FIRST FRUITS DANIEL FAST DAY 2

Remember me saying that I usually start fasting on January 2 because I want to get one more meat filled meal in before I start but I felt like God was telling me to not put it off and to begin on January 1? Well, the enemy hit me right between the eyes yesterday. As I was talking to God about it I realized that is why He told me I needed to start fasting on January 1 and not wait. Once again, He amazed me. He knows exactly what we need before we even need it.

The enemy is constantly prowling seeking whom he may devour. Don't be devoured by the enemy! Fasting and praying can help keep you from being devoured by the enemy. It's not going to stop things from going wrong. As a matter of fact, it's going to make the devil mad when you focus on trying to draw closer to God so he is likely to come after you harder than before. But, fasting and praying gives you an extra layer of protection and gives you strength and boldness like you never had before.

"Fasting doesn't just pertain to what you put in your stomach, but what you feed our soul and spirit as well."

"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God's."  I Corinthians 6:19-20

http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2013/09/26/zucchini-bake/

Here's a zucchini recipe for you that looks fairly easy. You can also take zucchini or eggplant, slice it and layer in a casserole dish. Pour marinara sauce over it, sprinkle with Italian cheese and bake about 30 minutes on 350 degrees.

Please keep me & my family in your prayers. I am praying for you and yours.

Many blessings to you all,
Lori

FIRST FRUITS DANIEL FAST DAY 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR! That comes with mixed emotions. 2013 was a year of heartache and blessings for me and my family, but so was 2012, 2011 & 2010. I am believing that all curses are broken and my household is moving into a year of blessings and favor. My youngest has been set free from drug addiction by the grace of God and for that we are truly thankful. But he still has some strongholds that need to be torn down and some maturing to do. Kevin got a new healthy kidney. We are overwhelmed at that incredible gift of life that God blessed us with. We are believing that he is going to be the healthiest transplant patient there has ever been. My sweet sister in love had two miscarriages last year. I still cry every time I think about it. She is now 7 weeks pregnant. Praise God! They are going to be such wonderful parents. I am so proud of them and so happy for them. And I can't wait to be the most awesome aunt ever!! This kid is going to be spoiled rotten!

We also started our own business in 2013 with Plexus Worldwide. We love the products and the company is incredible. Their compensation plan beats all others hands down. Between working full time, dialysis, then transplant, dealing with our son's rebellious behavior, then driving back & forth constantly to OKC and Lawton, we have not had much time to work at building our business so we are way behind most people that signed up when we did. We believe that God is going to send more customers and add ambassadors to our team in 2014. I want our team to have incredible testimonies of healing and transformation. I truly believe that these products were divinely inspired and that God is using them to help so many people get healthier than they have ever been.

Kevin and I started our fast today. This morning we had oatmeal and orange juice for breakfast. We have to eat black eyed peas today so I'm planning on making a stir fry with brown rice, black eyed peas, corn and onions and of course garlic. I always have to have garlic.

For our devotional during the fast we are using Jentezen Franklin's The Fasting Edge Journal. Today's passage was talking about recovering your passion. If you find yourself not feeling God's presence like you once did, fasting and prayer is a great way to draw closer to God and rekindle that passion that you may have lost. Passion is contagious. Lack of passion is contagious also. Remember to pray for your Pastor, worship leaders, deacons and other church leaders. They need our prayers and support. "The altar is not just for those coming to the Lord for the first time.  The altar is a place to get free from that thing that weighs you down and drowns out your fiery passion for God. Alterations are made at the altar. The altar is a place to alter your direction and get back on the right track with God."

"Pray that over the course of these twenty one days God will give you a new passion, a renewing of your first love, of the days when all you wanted to do was read His Word and spend time praying and worshiping Him".

Here's a link to a black eyed pea soup. It has meat in it but you can just leave out the meat and it would still be good.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quick-Hoppin-John-Soup/Detail.aspx?soid=carousel_0_rotd&prop24=rotd

I'm praying for you all and I can't wait to hear about the great things that God has done for you through this time of prayer and fasting.

