I bought a book for a friend yesterday. Actually I’ve never met the person but you know my motto. There are no strangers, only friends we haven’t met yet! Anywho … heard about this friend of a friend who’s going through some struggles right now. I’m not sure where this person stands in her faith, but as I walked into Crossroads, I prayed God would lead me to the right book and then later help me write the note He would have me write to her.

That leads me to today’s challenge we issued on the morning show. We asked that you begin to pray about a person and book that God would have you pass on. Maybe it’s a person you know or maybe it’s someone He will reveal to you. Maybe it’s a book you purchase or a book you’ve had stashed away for a while that’s now covered in an inch of dust.  Well, blow off that dust and take the challenge and be sure to tell us your story whether you’re on the giving or maybe receiving end!

We asked today how do we set goals for us based on our values?  How can we best reach our God given gifts to glorify Him and be the best we can be? One Life 96.5 friend suggested the “SMART” approach.

S – Specific, set specifically what you want to achieve, what is your final goal?

M – Measure, set realistic short and long term goals

A – Actions, do something to take steps to get closer to your goal

R – Reasonable, be realistic

T – Time, set a time line to do each thing

What do you suggest for goal setting? We want to know!

This year I decided I’m going to get healthy, so I’ve made some big changes in how I eat. My husband on the other hand is 100% supportive of my changes, but really doesn’t want much to do with them personally.

But recently it’s become a lot harder for me to cook the unhealthy meals for Jim that he loves like pizza’s, hotdogs and burgers.  I love him and want him to be healthy and stick around a long time too and I feel like I’m helping him to continue to not eat like he should be! I don’t want to pressure him to change his eating but I could use your suggestions of how I can get him to hold my hand and come along with me on this new healthy journey I’m on.

So, I make no bones about it. I’m NOT a good cook. Dave however is a WONDERFUL chef! So I can only imagine the horror when I sent him my own made up Salmon dish I put together.

Here’s how Dave makes a salmon pasta (though a wee bit less healthy). Notice the difference how the recipes read… lol

Daves Recipe:

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (24 fl oz)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
  • 1/3 cup vodka
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 2 cups flaked broiled salmon
  • 10 oz capellini (angel-hair pasta; about two thirds of a 1-lb box)

preparation

Cook onion in oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened (but not browned), about 6 minutes. Add broth, cream, vodka, and salt and boil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced to 2 cups, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in dill, lemon zest and juice, and pepper. Reserve 1/2 cup sauce, then add salmon to saucepan and cook over moderately low heat until fish is just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.

While fish is heating, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander. Return pasta to pot, then toss with reserved sauce and cooking water. Serve pasta immediately with fish and sauce spooned over the top.

Suz recipe:

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • Wheat pasta (however much floats your boat)
  • Olive oil (till if feels right)
  • Roasted red peppers (1/4 cup, or not)
  • Spinach (bunch)
  • Garlic and onion (some)
  • Artichoke  (few)
  • Tomato pesto (lots)
  • Thyme (dashes)
  • Black pepper (more dashes)

Boil and drain noodles, cook fish, mix the rest of the goop together, put non fat feta on top and chow down!

This morning I posted this as my status on my personal facebook page and my friend Bruce responded with something very profound. Tell me your thoughts too!

“Oh God, please clean up my thoughts, my mouth and my heart before I go out to serve you today.”

Bruce wrote: That kind of goes along with Matthew 5:16…”Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” If our “windows” are dirty (attitude, statements, actions), then God’s light through us is greatly dimmed, as is our ability to serve Him.

God gives us all unique gifts and abilities. I recently began reading a book called Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I believe the more we are aware of our strengths and weaknesses, the better Moms, Dads, Sisters, Brothers, Daughters, Sons, Co-workers and on and on we can become. Here is the brief list for you to find your top 5. Share them with us!  I have marked my personal 5 with an *    – Suz

Achiever – Constant need to achieve and push yourself.

*Activator – Always ready to get going on a project, perhaps impatient.

Adaptability – You live in the moment discovering your future one moment at a time.

Analytical – Prove it! Show me why is often coming from your mouth.

Arranger – You’re able to conduct several things in your head at one time.

Belief – You have certain core values that are enduring.

Command – You like to take charge.

*Communication – You like to explain, describe, host and speak in public.

Competition – Other peoples perfomance is a yardstick for you to compare.

Connectedness – Belief that we are all part of a larger picture and need to care for each other with a high sense of that responsibility.

Consistency – Balance is important to you. You treat people all the same.

Context – You look back because you believe that’s where answers lie.

Deliberative – Private, careful and vigilant person. You plan ahead.

Developer – You see the potential in others, no one is every fully formed.

