Merry Christmas to every one!

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

What do we really need this Christmas?

Ptr. Ronald Camiling
Assistant Pastor - Church of God Dasmariñas, Cavite Phils.

We need simplicity, time for sorting out our lives, time for being together,time for getting to know one another, and time for sharing ourselves atthe deepest level without any deception.

We need holy time, a sense of life’s deeper meaning, to devote time topray together, mend ways and forgive and forget as God forgave us.

We need space for seeing life as it is, for seeing the millions of peoplein the world who are starving to death because of extreme poverty and thosevictims of calamities and the millions who are dying of simple diseases.

Ultimately, we need the Christ of Christmas and renewal of our inner being. We need to hear and receive the message of Christmas, that Godhas entered the human arena to dwell with us, that His presence isconsequently here and available to us now, that we are not alone, spinningout our destinies…, and that all our days are spent before God who pouredall that He was and is and will be through His one and only Son.

We need to surrender our lives to Christ, who is the real Gift of Christmas, I mean, I am talking about all of us.

That is the way it ought to be for us at Christmas. Jesus Christ is ourprecious inheritance; our joy and peace.

My prayer is that in all the frenzy and noise of the season, may God help usto find our way home; and having found it, let us never lose it. Through Christ, who was born to show us the way.

A blessed Christmas day to all the COG family from me and my family. Loving you and praying for you.

Why Jesus is Better than Santa?

Let me share with you a beautiful message from our Senior Pastor's daughter Denise.

Santa lives at the North Pole . . . Jesus id everywhere.

Santa comes but 0nce a year . . . Jesus is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies . . . Jesus supplies all our needs.

Santa may make you laugh . . . Jesus gives you the joy that is your strength.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly . . . Jesus has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO! HO! HO! . . . Jesus offers eternal life.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree . . . Jesus became our gift and died on a tree.

Now, therefore my dearly beloved, let us put Christ back in Christmas. The REAL reason for the season.

Every Branch

John 15:2; “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruits,while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Jesus speaks of two categories of branches:

FRUITLESS AND FRUITFUL:

1. The branches that cease to bear fruit are those who no longer have the life in them that comes from enduring faith in and love for Christ. These “BRANCHES” the Father cuts off, He separates them from vital union with Christ. When they stop remaining in Christ, God then judges and rejects them.
2. The branches that bear fruit are those who have life in them because of their enduring faith in and love for Christ. These “BRANCHES” the Father prunes so that they will become more fruitful. That is, He removes from their lives anything that diverts or hinders the vital life-flow of Christ into them.

The fruit is the quality of Christian character that brings Glory to God through life and witness.



Sunday Word by:
Sis. Josie C. Espino
Evangelism - Cluster 4
Church of God Dasmariñas
Cavite Philippines

Sizzling Sisig

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 kilo Pork head
• 1/4 cup grilled liver (diced)
• 2 small onions (minced)
• 2 pieces red pepper (minced)
• 1 head garlic (minced)
• 6 pieces hot chili pepper (minced)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons liquid seasoning
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 cup beef stock

Procedure:

• Grill pork head for to remove hair.
• Boil pork head until tender.
• Take out all the meat and dice.
• In a sauté pan, heat oil and sauté garlic, onion, red pepper, pork meat and liver.
• Season with liquid seasoning, black pepper, and brown sugar.
• Pour in beef stock and cook until meat is tender and starts to oil again.
• Add minced chili pepper last.
• Serve on a sizzling plate.

Sizzling "SISIG"

Sisig is a Kapampangan term which means "to snack on something sour". It usually refers to fruits, often unripe or half-ripe, sometimes dipped in salt and vinegar. It also refers to a method of preparing fish and meat, especially pork, which is marinated in a sour liquid such as lemon juice or vinegar, then seasoned with salt, pepper and other spices.

Sisig as is popularly known today is actually sizzling sisig, a Philippine dish made from parts of pig’s head, liver and usually seasoned with kalamansi and chili peppers.

Beef Empanada

1 1/4 oz Package of double crust pastry
3 cups Ground beef
1 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp minced Garlic
1/4 very finely minced Onions
1/4 cup minced Tomatoes
1 cup Chopped hard-boiled Eggs
1 cup finely chopped sweet Pickles
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp ground Pepper

Preparations:

Flatten the pastry dough and cut into 4-inch squares.

Saute the ingredients in a skillet, minus the pickles and eggs, and cook for about 25 minutes, until the beef is completely cooked. Drop in your eggs and pickles, blend them in thoroughly. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. You may also want to include some hot peppers such as chipotle, or jalapenos.

Leave your mixture to cool for 1/2 hour, then drop large spoonfuls onto the pastry squares, fold into a triangle, wet edges with water, and use a fork to seal them.

