| Rev. Michael Nirva, Senior Pastor 1000 Seventh Avenue PO Box 680 Howard Lake, MN 55349 |
Phone: 320-543-2766 Dial-A-Devotion: 320-543-3535 E-mail: Copyright © 2012 |
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From Our Parish NurseChristmas greetings from the desk of your Parish Nurse!Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path. - Psalm 119:105 What a blessing to see the light that guides our path through the season of advent and into the nativity. Let us show others the light that shines forth making the Christmas season bright! Staying well in the cold weather and through the holidays is a goal that most of us have. Here are some tips to help with being and staying healthy. The vaccines that are available will certainly help your body defend against illnesses, but there are other measures that will boost your body’s immune system to fight off invading bacteria and viruses. Since there is not a tried and true method of warding off the common cold, we must turn to other methods, such as eating and exercising wisely, cutting stress and getting plenty of quality sleep. Washing hands well (at least 15 seconds with friction) is still the first line of defense against germs! Moderate exercise like brisk walking will strengthen your defenses by boosting the circulation of white blood cells around the body, therefore warding off viruses and bacteria. The fellowship hall of the school is still a wonderful walking option and can be utilized when the children are not using it. Walking or exercising at least 30 minutes 3-5 times a week will help keep your body in high defense mode. Besides, it will make you feel good too! Is your daily food intake what it should be? People whose diets are LOW in certain nutrients- especially vitamins A, C and D, the B vitamins (including folic acid), and the minerals iron, selenium, and zinc- tend to have fewer and less active types of white blood cells that DEFEND the body against invading microorganisms. Need help to identify what you are lacking? Dieticians and Nutritionists can assist and do not make one feel guilty. Reducing stress is a huge factor in staying well, especially when there is so much to do at this time of year. Those with higher stress levels tend to have more infections, develop more severe illnesses and take longer to recover. Taking care of yourself, understanding what stresses you, and then making a vow to lower the stress will help your body to raise its immunity and therefore you will stay healthy longer. Figure out what you will need to do to have the stress level lowered, do you need to ask for help with some of the tasks that need to be accomplished for the holidays? I’m quite certain there are people that can and are willing to help with the tasks; they only need to be asked. We don’t always need to do everything ourselves, just because we have always done it! Doesn’t this sound easy, it would be good if I could remember it myself, how about you? Here is a recipe for a zesty horseradish sauce that would be delicious on the leftover turkey from the holiday meal. It makes a turkey sandwich or any kind of burger come to life. Horseradish sauce
2 tablespoons of light mayonnaise or miracle whip We remember we are celebrating Jesus’ birthday because his coming into the world changes everything- including us! When we light the candles, this reminds us of “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” May you have a Blessed Christmas season!
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