Ronda from~ The Family Table, brings us "Apple Pie Oatmea!"

Apple Pie Oatmeal! 

Do I have your attention yet? Well I should because this stuff is good! I’m not talking about the oatmeal in the packet; this oatmeal is the real deal. Now I know you are probably thinking that you don’t have time to make oatmeal from scratch. That is just what the packet people want you to believe. I am here to tell you that you really do have time to make oatmeal in the morning and then you are going to wonder why in the heck you ever wasted one red cent on packet oatmeal ever again. 

I use Bob’s Redmill Oatmeal, extra thick cut oats. I have a basic recipe that I use and then the sky is the limit on where you can take this recipe. Keep in mind this isn’t the quick cooking type oats but rather the thick cut oatmeal.  

Oatmeal is a two to one ratio. So, if I make it for one person, I use 1 cup water to ½ cup oats. For two, it would be 2 cups water, 1 cup oats and so on.  Because I like a little creaminess, I add a generous splash of almond milk. I just can’t eat my oats without a little bit of that almond milk and I believe it makes a difference in the texture without adding a whole bunch of extra calories.

The night before, I set out my oats, measuring cup and pan. I set out the container I am using to take my oatmeal and the spoon. I have the fixings close at hand and when I wake up, while I am gathering up the lunches for the day, my oatmeal is bubbling away for no more than 5 minutes and that is it. It’s a simple recipe but the magic happens with the fixings. 

My morning set up...  (my menu planning binder in the background!)

For a while I was having my oats with sliced banana and semi-sweet chocolate chips. YUM!!! I was eating it every morning. Then my friend introduced me to the oatmeal with chopped apples, cinnamon and brown sugar. Oh my goodness! Talk about good. It tasted just like apple pie. So, that is what I have named it, Apple Pie Oatmeal.  

You have all heard it before, but breakfast really does jump start your day and metabolism. We only have one God-pod (I am stealing this word from Kris Carr, amazing author of  the book Crazy, Sexy Diet), so why not feed it well. How can we expect it to take good care of us for years to come when it isn’t getting the great fuel it needs to propel us forward into this great life we have all been blessed with living? So, let’s see if we can’t all commit to a good breakfast, shall we? Plus, modeling healthy eating habits to our children is a great start in the right direction in getting them to eat better as well.

Ok, back to oatmeal. I dice up one whole apple, leaving the skin on because I want all of those yummy nutrients inside of me. I toss that right into the pan with the oats, water and almond milk. Next I toss in about ¼ tsp of cinnamon and let it bubble away on low until all of it has cooked down a bit. If it seems to need a little more almond milk, I just toss a little more in until I get that desired creaminess that I love so much. Now I pull it off the stove and put it right into my thermos and top it off with a little brown sugar and then I’m out the door. Oh, that brown sugar just melts right on top and when I go to eat it, well it tastes so decadent that I can’t believe it is healthy for me. 

When I add the fixings, I usually cook the oatmeal first then layer the fruit, nuts, chocolate on top or in layers. The only exception is the apple as I like those little apple bits to soften up a bit. Here are a few more delicious toppings….

Banana with Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Banana with fresh sliced strawberries

Fresh blueberry and brown sugar

Apple Pie (diced apples, cinnamon, brown sugar)

And of course, almonds, pecans, walnuts, or a tsp of chia seeds added to any of the above will certainly make it all the more delicious and healthy! Just one last little reminder…please don’t go adding 3 tablespoons of brown sugar. The point is to have healthy oatmeal with a touch of sweetness  Moderation is key!

Well SkyMoms, I hope you enjoy yourself some yummy oats this next week. You never know, you just might bring your cholesterol down and widdle your middle. 

Happy Eating and lots of Love… 

Ronda from… The Family Table

Sky Fi...coming to an area near you!!!

Come see us at a SKY FI near YOU!!! It's a sneak peek of Summer 2012, plus a chance to meet the Summer Camp Team!  Come enjoy your favorite camp songs, your favorite camp staff, awesome videos, some major camp fun, and MORE!

