Tag: The Morning Thing

It’s Single Parents Day! Today, we honor you!

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(from www.daysoftheyear.com)

Single Parents’ Day celebrates those brave people that do it on their own, and in many cases without a safety net.

Most single parents didn’t intend to be single parents when they started. Single parenthood usually comes about due to unfortunate and stressful events. Raising children even with two parents can be hard work, so take a moment to applaud those people who, usually through no fault of their own, are having to fly solo.

Today, The Morning Thing shared encouragement for both single Dads and Moms.

Here are 5 Encouragements for Single Dads from www.allprodad.com

1. Too little time.

For a single dad, time is at a very high premium. Work eats up most of it, so task overload can easily swallow what remains. Mouths to feed, dishes to clean, clothes to wash, and all the chores and charms of home that need your attention. As a generalization, try not to feel guilty if you leave the dishes in the sink overnight. Place the emphasis and importance on being with your children to play, read, or just simply talk.

2. Financial difficulties.

A great many single parents find themselves in financial distress. Keep in mind that the thing your kids need most from you is your love and attention. After that, separate the true needs from the pile and place top priority on them—things such as food, shelter, and clothing. Children don’t always understand why they can’t have everything they desire, but one day they will.

3. Feeling overwhelmed.

It is difficult and challenging being the only adult in the room long term. Loneliness, stress, and depression are common for single parents. Know that you are not alone. There are 1.7 million others in your same boat who are experiencing the same things. Be sure to take time for yourself to recharge and strengthen your mind.

4. Relationships old and new.

With divorce, the ex-spouse is still a very big part of family life and always will be. How that relationship is handled and functions is extremely important, not only to the children but also to your overall mental state. In dating and new relationships, extreme care must be taken when introducing new people into the life of the family. Resentment or early attachments are just two of the standard pitfalls. Keep the hope of love in your heart always, but be mindful of far-reaching, unintended consequences.

5. Building a support system.

Family, friends, babysitters, teachers, mentors, and all sorts of people take a role in your family life. However, divorce can take a big toll on family support; judgment and bitter feelings can split friends. Try to display humility and understanding towards those in your life. In most cases, they won’t understand the entire picture and will see only what they want to see. Only time and a new stable reality will change those perceptions. Be patient.

Hey Single Moms, we have encouragement for you too from www.imom.com
Here are ideas from author, Lisa Appelo

1. Be a listener.

Your single mom friend needs someone she can trust. She may need to talk about a hard day, wrestle through an issue or talk about how she’s feeling. Be a safe friend who your single mom friend can confide in. Listening well is a huge gift you can give her.

2. Be a trusted adviser.

One of the hardest things about single parenting is the sheer number of decisions that have to be made alone. The single mom makes hundreds of decisions by herself every day. I cannot begin to describe how helpful it is to have a friend I trust for advice. As a friend, you can ask questions to help the single mom work through a big decision or bring an objective perspective to her decision-making.

3. Be understanding.

Going from married to single meant that my workload doubled. Between work, house, yard, finances and parenting, most single moms have way too much to do. Be understanding if your single mom friend can no longer do the things you used to together. If she can’t get out for coffee, bring it over to her house one night after the kids are in bed. Instead of the annual birthday shopping trip, offer to take her kids shopping for her birthday presents.

4. Be another driver.

This is a place where you can be a huge help. While my husband and I used to divide and conquer the parent meetings, practices, and lessons, nowadays I often have to be two places at once. You can always set up carpooling ahead of time but look for a spontaneous need as well.  If you see her child at practice, text her and offer to drive her child home.

5. Be a supporter.

Married parents can lean on each other when making decisions or encourage on the hard days, but single parents are going it alone. This is where a good atta-girl goes a long way. Be specific. A good report on character shown by one of her kids or affirmation of how your friend handled something will give her a huge boost to dig down and keep parenting well.

