Menu Planning Monday Mar. 31- April 6

Since the beginning of time, Women all across America do not want to spend Hours upon Hours slaving away to make Dinner. This week I am experimenting on making Dinner in less then 25 mins? I am sure most of you are saying Can it be done? Will it be Healthy? How many trips to the Store will I be making?

In order for this to work, I need to be organized. With a list prepared, I have already gone to the Store. The total cost for this week for 7 dinners that feeds 6 adults is $64.00 Yes, I shop by the Ads.

I will keep you updated daily on the outcome of each dish. Comments from my family, along with, "if I will make the dish again"

Monday: Egg-Ta Ta. Made with Hash Browns, Bacon & Cheese. Strawberry Spinach Salad. Prep Time: 10 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins.

Tuesday: Happy April Fools Day! Stewed Rabbit (Chunky Chicken Risotto) Green Beans, Garden Salad. Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins.

Wednesday: Steamed Salmon, Fresh Broccoli w/ Wilde Rice. Prep Time: 5 mins. Cook Time: 15 mins.

Thursday: Potato Leek Soup & Crusty Bread. Prep Time: 5 mins. Cook Time 20 mins.

Friday: Home-made Pizza & Ice Cream Sundaes. Total Prep: 10 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins. Making Memories=Priceless!!!

Saturday- Jambalaya w/ Kielbasa- Prep Time: 5 mins. Cook Time: 20 mins.

Sunday: Oliver Chicken w/Egg Noodles. Prep Time: 5 mins. Cook Time: 10-12 mins.

The Total cost for One Week of Dinners: $64.00 for a Family of 5
Please email me for the recipe or nutrition's: Mindy8221@gmail.com

March Madness

Today is the end of the Month, and the first day of the Baseball season. (Go Yankee's) Having three teenage boys along with their Dad, Sports is the MAIN point of conversation in our house. Nothing else...oh sometimes it might change if THEY WANT or NEED something.

Here is an example of a typical conversation with my Son Ryan (middle child)


Mom: How was your day today, tell me three exciting things that happened to you during your day.


Ryan: Mom, Are you crazy? I mean why do I have to answer that, my day was fine.


Mom: Because I love to hear you talk, I need to hear ALL about the choices you made today.


Ryan: Puzzled Look.

Sam: (youngest child) Ohhhh Ryan, do tell us about the choicest you made. Now Sam's face has changed like something out of a Pyco movie. Makes us all start to laugh...

Ryan: What the heck, why is everyone picking on me...

Josh: (oldest, bossiest child) Ryan just answer Mom so you can be done with it....

Mom: Done with WHAT? I am trying to ACT like I care....laughing...

Ryan: Hurry Mom, The first game is about to start and I want to watch some of it before I go to practice...

Mom: Just answer the question....I want to know.

Ryan: You really have to be kidding me, what is the question again?

Repeat this 10 times

This is just a small GLIMPSE into my daily life raising Three Boys. The title of a Chapter in my upcoming book will be...March Madness!

German Chocolate Bars

(24 servings)
2 pkgs. "JIFFY" Devil’s Food Cake Mix
1-1/2 cup quick oats
1 stick margarine or butter, softened
3 eggs
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 can (15 oz.) pecan coconut frosting
1-1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350°, grease 13"x9" baking pan.
Combine together cake mix, oats, margarine or butter and 1 egg until crumbly. Set aside 1-1/2 cups of crumbs. Press remaining mixture into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips on top. Beat cream cheese and 2 eggs until smooth. Mix in frosting and spread over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Bake 45 minutes.

Happy Hoppy Easter To All My Friends

Today Is 'Good Friday'

During Easter, we spend so much time focusing on the resurrection which is a wonderful thing and the reason for our hope, but sometimes we gloss right over the pain and suffering of the cross. The blood that was shed for MY sake. Today is Good Friday and honestly, right off the top of my head, I don't really remember why it's called "Good Friday". Today represents the day that my Lord and Savior struggled to carry that heavy wooden cross up to Golgotha (Calvary). Today represents the day that He was whipped and beaten beyond recognition. Today represents the day that those spikes were driven through His hands and feet and He hung on the cross with the weight of my sin on His chest....while His mother, Mary, looked upon Him with tears stinging her eyes.
Can you even imagine it?

Think about the pain we feel when we get a splinter in our hand? And if you're like me, the thought of my child feeling any pain, physically or emotionally, cripples me to a puddle of tears.

