Dependence Day

Independence is something this first-born, Type A personality has down pat. As a kid, I could have been the poster child for the dictionary's definition of "strong-willed child." My middle-born sister - always the peacemaker - would continually tell me, "If you'd just keep your mouth shut, you'd get in less trouble."

Oh, so true. But oh, so hard to do.

I am a take-charge kind of person. Give me a job, and I'll figure out a way to get it done. I was raised with the Midwestern mentality that I'm supposed to pull myself up by my bootstraps and persevere.

There's a lot of good in having that kind of work ethic and determination.

But maybe, instead of adopting the theme of independence this month, I should look at dependence.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3: 3-5

I've been reading a book, Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst, president of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Even though the focus of this particular book is on food, you can fill in the blank with whatever you struggle with - "satisfying your deepest desire with God, not alcohol ... gossip ... judging others ... lust ...money ... shopping ... being prideful ... The list is as individual as the people reading this.

Made to Crave has been an eye-opening read on a subject that has been a struggle my entire life. Unfortunately, I've lost - and found - the same 50 or even 100 pounds. More than once.Me at almost age 8

This is hard for me to admit. This is hard for me to write. But it's also part of the journey. We all have our struggles. My struggles with food are admittedly hard to hide. Much as I'd like to keep it a secret, it's easy for people to see my failings in this area.

Lysa writes:

"Too many times, we try to muster up the gumption to make changes in our lives on our own. And it doesn't take long for the dark feelings of discouragement, disillusionment and defeat to fill our hearts.

"It is crucial to have a hope and power beyond ourselves. We are made for the same hope and power that raised Christ from the dead:

"That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenly realms."

Ephesians 1: 19-20

That's a lot of power. It's certainly more power than my pitiful attempts at personal willpower can muster.

So instead of celebrating Independence Day this month, I think I'll choose, with God's help, Dependence Day (and Dependence Week, Dependence Month and Dependence Year ...)

A song by Jeremy Camp, "Beyond Measure," has a line that really speaks to this theme of dependence:

"I come alive when I've broken down and given You control."

That should be my anthem. Should it be yours, too?

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Are you on your own quest to eat more healthfully? Try these salads.

Summertime Main Dish Salad

The fruits of summer can help you make better decisions about mealtime. I don't really have a recipe for this salad.

• I start with a generous base of romaine lettuce or spinach leaves (or mix them both).


• Choose your own fruits. This time, I added canned mandarin oranges (you can also cut up a naval orange), strawberries, blueberries and green grapes. (Other options might be cutting up nectarines, plums, apricots - whatever is on sale in the produce aisle for the week. In the winter, when there are fewer options, I cut up an apple.)


• Feta cheese (just a sprinkle)


• Walnuts (again, just a few. Or you can choose another favorite nut. I like walnuts because of the Omega 3.)


• A sprinkle of dried cranberries or other dried fruit (opt.) Again, watch the amount added because of the calories.
  


• Grilled chicken, grilled steak or salmon (only use about 3 ounces for 1 serving. That's about the size of a deck of playing cards.)


• Light raspberry vinaigrette dressing. If you need to watch calories, measure the dressing instead of just pouring it on.

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Taco Salad

Again, I really don't have a recipe for this. I photographed my husband's salad instead of mine. I put some extras on his that I don't use because I don't need the extra calories. So choose all or just some of these ingredients to build your own Taco Salad:

• Start with a generous bed of romaine lettuce.


• Add veggies like diced cucumbers, colored peppers, tomatoes, green onion, radishes, carrots, sugar snap peas, etc. Be generous here: The veggies don't have many calories, so you can fill up on them!
  


• Brown hamburger and add taco seasoning (I buy taco seasoning at a bulk food store, but you can make your own or add a taco seasoning packet you purchase at the grocery store. Prepare as it says on the package directions.) Top your salad with about 1/2 cup of the prepared taco meat.


• For dressing: Combine 1 bottle of fat free Catalina dressing with 1 can of chili beans. Refrigerate before serving. You won't use it all for one meal, but it stores well in the fridge. I use much less of the dressing than my husband does. Again, if it helps, measure the dressing so you know how much you are adding to your salad.
  

Other add-ins (depending on whether or not you are watching calorie consumption):

• Shredded cheese


• Olives


• Guacamole


• Sour cream


• Crushed tortilla chips

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Another Idea

• You can make a lettuce and veggie salad like above.


• Add 3 ounces of your protein of choice - grilled steak, grilled chicken, etc.


• Use 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese on the salad and a small amount of light or fat-free ranch dressing. The cottage cheese helps me "stretch" the dressing so I don't use as much and provides some calcium and protein at the same time. Bonus!


• If you don't care for cottage cheese, you can also stretch your dressing with salsa - as mild or as hot as you like!

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This Marinated Vegetable Salad is a side-dish salad that's great for a 4th of July picnic or just for family meals.

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This Southwest Beef and Pepper Skillet recipe has lots of bell peppers, plus the added fiber of brown rice. To reduce calories, leave off the cheese; however, the cheese does provide some calcium for your diet. Serve it with a green salad or some freshly-grilled garden veggies like zucchini.