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MY<br />
PASSION<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
Cooking<br />
Corner<br />
Recipe Inside!<br />
HENRY | FAYETTE | CLAYTON<br />
Dr. Paulette Stewart<br />
December 2015 - Issue 4 - Vol. 1<br />
Cover and Featured Photos by Vitos St.Rose Photography
2<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
MEDICAL CARE COMES HOME<br />
The House Call is Back in Atlanta Georgia…<br />
Atlanta based, Resurgia Health Solutions is an innovative house call medical practice focused on providing medical<br />
care when and where patients need it. Our visiting house call physicians are able to provide medical care<br />
at home, treating patients in the comfort of their own homes with a suite of mobile medical services that align<br />
closely to the services provided in a typical doctor’s office, yet with more hands-on and in-depth approach to<br />
treating patients that is very differentiated from the traditional doctor’s office visit – our typical visit is 45 to 90<br />
minutes.<br />
Quality house calls in Atlanta Georgia. Nice.<br />
Resurgia’s visiting doctors deliver a high-touch approach to mobile medicine (not TeleMedicine) that is refreshingly<br />
innovative and highly effective in getting to better patient outcomes and lower overall health care costs.<br />
Visit us at www.resurgia.com or Call 1-84House-Doc or email info@resurgia.com to learn more about<br />
Resurgia House Calls Medical Practice and schedule an appointment with our visiting physicians.
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 3<br />
MY<br />
PASSION<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
Page 5 Note from the Editor<br />
Page 6 Merry Christmas - Ladies of Grace International<br />
Page 7 Silent Night Holy Night –Connie Brown<br />
Page 8 Anna – Dakota Jones<br />
Page 9 ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly’ –Karla Dennis<br />
Page 10 SSS Brigade Social Security Seniors<br />
Page 11 The Importance of Prayer – Gwen Johnson<br />
Page 12 My Christmas Guardian Angel – Sandra Shock<br />
Page 13 Book Nook<br />
Page 14 Motion Picture Geek – Robey Jones<br />
Page 15 Treasure Seekers<br />
Page 17 The Garden Spot - Poinsettia the Christmas Flower<br />
Page 18 Cooking Corner<br />
Page 20 The Light of the World<br />
Page 22 I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas – Mary Lou Kehoe<br />
Page 23 ‘Tis The Season for Networking’ – Chi Chi Okezie<br />
Page 24 Baby Jack’s Story – Brittany Liberatore<br />
Page 25 Mistletoe at Christmas<br />
Page 26 Judi Cakes<br />
Page 28 Wellness - Dawn Causey<br />
Page 29 The Battle Is Not Yours - Mohammad Bolton<br />
Page 30 Fayette County Christmas Events<br />
Page 32 Henry County Christmas Events<br />
Page 33 Clayton County Christmas Events<br />
Editor-In-Chief/Founder: Dr. Paulette Stewart<br />
Marketing Director: Dakota Jones<br />
Creative Director/Designer: Vitos St. Rose<br />
www.MyPassionMagazine.com<br />
MPM is published quarterly and will focus on local writers, but because we have followers in all<br />
parts of the world, you will be able to read articles that will focus on other cities, states, and nations.
4<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 5<br />
Find Us: www.mypassionmagazine.com<br />
Email: info@mypassionmagazine.com<br />
Blog: http://drpaulet<strong>test</strong>ewart.com/blog/<br />
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mypassionmagazine<br />
Dr. Paulette Stewart<br />
From the Editor's desk:<br />
It is that wonderful time of the year! It seems as<br />
if the Holiday Season got here very fast this year.<br />
Although, the older I get, the faster it comes.<br />
I was reminiscing the other day of my childhood<br />
“Christmas Days.” (Those were the days.) I tried<br />
to remember my best and worst Christmas (that<br />
is, as a child). Let me share with you those two<br />
memories.<br />
The “Best Christmas” ever for me was when I had<br />
just turned six years old. (My birthday is two days<br />
before Christmas – it could have been worst – it<br />
could have been Christmas Day.) All I wanted<br />
for Christmas was a drum set. Guess what, Santa<br />
Claus somehow got that drum set down the chimney<br />
(that we did not have). I was so excited. I<br />
can still remember that it was red. It had a bass<br />
drum, a little side drum, a cymbal, and most importantly,<br />
a set of drums sticks. I was in heaven!<br />
I was the most excited child that Christmas had<br />
ever seen!<br />
My “Worst Christmas” was when I was about<br />
eight years old. I was such a ‘tom-boy’ (no dolls<br />
for me). My two older sisters had bicycles, but<br />
my brother and I did not. My mom took us to<br />
downtown Atlanta (there were no shopping malls<br />
at that time) to see Santa Claus. When it came<br />
my turn to sit on his lap and tell him what I<br />
wanted, I jumped up on his knee, and with all the<br />
confidence in the world, I said, “I want a bicycle.”<br />
Well, I had asked him; therefore, I just knew I<br />
was going to get it. Christmas morning came<br />
and there was only one bicycle – a red boy’s bike.<br />
My brother promptly ran and got on the bike. I<br />
looked around the tree, but no bike for<br />
me. Boy, was I disappointed. I don’t even<br />
remember what else I received. But very<br />
quickly, my mom and dad said that the bike<br />
was for both of us. Well now, I was really<br />
happy because my brother and I were best<br />
friends and we didn’t mind sharing. (I was<br />
such a ‘tom-boy’ and I was glad that it was<br />
a boy’s bike.) We road that bike all over the<br />
place. We were still riding it even after the<br />
handle-bars came off (don’t ask me how, but<br />
we did).<br />
Those were the days! There is just nothing<br />
like family!<br />
It all boils down to this……..Christmas is the<br />
time we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ<br />
and I love to celebrate His birth by celebrating<br />
with my family.<br />
Merry Christmas to all the readers of My<br />
Passion Magazine. You have truly given me<br />
a gift this year by supporting this magazine.<br />
I thank you all.