Monday January 30, 2012 – Legacy Christian Academy (Frisco) at 7:00pm

Tuesday January 31, 2012 – Whites Chapel UMC (Southlake) at 7:00pm

Thursday February 2, 2012 – Stonebridge UMC (McKinney) at 7:00pm

Monday, February 6, 2012 – Highland Park Presbyterian Church at 7:00pm

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 – Dallas Christian School (Mesquite) at 7:00pm

Thursday, February 9, 2012 – Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church (Allen) at 7:00pm

Monday, February 13, 2012 – Christ Chapel Bible Church (Fort Worth) at 7:00pm

Monday, February 20, 2012 – Trinity Christian Academy (Addison) at 7:00pm

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…Belief in God affects lifestyle", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…Belief in God affects lifestyle

When I was 4, I prayed the salvation prayer committing to Jesus…then when I was 8, I did it again as well as each summer until I was 13, you would think it actually stuck one of those time…but did it? There was no change in my lifestyle. After each time that I prayed the salvation prayer, I went right back to my same old routine of no thought of Jesus until the next Sunday. My lifestyle still reflected all my normal habits of lying and misbehaving without giving it a second thought. Overtime, my parent’s discipline helped self-control kick in and correct some of the behavior. But it was still all about me in control. Then the teenage years hit and I was just a normal teen and not overly rebellious. I still went to church on Sunday with my family. I was not opposed to Jesus and things about Jesus, but no personal relationship with Him.  I thought following Jesus was good for people to do but didn’t think about if I was. I also secretly kept questioning whether or not I really believed in Jesus because I really had no interest in reading or studying the Bible or seeking Christian fellowship. I prayed occasionally if I thought that God could help me out or serve my purposes. And I often gave God a list of what I expected. But I definitely did not think of thanking Him, asking how I could help Him or serving Him. Does any of this sound familiar?  As a young, newly married adult, I recognized that my way of living life seemed empty and vain, so one day, I finally surrendered the control of my life over to Jesus and committed to follow Him. I had a 1 year old child and was pregnant with my second child and realized that I needed God’s help to raise these kids. I had previously been living life without Jesus and I was finally ready to trust Him. And “Jesus took the wheel” as the song goes. I actually believed in Jesus this time. Amazingly and right away, I started to want to know Jesus better. I knew some about Him, but the Holy Spirit was drawing me to want to know more. I eventually got into a great Bible study class, and by applying what I learned from the Bible I started to change. My attitude, behavior and sinful habits eventually moved to just occasional mistakes and I immediately felt remorse for the sin and would ask forgiveness. Some of this took time but my heart was softening and changing. I also sought Christian friends and to serve Him. Life had really changed. I really changed and others around me noticed it. My true belief in Jesus did affect my lifestyle.

As a Mom, I watched both of my kids repeat a similar story. Multiple times of saying the salvation prayer and then all the sudden in God’s timing, the belief was really real and a change began to take place. I eventually saw a different demeanor in each child over a little time. I saw a desire to talk about and know Jesus. I saw a change in how they treated each other, my husband and me. They were changing and this was not just really strong self-control, it was supernatural from the Holy Spirit.

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying and asking God to tell you what your family needs to hear on the topic of genuine belief in Jesus. Biblical belief is defined as making a firm commitment that results in a change of direction. It is a decision in your heart and mind. If your kids struggle with questioning if they truly believe in Jesus, recognize that can be normal. Encourage them to share their thoughts on their faith and search their own hearts. As Mom, you can’t answer this for them. Encourage your family to be patient with themselves, and know that a true relationship with Jesus is an ongoing process that takes time. Keep seeking Him and you will find Him!

Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis

Teach Intentionally

This week we are in the 5^th  Month Topic and 5^th  Family Time (or page 49) of the Sky Ranch Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 5: 

Month 5 Topic: There is only one God…Belief in God affects lifestyle

Talk with God: Read…Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39

~ Deuteronomy 4:35 To you it was shown that you might know that the Lord, He is God; there is no other besides Him.

• In Deuteronomy 4:35, whom does the Lord want to know that there is no other god beside Him?

~ Deuteronomy 4:39 Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in Heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

• In Deuteronomy 4:39, when do we need to trust that the God of Heaven and earth is the only God?

Walk with God: Discuss… Have you really taken it to your heart that there is only ONE God?  How does your life reflect that in your everyday lifestyle?  What are some things you can do to show that you KNOW HIM?

Prayer suggestion… Pray that you truly take to heart that you know and believe the One True God!

Family Time 5: 

Leader Answers:

• YOU
• Today
• Discussion ideas: Examples are spending time with Him (prayer), reading His Word, studying Him and making changes inside of you as to living the way He says. Other examples are serving Him by helping the needy, encouraging others, discipling another, talking about Him, donating to ministry, cleaning a yard for a homebound person, etc.  How does it make you feel to know that the One True God wants to know and love you?