Many blessings,
Lori

PREPARING FOR DANIEL FAST

In Matthew 17 a man brought his demon possessed son to the disciples. The disciples prayed for him and the demon did not come out. The man took his son to Jesus and told him that the disciples were not able to cure the boy. Jesus rebuked the demon and immediately the demon left the boy. The disciples asked Jesus "why could we not drive it out?" Jesus said to them "20 - because of the littleness of your faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to yonder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 - But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." 

We all have mountains that are in our way. Some mountains are small and some are HUGE. Casting out demons has to be one of the biggest obstacles you could face. Being diagnosed with a terminal illness; having a loved one addicted to drugs and there are other HUGE mountains that get in our way. Those HUGE mountains require HUGE faith and fasting. If you really and truly want that mountain to move, you can't just whisper to it or spend 5 minutes a day praying about it or crying about it or whining about it, you get what I'm talking about. You have to get SERIOUS in order to see SERIOUS results. Spending time in prayer, reading your Bible and fasting is serious. You are honoring God by denying your fleshly desires for food and maybe giving up a little television time to spend more time in the Word and in prayer. 

If you have chosen to do a Daniel Fast (no bread, no meat & no sweets) here is a list of foods to have on hand: 

Apples and peanut butter

Nuts

Plain Greek yogurt with fruit (I love frozen blueberries)

Cottage cheese with fruit

Cheese

Carrot sticks

Beans

Rice

Veggies 

Beans & rice

Stir fries with rice & veggies and/or beans

Vegetable soup

Tomato soup

Salad

Oatmeal

Eggs

Quiche

Veggie omelet

Potatoes - don't forget sweet potatoes

Here are a few links to some of my recipes that can be used for a Daniel Fast. The Gumbo and soup can be made without the meat and still be delicious. 

http://4newtons.blogspot.com/2012/05/broccoli-cauliflower-salad.html

http://4newtons.blogspot.com/2012/05/anti-inflammatory-sugar-free-cole-slaw.html

http://4newtons.blogspot.com/2012/03/healthier-gumbo-with-flaxseed-coconut.html

http://4newtons.blogspot.com/2012/02/belly-busting-soup.html

http://4newtons.blogspot.com/2013/12/scalloped-potatoes.html

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. 

Keeping you all in my prayers, 

Lori 

FIRST FRUITS FAST

First of all, I AM NOT A BIBLE SCHOLAR. I am ONLY a sinner saved by grace. I am not worthy of God's grace, mercy, love & blessings, but I am so thankful that He gives it to ALL who are willing to accept it. That being said, the last few years, Kevin & I have fasted for 21 days at the beginning of each year. This is called a First Fruits Fast because you are sacrificing and honoring God for a certain length of time at the beginning of the year or giving God your "first fruits" of the new year. 

I have always loved our New Year's tradition of fried pork chops and black eye peas (with lots of ham in them) on New Year's Day, so we usually begin our Fast on January 2. But as I was talking with God about our upcoming Fast this morning, I felt that He was urging me to begin ON January 1 and not wait until January 2. My flesh wants those fried pork chops and that ham in the black eye peas just one more time, but my Spirit knows that if God is prompting me to begin ON January 1 and not wait, I would be foolish to not listen and obey. So our Fast will be from January 1-21. 

There are many different ways to fast. My son did a 40 day nothing but liquids fast a few years ago. He normally does only liquid the first 3-7 days, then follows the Daniel Fast. I have friends that fast one meal a day or do not eat from sun up to sundown, etc. There are many different ways to fast. There is not a right way or wrong way to fast. It is all between you and God. I urge you to seek His guidance and direction before you fast. Kevin & I and a lot of our friends choose a Daniel Fast which is no meat, no bread & no sweets. 

Whatever you choose to do, don't overthink it and don't spend more time focusing on what you can and can not eat than you do spending time with God. So many people get so caught up thinking about the food that they lose focus of the whole reason to fast in the first place which is to draw closer to God, to experience His presence like never before and for those miracles that you need in your life. 

I am going to try to blog each day during our Fast. I will try to share scriptures and encouragement for you as well as the types of foods that Kevin & I are eating. If you have a specific need that you would like for us to pray about for you, please let me know. Kevin & I would be honored to pray for you. If you are fasting, I would like to ask that you pray for us as well. 

