Let me guess, you made new year's resolutions and they involved healthier eating, a fun albeit rigorous workout routine, and you've already failed.  Arg, why are we so weak?!  
Because it is in our weakness that we need to hunger for God more.

Paul told the Corinthians:
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me." 
[2 Corinthians 12:9]

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It’s never too late -- God is always right there and meets you where you are at.  
His grace (undeserved love for us) IS sufficient and fulfilling!
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Look to Him to BE the change you wish to see.  
Maybe your prayer request is to make better choices.  Why do we allow our weaknesses become stronger than our actions?  God gave us free will.   It's up to us, in our discernement, how we use this gift.  Most of us, no, ALL of us, need boundaries/discipline, otherwise
sin can easily sneak into our being and take over your heart, soul, and mind.

"Jesus replied,
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
[Matthew 22:37]

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."
[Proverbs 3:7-8]

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."
[Nehemiah 8:10]
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New Habit 3-Week 
Challenge:  
In your journal, make two columns.  Title the left column “Bad Habits”.  Title the right column “New Habits”.   Now, with a red marker, can you cross out the listed “Bad Habit” and in the right column next to it, write how you’d like to BE.  

EXAMPLE
​Bad Habit

I eat too many sweets.

New Habits - How I want TO BE
1) Cut any sweet portion in half and only enjoy 1/2 per day (BE In Control)
2) Walk/Exercise (raising your heart rate) 20 minutes per day (BE Active)
3) Go to bed by 9pm (Be Peaceful)

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Eat just enough, to fill your palm.
That is nourishment enough,
To achieve bodily health and calm.

"Less is more,"
Or so they say.
No, it really is!
EnJOY this peace each and every day.
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“Blessed is the man [or woman] … [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. 
Whatever he does prospers.”  
[Psalm 1:1-3]

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ARTICHOKES

Yummy Option
When you think of artichokes (image shown), what dishes come to mind?  A rich, creamy artichoke dip made with jarred artichokes marinated in oil, heavy cream cheese, melted cheddar cheese, and 
served with chips and maybe a couple carrots?  
Although extremely tasty, the calorie count and unhealthy affects are very high with this option.
Yummy & Healthier Option
Artichokes are really a beautiful option and a fun finger food for even a Super Bowl party! 
Did you know that artichokes:

• have a long history in treating liver disease?
• contains the compound choleric which can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels?
• improve endothelial function - heart protective?
• are pretty good, with less ingredients!

My lifelong friend, Sue, introduced me to this healthy snack when we were young.  Her mom would boil the artichokes and then we would enjoy dipping each leaf in mayonaise and lemon juice.  It's kind of fun peeling off each hearty leaf, but eat only the meaty part and discard the tough leaf part. 
Bon Apetit!
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References
Life Applications Study Bible
You Version - Bible App
Written by:  Christie Lynch

                                        Mesquite Stuffed Bell Pepper “Cups”

                                                  BE - DEDICATED - to Healthy FOOD
Time:  1 hour, 20 minutes (20 minutes of chopping + almost an hour of baking)
Servings:  6+


6 Bell Peppers, any color
4 Tblsp Olive Oil
8 oz Ground Turkey, cooked 8-10 minutes in a skillet - set aside in a bowl
Salt & Black Pepper - freshly ground is best
1 Tbsp McCormick/Grill Mates/Mesquite Seasoning
1 Onion, finely chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
1 Medium Zucchini, finely diced
4 Roma Tomatoes, finely diced
1/2 Cup Corn
A Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
1 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
1 1/2 Cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F).

• Cup tops of Bell Peppers off. Cut stem off.  Discard stem & seeds. Dice up rest of Bell Pepper top - set aside in a bowl.  Set Bell Pepper “Cups” aside in a baking dish.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the Olive Oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the Turkey and season with Salt, Black Pepper, and Mesquite Seasoning - cook about 8-10 minutes.  Remove Turkey from skillet and set aside in a separate bowl.  
• In the same skillet, add 2 more tablespoons of Olive Oil over medium-high heat.  Add the Onions and chopped Bell Peppers - cook about 3-4 minutes.  Add the Garlic and Zucchini and cook for another minute.  Add the Tomatoes and Corn and season with a pinch or two of Red Pepper Flakes.  Cook until everything is heated through.  Add Brown Rice and Turkey, mixing all ingredients well.  Add 1 cup of the Sharp Cheddar Cheese and mix well until creamy.  Turn off the heat.
• Get the baking dish with the six Bell Pepper “Cups”.  Fill each “cup” with the Rice/Turkey/Vegetable mixture and top each with a sprinkle of the remaining  Cheddar Cheese.  Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of your baking dish and drizzle the Pepper “Cups” with a little Olive Oil.  
• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Then, uncover the dish and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the Peppers are soft and the Cheese is melted and lightly browned.

NOTE:  As each Pepper “Cup” provides a great, filling meal, you will have more of the Rice/Turkey/Vegetable mixture left over.  The next day, scramble up some Eggs, cook up some Bacon and create Breakfast Burritos with Eggs+Bacon+Rice/Turkey/Vegetables+Salsa!
                    EnJOY!

Recipe by:  Christie Lynch