© 2011 Tori Miller and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lisa Life Lesson ~"GET OFF THE PHONE!!!!!"

GET OFF THE PHONE!!!!!

Cell phones are such a controversial subject for parents aren't they?  When to buy one, which one to buy, how many text messages to allow, data plan, no data plan, blah, blah, blah.  Don't you just wish for simpler times some days?  Like when we were teenagers? No cell phones, no computers, no cable, no Chick Fil A...oh wait.  

Don't forget, when making decisions for your kids such as a cell phone, remember YOU'RE THE PARENT!!!  You make these decisions for your children because they aren't ready nor are they able to make such decisions for themselves.  Too much of a good thing is usually a bad thing.  Handing an 11 year old an iphone is probably not a good idea.  

Start slow and easy.  Just the basics.  Then move into texting, data, etc. as they grow older and deserve the "promotion."   And let me encourage you to not cave in to peer pressure.  When a mom told me she "had to buy her 6 year old a cell phone so that they could stay connected" I wanted to fall out laughing.  If you need a cell phone to stay connected to your  6 year old, then you've got greater problems than a connection.  

Handing a preteen/teen an iphone is handing them a computer.  We should limit computer time, placement and availability.  Please know what you are doing by researching thoroughly your decision.  It is worth your time to make an informed decision.  

With regards to texting, I realize this is a generational thing.  It's their, um, note passing?  Sort of?  It is what it is.  And it's probably not going away anytime soon.  I love to text.  Fast, easy, no drama.  However, as I said earlier, too much of a good thing is probably a bad thing.  If you have a non-stop texter on your hands...1)  discuss the "problem" with addicted texter  2)  pray they see their "problem" immediately and understand your reasoning for removing the source of their addiction 3) remove source of addiction 4) pray they see that life goes on without source of addiction ie.  they're still breathing 5)  enjoy time with non-texting recovering addict.  In other words, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! You're the parent!

~Lisa Clark

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor

Teach Intentionally..."Family Time…God versus vain things", with Stacy Davis ~ Bible Teacher and Sky Ranch Board Member

Family Time…God versus vain things

I admit that throughout my life, I have wasted time by focusing on vain things. Biblically, vain things were usually related to idols. Today, vain things can be anything that you regard as more important than God.  It is normal as a kid to focus on all the toys advertised on TV or coveting the newest gadget that your best friend had. When you were young, did you ever call your friend at Christmas to tell them what you got or hear what they got? I did. Materialism often catches hold of us at a young age. I am not saying all materials are bad because God bless us with them. But I am saying that they become bad the minute that you put trust in them to make you happy or solve problems more than trusting in God. It is the minute that you start to worship them that they become vain and a waste. As I aged and became a Christian, God started to show me that all those materials won’t go with me to heaven, but my relationship with Jesus will. Your relationship with God matters. People matter to God. I also realized that even though materialism is one of the major struggles in America, there are other vain things. They can show up in many forms, so stay aware and keep Jesus first.

As a Mom, I struggled with successfully teaching my kids that a relationship with Jesus was more important than the newest fad toy. It was tough to compete with a toy that when advertized on TV looked as though it made your life complete. How many times have your kids yelled from the other room…”Hurry Mom… come see this on TV! I want this!”? My explanations on trusting in Jesus just couldn’t compete with all the fun my kids thought they would have with those special toys. It was only until year after year of disappointment and the emptiness of trusting in materials that the kids finally started to listen. I was grateful that after consistently praying for my kids and repeating the same message of turn to Jesus… that they finally did. Some kids or adults never listen and live a lifetime in vain pursuit of material things or some other item in hopes of fulfillment. 

This week in your family time, I would encourage you to prepare by praying for your family. Ask God to prepare their hearts for the message this week. Ask Him to reveal to each family member if there are any vain things that they place above Him. Ask your family to think about what is going on in their hearts that causes them to trust in these worldly or vain things? Sometimes fear can cause it…fear of not being liked or accepted can cause a lot of problems. If you spend time being truthful with yourself, you can usually get to the root of the problem. Pray for God to help your family be sensitive to how their fears are directing their lives. Pray Psalm 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;  24  And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.  Then counter the fear of doubting acceptance with scripture such as God loves us (1 John 4:19). He loves you and accepts you so turn to Him.

Do you need help or prayer for your family time? Email me at SkyMoms@skyranch.org.

I will be praying for you! 