Bake the empanadas on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes in an oven pre-heated at 400º .

Servings: 14 persons

Adobong Gulay

1/2 lbs Talong
1/2 lbs Potatoes
1 chopped onion
2 cloves minced Garlic
Vegetable oil (as needed)

Peppercorn (as needed)
2 Bay Leaves
Soy sauce (as needed)
1/2 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp freshly ground Pepper

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a large skillet, add peppercorn and bay leaves. Add garlic and saute until brown, add the onion, then add sugar, freshly ground pepper vinegar and soy sauce. Stir, cover and let simmer for 40 minutes. You may want to add a little water if too much evaporate during cooking.

Servings: 4 persons

When God Puts You On Hold

First when i have read this message in my e-mail, i remember myself when i was depressed not to have a job for three months but after i joined in our activities in Church, i got a job instantly. Of course, you wouldn't have a job if you're not praying to Him and did everything to get a job. I hold on to JESUS that is why i received my blessings and my prayers has been granted.

Here is a letter sent to my email and please reflect on it:

Dear Friend

A well known Bible teacher tells of a pilot friend who received word from the control tower saying, 'You're cleared for 5,000 feet,' When he got there he had to hold for further instructions. Next came the words, 'You're cleared for 10,000 feet,' Gradually the contyroller took him level by level to 35,000 feet where he was cleared to fly to his destination. God spoke to this Bible teacher and said, 'I wish you would trust me like that. Instead you want to go straight to 35,000 feet in one trust!'

Try to understand this: God sees the end from the beginning and He has already mapped out your journey. He knows that if you rise too quickly there are dangers. You may be in cockpit, but God is in the control tower. And His word to you today is; 'Trust me and I'll get you safely to your destination. 'God's plan for your life can't be rushed. When you to move too quickly you end up in a tug-of-war with Him. And you lose every time!

Before God could trust David to lead the nation, He first had to see how he'd handle his father's flock. It was here David built a relationship with God and developed the qualities that would sustain him through the tough times ahead when he was king.

God will let you practise in a place where your weakness can be worked on your gifts developed, and where your mistaks won't affect too many others. 'That's because He cares for them too! If God has put you on hold today, it's because He loves you and wants only what's best for you.

Remain blessed and and have a wonderful time.

-Nonso-

May you be Blessed and have more blessings to come. God Bless You!

The (Scientific) Death of Jesus

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death penalty. That was then the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals could die like Jesus. And with Jesus things were worst, because not all the criminals condemned to death could receive nails on their hands and feet. Of course, nails... Big nails! Each was 15 a 20 cm long, with a point of 6 cm. Another point was sharp. The nails were craved into the pulses, and not into the palms, as we are used to hear. In the pulse, there's a tendon which extends till the shoulder, and when the nails were being hammered, that tendon broke, obliging Jesus to reinforce all the muscles of his back, so that he could breath as He was loosing all the air from his lungs.

In this way, He was forced to support Himself onto the nail craved in his feet, which was bigger than those craved into his pulses, for both feet were craved together. And, as his feet could not endure for long time without tearing, Jesus was forced to alternate that "cycle" so that He could breath. Jesus endured that reality over 3 hours.. Yes, over 3 hours! Long time, isn't it? Few minutes before He died, Jesus was not bleeding anymore. He was simply pouring water from his cuts and holes. When we imagine Him injured, we only picture Him with injuries, but it is not enough; His wounds were true holes, made in his body. He had no more blood to bleed, He only poured water. Human body is composed by near 3.5 litres of blood (for adult). Jesus poured all 3.5 litres of his blood; He had three nails hammered into his members; a crown of thorns on his head and, beyond that, a Roman soldier who nailed a spear into his chest. All these without mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying his own cross for almost 2 kilometres, while the crowd spat on his face and throwed stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, where his hands were nailed).. Jesus had to pass all this experience, so that you can have free access to God. So that your sins could be "washed". All of them, with no exception! Don't ignore this situation. HE DIED FOR YOU!. For you, who now read this e-mail. Do not believe that He only died for others (those who go to the church or for pastors, bishops, etc). He died for you! It is easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but when it comes to God, sometimes you feel ashamed to forward to others because you are worried on what they may think about your moral. Accept the reality, the truth that JESUS IS THE ONLY SALVATION FOR THE WORLD. God has plans for you, show all your friends what He experienced to save you.

He said (Matthew 10:33); "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven".

Do you believe in Him? Yes, I love God. He is my source of life and my saviour.. He keeps me alive day and night.

Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

For all that He has done for you, share this to all those you love. God Bless you in many ways!

23 Surprising things you can get for Free!

Sometimes you get what you don't pay for. Here are nearly two dozen of the best freebies and -- most important -- how to score them.

