Texas Short Napoleon

This dessert is so quick and simple. I cannot believe it only took 5 minutes to create two of them. It is sweet, crunchy, and creamy.

I named this a Texas Short Napoleon because first, I'm a Texan. Secondly, it reminds me of a combination of strawberry short cake and a Napoleon; hence "Texas Short Napoleon".

RECIPE for two desserts:

Three whole graham crackers - break each one down the center to make six cracker squares.
6 - 8 fresh strawberries
Canned whipped cream
6 teaspoons of a sugar-free red fruit jam (I used raspberry because that is what I had on hand, however, you may use strawberry.)
DIRECTIONS:

1. Place one graham cracker on a dessert plate.
2. Spread 1 teaspoon of jam on the top of the cracker.
3. Slice each strawberry into 4 slices. Place the slices of one strawberry on top of the jam.
4. Lightly spray the whipped cream (about the size of a silver dollar) over the strawberry and jam.
5. Gently press a new graham cracker on top of the whipped cream.
6. Repeat with each cracker until you have three crackers and top with the jam, strawberries and whipped cream. 
7. Garnish with a strawberry slice or a mint sprig. 
8. Serve immediately. This is a make and eat dessert. It will not last for very long.

So quick and easy...and the best of all...DEE-LISH-US!!!!!!

Week 44, Saturday, Diet with Dianna

Ecclesiastes 5:16-18 16 This too is a grievous evil:   As everyone comes, so they depart,
and what do they gain,
since they toil for the wind?
All their days they eat in darkness,
with great frustration, affliction and anger.This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

I am taking a week off from blogging. I have some spiritual self examining to do. I hope that when I come back, you will be still willing to read my blog.


Make good eating choices, exercise, and live for God...not man. Man will let you down, but 
Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you norforsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Week 44, Thursday, Diet with Dianna

I Corinthians 15:33-34 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

Today I worked in the yard. Pushing a lawn mower and leaf blowing are a great workout. First, pushing the mower get's my heart pumping and is an excellent aerobic exercise. Then carrying the leaf blower works out my arm muscles to the max. Finally, standing and pulling weeds is great for my core muscles and hamstring in my legs! (Friday morning...my legs and arms are ridiculously sore!)  So, if you need some good exercise and want to have a beautiful yard...get out and do yard maintenance.

I was reading an article this morning and here is something about core abdominal muscles. I really need to work on my abs or "doms" as the article says. Here is the link:  "5 Moves That Are Missing From Your Workouts"


So, guess what I'm going to be doing????


Happy Friday and Healthy Eating and Exercising!!!!

Week 44, Wednesday, Diet with Dianna

We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10:39 (NIV, 1984)

I have been so busy today. My husband installed a new dishwasher and I was the pleasant, perky, handy-helper and cheerleader. Now in a perfect world the old one appliance comes out and the beautiful, updated, new one slides right in, right? Nope!

10 a.m. - Wade pulled out the old dishwasher and found the first surprise; the dishwasher was hard wired and the connection had been taped with electrical tape. NOT SAFE! So he had to make a trip to the home improvement store for a female electrical socket. That way the installation would go smoothly when the new dishwasher was delivered at 12:30 pm.  




11:30 a.m.- Wade successfully rewired and installed the new outlet and then we waited four hours before the dishwasher was finally delivered. Apparently the professionals had some issues with installations too. 


3:45 p.m. - The new dishwasher was in the kitchen and Wade and I quickly unpacked and unwrapped the beautiful new pristine stainless steel dishwasher. Wade efficiently and professionally hooked up all the plumbing lines and electrical. We slid it back into the cabinet...What?! It didn't fit! Noooooo!

The so called "same size as the old one" was in fact NOT THE SAME SIZE. The new dishwasher was two inches deeper and irritatingly bumped against the old plumbing lines at the back of the wall. The new dishwasher stuck out two inches out from under the cabinet! This is not supposed to be this way! UGH!

4:30 p.m. - Wade sighed and pulled the dishwasher back out, disconnected all the hoses and electrical, figured out that he had to reroute the plumbing. He cut out the old plumbing.


5:00 p.m.- Wade and I made another trip to the home improvement store for new plumbing. We returned with all the necessary supplies, and again Wade professionally and efficiently installed the new plumbing under the sink, reconnected all the hoses and electrical. We said a little prayer and slowly pushed the dishwasher into the cabinet. It fit! Praise God! IT was now 6:30 p.m.


A supposedly simple installation of the entire dishwasher took 8.5 hours!
Please tell me; Is any home improvement really simple and easy? I haven't ever had it happen to me! 

So, all of this to say...I'm too tired to post a cheerful uplifting diet blog. I copied and pasted one below. Even though it isn't about dieting, it can be.Let me just say that you shouldn't no matter what you are striving to do, don't give up. Keep going! If you are struggling with your diet, don't let the devil cheat you out of a healthier lifestyle.You can do it!


