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Cazapple Juice

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Cazapple Juice

Cazapple Juice

Two of the most popular foods to juice are carrots and apples. This recipe features both, along with a little zucchini (which you don't even taste). You'll experience a burst of energy after just one glass of this wonderfully sweet juice.
4 from 5 votes
Print Recipe
Course Drinks
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large carrots, unpeeled
  • 2 apples, unpeeled, cored, and cut into slices
  • 2 medium zucchini, unpeeled and quartered

Instructions
 

  • Wash produce well. Feed into juicer, and enjoy.
  • Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 8 ounces or 1 cup)

Holy Week Prayer Guide

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“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” – 1 Tim. 2:1,3-4

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, a sacred time commemorating the final days of Jesus’ life on this earth. As we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection and victory over death next Sunday, we must be mindful of why Jesus came in the first place  – “to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).”

Those of us who have been wonderously saved by grace must not forget why we are here. Our mission is the same – to bring glory to God and to bring people to Him.

What should we be doing this week to prepare for Easter? We must get on our knees and pray. God is working in the lives of people all around us, and it’s vital that we intercede for them.

Following is a prayer guide to get you started. May God do what only He can do this week – open hearts and draw people to Himself.

Monday – Unsaved members in your family; pray that the Lord would stir their hearts this week and that they would realize their need for Jesus.

Tuesday – Divine appointments to share Christ; ask God to open your eyes to see hurting people that He brings across your path; boldness to speak truth.

Wednesday – Unsaved friends; pray for opportunities; invite them to church this Sunday; ask God to break down the walls in their hearts.

Thursday – Missionaries around the world; pray for specific ones you know by name; strength and protection as they reach the lost; ask God to give them a great harvest; pray for the people groups they are working with, that the Lord will do a mighty work and many would be saved.

Friday – Christians all around the world as we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins; that we would spend time meditating on God’s great love for us and that this time of reflection would result in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord; we would be fervent in prayer over the next three days and ready to share Christ.

Saturday – Your pastor and leadership team; pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing over your pastor, that the Lord would go before him and prepare his heart for what to share on Sunday; pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in the services.

Sunday – That the lost would be found today and brought into God’s kingdom; that those for whom we’ve been praying would respond to God’s invitation for salvation; that nothing would prevent people from going to church today if the Spirit is calling them.

Banana Stacks

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banana stacks

 

Banana Stacks

Banana Stacks features two foods that, in my opinion, were designed to go together - bananas and peanut butter (or almond butter for those with peanut sensitivities). With this recipe, you get a little bit of protein mixed with carbohydrates for energy. It really is the perfect treat.
3.17 from 24 votes
Print Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 4
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large ripe bananas
  • ¼ cup all-natural peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter

Instructions
 

  • Peel bananas, and cut into ¼ to ½-inch slices (about 12 per banana). Spread about 1 teaspoon almond butter on half of the slices. Top with the remaining slices.
  • Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 4 stacks)

Notes

  • Great for an after-school snack for your children.
  • Spread Date Honey on top of the peanut butter in each stack.
    Sprinkle each stack with cinnamon.
  • Add chopped dates or raisins to tops of stacks.
  • Put in freezer until firm (3-4 hours) for a cool treat.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSugar: 5gCalcium: 5mg

 

The God of Second Chances

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When I’m on my skates, things happen. Spiritual things. Not anything super weird or freaky. Just God’s voice speaking. Prompting. Convicting.

This past Monday was an unseasonably warm winter day here in the Ozarks. I took advantage of the sunshine by heading out to one of my favorite local trails. After about 15 minutes, I passed a young woman and immediately noticed her posture. Her head was slightly lowered, with her eyes staring at the ground. Her body language shouted, “I’m so sad!”

I skated on. A distant memory surfaced from last July. The same trail. Rollerblading. A young woman.

Nah.

Something else caught my attention, and I moved on to the next train of thought. Then, during my final mile, I saw her again. This time she was sitting on a bench. Same slumped posture. Same sad gaze.

I sensed that God wanted me to stop and talk to her. Yet, I struggled with knowing if that “sense” was really from Him. I said aloud, “God, how do I know it’s you? How can I be sure?”

I needed a visible sign and decided to “put out a fleece” like Gideon did in Judges 6. Therefore, my plan was this: If the woman was still seated when I passed the bench a second time, I would stop. If not, then I wouldn’t.

When I came to the turnaround point on the trail, I skated back in her direction. I saw the bench. I saw her on it. As I got closer, though, I saw her getting up! I decided to go for it anyway.    I said, “This may sound really strange, but I feel like the Lord wants me to tell you something. He wants you to know He loves you.”

She stopped abruptly, gave me a puzzled, almost angry look, and said with a thick accent, “You LOVE me? What the h— is that all about?”

“No, no!” I said, seeing her confusion as result of the language barrier. “God loves you. He wants you to know He sees your sadness, and He loves you.”

Then, she understood. She relaxed. She listened.

As I looked into her eyes, I also understood. The flashback from last summer came at me again, this time in full force. The young woman who approached me last July was the same woman standing before me. That day I had missed an opportunity to share Christ’s love with her. I had turned my back on a divine appointment. Yet, in God’s great mercy, He had answered my prayer for another chance. Little did I know, though, that the second chance would not be with another stranger, but with the very one He had sent my way the first time.

I was overwhelmed. All I could do was say, “Thank you, God,” as I talked with my new friend from Bulgaria.

(To read about my initial encounter, read Divine Appointment.)

Raspberry-Pecan Smoothie

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Raspberry-Pecan Smoothie

Raspberry-Pecan Smoothie

4.89 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Breakfast, Drinks, Snack
Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 cup spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 large frozen banana, peeled, sliced
  • ½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth.
  • Yield: 2 servings (serving size: about 8 ounces or 1 cup)

Video

Notes

  • You can also use unsweetened rice or soy milk.
  • To freeze bananas, remove peels before placing in freezer. Put in a plastic zip-top bag.
  • If using fresh fruit, you can add chopped ice to make your smoothie cold.
  • Add 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSugar: 11gCalcium: 4mg

 

Grace in a Laundry Basket

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Heaping Basket of Laundry

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” –  2 Corinthians 9:15

When my daughter asked, “What’s for breakfast?” I knew she wouldn’t be happy with my answer. Anticipating some resistance, I replied in a cheery voice, “Oatmeal.” Although I had expected a slight frown or a huge sigh, I was completely shocked at her response.

“Why can’t we have cereal or something else? Is there a problem with that?!” she said.

I was speechless. My daughter had never spoken to me in that tone of voice, nor had she ever uttered such disrespectful words. Taking a deep breath, I said in the calmest voice I could muster, “No, but there is a BIG problem with your attitude.

I explained that her behavior was unacceptable. Her punishment was two-fold: 1) she was grounded from playing games on the computer for a week (I knew that would hurt), and 2) she was to fold a heaping basket of clean laundry for me. My daughter sat on the floor and sulked, taking her sweet time with the clothes. Fifteen minutes later, it was time for school. She wasn’t even close to being done, so I said, “Just leave it. You can finish when you get home.”

Once I’d dropped the girls off at school, I went rollerblading to clear my head. I was upset that our morning started off like it did. As I skated, though, the Lord gave me an idea on how to turn a frustrating experience into a teachable moment.

When I got home, I sat on the living room floor and folded every piece of laundry. I wasn’t excusing my daughter for her rudeness or letting her “get away with it.” Rather, I wanted to give her a concrete example of a wonderful spiritual reality. After putting the clothes in their proper places, I placed a sign on the empty basket that said, “GRACE.”

Grace in a Laundry Basket

As soon as I my daughter walked into the living room later that day, she asked, “What happened to the clothes?”

“Do you see that sign on the front?” I asked. She nodded yes. “What does GRACE mean?”

She replied, “It means doing something for someone when they don’t deserve it.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Even though you didn’t deserve it, I folded the clothes for you. What you did was wrong, but I forgave you. I showed you grace. That’s exactly what God did when He sent Jesus to the cross. We deserved death, but Jesus took our place. He died for us and paid the penalty for our sin.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Eternal life is not something we can earn. We can’t make it to Heaven on our own merit.

I gave my daughter a gift she didn’t deserve. God gives us an even greater gift – eternal life! He extends salvation freely to anyone and everyone who trusts in Him. If you don’t yet know the Lord as Savior, you can. Today. Right now. God will wipe away your mountain of sin. All you have to do is believe and then receive His gift of grace.

How to Become a Christian

According to the Bible, if you want to become a follower of Christ, you need to:

  • A – Admit that you are a sinner in need of God’s grace.
  • B – Believe that Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God, lived a perfect life, died for your sins, and rose again to give you eternal life.
  • C – Confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness.

Following is a sample prayer for salvation. Of course, you should use your own words to talk to God, but this might help guide you:

“God, I acknowledge that I’m a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I’m sorry for the life I’ve lived. I repent of my sin (turn away from it) and choose to follow you. Your Word says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).” I believe you sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place. I believe Jesus paid the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead on the third day. Today, God, I accept your gift of salvation. I declare that Jesus is now my Savior and Lord of my life. Thank you, God, for saving me. Thank you for making a way for me to have a personal relationship with you. I want all that I do to bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Super Easy Guacamole

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super easy guacamole

Super Easy Guacamole

When I was younger, I wouldn't have touched guacamole with a 10-foot pole. Now, I eat it nearly every day. Sometimes I go gourmet and whip up a big bowl of Guacamole with a Little Kick. But most of the time I make this simple recipe, which takes minutes to prepare.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 8
Calories 148 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 5 medium avocados
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon salt, according to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit (just gently squeeze till it pops out). Use a large spoon to scoop the fruit into a medium-sized bowl. Add the lime juice and salt. Mash with a fork to desired consistency.
  • Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about ¼ cup)

Notes

  • Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Add 1/4 cup Salsa.
  • Use as a dip with fresh vegetables.
  • Spread on top of Chipotle Black Bean Burgers.
  • The trick to perfect guacamole is ripe avocados. Check for ripeness by gently pressing the outside of the avocado. If there is n­o give, the avocado is not ready yet and will not taste good. If there is a lot of give, the avocado is ripe. Beware of too much softness, though, because that usually means the avocado may be over ripe and won’t taste good.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSugar: 1gCalcium: 1mg

Peach Salsa

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Peach Salsa

Peach Salsa

When you hear the word "salsa," more than likely you think of a dip with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. However, this delicious salsa recipe is made with fruit instead of vegetables. Its light, refreshing taste will surprise you. Serve with baked tortilla chips or as a topping for a green salad.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 6
Calories 10 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches
  • 1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
  • 2 tablespoons finely red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Mix ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, and stir well. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or until chilled. Serve.
  • Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1/4 cup)

Notes

  • Substitute ½ teaspoon dried cilantro or parsley for fresh.
  • If you're a salsa fan, be sure to try these recipes: Salsa and Green Salsa Bean Dip.

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 2gSugar: 1gCalcium: 1mg

 

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

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Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

This recipe takes the wonderful flavor of nuts to a whole new level. You'll love the combination of a little sweetness and a tad bit of spice. A great snack for the Daniel Fast or any time you need a protein boost.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Recipe
Course Snack
Servings 6
Calories 196 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup raw almonds
  • ½ cup raw pecans
  • ½ cup raw walnut halves
  • 1 tablespoon Date Honey
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chile seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line an 11 x 17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a silicone mat) and set aside. Put nuts in a large bowl. In a separate smaller bowl, mix Date Honey, water, olive oil, chipotle chile seasoning, and salt. Use a fork or small whisk to combine. Pour over nuts, and stir until well coated.
  • Spread nuts evenly on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour, stirring about halfway through cooking time.
  • Cool and serve. Store in an airtight container.
  • Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about ¼ cup)

Notes

  • Substitute any of the listed nuts with Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, or peanuts.
  • Use red cayenne pepper in place of the chipotle chile seasoning (you may want to decrease the amount a little unless you like super spicy food!).
  • This recipe can easily be doubled.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 18gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gCalcium: 4mg

Look for Opportunities to Love

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bellefinds10bucks“Make the most of every opportunity.” – Ephesians 5:16, NLT

My oldest daughter, Isabelle, has a gift that never ceases to amaze me. No matter where we go, she always seems to find some kind of treasure on the ground. She notices things that the rest of us miss, and, most of the time, it’s money!

For example, this past summer we traveled to New York City to visit my husband’s parents. One afternoon we took the girls to Coney Island, and she found $10 on the Boardwalk!

