Wheat Chicken Wraps

Wheat chicken wrap

Wraps are fun to make.  You can add or subtract anything.  I like adding healthy ingredients.  Of course, I love to add a liquid ingredient, which isn't necessarily healthy for me--ranch dressing.

This is another one of those simple recipes that I saw on ABC's The Chew.  I made two of these and ate them up, without feeling guilty.  They were healthy and delicious...and who doesn't like simple?!

Ingredients for wheat chicken wraps

Here are the ingredients for wheat chicken wraps:

--Large wheat (or flour) tortillas

--Diced tomatoes

--Spinach leaves

--Ranch dressing

--Cooked and diced chicken breast

Ingredients inside wrap

To make this wheat chicken wrap, all one needs to do is throw the ingredients--chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and ranch dressing--onto the tortilla, in no particular order. 

It's the wrapping that is more of a challenge.  Carefully roll up the tortilla more loosely and wider than for the pinwheels I made earlier.  Then, just use some of the ranch dressing as glue for the one end that gets turned up.  The result is that some of the enticing ingredients stick out of the wrap from the other end.

Wheat wraps can vary.  Ingredients like other meats, veggies, and salad dressings can be used.  I'll be making some more in the future.  I look forward to making different kinds.  Carrots and Thousand Island dressing might be a welcome change. 

Well, thanks for reading about how to make  

wheat chicken wraps. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog entry as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Please consider sharing it with others.  

 

What about you, my readers? Do you like to make unusual snacks? What would you add to or subtract from these chicken wraps?  Chicken wraps are versatile.  Try some and you'll love them, too.

May God bless you with His peace and wisdom, my beloveds.

This has been an entry for Saturday Spreads. I hope you enjoyed it!

Art Fun With Blotting

I Love to Paint by Jennifer Lipsey

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my daughter using art to release some stress in Getting My Daughter Ready for NaNoWriMo.  In it, I explained how she used art to deal with her mother being sick.  We used that as an opportunity to create a story out of some of her pictures.  That inspired me to teach them about ink blots.  Using the above book, I asked them to throw down some dots on a page that was folded in half.

Ink blotting inspiration

I found the page (shown above) from the book; it shows easy directions and examples of blots.  I showed the pictures to the kids.  We only had a few colors of paint to work with as you will see below.  Of course, we've since bought more paint.  I did want to show what we came up with based on the limited paint we had.

Gabriel's snowman

Once there were dots of paint on one side of the page, Gabriel folded the page.  Then, he scrutinized the picture.  He decided that there was a snowman.  I think he's right.  What do you see, my friends?

Kaelyn's butterfly

Kaelyn's picture shows some definite parts to a butterfly.  I was still feeling sick when my kids did these blots so I didn't ask them to complete their pictures.  Ideally, the teacher would ask the child to outline the butterfly's wings and to add antennae.  I still think you can see the butterfly, though.  What do you think, my friends?

Iris' sheep

Iris' sheep was quite visible.  She added more dots to this picture, but you can still see the sheep in the middle.  

Her other creations were interesting.  Okay, well, maybe macabre would be a better description.  The other pictures were turning out to be bleeding hearts and rib cages.  I think it's her reading too many of those Japanese comics influencing her.  I wish I could show you the pictures, but she won't let me.

Two Hearts That Beat As One

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture from Rafael.  He's always asleep when I want to ask him for one of his pictures.  I do have one of mine.  The picture directly above I named Two Hearts That Beat As One.  I think I was influenced by my sister-in-law getting married.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about our art fun with blotting.
I hope to share some more lessons in the future.  Stay tuned!

If you enjoyed this entry, please share it with others.
I would appreciate that very much.

How about it, my readers?  Do you teach your children art?  If so, what do you use for inspiration and/or lessons?  I Love to Paint by Jennifer Lipsey is useful for teaching easy art lessons.

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry is part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Free Social Studies Worksheets, Lesson Plans, and Printables for First Grade

First grade social studies book

A week ago, I wrote about how I'm using certain textbooks to teach first grade social studies.  My blog entry, Social Studies for First Grade, showed two books, one secular and one Christian-based.  Those are books that I've accumulated over the years.  This week, I want to share some websites which provide free worksheets, lesson plans, and/or printables pertaining to first grade history and social studies.

