Pray It Off April 1, 2010 Meeting

AGENDA Pray it Off April 1, 2010
Total Lbs Off 1st Session-644 2nd Session-571 Combined-1215
3rd Session-235 Combined-1450 4th Session -261 4th Session Combined 1711 5th Session- -246 TOTAL 1957
1. Packets
Log Sheet/Matthew 26
Matthew 25
The Last Supper
The Meaning of Easter
Sugar Cravings Heighten at Easter
Easter Weight Loss Tips
Easter Weight Gain Solutions
5 Tips for People Who Don’t Want to Exercise
Why You Don’t Exercise Maybe You’re Not Just Lazy
Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
Lyrics: Crucified With Christ by Phillips, Craig and Dean
PIO Group Prayer Time
2. Opening Prayer
3. Awards:
4. Review Bible Verse
5. Review Packet Materials
6. Listen to: Crucified With Christ
7. St. Pio Intercession
8. PIO Group Prayer Time
9. Dismissal 7:00

Matthew Chapter 25 (Can be found at)
http://www.catholicbiblestudyonline.com

The Last Supper - The Eucharist
The Continuation Of The Last Supper With Jesus
http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/thelastsupper.html

The Catholic Church traces the origins of the Eucharist to the very actions and words of Jesus Christ Himself as recorded in the three synoptic Gospels, the gospel of Saint John and as described by Saint Paul in the New Testament. The use of bread and wine as an offering begins under the Old Covenant as described in the Book of Genesis:

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High." (Genesis 14:18)

As they began their exodus from Egypt, the Jews ate unleavened bread (Exodus 12:15), made necessary because of their haste to flee, and they continue to this day to honor this occasion with unleavened bread when they celebrate Passover. The last "cup of blessing" at the end of the Passover meal was a cup of wine used to celebrate the fact that God had blessed His chosen people and would bless them again someday in Jerusalem. They ate manna - bread sent from Heaven - as they wandered the desert in search of the Promised Land, finally settling there as God had promised them. After they lost their land because of their continued failure to keep the Commandments of God, they were sent prophets who predicted that a Messiah would be sent by God who would bring them back to their original place of honor before God. He arrived about 2,000 years ago.

Jesus' life began in Beth-Lechem...the House of Bread (Matthew 2:1). His first public miracle was at a wedding party in Cana (John 2:2-5), where He turned water into wine in response to a request by His mother. With the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves (Matthew 14:14-20), as Jesus blessed the loaves of bread and distributed them, He prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread that was to be His Eucharist. After teaching and healing the sick and working other wonders in the hills of the Galilee, Jesus had developed a wide following with many disciples. It was at the synagogue of Capernaum, at the time of the feast of Passover, that Jesus began to unfold the nature of His Eucharist to those who were following Him:

"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal." John 6:27

When His followers asked about the nature of this eternal food, Jesus replied: "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35

When they heard this remark, some of His followers began to murmur among themselves since they knew He was just a carpenter, the son of Joseph. How could this man be the bread of life? Yet Jesus persisted as He explained Himself to them:

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." John 6:51

This comment brought outright consternation to a number of those who had followed Him. He was actually telling them that they had to eat His flesh, an unthinkable act. If His words were confusing or misleading them in any way, then He would have corrected their misunderstanding...but He didn't. Instead, He emphasized yet again His meaning when He said:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." John 6:53-56

Many of those who heard Jesus say this couldn't accept it despite the fact that He explained and further clarified His statements three times in attempting to address their lack of understanding and their unwillingness to accept His words. He tried again a fourth time to help them comprehend what He was saying:

"It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63

After saying this, many of those who had been following Him chose to stay away. He tried four times to teach them and in the end only a few accepted His teachings. Why didn't they comprehend Jesus, as many still don't comprehend Him after 2,000 years? Probably because they didn't understand that Jesus was the completion of the Passover begun in Egypt over a thousand years earlier. He was the New Covenant, the Promised One - the Messiah - but He didn't fit into the contemporary concept of what the Messiah should be. Passover was commemorated by a meal - a sharing of unleavened bread, lamb and wine - and Jesus had come to give them Himself as the ultimate Bread and Lamb, a meal to be consumed by all who wished to escape from the angel of Death.