Things like that happen all the time! Just a few weeks ago, Isabelle spotted a $5 bill near our car at a gas station. However, she doesn’t keep finding money because she is “lucky.” The reason she frequently makes such discoveries is because she looks for them. Her eyes are always searching for the next big find.

As believers, we must have our spiritual eyes open to what God is doing around us. Every day, we encounter people who need to be seen. People who are hurting. People who just want to be noticed and loved. Unless we’re looking, though, we won’t see them.

Today, I encourage you to find ways to share Christ’s love with others. Maybe the Lord wants you to pray with a co-worker or help a family in your neighborhood. Or, perhaps He is prompting you to have a spiritual discussion with a member of your family. Simply step out in faith, and trust the Lord to guide you. He will show you what to say and do.

When you ask God for such opportunities, you should expect them to receive them. Therefore, approach this day in anticipation of divine appointments! May the Lord go before you and prepare the way!

Silician Beans and Rice

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Sicilian Beans and Rice

Sicilian Beans and Rice

Italy is a placed I've always wanted to visit. In fact, I plan to travel there someday with my husband before we're both too old to enjoy it! One particular region of Italy has a long history of producing noted cuisines. Because of their reputation for quality food, Sicily is often referred to as "God's Kitchen." Some of the best recipes in the world come from this area. This recipe is a tribute to my husband's Italian heritage. I hope I can make the Sicilians proud with this dish. It contains many of their most-loved ingredients - garlic, tomato sauce, basil, parsley, and fennel. You might be surprised to see rice in this recipe, but, believe it or not, Italians do take a break from pasta to enjoy other foods!
3.25 from 12 votes
Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Servings 8
Calories 198 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed, drained, slightly mashed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cups cooked brown rice

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet, and add onions. Cook until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic, and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly so garlic doesn’t burn. Add remaining ingredients, and cook, uncovered, over low heat for 30 minutes. To serve, place ½ cup rice in a bowl or on a plate, and top with ½ cup beans.
  • Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about ½ cup beans and ½ cup rice)

Notes

  • Instead of brown rice, use quinoa or whole grain pasta.
  • Top with sliced olives.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 7gFat: 2gFiber: 7gSugar: 4gCalcium: 3mg

 

My One Word for 2013

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rejoice mugEach January since 2011, I’ve asked God to give me one word for the year, a word that describes a special work He wants to do in and through me. The first year, my word was SATISFIED. Last year, it was PEACE.

For the past few days, I’ve been praying for my 2013 word. I want to share how the Lord revealed and confirmed it, all in one day:

1) When I woke up Thursday morning, I had the word “REJOICE” on my mind. I distinctly remember seeing the word in my dream, although I can’t tell you anything about the context.

2) Thursday afternoon, I sat in the sauna for about 30 minutes after exercising. I had my headphones on, listening to our local Christian music station. One of the commercials was for a clothing store. I wasn’t really paying too much attention to it until the last sentence of the ad. The final word was REJOICE. I laughed, thinking it was odd, but still not really sure that was my word.

3) Later that night, I was scrolling through the hundreds of photos on my iPhone, and I came across this photo of my REJOICE mug. My friend, Bonnie, gave me the mug in September, after I spoke at the women’s retreat she organized. Little did she know that her present would hold much more significance than a simple “thank you.”

After having these three experiences in one day, I am convinced. My one word for 2013 is REJOICE, which means:

  • to feel or show great joy or delight.
  • to be glad.
  • to fill with joy.

I believe God gave me this word because He wants me to experience and express greater joy this year. Following are ways in which I can grow in this area:

1) To choose joy daily, recognizing that each day is a gift from God.

  • “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

2) To be filled with joy at all times, even in difficult circumstances.

  • “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again–rejoice!”  – Philippians 4:4, NLT

3) To have a glad heart that encourages joy in others, which brings glory to God.

  • “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” – Revelation 19:7a

I encourage you to spend time seeking out a word for 2013 (for more information on the process, see the links above). Ask God to reveal it to you, and then wait patiently on Him. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get your word right away, either! The first year, I waited for more than a month. Remember, God is never late. His timing is always perfect.

2013 is going to be full of miracles and answers to prayer. I’m already rejoicing at the great things God is going to do!