April2015

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Even savvy shoppers can be overwhelmed in the grocery store. So many choices, labels and buzzwords, plus little time to spend deciphering all of it. Here are a few strategies that might make your shopping trip a little easier

Bringalist.Andsticktoit!Healthydecisionsstartbeforeyouevenwalkthroughthedoorsofthestore.Planningaheadcannotonlykeepyoufromthrowinginunnecessaryitems

(hello,cookies!)butcanalsosaveyoutimeandmoney.Haveeveryoneinyourfamilyhelpcontributeonthelistaswell.Kidsaremorewillingtotrynewfoodswhentheyhelppickthem.

StartwiththePerimeter. Dothemajorityofyourshoppingintheperimeterofthegrocerystorewherethefruits,vegetables,dairy,meatandfishreside.Aimformeatorfish

itemsthatare95percentleanorhigher,low‐fatdairyandavarietyoffruitsandvegetables.Whilethejunkfoodtendstolurkinthecenteraisles,thatisalsowhereyouwillfindsomehealthyoptionsincludingbeans,frozenfruitsandvegetablesandwholegrains.But,asageneral

ruleofthumb,takeyourtimeloadinguponwhole,nutritiousitemsontheperimeterandthenmakeyourwaythroughthemiddletogetspecificitemsonyourlist.

Buyafewhealthfooditemsinbulk.Itemssuchasmeat,nuts,yogurtandsomegrainscantendtorunonthemorecostlyside.Togetmoreforyourmoney,trybuyingtheseitemsinbulk.ThismaymeanalargetubofGreekyogurtfortheweekorabigbagofquinoaandalmondstolast

youafewmonths.Meatisalsoagreatthingtobuyinlargeramounts,allowingyoutofreezeanyextra.Groundbeeforturkey,forexample,canbeturnedintochili,burgersoraheartyspaghettisauce.Plus,buyinginbulkhelpskeepyourpantrystockedwithbasics,ensuringyoualwayshavesomethingwhenyou’rescroungingfordinnerideas.

Don’tforgetthefrozenaisle.Studiesshowthatfrozenfruitsandvegetablesarejustashealthy,ifnotmore,assomeofthefreshproducesoldinsupermarkets.Fruitsandvegetablesthatarepickedforfreezingareusuallyprocessedwhentheyareattheirpeakripeness.Ontheother

hand,fruitsandvegetablesthataredestinedtobeshippedtothefresh‐producesectionsaroundthecountryaretypicallypickedbeforetheyareripe.Shorteningtheripeningprocessgivesthemlesstimetodevelopafullspectrumofvitaminsandminerals. Continuedonpagetwo…

FirstPlace4Health,7025W.Tidwell,SuiteH101,Houston,Texas77092800.727.5223

GroceryStoreStrategiescontinued…

Thefewertheingredients,thebetter.Ifyousticktothatgeneralconceptwhilegroceryshopping,you'reautomaticallymakinghealthierchoices.Thiswillhelptoeliminateaddedsugars,fatsandpreservativesandfocusesonthemost

wholesomeversionofthefood.

Bewaryaboutbignutritionclaims.Advertisersdesigntheirpackagingtosell.Sotaglineslike"nocholesterol"or"nosugaradded"aremeantmoretodrawyouinthantorepresentthetruth.Alotoftheseclaimsarenotregulatedand

thereforetheextenttowhichtheyapplyisoftenleftuptotheimagination.Forexampletheword"lite"canindeedmeanfewercalories,thoughthereisnostandardsetforexactlyhowmanycaloriesyouaresaving.Ifyou'rewaryofacertainitem,lookatthenutritionlabel‐thosenumbersdon’tlie.

MyHopeforYou~VickiHeath

SpringisawesomeonEdistoIsland.Iwokeupthismorningtothebirdsoutsidemywindowshouting"Getup!”“Springishere!"AndthatmeansEaster.ThememoriescomefloodingbacktoEasterswhenIwasgrowingup.Imagineacrazy,strong,wackyfamilydoinglifewithoutchurch.IcannotrecallevenoneEastergoingtochurchasafamily.Wecoloredeggs,atetheearsoffchocolatebunnies,andmarshmallowpeeps.TherewasoneEasterSundayIrememberthatwasdifferent.IknewinmyhearttherewassomethingverysignificantaboutEaster.IwasabouteightyearsoldwhenIgotupearlyandwentoutsidebymyself.Itwasstilldark.IfeltcompelledtotellGodthankyouforEasterinsomeway,eventhoughIdidnotreallyunderstandwhatitallmeant.IhadasmallredNewTestamentwithPsalmsthathadagoldlanternonthefrontandwasveryworn.InowknowthiswasprobablyaGideonNewTestament.TherewasonechapterofScripturethatI

