Happy Easter!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by in dazzling apparel.  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."  And they remember his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest."

Luke 24:1-9

This is the true reason we gather together with family and friends this first Sunday of the first full moon after the first day of spring to eat ham.

We drove to my aunt's house in North Dakota after our Sunday morning worship service.  We spend the first half hour of the two hour trip listening to Handel's Messiah.  I know what you're thinking!  "Handel's Messiah is for Christmas!" Wrong!  Handel's Messiah is about the whole life of Christ: birth to death and resurrection.  So we "rocked" out when the Hallelujah Chorus came!

Just like any other holiday, the main focus is the gargantuan feast.  And with a large meal, comes huge temptations.  Easter is especially difficult for me: I love ham.  I love how it is always moist, and has that sweet and salty savory taste.  My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it!

In real-estate they have a famous motto: "Location, location, LOCATION!"

Well here's your motto to remember: "Portions, portions, PORTIONS!"

Here are some guide lines:

-Make your vegetables your base.  This should be the biggest portion.

-Colors!  A colorful plateful is usually healthier.  For example, a plate with a hotdog on a white bun with potato chips and potato salad.  Very bland, right?!  And unhealthy!

Here is an excellent plate:

(picture from Peanut Butter Runner's blog)

-Fill your plate once and don't go back for more.

-Dessert: is not a sin!  Have some!  But be careful!  My mom always told me- moderation is the key!

Hope you all had an excellent and healthy Easter!