Dining with Jesus

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

~ Revelation 3:20

Jesus is waiting for you to dine with Him.  He will give you food that's out of this world!  

Open your ears and hear Him knocking.  Open the door and dine with Him.  His food nourishes your mind and soul.  It truly satisfies and heals!

Click here to enter my article entitled: Dinner table intimacy with Jesus doesn't require a 'to do' list.

Does Disease Begin in the Colon?

Have you ever heard that "disease begins in the colon?"  If not, you're not alone.  The majority of adults, children and babies are seen by medical doctors when they are sick.  Unfortunately though, many medical doctors don't understand or believe that disease begins in the colon, but it's true (I found out that it's just not part of their curriculum in med school, how sad is that?).  And not only is it true, it makes perfect sense.

To put it very simply so that even a child can understand this before his or her mind is filled with misconceptions and yes, lies which get in the way of proper thinking (but that's another article for another time), the way that God created our bodies is that when we eat something, our body takes what it needs from the food to nourish our organs, veins, blood etc... and then eliminates the waste.  Simple, right?  So what happens when we eat food, the body takes what it needs (if it's available in the food - again another article for another time) but the waste is not eliminated?  Uh-oh!

This is where it gets ugly.  You continue to eat food but you are not eliminating!  So what happens to the waste?  It just sits in your colon and ferments, so to speak, not to mention it adds on unhealthy weight.  If this waste isn't eliminated for a period of time, bacteria will develop and grow and your problems are just beginning if you don't catch it in time.  

Sadly, constipation is very common.  Did you know that human beings should  eliminate three times a day?  About twenty to thirty minutes after a meal the waste from the previous meal should be pushed out (see peristalsis and catastalsis).  But for many, this isn't happening and constipation becomes the known problem.  But constipation isn't the problem just as much as cancer isn't the problem.  They are only symptoms of something that has gone wrong within.  So what's the reason why this happens?  Mainly because of a poor diet, not a lack of food, but the lack of a healthy diet.  

After my own personal experience, after all the research and after a drastic change in my own diet (along with a lot of praying and asking the Lord for direction) I'm convinced that it's true:  Disease begins in the colon. 

"Reworking," "reconditioning" and "reprocessing" food just doesn't sound right

Snokist in Washington state, a huge supplier of processed fruit and babyfood, was caught using moldy apples in their applesauce AFTER being warned by the FDA.  And guess who this applesauce is supplied to?  According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Snokist is or was (we don't know which at this point) supplying SCHOOLS nationwide through federal "nutrition" programs.  Nutrition?  Do they really know what that word means?  

The words "rework," "recondition" and "reprocess" jumped out at me while reading the article.  These words have nothing to do with nutrition.  What Snokist produces is "DEAD" food, to say the least.

As you read the article and the quotes of those who work at Snokist you'll get the idea that they truly don't care about producing quality food.  Their concern is the bottom line - profit, which is the name of the game for most, if not all, food manufacturing companies.  The fact that Snokist has been warned by the FDA and still continued to use moldy apples just goes to prove who they're looking out for, and it's not our children.

This is why each of us must take responsibility for ourselves and for our children.  We can't allow the government or companies to determine what is good for us.  Unfortunately there is too much corruption and greed.  We need to wake up and understand that we DO have a choice in the matter.  But that choice requires more of our attention and time.  In order to stop this malarkey, we simply must make wise decisions and recognize that we should not give authority over to others to decide what is best for us.  One way to do that is to have your child bring his or her lunch to school EVERY school day.  But first make sure you have healthy foods on hand for them to take.   And I don't mean Lunchables and prepackaged foods which come from manufacturing companies like Snokist who are only in it for profit.  Make your own "lunchables" with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and just as important, make changes to your own diet.  Children learn more from what they see than what hear.  And decide not to buy junk foods and sodas.  This way they're not easily accessible.  But much more, please don't let your children eat the slop that our government is allowing these companies to provide at very low costs, because you surely do get what you pay for!  Like my cousin Michele recently said to me in an email that she heard from someone else - "You either pay now or pay later."

Check out Jamie Oliver's website and read about his quest for the food revolution in schools!

Would love to hear your comments, questions and concerns.