6. Be loyal.

When my husband died and I was suddenly single, I worried my friendships would change. Most single moms have already gone through a painful loss and the last thing they need with all the change and upheaval is to lose a good friend. It might look different, but find a way to include your single mom friend and make sure she knows that her singleness doesn’t affect your friendship.

 

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Babbie Mason is coming to the MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference!

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The MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Conference is this weekend, March 17-18. Babbie Mason is the featured speaker. The event will take place in the MVNU Chapel Auditorium. Go to www.mvnu.edu/womensaux for details on tickets.

Friday’s session starts at 7pm. Saturday’s session starts at 9am.

Jenna Potts of The Morning Thing had a chance to chat with Babbie about her passion and theme for this weekend’s conference. Click HERE to hear their conversation.

Schedule:

  • Friday:
    • Registration 5-7 p.m.
    • Session 7-9 p.m.
  • Saturday
    • Registration 8-9 a.m.
    • Session 9-noon

Cost: $40 for both days or $20 for one.

Speaker: Babbie Mason

Babbie Mason is an award-winning singer, songwriter, teacher and TV talk show host. Her ministry and career have blessed countless thousands for almost three decades, taking her across the globe where she has encouraged the hearts of young and old alike in churches, conferences and corporate conventions. She teaches women that they matter to God and that they can overcome any obstacle they may face. Women all over America and abroad have encountered Jesus in an atmosphere of acceptance, forgiveness and love.

Babbie Mason’s heart-felt lyrics and singable melodies have been translated in over twenty languages. She is the recipient of two Dove Awards, and many other award nominations. In 2010 Babbie was recognized for her contributions in Gospel music by being inducted into The Christian Music Hall of Fame. Although Babbie Mason is known all over the world for her contributions of encouraging words and beautiful music, she remains humble, recognizing her blessings come from above. When you meet her, you’ll meet a friend with a love for God and people.

Music: John Stone

John Stone is a seasoned worship leader that believes worship is a lifestyle. John’s mission and purpose can be summed up in this short statement: “delighting God should be our number one priority in all of life. When hearts are right in living out our faith, the manifest presence of God seems to always show up. God delights in the praises of His people!”

He serves full-time as Executive Pastor while still providing weekly worship experiences at Countryside Church of the Nazarene in Lebanon, Ohio. Conferences and various events have become a regular thing for him through the years and he has just released a new recording of original songs that he has been presenting throughout 2015, titled “Everything.”

 

 

 

 

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What’s for dinner? The Morning Thing helps you answer that question!

Do you ever feel like you are in a dinner rut? Making the same 3-4 recipes each week? Do you need some new ideas? Great!
The Morning Thing shared the idea of a meal planning schedule from http://allyscooking.com/.

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Click HERE for Ally’s recipes for each day of this 2 week meal plan.

We also shared some sneaky cooking swaps that will make your meals even healthier!
Are you brave enough to try these food swaps?
Black beans for Flour?
Avocado for Butter?
Rolled Oats for Bread Crumbs?
Greek Yogurt for Mayonnaise?
Pumpkin for Oil?
or Applesauce for Oil?

Click HERE to read more about these sneaky and interesting Food Swaps.

Let us know if you have any food swaps. Email wnzr@mvnu.edu

 

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A closer look at your coffee cup – the good and bad of caffeine. The Morning Thing 3/8/17

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March is Caffeine Awareness Month. 

(From www.daysoftheyear.com) Caffeine Awareness Month is a great time to get the low down on exactly how much caffeine you are consuming in a day and if that is having any harmful effects on your body. Some uses of caffeine are as an additive to medicine or food so you may not even realize that you are consuming it.

History of Caffeine Awareness Month
In 2003, the Caffeine Awareness Alliance was formed to advocate for a caffeine-free industry. Their goal is to provide information and resources for everyone in the industry from executives, retailers, and media. It is this organization that has sponsored the creation of Caffeine Awareness Month. The stated goal for the month is to be a health awareness campaign that can help people to make informed decisions about the consumption of caffeinated products.

