Living Healthful

Spicy Bell Pepper Shrimp

This is such a quick and tasty dish! I always use wild Pink Argentine Shrimp as it has the best flavor. Also, can substitute scallops or chicken if preferred. I always use “Smart Organic Chicken” by Tecumseh (just purchased by Tyson because it is so good!) it tastes fabulous and the texture is perfect! Only 230 calories so there is still room to add a side vegetable or salad and maybe even put over pasta or rice too!

Ingredients

Prep Time: 10 Cook Time: 20 min Serves: 4 People

Stem & remove seeds in both Red Bell Peppers and the jalapeno pepper.
Combine olive oil, lime juice, Red Bell Peppers, pepper flakes and garlic in a food processor; pulse until almost smooth. Transfer mixture to a small sauté pan and cook over medium high heat until reduced by half, approximately 8 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Once mixture is cool, add cilantro and season to taste with salt. Pour mixture over shrimp and marinate for a few minutes or up to 1 hour.
Heat a large skillet over high heat with 1 tbsp. oil. Add shrimp and cook; tossing often until shrimp is cooked (3-5minutes) and sauce is reduced

What is the fear of the Lord? Do you know?

Do you know what it means to have the fear of the Lord? Do you live your everyday life see and reference of the Lord? Do you seek him throughout your day for guidance and instruction. Do you obey his command? Do you seek a relationship with the Lord?

Well after a recent group study of Proverbs, this is what I was able to glean from the scriptures, teachings, and discussion regarding the Fear of the Lord and I wanted to capture it for future reference.

Before this study, I was a little frightened when I heard the words “Fear of the Lord”. Now that I understand more about the awe and reference through wisdom, understanding, obedience, and my relationship and experience with the Lord, I feel differently. I get it! I hope and pray that the words here give you an understanding as well that will help you in your walk with God.

At a very high level it means to know him through our relationship with him, through the lives and testimonies of others, and through His inspired Word enough to revere, respect, and be in awe of God so much that we choose to follow his instructions. (which we find in the Bible).

To know the Lord we must have a relationship with him.
Since relationships are built on trust we must first learn to trust the Lord. We do this through growing our knowledge of him through the Word.
Then we must obey the Lord, which we can not do on our own because we are humans and sinful. The good news is that we have the Holy Spirit to help us with that!

This is what Proverbs says…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and Knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Prov 1:7) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov 9:10)

When we fear the Lord we will: (this is what the Bible says about it)

Hate evil – (Prov 8:13) “To fear the lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech”
Have a long fruitful life – (Prov 10:27) “The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short”
A secure fortress and refuge – (Prov 14:26-27) “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death”
Avoid evil – (Prov 16:6) “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil”
Life with rest and contentment, untouched by trouble – (Prov 19:23) “The fear of the Lord leads to life; Then one rests content, untouched by trouble”
Wealth, honor, and fruitful life – (Prov 22:4) “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life”

(Conversely) Without the fear of the Lord:

We deprive ourselves of the treasure of God’s wisdom and knowledge
We flirt with evil and are vulnerable for corruption
Our lives will be shortened
We will not fully comprehend God’s love that gives assurance of salvation
When fallen to sin we will not be convicted to repent and turn back to God
We will not be motivated to work out our salvation by making God the Lord of our lives

Wisdom is first a relationship with God plus obedient practice of his instruction.

1. Man’s Relationship with God starts with Knowledge and Trust. Let’s start with Trust

“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you”. (Prov 22:17-19)

“Trust the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3: 5)

The Big Question — Are you truly trusting the Lord???? Is Jesus the Lord of your life or do you just see him as your Savior? Do you know what you are saying to God when you do not trust him?

You are telling God that you think your problem and circumstance is too big for Him
You are disrespecting God with not acknowledging that he knows what is best for you

Who is your teacher, your mentor? You most likely have several. Pastor, Instructor, (people with titles or reputation of being knowledgeable or a good example, someone with wisdom) and you trust them. You spend time with them, right? Are you walking with Jesus every day? Are you talking with the Holy Spirit every day and every hour? When you do these things daily you will grow your trust just like you do with your earthly teachers. You develop trust.

There are two realities necessary if Jesus is to be the Lord of your Life:

You must trust him
You must spend time with him….if you are going to be his disciple then you must be with him!