6<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Ladies of Grace<br />
INTERNATIONAL<br />
Wishes you<br />
a<br />
Merry Christmas<br />
touched with<br />
Passion, Wonder<br />
&<br />
Love
Silent Night,<br />
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 7<br />
Holy Night<br />
Silent night, holy night! A very special baby boy was born<br />
this blessed Christmas night!<br />
I often wonder what the sounds and smells were like that<br />
wondrous night at the manger! The stars were shining<br />
bright, and one took on a heavenly illumination that only<br />
a mighty God could have created. This celestial messenger<br />
shone brighter than the fullest harvest moon and the hot<strong>test</strong><br />
desert sun combined.<br />
The sheep, cows, and donkeys must have given the night air<br />
a hint of a musty farm smell. The hay and the grass they<br />
fed on most likely had a wonderful earthy and cozy scent.<br />
The crickets and the night birds must have joined the heavenly<br />
host and choir of angels in “Hosanna in the highest,<br />
today our Savior is born.” Nature must have sung its own<br />
sweet lullaby and praise for the little Baby Jesus. I am sure;<br />
every flower bloomed brighter and smelled better. Every<br />
fruit tasted sweeter and the aroma rose to heaven like a fine<br />
heavenly perfume.<br />
A peculiar group of multi-cultural wise men came to bring<br />
gifts to the little baby. They brought spices, oils, ointments,<br />
and gold that were the finest to be found on earth.<br />
This aroma blended with all the other smells of the fruit<br />
and flavors. The air filled with this sweet vapor and rose<br />
up to Heaven as a praise to God for sending the Savior of<br />
the world. The wise men and their multitude of servants<br />
all came from different nations. They were every shade of<br />
browns (light and dark), different traditions, and customs,<br />
but they all had one common goal - to find this little baby.<br />
They did not separate or segregate, but together, they<br />
achieved what they set out to do! They found this special<br />
child and joined each other in praising him as their Savior,<br />
as their King!<br />
The Christmas feast of a multi-cultural family and circle<br />
of friends reminds me of this special day! Flavors and spices<br />
from all over the world from their native lands come<br />
together on this special day. A typical meal at our<br />
house may be turkey, ham, sweet potatoes with greens<br />
(made the African/American Southern style), and I<br />
will bake German/Bavarian Apple-strudel and make a<br />
savory Sauerbraten. These dishes brings our multi-cultural<br />
family together at the table as we celebrate the<br />
birth of the one and only Savior for us all! Our different<br />
shades and flavors create a similar atmosphere as<br />
the three wise men from different corners of the earth<br />
who came to honor the Christ child!<br />
My entire family and I wish you a Merry Christmas<br />
and a wonderful New Year! God bless all of you! This<br />
special Christmas day Jesus was born to later die for<br />
you and me. Yes indeed, He was born, lived, and died<br />
for all of us every shade and flavor of humanity!<br />
Love and peace always Cornelia Brown<br />
Writer/Speaker/Entrepreneur<br />
Advocate for the multi-cultural family and<br />
friends, church, and workplace! To book or for<br />
more information email me at www.cornelia.<br />
brown@yahoo.com or go to my facebook page<br />
All shades and flavors/Cornelia Brown
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| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Anna<br />
by Dakota Jones<br />
I have experienced two great loves<br />
in my life; my wife first of all,<br />
because if I didn’t mention her<br />
she would kill me, and Anna. My<br />
name is Greg Fitzgerald. I will be<br />
discrete about my age, but will<br />
hint that I’m old enough to receive<br />
a social security check in the mail.<br />
My memories of Anna though,<br />
take place a long time ago, when<br />
my hair wasn’t grey and it wasn’t<br />
as hard to take every morning for<br />
granted. I didn’t realize then that<br />
we are only given so many of them.<br />
Feature your book here today!<br />
my dad holding a big yellow dog by<br />
the collar. Mom was sneezing on the<br />
couch, which we later found out was<br />
due to a dander allergy. I was elated<br />
with joy. My very own dog!<br />
was a skinny northern boy that could<br />
sink in a bathtub. In January, Anna followed<br />
me to my neighbor’s house while<br />
I shoveled snow from their back deck for<br />
some extra money.They had a swimming<br />
pool that had been frozen over for over<br />
a month and appeared to be pretty safe<br />
to walk across. I was in the water before<br />
I took my fourth step onto the ice. The<br />
neighbors’ pool wasn’t that deep, but<br />
boy was it cold. I was frozen in fear and<br />
cold as my head went under the water..<br />
A second splash broke the ice, and I<br />
hoped that my neighbors had seen me<br />
through their window and were coming<br />
to my rescue. But alas, it was my sloppy<br />
wet dog. She somehow managed to push<br />
me to the edge of the pool, and I was<br />
able to pull myself out. We both spent<br />
the next week in bed with the flu, but<br />
we were alive.<br />
I was twelve years old, and it was<br />
my favorite time of year. Snow was<br />
falling, the fireplace was roaring,<br />
and football was live on the radio.<br />
Christmas was in the air and Old<br />
Saint Nick was on his way. I was<br />
an only child, and my parents were<br />
well off enough to spoil me rotten<br />
for big events like Christmas and<br />
birthdays. They usually bought me<br />
model trains, cars, and airplanes.<br />
The year before, I even got a bike!<br />
One thing they couldn’t buy me<br />
though, were friends.<br />
I was a little bit more “reserved”<br />
than the rest of the kids my age,<br />
and because my dad was a part<br />
of the U.S. Army, I had moved<br />
into town from across the country<br />
in the middle of the school year.<br />
Needless to say, friends were slim<br />
pickings for me. That is, until<br />
Anna.<br />
Anna had the biggest brown eyes, and<br />
though there were many occasions that<br />
my dad called her stupid for stealing<br />
food off of the table or digging holes in<br />
the garden, I knew she could see right<br />
through me. Anna was the kind of dog<br />
that walked me to the school bus everyday,<br />
and returned later to walk me<br />
back home. She slept at the foot of my<br />
bed and kept all of the monsters out of<br />
my room. She even saved my life on a<br />
couple of occasions.<br />
Anna was a Labrador retriever, a<br />
natural born swimmer and athlete. I<br />
Anna was not the first good dog this<br />
kid ever had, but she was my best<br />
friend. Because of her go lucky nature,<br />
she enabled me to make friends with<br />
other kids my age. She was always on<br />
my heels, unless someone had food that<br />
she could beg for. I later found out that<br />
my parents had rescued her from the<br />
pound where she would have been put<br />
to sleep that Christmas morning so long<br />
ago. Instead, she became the best gift a<br />
twelve-year-old boy (without a friend)<br />
could have received. It may have seemed<br />
like we saved Anna’s life at first, but in<br />
more ways than one, she saved mine.<br />
I will never forget waking up on<br />
Christmas morning and walking<br />
out to the Christmas tree to find
‘Tis the Season to be<br />
Jolly…<br />
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 9<br />
