I don’t think it is any secret that we can use our words to heal or to hurt, but I do think we often underestimate just how powerful our words can be. What is often said casually can get distorted quickly and become something much more than we ever intended. It happens ALL. THE. TIME. Before we think, we blurt something out, or without harmful intent, we vent to a neighbor or co-worker, and before you know it, you are in a big ole hot mess.
The Bible speaks a great deal about our words and how we should use them. Some of these verses are pretty harsh and direct, but I have two favorites that serve as very good reminders for me. (Because I am not always as temperate with my tongue as I would like to be–especially with my sweet hubby!)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” -Ephesians 4:29
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:6
Maya Angelou once said that, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I believe this is true. At some of the most difficult times in my life, it’s not necessarily the exact words that were said that mattered, but HOW they were said and the love behind them that made all the difference.
It’s hard to always know the right thing to say, and it is down right difficult to avoid getting “foot in mouth disease”, but I believe with the help and prompting of the Holy Spirit, even the wildest tongue can be tamed. Some of the fruits of the Spirit, or what some might call character traits of those with the Spirit, are gentleness, patience, love, peace, and self-control.
What are your words adding to the world around you? Are you spreading love and peace with your words? Or are you using words in a more negative fashion? The more you speak life and love into those around you, the more you will feel life and love infused into you.
Now, go use your words and spread some love!
God bless, Allison Key, MD
Staff Spotlight: Noelle Smith
Krista Noelle Smith is a life-long resident of Haralson County. She graduated from Bremen High School in 1992 and has a degree in business administration. Noelle has been married to Chad Smith for 21 years. They are the proud parents of an amazing, beautiful 17 year old daughter, Tori Smith, who is a senior at Haralson County High School and member of the Georgia National Guard. Noelle enjoys doing amateur photography–mostly pictures of her beautiful daughter, Tori. She also enjoys watching Tori play soccer and compete with her Raiders team. Noelle loves going to the theater, whether it be to watch a live show or even just to the movies. She likes to go camping in the mountains and loves going to the beach to relax, but her most treasured time is spent with her family. Noelle has a heart for people, and she is an integral part of 3:16 Healthcare, serving as the Office Manager for 3:16 Family Medicine. She is part of the heartbeat of our practice, and if you have not already had the opportunity to interact with her at our office, you will definitely be blessed when you do!
Botox: For More Than Just Wrinkles
Botox is most commonly known in the world of aesthetics for improving fine lines and wrinkles. However, there are many other uses for this toxin. Botox has approval for nine medical conditions and several cosmetic ones, but also has the potential to treat more than 800 other conditions. The most common medical uses for Botox include: migraines, back pain, overactive bladder, depression, excessive sweating and twitching eyelids.
So, what exactly is Botox? Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium from which Botox is derived. It is commonly found in soil, lakes, and forests. Both the bacterium and the spores it produces are generally considered harmless. However, when the spores from this bacterium transform into vegetative cells and cell population rises, the bacterium begin to produce botulinum toxin. This is a deadly neurotoxin that is responsible for botulism. The neurotoxin targets the nervous system and disrupts the signaling process between neurons.
Botulinum toxin can be injected in very small concentrations to help disturb the signaling processes and paralyze muscles temporarily. Botox is administered by diluting the powdered form with saline and injecting the solution into the neuromuscular tissue. Typically results from Botox are seen within 1-3 days. Results generally last 3-4 months. Call today to schedule your consultation and see if Botox is the right treatment for you!
Workout of the Month
Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen. The workout provided below should be done to your own comfort level.
30 Rep Workout! Do 30 repetitions of each of these exercises for a quick, intense, full-body workout. No equipment necessary!
30 Crunches 30 High Knees 30 Jumping Jacks 30 Squats 30 Push-Ups 30 Mountain Climbers 30 Step-Ups 30 V-Floor Jumps 30 Wide Push-Ups 30 Forward Lunges 30 Side Lunges 30 Tricep Push-Ups 30 Bicycle Crunches 30 Second Plank 15 Second Side Plank 15 Second (Other) Side Plank 30 Second Plank
Cool Down & Stretch!
Healthy & Easy Recipe: Mason Jar Taco Salad
This taco salad, that fits snugly into four quart-sized, wide-mouth Mason jars, is ideal to make ahead and bring to work, a picnic, or a barbecue.Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cilantro (leaves and stems)
- 2 medium green onions (coarsely chopped)
- 1 medium fresh jalapeño pepper (seeds and ribs discarded, coarsely chopped, optional)
- 1 medium avocado (halved, pitted)
- 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon canola or corn oil
- 1 tablespoon water plus more, as needed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 1, 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added kidney beans (rinsed, drained)
- 1, 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added black-eyed peas (rinsed, drained)
- 1/2 medium English, or hothouse, cucumber, chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked fresh corn or frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed and drained
- 1 cup sliced radishes
- 1 cup fat-free, shredded Cheddar cheese
- 4 cups shredded romaine or any other greens, such as spinach or arugula, chopped if desired
Keep it Healthy: To bulk up salads so they’re both healthy and filling, add beans or cooked whole grains, tofu, or chicken.
Tip: The salad is layered in the Mason jar in a certain order so that the ingredients stay crisp in the fridge for a few days; the salad dressing is put in first so it stays on the bottom and doesn’t make the other ingredients soggy.
Make It Kid-Friendly: Let the kids do all the layering of the ingredients in the Mason jars.Directions
- In a food processor or blender, process the cilantro, green onions, and jalapeño until finely chopped. Process all the remaining dressing ingredients until smooth, adding more water if needed so the salad dressing is the desired consistency.
- Put 4 Mason jars on a work surface. Remove the lids. Divide the salad ingredients among the jars in the following order: salad dressing, beans, black-eyed peas, cucumber, tomatoes, corn, radishes, and Cheddar. Top with the romaine.
- Replace the lid on each jar and tighten it. Refrigerate the jars for up to 4 days.
- Before serving, shake the jars to distribute the salad dressing. Serve the salad in the jars or pour into bowls.
Copyright © 2018 American Heart Association, Healthy For GoodTM, heart.org/healthyforgood
April Specials
- Summer Soothing Foot Treatment: $30 or add to a massage for $25
- Exilis (Skin Tightening) Abdomen: 25% off Packages
- Mother’s Day Gift Card Special: Buy $175 gift card for just $150
- My Mom’s The Best Giveaway: Email us at [email protected] and tell us what makes your mom the best! She could win a facial, massage, gift basket, or grand prize makeover worth up to $2500!
- NEW! Weight Loss Membership Programs starting at $99/month–call for more information!
- Expanded Fitness Program–Semi-Private Training Sessions, $75/month membership