Here are some wonderful websites to help us teach social studies for first grade for free:

About.com explains what needs to be taught for first grade social studies.  Concepts like jobs and community helpers is mentioned.

Education.com

Internet4Classrooms

Family Education

TLS Books

LessonPlansPage

A to Z Teacher Stuff

Teacher Vision

Willoughby-eastlake

Test Designer (contains questions a first grader should be able to answer)

Well, thanks for viewing this quick entry about free worksheets, printables, and lesson plans for social studies for a first grade student.  I hope I've given an idea of what could be used in the home school.

How about you, my readers?  For those of you who home school, what are you using for social studies for first grade?  Are you satisfied with your curriculum choices?  With the internet, a teacher or parent can find free resources for first grade for history/social studies.  I encourage you to research.

I pray that God helps us all, whether we are homeschooling or are thinking of home schooling.  May God bless us all with His wisdom and peace, as we teach our children.

This has been an entry for Thorough Thursdays.  If you liked it, please consider sharing it with your friends and family.

A Christian's End in Sight: My Contemplation of Verse 50 of the Tao Te Ching

Dr. Dyer's book is Change your Thoughts--Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

Today, I am focusing on verse 50 of the Tao Te Ching:

Between birth and death,

three in ten are followers of life;

three in ten are followers of death.

And men just passing from birth to death

also number three in ten.

Why is this so?

Because they clutch to life

and cling to this passing world.

But there is one out of ten, they say, so sure of life

that tigers and wild bulls keep clear.

Weapons turn from him on the battlefield,

rhinoceroses have no place to horn him,

tigers find no place for claws,

and soldiers have no place to thrust their blades.

Why is this so?

Because he dwells in that place

where death cannot enter.

Realize your essence

and you will witness the end without ending.

Eternity--it's an abstract idea.  Do we fully understand it?  Do we believe in it?  What do religions say about living forever?  How do we define eternity?

According to Wikipedia, immortality is the ability to live forever.  Countless stories have been created with characters, who live forever.  Gods in mythology have been attributed with immortality, too.  Our fascination with life and death is never-ending.

The Bible tells us that we can live with Jesus forever.  The Bible prescribes how to attain everlasting life with the King of all Kings.  Just imagine what that would be like.  Living in the glory of God would be awesome.

Here's what I imagine: I visit with Jesus, walking and talking with Him.  I ask Him lots of questions.  I sit with Him, without uttering a word.  I live in a vibrant environment with wondrous surroundings akin to the Garden of Eden.

This verse of the Tao Te Ching explains that not everyone sees life in these terms.  There are those who are more concerned with the dying aspect of life.  That's pretty depressing.  Instead of seeing that God can protect your feet from being hurt, this type of person is dwelling on the next injury or illness.  What about trusting in God for protection?

I feel sad for those who hone in on the idea of no life after the death of the body.  They believe that once their body dies, that's it; there's no more life.  That's a sad type of existence--to believe that there is no more to the person after the death of the physical body.

We will witness the end without an ending.

The Bible tells us that death will not sting us.  We, who are believers in Christ, have had death defeated.  When Jesus sacrificed His life, He beat Death.  Once we fully understand this, we can rest assured that when the body dies, our spirit lives on.  Our spirit goes back to the origin--God the Father--until the great resurrection in which we will all have new bodies. 

Thanks for reading this entry about how a Christian truly sees his/her end.  

I appreciate you taking the time to read it.  

My dear readers, I've got some questions for you: How do you see life and death?  Do you believe in life after death?  Have you ever considered what happens when our physical bodies die?  Visit the websites above.  They give a better understanding of eternity and our fate with God on our side.  It's worth your time.  I promise.   

I pray that we all would seek wisdom from the Source of everything--Our Heavenly Father, God.  I pray that we would ask God for His help to experience a deep, loving relationship with Him.

May God bless you, my beloveds, with His wisdom and peace, in Jesus' name.  Amen!

This has been an entry for Wisdom Wednesdays.