Discipline – Your world needs to be predictable, ordered and planned.

Empathy – You can feel emotions of those around you and hear unvoiced questions.

Focus – Daily question is where am I headed, often evaluating yourself.

*Futuristic – You love to peer over the horizon, the future fascinates you.

Harmony- You look for areas of agreement with others.

Ideation- You are fascinated by ideas and love to dig for the deeper meaning

Includer – You want to expand the group so no one is ever left out.

Individualization- You’re intrigued by the unique qualities of others.

Input – You collect, words, facts etc, you are inquisitive and often interested

Intellection – You love mental activity, problem solver.

Learner – You love the steady and deliberate journey of always learning.

Maximizer  – You take pride in improving something from average to excellent.

*Positivity – Generous with praise, quick to smile and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.

Relator – You enjoy being around close friends and being in relationships.

Responsibility- You take ownership of things big or small, you feel bound to follow it through to completion.

Restorative – Problem solver, you enjoy analyzing symptoms and finding a solution to it.

Self-Assurance – You have faith in your strengths, self confident.

Significance – You want to be heard and may have  a need to be admired.

Strategic – You sort through clutter, clear thinking. You discard the useless path and evaluate potential obstacles.

*Woo – Winning Others Over, love to meet new people and engaging strangers in conversation.You are drawn to them and want to learn more about them. But then it’s time to move onto other strangers to talk.

So Dave doesn’t get my dilemma. Jim gave me two dozen roses for Valentines Day nine days ago and they are now starting to wilt.  Dave said “just throw ‘em away. ”

But I’m wondering if there’s something creative I can do with them to save them. I’ve heard about putting the petals on a cookie sheet and drying them then putting them in a jar.  I’m not real creative with things like this and I could use your ideas.

This morning Dave and I talked about a news story which I’ve posted below. We each had a bit of a different take on it and we would love to know your thoughts. I’ll give you each side of our opinions.

Suzanne – I moved from the east coast 17 years ago to little Harrisburg which had about 700 people at the time. And yes, it was tough making friends at first. People are very private in the midwest, but I didn’t see it as their job to embrace me, this new person. I volunteered a lot, got involved with the community and eventually felt like I belonged. It took me reaching out and making efforts, saying hi and introducing myself. Did this couple  really give this North Dakota town a fair shake?

Dave – Being a newcomer, shouldn’t they be welcomed with open arms? And I mean more than just a “welcome to the neighborhood” basket, but people making a genuine effort to develope a relationship.

Here’s the news story from the AP:

HAZELTON, N.D. (AP) _ THE ONLY FAMILY LURED BY A TINY NORTH DAKOTA TOWN’S PROMISE OF CASH AND FREE LAND SAYS IT PLANS TO LEAVE HAZELTON, NORTH DAKOTA. MICHAEL AND JEANETTE TRISTANI SAY THEY WERE PREPARED FOR THE BITTER WINTERS, BUT WERE TREATED AS OUTSIDERS. THEY HOPE TO RETURN TO FLORIDA.

This morning I talked about how a friend of mine on the east coast is torn whether or not to add someone on facebook that’s requested to be her friend online. My friend is a believer who wears her heart on her sleeve much like I do, so I understand the problem.

The person who’s requesting the friendship has been mean and nasty to her in the past. My friend feels very vulnerable and likes to post scripture and very personal things as her status. But she fears she will be mocked and laughed at by this person. Yet, she knows it could also be an opportunity for this person to hear The Word too.

I took lots of calls this morning, but I couldn’t get to all of them. I really want to know your opinion on this.

If you’re having company, or you’re going to a Super Bowl party this Sunday, why not serve something a little different than the usual chips, nachos or a veggie tray. Suzanne challenged me to come up with some recipes that are healthier than the normal foods served, but ones that are just as good! I should admit that I haven’t tried the dip or wings recipes, but I fully intend to this weekend.

Let’s start with a dip that should be quite healthy:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chickpea-Cilantro-Dip-with-Grilled-Pita-and-Carrot-Sticks-106735

Chicken wings:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chickpea-Cilantro-Dip-with-Grilled-Pita-and-Carrot-Sticks-106735

Chili: (This is one of my favorites, though I minimized the amount of beans and I made a HUGE mistake the first time I made it. I added 4 cerrano peppers, only I didn’t seed them. It was sooooo hot)

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chili-I-2/Detail.aspx

Sandwich:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Skirt-Steak-and-Pepper-Sandwiches-with-Corn-Mayonnaise-354829

If you get around to making any of these recipes, post your thoughts, we’d love to hear them.

Go Vikings…oh wait, that won’t be until next year. :)

Dave