In 2014 I read the book, The Sacred Echo, by Margaret Feinberg. It's about hearing and recognizing the repetitive voice of God when He speaks. God is always speaking—actively working in our lives, even when we don't see Him. Even if all seems silence, He is, all the while, relentlessly sending out sacred echoes to get our attention. One of these moments happened a few weeks earlier during a Sunday morning worship service. I noticed that standing in front of the first row of seats, there was a person interpreting the words of the songs and message through sign language. It occu ..read more

I love Christmas ornaments. I collect Bible story ornaments, and things that remind me of scriptures, which are very hard to find these days. Among my favorites are Jonah and the fish, Daniel and the lion’s den, Noah's Ark, the Nativity, and I even have one of Samson.  Among my favorite ornaments hang on my tree are those with special meaning from friends over the years. Some from the first year we were married and even some that I made myself. But my favorites by far, are the ornaments I hang there because they are handmade by those close and dear to my heart. The ones my three chil ..read more

This month I will celebrate my 14th-year out weight loss surgery anniversary. Yes, I've gained a few pounds back...it happens. And I still have to "rein" myself in on occasion—to take inventory of what I'm eating, and what's eating me, and get back on track. But all-in-all things are going pretty well. I've managed to keep off well over 100 pounds and that a "HUGE" success.  But the one thing I have noticed, no matter if I gain or lose weight from time to time, the image of myself in the mirror is the true image of who I am. It hasn't always been that way.  Weight loss or not, what w ..read more

I love to cook in my slow cooker. It's so easy and over the years I've found lots of fast and delicious recipes that I can make ahead. Easy to cook, easy to clean. That's my motto! But did you known you could cook fish in a slow cooker? Who ever thought that would work? But it does! It's time you learned how. It's fun, it's fast, it's simple and it's delicious. Best of all it's loaded with healthy protein. It suddenly became a family favorite—they raved about it for days! The serving size for this recipe is 4 ounces of sea bass fish fillets—which has 22grams of protein. However, I have used Ti ..read more

Recently I've been on a "blue, red and purple" kick. Alongside the greens, my refrigerator is full of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and apples. My pantry is sporting black beans, purple and orange sweet potatoes, beets, and peppers.  Yesterday, my daughter visited the local strawberry fields, and with the virus going around, they were delivering them to the car. Beautiful, sweet, crimson strawberries now join the list. Honestly, I'm more of a blueberry, blackberry person than strawberries, but I must say, they are wonderful. After dinner last night, my husband and I treated ourse ..read more

Hope is defined as that which is desired is also possible.  Hope is a rope, tie a weight on the end, and it becomes an anchor.  Hope is the seed, that makes things grow.  Hope is the possibility that brings new beginnings.  Hope contains the power that brings possibility to life. My "One Word" this year is It is a picture of certainty or hope. It is the word "plumbline".  A plumbline is described as a rope with a weight on the end. The word "hope" in the original language of scripture is a cord or rope, or an anchor.  A plumbline is also a building tool that measures uprightness, and assures ..read more

Maybe green eggs and ham are Dr. Seuss' favorite, but if green eggs don't seem to get you going in the morning..you can get your green on by skipping the green eggs and try an egg on some smooth and creamy avocado and toast.  Although breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, it always seems to be the meal that leaves me a little short on choices. I really never thought avocado with eggs sounded like a big deal, but it's one of my sister's favorites. So she inspired me to give it a try, and now, this little taste of green has me dreaming about breakfast. So far, I've tried this little pillow o ..read more

Immediately after gastric bypass surgery, it's important to stay hydrated. Our goal is to build up to 48 to 64 ounces, or 6 to 8 cups of fluids each day.  We know that carbonated beverages are out, not only does the bubbly stuff cause stomach upset, but it also causes stretching as well as gas, and in a tiny stomach there is nowhere for air to go - causing tremendous pain.  Straight up juice is not a good choice, not only for calorie sake, but juice contains way too much sugar for our newly altered system. Although, tea and coffee are okay as long as we don't overdo the caffeine, too much acid ..read more

We are told after weight loss surgery that it's an important mealtime rule to eat protein first. But do you know WHY is it so important? Let's take a look. Slow and Steady Proteins digest more slowly than carbohydrates and help keep your blood sugar level steady. Proteins act like a stablizer. Carbohydrates are not "bad", they give you energy. You need them, just in the right balance and in the right order. Your body turns carbohydrates into sugar, so when you eat carbohydrates first, you are inviting diaster. It's like dumping sugar into your body without a "safety net"—and we all know what t ..read more

Need a protein breakfast for those cool fall mornings. Here is one of my family's favorites and it's bariatric friendly. These muffins are quick, easy and delicious. They keep nicely in the fridge and are great for on the go, as well.  Sausage, Egg and Cheese Muffins 7 to 8 whole eggs (or 5 whole eggs and 3 egg whites) turkey sausage crumbles cheese grated (any kind you like) 3/4 cup milk  1/4 cup cream   1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper Preheat oven to 325 Prepare a non-stick muffin pan, (oil if needed). I use a copper no-stick pan. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, salt, pepper, milk, and c ..read more