I am posting some links to some websites about fasting. We love Jentezen Franklin's Fasting Journal. One of these websites has some good information, but I personally don't agree with all of it. But, again, it is between you & God. There is not a right way or wrong way to fast. This website has recipes for desserts, muffins, etc. and personally, I don't want to do that while fasting. She is not using flour, but I feel that fasting is not supposed to be pleasant and comfortable. It is supposed to be a sacrifice. We still eat good food, but the closest we get to bread is corn tortillas and as far as sweets we only eat fruit for our sweets when fasting. We also eat fish a couple of times a week while fasting, but no other meat. We also eat lots of eggs. I noticed some websites say to not eat eggs. We both work fulltime and have to keep our energy up, so eating eggs and fish helps us. 

http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/

http://www.ultimatedanielfast.com/

Many blessings, 

Lori 

SCALLOPED POTATOES

My husband's birthday was a couple of weeks ago. All he wanted for his birthday was scalloped potatoes, pork chops and red velvet cake (I make Non-Red Velvet Cake because I don't use red food coloring, but it doesn't change the taste of the cake). He LOVES potatoes and he loves cheese, so scalloped potatoes are his favorite. Through the years I have tried several different recipes and they were all okay, but a few years ago I used Pioneer Woman's recipe and now that is the ONLY recipe I use. I don't even like potatoes very much, but these are amazing! WARNING - THEY ARE NOT CALORIE FREE! But they are so worth splurging on for special occasions. I don't know what the difference is between scalloped and au gratin, but we just call them scalloped.

Here is a link to Pioneer Woman's recipe

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/perfect-potatoes-au-gratin/

Of course, I change it up a little to add the flavors that my family likes so here's how I do it:

SCALLOPED POTATOES

2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 large russet OR 8 red potatoes
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons minced garlic
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons McCormick Hot Shot or pepper
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1 cup shredded monterey jack
Option - cooked & chopped ham or bacon are great additions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice potatoes into circles or diced cubes. I use red potatoes because they are less starchy and have lots of iron, so since they are smaller, I just slice them in circles.

Combine milk and cream in bowl.

Add the flour, garlic, salt, pepper (Hot Shot), basil and onion.  Whisk together well so that the flour is incorporated into the mixture.

Grease square baking dish with the softened butter.  Pour potatoes into dish. Pour mixture over potatoes.

Cover the dish with foil and bake it for 30 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake for 20 minutes more.  Sprinkle the cheese all over the top and bake 5-10 minutes more or until cheese is bubbly.

TIPS FOR A BUSY WEEKNIGHT - I got these all ready in the morning before I left for work, covered with foil and put in refrigerator.  Kevin gets home an hour before I do, so he took the dish and set it on the counter to get to room temperature and turned the oven on.  Then all I had to do when I got home from work was pop the dish in the oven and let them bake while I cooked the pork chops. I think these could be cooked in a rectangular slow cooker also. I haven't tried it yet.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Lori

WHY YOU NEED ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (ALA)

Alpha Lipoic Acid has been, literally, a Godsend to me in getting my health back and freedom from pain, tingling and numbness. Back in 2011 when I decided it was time to take back my health, I prayed and talked to God pretty much 24/7 asking for Him to show me what I needed to do to get my health back. If you've read any of my blog posts then you know that He started revealing to me what foods to eat that would nourish my body and what "foods" to stay away from that were destroying my body. Well, during this time I also kept hearing "alpha lipoic acid" "alpha lipoic acid". I would hear it as I was driving down the road, as I was trying to go to sleep, it was the first thing that came into my mind as I awoke every morning. After a 2 or 3 weeks of this, I told my husband one day "I think God wants me to take Alpha Lipoic Acid". Kevin asked me what it was and I said "I don't know. I've never heard of it." So, I began to research alpha lipoic acid. And WOW! As I kept finding out more about this incredible antioxidant, I began to realize why God was telling me to take it. And right about now, some of you think I have lost my mind, but I know that others of you understand exactly what I'm talking about.