But Jesus endured every lash of that whip, the pain of the cross--His bones crushing from the weight and position of the cross...He was thinking of me...and He was thinking of you.

The Passion Of Christ

If you've never seen The Passion of the Christ, today would be a good day to watch it and be reminded of what the Lord has done for you. I know it's "Hollywood", but it really brought the story "to life" for me. I literally sobbed in the movie theater when it first was released and it probably doesn't hold a candle to the pain and suffering Jesus really went through that day.

So I urge you today to focus on the cross.

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

You Got Egged...

Egg a house this Easter season, your friends will love it! Instead of using real eggs - use plastic candy filled eggs.Go to your neighbors house and dump a bunch of candy-filled eggs on their porch and around their front lawn. Quickly put some eggs in their plants, trees, and on their patio furniture.When you're done leave them this note that says "You've been egged! Now egg someone else!" Knock hard on the front door and run!We were egged a couple days a go and the Boys LOVED it! We had so much fun last night "egging" two of our friends houses. It's a great way to start the Easter season.

Celebrate!

Proverbs 15:30 says : Smiling faces make us happy" Good News Bible
Have you ever wondered like I have why God set up so many "festivals" for the Jewish nation. It seemed like every time you turned around someone was having a party! Celebrating- I bet the heathen neighbors wanted to be Jewish just so they could have so many parties!!
Look at Leviticus Chapt 23 for the outline of the feasts;
The following website will give you a better explanation of all the Feasts
http://www.helium.com/items/610112-jewish-religion-honored-religions
There are 4 Spring Feasts & 3 Fall Feasts that's 7 parties A YEAR- Feasts means celebration for them; it meant, pleasure, dancing, singing, food, drinking, (I know Kelly be careful!) laughter, the JOYFUL gathering of friends & family, brought delight and joy, just like it does for us today!
Even in Nehemiah (Neh. 8:9-12) when the Jewish nation was in turmoil he COMMANDED the people to eat the choice food of the land, it was like him handing out chocolate, cookies & Pizza (which for me IS Choice Food)
I hope you get my point.
When we celebrate we are following a commandment of God, and through celebration we learn JOY-is that the neatest thing or what?
C.S. Lewis said "Joy is the serious business of heaven."
So if joy is the serious business of heaven, doesn't that mean that we should be learning how to be joyful?
And if celebration is how we "learn joy, then we should be celebrating as often as possible!
A caution here is that we should be responsible in our celebrations-In other words-do not let your celebrations become a demand for more and more pleasure & personal gratification-that's hedonism.
Hedonism always follows the law of diminishing returns-it's what produced joy in us yesterday that will no longer produce good feelings today. Hedonism is about self and if there is one thing I have learned it's NOT about me. So our celebrations should not be about self gratification.
Let me give you an example-I'm NOT talking about the type of "celebration" like girls gone wild. I'm talking about a gathering of friends & family that gives us the ability to see & feel the goodness in God's gifts to us. It might be a private celebration with just you and your spouse celebrating God's goodness. It could be a small gathering of close girlfriends to share tea, a family night with just you and kids playing games.......The point is through our celebration, no matter how large or small we're able to appreciate and delight in something God has shown us that we didn't notice yesterday. We might have thought them small or insignificant.
The cool thing is that is how we learn JOY. It's such a God thing isn't it?
How long have you thought of God as some old stick in the mud, always giving you a long list of do's & don'ts. Well, that's NOT the God I serve.
The JOY of the Lord is my strenghth! Amen!
God's wants us to celebrate more and increase our Joy. Joy is strength, being joy-less makes us weak.
John Ortberg says " We must arrange our lives so that sin no longer looks good to us." Sin leaves us joyless and weak. Joy gives us strength! That was an "ah ha!" moment for me. I thought I was pretty much sunk because God wired me wrong.
Joy is given to some as a gift, for me it's a learned skill and I have not mastered it yet, but I am working on it!
There is someone who wants you to live in sorrow, but it is not God.
Francis deSale wrote: The evil one is please with sadness and melancholy because he himself is sad & melancholy......hence he desires everyone shoudl be like himself."
What that says is sadness is the enemies work, not Gods.
God is the happiest being in the universe! Is there sorrow and saddness in our lives at times? Yes, but it should to be a temporary response to adversity in our lives, once we shine the light of God's love and His joy on it, those things dissappear. Once Jesus taught his followers the need for obedience, he also added his aim was that they should be filled with joy.
'I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." He is not talking about just any joy he is talking about God's joy.
Lewis Smede said "To miss out on joy is to miss out on the reason for your existence."
Wow....all this time I've been looking for God's will in my life and it's been to learn joy!
Don't we all tend to believe that joy will eventually "find us" when circumstances in our lives change? When I get that promotion, new car, new house, the kids move out.......
God's true joy comes when we devote our lives to something greater than OUR personal happiness.
A joy filled life is a live lived in spite of all the "somethings" we have in our lives. It's a life lived at a defiant nevertherless set at a full stop AGAINST bitterness & resentment.
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Kelly