Karla Dennis<br />
It’s the Holiday season for 2015!! Are<br />
you freaking out yet? Where did<br />
this year go? As soon as September<br />
comes, I am ready. I have my Fall<br />
decorations out, I have my Halloween<br />
decorations out, and my Christmas<br />
décor is just waiting to be unleashed!<br />
I love the holidays, but for you it may<br />
be different. You might honestly say,<br />
“I hate the holidays. There aren’t<br />
enough carols or funny holiday movies<br />
to make me jolly!”<br />
Let’s take Halloween for instance;<br />
what’s not to be jolly about a ton<br />
of free candy?! Well, it’s not a jolly<br />
holiday for the kids who can’t go, or<br />
for the kids too sick to go. We can’t<br />
leave out the problem of costumes.<br />
When I was growing up we had to<br />
make our costumes; nothing new and<br />
flashy for us. Who wants to Trick<br />
or Treat in some non-store bought<br />
costume?<br />
Then comes Thanksgiving; once<br />
again, how can a holiday that celebrates<br />
being thankful with a delicious<br />
turkey dinner not be jolly? It’s not<br />
jolly if this was the worst year you<br />
ever had, or maybe you lost someone<br />
close to you. It’s hard to celebrate<br />
with dinner if you don’t have any<br />
food.<br />
Which brings us to Christmas: one of<br />
the biggest holidays of the year. How<br />
can you not be jolly spending time<br />
with your family, giving and receiving<br />
gifts? It’s not so jolly without family<br />
or money to buy gifts. What a horrible<br />
holiday for any kid who wakes<br />
up with no gifts, or for you to wake<br />
up and the person you love is not<br />
with you.<br />
While I truly believe that the holidays<br />
are meant to be jolly, there is<br />
just so much in life that seems to<br />
dim or remove that joy for us. So,<br />
how do we get it back or find the<br />
jolliness again? I believe I have an<br />
answer for you!<br />
As a kid, there was one Christmas<br />
that looked to be horrible. I remember<br />
knowing, but not knowing, that<br />
this Christmas was going to be different.<br />
My parents didn’t have the<br />
money to do Christmas like usual.<br />
I will never forget the joy of waking<br />
up and having presents under<br />
the tree. Years later, we were told<br />
that some families generously donated<br />
presents to our family. I will<br />
never forget that Christmas! I am<br />
so thankful to the people who made<br />
that holiday jolly. Which brings me<br />
to my answer. When you are trying<br />
to make the holidays jolly for others,<br />
it somehow becomes jolly for you.<br />
I love the holidays because of what<br />
you can do for others. My life might<br />
be a mess and there may not be<br />
much to be happy about or worthy<br />
of celebration, but that doesn’t mean<br />
I can’t bring happiness and celebration<br />
to others. I am never jollier during the<br />
holiday season than when I am doing<br />
for others.<br />
So, maybe there is still hope for this<br />
season, let’s make it jolly. For Halloween,<br />
you can go to the children’s<br />
hospital with treats; or on Thanksgiving,<br />
you can provide dinner for a family<br />
who can’t afford it; and for Christmas,<br />
let’s buy gifts for kids and visit senior<br />
citizens. Let’s get lost in doing for<br />
others, because their joy will become<br />
your joy!<br />
‘Tis the season to be jolly…
10<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
S.S.S. Brigade<br />
Social Security Seniors<br />
Christmas is a wonderful time of the<br />
year for many, many reasons. One<br />
good reason is that it is a time for<br />
making “memories.” I cannot remember<br />
any memories of Christmas with<br />
my grandparents. I am sure that we<br />
were actively involved with them at<br />
Christmas, but I just can’t remember<br />
(nor can my siblings remember<br />
anything). I thought about how sad<br />
that is for us and for them.<br />
We have great memories about<br />
Christmas with our mother and dad.<br />
Mother and dad made Christmas a<br />
wonderful time of the year.<br />
When I had my daughter, I wanted<br />
to make memories with her at<br />
Christmas time. So, every Christmas<br />
after the decorations were up,<br />
the cookies were baked (yes, I use to<br />
bake cookies), after the presents were<br />
wrapped and put under the tree, and<br />
Santa Claus was waiting on top of our<br />
house to come down the chimney with<br />
a bag full of gifts for my little “darling”<br />
daughter, my daughter and I (it was<br />
just a girl thing) took Christmas Eve<br />
day to go to the mall and just walk<br />
around, shop, and eat. We took our<br />
time and just enjoyed the moment. This<br />
was a “memory maker.”<br />
Now, I have three grandsons, and for<br />
about ten years, we have been going on<br />
a “Nana’s Christmas Shopping” excursion.<br />
We pick a mall; we pick a hotel;<br />
and we pick two days to go spend time<br />
together shopping, eating, and just<br />
having fun right before Christmas. We<br />
spend one night at the hotel (and that<br />
Christmas Holiday<br />
is always fun).<br />
Our dynamics have changed this year, I now<br />
have a beautiful granddaughter. She will have<br />
her first experience in this excursion (good<br />
luck to her). These are “memory making”<br />
moments.<br />
Let me just say this, even though my daughter<br />
is married and has a family of her own,<br />
we still take time together for our “memory<br />
making” moments at Christmas. This year,<br />
we get to add our granddaughter……..what<br />
fun! How do I afford to do this, I start putting<br />
money away at the first of the year, just<br />
so I can make memories with my family. It is<br />
worth every penny that I spend.<br />
It is never too late to start with your own<br />
“memory making” moments.<br />
Mrs. Oppenheimer, a retiree, decided to get away from the often inclement weather of New York and spend Christmas<br />
in the deep South of the USA. Being unfamiliar with that part of the world, she wandered into a 'restricted'<br />
hotel and said, “Hi. I'm Mrs. Oppenheimer, and I'd like a room for the next week.” “I'm very sorry,” said the<br />
manager, “but all of our rooms are taken.” Just as he said that, a customer came to the desk, and unexpectedly,<br />
checked out. “How lucky,” responded Mrs. Oppenheimer. “Now you have a room for me.” “Look, I'm very sorry,”<br />
said the manager, “but this is a restricted hotel. Jews are not allowed here.” “Jewish! Whaddya mean Jewish! I<br />
happen to be a Catholic,” said Mrs. Oppenheimer. “That takes some believing.” said the manager. “Tell me, who<br />
was the Son of God?” “Jesus,” she replied. “Where was he born?” “In a stable in Bethlehem..... simply because<br />
some Schmuck like you wouldn't rent a room to a Jew.”<br />
Compliments of the Internet
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 11<br />
The<br />
Importance of Prayer<br />
Part #4<br />
My prayer is that you have been enjoying<br />
the nuggets of a relationship of prayer with<br />
our heavenly Father as much as I have.<br />
As we begin to come to a close of the year,<br />
I would like to leave you with a few things<br />
that are commanded of us in this relationship:<br />
1. We should have no other Gods before Him.<br />
2. We must study to show ourselves approved a workman, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.<br />
3. Our lives are not our own. We have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus.<br />
4. The Father is seeking true worshippers; those who will worship in spirit and in truth.<br />
5. Give and it shall be given, give to the Father all that is due Him.<br />