knew.WelearnedScriptureatschoolintheolddays—remember?Itwasthe23rdPsalm.Ifoundthepassage,climbeduponthelowpatiowallfacingeastandreadthePsalmoutloudtotheLord.Ittrulywasmyfirstworshipexperience.IfelttheloveofGodfloodingmysmall,childishheart.Afewyearslaterattheageof18,IheardthewholeGospelofJesusChrist.IknewHewastheonespeakingtomyheartallofthoseyearsago.Hewaswaitingforme!ThatdayIreceivedHimasmyLordandSavior.Herushedintomylifeandchangedmeforever.Yourecallhowthe23rdPsalmends?"AndIshalldwellinthehouseoftheLordforever.”Hehadaplanformylife,eventhen.Ihavebeenapastor'swifeforoverthirtyyears.Heknew! Continuedonpagethree…APRIL2015 PAGETWO

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MyHopeforYoucontinued…

HowcanwenotsharethehopeofChrist?IrememberwhatitwaslikewithoutChrist.ThatiswhyIloveFP4H.IhavesomanyopportunitiestoshareChrist.Iamblessedamongwomentoleadthisministry.AnotewashandedtomeonmywayoutthedoorafteraFP4HeventinSpringfield,Illinoisthatsaid,Forthefirsttimeinmylife,IamhopefulthatGodcanhelpmeandthatGodcanchangeme.IrealizenowthatIamnotalostcause.IknowthatChristlivinginmereallyismyhope.Wow!Iampassionateaboutalotofthings:myfamily,mychurchandmyministry.ButnothingcomparestothepassionIhavethatcomesfromsharingthehopeofChrist.Ifweplaceourhopeinthingsofthisworld,inotherpeopleorinadietprogram,wewillbedisappointed.OurhopeisinthepersonofJesusChrist.TodayIamrunningoverwithhope.IhopethisEasterseasonwillbepowerfulforyou.Ihopeyouaredevelopingsolid,lifelonghabitsthroughthepowerofChrist.Ihopeyouaregivingthanksforyourbodyandcaringforyoursoul.Ihopeyouarenolongercontrolledbylongingsandcraving.IhopeyoucantasteandseethattheLordisgood.IhopeyouarestartingtocatchavisionofanewkindoflifeinChrist.Ihopeyouarelookingforit.Ihopeyouhaveapurposethatgoesbeyondyourselfandreachesouttoothers.IhopeGodisleadingyoutoaccomplishsomethingbeyondtheordinary.Ihopeallofyourdreamscometruebecausethereishope.JoinmethisEasterinshouting"HosannaintheHighest"becauseweknowhowHISSTORYends:Heisrisen!Christinme,thehopeofglory.

TimetoGetOutsideWithThisGreatGear!

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Devotional

DailyBlessings

Theendofamatterisbetterthanitsbeginning,andpatienceisbetterthanpride.

ECCLESIASTES7:8Iamdrinkingfrommy“saucer”becausemycuphasoverflowed,andIwanttosharewithyouwhathascausedthisjoyinmywholebeing.

Abouteightyearsago,IwasatapointthatIwantedtomakeachangeinmyspirituallife.Aco‐workertoldmeaboutaprogramcalledFirstPlace4Health,soIcheckedonline,researchedtheprogramandshowedupatthenextmeeting.The ladiesintheclassweresowelcomingandkindtomefromtheverybeginning.TheyhadnoideaofthebaggageIhadluggedinwithme,asIwasdealingwithmaritalandfamilyissuesatthattime.

IgotsettledintothisBiblestudy,whichhelpedtoopenmyeyestoGod’s graceandmercythroughthesedearwomen.Theladiesinmyclasshaveprayedme throughvarioussituations,andfromtheirprayers,Godhasgivenmepeacewithinmyheartandinmyfamily.IhavelearnedeachdaytoaskGod’sblessingsuponmeandtoholdmeinthepalmofHishand.

Attimestheblessingshavebeenoverwhelming,soIgiveglorytoHisnamefor them.IhavebecomestrongerinmyfaithbecauseofFirstPlace4Health,and throughthestudies,Hiswordhasgivenmewisdomtomakebetterdecisionsformyselfandformyfamily.Alongthisspiritualjourney,Ihaveworkedhardtobeawareofsituationsandstresses,andtakethemastheycome,seeingthemforwhattheyareanddecidingjustwhattheLordwantsmetolearnfromthem.