Now...the encouragement for today.

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It's Not Supposed to be This Way

Renee Swope

"I can't do this."
"Things will never change."
"My life isn't going to get better."
"I'll never have the confidence I need."

Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they slip into our minds and convince our hearts that they are true.
There have been times when I felt almost paralyzed by thoughts like these that were laced with uncertainty.
Times when I let self-doubt convince me that feelings of inadequacy and discouragement were normal.
Times when I've shrunk back from changes and challenges, as well as opportunities and open doors.
Other times I've pulled back in my relationships - with family and friends, and even God. Shrinking back into a place of unbelief ... settling for less than God's best.
All because I was tired of muddling through apprehension and indecision.
Are there days when doubt convinces you that feeling inadequate and discouraged is normal? Or that having confident assurance isn't possible for someone like you?
I think we sometimes forget we have an enemy who uses self-doubt against us - who shouts from the sidelines:

"It's too hard."
"You might as well quit."
"Go ahead and give up."
"You don't have what it takes."

It's time for us to take a stand and stop listening to these lies. God wants us to know and believe that with Christ all things are possible - even a confident heart.

Otherwise doubt, and the enemy, will win every time and our hearts will be eroded by attitudes and emotions of defeat.

But it's not supposed to be this way.

All throughout scripture, God tells us things can change; life can be better. He declares with confidence: "See, I am doing a new thing!" "I am working all things together for good for those who love me and are called according to my purpose." "All things are possible to [her] who believes." (Isa. 43:19; Rom. 8:28; Mark 9:23)

So how do we stop listening to our doubts and start living in the power of God's promises?
By choosing to believe God's truths more than our feelings and fears. By moving beyond believing in God to really believing God as we rely on the power of His Words and live like they are true - no matter what our feelings tell us.
It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, doubt-by-doubt decision where we process our thoughts and emotions with God, positioning our hearts and minds to let His perspective redefine ours with each uncertainty we face.

Some days I do better than others, and you will too. But I have found that it's possible to have lasting Christ-confidence by choosing to remember to believe.
Let's choose to remember today, and every day, the words of Hebrews 10:39, that we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed - but of those who believe and are saved!

Lord, give me a confident heart in Christ. I want You to lead me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. When self-doubt tells me I can't overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Today's devotion is based on truths Renee also shares in her powerful book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises.

Are you ready to live in the power of God's promises? To take hold of the security of His love? Join Renee's online study of her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, beginning April 23rd. Here's what others are saying about her study:

Through this online study of A Confident Heart I have learned to seek and find the strength God desires me to have. I can also be confident that when I do fall short God still loves me anyway. What a blessing and a gift! ~ Cindy

This book and online study has made such a difference in my life. I now see myself as God sees me, and that gives me confidence to be more of the person He has always desired me to be. I am beautiful in His eyes, and now believe He is really the one who matters! ~Sherri

Click here for more details about Renee's online study or sign up here today!

Week 44, Tuesday, Diet with Dianna

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Our dishwasher officially quit working yesterday. I did some shopping and internet research yesterday and today. I finally decided on a brand and style. I printed out the information and found the best price in town by using the internet. I took my printout with me to the store and it is a good thing I did. The price displayed on the 'mega-store's' web site was $100 less than the advertised price in the store! It was a good thing I took the printout with me because the mega-store matched the price...even though they are one and the same company. Strange!!!!! I saved a hundred bucks by shopping online and printing out my comparisons. 


God is so good. I listened to the Holy Spirit tell me to print out the web page with the unit model and price...I stuffed it in my purse as I ran out the door. I felt kind of silly toting in my paper when the salesman approached. I told him exactly what I wanted and he looked at me funny. He showed me the unit and then that's when I noticed the price difference. I questioned him about it and he asked me if I had proof of the price difference. YEP! I handed it to him and he asked, "But is this current? When did you print this out? It's probably out of date." he said sort of smugly. NOPE! I pointed to the date on the top of the printout!


HOORAY! I got the lower price!  Even though I had to buy a new dishwasher, I got the bargain price! Thank you GOD!!!!


*****************
Yesterday when I was out shopping, we had stopped for lunch and getting back in the car I noticed that both drink cup holders were full of other things. I quickly stuck my drink between my thighs. WHAT!? WAIT!!!! Hello! The realization finally made it to my brain. HEY! DIANNA! Your legs have thinned down enough that you can hold a drink cup between your thighs! Imagine that! Wow! 


Yes, a thin person is probably shaking their head. Only a person that has lugged extra weight around for a long time could understand this excitement. Only a person who once had thunder thighs the size of small sequoia redwood trees could fathom the significance and thrill of once again being able to use her legs as a cup holder. I grinned and hummed happily to myself for a couple of hours...even though the drink was very cold and the condensation was soaking into my jeans. I left the cup there for the entire trip home.


Go me!