Makeadiff21 - Home

Tasty Bites: B is for Breakfast!

2010-03-12T13:09:46Z

There are eight B vitamins, usually referred to as the B-complex vitamins. B vitamins play an important part in the health of skin and mucous membranes, including hair, mouth, and eyes. Folic acid is a B vitamin and proper intake is essential for women to avoid certain birth defects. B vitamins also aid in the function of the nervous system by the breakdown of fats and proteins, and play important roles in heart health, circulation, and immunity. No one B vitamin does the trick – they work their magic when they are consumed together.

Deficiency in Vitamin B can lead to insomnia, memory loss, numbness and tingling, and a host of other symptoms. A well-balanced diet will ensure proper Vitamin B intake, but some people, including the elderly and people under excessive stress, need supplements. Check with your doctor if you think you may be deficient in Vitamin B.

Good sources of B include whole-grain cereals, rice, nuts, milk, eggs, meats, fish, fruits, and leafy green vegetables. Whip up this Breakfast Oatmeal Cookie before you go to bed. In the morning, toss on a few berries, nuts, and fruit, drizzle with honey or agave nectar and you have a great start to your day with a lot of B Vitamins.

Overnight Chocolate Breakfast Cookie

½ banana, mashed

⅓ cup rolled oats

2 Tbsp ground flax seed

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 tsp cocoa powder

3 Tablespoons almond milk

Mash banana and mix remainder of ingredients in a bowl thoroughly. Place on salad-size plate and flatten with a fork so it resembles a large cookie. Wrap with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, top as you choose - banana, berries, chopped nuts, and coconut make great toppings, but use your imagination!

Candy Steele is a registered nurse who has worked with cardiac patients for over thirty years. “Functional foods” have become her passion, and she enjoys sharing her love of cooking, a random life and a faithful Jesus with her friends at Steele (the Day). She is blessed with three grown children, a new daughter-in-law, and a kind and patient husband who only knows how to fix popcorn (but she’s OK with that).

Fingerprint Friday: Signs of Life

2010-03-12T12:00:55Z

MAD21

I have to admit... I am not a big fan of spring. It's really only because rainy, gray days start to get to me after awhile. But this year is a little different. After all the snow we have gotten in the last few months, things are really dirty. So at least at the beginning of the season, the rains will be very welcome.

The one thing I love about spring is what it brings: New Life. It's like all things made new again. The rain washes away all the dirt and grime from fall and winter to make way for new green and life full of every color of the rainbow (which spring also has a lot of...).

One sure sign that spring is coming is when you start to see the Crocus' peeking through the dirt. You know that the Daffodils are soon to follow and then the Tulips, and so on...

We have truly enjoyed this year's winter season, but I think all of us are happy to see warmer weather and lots of colors coming our way. The Crocus' are one of God's fingerprints full of the promises of what is to come.

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Have You Seen God?

2010-03-11T12:00:11Z

By Pat

Have you seen God lately? I have. I saw Him in Haiti, in the faces of the thousands who have volunteered their time and efforts to bring help, healing and hope to the countless many in dire need. I saw, amid the destruction, death and desperation, the hope that was God in the many He sent.

Have you seen God lately? I have. I saw Him in the form of a neighbor shoveling a neighbor's sidewalk during a recent heavy snow. And I saw Him pushing a stranger's car when it got stuck in an icy ditch.

Have you seen God lately? I have. I saw Him in a group of people pulling together to collect money for a neighbor in need.

I see God every day. Everywhere. In storms, in grief, in need, I see God. He's there. Wherever you see love, whenever you see a hand lifting to help another, whenever you witness a random act of kindness, you have seen God. So never pass up the opportunity to allow God to work through you.

Remember that in Luke 10:36-37, the beloved story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said the neighbor was the one who showed mercy. Also remember that no matter how much sadness and pain there is in this world, the goodness of God greatly outweighs it.

God is here!

"No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12)

YOB: #17. Try To Get Something Published: Why I Write

2010-03-11T12:00:11Z

By Beth

I’ve been a “writer” most of my life. I’ve written short stories, poems, essays, research papers (but only for college) and have toyed with writing a full-length book for some time now. My earliest attempts at writing are all very similar. Girl is hurt/a servant/the outcast/the new girl; meets boy who is WAY out of her league (even though I didn’t know what “out of your league” meant back then); boy rescues girl and falls in love with girl; boy and girl live happily ever after. That was elementary school. In middle school I wrote mostly about boys I liked with the occasional poem thrown in. Interestingly enough, all the characters in my stories had names that started with the letter J. All of them, no exceptions. I don’t know why I did that, probably some deep psychological problem that will come out when I least expect it.