During the ritual of the Passover meal, there were four different cups of blessing consumed along with unleavened bread and lamb. The lamb was chosen after it was slain without breaking any of its bones and then cooked and eaten to renew the bond of communion between God and His chosen people. The blood of this lamb, spread across the lintel of each household, was placed there as a sign to the angel of Death to pass over the house so marked and protect each of the first-born who were members of the household. Jesus came to complete the Passover so that all could pass over from death into eternal life. And just as the Jews at the time of Moses had to eat the unleavened bread and the sacrificial lamb to renew their communion with God, so all were being asked to eat the body and drink the blood of God's new lamb (Jesus) to renew their communion with Him and be marked with the sign of eternal life.

Jesus instituted His Eucharist at the Passover meal that was to mark His passing through death into Resurrection and everlasting life. It was in these words that Jesus inaugurated His Eucharist:

"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28

IT IS NOT WINE - IT IS HIS BLOOD
IT IS NOT BREAD - IT IS HIS BODY

Clearly Jesus said that He was giving His followers His body and blood. It wasn't meant as a symbol as many of His followers at Capernaum would have liked to believe - it was totally Him. But did His disciples really believe that it was Jesus' body and blood? Saint Paul clearly states the beliefs of Jesus' first disciples:

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Saint Paul was not the only early follower of Jesus who wrote of this belief and practice. Dozens wrote about it in the first few hundred years of the Church's existence. This belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist continues to this day in Catholic worship and mainstream theology. Catholic understanding of Jesus' presence in the Eucharist is different than most other Christian denominations which tend to see the Eucharistic meal as a symbolic remembrance rather than a real and substantial transformation.

I could attempt to explain The Eucharist with cute analogies, but the only way I can explain it is that this is the way Jesus established it, intended it, and gave it to us a gift. At some point you have to stop trying to explain God within the confines of the human mind. Don't you realize that it will drive you crazy trying to figure all of this out? If you require physical evidence or an explanation that would hold up in court, then you cannot say you have faith.

In the Eucharist that Jesus gave us we have a more profound change that takes place. The bread and wine is REALLY changed into Jesus' body and blood. Can we ordinarily tell this with our senses? No. We need something that extends beyond our senses to determine the actual state that exists. That extender of our senses is Faith, a faith and trust in Jesus that believes that if He says it, then even ordinary bread and wine can be changed into His body and blood...and by His words recorded in the Gospels, He clearly says it four different times.

Another misconception is that Catholics repeat the sacrifice of the crucifixion of Jesus by repeating the last supper using his flesh and blood. Jesus was crucified once. The event cannot be repeated. To truly understand it, one must understand that we are participating in a continuation of the Last Supper, not a different event.

We believe that Christ is there with us, we are around his table, and he offers us his flesh and blood.

The Meaning of Easter by Fr. Sean Lotz
http://www.celtic-catholic-church.org/oak_tree/meaning_of_easter.html

Before we ask, "What is the meaning of Easter?" we must ask, "What is the meaning of Jesus?" Much has been written about Jesus, and many ways of understanding his mission have been proposed. Some people have suggested that he functioned as a sort of scapegoat or whipping boy; that is, he lived and died in order to give God the Father someone to punish in place of us. This idea does not work very well, though, since it says things about God better left unsaid because they just are not true. It makes God out to be some sort of vengeful monster.
Some people have suggested that Jesus' main mission was to teach and serve as an example. He certainly did this admirably well, but if we leave it at this level, he death becomes perhaps pointless, and his resurrection rather odd. After all, most great teachers do not rise from the dead!
Jesus' real purpose was to do what only he could do. Only he was fully God and fully human. (Hard to believe, perhaps, but that is precisely what we Christians believe him to be.) Only he united God nature and human nature fully in his own person. He came to join us back to God. He did this partly by teaching us wisdom and giving us an example of how to live. But mainly he did it by having a foot on each side of the chasm, so to speak. By being firmly rooted in both the human and the divine, he bridges the gap. If he were only God playing "dress up" he would be worthless to us -- we could not identify with him and he could not understand us from the inside out. If he were only a very good human teacher, he still would be of little use. After all, we have many other good human teachers who teach us all the right lessons.
So what about Easter? Well, it is the living proof that this God-Human combination works. It shows us beyond any doubt that Jesus' sacrifice, his journey into the deepest and darkest depths of the human experience, actually did some good. He truly became one of us by dying like all of us. That might have been enough; the God-Human did a grand gesture and did not wimp out at the hard part. But then -- Resurrection! Proof that it had some eternal meaning.
The glorious event of Easter means that there is hope. Death is not the final word. Life is part of the great cosmic plan, and death is not.
Jesus died. God himself had the most profoundly human experience of all: despair, death, separation from God (yes, that is what it means). In other words, hell. God went to hell. Being only God, he could not do that. But as the God-Human, Jesus, he could and he did. But he did not stay there. He rose. When Jesus left hell behind, he took with him our human nature. He gave our humanity a precedent for leaving hell. He trod a path for us to walk with him. And it didn't even stop there. He not only rose and returned to earth, he also ascended, went to heaven.
Do you get it? God "went up with a shout" from hell to heaven. And he took our human-ness with him. And where he goes, we can go. The journey from hopelessness and death to joy and life is now possible!
That is what Easter means. This is Good News!

