Day 1 of ‘Live to Eat’ plan!

Everything is nicely measured! About 500 calories!

I had lost a lot of weight last year, but unfortunately, I have gained some back. I keep a scale in the house and fret about my weight often. I can’t allow myself to gain it all back and have to lose what I’ve put back on. I would say I’ve gained back about half. That’s not good. Having a spinal cord injury can make it easier to gain weight, and it does nothing to help with joint pain, back pain etc. Thus, there are many reasons why I have to keep my weight down.

This is the only meal I’ve had today so far. I am back on a 1.310 calorie per day only plan. You can see I carefully measured an 8 oz. cup of coffee and an ‘ounce’ of Colby Jack cheese. Unfortunately, this tedious work is necessary when you have an eating disorder of any sort. My problem is I’ll do well for a while, but my emotions can stop me up and cause me to eat more. I need to stop that.

I naturally follow a Mediterranean diet plan and mainly use extra virgin olive oil. I am sure to get in two to four 2-4 oz. meat/poultry/fish per day, usually. But today I’m fasting from meat due to my Catholic heritage and that’s ok. But I realize how good meat is for you and that we’ve basically been lied to about what to eat for years. I will share a podcast made by some food experts at the end of this article that will help you. Better yet, here is the link right here: https://youtu.be/OeajV1O2320.

Nina Teicholz teaching on Saturated fat.

This is a low calorie breakfast I had, and I more than likely will have two fish fillets for dinner. I had a banana as a snack and some wheat crisps. On a 1,310 calorie plan per day, I can’t afford to eat much. One thing I have learned about food is you cannot let it choose you, you have to choose it. A lot of the idea that we ‘need’ a pizza or need to eat right now is psychological.

Don’t get me wrong. We can be truly hungry. It’s important to realize when we are not hungry and just think we need to eat. I am mastering that. Going into a supermarket these days can seem anything but heathy with a majority of it having processed foods. But everything in moderation. It’s ok to snack or have dessert but we are not to over do it. Once I stopped using the My Fitness Pal app and stopped measuring I got myself into trouble.

I have a doctor’s appointment in mid May, and around this time last year my doctor had set me up with a dietician because he said I needed to lose weight. I took off about 40 pounds, but now I have gained some back. Well only half of it, anyway. But I am still not too happy with myself right now. If I don’t get my weight down by mid May I know my doctor will set me up with s dietician again. So I am going to be my own dietician starting now. I’ve learned so much!

As a matter of fact, the food pyramid needs to be flipped upside down. We are told to eat six grains per day and the least amount of animal food that we can. Just look at the food in our schools:orange juice, greasy pizza, fried chicken strips. This has all been FDA approved.

Dietary cholesterol in egg yolk is actually good for you. You need the protein. There are vitamins and nutrients in eggs you cannot get anywhere else. Apparently there’s a medicine that has ‘statins’ that supposedly gets your cholesterol down. I believe we are to eat real food, though. Cheese is dairy and an animal meal, also. Rather than snacking on chips or sugar, we should try to snack on something cheesy or even something like a slim Jim (meat instead). I think they call them a carnivore strip nowadays.

There have been ‘experts’ in the past who have taught and are still teaching that animal fat is bad for you, meat, eggs, and cheese can cause heart attacks, they say. Not true. On the contrary.

Think vegetables, low carbs, and meat/poultry/fish. Snack as little as possible. Do not eat every two hours. It is also a myth that it speeds up your metabolism it actually just keeps your insulin levels higher. Not good at all. Don’t believe that all low fat, fat free, sugarless products are better. Some are OK, but skinny meals, hmm… Not my thing. The alternatives to some of those ingredients can be worse.

2-3 meals per day, each well under 1,000 calories with protein, some veggies, eggs, etc. is part of my plan. Unsalted almonds or nuts are a healthier snack. I use unsalted butter also. Yogurt, Greek Yogurt is superb! Low fat cheese is ok. But it does not have to be ‘low fat.’ Don’t use vegetable or canola oil. If you’re going to have chocolate, go dark chocolate with cocoa. That’s all for now. I hope this helped you all!⚕️👩‍⚕️👩‍🍳

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book was just published last year.

Not Without God: Hope In the Storm (an excerpt from Chapter 10)!

Life can be difficult. We all know it’s true. However, I have learned one thing that I know for sure – when you truly know God, when you have experienced his love, you will be able to find joy in all circumstances no matter what.

Let me give you an example, you may be bullied, disrespected, or unappreciated – with God, you will find your way back to peace. You will be whole again. He will lead you in the right direction if you ask him to.

He will be a beacon of hope. A light in the dark. A shield of protection. All you have to do is call out to him. He will be right there. God is one who never sleeps. You have access to him around the clock, all day long.

God is not a person we necessarily see, although, I do believe God lives through each one of us. We can use his gifts to do good or bad. I am sure we have all hurt each other at least once before. That is what God’s message of love is. There are infinite chances, what I mean is, even when we mess up time and time again – we get another chance to make it right.

God knew we would be imperfect. That is why he sent his one and only perfect son. He came into the world and demonstrated unconditional love. Life is not that simple. We may go through something difficult such as an illness or another type of trying time.

But when we depend on God, he will bring us out. He will give us the steps to overcome or direct us in our path. Just ask him to lead and guide. I didn’t expect my life to turn out the way it did. I had a very bad accident at just sixteen years old that left me paralyzed.

Thankfully, after countless hours of exercise and physical therapy – I can move and walk. I know I may never fully recover unless the FDA approves a new type of technology that is in the works now, but either way, I am content. I may not be happy all the time. I don’t think anyone is, though, it is not possible.

To be content, to find joy in all circumstances, is key. When you call out to the Lord, and when you ask him to direct your steps – you still may fall off your tracks. However, you have infinite chances to get it right.

God is not only unconditionally loving but he is unconditionally kind. At times we mess up, he takes us back. We are not to continually fail or treat others poorly and then go to him for forgiveness. God cannot be fooled.

We are to repent, confess, and find our way back. We may fail every day, but God is always standing in the corner – waiting for us with open arms and always ready to take us back.

Here is an excerpt from my most recent book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm 

A few tips on how to overcome

“We sometimes go through hardship. I’d like to offer you some advice if you are. I recall envisioning where I am today. As a child, I would glare at the glass windows inside bookstores and just knew my name would be in them one day!

As far as walking goes, I never dreamt I would be able to use an elliptical machine or even walk up to a mile on my crutches outdoors. God will take you even further than what you envisioned.

This is a far stretch from where I was when I was in the hospital back in 1994. I imagined myself walking even when I couldn’t sit for more than a minute. All these years later, being able to walk or even use a treadmill machine is a huge blessing.

Having faith has so much to do with what we believe and see. People don’t realize it, but the greatest physicists in the world have even confirmed that faith lives in our imagination; what we see can become manifest!”

At MIT!:)

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

Good morning God, I love you so much!