Organic Pumpkin Lasagna

Making fresh pumpkin puree is so easy.  But the best part is that the finished product has a delicious smooth pumpkin flavor, one you can't get with canned pumpkin.  Canned is good in a pinch but if you want that extra special flavor, you'll have to read further.  In my opinion, the difference between fresh and canned pumpkin is too noticeable to disregard.  

Making fresh pumpkin puree is not time consuming or difficult.  It freezes very well so you can make it way ahead of time and defrost it before you use it.  Click here or on the title for You-Tube instructions on making puree.  The only part on the video I would change is the oil.  There really is no need to put oil on the flesh when you bake it with the rind up.  However, I do thinly coat the bottom of the pan with organic, extra virgin Coconut Oil.  

So besides pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin bread and muffins, what else can you do with pumpkin puree?  Try this delicious Pumpkin Lasagna recipe for a change that your taste buds will love:

ORGANIC PUMPKIN LASAGNA

1 lb organic whole grain Lasagna noodles
Grapeseed oil, to coat pan and to sauté vegetables (organic, if possible)
1 clove organic garlic
14.5oz finely chopped, equal portions of organic celery, onion & carrot (I use a scale to weigh)
30 ozs of fresh cooked organic pureed pumkin or two 15oz cans organic pumpkin
½-cup organic whole raw milk
1 organic, free range egg
2 T chopped fresh organic sage
1 ½ cups organic raw sour cream (if possible)
2 T organic chives, chopped
8oz organic grated raw cheese combo:  Mozzarella, Asiago, Provolone and Chevre cheeses, or any combination (it's difficult to find raw Mozzarella, Asiago and Provolone; authenic Reggiano Parmegiano is a raw cheese)
Celtic sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground organic pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Grease lasagna pan with oil (use size of pan to fit noodles).
• Cook noodles until al dente.
• Sauté celery, onion and carrot in oil until golden. 
• Mix together pumpkin, egg, milk and vegetable mixture with sage.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Place layer of noodles on bottom.
• Top with a layer of pumpkin mixture, then layer of cheese.
• Repeat with remaining lasagna, pumpkin and cheese.
• End with noodles on top.
• Mix sour cream with chives and spread on the top layer.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
• Eat and enjoy!  Great left over , too!

Taste tested at Trader Joe's in Media, PA about 4 years ago.

Not Just Cooking News

Some very exciting news for us at

Not Just  Cooking!!! 

                                  
Some of you may know I started a job through a temp agency and was just hired as a permanent employee. Well, the company has a new Wellness Coordinator. Her name is Michele, a/k/a Well Michele. With over 5000 employees, Michele quickly realized she needed some help so she formed a Wellness Advisory Committee - right up my alley! We had a brainstorming meeting just this week.  During the meeting someone mentioned they do healthy food demos on the weekends so I followed up by mentioning Not Just Cooking. As a result, and to make a long story short, we received approval to do food demos during lunch time beginning in June! Michele will also push for more healthy foods and beverages in the cafeteria. One suggestion I had was a Trail Mix bar. I am so grateful that this company is interested in the health and wellness of its employees.  I know there are ulterior motives, but these ulterior motives are worthwhile and healthy ones!  What a great way to have more focused and effective employees while reducing the cost of insurance (as long as employees start taking responsibility for their health and life)!  Pass the word - this could be contagious! Jamie Oliver - we might have to team up!

We regret to say that our Not Just Cooking event at All About Vitamins for People and Pets on May 1st has been postponed. The owner needs to reschedule. It looks like it may be some time in June now. We will update our blog with the new day and time, post it on Face Book and send out an email.

We are in the process of finalizing our Not Just Cooking distribution list and would like to include all who are interested. If you would like to remain on the list there's no need to do anything. If you don't want to, then please respond to me via email, otherwise if you're on the list, you'll continue to be on it we receive further notice from you. The last thing we want to do is bother anyone so please let us know if you're not interested at this time. No hard feelings, we understand. We'd love to add anyone who is interested in Not Just Cooking, so if you know anyone who would be interested in being on our distribution list, please have them email me.

We'd like to find out who is interested in receiving our Not Just Cooking newsletter. Because they do take time to prepare, we'd like to get an idea of who would be interested before we continue with them. Our first newsletter came out last winter and we were thinking of doing one each quarter. However, we'd first like to know if this is worthwhile to all of you. So please email me and let us know.