Sugar Cravings Heighten at Easter
(http://www.1888pressrelease.com/sugar-cravings-heighten-at-easter-weight-loss-expert-offers-pr-110818.html)

Is there a particular time of year when people simply give up and give in to their obsessive sugar cravings? Some might argue yes. And that time is now. "The Easter sweets season is certainly in the running for being a popular excuse time to allow your natural food cravings to take over your life", says Maryon Stewart, founder of the Natural Health Advisory Service, an advisory clinic created to help people deal with health, nutrition and aging issues naturally.

Cadbury's Creme Eggs Break Records Year after Year. One of the most popular food cravings is chocolate. In the UK alone, one year's output of Cadbury's Creme Eggs weighs more than 1,500 African elephants. In the Middle East, people eat so much chocolate that if you laid out a year's worth of KIT KAT’s, it would stretch from Dubai to Beirut, and back.

These findings bring attention to the dilemma faced by many weight-conscious people, especially around the traditional Easter chocolate feeding frenzy. With such an alarming number of people snacking on chocolate and candy instead of proper meals, it's no wonder most people find it impossible to shed their excess pounds.

If you took the advice of the advertising slogan "A Mars a Day Helps You Work Rest And Play", which was launched in 1959, you would have eaten nearly six tons of Mars bars by now. That's like eating the equivalent of one bull elephant.

It is time to time to book yourself into rehab for your obsession?
Craving food, particularly chocolate, is a chronic compulsion, affecting a staggering 75 percent of women to some degree; with almost two thirds admitting that chocolate is a problem according to a Natural Health Advisory Service survey.

"Females aren't alone in their obsessive love affair," says Stewart. "Research shows that men crave chocolate just as much. The difference? Women seem embarrassed about their consumption and will hide the wrappers in an attempt to keep the habit a secret. Men, on the other hand, tend to talk openly about how much chocolate they've wolfed down."

It’s when these cravings get the better of us that we begin to pile on the pounds. The very sight of the excess flab is so depressing that it often sends us scurrying off for another chocolate fix as a comfort.

While the craving syndrome is often overlooked and not well understood, it's far more common than most will admit. "In our years of research conducted at Natural Health Advisory Service, we regularly encounter individuals who are self-confessed chocoholics." say Stewart. "In fact, some admit to stealing their children’s Easter eggs. Others will strip the Christmas tree of chocolate ornaments late on Christmas Eve when nobody is looking."

And the reason is not simply a lack of willpower. Certain cravings have a deeper control over us, often as a result of specific nutritional deficiencies.

A food craving can be as powerful as an addiction to alcohol, drugs or smoking. And just as difficult to break the habit. In trying to overcome a particular food addiction, you can suffer withdrawal pangs that affect all aspects of your life.
If you think you may be hooked, take the online survey at www.helpmeloseweightforgood.com

Easter Weight Loss Tips
Easter Weight Loss & the Easter Bunny. Are They Both a Myth?
By Tracie Johanson http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2010512/easter_weight_loss_tips.html

Millions of Americans are well into their annual spring diet program, trying to lose weight fast before summer arrives. Unfortunately, Easter can derail our weight loss efforts faster than Peter Cottontail hops down his bunny trail. With mountains of candy eggs and legions of chocolate bunnies, Easter packs enough fat and calories to obliterate even the best weight loss program. Attempting to stick with a healthy diet through Easter may leave the dieter wondering if Easter weight loss is a bigger myth than the Easter bunny.

"Easter is third in candy consumption in the United States with 940 million dollars spent on it in 1998. That's a lot of chocolate bunnies" (Source: about.com). "In 2000, Americans bought $1.9 billion of Easter candy and consumed 7.1 billion pounds to edge ahead of Christmas sales that year" (Source: Topeka Capital Journal, April, 2004).

