Tag: The Morning Thing

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/.

meal planning

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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From Boys To Men – The Morning Thing looks at this important transition

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How does a little boy transition through the years into a man?
It helps when lessons are taught by the father.

Rick Johnson from Focus on the Family shares “What Boys Need to Learn to Become Good Men”. Click HERE to read the entire article.

Rick points out the qualities that can help your boy become a good man.

Perseverance – Boys must learn to persevere in the face of adversity now if they are to succeed later during even tougher seasons of life. Perseverance is probably one of the toughest things for moms to teach their boys. It requires them to resist the urge to rescue their sons when they are struggling. Greatness is born by perseverance in the face of adversity. Few things worth doing are ever easy.

Trustworthiness -Talk to your son about what being able to trust someone means to you. If you have trouble trusting due to past experiences, discuss it with him so he can understand how important trustworthiness is and how damaging it can be when violated.

Courage – Teach your son to lead courageously, to stand by his convictions even when they may result in pain, sorrow or negative consequences. Someday he will lead his own family. Fathers are faced with tough decisions every day. The question is, do you want him to lead with courage or cowardice?

Compassion – A man should defend those who cannot defend themselves. Teach your boy early in life the nobility of protecting the weak and helpless.

Self-discipline and self-control – Self-discipline and self-control keep a man from doing things in private that he would never do in public. They are inner strengths a man develops over time with exercise, like a muscle. Typically, if a man lacks self-discipline in one area of his life, he lacks self-control in other areas as well.

How does a boy develop self-discipline and self-control? He develops them by being held accountable for his actions.

Honesty – Let your son know that you expect honesty from him at all times, even when he has made bad choices — then model that behavior yourself. A man w

Dave Willis of http://sixseeds.patheos.com/ shares 7 LESSONS THAT TURN A BOY INTO A MAN.

Click HERE to read the entire article.

1. Fight for what’s right.

Being a man doesn’t mean you have to go around punching people like your in a UFC cage match, but it does mean you must have the courage to take a stand for what’s right. Speak up for the powerless. Defend the weak. Fight for justice for the oppressed. Fight for your family.

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:14

2. Take responsibility.

Boys run from responsibility; men run towards responsibility. If you’re a grown man living in your parents’ basement and constantly bouncing around between different women and dead-end jobs, you’re not a man. You’re a boy with a beard. Grow up.

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” Proverbs 10:1

3. Provide for your family.

Your wife and your children should know that you would be willing to go hungry to make sure they’re fed.  It’s not the government’s job to feed your family. It’s YOUR job. There’s no shame in assistance when you need it, but you should also be willing to work hard to provide.

“The man who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

4. Control your emotions.

Emotions are a tool given by God and there are healthy and important ways to express them, but don’t be ruled by them. If you don’t learn to master your anger and your emotions, then your anger and emotions will master you.

“Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves.” Proverbs 29:11 

5. Love your wife.

In many ways, your life and legacy will be defined by how you love your wife. Show her you’d be willing to lay down your life for her. Show your boys what it means to love and respect a wife, because they’re learning what marriage means by watching you. For more on this, check out my free video on How to have a stronger marriage.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ” Ephesians 5:25

6. Keep your commitments.

Fulfill your commitments. This is the essence of manhood. Pay your debts, keep your word, and always speak the truth. When you’ve blown it, admit and seek forgiveness. Don’t make your decisions based on your feelings; make your choices based on your commitments.

“Keep an oath even when it hurts.” Psalm 15:4

7. Trust God.

God made you and His plan for your life is the only plan that counts. Don’t be so prideful that you try to do it on your own. Life is meant to be lived in relationship with your Creator. If you’re walking with Him, you’ll always be headed in the right direction!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6

(Picture from Pinterest)

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5 Ways to Share Love with our WORDS!

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It is Valentine’s Day! The Morning Thing today shared an insightful article from www.FaithGateway.com – 5 Ways to Share Love with Our Words.

Click HERE to access the entire article from Jessica Wolstenholm, Author at FaithGateway.
(Jessica is co-founder of Grace for Moms. After 13+ years in the music and publishing industries, Jessica came home last year to be with her two small children. Although the transition from the corporate world to the playground has been an adjustment, she is learning more every day about accessing the grace available to us through Christ as she navigates the full time job of motherhood. She is the co-author of The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood and The Baby Companion: A Faith-Filled Guide for Your Journey Through Baby’s First Year. Jessica lives in Nolensville, Tennessee, with her husband, Dave and two miracle babies, Hope (6) and Joshua (3).)

Scripture gives us several clear ways we can love others. Let’s start by looking for ways to be an ambassador for Jesus by sharing love with our words.

We can start by adopting these simple habits:

  1. Be an encourager.

    Some people are natural born encouragers. Others have to work hard to remember to pay compliments. Whatever your tendency, make it a point to spread words of affirmation to your loved ones, coworkers, even strangers. I had a waitress the other day go on and on about how much she loved my haircut. She didn’t know I’d been second-guessing my choice for a style. Hearing her encouraging words made my day! And I was reminded that compliments are a powerful way to share love. Try to make it a habit to say one encouraging thing every day to someone you interact with. Start with your spouse, child, coworker or the girl checking you out at the grocery store.

  2. Practice the lost art of written notes.

    I love modern technology and the way it allows us to stay connected so easily. But it will never be as personal and beautiful as a hand-written note. Tuesday February 7th is National Send a Card to a Friend Day (who knew?!). This is the perfect opportunity to practice the lost art of social graces. This weekend, grab a card while you are out and about. Think about a friend or loved one you’d like to surprise with some good ol’ snail mail. Send your card on Tuesday and then make it a goal to send just one hand-written, personal note to someone you love every week (or even once a month would be a good start).

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. — Proverbs 16:24

  1. Focus on the bright side.

    There are a lot of ugly words flying around on social media right now and it’s easy to get caught up in the battles. But what if we made a commitment to be more careful, more intentional with our words? How would that change the verbal climate in our culture? How might that strengthen the world’s view of believers if we led the way in looking for and sharing the good, no matter what? We serve a redemptive God who cares more about these issues than we ever could. He calls us to be a light in the darkness. To spread His love with our words and deeds. When we put our trust in Him and focus on the bright side in the midst of tough times, we pierce the darkness with the light of his love. Try seeking out one good thing every day to share with others via social media or in a conversation over a meal. If that good thing is somehow related to the state of our culture, you get bonus points!

  2. Speak the truth.

    This one can often get us into trouble. All those passionate posts we’re reading are likely written by people who strongly believe they are sharing the truth. And maybe they are. But when there’s turmoil amongst people, everyone thinks they are the one standing on the truth. The Bible tells us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). It also tells us that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) and that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The truth has become very relative in our culture. And on many issues, there are gray areas. When in doubt, I know the truth lies hidden in God. Instead of sharing our own version of it, we can point people to Jesus, trusting that he’ll show us the way forward.

The next time you feel passion rise up within you about a particular issue, instead of posting your opinion about it, share a verse in the Bible that has influenced your thoughts. When we share God’s truth in place of our own, our words are guided by love.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. — Psalm 19:14

  1. Keep a quiet life.

    One of the most powerful ways to share love with our words is to stay silent; to keep our words to ourselves. My mama told me, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I need that reminder most days. The leaders and influencers I respect most are the ones that remain quiet. It’s not that they have nothing to say, but their actions speak louder than their words. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.” What if we shared love through the absence of our words? What if saying nothing at all was the best representation of Jesus we could be? If you are one to get vocal when passionate about an issue (I love people who stand for things!) try staying silent for a bit. Let your peace speak volumes of gentle love.

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