It wasn’t until high school that I switched off the topic of boys (although they still creep in from time to time!) and started writing about my feelings. Now, I don’t just mean the good feelings here. I mean anger, betrayal, sorrow, disappointment, etc. I wrote about it all. You see, I’m not a very emotionally open kind of person, never have been. I keep my feelings hidden, bury things down deep and for most people it is difficult to tell how I am feeling at any given time. I don’t cry at sad movies, I don’t lose my temper and scream at people on a regular basis, I’m not overly affectionate with those I love (I do hug and kiss my kids when they’ll allow it and tell them I love them but I prefer to show my love for them, and others in my life, in other ways).

I am not a “lovey-dovey” kind of person and those people make me uncomfortable. I’m not saying it’s wrong, it just isn’t me. I think I may have touched on this in my article about getting a massage. I don’t like to be touched, especially if I don’t know you! I went to a Bible study once where, on the way in, instead of a greeter to say hello and shake your hand, there was a hugger. I never went back to that Bible study.

In high school I learned that burying my feelings deep is unhealthy. It causes stress, sickness and sudden outbursts over seemingly insignificant things. It was during high school that many significant events occurred and I found that writing was therapeutic. It was a way for me to let things go, to take a step back and deal with the feelings I was having in a healthy manner. One thing I wrote a lot about was my relationship with my father, which deteriorated rapidly the older I got. I was angry and hurt and couldn’t express to anyone. My best friend’s father died suddenly in January of my 10th grade year. He was like a father to me and his death had a huge impact on the rest of my life. I wrote a poem that was published in our yearbook that year dedicated to him. I lost my copy of this yearbook and really wish there was some way I could get it back. I also became pregnant in the winter of my junior year, I was just barely 17. I won’t even go into all the emotions I was feeling then and after my daughter was born.

Recently I have started journaling every night before I go to bed. I’ll never have a collection to match Lara’s but someday my kids will enjoy reading about the day to day issues I chose to write about! The idea of getting something published intrigued me. I believe Lara is the one who came up with the idea. I wasn’t sure how we’d go about it, neither of us has any publishing company contacts and writing a story together probably wouldn’t work too well. Lara and I have different writing styles and well, I don’t like to share! So when Lara suggested we write for this blog I was all for it. I could write what I wanted about our adventures and she could write what she wanted and we’d have more than just ourselves to enjoy the year. So, thanks Ginny, for giving us this opportunity and thanks readers for being a part of our Year (extended) of the Birthday!

[Editors Note: Be sure to read Lara's post about YOB: #17. Try to Get Something Published]

Works For Me Wednesday: Growing Pains - Testing Boundaries

2010-03-10T16:14:30Z

By MAD21

We've had a stressful week or two in our house. I'll call it growing pains. You know the kind, -- when your kids decide to start testing the boundaries and rules. I have to say that I think this is one of the most difficult things to deal with as a parent. I don't know about you, but I don't like feeling like a bully or having an authoritarian household. But there comes a time when our kids need to learn that they don't always get a say, and they need to get their sense of entitlement under control.

It's bad enough when your kids misbehave at home, but when the disrespect starts to show up in other places like school, there needs to be some serious action to get them under control.

We feel, as most parents do, that it's important our children do their best at school. Here are some things we do to help our kids prepare for their day:

* Be Prepared. Have everything you need for the next morning all laid out and ready the night before. Homework done and put into backpack; snack/lunch prepared; clothes picked out and ready to be put on; etc.

* Sleep. SO, so important. Whether they fall asleep right away or not, children should go to bed at the same time every night. Have a good routine that you follow every night (for the most part), so that their bodies and minds can prepare to go to sleep. Be sure that it's early enough that they are getting enough sleep for their age. Our kids are young, so they go to bed at 7:00-7:30pm. (Remember also that regardless of the day that our kids also naturally wake up with the sun. So this is their bed time everyday.)

* Morning Routines. Have a morning routine that you follow everyday. Our kid's morning looks like this:

- Get up on time.
- Go to the bathroom.
- Few minutes of snuggle time.
- Feed the pets.
- Make your bed.
- Get dressed.
- Eat breakfast.
- Brush teeth.
- Fix hair.
- Play or snuggle again if there is time.
- Leave for school.