Free Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Get your geek on: MIT offers a far more comprehensive selection of free online courses than other universities -- nearly its entire undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Downloading materials takes minutes. A newsletter highlights new offerings, from Quantum Physics to American Women Authors.
What's the Catch? Users can’t enroll, take classes on campus, or earn degrees.
Find Out More: www.ocw.mit.edu.

BBC, FrenchPodClass. The BBC offers top-notch online and MP3 lessons in languages familiar and obscure, including French, German, Portuguese, Mandarin, Greek, and Urdu. FrenchPodClass has easy-to-use, enjoyable podcasts that allow you to learn French while you do errands or go for a run.
What’s the Catch? Classes are one size fits all, which fast learners may find sluggish (and slow learners may find difficult). (See Real Simple's Shortcuts to Speaking a Foreign Language)
Find Out More: www.bbc.co.uk/languages, www.frenchpodclass.com.

Free Classes

U.S. Small Business Administration. Learn how to write a business plan, register your company, and deal with the tax details of running a home business at your local Women’s Business Center evening classes (men are welcome, too).
What’s the Catch? Novices and more advanced learners share the same classroom.
Find Out More: www.sba.gov (click on “Local Resources” for a nearby center and for financial and marketing information). More Small Business Resources

Apple Stores. Apple gives excellent classes on business and entertainment software, music programs, and computer basics, all remarkably free of sales pitches. There are also classes on how to use Apple hardware, like iPods. Most of the company’s stores -- there are more than 170 -- offer several classes a day.
What’s the Catch? All classes relate to (often pricey) Apple products.
Find Out More: www.apple.com (click on “Visit an Apple store”).

Free Culture

Museum visits. While some museums don’t charge an admission fee, others can cost $20 and up (more than a movie!). Take advantage of free days, half days, and nights that take place weekly or monthly at various institutions throughout the United States .
What’s the Catch? The free-admission times tend to attract large crowds; expect long lines and less of an opportunity to get up close and personal with a Cézanne.
Find Out More: Check out the websites of your local museums.

Music Together, Music for Aardvarks, Gymboree. These three companies all offer a complimentary peek at exactly what baby music classes entail (hint: plenty of drumbeating, rattle shaking, and scarf throwing). It’s a great way to introduce your little one to the experience before shelling out $135 to $255 for a full term (generally 10 to 12 weeks).
What’s the Catch? Many parents have been taking classes together for a while, so they can be quite chummy. As an observer, you might feel left out and too shy to participate fully.
Find Out More: www.musictogether.com, www.musicforaardvarks.com, www.gymboreeclasses.com.

Kids’ Night on Broadway. Once a year (this year it was in late January), children ages 6 to 18 can experience the Great White Way for free with a full-paying adult. There are also Kids’ Nights for nationally touring shows throughout the year.
What’s the Catch? Tickets go very fast, especially for the most popular shows.
Find Out More: www.kidsnightonbroadway.com.

Tip: To find out about free movies and concerts in your area, go to Yahoo or Google and type in the kind of entertainment, “free,” and the name of your city.

Free Gyms

Health-club trials. LA Fitness, Bally Total Fitness, the Sports Club/LA, and Gold’s Gym have a range of free-trial offers, from one day to two weeks, for prospective members, as do many other gyms throughout the country. Rules vary.
What’s the Catch? You often have to tour the health club with a sales representative, which sometimes takes as long as an hour. Some gym companies may require you to prove nearby residence with a driver’s license.
Find Out More: Go to the gyms for details.

Free Photos

Adorama, Dotphoto, Kodak, Snapfish. In addition to photo sharing and online albums, these popular services provide 15 to 50 free prints when you sign up.
What’s the Catch? You have to pay for shipping, which usually isn’t more than a few dollars.
Find Out More: www.adorama.com, www.dotphoto.com, www.kodakgallery.com, www.snapfish.com,

Free Pets

Craigslist Community Pet Listings, Petfinder.com. Unlike shelters, most of which charge a small adoption fee, these sites feature numerous free-pet notices posted by owners, usually as a result of an impending move or an allergic family member.

What’s the Catch? Not all the owners who post notices are as honest as you’d wish. Out-of-control animals can be listed as “friendly and calm.”
Find Out More: http://www.craigslist.org/ (click on your city, then on “Pets”), http://www.petfinder.com/post/classifiedhop.html (click on “Classified Ads”).

Free Phone Services

The Popularity Dialer. Want to flee that meeting? Get out of lunch after an hour? The Web-based Popularity Dialer can place one of five fake calls: the boss call, the cousin-in-need call, the male-friend call, the female-friend call, or the affirmation call (reminding you that you’re wonderful). Each recording includes convenient pauses for your side of the conversation.

What’s the Catch? You need to know beforehand that you’ll want rescuing — and you have to be willing to break social graces by taking a phone call in the middle of a meeting or lunch.
Find Out More: http://www.popularitydialer.com/.