6. Have faith in God.<br />
7. Pray without ceasing.<br />
8. Men ought always to pray and not faint.<br />
9. Lord, teach us to pray.<br />
10. Have faith in God.<br />
11. After this manner, pray Ye.<br />
Take the time to look up these scriptures in your Bible. You may use your Bible dictionary, Concordance,<br />
or Thesaurus. This is your homework.<br />
Out of an effort of study and meditation, I was blessed with this poem:<br />
The Lord’'s Prayer<br />
My Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.<br />
Since the day I met you, my life has not been the same.<br />
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done as in Heaven, so be it on earth.<br />
Your name stands above all names, none can match its’ worth.<br />
Give me this day, my daily bread, food for my spirit and my soul.<br />
Oh, how I thirst and hunger, as if after the purest gold.<br />
And forgive all my debts, as I forgive my debtors.<br />
Teach me true forgiveness, as I feast on your love letters.<br />
Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.<br />
Help me keep my mind stayed on you lest my life becomes upheaveled.<br />
For thine is the Kingdom, the glory, and the power.<br />
And I’m honored to give ecstatic praise in this your finest hour.<br />
Psalmist Gwen Johnson
12<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
My Christmas Guardian Angel<br />
Sandra Shock<br />
This morning I was one of the unfortunate<br />
humans that had to go<br />
to work. I needed to be there by<br />
7:00 am, so I left home at 6:20 am,<br />
giving me plenty of time to get<br />
there by seven. It was still dark<br />
and raining so hard, I could hardly<br />
see the white lines in the street.<br />
Some of the stores and homes had<br />
left their Christmas lights on all<br />
night. They very pretty glittering<br />
in the night rain. I was enjoying<br />
the lights when all of a sudden,<br />
I hit a curb, and sure enough,<br />
busted a tire. So, I drove slowly<br />
to a nearby service station that’s<br />
always opens early. Today, it was<br />
not!<br />
I pulled under one of the covered<br />
bays where you pump gas and<br />
tried to think of what I needed to<br />
do. I didn’t have my mobile phone<br />
with me, and it was still pouring<br />
down rain. The station was closed<br />
and not a sole around, except one<br />
truck two bays down. I got out,<br />
went over to the truck, and looked<br />
in the passenger’s window, but no<br />
one was there. I’m always leery of<br />
doing something like that because<br />
you don’t know who’s good or<br />
bad. I, then, went back to my car<br />
and tried to think what else to do. I<br />
decided to walk to the Waffle House<br />
to call my husband, and as I passed in<br />
front of the truck, I saw a man on the<br />
driver’s side (which I did not see before).<br />
I walked over to him, told him<br />
my circumstances, and asked if he had<br />
a mobile phone that I could borrow to<br />
call home. He looked for<br />
his phone, but could not find it. He<br />
said he would be glad to change the<br />
tire for me, but, I hated for him to get<br />
all wet and nasty. I kept insisting that<br />
I could walk to the Waffle House and<br />
call my husband. He insisted that he<br />
did not mind changing it.<br />
As he was changing the tire, I found<br />
out his name and he worked at the<br />
Correction Center, not too far from<br />
where we were. I decided he was a<br />
good guy if he worked there. He works<br />
the night shift, and every morning,<br />
he came to this service station to<br />
get coffee. He said that they were<br />
usually open at this time, so he was<br />
just waiting. I told him that I did<br />
not see him at first and he said that<br />
he did not even see me looking in<br />
his truck. That’s strange, but you<br />
know……………………you can’t see angels.<br />
When he finished changing the tire, I<br />
tried to pay him for his trouble. He<br />
wouldn’t take anything from me. He<br />
said that one day he might need help.<br />
I asked him if I could at least hug his<br />
neck. He said, “Yes, you can do that.”<br />
I hugged his neck and wished him<br />
a Merry Christmas. I was almost in<br />
tears. He was an angel to me. When I<br />
pulled away, I asked God “to bless my<br />
Guardian Angel.”<br />
We don’t always know why some<br />
things happen. I haven’t had a flat<br />
tire in years and haven’t had one<br />
since. Maybe God was sparing me<br />
from something happening down the<br />
road that day, and for that I am very<br />
thankful.<br />
I do believe in Guardian Angels (not<br />
only at Christmas, but all the time),<br />
and I believe they are watching over<br />
me every day. I believe he was my<br />
Guardian Angel that morning. I believe<br />
God put him there, in that dark,<br />
closed service station, just for me. I<br />
drove back home and got my husband<br />
to take me to work. When we past the<br />
service station, it was all lit up and<br />
running.<br />
THANK YOU GOD FOR MY GUARDIAN ANGEL GOD BLESS YOU
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 13<br />
Book Nook<br />
I have so many friends that have written books and they are all such good reads.<br />
However, I have chosen these two books because of the Season. They would be<br />
great gifts to give during the Holidays!<br />
Coffee talk<br />
Daily devotional<br />
Part two<br />
Dr. Cheryl Minter<br />
This is a book of daily devotions that will always lead you to God the Father. It allows you to have intimacy with<br />
the very one who created you and knows you. As you read this book, you will be inspired and encouraged in your<br />
daily life.<br />
You can order this book by going to www.awlc.net<br />
I Love It!<br />
A Christian Woman’s Loving<br />
Thoughts on Marriage<br />
Cornelia Brown<br />
This book is a unique journey that takes a deeper look at marriage. It is a<br />
delightfully funny, yet, passionate way to explore the blessings and struggles of<br />
matrimony by sharing heartfelt anecdotes about her own experiences.<br />
You can order this book by going to www.yahoo.com
14<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
MOTION PICTURE GEEK<br />
by Robey Jones<br />
Ah. Christmas! What a glorious season to be alive. The<br />
decorated trees, the beautiful lights, and the Georgia snow that<br />
we never get. There’s so many reasons to be happy during the<br />
holidays. The number one reason to be thankful is that God<br />
brought His Son into our world. But another amazing tradition<br />
that I love so much is the Christmas movies! There are so many<br />
great Christmas movies out there. So without further ado, here<br />
are some of my favorites!<br />
TOP 9 CHRISTMAS MOVIES TO<br />
WATCH DURING CHRISTMAS!!!<br />
#9 #8 #7<br />
Nobody put’s<br />
Classics in the<br />
Corner.....<br />
except for me!<br />
Old School Christmas<br />
The Grinch A Christmas<br />
Story<br />
#6 #5 #4<br />
Elf<br />
#3<br />
Christmas<br />
Vacation<br />
#2<br />
The Santa<br />
Clause<br />
#1<br />
Unaccompanied<br />
Minors<br />
Miracle On<br />
34 th Street<br />
Rudolph the<br />
Red Nosed<br />
Reindeer<br />
Home<br />
Alone<br />
The Nightmare<br />
Before<br />
Christmas<br />
Home Alone<br />
2<br />
It’s A<br />
Wonderful Life<br />
A Christmas<br />
Carol
Treasure Seekers<br />
The Best Kept Secret in Jonesboro, Georgia<br />
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 15<br />
My staff and I are always looking and searching for unique stories of people who have turned their dreams and their passions into<br />
reality. Dakota and I met someone the other day that did just that. Her name is Cheryl Dill. She is one of the owners of “Treasure<br />