* Healthy Breakfast. Make sure your kids get a good healthy breakfast everyday. Our kids eat yogurt and something like oatmeal everyday. Make sure that the breakfast is low in sugar (especially the refined kind) and as few processed foods as possible.

* Healthy Lunch/Snack. Pack a good lunch for your kids. They work hard at school and need something to eat that will give them good energy to finish out the day. Again, as few processed foods as possible, low in sugar (fruit is good, but not the variety that is packed in heavily sugared syrups/gels or gummies), and some good proteins and carbs.

On a good morning we have enough time to just be together before rushing out the door. (The "play or snuggle" in the list from above.) We find that this helps our kids get off to a really good start. I know it's a dream to be able to do this everyday, considering some mornings it's hard to keep everyone moving. But we've realized that at least for our kids, having this face-time with us, even if only a few minutes, really helps set the mood for the day.

What are some ways you handle discipline in your home. Aside from "The Nanny's" naughty chair, what are some ways that you help your children to make good choices without making you feel like you are always telling them what to do or giving ultimatums?

Every Wednesday, fellow blogger Kristen at We are THAT Family posts clever ideas for getting things done. She calls it, "Works For Me Wednesday" or WFMW. Kristen is in Kenya this week so her friend Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer is hosting the carnival while she is gone. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.

If you want to see what Kristen is up to in Kenya, please go read her story on her blog, We are THAT Family.

One Word At A Time: Goodness

2010-03-10T14:57:37Z

By MAD21

I think "goodness" is one of those words that we hear a lot, but if asked what it was would be difficult to define. Is it truly possible to be good, or acquire goodness? We hear about goodness being wished upon someone, or giving it to someone, but is it something that can be given? Goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and it's referred to several times in the Bible. It's usually something that is in God's possession that he is sharing with us:

"And the LORD said, I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you..." (Exodus 33:19)

"..may your saints rejoice in your goodness." (2 Chronicles 6:41)

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." (Psalm 23:6)

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." (Psalm 31:19)

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Galations 5:22)

One of my favorite Christmas songs talks about God's goodness. Do You Hear What I Hear is all about Christ's coming and ends with:

"The Child, the Child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light"

In the dictionary, goodness is defined as: "...moral excellence; virtue; the best part of anything; essence; a euphemism for God..." I have to say, I don't think I've ever looked up this word. I've used the word, but now I'm realizing I only have a general understanding of what it really means.

Have you ever wondered what exactly the goodness is that God will be giving us? When we say, "Oh, for goodness sake!" Do we know what we are really saying? I love the idea that goodness is "the best part of anything." This is awesome. That and the fact that "goodness is a euphemism for God" means that all things good are essentially the best part of God himself.

God wants to share the best part of himself with us.

I attended a children's pastor's conference about 14 years ago. We had several wonderful speakers but one stood out to me. Tony Campolo spoke to us about how parents and children's leaders all work so hard to make our children happy. With a huge amount of passion he asked us, "Why is it so important to us that our children should be happy, when what we should be concerned about is them being good?" The words he spoke regarding this issue were amazing and even though I had no children of my own at the time, they stuck with me like super glue. It's true isn't it? We want so bad for our children to grow up happy, that we forget that our focus should be on them being good and making good choices in their lives. And as we all know, sometimes when we need to be good, it's hard, and certainly doesn't make us happy (at least at the time).

Perhaps by helping our children grow up to be good people, making good choices, we are also equipping them to allow God to shine through them onto other people. If all goodness is part of God, why wouldn't we want to be sure we are allowing that goodness to shine through us, too?

These past few weeks we've seen warmer weather in this part of the country. And by warmer I mean above freezing (and it was 60 today!). The gigantic mountains of snow left by the plows and backhoes from the blizzards we had last month are finally starting to melt. It makes me think of how beautiful things seem when everything is covered in fresh snow. But once it starts to melt and all the dirt and trash is revealed, how ugly things become.

Will any goodness be revealed in us once this world melts away? I would sure like to hope so.

This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Bridget Chumbley's One Word at a Time.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Goodness.

Growing Readers

2010-03-09T12:00:24Z

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

“Today a reader; tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

“A home without books is a body without soul.” - Cicero

I’m going to let you in on a secret, if you promise not to tell anyone: Readers are made at home, not at school.