There are some facts about caffeine that may come as a surprise to you. There are about 60 different plants that have caffeine in them including cocoa, coffee beans, tea leaves, and kola. This means that you may not always know if there is caffeine in a product because, in the United States, the Federal Food and Drug Administration does not require companies to list the amount of caffeine in the nutritional information.

The commonly held safe amount of caffeine consumed in a day is 400mg. That is equal to about 10 cans of soda, 5 cups of coffee or 2 energy drinks.

Click HERE to see a chart of products that contain caffeine and the estimated amounts. Use Caffeine Awareness Month to learn all you can about this stimulant and how it is working in your life.

www.caffeineinformer.com put together a list of the top benefits of caffeine. Click HERE for the full list.
The top 10 include:

  1. In Japan, researchers have shown that caffeine increases memory. Also, a newer study out of Johns Hopkins University showed that a 200mg caffeine pill helped boost memory consolidation.
  2. Caffeine mixed with carbs replenishes muscle glycogen concentrations faster after exercise.
  3. Caffeine detoxes the liver and cleanses the colon when taken as a caffeine enema.
  4. Caffeine helps keep you alert while driving during periods of sleep restriction. Here’s the research
  5. Caffeine can stimulate hair growth on balding men and women.
  6. Caffeine relieves post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%.
  7. Caffeine may protect against Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that those who consume coffee are at less risk of developing Parkison’s disease and it even reduces the risk of those genetically more likely to develop the condition. Here’s the study.
  8. Caffeine helps ward off Alzheimer’s.
  9. Caffeine increases stamina during exercise.
  10. Caffeine through coffee protects against eyelid spasm.

www.caffeineinformer.com also put together a list of the harmful effects of caffeine. Click HERE for the full list.
The top 10 include:

  1. More than 4 cups of coffee linked to early death. A Mayo Clinic partnered study found that men who drank more than four 8 fl.oz. cups of coffee had a 21% increase in all-cause mortality. However, those that reported that they consumed excessive amounts of caffeine were also likely to smoke and have poor fitness. Dr. Nancy Snyderman from NBC said there were a few discrepancies with the study, but stresses that moderation is still key. See Her Interview Here.
  2. Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure. Especially in those already suffering from hypertension and those who don’t normally consume caffeine. People with hypertension were given 250 mg of caffeine (about 2 coffees) and the data revealed that their blood pressure was elevated for about 2-3 hours after the caffeine. Src. A second study performed by The Mayo Clinic found similar results from a 160 mg dose. All participants experienced a marked rise in blood pressure and it was the most pronounced in those that didn’t normally consume caffeine. Src.
  3. Increased risk of heart attacks among young adults. A study conducted by Dr. Lucio Mos found that young adults who were diagnosed with mild hypertension had 4 times the risk of having a heart attack if they consumed the amount of caffeine equivalent to 4 cups of coffee.  More moderate consumption showed 3 times the risk. Src.
  4. Caffeine linked to gout attacks. This study showed that people who binge on caffeinated beverages increase their risk for a gout flare-up. Src.
  5. Breast Tissue Cysts In Women. One study showed that “Women who consumed 31–250 mg of caffeine/day had a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of developing fibrocystic breast disease and women who drank over 500 mg/day had a 2.3-fold increase in the odds of developing cysts. Src.
  6. Caffeine could cause incontinence. A study out of the University of Alabama showed that women who consume a lot of caffeine are 70% more likely to develop incontinence. Src.
  7. Caffeine may cause insomnia. Caffeine in a person’s system at bedtime can mimic the symptoms of insomnia. Src.
  8. Caffeine can cause indigestion. People who consume caffeinated beverages often report an upset stomach or indigestion. This mainly occurs when the beverages are consumed on an empty stomach. Src.
  9. Caffeine can cause headaches. While occasional doses of caffeine can relieve headache symptoms, the overuse of caffeine can cause headaches and lead to migraines. Src.
  10. Caffeine could reduce fertility in women. A study from The University of Nevada School of Medicine showed that caffeine can reduce a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant by about 27%. Src.

