Alzheimer's Association Fundraiser

***UPDATE*** 
2/27/2014.   Many of the items in the photos will be retired very soon.  Shop until August 10th to get them. After 8/10 I will be revising the poster to include BRAND NEW product.  Shop here:  www.marathonmom.origamiowl.com

A few days ago, I was doing some online networking, blogging, creating business materials, etc. and got an invitation to join in with a friend for Walk to End Alzheimer's.  I've been asked before, but either did not have the time or it just didn't seem important.  Well, shame on me! It is important and I must confess, I'm ashamed of myself for neglecting this issue because my great Aunt who recently passed away had Alzheimer's disease.  

Since "retiring" from my day job I vowed to myself to act upon those things that are important, those things I either have neglected to make important or honestly did not have the time for.

In the past, I have done other fundraisers through my Origami Owl business. Now, I turn my attention to Alzheimer's disease.  You see, my great aunt had Alzheimer's.  At the same time, she had lung cancer.  The family debated whether or not to treat her cancer because of the Alzheimer's.  She did not understand what was going on around her.  Did not know why she was being taken to doctors, did not know why people were poking needles in her arms or why she was throwing up.   

I guess it was a blessing that she went fairly quickly.  In fact, she passed from this earth with my mother by her side.  I believe God spared her from a long painful existence that many Alzheimer's patients and their families endure.  From the time the cancer was diagnosed to her last breath on earth, only approximately two years went by.  It doesn't really matter which disease ended her life, the fact is, disease took this wonderful woman from us.   Here is your chance to find a cure for one of them. 

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ALZHEIMER'S FUNDRAISER SHOP FORWARD LINK.

My Chemistry experiment

Today is a rainy, dreary, don't want to get out of bed type of day.  It was supposed to be long run day.  Didn't happen.  Got on the treadmill and was bored in less than 30 minutes.  I managed to pull out 7 miles before I gave up.

A few days ago, I discovered the web site for my favorite dairy-free chocolate, Enjoy Life, and as any responsible runner with a dairy allergy would do, I ordered a case.

After my run this morning, I decided to do some experimentation.  First, I made chocolate milk frappe type drink.  (No photo).  

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup almond milk (plain)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chip morsels (pictured above)

2 Tbs Smuckers all natural peanut butter

6 large frozen strawberries

It was not too bad, not cold enough, so I put it in the freezer.  May make good ice cream substitute.  Will find out after it's frozen.

Next, I made my black bean brownies with the dark chocolate chips.  YUM!

The brownies called for 2 TBS of canned pumpkin.  I had a can minus 2 TBS left, so what to do?  I searched my recipes and decided to do a mash up of my Pumpkin Bars and Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookie.  

Recipe:

1/2 cup Agave

1/2 cup Stevia in the raw

1 can (minus what was used for the brownies)  pumpkin puree

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup all natural apple sauce

1 cup oats (finely ground)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

3/4 cup +/- dark chocolate chip morsels chopped up (I put them in the little Ninja for a few seconds)

Mix in order, stirring well.  Spoon onto parchment paper, flatten a bit with a spoon.  375 for 10 minutes.  Allow to cool.   

They turned out soft and very sweet and chocolatey.  I think I love them!!   Will have to get some taste testers when the family gets home.  I will also be taking some of my experiments to church tomorrow and see if they get eaten or hit the trash can.  

Normally, I bake for my own enjoyment.  I can't eat "grocery store" deserts because of my allergy to dairy and my family isn't too keen on my experiments.  Perhaps my readers could give me some feedback.  Like?  Don't like?  I have friends who love the black bean brownies, so maybe these new cookies will be a hit as well.  

Pumpkin chocolate cookies

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven.

Don't ask me what the calorie count is in these recipes.  I'm not into that sort of thing.  I run 35 plus miles a week and need the calories.   The ingredients are natural and healthy, so enjoy in moderation if you are dieting.   Does the plate of cookies look like a little person?  Kinda did that on purpose.

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Control - do you have it?

Control.  What is it and who has it?  

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines control as: 
to direct the behavior of a person.  To cause a person to do what you want.
to have power over (something/someone)
to direct the actions or function of (something).  To cause (something) to act or function in a certain way.

Control equal power.  Does it really? 

When I was a young girl I often felt helpless unless I was in charge.  Put me in a group with a leader and I floundered.  Make me the leader and I flourished, felt empowered, in control.  

