Exec. Dir, Kathy Weckwerth

 For more from Executive Director, Kathy Weckwerth, you can read her blog at http://bestlifeministries.com/best-life-lifelines/  

Addicted to Sugar

By:  Dr. Justin Hildebrand

I recently read an article entitled "Dietary Crackheads and Obesity" and was very interested. Although the term "crackhead" maybe extreme, I believe the effects of sugar, flour, and refined grains on the brain maybe surprising to you. The problem with these carbohydrates is that when we eat them, they induce addiction chemistry in the brain, which makes us want them all the more.

Through the fall and winter, we indulge ourselves with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter treats and foods. These extremely pleasant, grand meals and treats may fill us with great memories and happiness, but they also trigger the reward system of our brains' limbic system. Fulfilling the reward gives us pleasure so we continuously seek this pleasure with sugar and refined grains.

How many of us have to have bread with a meal, a sugary drink throughout the day, or something sweet in the evening? These cravings are not just your specific taste in foods but your brain seeking its daily or hourly fix. Whenever we are craving for these foods the addiction chemistry is working overtime in the brain.

Trust me; you are not alone when it comes to eating with your brain. After long days at work or stressful weeks, I feel my limbic system craving chocolate and sweets. Many nights I sit and eat M&M after M&M without contempt. When this happens to you there are a few tricks that can calm our cravings.

If you are like me, I do my cleaning, housework, and chores on the weekend. I also do not indulge in sweet delights as frequently on my days off as I do during the fast passed, stressful week days. Our brain and limbic system also responds to physical activity and completing goals. Doing yard work or housework has an appetite suppressing quality and produces a reward much like snacking on high carbohydrate foods.

Next time you feel your reward center telling you to eat that candy bar or have another piece of bread, try going for a walk or performing a small task that you are putting off until the weekend. Also, remember you are not alone nor should you feel guilty for giving in to your cravings. The first step is admitting and then working towards replacing the cravings with activity.

·       Bed

Change the sheets and spray a soft lilac or seaside linen spray on the bed.  Replace old heavy winter blankets with a lighter cotton one.  Open the windows for fresh air and put a restful classical cd on quiet.  Stretch out and nap! 

·       Books

Some of the most encouraging books tend to be those that take us away on a fun adventure.  For comforting stories, check out an amazing author from early 1900's named Grace Livingston Hill, or Janet Oakley and Karen Kingsbury. 

·       Birds

Even if you don't think you're interested in bird watching, you'd be surprised at how beautiful they are and how comforting the sound of their calls and chirps can be to warm your spirit.  Gold finch, robin, meadow lark, orioles, hummingbirds and blue jays offer lovely sights and sounds for your backyard.  Walmart offers inexpensive bird houses and seed. 

·       Brownies

Sometimes, a fun afternoon treat can be a warm brownie right out of the oven, as you take your lawn chair out under the trees and pull that favorite book out with a big glass of lemonade or ice tea.  Betty Crocker's mix with some powdered sugar frosting adding 2 big tablespoons of cocoa does the trick! 

·       Bible

You don't have to do a big study of the Bible and work your mind, but at times, just reading through some of the Psalms can be an amazing comfort.  Hearing the words that you are loved and God is your strength, is always restful. 

The BEST Summer Picnics...Ever

Making Family Time Extra Special

To make the picnic table setting at the left, we pulled out the old table and benches from behind the garage and sat them level underneath a tree (for shade) in the backyard.  Next, we went to the neighboring Fabric Outlet shop and purchased pillowcase ticking material, cutting a long thin strip to cover the center of the table.  Lanterns were $12.99 at Target on clearance, white square dishes were $3.99 and $2.99 at Walmart, and rope was in the tool shed.  Red napkins were from clearance at Walmart's fabric aisle, and an old tool tray serves as a carrier for utensils.

 

To make outdoor times extra special, plan the menu, invite the friends and head outside! 

   

 

 

Our BEST Menu for Your Summer Picnics

  

Hot Dogs and bakery buns

  

The BEST Tri-Color Salad  ****recipe below

 

Lays Potato Chips

  

Pickles, Olives, Carrots, and Celery Sticks

  

Pink Lemonade

  

Picnic Lemon Squares  ****recipe below

  

Watermelon

 

  

  

The BEST Tri-Color Salad....Ever                                                                                                      

12 oz spiral tri-colored pasta

 1 cup mozerella cheese, cubed

 3/4 cup pepperoni slices

1/4 cup red bell peppers

1/4 cup green bell peppers

1/3 cup red onion, chopped finely

3/4 cup italian dressing

1/4 cup black olives, diced

 

Boil pasta, drain, rinse with cool water. Slice peppers into thin strips. Slice onion finely.  Cut pepperoni into halves.  Add olives and cheese.  Pour dressing over and toss.  Serve well chilled.   

   

Picnic Lemon Squares                                  
                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

Crust:

¾ stick of butter

1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Combine all ingredients till they hold together.  Press into a greased 9×9  glass pan.  Bake for 18 minutes, until crust is light golden brown. 

 

 

 

Lemon Layer:

Finely grated rind of 2 medium-size lemons

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 eggs

3/4 cup granulated sugar

 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

 

While the crust is baking, beat the eggs in a small bowl with an electric mixer.  Add the sugar and baking powder and beat for 1 minute.  Stir in rind and juice.  Right before the crust is done, blend ingredients again. Pour lemon mixture over hot crust.  Bake an additional 20-25 minutes until the top is lightly colored.

Cool completely and cut into bars.  Dust with powdered sugar.

 

  

rest, relax, restore, refresh, revitalize!