800-FREE-411. Instead of dialing 411 and being charged 50 cents to $1.50, call this service, from a cell or a landline, for free nationwide directory assistance.

What’s the Catch? You have to listen to a 20- second ad before receiving your number.
Find Out More: 800-373-3411 (800-FREE-411).

Skype. Download and install free Skype software and call other Skype users, computer to computer, at no charge, anywhere in the world. If you have a webcam, you can see whom you’re chatting with, too.

What’s the Catch? If you don’t have DSL or a cable modem, it may be more cost-effective (money- and sanity-wise) to dial up the old-fashioned way.
Find Out More: http://www.skype.com/.

Free E-Mail Reminders

Memo to Me. Avoid visits to the “belated birthday” or “so sorry I missed our anniversary” section of your local card store. Memo to Me reminds you before the event. Just plug in your e-mail, choose a password, and program the events you need to be reminded of and when you need the reminders. Whether it’s Grandma’s 80th or your own anniversary, no one wants to be the one who forgets.

What’s the Catch? There’s some innocuous advertising on the website.
Find Out More: http://www.memotome.com/.

Tip: E-cards have gotten less corny. You can find witty and well-designed cards at http://www.hipstercards.com/, vintage ones at http://www.cardcow.com/popular-ecards.php, and photographic ones at ecard.digiart.ee.

Free Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day. On one day every year (this year, April 17), all of the more than 600 Ben & Jerry’s stores worldwide offer free cones, with no limit — eat all the Cherry Garcia you’d like.

What’s the Catch? There are often long lines, and popular flavors, like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, run out early.
Find Out More: http://www.benandjerrys.com/scoop_shops/ for stores.

Free Used Books

PaperBackSwap.com, TitleTrader. List the books that you’d like to get rid of, then wait for someone to request one, which can take as little as eight minutes. Mail your book to the person and you’ll receive a credit to choose your own book. PaperBackSwap.com involves only paperbacks, which keeps shipping cheap, usually about $1.60 per book. TitleTrader also lists DVDs, CDs, and VHS cassettes and can rack up higher costs with heavy hardbacks, though shipping rarely tops $4 at the book rate.

What’s the Catch? Popular fiction moves fast, while classic and esoteric titles may stay put for months.
Find Out More: http://www.paperbackswap.com/, http://www.titletrader.com/.

Free Household Items

The Freecycle Network. This nonprofit community group with an environmental mission lets users “recycle” unwanted items by posting ads on local online bulletin boards. If you see a chair or a computer that you’d like, respond to the ad. The site is a great way to acquire a perfectly good coffeemaker or piano while doing your part to reduce waste.

What’s the Catch? You’re responsible for getting the stuff home.
Find Out More: http://www.freecycle.org/groups/ to find a group.

Free (and Worth It) Samples

Many free-product programs come with hidden costs. The ones below are legit. Sign up for one and your in-box may be inundated, but there’s also an outside chance you’ll end up with a flat-screen TV.

Start Sampling (http://www.startsampling.com/) connects manufacturers with consumers who test products. Type in your demographic information and you’ll see a screen listing your free-sample options — everything from cleaning products to Harlequin romance novels to toiletries.

Kiehl’s (800-543-4572) hands out samples of every product it sells — approximately 10 million giveaways a year. Request samples at a Kiehl’s store (where the selection is usually larger) or a Kiehl’s counter in a department store. Or call Kiehl’s and tell the operator what you’d like to try and the company will send you up to three samples.

Programs from American Consumer Opinion and E-Poll (http://www.acop.com/, http://www.epoll.com/) allow users to take product surveys to get cash ($4 to $25 per survey), samples (ranging from pizza sauce to even the rare flat-screen TV), or points (which can be redeemed for gift cards from retailers such as Amazon.com and Target).

Oil of Olay’s sample program (http://www.olay.com/samplesandoffers/; click on “Samples & Offers”) gives away small sizes of its newest products.

Sephora stores (http://www.sephora.com/help/stores/index.jhtml for locations) offer generous samples from the more than 150 cosmetics lines they carry. Just ask and a salesperson will hand you a packaged sample or fill jars with requested products for free.

Procter & Gamble’s Home Made Simple and Tide e-newsletters (http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/subscribe.do?pageId=newsletter, http://www.tide.com/en_US/newsletter/index.jsp) entitle you to discount coupons and new-product samples.

Source:

• by Real Simple Magazine

3 Ways to Survive the Generation Gap at Work

The generation gap, being sabotaged by your managers or just being surrounded by morons are all situations that create conflict and stress. But there are ways to deal with them. So let's tackle these issues one by one:

Other Questions to Ask Yourself:
Are you saving? If you are unhappy, cut back now so you are operating from a position of strength.
What's more important: where you work? or who you work for? Should you be your boss?
Are you communicating effectively with your boss?
Do you have the discipline to start your own business?
Are you networking while you have a job?

