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ABWA Coquina Charter Chapter
Monthly Newsletter

November 2001

From the President
by Dawn Smith-Webber

The program at BCC went quite well. I believe we had about 25 people in attendance and received many complements concerning the program.

I have included information concerning the gifts for our adopted family of eight through the Department of Children and Families for Christmas. We’ll take volunteers to buy the gifts at the November meeting and we’ll collect the gifts at the December party on the 18th.

See you on the 20th at Mama D’s ---  Dawn


Inner Peace

I think I've found inner peace. My therapist told me a way to achieve inner peace was to finish things I had started.

Today I finished two bags of potato chips, a lemon pie,
a fifth of Jack Daniels and a small box of chocolate candy.

I feel better already. Pass along to those who need it.


Chocolate is a Vegetable

Author unknown

  • Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans. Beans are vegetables. Sugar is derived from either sugar CANE or sugar BEETS. Both are plants, which places them in the vegetable category. Thus, chocolate is a vegetable.
  • To go one step further, chocolate candy bars also contain milk, which is dairy. So candy bars are a health food.
  • Chocolate-covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.
  • If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.
  • The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.
  • Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite, and you'll eat less.
  • If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves. (We're testing this with other snack foods as well.)
  • If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?
  • Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger. Therefore, you need to eat more chocolate.
  • Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
  • A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Now, isn't that handy?
  • If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?
  • If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control-top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated. You can't let that happen, can you?

Dust Mite/Animal Dander Neutralizer

By Anne Berthold-Bond (www.care2.com)

Tanic acid neutralizes the allergens in dust mites and animal dander.

Simple Solution:

There are some tannic acid powders on the market (check out Real Goods at www.realgoods.com), but you can easily make your own with tannic acid-rich tea, although you need to make sure to test this on the material you are going to spray since tea stains.

  • Make a very, very strong cup of black tea
  • Strain, cool
  • Place in a spray bottle
  • Spray over problem areas

dust mite


A Good Woman

  • A good woman is proud of herself. She respects herself and others. She is aware of who she is. She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind. She is quite capable of articulating her needs.
  • A good woman is hopeful. She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true. She knows love, therefore she gives love. She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated. If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.
  • A good woman has a dash of inspiration and a dabble of endurance. She knows that she will, at times, have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them.
  • A good woman knows her past, understands her present and moves toward the future. A good woman knows God. She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played with.
  • A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past. Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant to bring her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self love.
Minutes
  • No meeting was held. The club sponsored the WENDI program "How to Promote Yourself"
  • November meeting we will have a speaker from the Universal Angel Foundation
  • Christmas Party will be December 18th. Information concerning our adopted family from the Department of Children and Families was included in the mailed newsletter.

"Three Sisters" Stew – Recipe

Adapted from Great American Vegetarian by Nava Atlas.

In Native American mythology, squash, corn, and beans are known as of the "three sisters." Often depicted as being clothed in the leaves of the crops over which they are guardians, the sisters are also, in some legends, the daughters of the Earth Mother.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 small sugar pumpkin or 1 large butternut or carnival squash (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 medium green or red bell pepper, cut into short, narrow strips
  • 14- to 16-ounce can diced tomatoes, with liquid
  • 2 cups cooked pinto beans (about 3/4 cup raw), or 16-ounce can, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups corn kernels (from 2 large or 3 medium ears)
  • 1 cup homemade or canned vegetable stock, or water
  • 1 or 2 small fresh hot chiles, seeded and minced, or
  • 4-ounce can chopped mild green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon each: ground cumin, dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Makes 6 servings

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Halve the pumpkin or squash and scoop out the seeds and fibers. Place cut side up in a shallow baking dishes and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until just done but still firm. When cool enough to handle, scoop out the pulp, and cut into large dice. Set aside until needed.
  • Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion and sauté over medium-low heat until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the onion is golden.
  • Add the pumpkin or squash dice and all the remaining ingredients except the last 2 and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer gently, covered, until all the vegetables are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

If time allows, let the stew stand for 1 to 2 hours before serving, then heat through as needed. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro. The stew should be thick and very moist but not soupy; add additional stock or water if needed. Serve in shallow bowls.


Beginning Today

  • Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday. It is in the past and the past will never change. Only I can change by choosing to do so.
  • Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it. But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.
  • Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration. This capable person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.
  • Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life. I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others. I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.
  • Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter. I will face challenges with courage and determination. I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.
  • Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time. Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my positive self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.
  • Beginning today I walk with renewed faith in human kindness. Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.
  • Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart. I will welcome new experiences. I will meet new people. I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world. But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human foibles.
  • Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy. Admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath . . . pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.
  • Beginning today I will learn something new; I will try something different; I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer. I will change what I can and the rest I will let go. I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be. Beginning today. And every day