity do all yourself. Without proper guidance, you can easily acquire the work when they put their arm back down. Do not make bad habits, like eating fast foods, working out inconsistently, the same mistake. When you return to do yet another rep, do or not pushing yourself hard enough. I had been working out a controlled, slow movement, always maintaining the muscle ineffectively for years so I didn't see any significant gains– tension and contraction. Never relax the muscle. that is, until I found credible bodybuilding teachers and applied their teachings. By maintaining the contraction all throughout the set, you create the most damage or tears to the muscle fibers. When But don't just seek any bodybuilding teacher. Learn from they do, your body is then forced to repair the muscles. The those who have demonstrated the effectiveness of their damaged muscles are replaced with stronger and bigger knowledge for a body type like yours. muscles, and this is how you achieve the growth you're after. If you're built as an ectomorph, have super fast metabolism, and struggle to put on muscle or gain weight, the best teacher I found was Vince DelMonte, who wrote No Nonsense Muscle Building.

Remember:

Proper Tempo = more muscle damage = more repairs = bigger, stronger muscles!

Don't let your hard work go to waste. If you're going to spend time bodybuilding, you might as well get it right. If you're a hardgainer, visit my blog to get more advice about how to get muscles using only natural bodybuilding. Article Source: http://physicalfitnessarticles.net

How to Get Muscles Tip #7: Progression Progression simply means continuously increasing the demands on your muscles. Your next workout should always be harder. You can do this by increasing the amount of weight or increasing the number of reps or sets, or both.

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Strategy and Motivation

Exercise the Right Way

By Angela Willingham

When Starting a New Challenge it is important that you have a strategy and motivation. Rock climbers cannot just start climbing the side of a mountain without first examining the terrain. They must find the best route to the top, which way will be the safest? As we start a new challenge we must determine what our Goals are and what will keep us going when we get tired. A rock climber cannot decide what to do after he or she gets tired. You cannot decide what to do after you get tired half-way up, and a rock climber definitely cannot decide to just give up. You must take steps toward being a better you. In this challenge, looking at whatever someone else is doing may help to encourage you to do better. While this is an individual thing, we can all do it together. We are all at different fitness levels. We all have different eating styles. What areas do you need more help in? Identify the best plan for you.

in the challenge. Make a commitment right now to follow through.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the Do you need to put yourself on a meal schedule? It may be troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to cutting out some of the sweets and junk foods we eat and what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon packing some healthy snacks. Whatever it may be, you will be over, but the joys to come will last forever. need motivation to follow through with these strategies. Some days will be easier than others but at the end of the tunnel there is a great reward. Better Health and a New Attitude. I have always been a larger child growing up, so as I started this challenge I thought, Why do I really want to do this, and how will I stay motivated? I came up with the following reasons: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Angela Willingham is the CEO of New Beginnings Holistic Fitness Ministries, Inc. You can visit the Website at www.mynewtemple.org Copyright New Beginnings Holistic Fitness Ministries, Inc. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com

Better health Smaller Clothes Longer Life Future family (spouse and children) I have nothing left to lose but the weight

Whatever your strategy and motivation, God is with you every step of the way. Remember that part of your strategy must be to include God in the equation. Find a scripture that encourages you and post it on the Website (www.mynewtemple.org) so that you can share with others. Let us know what other things motivate you to keep on going © 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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Weight Loss After the First Month Book

Exercise the Right Way God’s Temple:

by Cathy Morenzie

40 Days to Total Transformation

"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs ... one step at a time." –Joe Girard

Author: Phyllis Ward Reviewed by: Angela J. Perez

Have you noticed that all the warm, fuzzy, inspired feelings you felt last month have waned a bit, or disappeared entirely? It's no longer so easy to resist the temptations, to make the time to exercise, or to surrender this area of your life to God. When did this change happen?

