Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. Matthew 18:23-35 tells us that if we do not forgive people, we get turned over to the torturers. If you have a problem in this area or have ever had one, I’m sure you bear witness with what I’m saying. It’s torture to have hateful thoughts toward another person rolling around inside your head.

Helping Yourself and Others

Who are you helping most when you forgive the person who hurt you? Actually, you’re helping yourself more than the other person. I always looked at forgiving people who hurt me as being really hard. I thought it seemed so unfair for them to receive forgiveness when I had gotten hurt. I got pain, and they got freedom without having to pay for the pain they caused. Now I realize that I’m helping myself when I choose to forgive.

I’m also helping the other person by releasing them so God can do what only He can do. If I’m in the way—trying to get revenge or take care of the situation myself instead of trusting and obeying God—He has no obligation to deal with that person. However, God will deal with those who hurt us if we’ll put them in His hands through forgiveness. The act of forgiving is our seed of obedience to His Word. Once we’ve sown our seed, He is faithful to bring a harvest of blessing to us one way or another.

Another way that forgiveness helps me is that it releases God to do His work in me. I’m happier and feel better physically when I’m not filled with the poison of unforgiveness. Serious diseases can develop as a result of the stress and pressure that bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness put on a person. Mark 11:22-26 clearly teaches us that unforgiveness hinders our faith from working. The Father can’t forgive our sins if we don’t forgive other people. We reap what we sow. Sow mercy, and you’ll reap mercy; sow judgment, and you’ll reap judgment. So do yourself a favor—and forgive.

There are still more benefits of forgiveness. Your fellowship with God flows freely when you’re willing to forgive, but it gets blocked by unforgiveness. Forgiveness also keeps Satan from getting an advantage over us (see 2 Corinthians 2:10,11). Ephesians 4:26,27 tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger or give the devil any such foothold or opportunity. Remember that the devil must have a foothold before he can get a stronghold. Do not help Satan torture you. Be quick to forgive.

I also think it’s hard to hate one person but love another. It’s hard to treat anybody right when our heart isn’t right. Even people you want to love may be suffering from your bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness.

How to Forgive

Would you like to become more successful at forgiving others? There are practical steps that must be taken. One time I asked the Lord why so many people want to forgive but aren’t successful doing it. And He said, “Because they aren’t obeying what I tell them to do in My Word.” As I searched the Word, I found the following instructions:

1. Decide – You will never forgive if you wait until you feel like it. Choose to obey God and steadfastly resist the devil in his attempts to poison you with bitter thoughts. Make a quality decision to forgive, and God will heal your wounded emotions in due time (see Matthew 6:12,14).

2. Depend – You cannot forgive without the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s too hard to do on your own. If you are truly willing, God will enable you, but you must humble yourself and cry out to Him for help. In John 20:22,23 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” His next instruction was about forgiving people. Ask God to breathe the Holy Spirit on you so you can forgive those who’ve hurt you.

3. Obey – The Word tells us several things we’re to do concerning forgiving our enemies:

a. Pray for your enemies and those who abuse and misuse you. Pray for their happiness and welfare (see Luke 6:27,28). As you pray, God can give them revelation that will bring them out of deception. They may not even be aware they hurt you, or maybe they’re aware but are so self-centered that they don’t care. Either way, they need revelation.

b. …Bless and do not curse them (Romans 12:14). In the Greek to bless means “to speak well of” and to curse means “to speak evil of.” You can’t walk in forgiveness and be a gossip. You must stop repeating the offense. You can’t get over it if you continue to talk about it. Proverbs 17:9 says that he who covers an offense seeks love.

Who Should Forgive?

Forgive the person who badly hurt you long ago and also the stranger who stepped on your toe in the grocery store. Take those two extremes and forgive them in addition to everyone in between. Forgive quickly. The quicker you do it, the easier it is. Forgive freely. Matthew 10:8 says, …Freely you have received, freely give (NKJV). Forgive means “to excuse a fault, absolve from payment, pardon, send away, cancel, and bestow favor unconditionally.”

When you forgive, you must cancel the debt. Do not spend your life paying and collecting debts. Hebrews 10:30 says that vengeance belongs to the Lord; He’ll repay and settle the cases of His people. Let God pay you for past injustices. Do not try to collect from the people who hurt you, because the people who hurt you can’t pay you.

