The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
From time to time I share a tips and recipes on my blog that have really worked for me in helping my weight loss efforts. (By the way, since going strictly back O.P. I've lost 3-4 lbs...amazing how that works!)
About once a week someone asks me, "how in the world do you lose weight while being in the ministry?" Most consider it difficult simply because of all the "special events" where food is in abundance as well as dinner invitations, banquets, busy schedules, and then good ol' stress. Well, one thing that it essential to my success is planning ahead. When I am really losing or doing a good job of maintaining, I am usually making a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week. And no, I'm not talking one of those "crash diet weight loss" soups. I am talking about real soup.
Yesterday I made one, so it is on my mind to share it with you. What I normally do is make it, and eat some the day I make it and then freeze the majority of it in containers that are just "one serving size". These are for later when I come home and I'm hungry and tempted and need something really quick especially on a busy day. This helps me to not go for another full fat PB & J (which is one of my main weaknesses...and really, how do you abolish PB & J from your home when you have 3 kids in the house??!!)
Before I went on Weight Watchers three years ago, PB & J was my breakfast each week day. Each morning in my house is a race against time. I thought I never had time to eat before leaving the house and I would make one and stick it in my briefcase and eat it at the office with a cup of tea when I got there. My doctor, Rosemay Latortue, heard about that and said, "Deanna! How do you expect to lose any weight if you are starting off each day with a PB&J?!! That's crazy!" When I would forget my PB & J in my briefcase I would go next door to the church and get a breakfast Cuban. Don't even get me started on the temptations of Cuban food... So, needless to say, after confessing that to my doc, she put me on Weight Watchers. What I try to do now when I am really tempted by PB & J is to eat it on Merita bread (1 pt. a slice), with reduced fat peanut butter and sugar free grape jelly. But sometimes I still grab the real thing when I am feeling desperate. Oh well, enough of that. Here's is a recipe for you to try. It's "Taco Soup" and different variations of the recipe have been floating around my Weight Watcher class for 3 years now. I have tweaked it to suit my taste and you can do the same thing. Change out the beans to be ones that you prefer, make it spicier or less so. It's up to you. As far as soups go, this is one of my favorites when I'm strictly "OP". (On program.)
Taco Soup
1 lb ground turkey breast
1 large onion (chopped)
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 16 oz. bag of frozen whole kernel corn
2 (15 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 large onion (chopped)
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 16 oz. bag of frozen whole kernel corn
2 (15 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
I also add a sprinkle of cumin and cayenne pepper, to taste. I have seen many variations of this recipe. Some people choose to use Rotel chili's or stewed tomatoes with peppers or spicy chili beans. It's up to you and how spicy you like things. I enjoy spicy food however I prefer this dish a little milder.
Directions
1) Brown the meat and onions until meat is cooked through. (If I am using turkey meat, there is generally no need to drain.)
2) Mix ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning mix into the meat.
3) Without draining, add all other ingredients.
4) Add a little water if necessary to make it a little more "soupy".
5) Simmer 1 hour.
1 cup of this soup is 3 weight watcher points. You can also add some low fat or fat free cheddar, or baked tortilla chips or low fat/fat free sour cream if you like, just add the points. I have added all three before and just made the bowl of soup a meal.
Comments
I'll post them when I have more time...