Seekers.” This is a store that has everything from the old to the new, from antiques to the modern, furniture, to flowers. In other<br />
words, the store has everything. We<br />
spent an hour in this store looking at<br />
everything. We were intrigued. I saw<br />
things that I had not seen since I was a<br />
little girl. It was such a pleasant experience<br />
that we decided to ask Ms. Cheryl<br />
a few questions about her passion and<br />
her store.<br />
MPM: You said that you and your sisters<br />
started Treasure Seekers together.<br />
Please tell us what caused you guys to<br />
open this store.<br />
Cheryl: Retirement. I know that<br />
sounds strange, but that is the case.<br />
Life's circumstances has brought us full<br />
circle, starting life together under one<br />
roof, and we once again share a home<br />
(sisters are forever friends). Retirement<br />
to most people means it's time to slow<br />
down and enjoy life. We are enjoying<br />
life, but have not slowed down. We<br />
once went on vacation, left the hotel for<br />
a day of play (aka a shopping spree).<br />
When we got back to the hotel the valet<br />
could not park my car (SUV) in the covered<br />
parking lot because we had so much<br />
stuff tied to the top. That was embarrassing,<br />
but only for a second.<br />
MPM: What do you sell at Treasure<br />
Seekers?<br />
Cheryl: That's a hard question because<br />
we will buy just about anything. We have<br />
furniture, glassware, lamps, pictures,<br />
home decor, etc. The most unusual item<br />
we ever bought was a pair of African<br />
headdresses used in ceremonies just because<br />
they were different.<br />
MPM: Do you still have them?<br />
Cheryl: Yes, we still have them. I have<br />
yet to find someone in need of them.<br />
MPM: Where do you get your merchandise?<br />
Cheryl: Aaha! The hunt! Love it! My<br />
favorite part! We like to call it “junktiquing”.<br />
We shop yard sales, auctions, and<br />
estate sales. People sometimes roll up in<br />
trucks or cars full of stuff. There is nothing<br />
more exciting than finding that certain<br />
piece or sometimes a treasure. I love to see<br />
someone else find it also. It is satisfying.<br />
MPM: Are you living out your passion?<br />
Cheryl: Absolutely, I am living my passion!<br />
We have been blessed, for which we<br />
are truly grateful.<br />
Readers, you must go and check out this<br />
unique “treasure.” You will truly enjoy<br />
every moment you spend in the store. You<br />
can find Treasure Seekers at 234 South<br />
Main Street, Jonesboro, GA. https://www.<br />
facebook.com/treasureseekersofjonesboro
16<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015
The Garden<br />
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 17<br />
Poinsettia, the Christmas plant, is<br />
Spot<br />
popular in many American homes. With<br />
the introduction of long-lasting cultivars,<br />
the popularity of the poinsettia has<br />
increased significantly. It was introduced<br />
to the United States in 1825 by Joel<br />
Robert Poinsett, first U. S. Ambassador<br />
to Mexico who obtained plants from the<br />
wilds of southern Mexico. The common<br />
name for the exotic plant, poinsettia,<br />
came from his last name. Botanically,<br />
the plant is known as Euphorbia<br />
pulcherrima.<br />
There is an old Mexican legend about<br />
how Poinsettia's and Christmas came<br />
together. It goes like this:<br />
There was once a poor Mexican girl<br />
called Pepita who had no present to give<br />
the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve<br />
Service. As Pepita walked to the chapel<br />
sadly, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her<br />
up.<br />
“Pepita,” he said "I'm sure that even the<br />
smallest gift, given by someone who loves<br />
him will make Jesus happy."<br />
Pepita didn't know what she could give,<br />
so she picked a small handful of weeds<br />
from the roadside and made them into<br />
a small bouquet. She felt embarrassed<br />
because she could only give this small<br />
present to Jesus. As she walked through<br />
the chapel to the altar, she remembered<br />
what Pedro had said. She began to feel<br />
better, knelt down and put the bouquet<br />
at the bottom of the nativity scene.<br />
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst<br />
into bright red flowers, and everyone<br />
who saw them were sure they had seen<br />
a miracle. From that day on, the bright<br />
red flowers were known as the 'Flores de<br />
Noche Buena', or 'Flowers of the Holy<br />
Night'.<br />
The shape of the poinsettia flower<br />
and leaves are sometimes thought as a<br />
symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which<br />
led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red<br />
colored leaves symbolize the blood of<br />
Christ. The white leaves represent his<br />
purity.<br />
Compliments of the Internet
Cooking<br />
with Melissa Jones<br />
18<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
I love the Holidays – the decorations, the tree, the gifts, the baking, the special<br />
meals, the surprises for people – I love it all. My parents always made<br />
everything seem magical around the holidays, so I thought it appropriate and<br />
necessary to try and do the same for our family. Rob and I wanted to establish<br />
family traditions and make memories that our children can take with<br />
them all their lives. I have such special memories tucked away in my heart…<br />
and they help make this season so very special to this day.<br />
HERBED PRIME RIB<br />
INGREDIENTS:<br />
2 tbsp dried basil leaves<br />
2 tbsp dried oregano leaves<br />
1 tbsp garlic powder<br />
2 tsp onion powder<br />
1 tsp ground black pepper<br />
1 boneless beef rib roast (5 to 6 lbs.)<br />
1 tbsp oil<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1. Mix first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Set aside. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting<br />
pan; brush beef with oil. Sprinkle with salt; coat with seasoning mixture.<br />
2. Roast, uncovered, in preheated 350 degrees oven until internal temperature reaches 130<br />
degrees for medium-rare (1 ¾ to 2 ¼ hours = 20 to 22 minutes per pound) or 140 degrees<br />
for medium (2 ¼ to 2 ¾ hours=22 to 25). Begin checking internal temperature of roast with<br />
meat thermometer 30 minutes BEFORE estimated end cook time. When desired temperature<br />
is attained, take out of oven; cover with foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving.<br />
Makes 12 to 14 servings
gCorner<br />
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 19<br />
PAUL’S BEST EVER CARROT CAKE<br />
INGREDIENTS:<br />
FOR THE CAKE<br />
2 cups self-rising flour<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
1 ¼ cups vegetable oil<br />
4 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
2 tsp cinnamon<br />
2 cups carrots, grated<br />
FOR THE ICING<br />
16 oz. (2 blocks) cream cheese, room temperature<br />
1 cup Crisco<br />
2 lbs. Confectioners (powdered) sugar<br />
½ cup pecans, chopped and toasted<br />
2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1. Make the cake: Mix all cake ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until done.<br />
Cool completely.<br />
2. Make the icing: Beat cream cheese and Crisco together. Add sugar in small amounts until mixture is completely<br />
incorporated; add vanilla and pecans.<br />
Makes 8 to 10 servings<br />
******This recipe makes great cupcakes as well. Just cut the baking time and icing in half. These freeze great,<br />
too!