So, let me tell you about Alpha Lipoic Acid. It is a naturally occurring compound that's made in the body, but when you're system is out of whack, your body can not produce enough of it to help you. ALA is an antioxidant & is one of the most potent of all antioxidants because it is soluble in both water and fat. This unique ability to dissolve in both fat and water means that ALA has more "free range" to scrub your body for cell damaging free radicals. Here's just a few of the benefits of ALA:

*   Converts glucose to energy
*   Lowers blood sugar
*   Lowers blood pressure
*   Detoxes and protects the liver
*   REPAIRS DAMAGED NERVES

Europeans have been using ALA for years to provide relief from the pain, burning, tingling and numbness caused by neuropathy. Studies show that ALA aids in stopping or slowing the damage done by a variety of health conditions including HIV and liver disease.

Research also shows that ALA helps mend damage caused by strokes and even to help slow down the process of Alzheimer's.  It's ability to facilitate the regeneration of nerve cells has some very promising implications in brain and nerve trauma treatment.

ALA supports healthy skin as well. It keeps your skin young and resilient.

The American Cancer Society says that "ALA may inhibit genes that trigger cancer cells to grow and some recommend it as a component of an alternative anti-cancer regimen or as a complementary therapy to prevent or relieve some side effects of conventional cancer treatments. Researchers have begun to look at whether ALA can help prevent nerve damage from the use of chemotherapy drugs." 

ALA is found in red meats, organ meats, spinach and broccoli, but you would have to eat a ton of these foods every day to get what your body needs. So supplementation of ALA is crucial to stay healthy.

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/pharmacologicalandbiologicaltreatment/lipoic-acid

http://www.webmd.com/diet/alpha-lipoic-acid-ala

ALA has helped me tremendously with the pain, numbness & tingling from neuropathy and carpal tunnel.

 Blessings to you all,
Lori 

WHOLE GRAIN PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE WITH COCONUT SUGAR

My husband's appetite is back! The last 4 years he has not had much of an appetite. He said nothing tasted good to him and of course, being on dialysis, he didn't feel real good most of the time. Before he got sick, he had a huge appetite. And he has always had an enormous sweet tooth. One of his favorite cakes is Pineapple Upside Down Cake. I used to make it with Bisquick and lots of brown sugar. So, since we have cut back on processed foods and are trying to eat more nutritiously, I decided to try to make a more nutritious Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

First step was NO Bisquick. Then had to replace the brown sugar for a more nutritious option. I've posted several recipes using coconut palm sugar. My family loves it! And it is a good feeling to know that I am feeding them a sweet treat that is actually nutritious and not going to harm them. Coconut sugar has a low glycemic index so it is safe for diabetics. It is high in several minerals including potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Here is a link to a couple of good articles on coconut sugar.  http://www.naturalnews.com/030120_coconut_sugar_sweetener.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/280219-healing-benefits-of-coconut-palm-sugar/

WHOLE GRAIN PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup organic coconut palm sugar
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
1 - 15 1/4 ounce can crushed or sliced pineapple, drained

BATTER
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup organic coconut palm sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp pineapple juice (from the crushed pineapple)

1 cup organic oat flour
1/2 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk

1.   Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch round baking pan; heat in oven until melted.  Remove pan from oven and tilt pan to coat bottom and sides with butter.

2.   Mix coconut sugar, nutmeg & cinnamon together and sprinkle onto bottom of buttered pan.

3.    Spread pineapple over sugar mixture.

4.   For batter - in a large bowl, beat butter and coconut sugar until blended.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in vanilla and pineapple juice.

5.   In another bowl, whisk flours, baking powder and salt together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.  I do it in thirds.

6.   Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

7.   Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

I put 4 maraschino cherries on the cake for Kevin. He loves them, but he doesn't get them very often anymore. Now that we know about HFCS and red dye! Scary!
I know I don't take good pictures. Sorry. You can tell it doesn't look like your traditional pineapple upside down cake which is yellow or white. We have to get past that idea that white food is pretty. Most white food is not healthy. Whole grains have color and texture.

Pineapple upside down cake

VARIATIONS:
You can replace one of the flours for white flour if you don't like the texture of whole grain flours. But, please, use organic unbleached white flour.  At least it isn't loaded with chemicals like regular flour.

I hope you enjoy it as much as my husband did!

Blessings to you all,

Lori