IknownowthatIamapreciouschildofGod.HehasforgivenmeandHe lovesme,nomatterwhatbaggageIamcarrying,soIhavelearnedtoletHimcarry thatload.Theendissomuchbetterthanthebeginning.“Formyyokeiseasyandmyburdenislight”(Matthew11:30).

Prayer:Lord,helpmetolookforyourplaninthedifficultsituations,onadailybasis.

KayJarrell,Odessa,Texas

FirstPlace4HealthNews

WeareexcitedtoannouncethatHelenBaratta’srolewithFirstPlace4HealthhasincreasedtoDirectorofDevelopment.Inthisposition,shewillimplementandoverseethestrategicapproachtogrowingandexpandingFirstPlace4Healthgroups.Helenwillfocusondevelopingonlinegroups,aswellasidentifyinganddevelopingresourcesforleaders.ShewillcontinuetopromoteFirstPlace4Healththroughspeakingandhelpingwithevents.WeareexcitedtohaveHelenjoinusinthisnewcapacity,lookingforwardtoGod’scontinuedblessingsonFirstPlace4Health’sbiblicalwellnessprogrambasedongivingChristFirstPlace.YoucancontactHelenathelen.baratta@fp4h.com.

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SuccessStory~DonnellaLooger

First Place 4Healthhasprovidedthemapformetofindmywayhome.IwasaChristianthatdayIGoogled“Christianweightlossprogram,”butIwas lost in my perfectionism, self‐reliance and self‐centeredness.Beingfatishard.Ihatedshoppingintheextendedsizes;Ihatedbingingonjunkfood andI hated asking God again and again to help me stop the self‐sabotage.

I askedGod forwisdom according to James 1:5, but ignored the versesthatfollowedstating:Theonewhodoubts is likeawaveofthesea,blownandtossedbythewind.Suchapersonisdouble‐mindedandunstableinallthey do. That describes me for many years. The overweight part wasobvious and I couldn't hide that, although I spent plenty of time andmoneytrying.ButIworeamask,hidingbehinditandpresentingtotheworldthatIhadmyacttogether.

God answered my prayer in finding a First Place 4 Health group in anearbycity.IcontactedtheleaderandthendecidedthatIcouldstilldoiton my own, taking the money I’dspendonthatMember’sKitandbuya smaller outfit. I kept gainingweight and deceiving myself. Thefirst thing I thought about everymorning when I awoke was myweight, and every day I vowed to

make good choices. I’d carefully fix my hair and makeup, alwaysavoidingfull‐lengthmirrors.I’msogratefulnowthatmydietplandidn’twork.ItwasawfullylonelybehindthatmaskandlikethethorninPaul’sfleshthatkepthimhumbleanddependentonGod,Idevelopedarashonmyface‐anallergytoanyandallcreams,lotions,make‐up,etc.ThenIfeltreallyexposed.FatANDugly.Icouldnolongerjustlookatmyfaceinthemirror,ignoringtherestofmybody,andtellingmyself“I’mfine,yep,justfine!”Iobviouslywasn’t.

Aboutthattime,BeverlyCodyphonedmeandtoldmeanewsessionwasbeginning and gave me the date for the Orientation. She hugged mewhenIwalkedinthedoor,andIfellinherarmsfeelinglikeIwashome.Isawherbeforephoto,andthatofBrendaKohlert.Inowhadhope.

Whenwedidtheemotionalmapping,Beverlymodeledformethe“whytobereal.”Ineededtofullyunderstand“why”beforeIcouldevencareabout the “how.” I’ve learned in through First Place 4Healthwhy andhowtobeahumanbeinginsteadofahumandoing. Continuedonpagesix…

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SuccessStorycontinued…

So,whathasworkedforme?HowdidIgetfromwhereIwasinSeptember2012,tothe45‐poundlossIhavetoday?Well,justasweaccepttheSaviorandinviteHimintoourlives,I’vealsoacceptedthefriendshipsofferedfromfellowmembersandallowedthemintomylife.AllowedthemtoseewhereI’mmessingup,offersuggestions,andtokeepmeaccountable.Iemailmydailyfooddiarytomyco‐leaderandmynetworkingleadereveryevening.GoingbacktothatScriptureinJameswherehetalksaboutbeingtossedaboutlikeawave,IremembermyDaddytellingmenottofightthewaterwhenhetookmeoutintheGulf.EvenwithmyDaddyholdingtheinnertube,I’dseethosewhitecapsfaroffandpanic.Heinstructedmetotrusthimandjustfloat.

