Angela Breidenbach is a multi-award-winning inspirational speaker, popular conference presenter, and author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and the new Kindle release of Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guideposts, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, Montana. Angela Breidenbach on the web: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com, http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com, and http://TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week. 

Visit her Christian Speakers Service page for speaker bookings.

When did we become a people of piles of presents? We’re wide-eyed waiting for more. What if we weren’t? What if we didn’t want more and more and more? What if we stopped collecting trinkets and treasures and glitter and gold? What if we consider our treasure Jesus’ birth and allow our hearts to focus on the salvation a baby brought?

We rush to shop and battle with traffic to get to work, parties, concerts, and family. So often we hear the media whipping up the frenzy about getting more stuff, while our families ask to simplify.

Stop a moment. Think. What is it you really need to do, and what do you really want to do? Would you consider speeding up or adding more to your to-do list? Not me, either. Holiday simplicity and spending time with family and friends seems like a better idea in this bad economy.

This year our family will take the road of holiday simplicity. Less is more. The frenetic run from place to place leaves no time to open our hearts to receive the gift of Christ’s birth and to throw wide the doors of our homes to people we love.

Ask your family how they want to spend Christmas. Listen to one another. Everyone might be a bit surprised at the results.

Allow quiet into your holiday season, and plan for nights at home with popcorn and a fun movie or family game time.

Free yourself from the distracting frenetic fiasco the holidays have become. Disengage from the expectations of others for the sake of that’s how we’ve always done it.

Buy less and make more heartfelt gifts.

Consider studying those you’d buy gifts for and find one special thing for them rather than that plump pile.

Set a limit to the number of holiday events.

Say no to busy activities.

Yearn for the treasure of simplicity. Your actions will follow your heart as our theme verse points out.

Take time out and add prayers for peace. Add it to your daily calendar.

Use the calendar to plan events so that you’re not double/triple booked. Block out days off from the crazy holiday hustle.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Oh, way yummy, these pancakes are high protein, low fat, and even have your Omega 3s. They’re more nutritious for your Christmas morning breakfast and taste like a treat. Serves 4.

½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup white flour
¼ cup ground flax seed
1 Tbs. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 Tbs. sugar
¼ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 cup 1% buttermilk (more for thinner pancakes)
1 Tbs. canola oil
½ cup pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

Optional Pumpkin Spice version:

Add ¼ cup applesauce
½ tsp. cinnamon (or more to taste)
¼ tsp. nutmeg

Mix all ingredients, bake on griddle, and serve with maple syrup and fruit. These moist pancakes don’t really need much syrup, so use less to avoid the extra calories.

Tips: Add elegant toppings for a festive presentation: chopped candied pecans, almonds, and walnuts.

High nutrition addition: We like to peel, cut, and boil our own pumpkin, then store it in the fridge or freezer for an easy add-on to many recipes like cakes, pancakes, breads, soups.

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