A. There is a generation gap where I work.

People write that their managers are often half their age and show little or no respect for the experience and expertise the older workers have nurtured for so long.

This problem may be more style than substance. Even if they do really admire you, they do not want to seem like fans. And they sure as heck don't want to remind themselves of how green some of them are.

Because they are not likely to treat you as a superior (which would be contrary to their status as your manager), you should not try to switch roles on them no matter what; try taking the role of their helpful mentor. You know, just do what is expected of you, and give some value-added insight along the way. Stoop to conquer!

B. I could swear that my manager sets me up to fail.

Even if you are a certified paranoid, this situation may still be real. Get this: In an article in an issue of the Harvard Business Review, Jean-Francois Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux report on their study which showed that as many as nine out of 10 managers are practicing sabotage by "treating some workers as an in-crowd and others as an out-crowd."

If you think that is what is happening to you, try to get a meeting with your boss at a neutral time and place. The authors recommend that once you sit down, make the meeting a dialogue, not a feedback session. Then review your performance and be candid about your mutual responsibilities.

Set performance targets and express your mutual desire to improve communications. There is much more, and the article, "The Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome," is well worth looking up if you think you are being set up to fail.

C. There may be no way out but out!

When you feel surrounded by morons and upstarts, perhaps it is time to strike out on your own and become your own boss! Of course, freelance and independent professionals can shape their own hours and set their own production quotas, yet they soon discover that they have perhaps more bosses than ever before who are their clients or customers.

In the old days, you had to wait until you retired to go solo, but today, many young pros and trades people are opting to live the "open collar" lifestyle, where every day is casual day. The income is erratic, but potentially infinite. Perhaps now is the right time to explore an exit path that will not upset your mortgage payments or your marriage or primary relationship.

In fact, if you are one member of a committed couple, check out Azriela Jaffe's book Honey, I Want to Start My Own Business. Jaffe interviewed more than 100 couples who faced this potentially life-wrecking or life-saving decision.


Source:

• http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/money/3-ways-to-survive-the-generation-gap-at-work-294682
• by succestelevision.com

Antioxidants 101

May 26, 2008 - The latest buzz around the health industry today is antioxidants. Research has shown that antioxidants provide a wide range of benefits when it comes to the sustainability of your health. These helpful compounds help with cholesterol and blood pressure stabilization. They aid in the break up of plaque in the blood vessels ultimately supporting the body’s circulatory system and enhancing blood flow. They are a great source for enhanced energy levels and they improve nutrient uptake at the cellular level which leads to many health benefits including healthy aging.

What are antioxidants and how do they work?

We know that antioxidants are good for us. But what are antioxidants and why are they so good for us? To truly understand the answer to this question, we must first understand how antioxidants work.

As we all know, we need oxygen to live. But oxygen has one major downside in comparison to the many benefits it gives us. Oxygen initiates a process in our body called “oxidation”. Under normal circumstances, our cells are made up of molecules that have a full set of electrons, which are responsible for keeping them stable. Think of these molecules as three legs on a three-legged stool. The stool is stable with all three legs, but as soon as one of those legs is missing, the stool falls and loses its functionality. When oxygen comes in contact with these molecules, they lose an electron (or they get “oxidized”), which converts them to an unstable type of molecule known as a free radical.

Because of their instability, free radicals are always scavenging the body looking for other molecules to attach to and steal their electrons for their own stability. During this scavenger hunt, free radicals will attack proteins, fats, and even DNA to look for these electrons. Once they find those electrons and steal them, the molecules they attack get their structure changed, which ultimately affects their function. Eventually, those structures cannot perform their function as efficiently as they would have before they were attacked by roaming free radicals.

The answer to keeping these free radicals from attacking our body are antioxidants. Antioxidants immobilize free radicals by donating one of their electrons to replace the ones lost during the oxidation process. The body produces antioxidants naturally, but with the ever-changing environment we have reached a point where our body cannot sustain enough antioxidant production naturally to help with the growing free radical intake. Supplementing with antioxidants will aid in efficient free radical neutralization.

Foods ranking high in Antioxidants include: cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, beans, artichokes, russet potatoes, pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts. There are many other foods that contain antioxidants as well, especially fruits and vegetables.


Ben Hoss and Karen Lopez founded SequenceXO, a company dedicated to helping individuals find pure relaxation, beautiful skin, and vitality with healthy nutritional solutions.
SequenceXO products containing Antioxidants include:

• Fusion, with Acai berry, pomegranate, grape seed extract and green tea for immune support, enhanced circulation, and detoxification for healthier looking skin
• Radiance, which is sweetened with fructooligosaccharides also known as (FOS) or sweet fiber. FOS is extracted from fruits and vegetables and known to contribute to our dietary fiber intake.