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I pulled an interesting-looking book down from my parents’ bookshelf. It was a collection of Mark Twain’s short stories and I read several with great interest and delight. Because my parents had a complete set of Mark Twain’s works, I was able to follow this reading with Tom Sawyer and then Huck Finn and, before long, I had read the complete set. I was in the cave with Tom and Becky, wondering if they would get out alive. I was floating down the Mississippi with Huck and Jim, wondering how Huck would make it back home and if Jim would make it to freedom.

How many books do you have in your home? How many bookshelves full of a variety of age-appropriate and engaging books do you have? Did you know that the number one factor that determines if a child will grow up to be a reader or not is the number of books in his or her home? I think the reason is simple: People who love books have lots of them in their home. If we love something, our children will see that love and will likely catch it for themselves, especially if ample opportunity is given to them.

Good books are not hard to find and they do not need to cost a lot of money, either. You can shop library sales, yard sales, thrift stores, etc. and pick up some really great books for very little money. Of course you need to be discerning, but you could very quickly build a pretty good home library inexpensively. Few investments you make will bring better returns.

What else can you do at home to help your children develop into readers? Here are some suggestions for children of various ages:

1. Read aloud to your kids. You may feel awkward or uncomfortable with this at first, but it will become more natural and more enriching as time goes on. This is not just a suggestion for parents of very young children either. All children benefit from hearing good stories read aloud to them.

2. Read books together as a family. If you have older children, select a book that everyone in your family will read together. Keep on the same pace and discuss the book together regularly.

3. Read for your own personal enrichment. The more your kids see you reading, the more they will be motivated to want to read.

4. Unplug. Many children today do the majority of their reading online. The kind of reading they are choosing for themselves online is not only very simplistic, but often it is of the poorest quality. The computer and the television both compete with and undermine strong reading habits. Set boundaries and stick to the limits you have set.

5. Buy books for your children. This may sound obvious, but make sure books are a regular part of Christmas and birthday presents for your children.

The best educated people in the world are those who read on their own regularly for their own enrichment and pleasure. These people are the leaders and influencers of our world. Because they have read richly and deeply and widely, they have something to say to the world and they know how to say it well, too. Isn’t that a goal worth striving for in the lives of your children?

Being Human

2010-03-08T12:00:22Z

By Kelly (Living is Simple)

Take joy in the un-rushed living.
In the unfolding.
It takes time to...

Words from about a year ago.

How much life takes you and spins you around into places, relationships, and events you never could have imagined. I wish I could peg the best of those moments. Because it always escapes you; the good moments escape you because you can't always see them when they're happening. Was today, this day, a good moment? Was this a memorable day? Not particularly, I think.

But maybe, just a few weeks down the road, I'll remember today for some reason and smile. The clear, breezy night splattered with beautiful stars? The hailstorm that sent the dog cowering under feet? Or maybe the quiet morning of sun and reading the Word as wind chimes echoed beneath the holy words and stories.

Take joy in living unrushed and fully.

Kelly is a full-time nursing student and part-time amateur photographer. With her remaining time (ha!) she enjoys writing, guitar, traveling, and art. In 2008, she spent a semester studying abroad in Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Greece, and Italy. With a pocketful of rich and diverse experiences from Eastern Mennonite University, she plans to graduate this year with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing!

Life Is Funny: Man Vs. Machine

2010-03-08T12:00:22Z

By MAD21

As much as we want to laugh at this guy, you have to admit he is pretty talented. I found this link after I posted The Final Countdown two weeks ago. I couldn't resisted linking it, too. Enjoy.

My friend and fellow blogger Wendy at Weight..What? has a fun carnival at her blog called "Life is Funny." Every Monday we talk about something in life that we find funny. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.

Saturday Evening Blog Post: I Asked The Lord...

2010-03-06T12:00:24Z

By MAD21

The most read post on my site for February 2010 was a guest post by my friend Pat called "I Asked the Lord." Pat wrote a fabulous poem for our devotions that week about her conversations with God:

"I asked the Lord to speak to me
So I could hear his voice,
And so He sent a mockingbird
To make my heart rejoice.

I asked the Lord to show Himself
So I could see His face,
And so He sent a rainbow
To color outer space."

If you haven't already read it, please go and read the rest of Pat's awesome poem. What have you talked to the Lord about lately? How have you seen him respond?

Be sure to go and visit Elizabeth Esther's blog carnival where bloggers gather on
the first Saturday of each month to share their latest and greatest blog posts.