I am currently drawing inspiration from Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's book and the 81 verses of the Chinese wisdom book the Tao Te Ching.

Teaching About Money With Technology

Play money

In September, I made an entry, Teaching About Money.  In it, I explained that we have used worksheets and toys to teach about money.  Today, I want to offer a few websites that teach about money.  I thought it would be a cool idea to compile a list of online games that test children on the concept of money.  Games can be an entertaining way of reinforcing math concepts.

Some of these websites offer a list of free online games that reinforce the concept of money:

MoneyGamesOnline.com


Apples4theteacher


Math-play


Home School Math (has some stuff for sale, too)


Money Instructor


About.com


Big Money game

I think offering children an alternative to worksheets to learn about money is wonderful.  It can change things up a bit.  Sometimes, our children get bored with worksheets and workbooks.  Free online games with lots of colors can help a visual learner.  If a game has audio, that can help an auditory learner.

Well, thanks for viewing this quick blog entry about teaching about money with technology.

How about you, my readers?  Have you ever used online games to teach about money?  If so, did your children enjoy learning about money while playing the games?  Or did they like using actual dollars and coins?  I think virtual coins and dollars is a practical, economical method to learn about money.  I believe in finding technological tools to help in the home school; I hope you would consider using technology in your schools, too. 

I pray that God gives you all, my beloveds, His wisdom and peace.

This has been an entry for the Technology Tuesdays series.  Please visit my Technology Tuesdays webpage for a list of my previous entries.

Update on My Health Goals for Fall 2011

Soda--the continuing saga

I wish I could crawl out of my skin.

About two weeks ago, I was suffering.  I was so frustrated with the pain.  Have you ever felt that way?  As the years go by, I am learning what triggers my skin condition.  It's really inflammation.

My head and body are interconnected.

There are certain stressors that I can't help.  It's tough when I want to reconnect with family and friends.  They don't understand that when they bring me stress, they make me sick.  I'm not only talking about mental stress.  I'm talking about the stress affecting my body. 

Stress causes inflammation.

Anyway, I have learned that I must detox continually.  Along the way, my body has been overstressed.  Junk food, which is something I turn to for comfort, does not help me at all.  It feels good at the moment, but in the end, I feel worse.  Has anyone else found this out for themselves?

Stress aside, here is an update to my health goals for fall:

1. Haven't been drinking enough water.  It's so much easier to reach for tasty drinks.  Orange juice is not even what we used to drink.  It doesn't taste the same.  It's too tart. 

2. I've been drinking soda just to stay awake.  I don't like this fast-paced world we live in.  To keep up with everyone, I need to drink caffeine.  I need to go back to not drinking soda.  My kidneys are feeling bruised already.

3. I've been taking a lot of supplements.  I have been taking Turmeric and Ginger for inflammation.  The Probiotic and Grape Seed Complex is for rebuilding my immunity.  I even bought garlic softgels to kill any skin infection I might have.  I'm taking some others, but these are the main ones.

4. I've been eating breakfast.  This sets the tone for the rest of my day.  Sometimes, hubby has made scrambled eggs.  Other times, I've eaten a bowl of Cheerios with a banana.  A warm oatmeal with cinnamon also works for me.

5. I am boosting my metabolism with supplements.  I'm taking a detoxing weight-control formula that I bought through Swanson.  It contains ingredients like: Burdock Root, Flaxseed Powder, and Milk Thistle Extract.  I've come down a few pounds already.

6. I haven't been able to exercise.  This is my toughest challenge.  I am in pain on a daily basis.  The only way I can think of to work around this is to take something for the pain.  I am convinced that if I lose weight through exercise, I can indeed feel healthier; the dilemma is what the pain medications can do to the body.

7. I've been eating more junk food.  Yikes!  I know I shouldn't.  This past weekend was tough; we were rushed.  I picked up what was available because I was exhausted.

8. Haven't been eating enough fruits and vegetables.  I need to rev this up.  Hubby has gotten on the bandwagon about this.  He's finally okay with spending more money on bananas, apples, and spinach.  Now, I need to eat them!

9. I've started to get dressed.  I put on my shoes, too.  When I get sick, I need to wear comfy clothes.  When I lose weight, my shrunken clothes will fit again.  Haha!