Even before we started Not Just Cooking it was not unlikely for me to receive phone calls and emails from people who need help with diet due to weight problems, disease or just because they want to be healthier. I meet and talk to so many people who don't know where or who to turn to.  They go to their doctors and ask for help but they are either given wrong information or are given none at all.

If anyone is suffering or isn't sure where to turn, please don't hesitate to contact me. I don't give medical advice but I can give advice on how to strengthen a compromised immune system and how to maintain it.  I also have many resources including names and phone numbers of Naturopaths, Chirpractors and Integrative Medical Doctors, including one who is a cardiologist.  Also, Martindales Natural Food Market in Springfield, PA and Fran at All About Vitamins for People and Pets in Cinnaminson, NJ are also great resources.  If you have a question about health, diet and nutrition, they either have an answer for you or can point you in the right direction.

We are also in the process of preparing a presentation to Martindale's Natural Market in Springfield, PA so that we can book an event there in very near future. More on that when it's confirmed though we know it will be on a Saturday. This, too, will be posted on our blog, on Face Book and an email will be sent out.
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Pampered Chef
As you may already know, Pampered Chef products are available through me without hosting a party.  However, if you host a Not Just Cooking class, you not only get your class for free but you also will get 10% off Pampered Chef products for as long as I am a consultant, as do those who attend the class!  Please contact me for our Pampered Chef Spring catalog or visit the main Pampered Chef website.  Then just give me call at (610) 764-1371 or send me an email.

April Specials:

Cranberry Microfiber Towel FREE with $60 purchase! Item # GU30
Mother's Day Special Trifle Bowl - $29.00  Item #GU31

We apologize that we don't have the Pampered Chef website up yet...time is a luxury these days but it's on Things To Do list! So if you would like to place an order, just contact me.
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Planting a Vegetable Garden this summer?  
Here are some Gardening Tips:

• May is the month to begin planting most vegetables outside here on the East Coast. Plant carrots, lettuce, potatoes, corn, beans, and peas. Start with either a seed or a plant. 
• In mid to late May (some people use Mother's Day as a time line) you can plant in the ground tomatoes, squash, cucumber, pumpkins and peppers. These are warmer weather plants.
• Grow an organic garden. Martindale's Natural Foods sells organic seeds. Home Depot does as well. You can find organic vegetable and herb plants at Whole Foods Market, Home Depot and maybe even Trader Joe's.
• It's important not to use pesticides, herbicides and pesticides or chemicals of any kind on your fruit and vegetable plants, even believe it or not, on your lawn (think about walking on it in bare feet, babies and animals). As popular and as great as Miracle-Gro seems, it is a fertilizer laden with chemicals. It's unhealthy for us to eat foods grown with chemicals. Not only that, but these chemicals will spoil your soil. 
• If you've used pesticides or chemicals on your garden, it takes three years without using them to get your soil healthy again and considered organic.
• When planting vegetables, create rows of hills or mounds and plant in the hill or mound so that there's a slight valley between rows. Planting this way is good for drainage and keeps roots from getting saturated in case of heavy rainfall or watering. You can also plant on flat ground creating a well around each plant.
• If at all possble, water your vegetable garden with filtered water.  Click here and here for websites that offer garden hose water filters for sale.  And check out this gardening website for tips, ideas and products.   Ooooh - here's wonderful Kitchen Garden Planner.     
• Don't water your plants after the sun has gone down or during mid-day when the sun is at it's hottest. Watering in the hot sun can cause your plants to burn. Watering after the sun has gone down can cause mold. Watering early in the morning or after dinner is best.

I love the idea of going out back to pick fresh vegetables and herbs for our meals. So here's to growing a healthy garden this summer and eating the fruit (and vegetables) of our labor!

We are grateful and so appreciative of the support and encouragement we recieve. 

Thank you so much from all of us at Not Just Cooking!

Healthy blessings to you and your loved ones,

Lisa
(Rich and Janelle, too)

Jamie Oliver's Sneak Preview - In the school cafe

Take a look at this short video...french fries count as a vege?  Did I hear that right?