20<br />
Light<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December<br />
of<br />
2015<br />
the World<br />
Since this is My Passion Magazine’s Christmas issue and this is our main focus, we wanted a cover page<br />
that would be outstanding and represent the Holiday Season. One of the staff members told us about his<br />
neighbor who decorated her home with beautiful trees and lights. After he told us all about her decorations,<br />
I knew that I had to meet her. I made an appointment, and off I went!<br />
I met the most gracious woman that I have ever met. Her name is Dawn McGee. We became friends right<br />
away. I could not help but love her. She invited me into her home and told me about her passion for her<br />
Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and all of her decorations.<br />
She had been decorating her home with one tree or more in each room of her house (even her bathrooms<br />
and hallways) for 25 years. “Of course,” she said, “I didn’t start off with this many trees. I think I have<br />
about 14 or 15 now. I just started off with a few and everything just grew.”<br />
She says that she decorates for herself, for her family, and for the guest that frequent her home during the<br />
Christmas holidays. She said, “I know what the real meaning of Christmas is all about……our dear Savior’s<br />
birth. But, when I am sitting looking at all of my lights, I think about Jesus being the light of the world<br />
and that He really loves me. When He came into this world, His light penetrated the darkness. That<br />
gives me more pleasure than anything else. You see, Jesus is the center of my life.”<br />
She has a name for every tree that she has in her home. Let me just give you the names: Radiant<br />
Red Gallant Gold, Chocolate Delight, The Grinch, Winter’s Palace, Aquamarine, Department 56, Down<br />
Memory Lane, Pretty in Pink, Gingerbread Dreams, Radko Mania, Deep in the Jungle, The Color Purple,<br />
Meadowland Memories, Frosty The Snowman, O Holy Night, and Old Fashion.<br />
Not only does she decorate the inside of her home, but the outside as well.<br />
By allowing My Passion Magazine to publish the pictures of some of her trees, she is allowing us to feel the<br />
real meaning of Christmas through her eyes…..He is the Reason for the Season!
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 21
22<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS<br />
Mary Lou Kehoe<br />
It is hard to believe that it has been three years since I took<br />
one of the biggest steps in my life and moved back to Minnesota<br />
where I was born. It was hard leaving my children and<br />
grandchildren and there were many times that I questioned my<br />
decision. I wondered if I had really heard God tell me to move<br />
and could not see how leaving all I had known for so long could<br />
have been the right thing to do. However, now that they have<br />
all moved to Minnesota as well, I can’t help but see that God<br />
had His hand in everything that happened.<br />
My first Christmas with my sister was wonderful and pretty<br />
quiet without the kids. I was quickly brought into the traditions<br />
of her family as well as the family of my brother-in-law.<br />
We baked cookies with my nephews – they roll out the cookie<br />
dough. We had fun parties with lots of food and most of all<br />
great fellowship. They kept me busy so that my mind did not<br />
wander back to what I was missing in Georgia. And of course,<br />
there was snow.<br />
One of the many things I had missed about Minnesota was<br />
snow. Crazy right? I had missed the change of seasons and snow<br />
at Christmas. There is something about the first snow fall of the<br />
winter that is magical. In an instant the brown grass and barren<br />
trees of fall are replaced with a fresh coating of white snow<br />
that brightens up everything. It is a time when I am instantly<br />
reminded of the wonderful world that God created. It is a time<br />
of new beginnings with a promise of new growth come spring. I<br />
quickly realized that that promise did not apply only to nature,<br />
but also to myself.<br />
As God moved to make a way for my daughters and grandchildren<br />
to join me in Minnesota, our family has expanded rapidly.<br />
They have been adopted into a family with aunts, uncles, and<br />
cousins that they did not know, and their lives have been enriched<br />
because of it. My oldest daughter is soon to be married<br />
and a new grandson is on the way! Our lives have been on a<br />
journey that only God could have planned.<br />
Now we all look to the holidays with a great expectation of<br />
snow and the opportunity of seeing a white Christmas. My<br />
wish for all of you this holiday season is that all your Christmases<br />
be white and that you, too, receive the promises of a new<br />
beginning from God. Merry Christmas!
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 23<br />
"Tis The Season for Networking"<br />
Holidays are filled with vacations, traveling,<br />
family time, parties etc. It can be so<br />
hectic and overwhelming. But, in the mist<br />
of all these whirlwind of activities, you can<br />
still network like a pro, make great connections,<br />
and establish meaningful relationships.<br />
With that being said, do not use the holidays<br />
as an excuse to have your networking<br />
fall to the way side.<br />
Listed below are helpful tips for networking<br />
during holiday activities.<br />
Work Party<br />
Whether you work for a major company or<br />
a small startup, you will most likely get an<br />
invite to a holiday party. Do not trash your<br />
invitation or skip out early. Make it a point<br />
to attend the event with an agenda in place.<br />
Commit to meeting a few new people or<br />
strengthening existing relationships. Share<br />
your "new year" resolutions or career goals<br />
for advancing. Make introductions with<br />
colleagues or co-workers who may not know<br />
each other. Also, try to organize a time<br />
to meet up outside of work to continue the<br />
camaraderie.<br />
Community / Volunteer Event<br />
The holidays are the perfect times for giving<br />
back and sowing good seeds of hope and<br />
love. If you are volunteering with an organization<br />
or within your community, look<br />
for ways to expand on your efforts. For<br />
example, encourage your family, friends and<br />
co-workers to take part if they are available<br />
and have not in the past. Reach out to the<br />
organizer of the event (if you are not the<br />
organizer) and ask if there is an extra need<br />
that may not necessarily be publicly known.<br />
If you work for a mid-size or large company,<br />
inquire through the appropriate department<br />
about a matching program or making a donation to your charities.<br />
Social Gathering<br />
Perhaps you, your significant other or a friend are invited to a social<br />
holiday party. It is always a fun time to meet new people, talk about<br />
the la<strong>test</strong> trends and news, as well as sports and entertainment. In<br />
these types of gatherings, the atmosphere is more relaxed and easier<br />
for connecting. While talking and making conversations, you can<br />
find common interests and shared passions. There is an old saying<br />
that people do business with those they like, trust and know. Even<br />
though you may not walk away with any business, you can establish<br />
a premature relation for future business.<br />
Hopefully, these few and practical tips will jumpstart your networking<br />
for the holiday season. Remember networking is a lifestyle and a<br />
tool for success.<br />
Contact: Chi Chi Okezie,<br />
cokezie@snseminars.com, http://www.snseminars.com
