5 Things Snow Teaches about God

5 Things Snow Teaches about God

I just finished reading an adorable book titled, “God and Snow – 5 Lessons That Snow Teaches About God.” And I want to tell you about it. (Post may contain affiliate links)

First of all, yes, I received a free copy. And yes, I was asked to review the product. However, I want to make one thing clear. I only give positive reviews when it is deserved.

So, now for the review. “God and Snow, 5 Things Snow Teaches about God” has a target audience of 8 years plus. And some of the exercises are pretty challenging. In fact, I had to peak at least once at the answer key. However, I think that younger audiences will also benefit from this precious book. Numerous lovely pictures fill the book.  And the author uses allegories to drive the point home. Note that the book is in black and white, which means opportunities to color, something that littles usually enjoy.

A variety of fun activities fills the book. For example, visual snowflake matching, hidden pictures, completing text messages on a phone, and bible journaling.

Lesson titles include, “Jesus Makes us White as Snow,” and “Snow Reminds Us that God made Us One of a Kind.”

And you can't beat the price of “God and Snow.” The print version is currently only $6.97 on Amazon, which in my opinion, is a steal.

Visit the author, Corine Hyman, at the site below:

www.booksbycorine.com

 

Are Easter and Passover Related? Click here to read more.

5 Reasons Why You Need Folate

5 Reasons Why You Need Folate

This is a quick summary of why you need folate, also known as vitamin B9, in your diet. Folate is important for healthy fetal development. It is important in preventing heart disorders, sperm abnormalities, and birth defects. Folate also helps build muscles, and is needed for red blood cell production. Below are 5 reasons why you need folate. (This post may contain affiliate links).


1. You Need Folate for Healthy Fetal Development

Folate is important for healthy blood in adults as well as unborn babies. Thus, folate sufficiency reduces the risk of folate-deficiency anemia. Macrocytic anemia is another name for this type of anemia. “Macro” means big, “cytic” refers to cells. Thus, “macrocytic” literally means large red blood cells.

2. Red Blood Cell Production and Prevention of Anemia.

Anytime anemia is present, it means there is not enough oxygen being transported through the blood. This results in fatigue for the already born person. Anemia causes mental retardation, learning disabilities, and increased risk of infection and growth retardation. Thus, folate insufficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects in the unborn child.

3. Folate Prevents Birth Defects

Studies show that sufficient folate intake during pregnancy reduces birth defects by 50%.

4. Prevents Heart Disorders

Homocysteine is an amino acid that, when it is too high, leads to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Sufficient folate in the diet reduces harmful homocysteine levels in the blood. Thus, folate reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing homocysteine levels in the blood.

Folate has also been shown to reduce the thickening of the arterial wall. This is another way that folate reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

5. Folate Fights against Chromosome Abnormalities

Folate fights against chromosome (think “genetic”) abnormalities in sperm. This means that it is possible to reduce the risk of birth defects even before conception by assuring you are eating enough folate-rich foods. This applies to men as well as women.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319193036.htm

Originally I only intended to write about 5 Reasons Why You Need Folate. However, I found another good reason. (And there are more, but this is just a quick summary).

6. Folate is important for Healthy Muscles

Muscles are made stronger and bigger with the help of folate, which is required for the conversion of arginine to nitric oxide (NO). So, if you or anyone you know, is trying to strengthen and grow your muscles, a folate-rich diet will help with this process.

Below is a delicious recipe that is rich in folate, vitamin B6, iron, vitamin a, vitamin c, and fiber.

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Lentil Tomato Spinach Stew
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Lentil Tomato Spinach Stew

Delicious, fragrant, healthy and inexpensive/frugal 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: beans, easy, frugal, healthy, high fiber, high protein, iron rich, vitamin a, vitamin c
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 185kcal
Author: Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Dried Lentils (1/2 package) Don't need to soak before cooking
  • 4.5 cups Water
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 cup Onions chopped
  • 1 14.5 ounce can Tomatoes (no salt)
  • 6 oz Spinach Fresh (can use frozen, thawed, 5 oz)
  • 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Oregano, dried
  • 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions

Combine all ingredients into Dutch Oven

    Bring to a Boil

      Reduce Heat and Simmer covered for 45 minutes.

        Serve with pita or sourdough bread and hummus

          Nutrition

          Serving: 1cup | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 452mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 17.3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3.2mg

           

           

           

           

           

           

          6 Reasons You Need Vitamin B6

          6 Reasons You Need Vitamin B6


          What exactly is vitamin B6 and why is it important? And if it is so important, how do I know which foods are high in B6? If you have asked or are asking any of these questions, you have come to the right place! Here are 6 reasons you need vitamin B6. (Post may contain affiliate links).

          Vitamin B6, also known as “pyridoxine,” is an essential nutrient. Pyridoxal phosphate is the name for the active form of vitamin B6.

          • Vitamin B6 acts as a “co-enzyme” in many reactions in the body.

          In case you don't know what an enzyme is, it is a chemical in the body that gets things done. For example, lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar in cow's milk. Other examples of enzymes are lipase, the enzyme that breaks down fat. (Lipids are the technical term for fats). And amylase, which is in your spit, breaks down starch. Most of the time, if the word ends with “ase,” and it's connected to the human body, it is an enzyme.

          So, vitamin B6 is essential for enzymes, such as lactase, lipase, and amylase, to work properly.

          • Vitamin B6 is also important in the synthesis of neurotransmitters (think transmission of nerves). Low amounts of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, are implicated in various mental health issues, including depression and ADHD.
          • B6 is necessary for hemoglobin synthesis. Hemoglobin is the molecule that carries oxygen through your blood. Low hemoglobin leads to anemia.

           So, iron is not the only nutrient that is important for healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is necessary as well.

          • Vitamin B6 is an important co-factor in the body's production of other important nutrients, such as the essential mineral selenium. A co-factor is a “helper” for proteins in the body, and is similar to a co-enzyme.
          • B6 is important for the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in turkey and other foods. Niacin is another important and essential B vitamin. (vitamin B3)
          • Vitamin B6 is important for glucose metabolism.
          • Gene expression requires sufficient vitamin B6 in order to work correctly. (Think sufficient B6, reduced mutations/problems in the gene).

          This is 6 reasons why vitamin B6 is important.

          Why is Vitamin B6 inadequacy so common today?

          Vitamin B6 is low in the American diet. This is because of low intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

          What Foods are High in Vitamin B6?

          Vitamin B6 is found in whole grain breads and cereals as well as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

          Specific examples of foods high in vitamin B6 include:

          Bananas, pistachios, chocolate, avocado, whole grain breads, whole grain pasta. (B6 is found in the highest amounts in the germ). Also, green leafy vegetables, milk, fortified cereals, red meat, eggs, and turmeric.

          Click here to receive a FREE table on foods high in vitamin B6 as well as a table of foods high in Folate.

          Read about other vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D.

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