Stacy

Stacy A. Davis

Teach Intentionally

Click the link below for your free copy of the Sky Ranch “Open your Eyes” Family Devotional … 

https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SkyRanch/EventRegistration.html


This week we are in the 5^th  Month Topic and  4^th Family Time (or page 48 ) of the Sky Ranch Family Devotional “Open Your Eyes”…

Family Time 4: 

Month 5 Topic: There is only one God…Vain things

Talk with God: Read…Daniel 6:26, Acts 14:15

~ Daniel 6:26  For He is the living God and enduring forever, and His Kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion [will be] forever.

• In Dan 6:26, what kind of God is our God?

~ Acts 14:15  And saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.”

• In Acts 14:15, what are we to turn from? 

Walk with God: Discuss…The problem of trusting in “vain” things? What kinds of things are “vain” things? Vain things are anything that makes us excessively proud or puts the focus on us, rather than God. Are there vain things in your life? How do you turn away from them and turn back to the living God?

Prayer suggestion… Pray that the Lord will fill you up with so much of Him that there is no room left for “vain things”!

Family Time 4: 

Leader Answers:

• Living, enduring
• Vain things
• Discussion ideas: Vain things can be anything we place above God such as clothes, precious items, a car, jewelry, money or a hobby, other people, TV, celebrities or vices, alcohol, gambling, or working too much at our job. It can be anything more important to you than God. If we are caught by these things, surrender back to God as Lord of your life and repent. Apologize.

© 2011 Tori Miller and Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ronda from~ The Family Table, brings us "Cooking Salmon!"

Good Morning SkyMoms,


Do you want an easy tip for a meal idea this week to get you out of a rut of cooking the same things over and over?....Well,....Here is my super quick, go to meal when I have no time to cook. I can have it on the table in about fifteen minutes flat, even faster if I prep everything before I leave for school. Salmon, full of those wonderful omega-3 fats, is a powerhouse food that is tasty and quick to make.  I always make an extra fillet or two so that we can have a quick lunch the next day. I have two ways that I like to make it; both are good for picky non-fish eaters!

Roasted Salmon Fillet with BBQ Sauce

1 or more pieces of salmon, roughly the same size (with skin or without)

Lemon pepper

BBQ sauce

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a small baking sheet with tin foil.  Spray sheet generously with cooking spray. Add salmon and sprinkle with lemon pepper. Give another small spray of cooking spray. Roast for about 5 minutes and remove from oven and drizzle with bbq sauce. Return to oven until roast until fish cooked to desired level (usually just a few more minutes). Refrigerate left over fillets and serve cold over mixed green salad the next day.

Serve over brown rice (either cooked in the rice maker or frozen from whole foods) with simmered bok choy on the side. Have more time? This is also great served with a nice garlic mashed potato and roasted brussel sprouts! Yum!!!

Bok Choy

1 small Bok Choy per person, washed and cut in half

Pan to fit Bok Choy, cut side down

Chicken broth to cover bottom of pan.

Simmer until just tender, watch closely so they don’t over-cook.

Roasted Lemon Salmon

1 or more pieces of salmon, roughly the same size (with skin or without)

Fresh lemon slices

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Honey

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a small baking sheet with tin foil.  Spray sheet generously with cooking spray. Add salmon, squeeze lemon and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle just a bit of honey. Give fillets another quick spray and roast until fish cooked to desired level, about 10 minutes depending on size.

Serve with brown rice and roasted veggie of choice.

While this dinner is nothing fancy, it sure tastes GREAT! 

Happy Cooking SkyMoms!!!

Ronda from… The Family Table 

 Sky Ranch Sky Mom Gathering at Prestonwood for our Dallas Area Moms!

A special thanks to our hostesses:

Diane, Kristy, Emily and Tammy

who sponsored tables and invited their friends to enjoy food, fun, fellowship, and spiritual encouragement! 

Catering done by Festive Kitchen...it was delicious!  Thank you so much!

A special thanks to Lisa Clark, 

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Parenting Mentor, 

who gave us great encouragement on how to start our 2012 with our Family!

"Goal Setting – A New Approach to Family"

This message was about spending intentional time of setting family goals with each person in your family in 4 areas according to the Luke 2:52 Scripture.

"And Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man."

wisdom (intellectually, academically), 

stature (physically, healthy living), 

in favor with God (spiritual growth areas)  

in favor with man (service, community, giving back).  