House Hunting....

After a long, long, LOOOOOOOONG weekend of exhaustive/ing day of house hunting/style perusing/measuring/rethinking/and picture taking, we FOUND the house . . . the PERFECT house for us. I was even able to get a photo to show you.

As you will see, it has all the rooms we need. It is also not just your ordinary box on a lot. It has character which I found WOEFULLY lacking in some of the other homes we saw.

This one just seemed to fit the bill.

One of the things I cannot WAIT to do it decorate, and I hope you will all feel free to lend me a cyber hand as I tackle the task. As we looked at empty speck homes and decorated designer model homes today, I was truly convinced the more ideas you have the better. I would LOVE for you to leave comments regarding the types of decor you think might work in this home.

Thank you for your comments in advance. I know they will come in very handy as we now tackle the likes of Home Depot, Lowe’s, The Great Indoors, Bed Bath and Beyond and the like.

Take a look and then let me know where to start.

To Our Soldiers.....

I don’t know your name. I don’t know your family or the place you call home. I haven’t witnessed your special talents, nor enjoyed your sense of humor. I don’t know your aspirations, your dreams, your fears. I don’t know what life is like for you… far from your family, friends and your country. But I do know that you’re making a tremendous sacrifice.

I wonder what inspired you to serve our country. I wonder if you thought about it as a child. I wonder if you signed your name boldly or if you’ve ever felt regret. I wonder how you feel when you hear fellow American’s criticize the war and your role in it. Nobody likes war. Not even our President. And I’m quite sure you feel the same way.

I think about you often, and always do when I travel by air. I see you in the airport. I watch you go through extensive effort to untie your bootlaces before sending them through the security conveyer belt. I see you hauling your heavy backpack and sleeping in your coach seat. I wonder what your hair was like before you had to shave it off. I wonder if you’re coming home or going away. I feel an urge to talk to you, but the lump in my throat and an overwhelming sense of gratitude paralyzes me. What I want to say is…

Thank You

Thank you for being brave. Thank you for cherishing freedom. Thank you for volunteering to put our country before your personal needs and desires. Thank you for protecting me… and the people I love.

My wish for you and the people around you… peace.

Much JOY.
Mindy

An American Hero

Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhardt, was superintendent of the 22nd Wing Medical Group out of McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas.

Chief master Sgt. John Gebhardt's wife, Molly, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.

This, my friends, is worth sharing with the WORLD! Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news.

Please keep this going.

Nothing will happen if you don't, but the American public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that what we're doing over there is making a difference. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.

Rocking The Boat

It has been 6 months since I retired from Dream Dinners. Many have asked me what I think of the Industry today. I am saddened. I do hope Darin Leonard, from One Accord, CEO of Dream Dinners can be the "super dream" hero and turn it around.

But it takes Innovation. Does He or Anyone at Dream Dinners have Innovation?

What exactly is innovation? Is it the result of long, arduous trials and errors? Or is it a practice that can be broken down into parts and learned? More importantly, does your company know how to effectively position its innovations and differentiation in the marketplace in order to drive sales and increase market share?

Are you ready to read more….I am LONNNNG winded on this one!

Rocking the Boat

Good managers solve problems, but great leaders create problems and then empower others in their organization to solve them. Creating problems leads directly to innovation. Of course, deliberately creating problems is counterintuitive; we’re wired to avoid problems. Culturally we’re trained to get rid of problems.
Businesses are structured to reward managers for their problem-solving skills.

However, the keys to the executive suite are not available to managers who only solve problems. Does your organization have structures in place to reward people who create problems? What could happen when you don’t have those structures?