24<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Baby<br />
Jack’s<br />
Story<br />
Part IV<br />
After Jackson was born and we were left without him, my world turned upside down. Nothing made sense. How<br />
could this happen? Why would God put my body through the exhausting task of growing a baby that was not<br />
going to live? Why would he put the effort into creating a human that would only die shortly after birth? What<br />
is the point of life if you can die after only being alive for two hours?<br />
Which all sounds terrible, I know. And don't misunderstand me here - I will never regret Jackson's existence. I<br />
will never regret carrying him. He is my son and he has changed me forever. I will always be thankful for him<br />
and the opportunity to be his mom. I just wish we could have enjoyed him here with us for a little bit longer.<br />
Determined to find the answer to my question, I scoured my You Version Bible app for a reading plan that<br />
might reveal the purpose of life. I found a quick, five day study plan by John Piper called "God's Glory and Your<br />
Purpose" and figured I would start there. This turned out to be a great choice because John answered my question<br />
on the very first day by declaring this: God created us to display his own glory. (See Isaiah 43:7 & 1 Corinthians<br />
10:31) The point is not to have healthy pregnancies, or healthy babies, or even long lives. Those things<br />
are about us. No, the whole point of every living thing in this world is to display God's perfect, majestic glory.<br />
Our lives are not about us.<br />
Some are only given a couple of hours on earth to fulfill their purpose. The rest of us are given a lifetime. We<br />
have a new chance every waking morning to glorify God. John Piper goes on to say that God is most glorified<br />
through us, when we are most satisfied in him. I am still trying to wrap my mind around all that this implies,<br />
but I do know this: since discovering this truth, my world has been turned right-side up. Things make sense<br />
again. Jackson served his purpose here, and I need to, too.<br />
I don't know what circumstance, or season, or stage of life you might be in. You may already know and live this<br />
idea. But, if you don't, I hope that this truth will transform your life, as it has mine. You want to live life to the<br />
fullest? Enjoy every day? Love life no matter what you are doing? Then live your purpose. You were created to<br />
glorify God. That's it. That's the whole point.<br />
Brittany Liberatore
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 25<br />
Story of Mistletoe at Christmas<br />
Nigel's business trip had gone quite well, but he was ready to return home to the warmth of his family. Bristol<br />
airport, on the other hand, had turned a tacky red and green; the loudspeakers blared annoying renditions of once<br />
cherished Christmas carols and ancient pop songs.<br />
Nigel enjoyed Christmas and took it very seriously, and being slightly tired and irritable, he just wanted to get<br />
home. He approached the check-in desk humming a carol quietly to himself in an attempt to keep his spirits up.<br />
He began to check-in his one suitcase when he saw hanging mistletoe. Not real mistletoe, but it was very cheap plastic<br />
with red paint on some of the rounder parts and green paint on some of the flatter and more pointed parts, that<br />
could be taken for mistletoe only in a very surreal type of way.<br />
With a considerable degree of irritation and nowhere else to vent it, he said to the girl at the desk, “Even if we were<br />
married, I would not want to kiss you under such a ghastly mockery of mistletoe.”<br />
“Sir,” replied the attendant politely, “look more closely at where the mistletoe is.”<br />
“Ok,” muttered Nigel, “I see that it's above the luggage scale which is the place you'd have to step forward for a<br />
kiss.”<br />
“That's not why it's there.”<br />
“Ok, I give up. Why is it there?” snapped Nigel irritably.<br />
The attendant quipped: “It's there so you can kiss your luggage good-bye.”<br />
Compliments of Internet<br />
Have the time of your Life!<br />
A cruise! A Resort! A Hotel!<br />
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Travel Agent<br />
elaineti@bellsouth.net<br />
Earn As You Travel<br />
www.islandschoals.paycation.com<br />
770-710-3866
26<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
A few months ago, I was in a market in Buckhead. As<br />
I walked through the store, I met a lovely woman who<br />
was giving away samples of her product, Judi Cakes.<br />
I sampled several pieces. They were delicious. She<br />
had made her passion a reality. Her cakes would be the<br />
perfect Christmas gift for those office workers, bosses,<br />
friends, neighbors, etc. You know, the people you really<br />
need to get a nice gift, but don’t know what to get<br />
them. These cakes would be perfect. However, the cakes<br />
are perfect for any occasion.<br />
Judi said that she started her business because of<br />
friends that owned a small local produce market in the<br />
Atlanta area. They were contemplating bringing in new<br />
food products, namely a cake. Judi told them that they<br />
must try her cranberry cream cheese pound cake! To<br />
which they replied, “Bring us a sample!” And we are so<br />
glad that she did. Needless to say, they put it in their<br />
stores.<br />
She said that she had been baking since she was old<br />
enough to stir batter. Her earliest baking memories<br />
go back to about second grade when she made apple<br />
crisps from a very popular 1950s boxed mix. By fifth<br />
grade, she baked from scratch using her mother’s Betty<br />
Crocker Cookbook. Her mother found no joy in cooking<br />
because her family of seven devoured the fruits of<br />
her kitchen labors within minutes of sitting down at the<br />
dinner table.<br />
Judi found that she enjoyed the baby cakes or 4” cakes.<br />
While researching baking pan options, she happened<br />
upon a rectangular pan with six wells for 4” angel food<br />
cakes. It appealed to her as the perfect way to create vendor<br />
samples. After turning out the first baked batter, she<br />
fell in love with the cakes’ irresistible charm. It was adorably<br />
CUTE! It was just the right size to give as a unique<br />
and tasty gift, or treat, without sabotaging anyone’s eating<br />
plan, which so many currently appreciate.<br />
She followed the Weight Watchers eating plan for over<br />
ten years, and understood the importance of moderation.<br />
It seems that the older she got, the more aware<br />
of healthy, all natural, and moderate eating choices she<br />
became. A small sweet indulgence goes a long way now.<br />
Judi Cakes are available in larger 7” and 9” rounds on<br />
her website. During holiday seasons, the 7” can be found<br />
in Whole Foods Markets in the Atlanta area.<br />
She has so many delicious flavors; because of space, they<br />
cannot all be listed. Here are just a few: Apricot, Apple<br />
Caramel, Blueberry Orange, Caramel Sea Salt, Chocolate<br />
Chunk, Cranberry, Ginger Spice, and Lemon with a Hint<br />
of Rosemary, etc.<br />
To find out more about these delicious cakes and how to<br />
order go to her website: www.judicakes.co (Please note<br />
that there is NO “m” at end, it is just co and not com).<br />
A 15% discount is available to Passion Magazine readers<br />
with the code JC15.
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 27<br />
My Passion Magazine suggest getting, Dr. Paulette Stewart’s<br />
book, Ladies of Grace, as a Christmas gift! Order today and<br />
receive an autographed copy, just log onto<br />
www.drpaulet<strong>test</strong>ewart.com<br />
Order your book today!