Oh, this talk topic is always so good!  And so good to start the year with each family member!  For our family I will share some of our goals:

wisdom:  Limiting technology time.

stature: My daughters both gave up drinking sodas and carbonated drinks for this year of 2012...we are on day 20 :)!  And for the rest of the family, we have chosen to eat healthier... and as my husband stated a few nights ago..."Lets spice up this chicken and salad routine a little bit more!"..hahaha!!

In favor with God: One of our daughters picked out a new devotional with her Sky Ranch counselor over the Christmas Break, while the

other started another new devo as well for the 2012 year.   This is a very special time of our morning together around our table as we start our day with each other hearing from the Lord.

Lisa shared that she has started reading through the Bible in a year...this has challenged me..with something I would like to FINISH in one year!  Lisa recommended...

the Daily Walk Bible (NLT).

In favor with man:  Our girls are preparing prayerfully for going on upcoming Mission trips.... they have come up with ways to raise money by selling items they are making.  We are together as a family are praying for lives to be touched and changed on these trips across the Nations and within our own community. 

Upcoming other Super-Sized Gatherings are:

Maggianos for TCA Moms -Plano, TX ~  February 3, 2012

Ricks Chophouse -McKinney, TX ~  February 8, 2012

Stonebriar Country Club- Frisco, Texas ~  April 19, 2012
Wichita Falls~ TBA
Shreveport, LA ~ TBA

Blessings,

Tori Miller

Sky Ranch SkyMom Ministry Director

Prayer Request~ Caleb Jentsch, Phoebe Fair and Lauren Scruggs CaringBridge Sites

Dear SkyMoms~

Thanks for standing in the gap as prayer warriors for these sweet families ....
As a mom, we can relate to how having our precious children sick, in pain, or struggling must be...please join Sky Ranch SkyMoms in praying for these families!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebjentsch

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/phoebefair/journal

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurenscruggs/journal

Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings,

Tori

Sky Ranch SkyMoms Ministry Director

Prayer Encouragement: "On the Lookout- Waiting for the Answer!" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

On the Lookout- Waiting for the Answer!

What’s God going to say to my questions?  

I’m braced for the worst.  I‘ll climb to the lookout tower

and scan the horizon.  I’ll wait to see what 

God says, how he’ll answer my complaint.

Habakkuk 2:1

Building on the last Prayer Encouragement from Jeremiah 33:3, 

we prayed that the Lord would show Sky Moms in 2012

those things that we have been wanting to know regarding our children

but just could not figure out on our own.

Maybe you have seen answers….I certainly have as I have 

prayed that verse instead of worry, fret, or trying to dig.  

Love it when I have victory in that and great and marvelous

things that I could not figure out on my own are answered.

One I would like to share that I could not figure out on my own

is in regards to an allergy issue we have been dealing with in my family.

After doctor visits ( I love and appreciate our doctors…they are awesome)

and food avoidances and lots of other attempts at a solution….this reaction would just not go

away.   I decided to pray Jeremiah 33:3 regarding the issue and it became VERY 

clear what was causing it.  I could have worn myself out in my greatest mom attempts and endeavors

to get to the bottom of what even the professionals weren’t even able to answer.

However, after surrender and faithfully praying this verse, we had our answer!

Well…maybe you haven’t had your answer or answers yet.

After praying, you just still don’t know and are getting wearied

and discouraged thinking that “fill in the blank” might always be this way.

In Habakkuk, we are told that he decided to look out for the answer…

This passage tells me that even though he did not know yet…he was EXPECTANT!

Even it is was bad news and something he would rather not hear,

he positioned himself for answers to what God would say.

Let’s pray:

Dear Father, I thank You that You love my child even more than

I can even imagine.  And, you know there are some things

that I have worried over, had anxiety regarding, and even

bouts of anger about.  I confess these things as sin and 

desire to trust You instead of my own attempts to figure things out.

Please help me to position myself on the watchtower of faith.

Help me to praise You and thank You for the answer that is coming.

And Lord, quicken my heart…prepare my heart, and soften my heart

to be able to hear the Holy Spirit speak to me through time in Your 

Word, and more listening than talking in my prayer time with You.

I pray if it  is something that I would rather not hear,

that instead of writing it off as “no way”, or “not my child”,

that I would take it as truth and guidance and act on Your answers.

I’m climbing to the lookout towers and scanning Your vast horizon

For God answers instead of people or world answers.

Thank you that I can trust You, as You Father, are faithful!
Amen


~Terrie Chevaillier, SkyMom Prayer Encourager