Good morning, I love you, God. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. At times life has been difficult, but you’ve always brought me through. You’ve never left my side or abandoned me. It is me who has left you. Nonetheless, you’ve always been in the corner, waiting, with open arms. Even when I didn’t deserve it, God, you’ve welcomed me back – every single time. Your love is unconditional, and never fails me, and it is eternal. Thank you, God. I love you so much.❤️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

The Sumerians Part 3, Ancient Ancestors & The Anunnaki Connection

In Iraq on April 10th, 2003, in the city of Baghdad right around the time of Operation Iraqi Freedom – there was a ransacking. Looters filled the streets. They destroyed thousands of ancient artifacts and broke into museums. American troops tried to maintain order, but it was difficult. What would these looters want, one may ask?

Why would they force their way into the national museum and steal? They stole tablets and cuneiform writings with genealogies and the histories of the gods of the Sumerians. They stole all kinds of stuff: even musical instruments and jewelry. So now many of these items are missing from us. This was a very coordinated event. People stole precious objects of the ancient world.

Why were these artifacts so important? They date back to the time of the Sumerians; an ancient civilization that is the oldest in all of Mesopotamia, or what is now called Iraq. Sumer was the oldest kingdom, followed by Akkad, after that there was Babylonia and then Assyria. Modern day Chaldeans (often referred to as “Chaldeans” in the Bible) are the original Sumerians.

The culture that was established by the Sumerians continued throughout the lifetime of Mesopotamia. The Sumerians invented the cuneiform writing system. Cuneiform means “wedge shaped.” They put wedge shaped writing on clay tablets that could later be hardened. It was in 1843 when even more evidence was found on the Sumerian kingdom.

An incredible room was found filled with statues of gods, kings, treasures and all kinds of messages were written on the walls in the ancient cuneiform. The city of Ur, home of Abraham, had been discovered. The Great Ziggurat of Ur was found. Tombs even adorned in gold were discovered. This proved that the Sumerian kingdom was indeed a historical fact and not just a myth.

Furthermore, the Sumerians developed the firsts of many: agriculture, science, math, astrology, schools, courts, judges, and more. These cuneiform texts also pointed to a group of divine beings called, “The Anunnaki.” They are referred to as the ‘princely offspring of God’ in these Sumerian texts. These messages were written about 3,000-4,000 BC or even long before then.

It is written that the Anunnaki ‘descended from the sky.’ They had personalities just like people do. These gods were arranged in a kind of hierarchy with the higher gods, the lesser gods, etc. The Anunnaki were the supreme deities, the highest deities, the Sumerians described them as humanoid. They came to Earth on a special mission to bring wisdom and they are explained in great detail in these writings.

They had tremendous knowledge and power throughout the world. Where they got this knowledge and even came from is STILL a mystery to archeologists. Many scholars have wondered and still do wonder whether or not they were extraterrestrial. Let’s shift to the Bible for a moment.

We are told about the creation of the world in the Book of Genesis:

Genesis 2:4-2:9

The Story of Adam and Eve

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Garden of Eden was also placed in Mesopotamia. The Sumerian tablets tell of a kind of genetic engineering in order to create the earth’s first humans. This first person is called “Adamu,” according to the Jewish Kabbalah. What is striking is that the Sumerian tablets seem to have a more detailed account of this story than the Bible does.

Some scholars believe the Anunnaki came here in giant spaceships that were sent by God. Meaning, they had help and there is no question of where that help came from. These tablets, again, talk about homo sapiens coming about through genetic engineering. Is it possible that the Anunnaki created the human race with their own DNA?

According to the Jewish KABBALAH, Adam was created from ‘a human like race that already existed on earth.’ This is just some food for thought. Who would know for sure? I guess you can judge for yourselves…

Here is this episode special on the history channel in case you’d like to watch it: https://youtu.be/8uM9wnNqt-A

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

Chicken lemon butter delight!🐥🍋🧈🥬🌱

Lunch today was sensational! It started out as a chicken lemon idea, of course, I had to add unsalted butter cubes to the top of the chicken. I had to dash it with kosher salt, black ground pepper, table salt, and thyme leaves. I added lemon slices to the chicken entrée. I added potatoes, I cut them into cube sizes, and put unsalted butter over the veggies in the tray as well. As you can see I did a healthy side of a mixed salad, topped with spinach, top whatever you can with spinach! The iron benefits are incredible. With some ranch drizzled over, a Coke on the side, and additional salt and pepper at hand – this dish was Fantabulous. #chef #foodie #connossieur #extravirginoliveoil 🫒 #meltedbutter #chickenrecipes #mediterranean #paleo #protein #health ⚕️👩‍⚕️👩‍🍳

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

Who were the Sumerians? My Ancient Ancestors, Part 2 🤺

About 200 years ago European archaeologists were searching through the sands for Bible remains in the Middle East. They were mostly searching in Egypt and the southern half of Mesopotamia, what is today called modern-day Iraq. They searched for the works of remains of Greek authors and journals of travelers among other ancient artifacts. Babylon, Ninevah, Ur. These are names of places that many have only heard or read about but that few if any in the world knew the precise locations of.

By the early 1800s, archaeologists had also made many discoveries. They collected numerous bricks, tablets, clay cylinders, and boundary stones that were inscribed with ‘mysterious markings.’ However, these items were not only present in Babylon and Ninevah but were found in many other places including in Iran, for example. They found scripts written in old Persian and there were other tablets in other unknown languages.

They found these languages by decoding them. The written form of Akkadian, which was called Babylonian, was another language of one of the scripts and the third of the inscriptions was in Elamite. You may have heard Jesus make mention of the ‘Elamites’ in the Bible. Akkadian, in the written form, was called cuneiform. However, this cuneiform was NOT developed by the Akkadians or the Babylonians-it was developed by another people. The Sumerians.

Each tablet had the phrase ‘Sumer and Akkad.’ As in land of Sumer and Akkad or King of Sumer and Akkad. Sumer was a place, but where was it? Who were these people, and where did they come from? These tablets were developed by a completely unknown people—scholars were stuck. They didn’t know it at the time, but archeologists had stumbled upon the “mother civilization” of both the Babylonians and the Assyrians.

The origins of the Sumerians is a perplexing question for archeologists. Were they newcomers to the region or just evolve out of the existing indigenous people already there? It’s hard to know but we’re told the Sumerian language was unlike any other known language in the region. The Sumerian’s are credited for constructing the first real cities: Eridu and Uruk. Within centuries they developed many other cities. These cities seemed like small countries and are called city-states. Historians call this the early dynasty of Sumer up until around 2300 BC.

These were cities and high walls to protect buildings, people, cities, streets, etc. There was a ziggurat that was the tallest building in the center of each city. Another important aspect of their city states was the each had a patron deity (god) that protected the city. At the time they were polytheistic and had many gods.

It has been reported that the Sumerians started to believe in a monotheistic God around 2900 BC. Chaldea was a small country that existed between the late 10th or early 9th and mid-6th centuries BC, after which the country and its people were absorbed and assimilated into the indigenous population of Babylonia. The people in Chaldea were of Sumerian descent and called themselves, Chaldeans.

I guess you could say that my ancient ancestors were absorbed and assimilated into the indigenous population of Babylonia. However, I can’t deny the fact that they were originally Sumerians. The Sumerians were incredibly crafty people that were known for the development of not only math, but astrology, and even for the creation of writing (cuneiform), again, they developed the first city-states that resembled countries.

Exactly where they came from is murky, but it has been reported that they may be from the Levant, or the Eastern Mediterranean, countries made up of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Jerusalem, etc. Whether they were from the Levant, Damascus, or Ethiopia, they were an amazing people!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

The History of the Sumerians (Chaldeans)!

Have you ever felt relieved by something that you needed to know for many years? That’s how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ll tell you a quick story. One of my siblings told me that while she was growing up in the Middle East, my father never labeled us or told her much about her background. One day my father approached her, though, and he said write ‘Chaldean on everything. You are a ‘Chaldean.’ It’s almost as though he had a revelation, light bulb moment, or recently learned of what his background was.

When my sister told me the story I said to her, ‘Well what did dad refer to us as before he told you that?’ She said he just called us Christians, we were Christians from Iraq. ‘They didn’t know what we were,’ she continued. That was very interesting to me. This incident happened in the early 70s before I was born. Let’s fast forward to today. I’m 45 now. I was born in the United States, but I can speak my mother and father‘s native language of Aramaic and learned how to do so at a very young age.

I always wanted to know more about my background, culture, and where my ancestors came from. I would ask dad questions and we would have history lessons – he said that we were from Mesopotamia, an ancient place, one of the first places of civilization. I loved learning about all of the history behind Mesopotamia, how lucky we were to be from that area, and from one of the ‘cradles of civilization.’

However, as much as I learned about our history there was always something unsettled within me. Even though I knew we were from Mesopotamia, and dad had taught me a lot, I wanted to know more about my ancestors and where they originated from. I had a feeling there was more to the story. After doing lots of research lately and reading up on great scholarly articles and watching videos – I’ve been able to trace back to where my ancestors came from.

They were called the Sumerians. We were actually ‘the mother’s civilization’ of both the Babylonians and the Assyrians. We are not Assyrians or Babylonians-as some may refer to us as-however, our kingdom got mixed in with theirs, so to speak. We were overthrown by the Babylonians and at one point our kingdom overthrew the Assyrians empire. As you know, different tribal peoples would conquer one another during that period.

Our peoples almost became extinct. I believe that there are many Sumerians all over the world. They may be trying to trace back to their history exactly like I have. Perhaps there are millions? I plan to do more research on this ancient race. I learned that it’s difficult to distinguish where they originated out of, it can be murky. I believe they came from the Levant or the Eastern Mediterranean area, consisting of countries like Syria, Jordan, Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. Based on my findings and research, that seems the most highly likely.

I guess it’s no wonder I follow a Mediterranean diet normally and not only love Middle Eastern, but also Mediterranean and other foods. 🙂 What I also learned here is that what I’ve been told about my background is not completely accurate. I guess that is bound to happen when it’s murky where your ancestors originated from, again. Whether they have originated out of the Levant or Ethiopia, a place near Egypt or Damascus, they were amazing indeed.

The Sumerians were the first to develop cuneiform writing, that is writing on clay tablets, they are innovators and inventors of astrology and math, and they also developed the first city-states (similar to countries) and held the first government. They were an amazing people and made the first of many things, including Eridu, the oldest and first city.

What does the Bible say about the Sumerians?

Image result for when did the sumerians become christians

In the biblical Book of Genesis, chapter 1, it states that God divided the night from the day and saw that it was good. If one accepts God’s role in creating day and night then the Sumerians finished the job and, if one does not, it was not God who divided night and day – it was the Sumerians.

They were so great!

More on this ancient culture…

About 200 years ago European archaeologists were searching through the sands for Bible remains in the Middle East. They were mostly searching in Egypt and the southern half of Mesopotamia, what is today called modern-day Iraq. They searched for the works of remains of Greek authors and journals of travelers among other ancient artifacts. Babylon, Ninevah, Ur. These are names of places that many have only heard or read about but that few if any in the world knew the precise locations of.

By the early 1800s, archaeologists had also made many discoveries. They collected numerous bricks, tablets, clay cylinders, and boundary stones that were inscribed with ‘mysterious markings.’ However, these items were not only present in Babylon and Nineveh but were found in many other places including in Iran, for example. They found scripts written in old Persian and there were other tablets in other unknown languages. 

They found these languages by decoding them. The written form of Akkadian, which was called Babylonian, was another language of one of the scripts and the third of the inscriptions were in Elamite. You may have heard Jesus make mention of the ‘Elamites’ in the Bible as well. Akkadian, in written form, was called cuneiform. However, this cuneiform was NOT developed by the Akkadians or the Babylonians-it was developed by other people. By the Sumerians. Writing began with them.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

Kufta-creation!🥩🍳🥖

You can never have enough animal food on your plate! Take a look at my kufta-creation. Two pieces of Kuftas, less than 100 g in total, cooked with parsley flakes, and spiced in salt, pepper, a dash of cumin, allspice, chili pepper flakes, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and coriander!👩‍🍳

I also have two large sized eggs, scrambled, but spiced with only salt and pepper😊. On the side I have some delicious Asiago cheese (Santorini), flavored w/Rosemary and Olive Oil to go on a wheat bun, and a warm cup of coffee.☕️

This was so yummy good!😋 Again, you can never have enough animal food on your plate to keep you young and healthy!⚕️#healthyfat #paleo #keto #mediterranean #protein #intermittentfasting #ketosis #health #healthydiet #cheese #extravirginoliveoil #wheat #fiber #dietarycholesterol 🥩🥖🍳🌱🧀🫒👩‍🍳⚕️👩‍⚕️☕️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors can network and learn together.

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was just published last year.

The only way to make it is through God ❤️

Christ will make a way when there’s no way. Your situation may seem hopeless and like there’s no way out. It may seem as though nothing will ever change – but one day you will see, God will make a way. It may not happen as quickly as you would like. Miracles don’t always happen overnight. Recovery and healing can take a long time. But we must be patient and endure. We must take care of ourselves and our health. We must ask for God’s direction and guidance.

Sometimes we wait on a miracle to happen, and it seems like we’ll never get what we are wishing for – however, one day our miracle will appear. I believe there are miracles all over the place. There are many things most would not consider miracles that I do like oxygen, for example, health to your bones, or healthy blood work, these are things that others may take for granted.

I recognize these every day miracles and have experienced some much bigger ones. I’ve experienced God making a way when there is no way. I’ve seen him shine his unconditional love so that we may see. I’ve seen His love in many ways. When the outcome was grim, God picked me up. He saved me and gave me life again.

Through hardship, and I have had more than one, I’ve learned that God will always make a way out. He will give you the strength to endure and enough wisdom to survive whatever you’re going through. We must call out to him and ask and seek. We cannot only depend on ourselves. There is a way when you don’t call on God, but it’s usually not the right one. The only way to make it is through Him. He is the beginning and the end. The maker of everything.♥️✨🙏

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together. 

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet also and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year

Today’s entree 👩‍🍳⚕️🫒

From start to finish and into my stomach. No, this was not all for me. I didn’t even finish everything on my plate. 🤣 But take a look at what I just made. It was healthy and delicious. I have moved over from extra-virgin olive oil on top of the chicken breasts to unsalted butter cubes. 🧈 It cooks much better and is safer in the oven. I also dashed it with kosher salt, parsley flakes, black ground pepper, and table salt. I also added minced garlic pieces.🧄 With the potatoes cooking in the cubes of butter that melted and in the water, the spices and garlic only added some extra flavor. This was yummy good.😋 On the side, I have a cut-up Vidalia onion and a cut-up red pepper (both caramelized in extra virgin olive oil🫒), as you can see. I had to get my veggies and protein in before intermittent fasting begins. I also have a small side of Asiago cheese on wheat bread.🧀🥖 This was soo good! #protein #paleo #ketosis #fasting #mediterraneandiet #extravirginoliveoil #unsaltedbutter #health #realfood 🐣🥔🧅🧄🧀🥖🌶

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together. 

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet also and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

The struggle is real God is too

Lately I’ve been working hard on overcoming fears. I’ve been experiencing some stress. I’ve learned that when you have those feelings it can lead to being fearful. Depression can lead to anxiety too. I’ll give you an example, back in October 2021, my mother had been infected with COVID-19. For those ten days, I did not leave her side. The reason I stayed by her side so much is because I knew that Covid could do really strange things, plus she’s elderly, and with diabetes I knew Covid was nothing to joke about.

On one occasion, she went to take a shower – after some time I called out to her, and I realized she was unresponsive. I went over to the shower, and she just sat there on her shower chair but could not answer me. It seemed as though she had fainted or became unconscious. She could not get out of the bathtub. I had to call EMS, and they had to come and carry her out. She was dizzy and had a really huge headache. Ever since then I’ve had some fear while taking a simple shower. However, I’ve worked on relieving that anxiety and have overcome it. Some of the ways I’ve overcome is through prayer and through focusing on breathing techniques. When you relax your mind, your body relaxes too.

Another fear I’ve experienced before is a fear of flying. I have flown several times, but it’s something that stops me from travel at times. Just today I was looking to book a flight to somewhere though. I thought that maybe I can put together a meeting at a hotel for my Writing group members at some point. Maybe we could all meet in person for once and not only virtually like we’ve been for almost six months. My point in writing this is to remind you that the struggle is real in life, but God is still in control.

God is the one that will be there when we fear, when we feel alone, sad, or experience loss. He will be there for us. He will comfort through a friend, a kind gesture, or through a phone call. We will be assured that everything will be alright. It may be through a doctor, a teacher, or maybe through some form of encouragement we had not gotten before. God helps us through each other.

We will experience hardship in life, most definitely, but we are meant to lead each other through. Often times we help in ways we have not even realized. That’s the beauty of life. We are all connected. In physics, there’s this theory called entanglement. “When two particles such as a pair of photons or electrons becoming entangled, they remain connected even when separated by vast distances.”

Two particles can be on opposite ends of the earth, one can be in Los Angeles and one in New York, for example, but they will imitate each other and even behave the same. Did you know that the entire universe is made up of this entanglement? It’s true. In my opinion, we are entangled with God. The Bible tells us that we are made ‘in his likeness and image.’ We are all connected.

No matter how much hardship you have had, no matter what you go through, or any pain that has caused you sadness – it can be overcome. You can heal, feel better, and there will be a new day, a new experience, and new doors will open. We are moving through this universe from moment to moment.

God foresaw that we would all need him. God knew we would have some hard times. God is omnipresent and can be everywhere. He is all loving and kind. We are all under a cosmic order created by a master artist whose design cannot be duplicated, and we are loved beyond measure.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together. 

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet also and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

The Lord Is [Always] Near

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together. 

Zina writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet also and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

Mediterranean chicken asparagus lemon delight!🍋🐤🫒

Lunch was fabulous. I had 3/4 of a medium chicken breast. A side of about 15 asparagus spears with half of a sliced lemon, salted, and a side of light Lays potato chips. Last but not least, I included 2 tablespoons of hummus with a Coke. This was yummy good.

I got in two vegetable servings, and two protein servings between the healthy hummus and the chicken. The meal was cooked in extra virgin olive oil, and first I baked the chicken at 420 F for about 25 minutes. I surrounded it with the sliced lemons on the oven tray and drizzled it with extra virgin olive oil. I sprinkled kosher salt and black ground pepper over the chicken also.

I steamed the asparagus and cooked the spears in extra virgin olive oil as well, of course. I also dashed the veggies with table salt, kosher salt, and black ground pepper. I added a few cubes of unsalted butter🧈 over the asparagus. It was so good.🫒🍋🌱🐤🧆🫒

Finally, I took the chicken out of the oven early and decided to finish cooking it in the pan with the asparagus. I also added the lemons.🍋 I wanted to combine all the ingredients together, and I really wanted the chicken to soak up the taste of the butter and asparagus, salt, and lemon combo.

Again, it was delicious all around! #mediterraneanfood #healthydiet #intermittentfasting #keto #paleo #healthyliving 😊👩‍🍳⚕️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places. Last August she created the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group” meetings and workshops where aspiring and seasoned authors network and learn together.

Win a writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She likes to write about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm was published last year.

Book of Hebrews 1:1-10🌟

Today I want to share the first 10 verses of the Book of Hebrews. This is one of the most powerful books in the Bible. We are taught in Scripture that the Word of God is sharper than a double edged sword, able to separate joints and marrow, dividing even down to the soul and spirit and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The Bible provides us with fresh ‘living medicine.’

You may not feel the effects of listening to the Bible right away, but I promise you, if you meditate on the Bible for just 10 to 15 minutes a day, you will start to feel a difference. Lately, I’ve been listening to The Book of Acts, the Book of Hebrews, and John, chapters 14 through 16 are other favorites. I must say, I’ve been feeling stronger, clearer, and very good.

These verses are so great that I can’t even get through all of them before I relisten. And then when I continue to read/listen to the Book of Hebrews, I just feel more strengthened. I like to listen on the BibleGateway app by audio. I’m going to post the first ten verses so you can read them. I hope you enjoy.✨

Heb. 1:1
Heb.1-2
Herb.1:3
Heb.1:4
Heb.1:5
Heb.1:6
Heb.1:7
Heb.1:8
Heb.1:9
Heb.1:10

Now, meditate on each of these verses for at least 10-20 seconds, and feel the power of God coming through them and the power of our Lord, Jesus. By the way, Hebrews 1:3 and 1:8 are my favorite verses here.💫

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

He saved me♥️

Have you ever been in the pit? Have you ever been so sick you did not know if you’d make it? Have you ever looked upon the wicked and wondered why they prosper? Who did you call out to? Who did you ask for help? Was it yourself? Surely, you cannot save yourself nor can you understand the ways of the world all by yourself. My question is, who do you go to when you are in dire need, deptessed, or want answers?

