Ode' to A Cookie or First Quarter Update!

Milk and cookies! Not just for breakfast anymore!

The first quarter of 2013 is over so I thought it would be a good time to check the progress of my New Year’s Resolution—to control what goes in and what comes out of my mouth.

Mmmm, well, I weigh 2 pounds less than I did January 1^st. So if my goal was to lose weight, I made some pitiful improvement. If it was to eat healthier, I’ve made some headway.

I love sugar and it loves me. (I know that because it has taken up residence in my thighs.) I love sugar combined in any way imaginable with eggs, fat and flour. 

Not to brag, but I’m a pretty dang good baker. Whether it’s bread, cakes, pies, or cookies, I don’t think I have ever had a flop, but my specialty is cookies. 

I can’t tell you what my favorite cookie is because I never met a homemade cookie I didn’t like. They are a practical food which needs no table, plate, fork or napkin. They can be eaten with one hand leaving the other hand free to hold a beverage, accomplish a task, or grab the next cookie. They can be eaten in the kitchen, in the bedroom, in the car, or if necessary, in the closet. (I no longer eat in the closet—that was my first marriage).  

They can be eaten any time of day or substituted for a meal. For breakfast I love a dense oatmeal cookie full of fruit and nuts. That’s healthy right…fruit, dairy and whole grain? Oh, and a big crunchy peanut butter cookie can be a source of protein for lunch. It’s also a decadent desert with Nutella spread between two cookies. A spicy cinnamon Snickerdoodle or Gingersnap is perfect with a cup of hot tea. I would be remiss if I left out the beloved chocolate chip cookie. Individually or baked in a pizza pan they can be the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. I invented an oatmeal toffee cookie chockfull of coconut which my husband adores. (If you need a good cookie recipe, just leave me a message).

The only way for me to stay out of the cookies is not to have them in the house. I’m weak. I’ve tried baking and giving them away, but I still need to test at least one when it comes out of the oven. Not one from each batch of dough, one from each cookie sheet.The best way for me to avoid that particular temptation is not to bake. However, I love to bake and I love the adulation I get from others when I do.

I’ve volunteered to do the baking for a “desserts only” wedding reception. The first week of baking I went hog-wild eating all the cupcakes and cookies I wanted. Nothing else, just cupcakes and cookies. Four pounds attached themselves to my frame like lint on a sock. Easy to put on--hard to take off.

The alarms went off when I stepped on the scale. I stepped off resolved to fulfill my commitment to bake, but not to carry anything extra to the wedding except desserts. I slowed down long enough to read a book on the effects of sugar and high-glycemic foods on the metabolism. Armed with information and determination, I also asked for spiritual help to break my sugar addiction and drop a few pound. 

I found this very practical scripture:

Proverbs 27: 7 says, “When you’ve stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert; when you’re starved, you could eat a horse.” How true! I have little self-control when I’m hungry. Now I protect myself by eating a well-balanced meal before I start baking. I also drink plenty of water and chew a piece of gum.

Over the years I’ve also learned:

• You don’t need will-power. You need DON’T- Power. Don’t buy it, don’t bake it, and don’t put it in your mouth. Walk away. Just say “No!”
•  It doesn’t matter what you DON’T put in your mouth, only what you DO eat. I found myself eating my reward because I had been so disciplined during the day. Sabotage at its finest. Yeah, just a little crazy.
• It’s not fair that my husband can consume almost twice as many calories as I can. He can sneeze and lose weight. No, it’s not fair, but my being angry does not change a thing. My body processes calories the same way whether I’m angry or not.
• I have a slower metabolism than many people. I once went to a weight-loss doctor who measured my metabolism while I was lying in a little box. The nurse kept thumping the box because she thought it wasn’t working properly. Nope, it worked just fine. My metabolism was so low it didn’t register. So I will always have to watch my weight. Being angry doesn’t change that either.
• I work out four to five times a week for an hour. I need to do more, but it isn’t worth it to me yet. Instead I try to incorporate more activity into my daily routine; parking at the back of the parking lot; using the stairs; walking the dog, etc.

Let me leave you with this comforting verse from 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; He’ll always be there to help you come through it.” 

Next week--how I'm doing on what comes out of my mouth. 

Random Acts of Kindness

The only way to beat evil is with love. In light of the horror of the Boston Marathon finish line, I challenge you add light to this dark world by sowing seeds of love. You might know it as performing a random act of kindness.

