Tasty Tuesday

According to The Taste of Home, here are the top ten food trends for the past decade.

1.  Instant Pot Cooking ( Yay!) 

2.  Plant Based Meals

3.  Zoodles and other Veggie Noodles

4. Gluten-Free Diets

5.  Hard Seltzers

6.  Eating for Instagram (really?)

7. Avocado Everything - Yay! 

8.  Non-Dairy Milk  -   Yay for Almond Milk

9.  Pumpkin Spice Everything ( Starbuck introduced its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003) It remains popular today.

10.  Air-Fried Food 

Would you add any item?  

Monday Musings ... heroes

"People need heroes because heroes save or improve life and because heroes are inspiring ... Heroes elevate us emotionally; they heal our psychological ills; they build connections between people; they encourage us to transform ourselves for the better, and they call us to become heroes and help others." April 2014
Scott T. Allison, Ph. D Psychology Today 

As 2019 draws to an end, I'm convinced, our country indeed need heroes. In every home and every community, we need every day people who will put the interests of others above themselves. On a larger scale,  we need real politicians who will put the interest of their communities above the concerns of their political parties. 

It is my prayer that in 2020, we will indeed see women and men who will be  determined and full of courage to be heroes.  We desperately need them to be brave. Indeed, every day, we have the opportunity to do what is right.

Earlier this month, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus. I thought it was worthwhile to list share highlights  of Jana Gordon's article from Belief Net

 Jana Gordon gave us 20 reasons why Jesus in the true Superhero
1. No Mistakes
2. Fearlessness
3. Even-Tempered
4. No Kryptonite
5. Powerful Words
6. Scared Demons
7. No Pride Issues
8. Couldn't Be Outsmarted
9. Didn't Wear A Mask
10.Was Never in Danger
11. Connected with People
12. Both God and Man ( 100% God and 100% Man) 
13. Died to Save His Enemies
14. Never Sinned
15. Controlled the Elements
16. Universal Authority
17. No Technology
18. Walked on Water
19. Weapons Not Necessary
20. Defeated Death

Jesus can inspire us to be salt and light and make a difference in our communities. 

Monday Musings ... the best Christmas gifts

According to some of the most recent data regarding holiday sales, the figures reflect that Americans are enjoying great deals this season. Whether folks are shopping online or in brick and mortar stores, individuals don't have to pay full price for any item.

Check this out:
"More US consumers participated in holiday shopping over the five days between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday this year.  NRF reports that 189.9 million American shopped during this time. 14% more than 2018 (165.million) On average, shoppers spent $361.90 on gifts and other holiday items (up 16% from last year) Source: Marking Charts Holiday 2019 Date Hub Thanksgiving Weekend Recap

If you really want to save money, take advice from Oren Arnold . He gave these timeless gift suggestions:

"To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To every child, a good example.
To all, charity.
To yourself, respect.
Oren Arnold
1900 - 1980

Wonderful Words

"Grace is when God give us good things we don't deserve. 

Mercy is when He spares us from bad things we deserve.

Blessings are when He is generous with both.

Truly, we can never run out of reasons to thank Him.

God is good all the time."

Author unknown

Advent

"Advent is the first season of the Christian year. Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming." It's a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ birth and incarnation but also the anticipation of Christ's Second Coming. Advent is a traditional season of fasting but also of hope and expectation. 

The three purple candles represent the liturgical color that represents prayer, penance, and sacrifice. Today the first purple candle will be lit. This candle represents hope.  

In the midst of this busy season, Advent is often a way to slow down and prepare to welcome Jesus.