Also, forgive yourself for past sins and hurts you have caused others. You can’t pay people back, so ask God to.

Forgive God if you are angry with Him because your life didn’t turn out the way you thought it should. God is always just. There may be things you don’t understand, but God loves you, and people make a serious mistake when they don’t receive help from the only One who can truly help them.

You may even need to forgive a situation or an object—the post office, bank, a certain store that may have cheated you, a car that always gave you trouble, etc. Get rid of all poison that comes from bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. And remember Proverbs 4:23: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance…for out of it flow the springs of life.

Unforgiveness is spiritual filthiness, so get washed in the water of God’s Word to forgive and stay clean.

A laptop computer, also called a laptop, is a mobile computer, which is small, lightweight and portable. Laptop computers normally run either on a single battery or from an AC/DC adapter or power supply unit. This adapter charges the battery even while providing power to a computer. Laptop computers and laptop printers are a modern technology that does not restrict you to one specific room or even area. Laptop computers are extremely popular due to their portability. They use less power and are quieter than desktop computers but are a little slower and more expensive.

There is a large range of accessories available on the market today for laptop computers that make working much more convenient and easier. These accessories range from laptop printers to mini zip drives to mini hubs to security locks. They sell most accessories separately from laptop computers and design them to add convenience and meet the user’s needs.

Laptop printers are important accessories to use with laptop computers. Gone are the days of having to return to your home or office to print documents that you need immediately. There are now laptop printers, or mobile printers, that provide people with the power to print their documents while traveling on the road. This is not only convenient but allows people to be far more productive by saving time. A wireless USB adapter is an uncomplicated plug-in component that turns your laptop computer into a wireless communication device. You can link laptop computers with laptop printers, mobile phones, handheld devices or any other devices using Bluetooth technology. This system has built-in security that lets you safely transfer information and makes using cables, to transfer data, unnecessary.

There are backpacks or carriers specially made that allow you to transport laptop computers or laptop printers safely and these are just great for business people that travel, students or anyone requiring a portable computer and printer. The backpack carrier has more storage room than a regular carrier. All carry-cases are water resistant, safe for carrying and come in a wide range of designs and colors. Extended-use batteries are another great accessory allowing people to use their laptop computers and laptop printers when there is no power supply handy. For eye-level ease of reading, portable desk stands let you tilt the computer, which lessens neck and back strain, so the user is not typing flat or looking down. They are lightweight, portable and easy to use.

Shopping online for laptop printers and laptop computers is a great way to compare products and prices from numerous retailers without having to leave your office or home. With most people living such busy lifestyles today, this is a great way to relax while shopping.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about laptop printers - and about printers in general - please visit his website: Printers for Novices

One of the most popular combinations in diet pills these days is green tea and Hoodia. Green tea is added to many Hoodia Gordonii pills, liquids and even patches to help speed up fat burning and weight loss.

What’s the big deal? Is green tea with Hoodia better than Hoodia alone? Is green tea and Hoodia a magical combination for weight loss? Here’s a brief review of the benefits of each to help you decide.

#1 Appetite Suppressing Hoodia

Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus of the “succulent” cactus family, which has grown for thousands of years in the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa. It’s been used for years by the San people of southern Africa as a natural appetite suppressant during their long hunting trips for generations.

When it’s potent appetite-suppressing effects become known several years back, Hoodia practically became the #1 natural diet aid overnight. It was shown in studies to help reduce calorie intake by approximately 1000 calories per day.

How does it work?

Normally when you eat, the glucose in your body rises and eventually signals to your brain (the hypothalamus) that you are full. Hoodia Gordonii mimics the effect that glucose has on your brain, telling the hypothalamus (which is responsible for hunger and fullness feelings) that you feel full. Consequently you have no desire to eat.

In fact, it is reported that Hoodia is actually 10,000 times stronger than glucose at signalling your hypothalamus to stop eating.

#2 Metabolism Boosting Green Tea

Sipping green tea can have several weight loss benefits. For one, it has been proven to boost your metabolism. A study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a metabolism ‘boost’).

The researchers also concluded that that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

Green tea also inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation. Experts tell us that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as a glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

Given the benefits of both Green Tea and Hoodia, it’s no surprise that manufacturers often add green tea to their Hoodia capsules. Green tea can help speed up the weight loss results you get when taking Hoodia.

It is important to note however that even though green tea can be a powerful boost to your weight loss plan, it does contain caffeine. So if you find that caffeine makes you jittery or gives you other problems, you should steer clear of any Hoodia product that contains green tea. You might be better off to stick with a product that contains Hoodia only (and there are lots of products that offer this.)

Bottom line? On their own, Hoodia and green tea are both great tools to help you lose weight. One helps you regulate your appetite, the other helps to boost your metabolism and aid in blood sugar regulation. Together, they can be a powerful fat-burning combination.

As with everything, make sure you consult your health care practitioner before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Vienna Miller is a contributing writer to Hoodia Diet Pill Reviews - offering an easy way to find the best Hoodia pills, patches, liquids and free sample offers.

For more Hoodia comparison charts, reviews and money-saving links, visit:
http://www.BestHoodiaReview.com

I find that New Year’s resolutions often have an oppressive tone. We “resolve” ourselves to stop habits that we deem as “bad” such as eating candy, watching TV, and smoking. We resolve ourselves to start new habits that we deem as “good” such as running every morning before work and eating more vegetables. Often we make promises to ourselves that we know we can’t keep. Then, when we don’t keep our resolutions, we feel like we have failed.

This year, I propose that you scratch your New Year’s resolutions. I’m not suggesting that you stop setting goals. I’m suggesting that take a new approach to improving the quality of your life. I believe this new approach will help you create an amazing life for yourself in 2006!

I want to empower you to dream big about what you want out of this year. Close your eyes and imagine yourself celebrating on New Year’s Eve 2006. What do you want your life to look like? Where do you want to be living? What job would you like to have? What kind of relationship would you like to be in? What do you want your physical health to be like?

It’s sometimes easy to forget that we have a lot of control over our lives. I want to invite you to take out a pen and a piece of paper (or just open a Word document) and write or type all of the things you want for your life over the next year. Your list can include goals you have, such as getting a new job, as well as things you’d like to do/experience over the next year. Maybe you’d like to learn to salsa dance or would like to join a book club. As you work on your list, think about the following areas of your life:

* Career

* Relationships

* Finances

* Spirituality

* Exercise

* Health

* Social Life

* Home Environment

* Education

By identifying goals for yourself and writing them down, you will become clearer on what you want to accomplish. If you are clear about your goals, you are much more likely to achieve them. Think about the goals you’ve written down and make sure they are all what YOU really want, and not what you THINK you should want. Be sure that your goals don’t push you too hard. Remember, this is about making your life AMAZING, not about driving you crazy! Ask yourself, how would it feel to achieve these goals? You may want to prioritize your list and pick the top 3 to focus on.

Once you have determined the goals you want to focus on over the next year, share these goals with three people in your life and ask them for support. Again, this will make you much more likely to accomplish your goals. I then suggest that you speak with your loved ones about how you’re going to make this happen. Break your goals into monthly mini-steps and schedule then on a calendar that you look at on a daily or weekly basis.

Amy Lippmann, H.H.C., AADP

Certified Holistic Health Counselor

Offering Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching

Amy supports busy women who want to be healthier, but are confused about all of the conflicting nutritional advice and don’t know where to start. Amy is currently offering complimentary nutrition and health consultations to see if she can help. Contact Amy today to schedule your consultation. Learn more about Amy, check out her free resources, and sign-up for her FREE e-newsletter at http://www.wellnesshealthcoaching.com

The Right Birth for You

Women today have more choices than ever about how their baby is going to enter the world: in their own home or at a hospital; aided by a midwife or obstetrician; with an epidural or drug free; with solely her medical staff or with her husband and a doula by her side. Many women opt for the popular choice (a gynecologist and an epidural), yet exploring all your childbirth options empowers you and gives you a shot at having the birth experience you desire. During pregnancy, you can educate yourself about all of your options and choose the method of childbirth that’s right for you.

Know Yourself

“What kind of birth do I want?” is a question that needs to be answered before you hire people to assist you with the birthing process. Unless you know your feelings and beliefs about childbirth, you will have a hard time knowing whom you want by your side.

Ask yourself:

Choosing the Right Doctor or Midwife

To find the doctor or midwife best for you:

1. Get referrals from friends and moms who have recently given birth.

2. Check to see who is on your insurance plan.

3. Narrow your list down to 2 or 3 choices.

4. Set up a consultation with each (both you and your partner should attend).

5. Create a list of questions to ask the doctor/midwife. Your questions should focus on whether the doctor fits your birthing philosophy.

For example: if you know you want to have ‘natural childbirth’ and the doctor you are interviewing believes that women should spend their labor on their back and use epidurals for pain management, you know that this doctor is wrong for you (but right for someone who knows that she wants an epidural).
Your questions may include:

After your interviews think about, and discuss with your partner, which doctor’s birth philosophy most matches your own. Most of all — trust your instinct: you will feel comfortable and at ease with the doctor or mid-wife who is best for you.

Some Tips from Moms Who’ve Been There:

* Hire a doula for your birth.

* Have your partner catch the baby.

* Take a childbirth class.

* Spend time during your pregnancy envisioning the birth that you desire.

* Be open and honest with your health care provider - share your concerns, anxiety and hopes.

* Discuss with your partner how you are feeling about your upcoming birth.

* Discuss with your partner what kind of support you need from him or her.

* Prepare yourself for childbirth by reading material on the subject.

Pregnancy

The journey through pregnancy is filled with choices: the steps you take to ensure that you have the birthing experience you desire is critical for your feelings of security, comfort and ease. But don’t forget, planning your perfect birth will not necessarily mean that you will have it: child birth is filled with surprises and your body and baby will have a major impact on the events of this special day.

But remember: Researching your options, communicating your desires, and taking actions to create your optimal outcome give you the best chance possible of having your ideal birth as your crowning moment.

Claudia Heilbrunn is a parenting expert and a Life Coach for first time moms. She offers insights, tips, strategies, and consistant support to new moms to increase their satisfaction, joy and wellbeing day to day. Claudia is the owner of Significant Self Coaching. Visit her website at http://www.significantself.com or contact Claudia at claudia@significantself.com or 212-222-4394

The Suffolk coast is the perfect destination for an early summer break. Everyone needs to get away for a holiday in the summer and the beautiful coastline, particularly around Aldeburgh is the right place for so many people with different interests.

The hectic lifestyles that many people lead provide too little time for enjoyment. So why not plan a summer break with your family and friends. The Suffolk coast has a plethora of things to do while on holiday such as walks along the beach, birdwatching, sailing, playing golf, shopping, eating fish and chips, cycling or simply exploring the beautiful unspoilt countryside. The world famous Aldeburgh Festival is held in June each year and features a highly eclectic programme of music and the arts, based at the stunning Snape Maltings, just three miles inland from the coast.

Choosing where to stay in this magical part of East Anglia is the most important step in planning a holiday on the Suffolk coast. The Brudenell hotel in Aldeburgh is literally yards from the sea. It is a haven of peace and relaxation, while being a pebbles throw from all the attractions of the coastline. The restaurant claims to be the nearest eatery to the sea in the Eastern Counties.

The White Lion is in the middle of Aldeburgh and is a focal point for the local community. From your hotel bedroom you can watch the fishermen bringing back their catch onto the shingle – one of the only places left where this traditional skill still happens.

For the golfing enthusiast, Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel is the ideal way to enjoy the wide open skies while playing around a beautiful, well-maintained links golf course.

When planning your next summer break think of the Suffolk coast where you can stay in comfort by the beach and enjoy the multitude of activities which make holidays so special and treasured.

Tim Sheldon is the author of this article. For more details visit at (http://www.aldeburgh-breaks.co.uk/)Aldeburgh Breaks

If you are pondering with the idea to start a home business the secret is to just get started and get into action with the determination to succeed and with the never quit attitude, no matter how long it takes to start making money or what challenges you meet along the way.

It is so important to make a commitment to yourself right at the beginning that you will never quit. This is because none of us are really aware of the challenges that we are going to face and without that strong commitment it is too easy to throw in the towel rather than dig deep within ourselves to find a way to work around the obstacles. If you do decide to quit you will be letting yourself down and that is not a pleasant feeling.

Just recently I met a lady who started her home business 9 months ago and her words to me were “I am finally on the map now but I regret not having started years ago when I first had the idea to start a home business. It has been a challenge, with its ups and downs but nothing can beat the feeling when you start making money at home.”