Do you trust him with your marriage, your children, your job, your career, your money, your health, your dreams, and your time? Remember that Jesus teaches knowing the past, present, and future; Jesus teaches from a clear spiritual and physical perspective; Jesus teaches from a place of love.

Have you moved from believing (in your mind) to trusting (knowing in your heart) and deciding to be with him? Or do you have the Devil on your back telling you that you have already trusted him? It’s about a relationship not a religion! Trust Jesus with every decision every day in your life.

2. Let’s grow our Knowledge

Here are a few things the Bible tells us about who God is, why we should trust Him, and his promises about our future and the Holy Spirit.

John 8:58 – “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” You can trust him as he knows the past, the present, and the future.

Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin”. Jesus has been tempted just like us and knows our struggles.

Luke 4:18-19 – “Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He is our helper and healer!

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus is the way to the Father, the only way, and to know Jesus is to know God.

Luke 6:46, 47 – “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice” Do you say that you are a believer, that Jesus is your savior, but you are not really following him?

John 14:15-20 – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live “ Jesus does not desert us, but is always with us.

Acts 1:1-5 – “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”. Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching then to obey everything I have commanded you. And I am surely with you always, to the very end of the age”. We are never alone (note also in this verse the Trinity specified)!

John 15:26 – “When the advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me” The Holy Spirit is our advocate.

John 16:13 – “But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” The Holy Spirit give us direction and instruction.

Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit gives us joy.

Colossians 1:9-11 – “For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. We are the Lords and have been from the beginning of time.

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” When we gather through interactions with community, the Lord is with us.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” When we gather we grow in our knowledge of the Lord and our daily walk with the Lord.

John 15:26 – “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me, And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning” The Holy Spirit is our counselor and will teach us truth.

Matthew 7:13 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” The narrow gate is Obedience

3. Obedient practice of his instruction (to flee from sin abruptly as he instructs us to do).

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:11)

Of course man has an internal belief and philosophy that we can control sin. But we cannot manage sin due to our sinful nature – no matter how hard we try or how much we want to. God tells us that to manage sin abruptly we must cut off our offending hand or pluck out our eye.Here even Paul expresses his struggle with sin. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”. Romans 7:15

“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better or you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. (Matthew 18:8, 9)

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the Fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20)

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace: For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay and again, “the Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may be serve God acceptably with reference and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire”. (Hebrews 12:28-29)

We must carry that reverence and awe of the Lord every moment to guide us. We must be mindful at all times. When we know what God has sacrificed for us and we know his instruction but we do not heed, it is not good:

Do what he instructs us to do and follow him, be obedient.
Watch out for attraction to other roads – like False prophets (look for where there is fruit — that will help you – where you can see Jesus in people and their words, actions and interactions)!
Trust only those doing what Jesus taught – lifestyle, think “what would Jesus do” Just do it!

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16) We know that God has a purpose for each of his children.

Our job is to diligently be on guard at all times. When a person gets off track, God has the ability and power to help you get back on track so you can then be living righteously with the Fear of God (awe and reference) guiding you every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through each and every day!

Today, will you seek the Lord and ask him to give you a fresh revelation of his love so that you can progress on your journey of understanding and striving to live with the Fear of the Lord? Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your understanding in this area and take steps to apply your learnings? God bless you!

What happens when you cleanse on a cellular level?

The expression cleansing your body has been used in many ways, and for some people it even conjures an ugly experience; one where you’ve got to stay home or take precautions because you might be stuck in the bathroom; you might feel weak, etc…

It’s not that kind of cleanse. A cellular cleanse using ISAGENIX’s Cleanse for Life® will do the following things for you:

Improve insulin sensitivity. During a Cleanse Day, the body become more sensitive to the action of insulin, which is essential in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Regularly practicing Cleanse Days can help tune up your metabolism.
Burn the worst kind of fat. When you fast, the body mobilizes stored energy in the form of body fat. If burning fat wasn’t enough of a reason then consider that as part of the ISAGENIX System Cleanse Days are shown to go further by helping reduce visceral fat; the worst fat. Visceral fat is the type of fat that surrounds internal organs and has been strongly associated with poor health.¹
Rev up your body’s cellular cleansing mechanism. Frequent eating provides the body with a steady flow of nutrients and energy. This environment of abundance keeps your cell in continuous “growth mode”. On a Cleanse Day, you allow your body to rest and permit your own natural cleansing and rejuvenation processes to occur. Nutritional cleansing activates several systems in your cells that break down old cellular components into their basic building blocks to recycle them into new components; a process known as autophagy.² Autophagy goes to work on a Cleanse Day by cleaning up worn-out parts within your cells.
Nourish your body with cleansing, health-supporting nutrients. Cleansing with ISAGENIX is a unique way to practice nutritionally supported fasting. Depending on which method you chose, an ISAGENIX Cleanse Day involves abstaining from virtually all food for one or two days. In place of food, you drink Cleanse for Life®, a phytonutrient-rich botanical beverage designed to nourish and support your body’s natural detoxification systems, along with Cleanse Days tools such as ISAGENIX Snacks™, IsaDelight®, e+™, or Ionix® Supreme to satisfy cravings and boost energy. You must also consume plenty of water to help maximize your Cleanse Day experience!

Many beneficial things happen to your body during an ISAGENIX Cleanse Day. By regularly practicing Cleanse Days, you can tune up your metabolism, burn more fat, and allows your body’s own cellular cleansing and rejuvenation systems to work at their peak. Whether your goal is to lose weight or you are just interested in doing something good for yourself, ISAGENIX Cleanse Days can be beneficial for you.

For more information check our “TRANSFORMATIONS” page.

¹ISAGENIX in Comparison to Heart-Healthy Diet. University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Applied Health Sciences

²Autophagy is also achievable through intermittent fasting just as easily as longer fasts. Autophagy begins when liver glycogen is depleted, around 12-16 hours into a fast. The rate of autophagy peaks there, and then drops after about 2 days.

Benefits of the Isagenix Brain and Sleep Support System

For the first time in history, over 1,000 scientists representing more than 130 universities participating in the Human Brain Project have accurately counted the number of neurons in the brain—an impressive 89 billion. (Neurons are cells of the nervous system that control our ability to learn, pay attention, make decisions, and balance.) Even the best computers, which are equivalent to about 200 million brain cells, still have less than 1 millionth the potential of the human brain!

Although the human brain is a powerhouse, it experiences changes that can impair cognition during aging. Research has found progressive declines in memory, learning, attention, balance, motor movement, and decision-making for those older than 35. Imaging of the human brain confirms cell losses in discrete areas that accompany specific cognitive impairments:

Prefrontal cortex: A crucial area for attention, decision-making, and working memory.
Hippocampus: Its neurons produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine—essential for the formation of new memories.
Motor cortex: The substantia nigra whose neurons produce the neurotransmitter dopamine—critical for attention, decision-making, working memory, balance, and motor movement.

With such a magnificent organ, it makes good sense to take care of it and nurture it every day. The good news is the Isagenix Brain and Sleep Support System was designed precisely for that purpose and that’s why it’s in the spotlight!

The Isagenix Brain and Sleep Support System

The latest research shows that age-related cognitive decline begins in healthy adults in their 30s and continues throughout advanced aging. Addressing brain health support and cognitive function early in life can dramatically support a better quality of life in later years.

Brain Boost & Renewal™ is a multifunctional product scientifically formulated to support healthy brain function, including mental focus, concentration, decision-making, and memory. When taken daily, Brain Boost & Renewal can support your ability to learn new information and provides dietary support for aiding memory and overall brain function.†

Sleep Support & Renewal™ offers the second strategy to healthy brain support by assisting in quality restful sleep. Millions of people suffer the consequences of impaired sleep. In addition to loss of mental clarity and brain function, lack of quality sleep can decrease metabolism and physical performance, increase your appetite, and lead to binge eating, weight gain, increased stress, fatigue, and a compromised immune system. Sleep Support & Renewal is a unique, nonhabit-forming spray complex containing melatonin, L-theanine, and valerian root that help support quality sleep.† A restful night’s sleep supports healthy aging, immune function, and cardiovascular and brain health.