More than a century ago, Henry Ford built an innovative company to solve a problem he created: make it possible for every American household to own an affordable automobile. He solved the problem by creating the assembly line. The people of Ford Motor Company changed the world. But, the company didn’t look ahead, didn’t pose new problems, didn’t continue innovating. When GM introduced style and color in its cars, Ford lost market share to this new innovator.

In 1979, Sony brilliantly created the personal audio market with the Walkman. The company created a problem: develop a device that will allow individuals to listen to music privately, anywhere, anytime. Today, however, Apple dominates the digital personal audio market with a 78% market share in the U.S. Signs that


Your Company Lacks an Innovative Culture:
Your CEO spends more than 10% of his or her time solving problems. Top leadership needs to challenge the CEO to create a problem or take it upon itself to bring a challenge to him or her.
Your company is content with the status quo. Being content leaves you vulnerable to competitors who can disrupt your business model. Without risk, innovation becomes happenstance.
Your company’s top line is growing while your bottom line is shrinking.
Your products or services have become a commodity. There is nothing to differentiate you from your competitors. This is an ideal time to create a problem for your organization.

Employees are afraid of failure. A learning and innovative culture embraces failure; a project that fails can still be valuable to the company’s larger goals.
Employees should be encouraged to create problems themselves.

Management is disconnected from employees in terms of innovative ideas and moving the company forward. Often, companies make the mistake of going it alone—relying solely on management and/or research and development to come up with innovative and creative ideas, instead of engaging the brainpower of employees throughout the organization.


How to Create an Innovative Culture

1. Lay out the problem clearly, with a definite objective.
2. Make sure people have the tools they need to solve the problem you or your CEO created.
3. Get out of the employees’ way as they solve it. Empower them to innovate.


Jack Welch, when taking over as General Electric’s CEO, declared that every division must rank number 1 or number 2 in its industry—or be sold. Welch dared to imagine a future dramatically different from the past. This was'nt just a “cut costs by 3%” memo; this was a whole new vision, which could only be fulfilled by committed people with a new perspective on their business units and the possibilities. What must happen to ensure buy-in for a vision that appears to be a problem? Organizations must design a culture that embraces a new mindset toward problems. Welch’s problem gave people in the corporation a greater purpose. He didn’t demand that people work harder and do better. He gave them an objective which didn’t require him to micro manage. Individuals were responsible for creating goals for which they could claim ownership.

When a leader declares a future that doesn’t exist, it’s inherently a problem. It breaks from the past; it may demand new skills and competencies. When the leader stands for something bigger than the problem, however, that stand becomes the value system of the organization. The value system inspires and motivates people to innovate. When people are empowered to be innovative, their commitment increases; they have a chance to take new actions and be proud of their accomplishments. Indeed, when people are allowed to create problems themselves, cost efficiencies, new products, and new services are created. Strategically Position Your Company Once you have created a truly innovative culture it’s important that you, as a leader, facilitate a communication structure and strategically position your company as an innovator in the marketplace.

You’ve heard the old saying, “If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one to hear it, did it make a sound?”

The same is true for companies: if your company is highly innovative, but prospects and customers don’t know it, do your innovations really exist? It’s critical that companies understand how to position or reposition themselves in their industry. This involves developing a positioning statement that clearly differentiates your company from competitors, underscores your company’s strengths and explains how your company and its products/services provide a solution to a problem.

A positioning statement is not a tag line; it’s a sentence or two that establishes your leadership position in your industry. It also provides direction for the company and keeps everyone focused on a common goal. And, it’s important that it rings true with all constituents. It should be articulated by everyone in the company, from the CEO to the receptionist.

Risk and Reward You can’t have reward without risk. And nothing holds greater risks—and potential rewards—than creating problems in order to create the new products and markets that will transform your company into a recognized leader in its field.

One risk you can’t afford to take is being complacent and accepting the status quo—that’s perhaps the riskiest course of all.


Sources: www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/199907/99-059/ www.itworld.com/Tech/5051/060420appleipod/ www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dt13as.html

"Our God Reigns"

Rain although not always convenient is always necessary.

Look at the following scripture:
Psalm 147:8 (NIV)

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

Today I want to focus on rain. Not the meteorological kind of rain, but instead the rains of life. It has been said that “in each life a little rain must fall.” This statement is very true, and yet minimizes the truth. Life doesn’t just come with a little rain, but sometimes it comes with storms and torrential downpours.