Growingupnearthecoast,wehadabeachhouseandIspentlotsoftimewalkingonthebeach,pickingupseashells,buildingsandcastles,andwritinginthesand.Everydaythetidecomesinandthetidegoesout,takingthoseshells,andsandcastles,andwordsaway,givinganewslatetobeginwiththenextmorning.I’veexperiencedlotsofhurricanesinmy63years,butyouknowwhat?Evenwiththedevastation,thehighwinds,thestormsurge…witheachday,thetidegoesoutandthetidecomesin.That’sthewayI’vebeguntoseemylifetimeeatingplan.InreadingJoyceAinsworth’sbook:Food,Freedom,andFinishLines,IrealizedthatwhateverstrategiesIadopted,theyshouldbeonesthatIcanlivewiththroughtheweightlossandintomaintenance,notsome“temporary”andusuallyradicaldeprivation.

So,I’vecreateda“default”menuofsortsthatworksforme.Athome(emphasize“athome”)Iusuallyhaveabreakfastpuddingthatincludesplentyofgreens,beans,dairy,fruit,nuts&seeds—andchocolate!Mylunchisalmostalwaysaheartysalad,anddinnerhasplentyofcookedvegetablesplusIalwayshaveahealthydessert.WhenI’mawayfromhome,IeatwhateversomeoneputsbeforemeorwhateverIreallywantinarestaurant.Idon’tconsiderita“cheat”anditneverbecomesabingeorcausesanyguilt,becausejustasthetidegoesoutandthetidecomesin,mynextmealwillbeatmyownhomeandI’llberightbackintotherhythmofmylifetimefoodplan.

Ilivedmylifeonthesidelines…justwatchingandfantasizingabouthowI’dbecomeaparticipantoncemyappearancewas“perfect.”Irecognizethat“lieofthedevil”nowandexposingithasbecomemyministry.OurheavenlyFatherwantsustobehealthy,happy,andenjoyingallHehasprovidedforustodo,beandhave.Sokeepingwiththeanalogyofthetideandtheshoreline,Iurgeyoutofindthatrhythmofeating,havingyourquiettime,andexercisingathomethatispleasurable,healthy,andthatyoucanenjoymosteveryday.Andjustasthattidecomesinandtakessomeofthatsandouttothesea,thedailyrhythmwillslowlybutconsistentlytakethoseexcesspounds,alongwithunnecessarycaresandconcernsawaysothatyoucanbeallthatGodcreatedyoutobe.

APRIL2015 PAGESIX

I used to avoid so many functions because of my

shame and embarrassment.

SimpleIdeasforLeaders–TrackYourProgress

AttentionLeaders!Joinusintrackingyourgroup'sprogress!Takejustafewminutestoenteryourgroupinformationhere:http://bit.ly/1bPB08V.Watchfuturenewslettersfornewsabouttheresultsofthistrackinginformation.Allthosethatparticipatehaveachancetobeawardedaprize!

FitTip~FindingWhatWorksforYou

Thekeytoexercisingregularlyisfindingsomethingthatworksforyou.Bob&DeeMatthewsfoundwhatworksforthemisridingbikes.Theybeganridingin2009,cancelledtheirgymmembershipandfoundsuccessinreachingtheirfitnessgoals.SeeBob’sstoryontheFirstPlace4HealthYouTubechannelhere:https://youtu.be/H7p6IZpvDWo 

APRIL2015 PAGESEVEN 

 

MinnesotaLeader’sMeetingApril11,2015Woodbury,MNContact:arla.frigstad.fp4h@gmail.com

WisconsinAreaSpringRetreatApril11,2015ImmanuelLutheranChurchWaupun,WIContact:helen.baratta@fp4h.com

TexasAreaTrainingMeetingApril11,2015CalvaryBaptistChurchNacogdoches,TXContact:mandn4him@wildblue.net

FloridaAreaTrainingMeetingApril18,2015CandlewoodCommunityChurchLandO’Lakes,FLContact:glenna@netdoor.comPennsylvaniaAreaTraining&WellnessRallyMay16,2015CrossroadsChurchOakdale,PAContact:helen.baratta@fp4h.comNewJerseyAreaTraining&WellnessRallyMay30,2015FirstBaptistChurchofMt.HolyEastampton,NJContact:helen.baratta@fp4h.com

Formoreinformationaboutanyoftheseevents,

pleasevisitwww.firstplace4health.com

Massachusetts&RhodeIslandAreaTrainingMeetingJune13,2015GraceChapelLexington,MAContact:monique.johnson.fp4h@gmail.comTheRace!~Summit2015July24‐25,2015Houston’sFirstBaptistChurchHouston,TXContact:helen.baratta@fp4h.comMississippiAreaTrainingMeetingAugust15,2015RankinCountyBaptistAssoc.Pearl,MSContact:glenna@netdoor.com