Review

It happens to everyone who starts a weight release program. The trick is to rise above what happens to the majority of people who will tell themselves that they've failed, and then Phyllis Ward’s book God’s Temple: 40 Days to Transformation is “meant to help you make a transformation in every area of your either give up or just wait for the next fad. life over the next 40 days or 40 weeks. You choose, you work at You cannot lose weight through your motivation alone. You your own pace” (p xi).

cannot lose weight through hard work alone. And you cannot lose weight through willpower alone. Although each of these factors can be helpful at various times in your journey, they cannot give you long-lasting results. So what do you do when you no longer feel like making the right food choices, or when you no longer feel like exercising, and when you no longer feel like honoring your goals? You do it anyway. I know this is seems simplistic, and yes, it is also easier said than done. But the truth is, there really is no magic bullet. If there were, we would all be thin.

This book provided daily scriptures, assignments, positive “power” statements, along with templates to track your cardio and weight training and dietary intake. There is also a journaling section provided for each day. God’s Temple: 40 Days to Transformation provides a good basis for living a spiritually and physically healthy lifestyle. This book is great if you are already involved in a daily fitness routine. It is not so great if you are a beginner looking for one. It does not provide any routines or instructions for beginners who are wanting to learn more about specific cardiovascular and weight training exercises.

The good news is that God promises He will never leave you alone and never forsake you (Deut 31:8). When you are For more information about this book visit tempted He will always provide a way out, and He will never http://www.godstemple40.com/Gods_Temple_40_Days.html give you more than you can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). If you put your trust in Him, He will renew your strength (Isaiah 40:30). There are many people in the Bible to whom God had to offer some encouragement. As God promised to be with Abraham (Genesis 15:1), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:6-8), and Moses (Exodus 4:15) during their trials, He promises to be with us too. Cathy Morenzie has been in the fitness industry for over 20 years. She is a sought after presenter, published writer and fitness trainer who specializes in helping people to lose weight. Her new program "Healthy by Design" teaches people how to lose weight while strengthening their faith. You can learn more about her program and download your free weight release report at http://www.hbdprogram.com. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com

New Release! Handbook for Life: A Guide to Suicide Prevention A Christian guide to suicide prevention. A must have for every caring person.

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Weight Loss Exercise Programs

Exercise the Right Way

When designing their weight loss exercise programs, people want to know the best exercise for weight loss. Surprisingly, the exercise that burns the most calories is not always the best exercise for weight loss. Sure, it's important to burn calories, and we'll tell you which exercises burn the most calories in just a moment. But it's also important to burn fat.

will burn more calories all the time, even when you are sleeping, not just while you are exercising. It is also a good idea to choose several activities to vary your routine. After a while, your body becomes accustomed to a specific type of exercise, and as your muscles adapt, your body will use fewer calories. Good weight loss exercise programs include variety. That helps prevent boredom, as well.

The best weight loss exercises are slow, aerobic, long duration exercises. They also involve most of the major muscle groups. These are the exercises that will burn fat. They include exercises like walking, jogging, running, cycling, swimming, and elliptical trainer workouts. These exercises burn more fat than exercises that involve short spurts of activity followed by periods of rest, such as volleyball, tennis, racquetball, basketball, Frisbee, and golf. Those exercises will burn calories and can be included in weight loss exercise programs. They just don't burn fat like the other exercises we listed do. The key to burning fat is to exercise for a longer period of time. For the first 20 30 minutes of a work out, your body burns carbohydrates. Now, those are calories, so that will help you lose weight. But after 20 30 minutes, your body starts to burn fat. That will help you lose pounds and inches quickly. In addition to the slow, aerobic, long duration types of exercise, strength training or weight lifting should be added to weight loss exercise programs. This will build muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat. Muscle ÂŠ 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

For more details http://www.soundbodytrainer.com Representing Weight Loss Exercise Programs in the Website http://www.soundbodytrainer.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com

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And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day. And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense, And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate. And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets (Exodus 35:1-11). God had previously anointed craftsmen and described the construction of the tabernacle. This was to be a tent to house the meeting of the high priest and God. Outer courts received the elders and congregation. Special furnishings and coverings were provided by design. God asked the people to donate the materials, and the labor to build the tabernacle. This was also a pattern for a greater tabernacle to come. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:11-14).