Call out to the Lord. He will rescue you. You don’t need to see him to feel it. Call on his name and he will come to your aid. He will comfort you, bring you peace, and someone to guide you, a message, or healing of some sort.

You can’t accomplish everything alone. We need his help. We are not separated from him. We have even learned that the entire universe is ‘entangled,’ according to Quantum physics. God is not separate from us; actually, we are made in his ‘likeness and image.’ It can be a simple prayer. Call out to God today.

Psalm 18 (full)

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, Lord, my strength.2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.6 In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, Lord,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.20 The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my handshe has rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
I am not guilty of turning from my God.
22 All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
23 I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.
24 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
26 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
27 You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
29 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38 I crushed them so that they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle;
you humbled my adversaries before me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the Lord, but he did not answer.
42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
I trampled them like mud in the streets.
43 You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
you have made me the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
44 foreigners cower before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
45 They all lose heart;
they come trembling from their strongholds.46 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name.50 He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing love to his anointed,
to David and to his descendants forever.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

God Is Perfect✨💫🌟

God is perfect. He cannot be anything but perfect because He is God. It is the same with his design. God made everything perfect around 13.8 billion years ago at the start of the Big Bang. The Book of Genesis and Big Bang timelines correlate. On the first day, God created LIGHT. On the ‘fourth day,’ the sun. Humans and animals came last, on the sixth day, said Moses. Everything you see is a result of the Big Bang, or Big Event, as I like to call it. We are told there was no noise or bang because there were no air molecules at the time. All matter in the universe, everything, is from God’s creation.

The greatest physicists in the world say that one day everything will disintegrate, even black holes, all structures, buildings, and everything will come down. The universe will end. Religious people focus on this day and refer to it as the end of the world. The greatest physicists also agree that there will be new beginnings or a rebirth, so to speak, fluctuations of particles that will be floating around in ‘the void.’

The Bible also tells us in the Book of Revelation that St. John saw a new earth and the ‘New Jerusalem,’ the city of heaven coming down from the sky. I find this quite ironic. As “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” the “Revelation is sometimes called the Apocalypse, which in Greek means a revelation, uncovering, or unveiling. This book is an unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ and a revelation of His authority, power, and preeminent role in the Father’s plan of salvation. The book also reveals a lot of important information about the events leading up to the Second Coming and the Millennium,” according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

In Revelation 21 John sees that God will dwell with and comfort His people and that the celestial city of God will be established on the earth, which confirms the above. Jesus will reign on earth and live amongst his people. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Join me this Friday to kick off my new meeting!

Did you know that in order to to be successful with your book or business you need to be a great writer? Writing is needed whether you are an author or a business person. You also need to have marketing strategies and skills. Without things like social media marketing and a website, you can’t go very far in your work. You need to make your voice heard and to get your message, idea, and items out there. Join us this coming Friday for a writing, marketing strategy and workshop session like no other. You will learn from experts! This is a one-time event and has a limited number of occupants. Read the invite, click ‘going’ and purchase your spot while you have a chance. (It will be hosted on Facebook live via zoom. Send me your email for a meeting reminder on Thursday. You’ll be added to the list). You can also find the event on my Facebook business page – Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group – For seasoned and aspiring authors. Don’t forget to hit like and follow.

https://fb.me/e/37gRZ5izT?mibextid=RQdjqZ

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Rejoice but be patient ♥️

Rejoice always. Be constantly rejoicing. You will face many troubles, but the hope of the Lord rests in you. Those who truly know the Lord cannot be down for long. He is the God of light, peace, and abundance. Prayer can be a simple chat. Keep the faith and persist. You will prosper. You have every reason to be glad. A saviour has been born. He will rescue you. What you’re going through today does not matter, it’s about who is walking in the fire with you – the Lord.❤️❤️‍🔥🔥

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

How to Publish a Book video!

https://www.facebook.com/zina.hermez.7/videos/634320775363729/?mibextid=BUZLm6

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Lord I put my trust in you ☄️

When I am unsure of what will happen next, Lord I will trust. When the world is unpredictable, I will put my faith in you and know that you have my back. When I have failed, and it’s hard to get back up, I will know that you will help me rise if I continue to trust. Lord you are my strength, you are my faith and my hope. My trust lies in you. Sorry for when I feel doubtful. Sorry for when I dwell on past regrets or the chances I did not take. Every day is a new day. A new beginning. A new chance to walk forward and to be blessed by you.☀️🙏🌟

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Matter vs. Antimatter and what it all means (how we got here)!

In the early twentieth century, we learned how particles like electrons behave when they travel close to the speed of light. Paul Dirac came up with an equation for this. He was surprised to find that his equation always had two solutions.

He recognized one solution described the electron and the other was a mystery. He later found that the other solution was described as anti-matter, or, an anti-electron. It had the same mass and spin as the electron but it had an opposite electric charge.

The first had a negative electric charge, the other had a positive electric charge. The other name for this anti-electron is the positron. The same thing is true for ALL particles. Quarks have anti-quarks, and there are anti-atoms, etc.

This was amazing because Dirac knew it would DOUBLE the known particles in the world! When matter and anti-matter come together, they annihilate. So there is a big question.

Why is there any matter left? We would expect equal amounts of matter and anti-matter to be created at the beginning or at the Big Bang, but if this were the case the universe wouldn’t exist. We would not be here.

The Laws of Physics do not have a preference for a plus sign over a minus sign, for example. There should be a sea of structureless radiation; however, that is not what happened. We are here. Physicists have been puzzled by this.

“Some have wondered if the anti-matter got separated from the matter and if the matter exists as anti-stars, anti-planets, and anti-galaxies,” says Brian Greene, world renowned physicist. Interesting thought.

Scientists have predicted that for every billion anti-protons there must have been a billion and one protons. That would leave just enough matter to have everything we see today!

The Book of Genesis teaches us:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day. -Genesis 1:1-5

The Book of Genesis and the Big Bang Theory correlate as far as timelines go. Did you know that 13.8 billion years ago there was a tiny microscopic point in space and it generated so much energy that it went bang? There was no noise, though, because there were no air molecules at the time. But LIGHT was created.

John Pennington

Then, 13.8 billion years later HUMANS are created. The first thing created was light and the last thing created is us, humans.

The sun was also created 9.2 billion years after the Big Bang. If you divide 9.2 into 13.8, you get 2/3. So, 2/3 of the way from the light, our sun was created. 2/3 = 4/6. Moses says in the Book of Genesis that light was created on the first day and he says the last thing created, on the “sixth day” were human beings. Genesis also states that on the fourth day God created the sun, and because 2/3=4/6 this makes perfect sense.

Moses uses “days” and the Big Bang Theory uses billions of years. However, they follow the same order. Thus, LIGHT was first created (as stated above in both calendars). Then came the sun 9.2 billion years later, and we, humans came last. We can guess that humans came into existence around a hundred thousand years ago, but that is just a rough estimate.

World Science Festival!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Don’t give up!❤️

Be glad and persist. All too often we wonder why we have to endure trials. Stop asking God why. Start asking why not. Not that you should be happy when you endure fiery tests and tribulations; however, you should realize that your life is no more precious than any other. God loves us each the same. Whatever trial you are going through – someone else has it worse than you. Be glad and thankful. Know that God will bless you in return. Often he returns blessings by a hundredfold. Be glad. Persist. Don’t give up. Help and give love to one another.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Beware of false prophets

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Romans 16:17-1) ESV Not everyone that seems to be for you is your biggest fan. At times strangers may support you more than loved ones. The ones you least expect to may be opposed to your plans. Watch your back. Not everyone is in your corner.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

God will be there ♥️

Don’t be discouraged and worry or think about what will happen in the future. No matter what comes or goes God will be there. He will pick you up, comfort you, and give you new opportunities no matter what. Life isn’t always pleasant. But a life without God must be the most unpleasant. When you truly know God and know he is there, nothing can stop you. God is omnipresent and can be everywhere all at once. He is all-knowing, all-loving, and all kind. He wants you to be happy and to see your dreams come alive. Happy new year!🌟🎊🎈

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

The Neil Haley Show! 12-30-2022🎉

I want to post this interview because this is such a great one! Here we talk about my Not Without God books, writing, and experiences as an author! We also touch on my latest writing group, Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group – for seasoned and aspiring authors. Click the link to join and learn more! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085121127473

The Neil Haley Show is heard in over 180 countries and has over 3 million listeners a week. The Neil Haley Show is syndicated on 150+ stations.

Neil Haley, the media giant, has featured huge celebrities such as Kirk Cameron, Taye Diggs, famous athletes, and successful entrepreneurs. I was so honored to be a guest on his show. Take a listen I think you’ll enjoy it. 🙂

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!

Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.

She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.

Not Without God series/New Year Special!

Today I want to talk about my books: Not Without God: A Story of Survival and my most recent, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. They are both centered around a catastrophic accident I was in at sixteen years old. While trying to cross the street on my way to school, I was a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle. Chapter one of my book is called, “The Crash.” I write about a nurse named Mary Kay, a survival life flight nurse, who was on a helicopter ride with me to Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan.

She just kept gently rubbing my shoulder and saying, “Hold on, Zina, hold on. We’re taking you to U of M. They’ll take good care of you there.” I remember holding onto her voice and fighting for my life. I was in and out of consciousness, I couldn’t move, talk, or see. I just mumbled. I remember feeling a peace, though. The Bible talks about a peace that surpasses all understanding. I felt the Holy Spirit with me there. Mary Kay’s voice carried me through.

It’s interesting because before the accident I would ask God what life is all about. God, I know you are real, and I feel your presence. But I want to understand you and know you more. How does life work? Like many of us, life was dysfunctional at home. My surroundings had me confused. I wanted to know him and understand him better. The accident was a turning point. I experienced God’s genuine love through the doctors, nurses, Mary Kay, and others who were fighting for my life. I witnessed the love of Christ.

I would stay up each night upstairs on the 6th floor East, at the time, at Mott Children’s hospital. With a flashlight in one hand and a notepad in the other, I would write. God spoke to me through whispers in my heart. He told me I would recover and even walk again. I am not walking as well as I did before the accident, but I have completed thousands of hours of physical therapy and can now walk with forearm crutches or a walker. The progress I have made is huge. Some doctors predicted I would be paralyzed for life.

I also write about a man named Dennis. Someone I worked with at Strawberry Hills Fruit Market just before my accident. I worked there for a few months. Dennis was the kind of man that was always happy and always sang hymns to God. After my accident happened, Dennis would come to the hospital. He’d bring prayer booklets and talk to me about Jesus and having faith. My left arm had been stuck at a 90-degree angle from the crash. It was even impossible to eat with it. On one visit, Dennis got up and stood next to my bed – he held my arm gently but firmly and started to pray in what some Christians call “tongues.”

He started to slowly stretch my arm and it was very tight at first. But as he was stretching I began to feel the heat. My arm slowly stretched out. All the while he was looking up to the ceiling and praying and stretching it. Finally, my arm became completely straight. If God didn’t heal my arm through Dennis that day, I never would’ve walked again. I never would’ve been able to get up on parallel bars. That story is also in my book.

My latest book, which was just published in January of 2022 is also a narrative, like my first. But Hope In the Storm is more of a teaching book. I offer journaling sections at the end of various chapters where the reader can write and reflect. I ask questions like, “When was the last time God was there for you?” or “How much time do you spend on prayer or reading the Bible?” We are told in the Bible that the Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword it can divide joint and marrow, soul, and spirit, the Bible provides life-giving medicine. When you soak the verses up, they can strengthen and even heal you inside.

I also write about how physics and religion merge in my book. You may have learned in school or at church when you were younger that everything will come to an end. Physics and the Bible both verify that one day everything will end. All structures will come down, there will be nothing standing, and all black holes will even disintegrate. We don’t know when this day will be, Brian Greene, a famous world-renowned physicist says it will be a long time from now but since nothing can truly be predicted, it can happen sooner.

However, there will be new beginnings or fluctuations. All that will be left are particles floating around in the void. These particles will at times get large, so then new particles will form. If you wait long enough, any rare thing can happen, says the famous philosopher, Sam Harris. These particles will form new beginnings. The number one rule of thermodynamics says that energy can never be destroyed, but it is transferrable.

In Revelations 21 John says, “For then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and earth were gone. There was no longer any sea. In Revelations 21:2 he states: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

John continues in 21:3-4, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Thus, science and the Bible merge. There will be new beginnings… Thank the Lord!

My first book!
My latest book!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

There is a Kingdom🌟🎄❤️✳️🛐

For unto us a son is born, unto us there is a child, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. What does this verse say to you? ‘The government shall be on his shoulders.’ What this says is more than what we can even comprehend. There’s a reason why heaven is called the New Jerusalem. There’s a reason why the kingdom of God has been referred to as a city. The kingdom of God is a place where Jesus reigns. He is the ultimate ruler. The kingdoms of God has rule over all the universe(s). As he has said in the Bible, “my kingdom is not of this world,” had his kingdom been of this world he wouldn’t have been treated that way. Therefore, take heart – there is another city, another state, country, nation, a place where God reigns. The government is upon his shoulders. Seek to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.🌟🎄🛐✳️❤️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Some things you may want to know part 7

Did you know that one day every single black hole will disintegrate? The universe may continue to expand, forever, though. However, there will be a time when everything will end – and everything we know about, matter itself will all disintegrate; it is called the Big Freeze or Heat Death. The universe will get ever colder as it gets ever larger. All black holes will evaporate and give off a particle spray in the void; nothing will be left. There will be electrons and neutrinos that are floating around. The temperature will get very low.