So what's a weight watcher to do, short of filling the Easter eggs with diet pills and weight loss products? By following a few simple guidelines, it is possible to maintain a diet plan through Easter and perhaps even achieve some healthy weight loss.

All Easter Candy Is Not Created Equal:
First and foremost, it's important to be aware that all Easter candy is not created equal. While no Easter candy could properly be called a diet product, it is true that some varieties are less fattening than others. On the healthier side of the scale are marshmallow eggs and jellybeans. Palmer Marshmallow Eggs, for example, in a 47 gram serving, boast just 130 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, and 38 grams carbohydrate (13% Daily Value).

Another Easter candy option that may fit into a weight loss plan is Brach's Classic Jelly Bird Eggs. The recommended serving of 14 pieces (41 grams) has just 150 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat and 37 grams carbohydrate (12% Daily Value). Marshmallow Peeps, one of the most popular choices in the country, are another low fat option. A 5 peeps (42 gram) serving boasts just 160 calories, 0 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat and 40 grams carbohydrate (13% Daily Value).
Although Easter candy will never be featured as the next big weight loss pill, it is true that some confections are healthier than others. Choose wisely.
Chocolate Is Not A Diet Food:
In spite of the fact that jellybeans will never have a permanent place in a diet and nutrition program, at least they're healthier than chocolate. Far from being a diet food, chocolate packs in the calories because it's so high in fat.
For someone seeking fat loss this Easter season, perhaps the worst thing to find in their basket would be the Palmer Whacky Rabbit Chocolate Bunny (2.5 oz.). The recommended serving size is 1 package (71 grams), which will cost an astounding 360 calories, 20 grams fat (31% Daily Value), 12 grams saturated fat (60% Daily Value) and 46 grams carbohydrate (15% Daily Value).

Other chocolate Easter products likely to annihilate a weight loss diet include Hershey's Candy Coated Eggs with 210 calories per 9 piece (41 gram) serving, Nestle Butterfinger Nest Eggs with 210 calories per 5 piece (43 gram) serving, and Russell Stover Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny (7 oz.) with 220 calories per 1/5 piece (40 gram) serving.

To maintain some weight control this Easter, cut back on the solid chocolate goodies and opt instead for lower-calorie alternatives like the Cadbury Crème Egg. With a serving size of 1 egg (39 grams), this Easter favorite contains 170 calories, 6 grams fat (9% Daily Value), 3.5 grams saturated fat (18% Daily Value) and 28 grams carbohydrate (9% Daily Value).

Other options may include Snickers Minis, with 170 calories per 4 piece (36 gram) serving, or Nestle Crunch Nest Eggs, with 180 calories per 5 piece (37 gram) serving.

Hide The Easter Basket (Again!)
"Peter Cottontail should be hopping down the Bunny Trail any time now. But you might be surprised at what he'll be bringing this year. While there's still sure to be plenty of colored, hard-boiled eggs on Sunday, candy makers say he also will be toting 90 million chocolate bunnies, 600 million marshmallow chicks and bunnies and 16 billion jellybeans. That's hefty load for such a little animal, huh?" (Source: Topeka Capital Journal, April, 2004).

There's no doubt that the sheer volume of Easter candy available is enough to hamper even the best weight loss program. An Easter weight loss tip to deal with this issue is to eat just a little bit every day. Spreading the candy feast out over several weeks will not only minimize weight gain, but it will also prevent additional candy purchases well into summer. So after all the eggs and treats have been found this year, go ahead and hide them again in a kitchen cupboard. Out of sight is out of mind, and hiding that Easter basket (again) may be the weight loss strategy that makes the difference this year.

Join In The Hunt!
While most people acknowledge that they should exercise to lose weight, most lack the motivation to engage in weight loss exercise on a regular basis. The solution this Easter is to join in the Easter egg hunt with the kids. A 170 pound woman will burn approximately 116 calories in 30 minutes of hiding Easter eggs, and another 154 calories in just 30 minutes of egg-hunting (source: caloriesperhour.com). Get out there and have some fun!
Easter may not be the best time to pursue fast weight loss, but it is certainly possible to enjoy the holiday without raising your body fat percentage to new highs. By following the weight management techniques outlined above, you'll be able to greet the Easter bunny with a smile this year.