God has provided a blueprint for a tent, but more than that. It is a blueprint for the very salvation of man. This is a shadow of the future savior and his destiny. The church that can be carried on the journey to the Promised Land is to be a contact point for faith. This was to be made from the offerings of the people, and from their works. And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair. And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses (Exodus 35:20-29). The people brought raw materials, and God anointed the workers. Even the craftsmen who were gifted could not build the tabernacle without God’s help. This was not a product of man’s works alone, but also of faith in the plan and gifting of God.

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And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work (Exodus 35:30-35). The sacrifices we can make of animal blood alone could not make us righteous. The high priest was to provide a sacrifice, but this was just a shadow of the work of another high priest yet to come. The true tabernacle will be served by the great work of God himself. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:22-28).

There is a point at which the work is finished. We do not have to do it all by ourselves, but we have to do as much as we are instructed to do. Works are the product of our faith. We trust the blueprint, and we build as much as it calls for, but not more. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:11-20). This is the great plan of the master: to care for people. We have faith to believe, but not just to ask God to do good. We have faith to be his agent, to give our own works. We trust him to replenish our needs by faith, so we act on that faith. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). I have had a brush with poverty, and some fear of becoming homeless. I asked for prayer, but two men gave me material help instead. Churches are often reluctant to give in this way now. But I expect a blessing to come to those who understand pure religion. They read the blueprint, and have been building on a sure foundation.

The shedding of blood is our work, and the remission of sin is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, by faith. These must be present together. The building of the tabernacle, and provision of material was the works of men. The presence of God in that tent was the work of God and of their faith in him. David Luther is a contract worker traveling far

And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the from his original home in Michigan's auto industry. Health problems sent him to the gym to become a sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; body re-builder. In Texas he fell in with Christians And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much at the Metroflex gym, home of 8 time Mr. Olymmore than enough for the service of the work, which the pia, Ronnie Coleman. David writes bible studies, LORD commanded to make. And Moses gave commandment, Through the Bible, as a way to be involved in minand they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, istry while traveling away from his home church in Clarkston Michigan, Mount Zion Temple saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for www.mtzion.org the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the You may contact David at david.luther@fitchristian.com. work to make it, and too much (Exodus 36:4-7). ÂŠ 2009 The Fit Christian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

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Scripture & Reflection

Breaking Down the Walls A scripture to help you focus on your Christian life. Meditate and pray on this verse from the Bible and see how it applies to your life, or how you should apply it. Ask the Lord for revelation and understanding on the scriptures and He will grant your request. “ When you go to war against your enemy and see horses and chariots and soldiers far outnumbering you, do not recoil in fear of them; God, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt is with you. When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops. He'll say, ‘Attention, Israel. In a few minutes you're going to do battle with your enemies. Don't waver in resolve. Don't fear. Don't hesitate. Don't panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.’” Deuteronomy 20:3-4 The Message You may have heard this scripture more often in the King James version rather than in The Message version, but The Message says it loud and clear. Here is the original: “And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’” Deuteronomy 20:3-4 NKJV When fighting battles, it is best not to go at it alone. Whether your battle be for an unsaved loved one, your marriage, your children, your job, your mountain of bills, or even if you are battling your ‘bulge’, be sure to get ‘prayed up” and let the Lord go with you in battle. As the scriptures above clearly states, God is right in the middle of your battle with you; fighting your enemies; fighting to win! You are more than a conqueror; you are more than victorious because you are His! I am reminded of the battle of Jericho. In the battle of Jericho, the people followed God and believed that He would help them overcome the enemy. And He did! As we read in Hebrews 11:30, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” They marched and marched, and blew their horns, as the Lord instructed them to do. But ultimately, it was their faith in God that helped them win their battle and break down those walls. They didn’t whine and complain that God didn’t know what He was doing. They did as they were told and believed Him. That’s all it took! As we face our walls, it is important to seek the Lord in prayer on how to break them down. Then do as He says with complete faith in Him and His ways. As you face your wall today, remember that God is with you. He is fighting for you, to save you, and to help you destroy any wall that stands against you.

What walls stand against you? Are you prayed up, believing that God will help you break down your walls? What is this scripture saying to you?

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