For most of us there is a huge learning curve when we start a home business and so it takes time to implement the techniques and actually build a business to the point that we start making money, and this is a critical period when we have to stand very firm on our commitment to never quit. If you are building an online home business then you need to understand that the internet marketing process takes time to learn, implement and take effect before you start making money.

Too often people quit at this stage after putting in hours of hard work and they were more than likely just at the point when their idea to start a home business blossomed into reality and they actually did start making money at home.

It is imperative that you set yourself goals so that you know what you want to achieve and within what time period. Firstly set some small easily attainable goals and then move onto long-terms goals. Goals not only help you stay committed but also keep you encouraged and are a great motivating factor in that they make you stretch further than you normally would to achieve personal success.

You need to constantly remind yourself of WHY you want to start making money at home, whether it be to supplement your income, save for a fabulous holiday, to buy a new car or whether you want to start a home business with the idea of quitting your full-time job.

Keep your goals visible at all times and use pictures as well. I have personally chosen the marquee option on my screensaver and have typed in the quote “Age Wrinkles the Skin, Quitting Wrinkles The Soul” which I see often and it certainly gets me through the tough challenges. I rotate the above with these other motivating quotes: “If it is to be, it is up to me;” “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” No doubt you have your favorite quotes.

Your goals should be enticing enough to keep you highly disciplined in working on your home business daily. Set aside specific times to devote to your home business and be strict about it, be sure you don`t get easily distracted and let the other members of your household know that you are serious about your home business and it is your ‘work time.’

Whether the challenges you meet along the way are large or small, by overcoming them with determination will not only see your home business grow but your own personal growth with be tremendous.

If you have a very strong reason to start making money at home you can put the wheels in motion by acting on your idea to start a home business.

Cynthia Minnaar is the owner and webmaster of http://www.cyns-home-biz.com, the site for online home business opportunities,

a great idea to start a home business, online business ideas, internet income training and ideas to make an online home business income. Start your own home business and start making money at home.

I vividly remember as a young kid, my mother would go into the fridge, pull out about 4 oranges, fresh squeeze them into a glass of juice and then add a heaping tablespoon of wheat germ to the mix. At first I just wanted to gag, but over time, I began to actually enjoy this concoction. And, my mother must have known what she was doing, because today she is over 80 and still going strong.

So just what are the benefits of wheat germ? Is there magic to this marvel of nature? Well, it kind of depends on who you ask. The doctors are all convinced that it’s more myth than substance and the nutritionists swear by it. The truth is probably somewhere in between, but certainly closer to reality than myth.

The one thing you have to be aware of is that not all wheat germ is the same. For example, wheat germ in its raw form will go bad within just a few days of being exposed to the air. So your best bet is to go with toasted wheat germ, which has a longer shelf life.

As to the benefits, wheat germ, in any form, is a great source of many vitamins, including vitamin E, most of the B vitamin group, folic acid, and a number of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc. This list is by no means all inclusive. The vitamin E in wheat germ is a powerful antioxidant that is important for fighting cancer and heart problems.

Probably one of the best things about wheat germ, especially as you get older and your digestive system starts to slow down, is that it is an excellent source of fiber. Eating wheat germ on a regular basis, as well as eating other fiber rich foods, is an excellent way to stay regular and avoid things like constipation, or worse, a blocked colon.

Women especially benefit from taking wheat germ as it helps alleviate premenstrual symptoms and also menopausal symptoms. The minerals in wheat germ are also excellent for promoting healthy skin, nails and hair. Women also benefit from having stronger bones and teeth. Also, studies show that eating wheat germ helps prevent certain types of birth defects.

And, if all that isn’t enough, a regular diet of wheat germ will also give you more strength and energy, keeps your cholesterol at normal levels and also helps prevent illness.

As I said, the camps are divided as to the benefits of wheat germ. But I keep looking at my 80 plus year old mother and can’t help thinking to myself that she must be doing something right.

To YOUR Health,

Steve Wagner

For natural treatments to a number of ailments, visit our website at http://www.natures-healing-remedies.com/ where you can get a free report on how the drug companies are killing us as well as get a 52 week series on a different ailment and treatment each week.

According to solbaram.org the human brain, “Slowly ascended from lower life forms to what we are today, by a process of natural selection from randomly occurring changes. Each change had to prove its worth by surviving the continual battle for existence, being against being, species against species and this process has gone on for many millions of years.” [1]

This site maintains that the brain as we currently observe it is, at it’s core, a reptile brain. This central brain is enveloped by mammalian brain matter and finally by the only thing that apparently separates us from other mammals, the neocortex. Solbaram.org indicates, “To a considerable extent it is our neocortex which enables us to behave like human beings.” [1]

If this is true then I should be grateful that my family lineage is filled with genetic bullies who fought to push lesser species down the proverbial food chain so I could live to ponder the origins of mankind.

Brain Anatomy

•Brainstem – Provides neurological functions for breathing, heart function, blood pressure and digestion

•Cerebellum – Is essential for coordination of movement

•Frontal Lobe – Allows reasoning, problem solving and higher forms of cognitive function

•Optical Lobe – Control visual input

•Parietal Lobe – Controls many of the human senses

•Temporal Lobe – Affects visual and verbal memory

Every part of our body is tied to the brain. Our brain provides commands and our bodies obey. The brain can provide the stimuli for maintaining alertness. The human brain also provides a unique separation from all other living creature. Humans can take in data, process it and make a decision about what we’ve heard, read or seen.

While most of the animal kingdom operates by instinct we can think rationally and respond in a humane way. Unlike the ‘species against species’ concept mentioned at the beginning of this article mankind has the ability to make determinations about a proper response and chose to respond in kindness when it would be much more instinctive to lash out in our ‘battle for existence’.

Did you know the human brain contains, “Over 100 billion cells, each with over 50,000 neuron connections to other brain cells”? [2]

Other Brain Facts

•When you were born, your brain weighed about 350-400g and you had almost all the brain cells you will ever have.

•The number of internal thought pathways that your brain is capable of producing is: one followed by 10.5 million kilometers of standard typewritten zero’s!

•Your brain is capable of having more ideas than the number of atoms in the known universe!

•Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons. Transmission can be as slow as 0.5 meters/sec or as fast as 120 meters/sec. Traveling at 120 meters/sec is the same as going 268 miles/hour. [3]

The human brain is the only brain that supplies it’s owner with the ability to reason. Doesn’t it seem logical that the human brain is for too complex to be the result of random chance and natural selection? Or is it more reasonable to believe we have a remnant of a reptilian brain lodged someone deep in our cerebral cortex?

The human brain is more complex than any computer mankind has ever developed.

Perhaps the brain looks designed because it was designed.

[1] http://www.solbaram.org/articles/humind.html

[2] The Brain, Our Universe Within, PBS Video

[3] http://www.thethinkingbusiness.co.uk/brainfacts.htm

Discover truth using simple everyday logic. Learn the truth about evolution and intelligent design. Articles, debate, and more. Obvious Truths: http://www.obvioustruths.com/

Spring is such a fantastic season. Not only do the flowers bloom and the grass turns bright green but the weather is simply gorgeous, not too hot and never too cold. This is when we all come out of our hibernation and start planning outdoor activities. This is the perfect excuse to get some friends together on a sunny afternoon and have a picnic.

Before you gather all your friends together, there are a few things we need to go over so you will be well prepared for this fun and joyous day. Here is a list to help you start planning the best spring picnic.

- Date: Obviously you are going to want to pick a day when all your guests can come and join in on the fun. Also make sure to check ahead on the weather forecast. I wouldn’t try and check too far in advance, the meteorologists can try to predict the weather, but there’s never a 100% guarantee. Just keep your eyes open for any changes.

- Time: You want to schedule the picnic around having enough daylight for food and activities. If you have it on a Saturday you can pick whatever time you want for the picnic to start. A lot of people don’t have to wake up early on Sunday for work so none of your guests will feel pressed for time. However, if you decide to have the picnic on Sunday I suggest thinking about having your guests meet you around 11ish, that way you will have the whole afternoon to eat and enjoy the activities outside.

- Location: Nothing beats a great picnic in a big fantastic park. Usually parks have a special shaded picnic area for the public. If you have a park in mind, go check it out before you start telling your friends to go there. Also try and find a park with a lot of grass area so once everyone is done eating you can play some fun outdoor activities. If there will be children coming along, having a big playground would be key.

- Invitations: A simple phone call would work for this type of party but if you decide to send out invitations check out some of these links below. Don’t go out and buy invitations when you can just spend a few minutes on the computer and pick out some free printable cards to send out.

American Greetings.com
BlueMountain.com
Evite
MyCardMaker.com
NetFunCards.com

- More than just the picnic basket

Though food is what’s important at a picnic, you can also plan on bringing games and planning activities as well to keep your guests happy and having fun on this gorgeous spring day. Here are a few items you should think about packing and bringing with you to the park:

Deck of cards and poker chips
Football
Whiffle ball and bat along with some plastic baseball plates
Frisbee
Bocce Ball Set

You should also have a list made ahead of time with what supplies you need so you forget anything. You don’t want to get to the picnic site and realize your forgot something. Here is a starter list for you:

Sun Screen
Garbage Bags
Plastic Utensils (bring extra) and paper or plastic plates
Paper Napkins
Paper Towels
Corkscrew (if drinking wine)
Bottle Opener (for the beer drinkers)
Insect Repellent
Hand Sanitizer
Cooler for beverages and food

Now for the important part, the food. Since most parks don’t supply you will a grill, assume you don’t have one for this day. And considering you will be having a pretty decent amount of people coming, you will want to be able to socialize rather than cook all day. The easiest thing you can do is buy an assortment of deli meats along with French bread rolls and lots of condiments. Not only is this easy to pack but gives you more time to prepare and make some of the side dishes.

SIDE DISHES

**Spinach Dip**
Ingredients

1 frozen pkg. chopped spinach
1 loaf sheepherder’s bread
1 C. sour cream
1 C. mayonnaise
1 envelope dry vegetable soup mix
3 green onions, chopped (optional)
1 small can water chestnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions

Put the frozen spinach in a colander and run water over it until it is thawed out (or put it in the refrigerator ahead of time to thaw it out). While you are doing this, cut the top of the bread off to make a bowl. Chop up the top of the bread and save it to use for the dip. Scoop out the bottom part of the bread to make a place for the dip. Wring out the spinach with your hands to get out all the water. Mix all the ingredients together (except the bread) and put in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Fill the bread bowl with the dip and serve with the bread, crackers or vegetables.

**Vegetable Dip**
Ingredients

1 C. Sour Cream
1 C. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
1 tsp. Seasoned Salt
1 tsp. Parsley Flakes
1 tsp. Dill Weed
1 tsp. Onion Flakes

Directions

Combine all ingredients. For Spinach Dip: add 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen spinach, defrosted, drained & squeezed out excess liquid with paper towels

LEAF SALADS

**Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Vinaigrette**
Ingredients

3 lg. ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 lb. mozzarella, sliced
1/2 C. olive oil
2 Tbs. wine vinegar
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh basil
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

In a large serving dish, alternate slices of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with oil, vinegar and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 6 people.

**Spring Salad**
Ingredients

For Salad:

3 C. washed baby spinach leaves
3 C. washed and torn salad greens
1 C. sliced strawberries
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
1/4 C. sliced almonds
1/4 C. sliced mushrooms
1/4 C. snow pea pods
1/4 C. mandarin orange slices.
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

For Dressing:

1/4 C. orange juice
2 Tbs. honey
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
Salt
Pepper
2 Tbs. olive oil

Directions

Toss together the spinach leaves, salad greens and other salad ingredients in a large bowl. For dressing, combine the orange juice, honey, mustard, poppy seeds and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl until well mixed. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly until the dressing is mixed. Toss the dressing with the salad or serve on the side.

Yield: 6 Servings

FRUIT DISHES

**Fresh Fruit Salad**
Ingredients

Favorite combos:
Strawberries, Oranges, Pineapple and Kiwis
Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries in the summer
Oranges, Pineapple, Kiwi, Mango, Papaya, and Star fruit are nicely tropical and good with exotic
food like Pacific Fusion or Indian cuisine.
Apples, Oranges, Grapes, and Bananas in the winter
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew Melon.