28<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Wellness<br />
Dawn Causey<br />
You are what you eat? That's what my doctor says and<br />
there's a lot of truth to that! During the holidays we love<br />
to embellish in our favorite dishes. When incorporating<br />
fruits and vegetables into your diet, it's good to have a<br />
variety from the colors of the "rainbow" and know how<br />
they benefit your health.<br />
Yellow and Orange<br />
Let's begin with our yellows and oranges. Carotenoids<br />
provide the color in these fruits and vegetables. Citrus<br />
fruits such as mangoes, pineapple, carrots, and yellow<br />
squash help boost your immune system and visual properties.<br />
Oranges have antioxidants that help reduce heart<br />
disease and certain types of cancer.<br />
Red, blue, and purple<br />
Red, blue, and purple fruits such as strawberries, blueberries,<br />
and grapes contain antioxidants that reduce cell<br />
damage, cardiovascular disease and age-associated memory<br />
loss. Lycopene provides the red color in tomatoes,<br />
watermelon, and red grapefruit. They, too, can reduce<br />
the risk of many cancers, especially prostate cancer.<br />
Green<br />
Never run from your broccoli, spinach, and green beans!<br />
The chlorophyll that give them their deep green color<br />
helps the skin and helps eliminate toxins from the body.<br />
White<br />
Onions, garlic, potatoes, bananas, and mushrooms are<br />
power packed and can help lower blood pressure and<br />
cholesterol.<br />
As you can see, many fruits and vegetables have overlapping<br />
benefits such as reducing cardiovascular disease and<br />
the risk of developing certain types of cancer. There are<br />
many other benefits of eating foods with various colors<br />
and they also make your meal look very appealing. Be<br />
sure to incorporate these foods into your diet on a daily<br />
basis so that your body can get the vitamins, minerals,<br />
and nutrients needed.<br />
So next time you’re at the farmers market or in the produce<br />
section at your local supermarket, be sure to "taste<br />
the rainbow" and your body will thank you for it!<br />
Dawn Causey<br />
Host of Remarkable Essence WebTV &<br />
Radio Show<br />
Founder of The Essence of a Woman:<br />
Health, Wellness & Empowerment<br />
Conference
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 29<br />
THE BATTLE<br />
IS YOURS<br />
Mohammed Bolton<br />
Yolanda Adams eloquently wrote a song entitled, The Battle is Not Yours (It’s the Lord’s). If you get an opportunity,<br />
please listen to it as it will bless your soul. So often, as believers, we fix our lives upon that same theme. Whenever<br />
trials or challenges present themselves, we stand strong on the belief that God will uphold His word and tear<br />
down any stronghold that rises up in our lives. Friends and family, alike, will call or message us that “the battle is<br />
not yours!” And to hammer the point home, they will say, “In Jesus’ name!” You know what I’m talking about. As<br />
a matter of fact, you just remembered the last time you said it or heard it said.<br />
Well, I have news for you today. This battle is absolutely yours! It’s all yours and no one can do it but you. Being<br />
healthy is as challenging as “working out your own salvation.” It’s tougher than the Bar Exam. It’s more taxing<br />
than the Navy Seals training. It’s more exhausting than the Boston Marathon. Simply put, there’s no challenge in<br />
the world that compares to being healthy. It is a 24-hour, 9-days-a-week deal. It has to be a conscious, grueling effort.<br />
That’s my challenge to you today. Look at how far you’ve come on your serendipitous knowledge of fitness. Embrace<br />
that, but let it now be history. Discover something new about yourself. It’s time to discover your creative side in<br />
the kitchen. Ugh! I know some may have said that. No one enjoys eating healthy all the time; however, there are<br />
ways you can do it without it feeling like work. Research foods that are high in fiber, low in carbs and sugars and<br />
tasty. I wouldn’t advise pilfering through the grocery store tasting their fresh vegetables, because that may be a little<br />
more eventful than you’d hope for. But I do want you to try apps like Calorie King, which will help you find foods<br />
that are not cantankerous to your goal. Recipes are everywhere, so share some of your TV time with research. Cook<br />
foods that will last a couple of days so you won’t have to cook every day. Stay away from pasta, breads and sugary<br />
foods/drinks. Keep a journal and feel free to share some of your discoveries and <strong>test</strong>imonies. You can email me at<br />
loveyourbodybootcamp2012@gmail.com so I can celebrate with you. Until the next time, embrace the battle.
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| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Christmas Events 2015<br />
Tri-Counties<br />
Henry, Clayton, Fayette<br />
Fayette County<br />
Downtown Christmas Parade/Tree Lighting/Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus<br />
JOIN US FOR A BIG DAY on...........<br />
Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the Gazebo on the square and along the sidewalks in Downtown Fayetteville.<br />
The 6th Annual Downtown Christmas Parade starts at 5:00 pm, followed by Fayetteville's Tree Lighting Program<br />
which will start immediately after the parade.
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 31<br />
Sponsor and Advertise with US<br />
I hope you are enjoying My Passion Magazine. It has been a<br />
great honor for me and the staff to bring it to you each quarter<br />
I hope that of 2015. you have My enjoyed first thought My with the magazine was just to run four<br />
Passion Magazine. It has been a<br />
great honor editions. for me and However, the staff we have had such good response from people<br />
to bring it to you each quarter of<br />
2015. My wanting first thought us with to continue the the magazine into the year 2016. Of<br />
magazine was just to run four editions.<br />
However, course we this have magazine had such is free online. So, for us to bring you My<br />
good response from people wanting<br />
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www.mypassionmagazine.com<br />
Happy New Year Merry to you Christmas all. and Happy New Year to you all.
32<br />
| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
Clayton County<br />
Friday, December 11, 2015<br />
YULE LOG CELEBRATION - Join us for an evening outdoors filled with holiday cheer. Enjoy music by the<br />
Morrow and Forest Park High School Orchestras, refreshments, face painting and ornament making. Then follow<br />
a candlelit path through the woods to a bonfire where you will find storyteller, Barry Mann, painting pictures of<br />
holidays past. The evening will be complete with attending children searching a wooded hillside for the fables Yule<br />
Log. This event is FREE and provides a shuttle service from Babb Middle School.<br />
Saturday, December 12, 2015<br />
BRUNCH WITH SANTA - Interact with Santa and enjoy games, arts & crafts, and breakfast from Chickfila from<br />
11am-2pm at Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center.<br />
Friday, December 18, 2015<br />
CROSS CULTURAL WINTER CELEBRATION - This program will increase awareness of how the holiday season<br />
is celebrated in various cultures, such as Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza. Story teller, arts & crafts, games, and<br />
light refreshments will be provided. FREE event from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Virginia Burton Gray Recreation Center.
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 33<br />
Henry County<br />
Saturday, December 3, 2015<br />
The City of Locust Grove and Locust Grove Better Hometown will sponsor their annual “Christmas . . . in the<br />
Grove,” on December 3, in Downtown Locust Grove. The free event features a parade, entertainment, food, train<br />
rides, a rock-climbing wall, crafts, and the arrival of Santa via the Locust Grove fire truck. The festivities are from<br />
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Christmas parade begins at 10:00 a.m. Downtown merchants will hold an “open house”<br />
for Christmas gift shopping.<br />
The 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Con<strong>test</strong> in Hampton is scheduled for Saturday. Deliver your house Thursday or<br />
Friday for judging. All ages welcome. Pre-built houses or build your own houses are allowed. Each house will receive a<br />
ribbon. For more information, call Candy Franklin, Hampton Main Street director at (770) 946-4306.<br />
Saturday, December 12, 2015<br />
Henry County will usher in the holidays with the 7th Annual Heritage Christmas Festival to be held on Saturday, December<br />
12, 2015, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.., at Heritage Park in McDonough. The park will be transformed into a festive,<br />
holiday wonderland. Radio Disney will be playing the la<strong>test</strong> tunes from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Heritage Park is located at<br />
101 Lake Dow Road, in McDonough. Call Henry County Parks and Recreation at (770) 288-7300, or visit the web site<br />
at www.hcprd.org.<br />
November 27- December 30, 2015<br />
Holiday Light Spectacular by Christmas Décor<br />
Over 3 million lights! Come drive through winter wonderland! There will be rides, games, and prizes! (To ride you<br />
must purchase a wristband.)
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| My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015<br />
www.makeimprints.com<br />
2669 Hwy 42N, McDonough GA 30281<br />
Visit us on the web at: www.pawsandsmiles.com
My Passion - Issue 4 - December 2015 | 35<br />
LawnCare<br />
David Buckner<br />
770-710-9962
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