Covid19: What it Has Taken and Given

In the matter of days our lives were turned upside down.  Normal ceased to exist.  Our daily routines changed.  Spring Break plans were disrupted.  Schools let scholars go home for the remainder of the year.  Seniors were cheated out of their final semester of High School or College.  People were quarantined at home.  Why?  A nasty extremely contagious, life threatening virus named Covid19.
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Parks were closed.  Sporting events were cancelled.  Businesses were shut down 
and only essential workers were employed.  Companies had employees work from home.  Grocery store shelves were bare.  Toilet paper became a rare item. Yes, stores were sold out of it everywhere.  Hand sanitizer disappeared along with it.  Health officials found it necessary to reteach us how to wash our hands.

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Since groceries were out of meat, groceries were selling their raw protein along with prepared menu items.  Delivery or curbside pick up were the only options since dining in had been banned. Gatherings were limited to ten people.  Weddings were rescheduled and funerals kept private.  Church doors were closed.  Masks were worn in public for protection.  Our world had completely changed.
Covid19 has taken our normal from us.  Our secure, everyday life is now gone. Healthcare and grocery workers are exhausted.  Parents are homeschooling and frustrated.  Family and friends are missing each other.  Children are frightened and do not understand.  Adults are, too.  This is a worldwide pandemic. What is a pandemic?  Webster’s dictionary says “Pandemic definition is – occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.”

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Oh, but wait.  It is not all gloom and doom. Covid19 has also given to us.  Our priorities have been forced into perspective.  Family has risen to the top.  Those concerts and sporting events that we believed were essential have been replaced with family time.  Family dinners have made a huge comeback.  People are returning to the kitchen to prepare meals that will be eaten around a table with family.  The weather has turned nice and families are going outside.  We are rediscovering the treasure we have been taking for granted.
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Communities and the entire nation have joined together.  Meals are given to children
out of school and to healthcare workers. Restaurants are pitching where they can.   Protective masks are being made at home to help. Many are giving them away.  Neighbors are checking on each other.  Teenagers are doing yard work to help elderly.  Groceries are picked up for friends.  Kindness is manifesting itself through people across this nation. We are thinking of others and their needs.  America and mankind are pulling together to help win this war on Covid19.  We are standing together to assist others.  
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With so much time spent in self quarantine parents are spending quality time with their children.  Hiking, playing games, grilling or working in the kitchen, are just a few of the ways families are enjoying their time together.  They are becoming reacquainted with each other.  Families are doing more activities together and making lasting memories.  For the most part, this is a great thing.  Unfortunately there will be some children not blessed with a happy home.

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The best thing to come out of this is that people have turned their hearts and minds back to God.  Children are witnessing a revival in their homes.  Prayers are said at mealtime and bedtime now more than ever.  Bibles are being dusted off and opened.  God’s Word is being read.  We have more time now to begin our day with God’s Word and in prayer.  That excuse has been taken away.  Parents are able to set good examples for their children and teach them God’s Word.

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God’s children have hit the reset button on their lives.  We are putting things in proper order starting with Jesus, then others, and finally ourselves.  We will come through this battle victorious.  Always we need our Heavenly Father, but we need Him especially now.  This is an epic battle we are fighting with Covid19.  Fear not.  Nothing is impossible with God.  He is more powerful than anything, even this pandemic.  I hope the lessons that we learned during this time will stay with us.  I hope our world remains changed for the better.  Don’t you?
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Cooking in 2020, A Healthy Recipe

One of the most popular resolutions for the New Year is to cook and eat healthier.  Anyone trying to do that?  Me, too!  There are many recipes, cookbooks, blogs, and sites out to offer us help.  Honestly, if I used more common sense and less sugar I believe I could figure this thing out myself.  Well, with prayer, too.  Couldn’t you?

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First off, pray for guidance.  Secondly, I know I need to eat more vegetables.  I love them so that should not be a problem.  Right?  Well, it can be.  Creativity is the issue with me.  Do you get bored with the same old way of fixing veggies?  It is time to experiment.

Do you like cucumbers?  Have you tried them in a salad with tomatoes, green peppers, and feta?  Delicious!  With a light dressing this fresh salad comes alive with flavor and has very few calories.  Winner!

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This Fresh Cucumber, Tomato, Feta salad comes from Pampered Chef.  Yes, I’m a Pampered Chef Lady.  My daughter-in-law brings a praise-worthy version of this to family gatherings.  This would make a nice lunch choice.  Even adding a lean protein and doubling the portion of the salad the calories would total less than 500.

The three lowest calorie cheeses are feta, Swiss, and mozzarella.  Bummer about cheddar, I know.  My cheese of choice is Swiss which I substitute in this recipe.  I am an onion fan so occasionally I will toss in a few.

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If I would just eat what God has given us, I know my body would be healthier.  Just look at the historical account of Daniel in the Bible. CEADFDB9-773B-46D3-87EF-4553A1B55134God has provided so many fruits, vegetables, and proteins for us.  Absolutely I love desserts, but I do not need them as often as I indulge.  They will be reserved for a special occasion or treat.  (I may need you to remind me of that later.)

My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit so I need to make 2020 a year of repairs on it.  What about you?  What shape is your temple in now?

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Enjoy the salad recipe!

Salad

  • 2   seedless cucumbers, cut into 3″ (7.5 cm) pieces and in half lengthwise
  • 4   plum tomatoes, tops removed and cut in half lengthwise
  • 1   yellow bell pepper, seeded and quartered
  • 4 oz (125 g) chunk feta cheese, cut in half lengthwise
  •  Black pepper

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) white balsamic or white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tbsp (7 mL) sugar
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
  •  garlic clove, pressed

DIRECTIONS

  1. For salad, cut cucumbers with the Quick Slice, place in a large serving bowl; repeat with remaining ingredients, except pepper.
  2. For dressing, combine all ingredients in Measure, Mix & Pour®. Mix until blended.
  3. Drizzle 1/3 cup (75 mL) dressing over vegetables; toss.  Refrigerate remaining dressing for another use. Top with black pepper, if desired.

Yield:

  • 12  servings of about 3/4  cup /175 mL

Nutrients per serving:

Calories 45, Total Fat 2.5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 170 mg, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g

 

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