6 C. of mixed fresh fruit
1 C. of Simple Syrup (1 C. of sugar mixed with 1 C. of water, brought to a boil, and simmered for 5 minutes)
Seasonings for the Syrup (such as a few spoonfuls of Brandy or Liqueur, Lemon or Lime Peel and Juice, or Ginger Julienne)

Garnish:
A decoratively cut piece of fruit, candied fruit peel, candied ginger, mint leaves, etc.

Directions

Prepare the simple syrup. (We make it by the quart and store it in a jar in the refrigerator.) If you like, you can add seasoning to the syrup and let it soak up their flavorings for 60 minutes or more, before adding the syrup to the fruit. Strain the syrup before adding it to the fruit. Cut up the fruit in attractive pieces. Arrange the fruit in a large bowl (we like layers in a glass bowl, especially well). Pour over the syrup and chill.

POTATO SALADS

**French Potato Salad**
Ingredients

7 Potatoes, approx. 2 lbs
1 tsp. Tarragon, chopped
1/4 C. Onion, chopped
1/2 C. White wine, dry
2 Tbs. Shallots, chopped
1/2 C. Olive oil
1/2 tsp. Garlic, chopped
2 Tbs. Wine vinegar
1/4 C. Parsley, chopped
Pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tsp. Red hot pepper flakes

Directions

Rinse and drain the potatoes but do not peel them. Put them in a large saucepan. Add cold water to cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Cut the potatoes lengthwise in half. Cut each half into thin slices. Put the potatoes in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients, including pepper. Stir gently. Yield: 10 servings

**Red and White Potato Salad**
Ingredients

2 lb. small new red potatoes (about 12)
1/4 C. red wine vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill or 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed
freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1/2 C. olive oil
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 C. chopped parsley
1/4 C. mayonnaise
1/4 C. sour cream
1 C. sliced radishes
Hard-cooked egg slices, optional for garnish
Fresh dill sprigs for garnish

Directions

Place potatoes in a large pot, add salted water to cover, and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook until potatoes are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and slice while warm. Place potatoes in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix vinegar, mustard, salt, dill, pepper and garlic. Gradually whisk in oil until well combined. Pour oil mixture over warm potatoes, stirring gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Gently mix in onion and parsley. Blend mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth, and fold into salad. Cover and refrigerate from 1 to 3 hours. Just before serving, gently mix in radishes. Garnish with egg slices and dill sprigs, if using.

PASTA SALADS

**Pasta and Fresh Fruit**
Ingredients

1 1/2 C. uncooked spiral pasta (plain, not tri-colored)
1 8 oz. can pineapple chunks
1 8 oz. carton peach yogurt
2 Tbs. sour cream
1 1/2 C. cantaloupe, cubed
1 C. seedless grapes, halved
1 1/2 C. fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse in cold water and drain. Cool completely. Drain pineapple, reserving 2 Tbs. juice; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream and reserved pineapple juice until smooth; cover and refrigerate.

In a large bowl, combine pasta, pineapple, cantaloupe and grapes. Just before serving, stir in strawberries and pour yogurt mixture over top of salad.

Tip: To cut down on calories and fat, you can opt to use non-fat yogurt and sour cream. You can add your favorite fruits to this salad and make it even more colorful and tasty.

** Italian Pasta Salad**
Ingredients

16 oz. Rotini pasta
8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 C. Italian dressing
2 Tbs. dried basil
2 Tbs. dried oregano
1 C. sliced mushrooms
5 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 1/4 sliced ripe olives, drained
1 large cucumber, coarsely chopped

Directions

Cook and drain pasta, rinse with cold water. Mix tomato sauce, dressing, basil, and oregano. Add remaining ingredients and toss.

When it comes to beverages, what you need to decide first off is whether you are supplying all the beverages or if you are asking your guests to bring something.

Once this is decided, make sure there is enough pop (diet and regular), water, beer and wine to go around.

Most importantly, right before you get to the picnic site, go to a nearby gas station and stock up on plenty of ice to keep all your beverages and food (if needed to be refrigerated) cold.

** For many more great recipe ideas for side dishes please visit http://www.recipe4living.com.

© 2007 Ampere Media LLC, All Rights Reserved Recipe4Living.com features more than 11,000 user submitted recipes, ideas and recipes from Wolfgang Puck, reference guides, healthy living advice, tips for kids, and much more. All of the recipes mentioned in this article can be found at http://www.recipe4living.com