10. I still need to find new ways to move.  I had a dream last night that I was taking up Tai Chi.  It is slow enough.  Perhaps, I should start that way and move up to more rigorous activity.  The problem with me is that my clothes rub my skin raw.

11. I need to walk around more.  I need to put on the pedometer and walk around the dining room.  Yes, it would be wonderful to walk around the neighborhood.  Unfortunately, my city's way of addressing the stray dog situation is pitiful.

12. I've been sleeping more.  Somehow, my body reset itself.  I've been getting sleepy before midnight.  That's a great improvement.  The only thing is that I wake up after about four hours of sleep.

I have felt your prayers. 

During this month of October, I've had my ups and downs.  I do feel, though, that there is progress.  I am optimistic.  I know that God is helping me to find the information I need. Also, I am very grateful for your prayers, and I ask God to bless you all for taking the time to pray.

Well, thanks for reading about my update on the health goals for fall.  I hope this blog entry encourages someone to develop their own health goals.

How about you, my readers?  Do you have any new health goals for this fall season?  How do you handle setbacks to your health?  I encourage you to assess your current health.  It's a great opportunity to adjust your habits.  You might need to tweak your habits to improve your life.   

If you need to improve your health, in any form, please ask God to help you; he will, if you pray for His guidance.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints that I discussed here are just my opinions.  Please consult your physician before altering anything relating to your health.  I am only suggesting here to take charge of your health.  Don't just leave your health in the hands of your doctors; become your own advocate.  You know best how your body is doing.

The Body of Christ

The Bible defines the Church as the body of Christ.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?  --1 Corinthians 12:12-19 King James Version   Our bodies have many parts.  Most of us have arms, legs, a trunk, a head, and digits.  Whenever there is a lack of any of those ingredients, the body does not function fully.  Many of us understand what it's like for a body to suffer.  The Church is compared to a human body.  It suffers when there is a lack of a body part.  It's important that every member of the Christian faith do their part within the community.  It is important that we do the jobs that God has given to us.  We must remember that the Spirit of God gives each Christian special talents and skills.  It is our responsibility to use those talents and skills correctly.   We must all do our parts within the body.  That ensures that the body of Christ remain healthy.    If our senses go, our bodies suffer.  Other parts have to compensate for the lack of one ability or another.  Just think of what can be accomplished with a healthy body.  There would be less limits on the body.  The body parts would be less stressed.   Let's all do our part within the body of Christ.   Together, we can accomplish much.  The kingdom of God needs us to use our talents and skills to the best of our ability.  Many people still need to learn about God and His love for humanity.  Let's be the eyes, ears, hands, and feet of the body of Christ as God has appointed us. 

 Thanks for reading today's blog entry about the body of Christ, the Church.  I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 How about you, my readers?  As Christians, do you understand the concept of the church being the body of Christ?  What part do you have within the body of Christ?  Do you truly know what it means to be an integral part of the Church?  I encourage you to read different versions of 1 Corinthians 12:12-19 to understand what the Bible says about the Church being the body of Christ.    May the only true God of all gods bless us, my dear friends, with His wisdom and peace.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!  

This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series. 

To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/

Wheat Turkey Pinwheels

Wheat turkey pinwheels

Pinwheels--that's a twist to an ordinary snack.  Well, maybe eating something with a wheat tortilla is not normal.  Yet, that's what I love experimenting with.  I already know that I love to eat a sandwich.  You know, the traditional, simple meat and bread combination.

Sometimes, I like to jazz up a snack.  Putting a new twist that I've never done is exciting.  I had seen pinwheels before, but I had never tried them before.  It takes buying the ingredients and then slapping them together to make something wonderful.  

I got the idea to make the pinwheels from ABC's The Chew.  I just want to make that clear.  That way y'all know I'm simply sharing what I'm learning from an awesome cooking show. 

Here are the ingredients for wheat turkey pinwheels:

--Swiss cheese or other cheese

--Oversized wheat tortillas

--Philadelphia cream cheese

--Turkey breast slices

Cream cheese on wheat tortillas

The first step is to spread Philadelphia cream cheese onto the ends of the tortilla.  The cream will act as the glue to hold the pinwheels together.