So why do we go through these rainstorms of life? Notice in the verse I quoted above that grass grows on the hills because of the rain. Ultimately the rains come into your life to make your life more fertile for the blessings of God. I want to focus on the rains that may be in your life today.

You see some of the rains we encounter in life are sent to deal with the hardness in our hearts. The rains come to soften the rough edges in our life. God uses these times to make the soil of our hearts fertile for His purposes. As our hearts begin to soften they become pliable and are easily molded. The softening of our heart allows for greater nurture and spiritual health.

This morning you may have awoken to a rain cloud pouring down in your life. If this is true, take heart, be thankful that the rain has come. God is working to soften and mold you, so that your life will be abundantly fruitful.

Much JOY,

Mindy

Recipe Of The Week- Home-Made Tomatoe Soup

I like to saute both the onion and tomatoes together....

Chop up Parsley, Basil, an a tiny bit of Rosemary....

Slowly Add the Cream, for a lighter version, use skim milk....

The Finished Product!



INGREDIENTS
3 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
24 fresh basil leaves, Handful of Parsley & Rosemary to taste, minced
1-1/4 teaspoons sugar
1-1/3 cups whipping cream
2/3 cup butter or margarine


DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil and sugar. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted.

EnJOY!

Menu Planning Mar. 10-16

This week the meals have a bit more prep time, with the Boys taking more of a active role in preparing dinner the time is usually cut in half. All entrees that I make serve a minimum of 8-10. To keep cost consistent, I will double this and freeze and use for the following month, or give to a friend in need. In the following week, I will post "How to Prepare Dinner in a Fast Food Lane" Stay Tune....

Monday- Clam chowder w/ Sour Dough Rolls, Garden Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 35 mins

Tuesday- Veggie Ham Strata, Fruit Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 20 mins. Cook Time; 25 mins.

Wednesday- Chicken Stir-Fry, Brown Rice, Spinach Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins

Thursday- Fresh Spinach Manicotti Roll-Ups, Caesar Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 35 mins

Friday- Home-Made Pizza U-Make & Ice Cream Sundaes. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 for 5 Pizza’s Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 30 mins. Making memories=Priceless!

Saturday- Apricot Onion-Glazed Chicken, Potatoes Wedge & Steamed Veggies. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins.

Sunday- Dream Dinners Arroz Con Polo- (We are having some Friends over for dinner) Cost of Dinner: $44.00 for serving of 8. Total Prep Time: ZERO! Cook Time: 45 mins. I do not mind having to pay for this convenience for a lazy Sunday Afternoon. For more information: www.dreamdinners.com choose the Poulsbo, WA Store.

The Total cost for One Week of Dinners: $84.00 for a Family of 5

Please email me for the recipe's or nutritionals: Mindy8221@gmail.com

Our Sweet Baby Bernadette

Bernadette Keick Byers

6.5lbs 17inches

Born: 3.7.08 4:00p.m

Parents: Ron & Barbara Byers

NJ

Ron & Barbara are Roman Catholic so they named the baby after a Saint. The funeral is sometime this week, still not sure on all the details. My husband will be going home on Monday to be with his family during this very sad time.

Barbara you are my HERO. I personally can not imagine having a C-Section, then have to return your sweet baby back to Jesus so soon.

Please Pray....

It is with sad news to share with everyone. My sister-in law today delivered a baby girl (Bernadette) Unfortunately, she was born is major health issues, and is home with the Lord.

I am asking all my friends to lift my Husband's Brother (Ron) and wife (Barbara) and 4 girls during this unexpected time.

People Of Integrity

I was laying in bed last night and could not sleep. The pain was intense. During these times I surrender and say to God, 'OK, You got my attention!' I get excited because I have learned something great is about to happen. I then start to journal and that is where God truly blesses me. My prayer is that Others will receive this as well.

Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

Integrity is one of those things we all seek in those we interact with, but sadly it is becoming harder and harder to find. In today’s cut throat world, people will use every means, tactic and scheme to get ahead. Decisions are made in boardrooms all across America without a thought being given to those who are affected in the aftermath.

I often hear those of the “builder” generation talking about a simpler time when a man’s handshake was binding and a promise could be counted on. I was very blessed to have the concept of integrity lived out in front of me. My father has always been a man of his word even when it wasn’t popular or easy. As the years have gone by, I have watched many of his peers and counterparts fall by the wayside, because they were willing to compromise, but in the end my dad stood strong and survived.

