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I?ve been a nature girl for as long as I can remember. Some of my fondest childhood memories were riding the range with my grandfather. He was one of my greatest childhood mentors ? always teaching me, and telling me stories of faith and courage. We often rode side by side during round-up, but then there were the times that I rode without grandpa, all by myself. For hours, the only sound I would hear was the clip-clop of my horse?s feet and the bellowing of the cattle. I loved that time of solitude! Even at a that young age, it forced me to look within and ponder the beauty of nature and what it had to offer.

Now, I continue to love the feel of a brisk morning walk or bike ride. I also love working out in my garden ? really getting my hands in the soil. I delight in hiking in the desert and in the mountains, identifying the plants, and enjoying the fresh air and surroundings of nature. I find that when I start to get overwhelmed with all the projects of the day, I realize that I have been missing out on my connection with nature. I find that getting out of the house, away from all the pressures of the day, and walk, ride, run, etc. I soon feel emotionally and physically energized and can refocus.

I have often pondered the words of a friend years ago. She said, ?If I had a choice between a large home with a small yard, or a small home on a large piece of property, I would always pick the small home and the large property. The bigger the home, we tend to focus more on worldly things. The bigger the property, we tend to focus more on nature.? I find that to be very true, and even though we may not have that big a property, we can find it all around us to enjoy and feel that connection with nature which is vital in creating good balance in our lives.

Take a moment and think about nature and its importance in your life and family, then ask yourself these questions and really ponder them:

• How important are God?s creations to me?
• Do I value God?s creations of foods over man?s recreations? What is the biggest difference?
• How often do I take time to notice the flowers, trees, plants, the cloud formations, sunsets, my wonderful body, the gift of life itself and all my blessings?
• Do I take time for my physical and emotional self, through daily walks, bike rides, an occasionally hike, etc? Do I feel reenergized when I do?

Take another few moments to set one or two goals to really connect with nature and to feel the energy that nature gives YOU! Find the time for solitude and meditation in this connection.

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday! May you recognize and enjoy all that comes from Christ and the importance of His life here on earth.

With Best Holiday Wishes,

Erleen Tilton

Let?s take raw almonds and size them up to a counterpart nibbler such as potato chips. The raw almonds work with the body providing nutrition, enzymes, protein, and the good fats that we need ? no need to count the calories, unless you eat handful after handful. The potato chips work against the body, only providing unhealthy fats, salt, and basically no nutrients.

Now let?s take this one more step. The comparison of raw almonds to potato chips is not much different than a comparison of raw almonds to roasted, salted almonds. Why? Because in the roasting process of the almonds, more unhealthy fats plus salt are added, the enzymes are lost, the nutrients diminished and the whole structure is changed in the heat process. Focus on the nutrients ? give your body what it really needs!

Erleen loves teaching people down-to-earth principles of nutrition as she sees the positive changes in others lives as they live the principles of good health and eating. She has a passion for wholesome foods and their life giving qualities. Her many personal experiences and years of study and research qualify her as an expert in health education, speaking, and consulting. Contact her now for your next conference, for health consultations, or for an upcoming event!