Swiss cheese and turkey slice on wheat tortilla

Next, add Swiss cheese or other desired cheese.  Place a slice of turkey breast on top.

Rolled wheat tortilla with ingredients inside

Roll the tortilla.  Press on the cream cheese to bind the tortilla to itself.  Then cut slices of the rolled tortilla.  Finally, turn the small pieces onto their sides.  Presto!

We've got pinwheels!

Pinwheels can vary.  Other ingredients like spinach and other creams can be used.  I'll be making some more in the future.  I look forward to making different kinds.  I love color so perhaps carrots might be lovely. 

Well, thanks for reading about how to make  

wheat turkey pinwheels. 

I hope you enjoyed this blog entry as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Please consider sharing it with others.  

 

What about you, my readers? Do you like to make unusual snacks? What would you add to or subtract from these pinwheels?  Pinwheels are lovely.  Try making some, and you'll love them, too.

May God bless you with His peace and wisdom, my beloveds.

This has been an entry for Saturday Spreads. I hope you enjoyed it!

Mini-Coupon Booklet

Small photo album

Here is a mini-photo album.  Normally I would insert 5" X 7" photos.  I bought this one at the flea market.  I believe I paid $1.  At the time, I had every intention to use it for storage of pictures.

I had a situation on my hands: I had my blue indexed coupon holder.  It contained too many coupons.  I needed to come up with an additional method to hold my high priority coupons without having to dig into all of my many coupons.  That's when I remembered that I had the small photo album.

Sample of coupons in the sleeves of photo album

I tested my theory at the store.  It worked!  It was small enough for my purse and hands.  It was easy to carry around in the store.  I was able to compare coupons and products.  

The pockets of the photo album are see-through.  

I was able to see the coupons.  When I was definitely going to be using certain coupons, I slipped them in the same last sleeve.  Whatever I wasn't using, I could leave where they were at.  Alternately, I could slip them at the beginning of the photo album.  That would let me know that I had already looked at them.

This method is not foolproof.  The pockets may eventually tear.  Still, this is easier for me and cheaper than buying a large binder.  Many people who are into extreme couponing use mega binders with baseball card holders in them.  Those are see-through, too.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about my mini-coupon booklet.
If you enjoyed this entry, please share it with others.
I would appreciate that very much.

How about it, my readers?  Do you use coupons?  How do you organize your coupons?  With the economy the way it is, couponing can be quite beneficial.  I hope you would find the time to collect and use some coupons. 

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry is part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

For more information about coupons, you can read:
Couponing--My Love-Hate Relationship With It 
Coupon Websites

Social Studies for First Grade

Secular first grade social studies

Christian-based first grade social studies

As with the other subjects, I have accumulated several resources for social studies.  For first grade, I have the two books above for my daughter to read.  They both cover the idea of families.  Kaelyn gets to find out about her place within her community.

Silver Burdett & Ginn Social Studies: Familes and Their Needs can be bought through Amazon.  This book covers issues relating to the school, neighborhoods, and our country.  My daughter will be reading about community workers like chefs and car mechanics.  Our basic needs of food, clothing and housing is also covered, too.

Heritage Studies for Christian Schools 1 is also available through Amazon.  I have an older version that was published in 1979.  This book covers the community of a child, through a Christian outlook.  That is the first half.  The second half goes into the early beginnings of America.

I want to help those of you who might be interested in buying the Heritage Studies set.  You can buy the textbook through Amazon.com.  Then, you can find the workbook at  Christianbook.com.  I won't be buying the workbook because the publisher's year of my copy is too old and won't be compatible with the edition (year of publication) of the workbook.

Perhaps next week, I will come up with some worksheets that can be used for first grade social studies.  Stay tuned!

Well, thanks for viewing this quick entry about what I'm using to teach social studies to my first grade student.  I hope I've given an idea of what could be used in the home school.

How about you, my readers?  For those of you who home school, what are you using for social studies for first grade?  Are you satisfied with your curriculum choices?  It's fun to find various books for first grade for history/social studies.  It gives our children a chance to learn from different sources.