Think of the Empire State Building in Manhattan where the ground floor is the 1st unit and the next unit is the 10th floor, the next floor is the 100th, etc. But if you go to about 10 to the hundred years into the future, that is when this could happen (a long time from now). Every black hole will have evaporated by that time. Now we are at about ten to the tenth floor, Brian Greene says – a world renowned physicist and NY Times best-selling author in his book, “Until the End of Time.”

The only thing that will be left are the most “refined” or stable elementary particles that will be around. They will be roaming around in the void and there will be fluctuations where these particles will AT TIMES BE LARGE, so then, new particles will FORM, if you wait long enough – rare things can happen – Brian continues. These particles will create new beginnings or fluctuations “on their way to eternity,” is how Brian Greene puts it.

I love the line that when you have an eternity every rare thing can happen. Space goes on infinitely far. There are no limits to the universe or edges. Space goes on forever. Thus, if space is eternal, we are eternal.

St. John has a vision in the Book of Revelation 21: In the vision, John saw the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down from Heaven to the new earth, for the old earth had been destroyed. While the new city was coming down, John heard a loud voice that said the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.

Bible Gateway read in Revelations 21:1-3, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

You don’t have to be religious to have heard the Lord’s prayer before. In the Lord’s prayer, we say, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven…” We are actually praying for heaven to come down to earth when we do this.

This is why I believe the universe is infinite and eternal. Brian proves it. In my opinion, there has been more than one ‘Big Bang,’ or ‘Big Event’ as I like to call it. I don’t call it a bang because there were no air molecules at the time. I believe that there are multiverses.

As a matter of fact, some physicists believe there is assimilation. Which means there could actually be copies of yourselves out there in other universes. However, don’t worry much about copies or you or other universes. This one is the only one you should be concerned about. Bottom line: “It is spectacular that collections of particles can come together to yield a human being,” the famous physicist says. I love that, again the miracle is that you’re here.

I am open minded so it wouldn’t surprise me if there were multiple or an infinite number of universes with multiple copies of ourselves out there. There is even an app: it is called the Universe Splitter. You should download it. You can ask it any question about your life, and it will tell you what will happen in one universe vs. another. Again, I take this with a grain of salt but have used the app before. When you click “split” the app sends a signal to a laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland. The photon gets hurtled toward a splitter and can either go left or right. It will tell you your future: if you will marry, if you will become rich, etc.

Again, I have used this for fun. I don’t dwell on these things too much. I am worried about the universe I am in now. But it is very interesting to me that physics and science agree with the Bible in some instances – the universe is eternal and infinite.

Here is the link to Brian Greene’s interview in case you want to watch it:

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

A Review of The Hollow Man by Paul Hollis!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


The Hollow Man is a great action-packed book that pulls you in with its story, dialogue, and vivid images. I always appreciate an author who can write like this. It’s about a dictator who falls ill and then gets assassinated. I am not completely through all of it, but it has already left me on the edge of my seat. It’s one of those books you curl up in bed with and read with a warm cup of coffee. I think this would be great for the big screen.

It’s a page-turner, political, and a fun read. It also made me want to learn Spanish. There are depictions of church images, the scenery of Madrid and Catholic priests. It is all around very interesting. Each chapter is well-connected and leaves you wondering what will happen next. THIS BOOK IS A THRILLER.


I could visualize the explosion, and when something parted like “the red sea.” I love the heroism. It kind of reminded me of the movie Die Hard or an Arnold Schwarzenegger film! I look forward to reading what will happen next and if the protagonist makes it out alive or not.


I am looking forward to the conclusion and know I will not be disappointed. The hero’s task is to watch over the prime minister but then to catch the evil enemy, Chaban, and stop terrorism that will spread and have far-reaching consequences. The hero is on a mission. I look forward to learning whether or not he accomplishes it. This book is a MUST READ.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Christmas cookies (a healthier version) 🍪👩‍🍳🎄

One way to make your cookies healthier is to use whole wheat flour. These cookies are used with whole wheat mill flour. It gives them a nutritional benefit. Not only is whole wheat flour better for your digestive tract, but it is also better for people with diabetes. I’m not a diabetic, but I always choose whole wheat over white whenever I can. We all have the potential to be, so we have to be careful.

One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to bake, especially around Christmas time. I also sprinkled these homemade cookies to give them a holiday effect.🤶 They turned out delicious! Another trick is to use melted butter. Most recipes will call for a stick of butter.🧈

I melt the butter almost all the way through. Because when you melt the butter it makes it easier to turn your ingredients into a dough. No need for a mixer. Just melt your stick of butter, and you can easily roll your combination into a cookie dough. I like to space each cookie two inches apart and make larger ones.🍪👩‍🍳

Another tip is to use parchment paper. I always use parchment paper it’s a nice clean sheet and it gives the cookies a nice round shape. The cookies turn out smoother than when you use aluminum foil, for example. Baking is fun and making healthier choices makes it even better. Follow my blog for more tips and tricks.👩‍🍳🤶🍪

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

The Weirdness of Physics


Did you ever think of yourself as a particle? According to physics, you are a “particle,” actually, you are made up of MANY particles. More than you can probably imagine. EVERYTHING is made up of particles.


‘We are nothing more than a spec,’ says The Science Guy, Bill Nye. Quantum mechanics proves that it’s true because Quantum mechanics involves breaking ‘things’ down to their tiniest parts.


A particle is an “entity” that is not at a definite location. There is a “likelihood” that it is at one location or another, says Brian Greene – world-famous physicist. We are waves too, try to wrap your head around that. A particle is a wave. We learned that after the famous, ‘double slit experiment.’

For example, an electron (a particle), can pop up into any part of a ‘wave.’ Back to what I’ve talked about before, there is more than one choice or outcome that can happen. You, the particle, can show up in different parts of the wave.


What doesn’t happen in one universe, can happen in another, for example. In one universe, you may decide to become a nurse. In another universe, you may not. But you would never know because you cannot communicate with that other universe.


It’s called the theory of entanglement, and it makes up everything. Two particles (electrons) can be on different ends of the earth. One can be in Los Angeles and one can be in New York. But they will imitate each other and even behave the same way.


Before you get spooked out by this idea that there could be another ‘you’ in another world, keep in mind, physicists tell us to live as though we are only living in this one. I’m sure that is all you can do, because this is the only one you know about.


Actually, in an infinite universe, there can be copies of you out there being made right now. This supports the idea of string theory and that there may be multiple universes.


Give up the idea that there are definite predictions, says famous author and world physicist, Brian Greene, again. You picture yourself living in a Three-D world, you look up, and there is a ceiling, you look down, a floor, and around, walls or borders of some sort.