 

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Would you like to be a more likeable person? The Morning Thing 3/6/17

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(Picture from www.linkedin.com)

Unique Habits of Ridiculously Likeable People

Most of us want to be more likeable. If we are honest, many of us believe that likeable characteristics come at birth. Some people are just the lucky few—the good looking, the fiercely social, and the incredibly talented.

Dr. Travis Bradberry says that this is a misconception. He shares 11 habits of ridiculously likeable people. He says that we all have an EQ – Emotional Intelligence. Ninety percent of top performers have high EQs, people with high EQs make $29,000 more annually than people with low EQs, and a single-point increase in your EQ adds $1,300 to your salary.

To help you improve your EQ, Dr. Bradberry did some digging to uncover the key behaviors that emotionally intelligent people engage in that make them so likeable.

Click HERE for the entire article from www.linkedin.com

They are genuine.

They ask thoughtful questions. 

They don’t pass judgment.

They don’t seek attention.

They are consistent. 

They use positive body language.

They leave a strong first impression. 

They greet people by name.

They smile. 

They know who to touch (and they touch them). 

They balance passion and fun. 

Bringing It All Together

Likeable people are invaluable and unique. They network with ease, promote harmony in the workplace, bring out the best in everyone around them, and generally seem to have the most fun. Add these skills to your repertoire and watch your likeability soar!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning co-author of the #1 bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and the cofounder of TalentSmart, the world’s leading provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, serving more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies. His bestselling books have been translated into 25 languages and are available in more than 150 countries. Dr. Bradberry has written for, or been covered by, Newsweek, TIME, BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Harvard Business Review.

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February is Bake for Family Fun Month! Try a recipe from The Morning Thing.

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February is Bake for Family Fun Month! We found some fun and yummy recipes for you to try. (Picture from www.daysoftheyear.com)

Here are some Kid Friendly Slow Cooker recipes.

Chicken Fajita (from www.playpennies.com)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Skinless Chicken Breasts (Cut into Chunks)
  • 1 Large Onion (Sliced)
  • 1 Large Red Pepper (Cut into Strips)
  • 1 Large Green Pepper (Cut Strips)
  • 1 Can Chopped Tomatoes
  • 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning

Method

  • Put the Chicken Chunks into the bottom of the Slow Cooker and sprinkle with the Taco Seasoning.
  • Chuck everything else in and cook on low for 7 hours.
  • Get two forks and shred the Chicken.

Thanksgiving Dinner in a Crockpot (from www.smashedpeasandcarrots.com)

Prep time – 10 mins
Cook time – 4 hours
Total time – 4 hours 10 mins
Recipe type: Slow Cooker
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 4 frozen chicken breasts
  • 1-10 oz package of frozen vegetables
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 6 0z box stuffing (and water and butter to make your stuffing…see your package directions!)
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place frozen veggies in the bottom of crockpot.
  2. Next add your chicken breast, frozen or raw.
  3. Pour the can of Cream of Chicken soup over top the chicken next.
  4. Then make your stuffing according to package directions, place on top of the soup layer.
  5. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Click HERE for more slow cooker recipes that kids love.

Toddler Recipes you can make together.R
Click HERE for some FUN recipes that you can try with your little one.
– Marshmallow Sugar Pops
– Frozen Banana Marshmallow Pops
– Muddy Buddies

For our Morning Thing Fave 5, the co-hosts shared their favorite recipe to make with their families.

Dan Monnin loves to make fried fish. Click HERE to hear him tell about the experience.
Click HERE to hear Kelsey Bryte tell a funny story about an oven, her 3 year old sister and a “hot” baking experience.

Andy Krolik talks about his favorite sandwich. Click HERE for his recipe of the perfect PB&J.
Jenna Potts talked about a funny story about her Mom and strawberry delight. Click HERE to hear the story.
Marcy Rinehart loves her Mom’s waffle recipe. Click HERE to hear more.

