Popcorn-one of my favorite snacks!

I love to do what I call "mindless eating." The problem is, it doesn't always love me. Chips are my favorite; but unhealthy-oh yeah! Popcorn to the rescue! It can be made as a sweet OR salty snack so I'm really in love. Now, I'm not talking about the microwave junk here. I'm talking about the real popcorn sold in bags that will make gallons of popcorn. By the way, the stuff is cheap! Here's what I do given that I don't have an air popper: Put 1-2 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil in a heavy, large pot (I promise, it won't taste sweet or like coconuts). Be sure you have a lid. Let warm on medium to medium-high then add about 3 tablespoons popcorn kernels. PUT THE LID ON! After a few minutes the poppin' will begin. Just shake occasionally until most of the kernels are popped. Now, you can dress it up. Sprinkle it with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and a bit of cheddar cheese powder for pizza flavored. For taco flavor just sprinkle with taco seasoning, store bought or homemade. The possibilities are endless. If you wanna make some to satisfy your sweet tooth just sprinkle with splenda and cinnamon or even some of a pouch of hot chocolate mix.

If you don't mind the unhealthy aspect of it, you can add butter and salt to it but coconut oil is actually good for you. Don't buy into the misconceptions about it. Dr. Oz agrees with me. Just check out his site and see for yourself. And don't be surprised when you find yourself using it as a moisturizer. Trust me. This stuff is like a miracle in a jar!

Anywho...it"s about time for me to make the popcorn! Happy Snackin', y'all!

WHAT LOVE IS NOT

What is love? There are as many definitions as there are people in love, I'm sure. Perhaps the true and only way to know what love is, is to know what it is NOT. Love is not controlling, rude, mean, or abusive. It does not tear you down~it builds you up. When God instituted the first marriage in the garden, He did not tell Adam it was acceptable to control or beat his wife, Eve. He gave Eve to Adam as a helpmeet, to be loved and treasured. God made us ladies very emotional, to a point that words are very important to us. Real men get this, weak men do not.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING ABUSED PLEASE CALL 1(800) 799 SAFE

Every 15 seconds a woman is abused in America. This should not be the case. If we, as parents, teach our children what is acceptable within a relationship the future statistics may change for the better. Parents of sons may have an even bigger responsibility to be sure that we do not teach our young men that it is ok to be controlling or abusive to women. Abuse can be in the form of emotional or physical, and the effects are not always visible. Dating abuse is also on the rise in America. 1 in 5 teens in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.*Liz Claiborne Inc., "Study on Teen Dating Abuse," (Teenage Research Unlimited, 2005), http://www.loveisnotabuse.com (available February 1, 2007). There is a good chance that you have been affected by some kind of abuse in your life, either directly or indirectly. It is time that we stand up against this most 'acceptable' form of abuse. We are all guilty of pushing some kind of domestic abuse under the rug. But I ask you, if it were your daughter...what would you do? Our inaction tells these women that it's ok to be abused and it also tells the abusers that they can keep on keepin' on! ENOUGH!!!! If an opportunity to directly help an abused woman doesn't present itself there are still options. You can donate to a local women's shelter or to an organization that helps abused woman get out of their situation.

So, on this Valentine's Day, won't you make a pledge to help an abused woman know what love really is? Because, chances are, if she is in an abusive relationship, she probably has no idea what true love really is. You can go to the DR. Phil website to find out other ways to help. http://drphil.com/shows/page/end_the_silence/

He Giveth More Grace

I am very often asked how I do it by other women and mothers. My answer is usually, "I don't know!" But that's not an entirely true statement. I know exactly how I do it...how I raise 6 children, how I get up before everyone (most days,LOL) and stay up later than everyone, how I cook and clean more times in a day than I can count, how I love my husband more than I knew I could love a man, how I work tirelessly for my church, how I devote my every waking thought and action to my lord Jesus~I do it ALL by His grace and for His kingdom. I am reminded daily that I cannot do 'it' without Him. You see, I didn't always have His grace. I am a new Christian, 3 years to be exact, so for the first 13 years of being a mother I didn't depend on Him, and I was miserable. I know what it's like to be at my rope's end, hanging on by the tiniest thread and having no way of escape from the frustration and stress. That was before I gave Him control over my life. Being a wife and mother is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it has been made a bit easier since that day three years ago. I still have tear-filled moments of frustration, the only difference between now and then is that I now spend those moments on my knees asking Him for a little more strength to make it. Here is a poem that I found recently that inspired this post. I pray that you read it and think of it when you feel like you cannot do 'it' one more second. Darlin', He is there with more grace each day & He knows your needs, all you need to do is receive it. Won't you let Him love on you and fill you with peace beyond all understanding?

He Giveth More Grace~ Annie J Flint

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.