People of integrity have firm footing, because they do not shift with opinion, pressure or temptation. A man or woman of integrity is the same whether no one is watching or the whole world is watching. Integrity runs much deeper than action, but is instead a core value that comes from within.

This week many of you will have opportunity to compromise your values, beliefs and morals. This will be a crossroads for you…will you be true to what you believe in or will you bend to conform? Sadly with compromise you may see some temporal gain, but in the long run, your compromise will catch up with you.

This week I challenge you to make a commitment to integrity. Commit that no matter how tempting the compromise, you will stand for doing what is right. In the end, your stance will cause you to stand out. People will see you as trustworthy and honest. Your input and influence will carry much more weight, because your character will have proven itself time and time again.

Much JOY,

Mindy

Work With Enthusiasm

Life can be so complicated at times. We set out wide-eyed and eager on the various journeys that we are called to, but inevitably the trials and tribulations come. Even the most optimistic and upbeat person can lose their enthusiasm if they are not careful to guard their heart.

Over the last several weeks I had found myself in just such a place. My awakening point, if you will, was an email from a dear friend who simply asked: “Where has your enthusiasm gone?” My friend continued to observe that I was adrift in a sea of negativity…and she was right!!! In a recent phone call with a friend, I asked the question: “How do you keep moving forward when there is no wind left in your sails.” Before I give you the counsel of this wise friend, I want to share this verse with you:

Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)
Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

My friend helped me to see that I was basing my enthusiasm on the response of others and not on the one for whom I work. To put it simply I was finding myself worn down by the response of others to the things the Lord is asking me to do. In reality, the only thing that truly matters is that I be faithful to His leading and put the response of others in His hands.

I already knew that I “perform” for an audience of One, but sometimes the divide between knowing it and living it can be expansive. I had to re-adjust my focus. I had to clarify who it is that I must please. The bottom line is…it is God!!! Wow, what a breakthrough….what a relief….what a burden lifted!!!

It is so much simpler when I focus solely on Him. I am finding a renewed excitement and enthusiasm. Even though I care deeply, My focus is no longer on fixing people problems, but is instead back on the one I truly work for.

This week you may find that your enthusiasm is a bit lacking. I encourage you to take a few moments and refocus on who it is you truly work for. When you put your eyes back on him your work will become a JOY and you will once again become exceedingly enthusiastic!

Ethics 101

Due to some requests of Meal Assembly Owners, I am re-posting, This is a great Book!

John Maxwell wrote a great book on the subject of ethics. The title... Ethics 101. Sounds a bit basic to you? It should, because doing what is right is very basic.

When Mr. Maxwell was first approached about writing a book on ethics he was asked something along the line of "John, why don't you write a book on business ethics?" To which Mr. Maxwell replied, "there's no such thing." Not understanding his reply, his friend asked him to clarify at which point Maxwell made this statement:

"There's no such thing as business ethics, there's only ethics."

Simplicity is profound isn't it? So ethics in selling, or any other facet of business, is the same as non-business ethics and can be defined by simple (thus the 101) principles. Most notable by Mr. Maxwell - The Golden Rule. Treating people the way you would like them to treat you.

Maxwell writes, "Asking the question 'how would I like to be treated in this situation?' is an integrity guideline for any situation."

Now plug this concept into selling, and situations that arise in selling transactions, and you have some great questions to ask yourself... check this out:

*How to do you treat individuals that don't say yes to your offering?
*How do you treat gatekeepers that don't let you in?
*How do you report your expenses on your expense report? *How do you speak about your competition?
*Are you honest in all your dealings with your clients and your company?

Finally, if you were a client or you owned a company... how would like to be treated?

Recipe Of The Week- Fettuccine Alfredo

I am posting this recipe because my family LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Fettuccine Alfredo, but it's always been a restaurant dish that I would not even think about indulging in.

BUT the Boys requested it last week for one day this week.

Now granted you can't sit and eat SPOONFULS out of the pot without consequence....in moderation. When I made it, (I do my dinners in the morning, because of how busy we get in the afternoon) I tasted it (at 7 am and almost began to eat spoonfuls!

IT'S THAT GOOD!

Knowing just how good dinner was going to be I ate only an apple...which I KNOW is not the best approach....but I KNEW this was worth all the calories! SO....here is the recipe!