I pray that God helps us all, whether we are homeschooling or are thinking of home schooling.  May God bless us all with His wisdom and peace, as you teach your children.

This has been an entry for Thorough Thursdays.  Hope you liked it.

About Elders and Sages: My Contemplation of Verse 49 of the Tao Te Ching

Dr. Dyer's book is Change your Thoughts--Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

 

Today, I am focusing on verse 49 of the Tao Te Ching:

The sage has no fixed mind;

he is aware of the needs of others.

Those who are good he treats with goodness.

Those who are bad he also treats with goodness

because the nature of his being is good.

He is kind to the kind.

He is also kind to the unkind

because the nature of his being is kindness.

He is faithful to the faithful;

he is also faithful to the unfaithful.

The sage lives in harmony with all below heaven.

He sees everything as his own self;

he loves everyone as his own child.

All people are drawn to him.

He behaves like a little child.

Growing up, I had a funny grandma.  You know, the kind that joked and laughed out loud.  My mother eventually did the same thing.  At first, after my dad had died, my mother wouldn't laugh or joke around.  I didn't understand back then that it was probably hard to find humor in anything when she had to take care of five kids by herself.

Being a sage, or a wise person, does not give us permission to be pretentious.  A sage is humble enough to understand what is appropriate at a given time.  It involves being kind to all, not just to those who are beneficial to your plans.  Being wise includes being faithful when not everyone sticks to you.  Being a sage means being good to all of mankind.

I find that there is an interesting paradox.  As we humans grow older, we become childlike.  We end up needing help to move around; our children help us.  Our behavior changes, too.  Sometimes, our children chide us.

Yet, we should revere our elders.  They have lived years ahead of us.  They have faced many challenges.  They can teach us a lot.  We should be drawn to them. 

Let's give our elders the respect they deserve.  

I'm not asking you to turn a blind eye to their flaws.  I'm asking you to give mercy where need be.  I'm asking you to consider that someday we will all be in their shoes, should we live long enough.  After all, wouldn't we want to be treated with dignity, when we ourselves become the elders to the younger generations?

 

 

Thanks for reading this entry about elders and sages.  

I appreciate you taking the time to read it.  

My dear readers, I've got some questions for you: Are you surrounded by elders in your life?  Do you respect your elders?  Are you drawn to your elders?  Perhaps, spending some time with your elders can give you a new perspective on life.  Take some time with the elders in your life.  Sit with them.  It's worth your time.  I promise.    

 

I pray that we all would seek peace from the Source of everything--Father, God.  I pray that we would ask God for His help to experience a deep, loving relationship with Him.

May God bless you, my beloveds, with His wisdom and peace, in Jesus' name.  Amen!

This has been an entry for Wisdom Wednesdays.

I am currently drawing inspiration from Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's book and the 81 verses of the Chinese wisdom book the Tao Te Ching.

Teaching How to Tell Time With Technology

Clock face with numbers

Digital Alarm Clock

Early this month, I wrote a blog entry about How to Tell Time.  In it, I explained how I've used manipulatives to teach my children how to tell time.  I also included websites where worksheets can be found to aid in teaching children how to tell time.  This week, I wanted to provide some websites where you can find technological aids to teach children how to tell time.

Here are some websites that provide technological aids to teach how to tell time:

Time for time website

Time for Friends website (Make sure to maximize screen for the game)

YouTube videos about time

Online clock manipulation

Souped Up Timers

Puzzle-type clock

Actual projects to make clocks

Clock product

Puzzle-type clock

A parent or a teacher can use an actual clock to teach about how to tell time; that in itself would be technological enough.  A digital clock can be used.  A clock with the twelve numbers and two hands can be used.  A project to put an actual clock together can help to teach about time, too.  Finally, a website with a virtual clock can be used, as well.

Well, thanks for viewing this quick blog entry about learning how to tell time with technology.

How about you, my readers?  Have you ever used online games to teach about time?  If so, did your children enjoy learning about clocks with the games?  Or did they like using actual clocks?  I think a virtual clock is a practical, economical method to learn about time.  I believe in finding technological tools to help in the home school; I hope you would consider using technology in your schools, too. 

