December 2017

Top Ten Ways to

Wreck Your

Christmas

Vicki Heath

I love Christmas—every single, crazy minute of it. I love the advent, presents and

spending time with my family. I will admit that not every Christmas has turned out exactly as I had planned. How many times have you sat down on Christmas afternoon among the strewn wrapping paper, abandoned presents and food, and thought “Wow, glad that’s over?” If Christmas tends to be a disappointment to you or leaves you completely exhausted, there are ways to ensure that it will happen the same way this year. I’ve come up with the top ten ways to wreck your Christmas and believe me, I have experienced every one of them at one Christmas or another. I am not judging! 1. Overschedule the holiday. It usually starts the week after Thanksgiving and

doesn’t let up until New Year’s Day. I just sent a “No, I won’t be coming.” RSVP to a Christmas party here on Edisto. I’m so proud of myself. It was not easy. I almost felt guilty disappointing those giving the party, but I am determined to leave some room for me and Jesus this holiday. There may have been no room in the Inn, but there will be room in my schedule to make sure He gets the attention.

2. Avoid exercise. This one is not a problem for me, but I know it is for many. I enjoy exercise, and during the holidays it’s a natural God-tranquilizer for my body. You are also going to need some stress relief, and it is much more beneficial than gorging on a pint of peppermint ice cream.

3. Overspend. It’s a sure way to ruin the day after Christmas. A horrible, dreadful feeling will come over you, when you start thinking about how much you over- spent on presents, food and travel. The average person will go in debt for Christmas gifts, and pay the price of high, monthly credit card payments for at least a year. We can set limits and avoid emotional and guilt-spending. Who really cares that much about the presents anyway? I’ve asked every one of my children for a suggestion and I have yet to hear. 

4. Cell Phone Addiction. Dr. David Greenfield, Director of Center for Internet and Technology Addiction says that around 90% of Americans fall in the

                  Continued on page two

Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Top Ten Ways to Wreck Your Christmas ~ Vicki Heath ~ Page 1 Devo – Prince of Peace ~ Page 4 Floodlight for the Soul ~ Helen Baratta

~ Page 6 Success Story ~ Kathy Hickey ~ Page 7 Upcoming Events ~ Page 8 Healthy Hacks – Lisa Lewis ~ Page 9 Recipes ~ Page 10

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Top Ten Ways to Wreck Your Christmas - Continued

Continued from page one

category of overusing, abusing or misusing their devices. Being tied to your Smartphone can have a detrimental impact on your academic performance, your home life, and family relationships. If you are not emotionally present because of your addiction to social media, you are not really there, and you will miss Christmas.

5. Procrastinate. Ugh! I am not a great planner, but I am learning. Nothing is worse than to realize the day before Christmas Eve you never got around to grocery shopping. Believe me, there is not much left on the shelves that late. I have worked hard to develop the discipline of planning ahead. It protects me from emotional breakdowns and speeding tickets.

6. Skip church. Oh, my! Christmas advent services are just about the most special events in all the world. My Dad was never a big church-goer, but he always attended Christmas Eve service with us during the holidays. I wouldn’t miss these special events for anything. Memories and traditions are made that will last for a lifetime.

7. Overindulge on holiday fare. The average American will gain 3 to 7 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Now, that will ruin your Christmas! The typical Thanksgiving and Christmas meal consists of about 2000 to 3000 calories! Our bodies are not designed to handle so much food at one time. In FP4H we are not settling for average. Check out our website www.firstplace4health.com and check out our holiday recipes.

8. Let your Quiet Time slide. I love having the birth of Christ as the focus of my quiet time with God during the holidays. There is just something about chapter two of Luke. Mary pondered it all in her heart and we, like Mary, need to take time to read, pray and ponder the Word of God. Reading my Bible calms me, settles me and brings great peace. God’s Word will point us to the real reason for Christmas.

9. Not resting. There is a lot to do getting ready for Christmas—all the more reason we need to be rested and ready. It’s really a bummer to wake up two days before Christmas with an awful cold or the flu because I stayed up all hours of the night working on Christmas “projects” like cleaning my house. God does a great work in our bodies when we sleep. Rest is not what we want to sacrifice. No one will notice the dust.

10. Worrying. It’s the number one joy-robber and ruination of Christmas. I remember my mom worrying over every little thing. She worried my kids would not like their presents, she worried we wouldn’t all have a place to sleep, she worried about the turkey, she worried about the ham, she worried about us traveling, she worried, she worried, she worried. I’m not sure she really enjoyed Christmas that much. It’s not worth the worry. Being together and sharing the joy of Christ is a simple thing, not complicated. The rest is just stuff. We don’t need it all and it does not have to be perfect.