Optimizing Brain Nutrition

In collaboration with Isagenix scientists, Dr. Michael Colgan, Ph.D., CCN, began research focused on brain nutrition. The team reviewed hundreds of studies to identify a number of ingredients that support different parts of brain function. Several of these studies reported nutrient combinations that worked together to support brain function beyond the use of individual nutrients alone.†

To evaluate Brain Boost & Renewal, Dr. Colgan and Isagenix performed a pilot study comparing the product against two other formulations. After six weeks of supplementation with one of the three products, the subjects underwent four cognitive assessments. The results with Brain Boost & Renewal were impressive:

Memory functions were tested by measuring how many items a subject could keep in the mind at a time, using online-based programs to assess the brain’s memory. The results showed a 19 percent increase in memory retention.
Quicker brain response was tested by measuring visual motor skills in which participants were given a pencil-to-paper, trail-making test to indicate cognitive impairment and executive function. The results showed a 12 percent increase in overall cognitive function measured by improved response time.
Balance was tested by requiring participants to balance on one leg with their arms out and eyes closed while being timed for duration, and results showed a 33 percent increase in balance duration time.
Decision-making was measured by testing how quickly the brain could process incoming information using hearing equipment that delivered rapid sounds in which participants would determine the measure of pitch being either high, low, or both. The results showed a 33 percent increase in decision-making based on improved response time.

To order the Brain and Sleep Support System today, select Our Products on the menu bar.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

I strive for my life to be like a decadent glass of fine wine!

A life that is as decadent as a glass of fine wine………..

Fragrant Bouquet – A life that imitates the sacrifice of Jesus through living a life of love….

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1)

Fruit Forward – A life that is fruitful….

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. (John 15:5)

Bright in Color – A life that reflects the light of Jesus…

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14, 15)

Structured and Complex – A life that has a strong foundation built on the fear of the Lord and His wisdom…

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7) This means to know the Lord through the Word enough to have a loving reverence, respect, and awe of God so much that I chose to follow his instructions.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17)

Well Balanced – A life that walks daily with the Holy Spirit in peace and joy…

“But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave you; my peace I give you.”

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

Elegant and Refined – A life that reflects purity. Progress on the journey to be like Jesus….

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Integrated – a life that nurtures and sustains unity and peace with God and others…

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19, 20)

Earthy – a life with a firm foundation and the fertile soil of steadfast love and faithfulness…

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm (2 Timothy 2:19)

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3, 4)

Age Worthy – a life in which my spiritual walk is deeper, richer, and more refined over time as I grow with the Lord in grace and knowledge for his glory…

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6)

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18)

I love both bible scriptures and wine. As I think about the wine descriptors while tasting wine, I can use these scriptures to remind me to constantly think of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in my daily walk.

This is so true: “You are what you eat”

Since billions of cells are replaced daily it’s important that we fuel our body by eating. In turn we must eat the right foods. After all, the body can only use what we put in to fabricate these new cells.

If we eat foods that are deficient in nutrients we are not equipping our body with the necessary building blocks. Likewise, if we eat conventional foods, as opposed to organic foods, we ingest pesticides and other chemicals. These compounds, along with everything else end up being the materials made available to our body to work on creating new cells.

Likewise, as an example, eating a hot dog introduces nitrates which are preservatives from synthetic materials (or sometimes natural sources) added to give the meat longer shelf life and more color. When digested, nitrates turn into nitrites, which have been linked to cancer in test subject animals.

This is one of the many reasons why I use the ISAGENIX® products and system. They are designed to provide all the nutrients and proteins my body needs to build cells each day. It is a system of products designed for healthy weight loss, nutritional cleansing, and fitness. The IsaLean® shakes are nutrient rich and contain superior un-denatured whey and milk proteins. (A dairy-free version exists) They are more than a shake, it’s a meal replacement (240 cal.) with its proteins (24 g), energy-fueling carbohydrates (8 g fiber), good fats, and 23 vitamins and minerals per serving. It is used to replace conventional meals with 2 Shakes per day plus one healthy low-glycemic, 400-600 calorie meal as well as 2 snacks (More calories can be consumed once in weight maintenance).

Don’t just take my word for it, check out these testimonial pages:

The Trinity (with focus on the Holy Spirit)

I believe that in my Christian upbringing and studies, I did not realize until recently that I completely did not grasp the relevancy of the Holy Spirit in my life! And now that I have this understanding I have experienced more JOY and PEACE and less fear and anxiety beyond belief. So I decided to take note of some key scriptures highlighting these points that were recently revealed to me. Here are my summary notes:

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you”. (2 Corinthians 13:14) In this scripture there is a distinction between God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit – (The Trinity – One God, triune in nature; One God, three persons).

