Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Have you ever known  a diamond?  Not the rock that most women dream about, but a living, breathing diamond that you call a friend?  A person that has been put under such intense pressure that they have actually changed into something that glitters and shines.  They didn't shatter from the pressure, but grew into one of the hardest substances known to mankind - something that can cut glass and not be scathed.  Something that is not marred by anything, but still shines through it all.

I have several.  One has become very prominent lately.  The pressure?  Cancer.  For the second time cancer has struck this particular family, but instead of depression, fear, and giving up, I see my diamond shine.  It is truly something to behold.  I don't know that given the same pressure, and for the second time, that I would be able to stand up like she does.  When going through my  divoce, I used to tell people that it was a good day when my socks matched.

We all know that God won't put us through more than we can handle.  All we need to do is to lean on Him.  I have told people in the past that I must not be able to handle very much because I haven't really been through much.  I will reaffirm that now.  I don't know that I could be a diamond the way my friend is.  She shines with a light brighter than I think I ever could.  But with friends like that, I have hope that when and if my day comes, that perhaps I can draw a strength from those true blessings in my life; my diamonds; my friends, to get me through it all, unscathed and glittering like both the sun... and the Son.

To my diamonds.  Faith, friendship, and a little chocolate is what makes the world go around.  I love you guys.

Lori

Until next time, enjoy!

Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."

Coming Christmas 2010
Ho, Ho, Hey! What Just Happened?
Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew!
http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/

You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.

Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.

Top Chef Tostadas

Top Chef

Tonight is my favorite show, Top Chef.  Ever since the first show came on 7 years ago I have been absolutely addicted.  Tonight's recipe is completely plagarized from that show, thanks to Marcel and Ellia.

There isn't anything really magical or difficult.  It is a simple tostada.  You can put whatever you like on the top, beef, chicken, vegetarian, beans, rice, cheese, etc.  What makes this one special is that it is on a sliced apple instead of a tortilla.  Now before you start turning your nose up and thinking that the apple is "forbidden fruit", think about it.  The apple is light, slightly sweet, and refreshing.  It would make a good backdrop against the spiciness of the toppings.  It is also low carb, for those of us who count that stuff.  It sounds delicious.

So, my homework will be to try this recipe and let you all know how it comes out.  I have really tried to let go of the old things, the law, if you will, and embrace a new freedom where food is concerned.  There is no forbidden fruit since I have been set free, made whole, etc.  You get the idea.  God loves me, so apples on my tostadas are a good thing.

Until next time, enjoy!

Lori
Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."



Coming Christmas 2010
Ho, Ho, Hey! What Just Happened?
Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew!

www.SinclairInkSpot.com


You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.

Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.

New Kindle Subscribers...

Welcome to all the new Kindle subscribers this week.  Thanks for dropping by.  I know it's not Christmas anymore, but we are still giving away copies of our free Christmas eBook,

Ho, Ho, Hey!  What Just Happened?
Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew.

If you would like a copy (.pdf format, compatible with all eBook readers), just email me at:

Lori@sinclairinkspot.com

I will email you a copy within 24 hours.

Happy New Year everyone!  May this be our best year yet.

Lori

New Years Peach-y Cobbler

Well, it’s the first day of 2011 and I managed to survive for another year. That is no small feat these days. The economy sucks. The job market is tight, and time is a precious commodity. There never seems to be enough hours to go around. I did manage to make it through the Christmas season without gaining too much weight, though (a minor miracle if you ask me). Actually the diet, (uch! I hate that word) has been on hold since Halloween. I decided that I needed a little vacation from rules. I may need to adopt this every year. It has done amazing things for my attitude. But now it is time to come back home, like the prodigal son.

It should be no great surprise to anyone that I indulged in a number of sweet treats over the last two months. Actually I only crave sweets a couple of times a year. Around Easter, and beginning at Halloween. I think I would be fine if they were not sitting right under my nose at every turn. The fact is I do have a sweet tooth, but with the diabetes that runs in my family, along with the weight problems, it is just not safe to eat that much sugar. This year, I found a new recipe for sweets that I absolutely adore. I want to share it with you:

Peach Cobbler:

6 fresh Peaches, stones removed and sliced into quarters
¼ C honey
½ tsp. vanilla
1 egg white
½ C rolled oats
Pine nuts
1/4 C brown sugar

Quarter the peaches and lay skin side down in a baking dish. Mix the honey and vanilla together. Drizzle over the peaches.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites for about a minute until smooth. Mix in the oats and pine nuts and stir well. (If mix is still moist, add more oats until a crumbly consistence. Spread the mixture over the peaches, and finish with sprinkled brown sugar over the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until the peaches are soft and the topping is golden brown. Let cool.

This dessert is delicious as it is, or can be topped with fat free ice cream, yogurt, or whipped cream. It is low in calories, and fat free, and above all, delicious. You can also use, pears, apples, apricots, plums, or any other fresh fruit that you like.