I hope you will enjoy every single, crazy, lovely minute of Christmas. Protect yourself and your family from these dreadful things that will try and ruin your Christmas! Glory in the Highest.

Vicki Heath………………………..…….…………..vicki.heath@fp4h.com Vicki Heath, First Place 4 Health National Director, American Council on Exercise certified fitness instructor, certified life coach and Wellness Coordinator for her church in Edisto Beach, SC. Vicki is author of Don’t Quit Get Fit and Wellness Journey of a Lifetime. She has led a successful First Place 4 Health ministry in her church for twenty years.  

            

DECEMBER 2017 PAGE TWO

 

First Place 4 Health Sounds of Christmas Check out the low sale prices on these audio and video items just

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Devo ~ Prince of Peace

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Halloween is barely over when magazines and Pinterest boards fill with ideas for Christmas. Martha Stewart is cooking up a feast that cannot possibly be recreated without a staff of sous chefs. The recipes for cookies and cakes and pastries are endless. In my first years of marriage, I bought Good Housekeeping and tried to replicate their Christmas décor, never realizing the budget for those rooms was more than we made in a year. My scaled-

down efforts always ended up deeply disappointing. One year I went all out and made a two-story gingerbread house, complete with sugar-glazed windows and electric lighting. Unfortunately, I was so exhausted when I finished that I could hardly wrap gifts or cook a meal. It took me years to realize those glossy magazine pages were my own brand of temptation. No, I did not need to bake seventeen different cookies for my family and friends. We did not need it. It was a subtle form of gluttony. And gifts . . . I cringe each Christmas when the luxury car companies come out with ads showing their $80,000 cars wrapped with big red bows. The perfect gift. Or diamonds. Or expensive electronics. Talk about stress! In 2015, the average American spent $830 on gifts at Christmas. That’s up fifteen percent from 2014. And most of that goes on credit cards. Creating meals for guests at Christmas holds the same dangers. Why do we think we have to stretch to gourmet standards and offer more food than anyone can possibly eat? At First Place 4 Health we’re committed to eating healthy, right? So why don’t we continue to cook healthy, simple, delicious meals at Christmas? Our guests will thank us for caring for their health as well as ours. I still love to decorate, but we now have beloved ornaments and the same two trees, the same nativity, and the same table décor every year. Our children come home to their cherished memories instead of an expensive, new “theme” each year. Over-scheduling and over-reaching is just as dangerous. In this week’s verse, Isaiah foretells that the child who was to come would be the Prince of Peace. Christmas should be a season of peace, not a season of overdoing it to the point of stress.

Father, You are the Prince of Peace, and You long to bring peace into our lives. Help us stay focused on the lasting things at Christmastime—to use the season as a time to celebrate Your birth. Let it be a time of peace, not

a time of stress. Amen. Journal: Write down the things you want to do this Christmas. Now assign each a number: #1 are things that will deepen your faith or relationships; #2 are things that bring pleasure; #3 are chores that meet expectations; #4 are those things you dread. Look over your list. Can they all be done while making the season one of peace and fulfillment? If not, what can you cross off? Wendy Lawton, Hilmar, CA

This devo taken from A Joy-full Season, available now in the First Place 4 Health online store.  

DECEMBER 2017 PAGE FOUR

Have you seen our YouTube channel? Lots of great videos

on cooking, leadership, fitness and more! Go to www.youtube.com/firstplace4health

Let’s get social!

Floodlight for the Soul ~ Helen Baratta “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is

filled with light. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with

light.” Luke 11:34-36 (NLT)

At different stages of my life, the Lord’s light radiated from my face; other times it glowed, sometimes it glimmered, and if I’m honest, my light flickered when I sank into the dark corner. Thankfully, Jesus is always ready to illuminate our souls. The challenge for me is recognizing the darkness crowding out the light. Are you like me and need a floodlight into your soul? Are you ready for a healthy eye, with your whole body filled with light? Removing the darkness and embracing health God’s way requires action on our part.

Request help. Get connected with a group who will encourage you. Join a group, bring a group to your community, or connect in one of our online groups. Check out Get Started on our website.

Retreat from the world. When I gift myself with time away with the Lord, He ignites a new perspective and I step forward on a new path that was hidden in the darkness. We partner with Sandy Cove Ministries where their motto is Rest. Relax. Retreat. Rejuvenate. Fun & Fitness 4 Life is a weekend away with

passionate people who will help you discover new and fun ways to move your body. Come with a friend or come by yourself and make new friends—faith-filled fun and fitness together for a lifetime.

Restore: Experiencing freedom from food strongholds is A LIFE-CHANGING TIME with God! Experience the love and mercy of Jesus in a personal and powerful way. Sense God’s presence through teaching, interaction with others, and the healing power of prayer. Come be restored.

Reinforce at a Wellness Workshop. Our team of networking leaders throughout the country help, support and encourage you. Find a workshop near you by clicking Events on our website. Want to host a workshop in your area? Email me helen.baratta@fp4h.com.

Reach new heights at Summit 2018. Boston, MA, July 27-28, 2018. Registration opens February 1st. Be Empowered…Encouraged...Equipped to reach the next level.

Recognize the enemy. My friend Glenda reached her healthy weight goal in July 2017. She shared that this time was different because she recognized she had an enemy who didn’t want her to succeed. Satan uses our physical problems to keep us in the dark corner. The good news: we have a spiritual solution—His name is Jesus.

Be part of the solution. Reflect the light of Jesus into the dark corners of the world. Embrace change and say “Yes” to all God has planned for your life.

Helen Baratta………………………………………………………………………helen.baratta@fp4h.com Helen Baratta is an author, speaker, coach, group leader, triathlete and nationally certified fitness instructor. She serves as Director of Development for First Place 4 Health. Check out her newest book Restored! Embracing Weight Loss God’s Way available at our online bookstore. DECEMBER 2016 PAGE SIX

Success Story~ Kathy Hickey About four years ago, the converging circumstances of my son-in-law’s brain cancer, my sister’s Alzheimer’s and my own chronic back pain sent me on a downward spiral. I quit caring about my health and I gained 40 pounds over those four years. A miserable trip to Universal Studios last summer with my daughter and granddaughter gave me the wake-up call I needed. It was excruciatingly painful walking around the park, because my small frame couldn’t bear so much extra weight. The second day I had to stay back at the hotel while they went off without me, and that day I decided I HAD to get off those 40 extra pounds. When I returned home, I started praying about how I could get accountability, and that’s when I remembered First Place 4 Health! I had led a class years earlier in a different church, and I knew it was the perfect solution! However, I also knew it was a huge commitment, and I wasn’t sure anyone else would take the plunge with me! Thankfully a few dear friends did, and we began our first session the week school started. I’ve lost 30 pounds now (10 to go!), and my friends, who are my heroes and my inspiration, have also had remarkable weight losses! We’re all blown away by what God has done!

Also, in a new development, I went to Round Top in October with a crazy vision of starting exercise classes at church to further our group’s success, and perhaps bring in newcomers for our next session. I started bombarding Diane Andrews with questions from the moment we got on the shuttle at the airport, and her classes were the high point of my week! When I returned home, my group caught the vision and encouraged me, and now I lead strength training groups on Tuesdays and Thursdays! When so many bad things happened four years ago, I decided that God didn’t do miracles anymore. My life has totally changed since that miserable vacation in June, and I now stand corrected because my friends and I ARE miracles! Kathy Hickey Clarksville, Arkansas DECEMBER 2017 PAGE SEVEN

 

Upcoming Events

Online Classes Classes Starting Soon Online Webinar: Healthy Holiday Cooking December 11, 2017 Online with Lisa Lewis Fun & Fitness 4 Life Weekend January 19-21, 2018 Northeast, MD

Mississippi Wellness Workshop January 20, 2018 Wiggins, MS

Texas Coastal Area Wellness Workshop January 27, 2018 Palacios, TX Arkansas Wellness Workshop February 24, 2018 Searcy, AR

Southern States Wellness Workshop March 10, 2018 Hartsville, SC Restore: Experiencing Freedom from Food Strongholds April 15-17, 2018 Northeast, MD Texas Wellness Workshop April 21, 2018 Nacogdoches, TX Summit 2018 July 27-28, 2018 Wakefield, MA Interested in hosting a FP4H event in your area? Contact Helen Baratta at helen.baratta@fp4h.com to learn more.

UpcomingEvents

Healthy HOLIDAY Hacks ~ Lisa Lewis

Choose Your Splurges Wisely Instead of wasting calories on foods that you can have at any time of the year, pick items that are truly special and unique to the holiday, like your grandmother’s pecan pie or your sister-in-law’s potato casserole. You can have cheese dip and crackers any time. Plan in advance for these indulgences and make a simple switch to account for those calories – maybe skip that morning coffee-shop treat or go light on another meal.

Holiday Recipe Swaps No One Will Notice We're always looking for ways to make our favorite foods healthier without sacrificing flavor. Here are a few you can use in your favorite holiday recipes that no one will even notice. Substitute applesauce for oil, butter or sugar. Not only does it add sweetness to recipes, but it does it with fewer calories than sugar. Without butter, you’re cutting the saturated-fat content of things like muffins, breads and brownies. You can substitute it cup for cup. If you’re making something with chocolate chips, use mini-chocolate chips and you can use half as much and you will have chocolate in every bite and a lot less fat and calories.

Who to Sit by At The Holiday Table With whom we surround ourselves can affect our choices, even at the holiday table. Sit next to a fellow healthy eater, or next to that uncle who eats slowly so his pace can influence yours. Eat with a small group when you can. If you have a choice between the long family table and a smaller one in another room, pick the smaller table. Eating with a large group of people can cause you to eat 76 percent more.

What to Eat First at the Holiday Table A hot soup can fill you up before you start on the other choices, especially if it is broth-based not cream-based, so eat that first, then load your plate with veggies. Add the more calorie-dense options in smaller spoonsful to round out your plate. Concentrate on your meal while you're eating it. Focus on chewing your food well and enjoying the smell, taste and texture of each item. When you’re finished eating, move away from the table, mingle in other areas and don’t stand near the munchies. Lastly, keep a glass of water or other calorie-free beverage in your hand. It can fill you up and keep you from nibbling.

Lisa Lewis………………………………….……………………..……..lisa.lewis@fp4h.com

Lisa is the Chief Operating Officer for First Place 4 Health, author of Healthy Happy Cooking released in December 2016, a speaker, FP4H group leader and chef at Spa Week and Wellness Weeks. Lisa also provided recipes for 14 First Place 4 Health Bible studies.

Recipes for Holiday Breakfast, Leftovers and More! 

  

“When you make steel-cut oats, you should make enough for a whole week, or at least several days. Unlike gluey, sticky rolled oat oatmeal, steel-cut oatmeal is great when reheated the next day. It just gets creamier.” 1 teaspoon butter 2 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons lemon juice Dash of ground cinnamon 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen, mixed berries 1 serving prepared Steel Cut Oatmeal Basil Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add honey, lemon juice, a dash of ground cinnamon, and mixed berries; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Spoon 1/3 cup berry sauce over prepared oatmeal; top with basil. Refrigerate remaining berry sauce; reheat as needed. Serves 1. NUTRITION: 233 Calories; 4g Fat (16.5% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 44g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 397mg Sodium. FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH LIVE IT TRACKER: 1 1/2 oz.-eq. Grain, 1/2 cup Fruit  

ecipes Ravioli & Vegetable Soup

“Leftover baked or rotisserie chicken also works great in this wrap.” 3 cups cooked, shredded turkey (or chicken) 1/2 cup almonds, whole or sliced 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 - 3 Tablespoon light mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt), to taste 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (or dried cranberries) Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 4 large tortillas Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon filling into tortillas and roll into a wrap. NUTRITION: 428 Calories; 16g Fat (32.4% calories from fat); 29g Protein; 45g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 59mg Cholesterol; 496mg Sodium. FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH LIVE IT TRACKER: 3 oz.-eq. Meat

The recipes from this issue are taken from

Healthy Happy Cooking, available at www.firstplace4health.com in the online

store.

Turkey Cranberry Wrap Steel Cut Oats with Warm Berry Sauce

Hearty Vegetable and Beef Stew

Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Pecan Cookies

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour 1 cup regular old fashioned oats 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 large egg 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate mini chips

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk; set aside.

Place sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg; beat until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until combined. Stir in pecans and mini chips. Drop dough by tablespoonful 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks. Makes 36 Cookies.

NUTRITION (per cookie): 75 Calories; 3g Fat (30.5% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 10mg Cholesterol; 78mg Sodium. FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH LIVE IT TRACKER: 1/2 oz.-eq. Grain

Banana Bread Plus!

 

2 cups unbleached flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs 3 large ripe bananas, mashed 1/4 cup canola oil 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another mixing bowl, combine eggs, bananas, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until it tests done with a toothpick.

NUTRITION: 210 Calories; 6g Fat (24.7% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 36g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 259mg Sodium. FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH LIVE IT TRACKER: 1 oz.-eq. Grain, 1/2 cup Fruit

Plus! Add-in’s (each adds less than 10 calories per slice) 2 tablespoon chopped walnuts sprinkled on top before baking

1/2 cup cranberries, chopped, folded into batter just before baking 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, folded into batter just before baking