The Trinity (defined with the CREATION Narrative)

God the Father – Made a Decision and Created Man (Genesis 1:26)

God Jesus Christ the Son – Became flesh (John 1:1; John 1:14) The Word of God was with God in the beginning … and the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

God The Holy Spirit – The Spirit of God existed and hovered over the water during creation (Genesis 1:2)

The Trinity (defined with the SALVATION Narrative)

God the Father – Planned Salvation (Luke 22:42) (Ephesians 1:4-10; & vs 13) “We were chosen and predestined and marked in Jesus with a seal”

God Jesus Christ the Son – Accomplished Salvation through his death and clearly identifies as the Son of God. (Luke 22:67-69)

God The Holy Spirit – available to us to assist in Applying our salvation and is promised to all who are Christians as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (Ephesians 1: 13-14); Our Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:11-13)

Summary:

We are all human and sinners and regardless of how hard we try not to sin, not to be full of fear and anxiety, depression, etc. we are not capable on our own.
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and knows what we ought to pray for and intercedes himself in accordance with Gods will. (Romans 8:26-27).
The Holy Spirit helps us to apply the free gift of salvation in our lives each day.

Here are some ways to begin to experience the benefits of being a Christian engaged with the Holy Spirit in a way that you may not yet have experienced. If this is you today, then get ready to experience God in a new and more indepth relationship!

After acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and asking for forgiveness of your sins, specifically ask God to receive the Holy Spirit and God will give the Holy Spirit to you as it is written. Luke 11:11-13
Jesus is preparing to leave and ascend to heaven and promises the Holy Spirit. John 14: 16-28
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, WHOM my Father will send in my name. John 14:26
Jesus opened the disciples understanding of the bible and the Holy Spirit clothed them in Power. Luke 24:45-49
Feed the Holy Spirit by Reading the Scriptures (Isaiah 55:11 as the scriptures will never come back empty but will accomplish what God has intended)
The Holy Spirit will do the rest! (Philippians 1:6) God will complete the good work in you that he started when you heard and believed the Gospel)!
God can do more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Eye has not seen nor ear heard…which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9)
The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given us.

Additional Scriptures: (I will add in the scriptures and a few more attributes of the Holy Spirit as time allows).

Acts 1:8 – You will receive Power from the Holy Spirit
1 Peter 1:5 – You will receive Protection
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast your anxiety and fears on him
Romans 8: 5-15 References Life and walking in the Spirit
Ephesians 4; What your focus should be walking with the Holy Spirit
Acts 20: 22-23 Paul is drawn by the irresistible Holy Spirit and is in ongoing conversation
Acts 8:26-29 The Spirit TOLD Philip (the Spirit speaks and he can speak to you)!

Wine tasting in the Barbaresco region of Italy

To us an enjoyable vacation in Italy always includes wine tasting in one of their many beautiful regions. During our last vacation in Italy’s Piedmont region we focused on tasting in the villages of the Barbaresco region. The name of the region is derived from the official wine classification region of the Barbaresco wines, made of nebbiolo grapes. It comprises primarily the villages of Barbaresco, Neive, and Treiso (plus and outlying district of Alba) and sits in the Langhe region Northeast of Alba.

The village of Barbaresco, which has population of less than 700 people, is a beautiful setting for wine tasting. We chose to taste at Gigi Bianco (Azienda Agricola Gigi Bianco) which is in the heart of the town near the historical tower “Torre di Barbaresco”.

The winery cellar and the tasting room are found in the heart of housing showcasing how much wine making is part of their culture and their lives. It is their livelihood!

We enjoyed a beautiful taste of vineyard specific wines to understand the difference between them. We also had an opportunity to visit their cellar with the winemaker.

In Neive we visited the Castello di Neive which is a historic castle. It is located within Neive and is quite large (about 150 acres in total area). We were able to tour the castle and winery cellar as well as taste current wine offerings of Barbaresco nebbiolo and other varietals. The visit of the grounds and buildings was impressive especially considering the era during which it was built.