Source:

• By Ben Hoss and Karen Lopez, Sequence XO Co-Founders
• http://sheerbalance.com/article.php?id=298665725
  

Healthy Halloween treats your kids will surely love

Growing up, Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays. I loved everything about it: the costumes, the candy, the trick-or-treating, the parties, etc. I remember how my friends and I would all rummage through our 'loot' at the end of a big trick-or-treat run to see what we got. Each of us hoped for different goodies and had different favorites. Some of us downed the candy in one sitting and some of us would squirrel it away, wanting it to last as long as possible. If one of us ate a bit too much at the end of the evening, stomach aches would ensue and major sugar crashes would cause us to crawl into bed feeling exhausted, not to mention, a tad ill.

In today's day in age, moms are often looking for healthier options for their kids and for their neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Healthier options don't necessarily mean you have to abolish all of the worst offenders, but some treats do rate better than others in the healthy category. In essence, there are really two ways to approach making Halloween a bit healthier: 1) Quality control , providing healthier treats or 2) Quantity control , providing less-healthier treats in smaller servings. Here are some ideas for both approaches:

Quality Control Options (E.g, Healthier Treats):

1. Dark Chocolate Covered Nuts: Nuts offer fiber, vitamins and minerals . Further, they provide you with healthy fats and proteins , making the treat a more well-balanced snack . This will also help diminish the possibility of sugar crashes. Lastly, dark chocolate is always preferred to milk chocolate, as it offers antioxidants and has less fillers than milk-chocolate.
2. Dried Fruit / Raisins: Regular fruit seems like a great choice. For safety concerns, however, dried fruit is a better option because it often comes pre-packaged or wrapped. Dried fruit is naturally sweet, and provides fiber and other important nutrients. The sugar content in dried fruit tends to be high though, so if you can find packets of trail mix, which contain nuts and seeds with the dried fruit, that would be an even better option.
3. Clif-Bars: Clif-Bars makes healthy, nutrition bars for kids (Clif Kid ZBar). They even have a new flavor called 'Spooky Smores'...just in time for Halloween. They are organic, made with whole oats and are low in fat. Lastly, they don't contain any high fructose corn syrup .
4. Money: Granted, these are not 'tasty', but giving Silver Dollars or 50 Cent pieces can bring a smile to any child's face.
5. Granola Bars: Not all granola bars are created equal. Some are higher in sugar and contain high fructose corn syrup . Kashi TLC bars is a healthy, lower-sugar option.
6. Sugar-Free Gum: Sugar-free gum containing Xylitol, a natural sweetener, is beneficial to children's teeth by warding off tooth decay. Further, xylitol won't create the crazy sugar highs of gums packed with sugar.
7. Mini-Bags of Microwavable Popcorn: Popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber snack that most kids enjoy. Aim to get unsweetened and non-buttered varieties to eliminate extra fat and sugar.

Quantity Control Options (E.g, Less Healthy Treats in Smaller Servings):

1. 100 Calorie Packs: Nabisco has cornered the 100 Calorie Pack market, offering everything from Oreos to Teddy Grahms in small 100 calorie packages. Although the products are not the best for you, giving them in portion controlled packages helps to keep kids from going hog wild on eating more than they should.
2. Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate is both seasonally appropriate and slightly labor intensive. If a child wants to enjoy some cocoa (in the traditional way of course), they will need to be patient while the water is boiled, the package is opened and the contents are poured and stirred.
3. Bite Size/Miniature Candies: If you are going for chocolate, always aim to get dark chocolate varieties (they have antioxidants and less fillers, as mentioned above). Hershey's has their Special Dark brand, which appeals to both dark chocolate and milk chocolate lovers. Varieties to consider: Miniature Peppermint Paddies (which are low in fat), Special Dark Miniatures (which now come in their own bag of Special Dark Varieties) and Special Dark Chocolate Kisses.

Which option will you choose at Halloween? Do you have any favorite healthy treats you would like to share?

Source:

• by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

Oral sex linked to cancer: You must read this!

What you may have considered safer sex could be putting you at risk for cancer. Startling new information about the prevalence of throat tonsil cancers in people in their 30's and 40's is connecting the dots between oral sex, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and oral cancer.

This article and accompanying video explains why scientists are saying there is "absolutely" a connection between oral sex and cancer in people who are young, otherwise healthy, fit, nonsmokers who do not drink excessively. Recent findings derived from a longitudinal study are cited:

Johns Hopkins researchers reported in a study published in February in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that between 1973 and 2004 the incidence of HPV-related oral cancers among people in their 40s nearly doubled. Today more than 34,000 people have oral cancer and 39 percent of those cases are related to HPV, according to data from the American Cancer Society.