One of my favorite things to do is to pay for the food of the car behind me when I'm in a drive-through. I've gotten so excited about it, I have driven off without my food. I always return an item to the shelf or give it to a staff member to return  if I change my mind about a purchase. I always return my shopping cart and sometimes stray carts as well.

When I'm shopping I put clothing which has fallen on the floor back on the hangers. No one knows, but I get a rush knowing I made some clerk's day a little easier. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Peter said: "I make the Master proud of me by being a good citizen. I respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, I might cure the ignorance of the fools who think I'm a danger to society. I exercise my freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. I treat everyone I meet with dignity. I love my spiritual family, revere God, and respect the government. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (The Message)

Leave me a message here or on Facebook and let me know if you found a way to be randomly kind. I promise it will bring you joy.

Here are some other suggestions which I found at www.daretobeanangel.com:

	Compliment a stranger sincerely
	Write a thank you note to someone
	Look for something around you that can be fixed up, picked up, or attended ie, put shopping carts up, pick up some trash laying around, pick up something that has fallen over
	Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
	Send handmade cards or a letter to someone you care for
	Write a note to management or someone themself who has treated you nice while doing their job (waiter, clerk, sales person...ect)
	when you go somewhere to get or do something, ask someone around you if you can pick up, drop off or do something for them while you do
	Cut coupons out and leave them at the grocer register for others
	Cut an article out of the newspaper that would interest a friend and mail it to them.
	Leave have a nice day stickers at a front desk
	Put together a writing kit with stationery, envelopes and stamps, pen and give to hospital/nursing home
	Put a comment on someone's webpage that you really like...... let them know you enjoy it
	Send a card to someone in the military overseas
	Start a conversation up with a co-worker that you don't know
	Leave something cheery or nice for all your co-workers (in spring bag of seeds, fun post its, fun office supplies
	Put change in a row of vending machines
	Visit a nursing home. Spend time visiting with someone who doesn't get visitors
	Put something you no longer need on Craig's list free spot for your area
	Leave something for someone at an area where it most might be used, (lighter near smoking area, book in reading area, umbrella near door on rainy day)
	Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read.
	Drop off a toy or game at a hospital
	Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter.
	At post office leave some extra stamps at the stamp machine.
	Send a picture you have taken which includes a friend and send it to them with a note remembering when it was taken
	Buy a phone card and give to a homeless shelter for them to give to someone.
	Open the phone book, pick a name, and send them something (movie tickets, thank you card, you are appreciated card, book, etc.) anonymously.
	Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn't had any visitors.
	Take some cake, chocolates, flowers etc. to the neighbors, or a senior citizen nearby
	Send someone a small gift anonymously
	Make a cd of your favorite songs and give to a friend
	Donate one hour of your time if you offer a service for a living, or one product, or one seminar, or one class, or just one of whatever it is that you do as a gift to someone else.
	Invite someone who is alone over for dinner.
	Share a comic strip or something funny with someone else.
	Leave a chocolate for a co-worker.
	write a note, send a e-greeting "just to say hello" to someone who might need a pick me up
	Visit hospitals with smiles, treats and friendly conversation for patients.
	Send a thank you to the employees at a hospital, or anywhere else that a cheerful thank might add a smile
	Put a quarter in a parking meter that has expired
	Write a thank-you note to a person from your past who has made a difference in your life.
	Drop off a plant, flowers or apple pie at a public service orginization or your neighbors house.
	Send someone an animated greeting card on the internet.
	Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
	Drop off teddy bear to police department to give to traumitized children
	Drop a few coins in an area where children play, where they can easily find them.
	Copy a favorite recipie and give it to someone
	Buy a copy of your favorite book and donate it to your local library or hospital
	Write letters of appreciation to groups who are helping the community, the environment, etc.
	Send a card to a friend or relative you haven't seen for some time. Include a photo of yourself and/or your family.
	Make a point of introducing yourself to someone you see all of the time but never say hello to.
	Send an anonymous scratch card, lottery or theatre ticket to someone you know - or a gift voucher, a funny card, a chocolate bar, or whatever you feel they would enjoy
	If you know someone who is having a hard time financially, pop a $5, $10 or $20 note in an envelope, disguise your writing or type the envelope, and post it to them.
	Offer to baby sit
	Donate clothes to goodwill
	Put change in a charity change bottle
	Bring cookies or some snack to work for office
	Drop off cookies at a random establishment
	Tape some change to a payphone with a card saying it is for whoever needs it
	Write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find.