In Treiso we chose to taste in a more rural setting at Orlando Abrigo (Azienda Agricola Abrigo Orlando). Visiting this winery truly felt like visiting family. We were greeted by “Nonna” who we helped open a bottle of wine so we could have a splash while waiting for our tasting. We enjoyed that wine outside overlooking the beautiful views and met the extended family who was taking a break and preparing to head to a wedding. We were made to feel at home and that is the Italian way! The tasting was wonderful as well. We met the owner and winemaker at some point as well.

How wonderful it is to enjoy a heartwarming vacation in Italy.

Eating fat does not make you fat

Isn’t it interesting how some really bad science told us that saturated fat and cholesterol cause heart disease and so we should eat less fat? Before World War II, when this was first raised, people used to have far less heart attacks and yet were eating butter and cream every week. Then things changed; we replaced butter with margarine made from industrial oils and creamy, whole milk was dumped for skim and fat-free.

The thought that fat makes us fat is now so engrained in people that doctors and nutritionists have a hard time helping people shake off the fear of fat! Eggs, avocados, nuts, I can’t eat that!” Yes, we can and you should!

First of all, calories are not all the same. The calories from a donut are not the same as those from an egg and our bodies do not metabolize them the same way. Eating a donut versus eating an egg does not have the same impact on our hormones nor our appetite.

The interesting thing is that when we restrict fat, our macro nutrients get out of balance. We are focused on carbs, sugars, and proteins only and our body can start to think we are starving it. The refined carbs and the sugars are the biggest culprit as they spike insulin which is the fat storage hormone. Now a vicious cycle starts: hunger pains -> more of the same foods, etc…

Spikes in insulin drives all available fuel in our bloodstream into our fat cells, especially the dangerous ones around our waste line and organs; the visceral fat. This tells our brain to eat more.

Based on countless recent research, I truly believe that since most of our fat-cell chemistry is controlled by the quality and type of food we eat, we should eat quality fat, lower refined carbs, good amounts of fiber, and excellent proteins in a balance manner.

The best products I have found to accomplish this is the ISAGENIX nutrition system. Incorporating this into our daily nutrient intake along with a regular low glycemic snacks and a balanced meal of 400 to 600 calories has had great results. Seeing the changes in people around me, including myself, has convinced me. My wife lost 4 inches from her waistline, for instance. She fought her body’s attempt to develop a muffin top and she won!!! Checkout the testimonials under the Our Products dropdown menu. Weight Wellness Testimonials

Why is meat not the best source of protein?

There’s no debating our bodies need proteins for healthy living. Proteins are needed to provide amino acids used to build cells. Amino acids are actually building blocks in almost all biological processes.

The problem with meat protein is that it brings along a whole slew of issues. This is not even including what some consider environmental or moral debates about how these are raised or farmed.

In the first half of the twentieth century meat, especially red meat, was viewed as playing an important role in a healthy, balanced diet as a natural source of protein and vitamins. However, in the second half of the century our attitudes toward meat shifted with an intensified debate about reducing meat consumption due to the risks of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.

Additionally, advances in science have shown that your body works hard to get the proteins out of meats. Your stomach has to produce a higher level of hydrochloric acid to break down the bonds linking the amino acids¹ and this creates a more acidic environment which is not ideal.

The reason I love to fuel my body with ISAGENIX’s IsaLean® shakes is because they are nutrient rich and contain superior un-denatured whey and milk proteins. (A dairy-free version exists) They are more than a shake, it’s a meal replacement (240 cal.) with its proteins (24 g), energy-fueling carbohydrates (8 g fiber), good fats, and 23 vitamins and minerals per serving.

The un-denatured whey and milk proteins are of the highest quality and not processed in a manner that destroys the enzymes in them. You fuel your body with 2 shakes per day as well as 2 snacks and then enjoy a healthy low-glycemic, 400-600 calorie meal as your third meal. (More calories can be consumed once in weight maintenance). I often enjoy the great flavors of fish, chicken, and lean beef as part of my healthy meal while feeling I have reduced meat protein, yet fueled my body effectively for the day.

¹Scientific details: The gastric cells of the stomach secrete inactive pepsinogen enzymes for protein breakdown. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is then used to activate the pepsinogen into pepsin enzymes. The pepsin is used in digestion to break down the bonds linking the amino acids. This process is known as proteolysis.