We know that HPV can be treated without leading to tumors. However, scientists also now know that the virus is passed by direct contact and doesn't stray from the location where it is transmitted. While HPV does not get into the bloodstream, higher-risk strains of the virus contain proteins that make it impossible for healthy cells to repair themselves.

Scientists are now investigating the possibility that HPV can be passed through saliva in simple acts of sharing a spoon or drink and how sexual orientation may or may not be a factor in this formula.

In the meantime, we are being warned by the medical community about the upped risks of oral sex. Although men are 35% more likely to contract HPV-derived oral cancers, this is a significant health concern for women and girls.

It's no shock that researchers say the number one risk factor is a high number of sexual partners. It only takes an intimate moment with one infected partner to be exposed to HPV. And clearly, the more partners you have, the more opportunities there are for exposure.

It's this quote that brought this story home for me, said bluntly by a woman who is in remission from HPV-related oral cancer that was diagnosed when she was 38 years old:

"People think the face of oral cancer is a 70-year-old man who's been chewing tobacco and drinking whiskey all his life," she said. "But the face of oral cancer now is -- it's me, a young woman, healthy, nonsmoking, fit."

This is most of us, right?

The report comes at a critical time: Studies show more teens believe oral sex is safer than vaginal sex and last year's news was flooded with stories of teenagers actively engaging in oral sex with multiple partners and in group settings. The HPV vaccine Gardasil, intended to protect young women from HPV-related cervical cancer, has been discussed from message boards to national media outlets as parents and doctors have debated whether it is worth the pain and cost.

This means women not only need to be vigilant in their own sexual behaviors to protect theirselves from HPV and the possibility of throat and tonsil cancers, they also need to better educate young women about why oral sex they are engaging in early and often could have dire consequences later in life. I think women also need to be activists in supporting the development of an HPV vaccine for boys and more research about how this virus is raiding women's entire bodies.

As for womens, they could all probably get caught up in worrying about how their college years might lead to oral cancer today. Instead of that, I propose we start talking more honestly about how we can have fun, delight in the deliciousness of bodies, sex and intimacy and still keep ourselves healthy and safe. Or at least healthier and safer.

We have this information, so now what are we going to do with it?

Are you shocked and horrified that oral sex could lead to cancer?

Is it realistic that people will use condoms and dental dams to protect themselves against HPV and possibly, oral cancer?


Source:

• by Jessica Ashley, Shine staff

10 things NOT to say on a first date

First dates are stressful, period. You don't want to lie or stretch the truth per se, but you also don't want to send your date running off to hail a cab before you've even ordered the cheese plate. Basically, the goals of a successful first date are to reveal that adorable, endearing part of yourself, learn more about the stranger sitting across from you, and to see if there is any connection between you two crazy kids. Obviously, it's important to be honest, but some of the more intimate parts of you are well, sorta personal, and no one's forcing you to spill all the beans. (Besides, everybody is intrigued by a little mystery and you want to save something for the second and third dates, right?) We don't really believe there are any hard and fast rules when it comes to dating, and despite what movies would have you think, there is no such thing as the "perfect date," so take these with a grain of salt. Still, here's hoping you find a couple of them helpful, and good luck out there.

1. "My ex is crazy."
There's a fine line between love and hate, but both are equally fueled by passion. If someone even mentions their ex on a first date, watch out, you could be entering into a three-way relationship. Brace yourself: drama ahead! Anyway, if you're not over your ex, keep it to yourself. Your date certainly doesn't want to hear about it.

2. "I would like to get married and have kids asap."
Slow. That. Roll. Whether you're a man or a woman, uttering those words automatically puts pressure on an already delicate, stressful meeting, not to mention the fact that it's a foolproof way to scare someone off and fast.

3. "Who are you voting for?"
There's a saying in the south about not bringing up politics or religion in polite company. Plenty of couples don't always share political (or religious) views, and learn to make things work. But when you're trying to make a good first impression, it's probably best to avoid overly emotional topics in order to avoid a sparring match. (Look at it this way, if you become a couple, you'll have plenty of opportunities to fight later!)

4. "Can you pay the check? I'm broke."
Hey, the economy is in the toilet. Of course you're broke. We're all broke. But common courtesy dictates that the person who did the date asking offer to pay the bill. Chances are, if your date has good manners, they'll offer to split it or pay the tip. Let's face it, gone are the days where the guy automatically must pay for dinner or he's a loser. But no matter what the circumstances are, flat out asking your date to pay the bill is a major turn-off.

5. "What's your favorite TV show?"
C'mon, we can do better than that. Asking about hobbies and other interests can lead to great conversation, but the last message you want to convey is that your favorite activity is watching the tube with a tub of ice cream. Save talking about "America's Next Top Model" for the work water cooler or something.