Easter Weight Gain Solutions
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/dietandfitness/nutrition

Don't let a few eggs derail your healthy eating. Learn how to set chocolate limits without turning into the Easter party pooper
Easter means one thing to food lovers everywhere: chocolate. Milk, white, dark or flavored; whatever your preference, there's an egg out there to tempt you, but what if your self-control runs a mile when faced with chocolate? Wish you could just have a nibble, but don't know when to stop? It's time to take back control.
The human dustbin
The human bin can't say no. Whether it's saying yes to another hot cross bun to please a favorite aunt or finishing off that chocolate egg because it's not worth wrapping it back up, whatever the scenario, when you overeat you are using your body as a rubbish bag.
Have one slice of cake, have a few mini chocolate eggs and enjoy a glass of champagne, but just because you've allowed yourself a few small treats, don't let it slide into complete gluttony. Have some self-respect, listen to your body and learn when enough is enough. Don't let the chocolate monster in you run wild.
Don't go hungry
If you know temptation is waiting to strike, be prepared. Hunger is stronger than willpower so don't test it. Make sure you eat a proper meal before indulging in something sweet. Most foods have a place in our diet, it's just getting the balance right and don't even think about avoiding one particular food, it will just make you crave it all the more.
Balance sugar cravings by eating plenty of slow-release wholegrain foods like oats and brown rice and stock up on vegetables to balance mineral and vitamin levels. If you over-indulge because you are genuinely hungry, you may not be eating enough protein. Scientists have discovered that protein is the most satisfying nutrient because it triggers the 'I'm full' feeling. They are not sure why, but suggest it could be to do with the digestion of protein taking longer than for carbohydrates or fat.

Adaptation
If you know staying with relatives will disrupt your exercise routine, consider changing how and when you exercise. If the roads are too busy to run round at your Mom’s house, take an exercise DVD with you and workout indoors; if you usually exercise in the evening, but you know your cousin will want you to help cook supper, move your workout to the morning.
Suffering nightmares at the thought of how much butter your Mother puts in her cake? Offer to bake it this year and adapt the recipe to make it lower-fat. Worried you won't be able to resist the sugar rush from milk chocolate and will gobble the whole lot? Get your order in early and ask for a dark chocolate egg. It's all about being flexible and planning ahead.
Shift the focus
If you and the family usually sit around snacking in front of the TV you're wasting the Easter holidays. The weather should be improving so organize a day trip.
The aftermath
The Easter holidays are over; you can now put your food crimes behind you and get back to work.

5 Tips for People Who Don't Want to Exercise
By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Guide

I know the feeling. Your dogs are barking after a long day at work and all you want to do is plop down on the sofa and tune in to your favorite TV show. Then comes that pesky little voice in your head reminding you that you were supposed to work out today ... what a dilemma! Maybe these tips will give you a boost that will turn your quality couch time into time well spent!
1. Go for the Afterglow
Not in the mood? Always keep in mind how great you’ll feel after working out. If you’re feeling down or sluggish, don’t convince yourself that exercising will sap your energy. It will do just the opposite. You’ll actually feel more energized following a workout, even if you're feeling tired beforehand. Plus, exercising is a great way to chase away the blues, even if it’s just a simple walk.
2. Presumed Guilty
Think of the guilt trip you’ll save yourself by exercising if you go ahead and do it. That way, when you see your neighbors hoofing it down the road when you’ve decided to forgo your walk in favor of staying transfixed to American Idol, you won’t feel bad and beat yourself up about it. (Unless you consider kicking yourself an aerobic workout!)
3. Dress the Part
Instead of changing into a tee shirt and jeans when you get home from work, go ahead and put on your exercise clothes. Now, whenever you get the chance to work in your aerobics video you’ll be ready to rock. And you’ll be less likely to skip your workout if you’re already decked out for it.
4. Get a Java Jolt
So, it’s time to head down to the Y and you’re thinking of giving class a miss because you’re tuckered out from the 9 to 5 grind. Head to the nearest vending machine or coffee shop and help yourself to a coffee or diet soda. It’s just fine to consume caffeine a few minutes before a workout; it will give your nervous system a boost. Bonus: Caffeine may actually speed up your metabolism for a time!
5. Be a 10-Minute Man
I hear you: You really don’t feel like stepping on that treadmill (or is it dread-mill?) today. Well, do yourself a favor and resolve to walk just 10 minutes. I can almost guarantee you that once those 10 little minutes are up and your juices have gotten flowing, you’ll feel so much better that you’ll stay the duration of your workout. This tip has never failed me!