Enjoy!

ALFREDO SAUCE

12 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
1 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup Butter
8 ounces Neufchatel cheese, cubed (cream cheese)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup shreded grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water cook fettuccine and drain.
2. Combine milk, cubed Neufchatel cheese, butter or margarine, garlic powder, onion powder, minced garlic, and salt. Stir until smooth. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until blended.
3. Toss pasta with Alfredo sauce and serve warm.

All you need is a salad to go with this....NOW again, it's NOT fat free...but....it is DELICIOUS!!

Menu Planning Monday Mar. 3-9

The family dinner table represents the connection we have with each other...

Each person sitting at the table isn't there by accident, but is a God-given gift and a specific fit for your family....

MONDAY: Meatloaf, Garlic mashed Potatoes’, Salad, the meatloaves are made in muffin tins (WHAT a great idea) Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 5 mins. (Meatloaf out of freezer) Cook Time: 35 mins

TUESDAY: Fettuccine Alfredo, (See Posted Recipe) Garden Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 10 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins

Wednesday: Slow Cook Chicken w/Dumplings, Fruit Salad Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: Crock-Pot. Cook Time: 45 mins.

THURSDAY: Pork Rolls, Fried Rice, Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 20 mins. Cook Time: 15 mins.

FRIDAY: Home Made Pizza U-Make. Caesar Salad. Cost of Dinner: $8.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 25 mins.

Saturday: Cheese Burger Soup (Taste Of Home) Rolls & Green Beans. Cost of Dinner: $ 4.00 Total Prep Time: 15 mins. Cook Time: 1 hr.

Sunday- Family Restaurant Day! Cost for 5 family members: $100.00= Priceless!

The Total Cost for One Week Of Dinners: $144.00

If you would like the recipes & nutritionals just email me: Mindy8221@gmail.com

What is For Dinner Around The World?

If I had the opportunity to give every woman on the planet a gift, it would be a vase of flowers for the middle of their dinner tables to remind them that this is a sacred place where their families are not only fed but are nurtured and loved--where heartstrings are tied and relationships realigned..."

An poignant demonstration of what is eaten in one week by various families around the world...

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope most American families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)
Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mex ican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Suddenly, my lack of Thin Mints seem ever so trivial in the midst of these findings. How I really wish that I could send my pantry contents to the last few...

In His Hands

"Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or failures;that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity.

Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrowonly in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear todisplease anyone except YOU.

May I always seek the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal.

May I shun any JOY that is without YOU and never seek any that is beside YOU.

O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for YOU and tireof any of rest that is apart from YOU. Let me direct my heart towards YOU, and in my failings always repent with a purpose of amendment.

St. Thomas Aquinas

have a wonderful Sunday

Potatoe Or PoTAtoe....From Chef Kelly

This Spuds for You!
Potatoes: I’m asked a lot by my students what potato to use for certain dishes, there are so many out there to choose from, here is a short/easy guide for you to use

*Baking & Mashing: My fav way to eat spuds!
Use High Starch potatoes-russets & Idaho’s are perfect for fluffy drier mashed spuds & the best fresh fries!
* Over all Use spud: the award goes to-Yukon Golds & other yellow fleshed potatoes which have a medium starch content-good for if you prefer creamier to fluffy mashed potatoes or pan frying & are a good choice for a change of pace potato salad.
*Roasting, Boiling & Salads-Red potatoes, they tend to be lower in starch but higher in sugar content that lends them to brown easier and roast to a caramelized deeeelishishness.
*Specialty Spuds-Russian fingerlings, Peruvian Blues, these are just two of a plethora of specialty spuds now available at local farmers markets & super markets- use them to make show stopping roasted potatoes with a sliced yam or two some olive oil & fresh snipped thyme, rosemary & garlic!

Simple Dinners for Two!
Now that I’m officially a working “empty-nester” it’s just me and my hubby (and our pup), I’ve found dinner time can get….. well to be too much! I’m on a learning curve to scale back my recipes so we don’t drown in leftovers and eat the same meal all week long! It can be a challenge to cook/bake for two but I’m already working on that for you so stayed tuned!!

So here are two suggestions for quick & easy Simple Dinners for Two-

Made for a Meal Stuffed Baked Potatoes-
2 large Russet or Idaho bakers
1/3 cup Ranch Dressing-the pre-made kind
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese plus