6. "Where did you go to school?"
Believe it or not, many people didn't go to college, and totally resent being put on the spot with this tired old question. And while plenty of grads are happy to wax on and on about their "glory years" or whatever, it's probably better to ask something like, "Have you always lived here?" "How did you choose your career?" or another more general question that might lead you to discussing educational background. Again, it may seem strange, but for all kinds of reasons, a lot of people have negative knee-jerk reactions to this seemingly innocuous question.

7. "Can I take your picture?"
Creepy much? But yeah, I have girlfriends who've been waylaid by this gem. For real. Maybe it's the thought of him showing his buddies your photo and bragging about bagging you, or even the image of him fawning over your pic tacked up on one of those cray-cray serial killer wall collages. Either way, ick.

8. "I'm poly-(fill in the blank)"
There are folks who are polyamorous (def: the desire, practice, or acceptance of having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved); polygamist (def: the practice of marriage to more than one spouse simultaneously); and yes, some are even polyester salesmen (def: dudes who peddle chintzy wares). Right then. Unless you met that person on a "special" site devoted to that kind of stuff, chances are your date won't appreciate your um, open-minded ways.

9. "So I just got out of rehab."
So maybe you have some personal problems you've been working on. Perhaps you've been in therapy since you were 13 years old. Whatever the case may be, it's probably best not to introduce your new romantic interest to your BIG, SCARY ISSUES, at least not yet. Everybody has problems big and small, but the first date is more about showing off your personality, not painting yourself as a psychotic addict (even if you are, just a smidge). Note: If you are seriously in the midst of a personal crisis, and that includes excessive drug use and/or major psychological treatment, not to be all judgey, but you probably shouldn't be on a date right now.

10. "So ya wanna come back to my place?"
Not everyone is old-fashioned about first dates. The right time to sleep with someone is up to you, but numerous informal polls, um, around the office show that when a guy propositions a woman for sex on the first date, she tends to get skeeved, and when a girl does the same, many dudes are likely to file her in the one night stand category. Double standard? Sure. And yes, some couples do have sex on the first date and there is nothing wrong with that. But I think you know what I'm sayin'...


Source:

• by Erin Flaherty, Shine staff

Why I fired my Secretary

Take a break and have a laugh!!

Last week was my birthday
and I didn't feel very well
waking up that morning.

I went downstairs for breakfast
hoping my wife would be pleasant and say,
'Happy Birthday!',
and possibly have a small present for me.

As it turned out,
she barely said good morning,
let alone
" Happy Birthday."

I thought...

Well, that's marriage for you,
but the kids...
They will remember.

My kids came bounding down stairs to breakfast
and didn't say a word.
So when I left for the office,
I felt pretty low
and somewhat despondent.

As I walked into my office,
my secretary Jane said,
'Good Morning Boss,
and by the way
Happy Birthday ! '
It felt a little better
that at least someone had remembered.

I worked until one o'clock ,
when Jane knocked on my door
and said, "You know,
It's such a beautiful day outside,
and it is your Birthday,
what do you say we go out to lunch,
just you and me."
I said, "Thanks, Jane,
that's the greatest thing
I've heard all day.
Let's go!"

We went to lunch.
But we didn't go
where we normally would go.
She chose instead a quiet bistro
with a private table.
We had two martinis each
and I enjoyed the meal tremendously.

On the way back to the office,
Jane said, "You know,
It's such a beautiful day...
We don't need to go straight back to the office,
Do We?"

I responded,
"I guess not.
What do you have in mind ?"
She said,
"Let's drop by my apartment,
it's just around the corner."



After arriving at her apartment,
Jane turned to me and said,
" Boss, if you don't mind,
I'm going to step into the bedroom
for just a moment.
I'll be right back."
" Ok.", I nervously replied.

She went into the bedroom and,
after a couple of minutes,
she came out
carrying a huge birthday cake ...
Followed
by my wife,
my kids,
and dozens of my friends
and co-workers,
all singing "Happy Birthday".


And I just sat there...



On the couch...



Naked!!!...

Still Complaining?

Think about them before you complain.

If you think you are unhappy, look at them.

If you think your salary is low, how about her?

If you think you don't have many friends... When you feel like giving up, think of this man.

If you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as much as he does?

If you complain about your transport system, how about them?

If your society is unfair to you, how about her?

Enjoy your life as how it is and as it comes. Things are worse for others and is a lot better for us. There are many things in your life that will catch your eye but only a few will catch your heart... pursue those things... that will make others happy because of You.

May God Bless you as you read this message.

Thoughts to Ponder...

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,"Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think:


YOU'RE ALIVE AND STILL AROUND.

God Bless You my Friend.