“…the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22

Enjoy!

Lori Sinclair
Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."

Coming Christmas 2010
Ho, Ho, Hey! What Just Happened?
Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew!

http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/

You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.

Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.

Chicken Soup for the Stomach

Chicken Soup for the Stomach

Happy Sunday everyone! It is November 7th, and it is cold and rainy outside; the kind of day when a hot steamy bowl of soup would really hit the spot. Actually for lunch I had canned tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. It was very mediocre.


With the celebration of Advent right around the corner, and the traditional soup suppers at church, my mouth began watering for a great bowl of soup. Not something out of a can, but something homemade, filling and delicious.

My favorite, like the rest of the world, is the all time popular Chicken Noodle soup. With my recent discovery that my body doesn’t tolerate carbohydrates well, I will have to settle for my second favorite: Chicken Vegetable. It is quick, easy, and cheap. What’s better than all that?

Take a whole chicken, rinse and remove the giblet package (discard this, EWWW!). Toss it in a crock pot, fill halfway with water, salt and pepper lightly, and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove the chicken reserving the liquid in the crock pot. Take the meat off the bones and return to the crock pot. Chop your favorite vegetables into uniform, bite size pieces and add to the crock pot. You could even throw a package of frozen veggies in there if you are pressed for time. I like to use:

Carrots

Celery

Onions

Garlic

Corn

Zucchini

And potatoes

You could also add noodles, or rice, if you wish.

Cook on high for another 1-2 hours. Serve. Eat.

What is simpler? The house smells great. It is nutritious. It is cheap. You only use 1 pot, so clean up is a breeze. It can also cook itself while you are out running errands or at work. It’s hot and it’s perfect. It is also an easy meal to share with a large crowd. At my church, we have soup suppers on Wednesday evenings. This travels well, reheats in a snap, and satisfies a large, hungry crowd. Serve with buttered bread, or crackers (if you are not carb intolerant). Celery sticks with cream cheese, or grilled zucchini slices topped with parmesan cheese make a good side as well.

…John 6:57 “…so the one who feeds on me, will live because of me.”



Enjoy!



Lori Sinclair

Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."



Coming Christmas 2010

Ho, Ho, Hey! What Just Happened?

Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew!



www.SinclairInkSpot.com

You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.

Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.

What is?

What is your favorite fat free/low fat recipe?  Send it to:  lori@sinclairinkspot.com

Thanks,
Lori

Ho, Ho, Hey!  What Just Happened?
Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew
Christmas 2010

Cheesecake Caramel Apples

Apple Hill

So I took my annual trek to Apple Hill, California this week with my parents. I love Apple Hill. The weather is beautiful, and the scenery beyond description. We walked among the orchards and saw all of the fruit still ripening on the branches. The smell of fresh fruit, warm in the sun is a beauty to behold. I have decided that when I am rich and famous, I am going to buy an orchard and live up there among the fruit trees.

We saw the crafters, smelled the fresh baked pies, saw the presses squeezing the juice for cider, and then my favorite… the Fudge Factory.

Now for those of you who know me, I have been on a strict diet for quite some time now. I have lost 35 pounds, and it should come as no surprise sugar has been off limits for me for the better part of this year. Walking into the Fudge Factory I went onto sensory overload. I didn’t behave shamefully though, after all, my parents were with me. I did, however, walk straight to the corner with the caramel apples and took my place in line. I have two favorites, and with a little shameless flirting, I was able to extract the recipes for Cheesecake Caramel Apples, and Turtle Carmel Apples.

Here they are:

Cheesecake Carmel Apples

Follow your favorite recipe for a standard caramel apple (usually apples dipped in the little melted caramel squares that you buy at Halloween time). Let sit on a tray, sticks up, and let the caramel set. Then as a second layer, dip the apple (over the top of the caramel) in a mixture of half white chocolate and half cream cheese, slowly melted over a double boiler. After dipping, roll the still wet chocolate in some graham cracker crumbs and return to the tray to set. It is DELICIOUS!!!

Turtle Carmel Apples

For the Turtles follow the same recipe for the first step (dipping the apple in caramel and allowing it to set). For the second layer, dip the apple in a mixture of half white chocolate (or dark chocolate if you prefer) and half peanut butter. Roll in your choice of chocolate chips, cookie crumbs, or any assorted candies.

Refrigerate to set firm and enjoy. I gave myself this treat after such a long time of being diligent on my diet. It was my reward for a job well done, with no serious after effects either.

Isaiah 49:4”…and my reward is with my God.”

Welcome to all my new subscribers this week! Especially to those who subscribe on the Kindle Blogs. I am thrilled that you are here.

Enjoy!



Lori Sinclair

Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."

New Release: Ho, Ho, Hey! What Just Happened?

Holiday enlightenment from an overworked Santa and his testy crew.

Coming Christmas 2010

www.SinclairInkSpot.com

You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.

Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions