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Ingredients:

1 cup large pearl couscous

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1 cup red onions (chopped)

Optional: 1 bell pepper (chopped, seeds and ribs removed)

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons lime juice

Optional: ½ cup raisins

Optional: 1 tomato (chopped)

½ cup basil, cilantro, or parsley (chopped)

Optional: vegetable broth

2 mangos (peeled, pitted, and cubed)

* I prefer champagne or honey mangos - they are sweet and not stringy


Directions:

1. Prepare the couscous according to the package directions. For a more flavorful couscous substitute the water with vegetable broth.

2. Heat the oil in a large pan and saute the garlic, onions, and bell peppers.

3. Sprinkle in the salt and lime juice.

4. Toss in the raisins, tomato, and cilantro, parsley, or basil.

5. Turn off the heat and fold in the mangos. Drain excess liquids.

6. Serve immediately.

7. So simple to make, you should have your child or partner do it so you can relax, drink your wine, or read a book.


* Recipe from Amy M. Le's book "Snow's Kitchen."

* Photo credit: Margie Ogawa

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Believe in God's Steps

Life is already hard, imagine living each day with a congenital heart defect thrown into the mix. From the moment I was born, my family and I trusted God through it all.

God walked us through many challenges along the journey. It wasn't easy, but once we put our faith in His work above all others, we were able to see the blessings ahead.


So I ask all of you that whenever you take a step forward, to believe in God's power and his purpose for you. I want you to keep moving, believing that one day you will get there. It may not happen all at once. It took me years to get where I am today, but God was working His plans out through me all along the way.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.


God will keep moving us forward until His mission is finished. So smile for His Grace. Smile for His love for you in all that you do. Do not worry over the steps you see before you and live in the moments He has blessed you with. I have learned the power of living in the moment and it is amazing.


Smile for His Grace


Lisa Dang Colvil

Author of, "Through the Beauty of Grace, I Will



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It's February 2021 and February, in my world, is known for something very special -- Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month. It started as a day -- February 14th. We petitioned government officials to announce that that one day was to be forever known as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day. It gave us an opportunity to meet with government officials, to do radio shows, talk to reporters, and become advocates for a hidden birth defect.


Over time it became Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week because there were too many activities to fit into one measly day. Then it expanded until it was Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month. An entire month for a birth defect hardly anyone seems to have heard of? Yes! Why? Because it's not as rare as you might think.


Congenital heart defects are the #1 birth defect around the world. They don't discriminate by color, sex, nationality, socio-economic status, or any other seemingly important demographic. They affect people all over the world, they affect people in my home. My youngest son was born with multiple heart defects. He has a special heart and thanks to his heart, I have come to know people all over the world and I've become a voice for the invisible people who have often felt alone.


What can you do during Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month?

• If you're a member of the congenital heart defect community, you can share your story on a podcast, to a newspaper reporter, on a radio show, or to your local government official.

• For introverts, you can passively spread awareness by Sharing, Liking, and Commenting on posts that spread awareness or you can even do something simple like adding a frame to your social media photo/banner.

• You can celebrate the lives of those Heart Warriors who are doing well, remember the many professionals who work to save children's lives by bringing cards or thoughtful food to a local hospital, say a prayer or light a candle for a family whose child was taken far too soon. By remembering the many people who are touched by congenital heart defects, you are promoting an understanding of this condition.

Have a heart and spread awareness of the #1 birth defect in whatever way your heart guides you and remember my friends, you are not alone!



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