A Mick’s up of Candy Canes

During this Christmastide, it’s fun to look at the history of the songs and treats of the holiday season.

There are several renditions of the meaning behind the 12 Days of Christmas*, even though some party-poopers say there is no secret message. 

Isaac Watts wrote many great hymns, after his dad challenged him to do better than the songs Isaac complained about at church, and one of those delights was Joy to the World.

Another wonderful Christmas carol is Silent Night.  My son has had fun learning the song this year in its original German.

The candy cane has a sweet story.  Whatever the version of the legend, let the candy cane be a reminder of what Christ has done for you.  The white symbolizes the purity of Christ.  The red stripes symbolize the punishment He went through, so that you don’t have to.  The peppermint is reminiscent of the hyssop, which stands for cleansing.

Let this be a Christmas season you’ll never forget.  If you haven’t ever done anything with the Truth of Christ for your own life, consider doing something now.  Admit that you haven’t lived a perfect life, haven’t followed all of God’s laws, won’t make it to heaven without help, need a savior.  Believe that Christ is that savior, that He came as a pure and perfect person not deserving of punishment, but taking on the consequence of your sin.  Claim that gift from God our Judge, that acquittal, that clean slate.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and with this new life, Happy Birthday!

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

*For fun, check out this Price Index for the 12 Days of Christmas.

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Mick’s in Safety with Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy.  We don’t want to think of the bad things that can happen.  However, we do want to take precautions, so that we keep our families safe.

Some things to watch out for are for the safety of our pets and kids.

Christmas decorations are awesome, however, some plants are toxic. 

Take some excellent advice from a pediatrician.  Dr. Brian Gannon lists out several dangers, for parents to be aware during the holidays.

That’s not all.  It’s easy to find safety tips online.  Some examples of other links available for extra research are:  Tips for Parents: Christmas Safety and The Top Five Christmas Dangers For Children and Pets.

Don’t forget.  Toxins are not only physical and chemical.  They can also be emotional.  Beware of the “green-eyed monster!”

Let this be a time of celebration, but keep safe and focused on the true meaning of the holiday.

Merry Christmas!!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

 

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Mick’s in Some Christmas Travel

Are you traveling this Christmas, like we are? 

Do you wonder how to eat healthily on the road?  We do, too… but we can share with you some ideas.

Planning ahead is key.  If you can’t or don’t want to pack your own healthy foods for the trip, then think up some alternatives.  Look at menus online before you head out, or find resources, such as the Curves™ book.  On page 163, there are a few helpful tips:  “Fast-food restaurants are okay as long as you order a burger or grilled chicken sandwich (throw away the bun) and a side salad… do not ‘super size’ your order… and of course, don’t order the fries.”  Also, Subway® has salad options.  No, I know the salads aren’t made with the most nutritious greens, nor are the meats the best choices, but it sure beats the nuggets at some of the other fast-food chains.

At this point, I’m not even going to consider addressing the grass-fed meat issue, nor the wild-caught fish information.  For a meal or two, while traveling, amidst the overall healthy eating habits developed to this point, doing your best at eating foods to help boost your immune system and your energy level, instead of dragging you down and causing inflammation, pain, and sickness, is the main focus.

“Fill your plate with Free Foods (Curves™ lingo for low-cal/low-carb)… and bypass the starches and desserts.”

(Gary Heavin and Carol Colman in Curves™ page 163)

Fast-food is not my top choice, so if you have time in your travel schedule for a sit-down meal, it might be an easier find for health-boosting foods (rancid oils are the biggest threat here, but do your best).  Again, the Curves™ book says it well:  “An Italian restaurant that offers salads and meat or fish entrees is workable.  Diners are great because they typically have a wide variety of food and serve it without a lot of fancy sauces.  Asian restaurants are a great option as long as you order the steamed or lightly sautéed vegetables with fish or chicken and avoid the deep-fried selections or foods cooked in heavy sauces.”

We had fun stopping at a mom-and-pop-style coffee shop on our last trip.  This allowed for the option of fresh, healthier sandwiches and wraps.  Of course, in a café like that, the sandwiches are made-to-order, which means you can order it open-faced or with an option other than the bread.  Try it out.

Remember, you’re eating for fuel, not for entertainment.  I like the quote, “Eat to live, don't live to eat.” (Benjamin Franklin)

Packing healthy snacks for between meals on the road is easy enough with foods like LARABAR, Granny Smith Apples, celery, grapes (in a solid container, not a plastic baggie, unless you want grape juice… just speaking from experience here), raw nuts and trail mix (but try to forego the chocolates and the oily nuts) with dates and raisins, Fruit Ropes , bananas, and low-glycemic candies.  WATER… remember lots of water!  One way to keep alert is to keep hydrated. 

Another way to keep alert is to have fun!  Play travel games, like I-spy and telling riddles, etc.  Listen to family audio dramas, such as Adventures in Odyssey and Lamplighter Theatre.  Keeping your mind and body busy with activity will keep your mind off food.

We wish you safe travels and happy eating!

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

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Christmas Mick’s up with Chiropractic

Sales here…  sales there…  everywhere you turn, you find a sale!  ‘Tis the season.


We aren’t complaining!  We love a good deal, don’t we? 

One area you might not have been looking for a sale is in the area of health.  Look around, though, because you just might find a chiropractor near you, which is willing to give you a break on the cost of an initial exam.  Why would they want to do that?  Yes, sure, it’s good for business… but most importantly, the doctors want you to give yourself the gift of wellness. 

What better time to take care of yourself than now, when family is wanting to spend time with a healthy you?!  Your family and friends love you and want you to be around for many more years.  A good way to insure that is by taking a good, close look at your health.  The best way to do that is by seeing how well your Central Nervous System is responding.  After all, it is in charge of making everything in your body function, right?

As the Weekly Sticky reminds us this week, “You LIVE in your Nerve System.  EVERYTHING you experience in life is processed through it… what you see, what you hear, what you feel.   That's why Chiropractors care so much about keeping it healthy.  If your Nerve System is stressed, there goes your ability to interpret your world, and there goes your ability to successfully navigate life.”

Hey… Even Santa gets chiropractic care.  Isn’t that saying something?!

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:16 (NIV)

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Mick's up Ideas for Christmas

Are you last-minute shopping?  If so, you're not the only one. 

If you're looking for something extra special, you can make this a most memorable Christmas for someone in need.

Looking back on this year, there are some families that need our help. 

For example, Mick's up on Relief Efforts tells about flooding that hit New York State, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas.  There are still families without proper heat, finished walls, or even housing.  Let's not forget about them this Christmas.  Read some more at Spreading holiday cheer in Owego.

As we fill our house with more toys and "stuff," we will try to give away things we no longer use, so kidderz who lost toys and other belongings can have some "new" ones.

For more information on how to give, look up Rebuild Owego, read some of the recent posts in Neighbor Helping Neighbors - Greene County, learn from an article such as After the Flood: Prattsville, or contact OwegoAskForHelp@gmail.com

Enjoy this week leading up to Christmas, and think outside the box for a mix of ideas.

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

   “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

   “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:44-46 (NIV)

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