Drink to Good Health!

Photo by Phototogo2 on Morguefile.com

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Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
Genesis 1:29 NIV

Eating healthy food isn’t always easy since most of us are constantly on the run. Who has time for elaborate meal preparation? Fast food isn’t just fast to order and eat. It doesn’t take any time at all for the calories to plant themselves on our hips and midsections. Although that burger and fries may be filling, they don’t provide the nutrition you need to stay healthy.

In order to get my daily fruits and veggies, I whip up smoothies for breakfast and afternoon snacks. You’ll need a blender, some basic ingredients, and a to-go cup for days when you’re on the run.

Berry Breakfast Smoothie

This smoothie is a delicious way to start any day. You’ll get the protein, fruit, and heart-loving omega-3 fatty acids—all in one healthy drink!

• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or apple juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen berries
• 1 small banana (or 1/2 large one)
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
• Dash of cinnamon

Pour the oats into the blender and turn it on to grind them into a fine powder. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour and drink for an excellent, nutritious start to any day.

Photo by Alvimann on Morguefile.com


Green Smoothie

A delicious way to have your veggies is to drink them in your afternoon smoothie. This may sound like an odd combination, but after you taste it, you’ll probably be hooked.

• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup of chopped kale
• 1/2 cup of frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup of frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• 1 tsp. agave nectar (optional)

Put all the ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a sweet drink, the agave nectar will give you just enough sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.

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Early Christmas Treat

I teamed up with Trish Perry to write the generational anthology Love Finds You on Christmas Morning. My novella, “Deck the Halls,” is set in 1925, and Trish’s novella, “’Tis the Season,” is contemporary. I think you’ll find our connected stories enjoyable and uplifting.

Deck the Halls

In 1925, the wealthy William Tronnier becomes smitten with the lovely but penniless Lillian Pickard. Not one to give up easily, William pursues Lillian even though she does everything in her power to resist falling in love with a man from a completely different social class. As Christmas descends on the picturesque town of Cary, North Carolina, William plans to make Lillian a proposal she can’t refuse.

‘Tis the Season

When Nikki Tronnier moves back home to Cary, North Carolina, she plans to fulfill a lifelong dream and buy back the family home built by her great-grandfather for his bride. But before she is able to make an offer, someone else buys the house! Just as she’s preparing for a fight, Nikki meets the handsome new owner, Drew Cornell, who wants her help restoring the home to its historic beauty in time for Christmas.

Bonus Treat

Trish and I decided to include a recipe that has been passed down through the generations of our characters. We hope you enjoy baking, eating, and sharing the shortbread cookies and bars. Look for the recipe between the two stories.

Look for Love Finds You on Christmas Morning wherever books are sold including the following places:
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Books a Million
ChristianBook.com
Cokesbury

My friend Trish Perry is an award-winning, multi-published author of novels, short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry for both Christian and general markets. Trish has two grown children and one grandson. Visit her website at www.trishperry.com.


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Update Your Wardrobe for Less

Photo by Kevinrosseel on Morguefile.com

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Every season, designers come out with must-haves that send many of us scurrying to the store to make sure we look current. I have to admit that I’ve wasted way more money than I should have on purchases that only lasted a single season. Over time, I’ve learned how to stay current without recklessly spending money that can go toward something more permanent.

The key is to start with a basic wardrobe filled with quality pieces that won’t go out of style. Then each season, add trendy items that complement what you already have. Rather than discard your entire wardrobe, you’ll replace just a few pieces, ultimately saving money, while being as stylish as ever.

Basic Wardrobe

Start with a basic wardrobe in your favorite neutrals and accent colors. I have pants in several basic colors—black, brown, navy, olive, and khaki. Add tank tops, T-shirts, and a white button-front shirt that make good standalone or layering pieces. A dress or two that can be worn alone or with a sweater or jacket will add more looks to your wardrobe. Two or three blazers, a cardigan, and a vest will help you mix and match for a variety of outfits. Other pieces you may want to add to your basic wardrobe over time include a trench coat, jeans, shorts, and capris. If you have a frequent need to dress more formally, you may want to have a long black skirt that can be paired with different tops and jackets.

Accessories

Accessories can pull together an outfit and take it from blah to exciting, fun, and glamorous. Swapping out your pearls for a chunky necklace gives your outfit a completely different look. Try on various accessories with your basic wardrobe to maximize your trendiness.

One of the biggest trends over the past several years has been accessorizing with scarves. Pick up a few rectangular and square scarves in your favorite accent colors and learn different ways to tie them.

Add trendy belts to change up your outfit. Wear skinny belts in layers with your favorite dress or layer a tank top, white button-front shirt, and a candy-colored wide belt for accent and a fresh new look.

Necklaces are the perfect pieces to fill in the frame created by a scoop neckline or V-neck top. Choose trendy pieces that are flattering to your skin tone.

Wear a single bracelet or stack several for more drama to get the current look without spending your entire paycheck. The arm will be the focal point, regardless of what else you’re wearing.

A cute, fashionable handbag can make the plainest outfit come alive. Carry an animal embossed leather bag with your black slacks, white top, and jewel-tone blazer for a current look. Or choose a metal mesh bag from Whiting & Davis to show a hint of edgy-glam style.

A new pair of shoes may be all you need to update your wardrobe. Look for the latest shoe fashions at discount sites such as Zappos or BlueFly.


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