TexasAreaTrainingMeeting&WellnessRallySeptember12,2015SalemSayersBaptistChurchSanAntonio,TexasContact:chapkoj@aol.comWellnessWeek@RoundTopOctober8‐15,2015RoundTopRetreatRoundTop,TexasContact:lisa.lewis@fp4h.comMississippiAreaTrainingMeeting&WellnessRallyNovember7,2015FirstBaptistChurch‐SenatobiaSenatobia,MSContact:glenna@netdoor.com

UpcomingEvents

 

Snack,Breakfast,Soup&Dessert!

SNACK/APPETIZER

VeryVeggieDip21Servings

1‐1/2cupsfat‐freeplainGreekyogurt

1cuplightmayonnaise

1can(8‐ounce)slicedwaterchestnuts,drained

1/2cupfinelychoppedcarrots

1/2cupfinelychoppedbroccoli

1pack(10‐ounce)frozenchoppedspinach,thawed

1packagelow‐sodiumdryvegetablesoupmix

1teaspoonWorcestershiresauce

Combineallingredientsinamediumbowlandmixwell.Coverandrefrigerateforseveralhourstoletflavorsblend.Placedipinahollowedoutbreadbowlandgarnishwithfreshvegetableandbreadcubes.Makesabout4cups.NutritionInformation:51Calories;2gFat(41.8%caloriesfromfat);2gProtein;6gCarbohydrate;1gDietaryFiber;5mgCholesterol;167mgSodium.

BREAKFAST

Fruit&PecanBars12Servings

1largeegg1largeeggwhite1cuplightbrownsugar1tablespooncanolaoil1teaspoongroundcinnamon1/4teaspoonsalt1teaspoonvanillaextract11/2cupstoastedoats2/3cupchoppeddriedcranberriesorraisins1/4cupchoppedpecans1tablespoonflourPreheatovento325°F.Linean9‐by‐11‐inchpanwithfoil.Coatwithcookingspray.Whiskegg,eggwhite,sugar,oil,cinnamon,saltandvanillainalargebowl.Stirinoats,cranberries(orraisins),pecansandflour.Spreadinpreparedpan.Bakeuntilgoldenbrown,30to35minutes.Coolandcutintobars.Quick&easybreakfastonthego!NutritionInformation:119Calories;3gFat;0gSat;1gMono;13mgCholesterol;22gCarbohydrates;2gProtein;1gFiber;44mgSodium;17mgPotassium

SOUP

Gazpacho(ColdSpanishVeggieSoup)4Servings

3cupsseededchoppedtomatoes2cupslow‐sodiumV‐8juice™1/2cupchoppedbellpepper1/2cupchoppedredonion2tablespoonsbalsamicvinegar1tablespoonoliveoil1clovegarlic,minced1/2cupseeded,peeledcucumberFreshlygroundblackpepper1/4teaspoonsalt1tablespoonmincedchivesforgarnishCombineallingredientsinaglassbowlandrefrigerateovernight.Servecold.Garnishwithchivesandcroutons.NutritionInformation:115Calories;4gFat(30.4%caloriesfromfat);3gProtein;18gCarbohydrate;4gDietaryFiber;5mgCholesterol;200mgSodium

DESSERT

ChocolateOatClusters

4Servings2tablespoonspeanutbutter2tablespoons1%low‐fatmilk1/4cupsemisweetchocolatechips3/4cupold‐fashionedrolledoatsPlacepeanutbutter,milk,andsemisweetchocolatechipsinasaucepan;cookoverlowheatuntilchipsmelt(about3minutes).Stirinoats;removefromheat.Withaspoonormelonballer,drop8ball‐shapedportionsonawaxpaper‐linedbakingsheet;letsetinrefrigerator10minutesbeforeserving.Serves4(2clusterseach).Thesehealthy,4‐ingredientcookiesareperfectforon‐the‐gosnacksorforpackinginalunchbag.NutritionInformation:160Calories;8gFat,5gProtein,19gCarbohydrate,3gFiber,0.0mgCholesterol,0.0mgIron,40mgSodium

Save the Date!

July 24-25, 2015 Houston’s First Baptist Church

Houston, Texas

Join us for two days packed full of motivation, information, healthy food, fun and more!

Seminars will include information on growing healthy families, finding emotional freedom, the latest in

exercise trends and power foods, healthy cooking tips and much more.