As an adult in a bad marriage, I learned to take control.  I became the boss.  Controlled the discipline of my children, controlled the finances, controlled every aspect of my life.  Why?  At the time, I felt it was necessary.  Somebody had to take charge, after all.  

Control meant security.  Control meant no surprises. (that didn't work at all)  Control meant I was in charge of my life, my destiny.  If I told everyone what to do, how to do it, when to do it then all was right with the world when they obeyed.  

But, what if they didn't?  I was out of control and my world fell apart.

Control is also about lack of trust.  I didn't trust those around me, therefore, I had to control my environment.

I had to relinquish control in order to have true peace, true freedom, true happiness and joy. 

How? 
* I had to put my faith, my trust, my belief into action.  God.  God, ultimately is the only one who is ever completely in control.  I had to believe that he had my best interest at heart.  Things might not go my way - ever - but His plan will work because it is His plan - not mine.  
* I had to read my Bible.  Over and over and over again until it was written on my heart and I understood and believed.  
     Proverbs 19:21  Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
      Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
      Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
      Psalm 9:10  And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Matthew 6:34 became my daily mantra.  Controlling people are anxious people.  We worry about everything all the time.  

When I finally was able to put my trust fully in God, my creator, the one who died on the cross for me, then I was free.  Free to trust.  Free to love.  Free to let my hair down and relax and know that the world isn't going to fall apart if things did not go my way every second of the day.  

Do you know someone like this?  

Control takes on different visuals.  The woman who's life looks immaculately perfect.  She always looks perfect.  Her children are dressed like a catalogue.  Her husband is dressed perfectly.  Look in her eyes.  What do you see?  

The man who stands up tall, speaks with authority, has an air of confidence when everyone has eyes on him.  Look at him when he thinks no one is looking.  What do you see?

The person in church, at work, in the gym who you see occasionally.  Ask them how they are and their answer is always, 'Fine'.   Look them in the eye and ask, "Really?"  What do you see. 

The person you try to reach out to but never answers your e-mail, text, phone call but in person speaks kindly but never mentions the contact attempts.  You know they are hurting but do not ever speak of it.  When they do speak, it is methodical, planned out, often painful to watch.  Look in their eyes.  What do you see?

The couple you frequently socialize with.  When ordering, who glances at whom when placing orders?  Who speaks harshly to the children at the table?  Who 'appears' to be in charge of the household? Who dictates where the couple goes?  Who they socialize with? The budget for their outings?  Look in their eyes.  What do you see?

The person with weight issues.  A person's weight is often a matter of control.  When I was in deep distress I lost a ton of weight.  I've known many anorexics.   Anorexia  is a control issue.  Eating disorders - to eat or not to eat - is a control issue.  What a person does with his or her own body which is unhealthy is a form of control.  I can control what I eat.  I can control what I throw up.  I can control how much I exercise.  I can control pain with cutting, piercing, tattoos.  

The person who's house seems immaculate.  Even the person who's house is a total shambles.  Is it clean because they take pride in their home, or is it something else? Is everything exactly in its place all the time? (I'll bet there is a room that show's what their life is really like.)   Is the messy house a collection of junk?  Can they never throw anything away?  

What do you do in your own life or in the lives of people who meet these qualities?  

1)  Pray.
2)  Read and study your Bible.
3)  Talk to them.
4)  Talk to someone.
5)  Talk to God.
6)  SURRENDER.

You are not in control.  God is.  The only thing you can control is your thought and what comes out of your mouth, and even then, if your heart is not right with God, Satan can take over that, too. 

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Finally.  John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."   Once I gave it all to God, I mean really gave it all - no taking it back when it's convenient or he's not doing it fast enough - my soul found rest.  Life isn't perfect, things don't go my way, but I know, I really KNOW that God loves me, has a plan for me, and this world is not my home.  Heaven is where I belong, where I will be for eternity.  Because I know that now, I can say no, no I don't have it.     

God is in Control - Twila Paris

Proverbs 16: 9 

A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

A few good books about learning to let go (fiction)  available on Amazon

School Fundraisers

Does your child's school need to raise money?  Have a band trip?  Need sports equipment? Do you need to raise money for books or tuition?

Tired of the same old fundraisers?  Cookies that taste terrible, flower seeds that don't grow. Tired of popcorn, chocolate and those discount cards you never use?

You NEED to have an Origami Owl fundraiser!!

Have an on-site or on-line Origami Owl Fundraiser event with me and I will donate 50% or more of my profits to your school.  Go online and see all the possibilities HERE.