Remember "1" One

In addition to going low-sodium, pork-free, and sugar-free, a portion diet has been added to my life. I can have anything I want "in moderation." It's helpful to think in sizes -- take smaller dishes, for example -- if I want a snack, I can eat one serving of one thing (1 cup - 8 ounces) custard bowl size serving and that's it, no more.  

In the bottom of my refrigerator, I bought a basket to fill with portion sized fruit cups, Jell-O gelatin, pudding cups and yogurt. I also bought some 1 cup plastic dishes with lids to pour baby carrots into to toss into the basket (I also have some 8 oz. jelly jars with lids around too). I also purchased some microwave muffin dishes, some oven-ware cupcake baking tins and a cupcake caddy with a lid. The cupcake caddy has a removeable tray, so if you want to transport a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish, you can do so easily. 

I also purchased an extra 1 cup measuring cup, for when one is dirty, I'll have a clean one to use.  I also scouted around for a 1 cup biscuit-cookie-meat cutter, but not finding one, I realized that a food can or glass jar might work and indeed, a 22 ounce (1 pound, 6 ounce) tin can was the right diameter (3 1/4" x 2 3/4") to my 1 cup measuring cup.  Dieticians say to measure your meat to the size of one's fist, but that's not very accurate if you have a man size fist. 

Also in order to get more exercise, I'm using a little reverse psychology on myself and am using a smaller beverage glass next to my chair -- I have to get up to refill it. I realize how much I've been conditioned to think bigger is better and more convenient to the detriment to my health. 

Thank you, Lord, for all the good ideas you've been giving to me. Please help me with self-control in the upcoming holiday season. Amen!

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Thank you, Lord, for the nice fellowship we had with our dear friends at the Strawberry Hill  cultural museum and Tea room and for the lovely doodle ideas I was able to glean there. Here's an example of a design I found inside a Polish ceramic bowl that was on display in their gift shop. 

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I'm thankful for my ancestors who emigrated to America so long ago. My grandmother said her parents told her that a White family came over on the Mayflower. 

My third great-grandfather was not only a Primitive Baptist minister, but also served on the Illinois State Legislature and the Kansas Territorial Legislature. He knew that the way to govern the United States was to make wise laws and to do away with poor laws. 

I know that other countries do not have the same laws that we do, however, I do appreciate the laws we have here in the United States that protects me from impersonators and identity thieves. Although the Puritans did not have the same laws in place yet, they followed a higher law and were thankful that God spared their lives during their first winter here in the future United States of America and who gave them a good harvest. That was surely a cause for rejoicing! 

Stephanie Ackerman's Documented Faith quote is very pertinent to the verse in the coloring sheet above (amazing how that works isn't it? God knew what verse I was going to doodle for this week and apparently he sent the same message to Stephanie!)  

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.”~ Henri Nouwen 

Just like joy, we have to choose gratitude also and keep choosing it every day as well! And not just at Thanksgiving time! It has to be embedded into your heart! 

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Pulmonary hypertension can hit any age group. Please watch this video about a young man with PH.

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Sometimes two heads are better than one! Thanks, Cindy! smile! 

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"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!" ~ 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

Amen? Amen!