Waffles from the kitchen of Linda Street (Marcy Rinehart’s Mom)

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 – 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
6 Tbsp. oil or melted butter
1 1/2 – 2 cups of milk

DIRECTIONS:
Mix flour, baking powder, and sugar. Set aside.
Mix eggs, butter, and milk.
Beat flour, baking powder, and sugar mixture with eggs, butter, and milk mixture until smooth (add milk until the dough is medium thick).
Pour 3 large spoonfuls into waffle iron.

Enjoy waffles.

 
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New Christian movies in 2017 – The Morning Thing 2/23/17

The Morning Thing gave a preview of a list of new Christian movies in 2017.

Check out the list HERE from CFDb – Christian Film Database.

Marcy is looking forward to see Jonah: On Stage in theaters on May 2nd.

 

Kelsey is excited to see the movie, “The Case for Christ”. It releases in theaters on April 7, just in time for the Easter season.

https://youtu.be/v16Alm20K0o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It is National Random Acts of Kindness Day! Celebrate with The Morning Thing!

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NATIONAL RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY

Observed on February 17th, National Random Acts of Kindness Day has grown in popularity each year.  It is celebrated by individuals, groups and organizations nationwide to encourage acts of kindness.

What will YOU do today to show kindness to others?
We found a really great list of ways to show kindness to others at www.hoveround.com

Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do Every Day of the Month

Using your words
1.Smile and say hello to everyone in your path. Your smile could turn someone’s day around!
2.Compliment a stranger —what they are wearing, what they did or their great smile.
3.Tell a mom out shopping with her kids that she’s doing a great job (and that her children are adorable!). We all need to hear we’re doing a great job sometimes!
4.Thank a police officer for his or her service.
5.Go sit and talk with a friend who has been having a tough time.
6.Whenever you introduce someone, tell others something great about him or her.
7.When you receive great service, thank the person — and then tell their superior (or write an email to corporate, if fitting).
8.Acknowledge every worker you meet in the same friendly manner — from the corporate CEO to the custodian to the security guard.
9.Ask someone random how his or her day is — and listen.
10.Call a person who has made a difference in your life and tell them just that.
11.Have a conversation with the homeless person you would normally pass by.

Click HERE to see the complete list. See ideas on how do do random acts of kindness using your skills, with what you have and with a small amount of money.

This morning, we also shared some bible verses that talk about Acts of Kindness. Click HERE to see a list of 58 powerful bible verses on this topic of kindness.

We love to hear stories of Random Acts of Kindness. We shared a few this morning.
Click HERE to read about an Ohio student that spent months making 1,300 valentines for her high school classmates. AMAZING!

Click HERE to hear the amazing story of how a local softball league from Mount Vernon are reaching out to an 8 year old girl from Florida. This story is amazing! This precious girl was turned away from a Father/Daughter dance because she didn’t have a Dad. This girl will be in Mount Vernon this weekend to attend a dance with her new friends from Mount Vernon. Please take a few moments and listen to this story.

For our Morning Thing Fave 5 – each co-host shared a random act of kindness they have received.
Click HERE to hear Kelsey Bryte’s story.
Click HERE for Dan Monnin’s story.
Click HERE for Jenna Potts’ story.
Click HERE for Marcy Rinehart’s story.

 

 

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20 Verses about Fear and Anxiety to Remind Us God is in Control

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Debbie McDaniel, Contributing Writer for Crosswalk.com compiled 20 verses that remind us that God is in control!

Debbie shared her struggle with fear and anxiety:
I struggled with fear and worry for years. But through time, I began to find that the things that once would have sent me down an anxious spiral, no longer had the same effect.  It didn’t happen quickly, but over days, months, years.

I read words – of life – of truth. Soaking them in, over and over, praying them out loud.  Until they became so familiar, they replaced the other things in my mind that I’d battled against. There’s nothing magical about words and verses, but there is power through them, because they’re God’s words.

Click HERE to see these 20 powerful verses.
It is our hope and prayer that you will use these verses to find strength and hope for today!

(Picture from www.crosswalk.com)

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