Why You Don't Exercise Maybe You're Not Just Lazy
By Paige Waehner, About.com Guide

Are you overweight? Guilty of starting and quitting more diet plans and exercise programs than you want to remember? If so, you may be wondering what's wrong with you...are you lazy? There are plenty of lazy people in this world, but most of us don't fall into that category. Here's why you don't exercise.
The Little Devil - I'm not clinically insane (hopefully) but I do have voices in my head. These voices belong to everyone from my parents to that guy on TV who's always telling me that I can lose weight in just minutes a day. My most prominent voice is The Little Devil. If you've ever had an argument with yourself like this, you may have a Little Devil too:

You: Time to workout!
Little Devil: Uh, I don't really feel like it. I'm tired.
You: Come on...we already missed our workout yesterday.
LD: Two days? Big deal!
You: But every time we skip a workout, it gets easier not to exercise.
LD: I'm tired. The last thing I want to do is some boring, sweaty workout.
You: Tired from what? Sitting in front of a computer all day?
LD: Hey, our favorite show is on...don't you want to watch it?
You: Well...I guess we COULD watch TV and then workout...
LD: That's what I'm talking about!
Next thing you know, you're propped on the couch with a cramp in your hand from channel surfing. How did that happen?

Getting Rid of the Little Devil - Stop the argument. For every excuse the little devil devises, reply, "I'm working out anyway." Better yet, just say, "I'm not listening! La la la la!" Remind yourself of the facts. You're not physically tired (unless you have a physical job), you're mentally tired. The best cure for that is physical activity Be prepared. Having your workout gear handy and your exercise time scheduled can be a big help in dealing with The Little Devil.
Never go home. Going home before your workout will almost always lead to skipping exercise.
Now, you've dealt with the voices in your head. Time to figure out how to be enthusiastic about exercise (really, it's possible).

Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
http://www.helpmeloseweightforgood.com/recipeoftheweek.php

INGREDIENTS:
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon dried whole oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dried whole basil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon beef-flavoured bouillon granules
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 (16 ounce) cans no-salt-added whole tomatoes, undrained
• 1 quart water
• 2 ounces spaghetti, uncooked (any pasta cut is fine)
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine ground beef, egg, garlic, oregano, basil and garlic powder in a medium bowl; stir well
2. Shape into meatballs, using 1 tablespoon mixture for each meatball
3. Arrange meatballs on rack of broiler pan coated with cooking spray
4. Broil 6 inches from heat, 5 minutes; turn meatballs and broil an additional 5 minutes or until browned
5. Drain well on paper towels
6. Place meatballs in a large Dutch oven
7. Add bouillon granules, onion, tomato sauce, tomatoes and water
8. Bring to a boil.
9. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes
10. Add pasta. Bring to a boil.
11. Uncover, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes
12. Stir in mushrooms and simmer an additional 5 minutes
13. Ladle into serving bowls
14. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cheese over each serving
YIELD: 10 cups (135 calories per 1 cup serving) NUTRITION ESTIMATE: Protein 10.0, Fat 5.6, Carbohydrate 11.9, Cholesterol 50, Iron 1.6, Sodium 300, Calcium 68

Crucified With Christ by Phillips, Craig and Dean

When I look back at what I thought was living
I'm amazed at the price I choose to pay
And to think I ignored what really mattered
Cause I thought the sacrifice would be too great
When I finally reached the point of giving in
I found the cross was calling even then
And even though it took dying to survive
I've never felt so much alive.

CHORUS: For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live
Not I but Christ that lives within me
His Cross will never ask for more than I can give
For its not my strength but His
There's no greater sacrifice
For I am crucified with Christ and yet I live

As I hear the Savior call for daily dying
I will bow beneath the weight of Calvary
Let my hands surrender to His piercing purpose
That holds me to the cross but sets me free
I will glory in the power of the cross
The things I thought were gain I count as loss
And with His suffering I identify
And by His resurrection power I am alive

CHORUS
And I will offer all I have
So that His cross is not in vain
For I found to live is Christ
And to die is truly Gain
CHORUS(CHORUS)

PIO GROUP PRAYER TIME
April 1, 2010

• .Any thoughts on meaning of The Last Supper?
• Any thoughts on the true meaning of Easter?
• Can you handle the candy this Easter? How? Discuss at length.
• Discuss your Easter plans including the meal (in detail).
• Do you have a Little Devil when it comes to exercise? Discuss how to get rid of him/her.
• Are you at the PIO point where you can indulge a little on Sunday and get back on track on Monday? Discuss how.
• Have you made any of the recipes handed out at PIO? Talk about them.
• Say the Hail Mary to Close the Group.

God has given us eternal life… He who has the Son has life. 1 John 5:11-12