Blueberry Banana Muffins

3/4 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2)
3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tsps. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour (I would use praire gold or whole wheat)
2 tsps. aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 generous cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat oven to 425. Lightly spray muffin pan with olive oil or use liners.

In a large bowl add bananas, yogurt, honey, olive oil and vanilla. Stir together until well mixed.

In a seperate bowl, sift together floue, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingrediants to the banana mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the bleberries and the nuts.

Spoon the batter into pan. Reduce heat to 400 and place pan in oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until tops spring back to touch. Let cool in tin for 10 minutes before transferring to rack. Serve warm.

Can store at room temperture for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

I only cooked mine for about 20 minutes and they were done. These were great and so good for you. I also used my homemade yogurt!

This recipe came from Jillian Michaels cookbook "The MasterYour Metabolism Cookbook"

Homemade Salad dressings and Veggie Dips

I have started making homemade yogurt so needed things to do with it - here are some dressings/dips I have made (and 1 I am going to try). Of course, you can you organic ingredients from the store.

Ranch Dressing
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tsp. dill
2 tsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
I also substitute powders for the salts.

This one is creamier:
Creamy Dressing
1 cup yogurt
juice of 1 lemon
2 T olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 green onions, chopped

Here's one I haven't tried yet

1 cup cottage cheese
2/3 cup yogurt
Blend together in processor then add:
2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1st goal of the year - Healthy Eating

My first goal of the year toward better health is to get rid of sodas. I have been hooked on sodas since being a teenager and have tried many times to break the addiction. I usually do this by saying I can have them if we are out or at a friends home or just those special times when I neeeed one!

Well, no more, I'm not listening to Satan's lies anymore - I can break this stronghold!
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I claim victory over this stronghold through Christ!

Just in case I'm a little cranky over the next few days, please give me some grace. My body will try and trick me in thinking I'm OK to just have a sip but I'm planning on standing strong in the Lord and being in prayer constantly!

What is your stronghold in getting healthier? If you leave me a comment I promise to lift you up in prayer!

Blessings,
Terri Sue

Happy New Year

The start of a new year - what a neat feeling. Here are things I want to accomplish this year:

1. Become the wife, Ezra needs be to be.
2. Become the mother, Brandon needs me to be.
3. Continue to lose weight by eating healthier.
4. Work with my yahoo group and this blog to share how my family is getting healthier, both physically and spiritually.
5. Work with Ezra expanding the "Taking Jesus 2 the Streets" ministry
6. Read my Bible all the way through.

Of course, none of this will get done without God and spending lots of time in prayer!

Blessings,
Terri Sue

Last Day of 2011

It's hard to believe we have reached the end of another year. As I look back over this year the one thing I can say is that I have seen God's fingerprints everywhere! From the new pantry at church and all the ministries that come from that, to Ezra and I finally making the choice to get healthier, I can say this has been a blessed year!

I look forward to the next year because of all the changes made. One of the things I am going to do is blog more about healthy eating and spiritual well being. I also have a yahoo group for Christian women to share in their journey to healthy eating. I know that in order for me to stay on the pace I need accountability and that is why I feel it is important to share.

I pray anyone reading this has had a blessed year. Lookinf forward to seeing you in the next one!

Blessings,
Terri Sue

Fight the Good Fight

We started high school this week! Then I realized I needed more curriclum, bummer! NO, it's OK, I just thought I was a little more organized than I found out I was. We are still proceeding with the books we have and will pick up as we get the new stuff in.

Here is our curriculum for this year:
Language Arts: SOS English, Tricks of the Trade Spelling and The Write Help
Math: we are reviewing, then starting Math U See Pre-Algebra
Science: ABEKA Physical Science
History/Geography: Mystery of History
Bible: Call to Prayer, Words of Wisdom - Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Tapestry of Grace Church History
Foreign Language: Step by Step Spanish
Health: SOS Health

I'm sure things will be added as we go but it sure feels good to have a plan. How has your year started off?
Blessings,
Terri Sue

God and List

This post was written almost 2 weeks ago. My computer wouldn't post it for some reason. I'm going to try again.
Blessings,
Terri Sue

I tried earlier this week to post but it got zapped to cyberspace somehow. In that post I shared how as my life has gotten busier over the last week , I had started making list and catorgizing everything. Friends who know me, know that list aren't my thing and most of the time when I make then they get lost! Anyway, after making all my lists, I think I have 5 going right now, I realized that no where in those list was God. I hadn't prayed over them, asked God about them or even just spent some still time with Him seeing if I needed to make those list.

Today, being Friday, I look back on my week and realize that though I didn't get much done on my lists, I got a lot done with my Lord. B and I are taking a Bible class together. It is about how to effectively study your Bible. I didn't realize how much I needed to learn! I have spent a lot of time in prayer over my lists. I also spent a wonderful afternoon with a special friend, sharing my lists and getting things into perspective.

Now I know that my other post wasn't supposed to go out there. I didn't have my priorities straight. I know feel, with Gods help, I can remake my list. I feel better about them and I know I will accomplish more!

My prayer for you is that you will take time out and spend time with the Lord. He will guide your way!

Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way: walk in it.""