I pray that God gives you all, my beloveds, His wisdom and peace.

This has been an entry for the Technology Tuesdays series.  Please visit my Technology Tuesdays webpage for a list of my previous entries.

Moderation in Eating Dark Chocolate

Chocolate--can I live without it?

I was feeling too weak to post yesterday, but I'm making up for it today; thanks for understanding!

I have a love-hate relationship with caffeine.  I realized months ago that I couldn't drink soda.  I don't want to go back to it.  I've suffered too much with my kidneys and lower back feeling bruised.  

What should I do about hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and chocolate?

I'm talking about me loving the very things that might be making me sick.  I already know that I should stay away from soda.  I've been successful with that goal.  I had been off of soda for a few months.  Drinking it again recently made me sick again.

Listening to my body is letting me know what triggers my skin condition.  I've heard that I should keep away from things like high fructose corn syrup.  I also need to stay away from MSG (monosodium glutamate) and food coloring.  What I can't seem to get away from is chocolate.

Pain might be a deterrent to eating chocolate.

I went so far as to go to dark chocolate, up to 86%.  I decided to stay away from milk chocolate, but I gotta admit, Hershey's Kisses often call my name.  Still, I've heard that dark chocolate is healthier for you.  There's just a problem with chocolate--I feel an instant pang of pain at the diseased parts of my body.  I feel a sense of sadness that I might have to part ways with my beloved chocolate.

Do I dare to give up chocolate?

I ate some right now to test my theory.  Perhaps the antioxidant properties of dark chocolate are helping me.  I don't know.  All I know is the idea of moderation is speaking to me right now.  I'm hearing that perhaps I can eat a little at a time.

...I might not give up dark chocolate after all!

Well, thanks for reading this blog entry about moderation in eating dark chocolate. 

How about you, my readers?  Do you ever overeat chocolate?  Did you know that dark chocolate is an antioxidant?  I encourage you to consider breaking down your chocolate intake into proper serving sizes.  You just might find that your chocolate lasts a little longer and that your health is maintained.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoints that I discussed here are just my opinions.  Please consult your physician before altering anything relating to your health.  I am only suggesting here to take charge of your health.  Don't just leave your health in the hands of your doctors; become your own advocate.  You know best how your body is doing.

God-Given Abilities to Christians

The Bible explains about the gifts from God to Christians.

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom ; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit ; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles ; to another prophecy ; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues ; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

--1 Corinthians 12:4-11 King James Version

Two weeks ago, I began discussion on the beginning of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians in The Holy Spirit's Blessings.  In it, I explained how Paul was dispelling some myths about the Holy Spirit.  He wanted to teach the people of Corinth that only the Spirit of God can help one to utter that Jesus is Lord.  This week, I want to present the idea of gifts, or abilities, that God has given to Christians.

God has seen to it that He gives abilities to each Christian.  The potential for each Christian to spread blessings to others is up to each person.  If we live to our potential, we stand the chance to bless others by what God gives to us.  It is not to be squandered or exploited.  These gifts are for the mutual benefit of the Christian family.

Here is a list of gifts that God gives:

1. The ability to give good advice
2. The gift of special knowledge
3. The ability of extra belief
4. The power to heal those who are ill
5. The ability to create miracles
6. The ability to prophesy
7. The ability to tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and other spirits
8. The ability to speak in other languages
9. The ability to interpret what is said in other languages

The Holy Spirit is the One who distributes the gifts of God.

God truly wants to reveal Himself to us.  We have to be willing to accept and use the abilities that God blesses us with.  His Holy Spirit makes it possible for us, who are Christians, to do any or some of the special gifts.  It is quite possible that a Christian could possess more than one of these abilities.  I think that's awesome.

Thanks for reading today's blog entry about the God-given abilities to mankind.  I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 How about you, my readers?  Do you understand the Holy Spirit's place in your life?  Do you have any of the God-given abilities?  Do you truly know what it means to be blessed with the Holy Ghost's gifts?  I encourage you to read different versions of 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 to understand what the Bible says about the God-given abilities to Christians.    May the only true God of all gods bless us, my dear friends, with His wisdom and peace.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!  

This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series. 

To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/