However, what you see is not all there is, as a matter of fact, physicists now believe we could be living on a 2D plane. It’s called the Holographic principle. Check it out, everything could be a hologram, including you! God just may be the greatest computer designer that has ever lived. We could be “code,” stored on a 2-D surface.


I write this article to remind you – there are no limits. When you have an eternity, not only is every rare thing possible, but if you wait long enough – every rare thing happens, said Sam Harris – philosopher and neuroscientist.

This is a great video where Brian Greene is interviewed and explains further!
This is a great discussion between Brian Greene and Sam Harris on this topic also!

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Me☺️

Chicken broccoli medley🥦🐣🫒

This #dish is so yummy. It’s #chicken #broccoli medley, I added some #sharp #cheddar and #wholewheat #bread as you can see below. With a little #ranch on the side, this meal was delicious. Cooked in extra-virgin olive oil, with #koshersalt #groundblackpepper and a little table salt, of course. It’s healthy and tasty too! Of course I had to have some water on the side.😊🫒🥦🥦🐣 #mediterraneandiet #ketorecipes #protein #paleodiet #healthy #paleofood ⚕️🥦👩‍🍳

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

This is a healthy breakfast 🍳🍅🥩

What people don’t realize is how healthy eggs are. The myth is that eggs are not good for you because of the cholesterol. But dietary cholesterol is not the same as cholesterol in your heart. On the contrary, eggs are super good for you. My dietitian had told me that I should have two eggs every morning for enough protein intake. This is a very healthy breakfast, although the sausage is processed, ground beef would’ve been the better choice. Nonetheless, this is still a healthy breakfast. Eggs are good for you, meat is a ‘healthy fat’ and whole wheat bread with a cup of coffee is the way to go.🍳🥚🥩🍖🍗🌾☕️ #paleo #paleorecipes #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneandiet #paleodiet #health⚕️🍅🫒☕️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

#Hebrews 4:12🗡🛡⚔️

The other day I was waiting in a long line at the pharmacy in my car, and I started to get anxious. I began to feel like my chest was tightening, and I started to feel short of breath. I didn’t know what was wrong, but knew I was having a mini anxiety attack. Just as I began to feel worried, I heard a voice from within, it said “there is peace here.” I heard it again: There is peace here…I calmed down.

I had previously been listening to the Bible for several days before this and knew this voice was coming from within, or maybe externally from an angel or guide of some sort. When you meditate on the word of God, His voice is powerful. It’s strong enough to cut through joints and marrow, it helps you discern thoughts, and gives you pure intentions of the heart.🗡🛡❤️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Peter was freed! #Acts😇☦️🙏

Acts 12:7

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists” (Acts 12:7).

I know God is capable of doing all things. There’s so much more than what we can see. We must believe. We must pray for righteousness. We must do our best to be good and right.

I have felt the presence of angels in the direst of times, so this Bible verse does not surprise me in the least bit.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

The Gatekeeper Is God🛐

The gatekeeper is God… He is Christ… We are the sheep that he leads out, if we listen to his voice.🛐☦️⚛️

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Homemade chicken tenders!🐣🥔👩‍🍳

Today I made homemade chicken tenders and it was so easy too. Get three separate bowls: one for a half cup of flour, one for one egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water, and the other bowl will be for the chicken tenders. You can make 6 to a dozen, first sprinkle kosher salt and table salt along with some ground black pepper onto the chicken tenders. Then dip each chicken tender into the flour mix, then dip it into the egg/water mix, and move it over into a heated skillet with vegetable oil or classic olive oil. You should only need one cup of oil keep the heat on high and keep flipping over the tenders continuously until they’re golden brown and cooked! It should take 4-5 minutes. Don’t burn. Use a smaller burner it is safer. They are delicious and yummy!🐣🥔🥚 #homemade #food #foodie #chickentenders #potatoes #delicious #food #cook #connossieur

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

All things will be reconciled🍁🙏

All things work together for good for those who love the Lord, for those who are called according to his purpose, this is so true. We may not see it at the time, but God‘s got your back. He’s working things out for you. It may not seem like it. But no matter what’s happening in your life, God is working for your benefit.


He will be the one there when you’re crying and don’t know what to do. He will be the one helping you when you go to the hospital to visit a loved one. He will give you peace. But you have to continually seek after the Lord. Ask him to lead and guide. At times we tend to be ‘mini gods’ and think we know what’s best. We feel fine. We may think we have no reason to call on God.


But there is a risk. When you don’t seek after him you don’t always see the truth. You may not be able to discern between the spirits. He won’t force his will on you, but the bad outcome may be your fault. You may be influenced by others who are not out to help you. It’s simple. My prayer for years has been, please Lord, lead and guide me. It’s a small prayer that has directed my path. I know I’m enveloped in the love of the Lord.


I don’t need to see to believe. That’s what faith is-believing without seeing. Your belief is what brings a good action to pass. You manifest it. Believe there is a God who loves you so much and wants to bless you even in hard times. Study his word it will strengthen you. In Hebrews 4:12, God’s word is said to be “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword.” Seek after and talk with God. He wants to be there and to be your best friend.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

What is heaven?💫💖

“Kolob” – A Star Cluster✨

When we say the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying for heaven to come down to earth. When we pray, ‘thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’ we are making this request.❤️ In the Book of Revelation, Saint John has a vision: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,” and then there is a new dwelling place where we dwell with God.✨

We are told we will be given a heavenly body. “For we know that when this earthly tent is taken down (that is when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands” (2 Cor. 5:1).

In heaven there will be no loss. On earth, we suffer, but in heaven, it is not the same. There are golden streets, and I believe we can walk beside angels like St. Michael. We spend time with Jesus and get to walk with some of the apostles. God sits on his throne. And I imagine that his size spans more than the earth. He created all the universe(s). The earth is “his footstool.” He is the maker of everything!

We will be in his throne room. We can probably watch our favorite preacher in person and perhaps our favorite musician. We will hear choirs of angels sing in a type of song we’ve never heard. There will be lots of praising, infinite praising all day long, and there will be churches, flowers, and colors you have never seen. I do believe there are “days” up there.

Einstein told us and the Bible affirms that a day in heaven is like a thousand years! It’s in 2 Peter 3:8. Time varies based on velocity, energy, and mass (gravity). Let’s take mass (gravity), according to Einstein’s theory of relativity, as gravity increases, time slows down. ‘Time moves more quickly for someone in a low gravity environment than it does for someone in a high gravity environment.’

This may explain why time moves slower in God’s throne room. ‘The Lord dwells where gravity is high relative to that on earth.’ Furthermore, we are told by the Mormons that we know that His throne is in a ‘star cluster’ containing many large stars, something which would create massive gravity and slow it down perhaps to where a day could equal a thousand years!

Abraham also 3:2 reads: “And I saw the stars, they were very great, and one of them was nearest unto the throne of God: and there were many great ones which were near unto it.” The name of the one nearest to God’s throne is Kolob. Abraham tells us that Kolob “govern[s] all those [worlds] which belong to the same order as that upon which [Abraham] standest.” Kolob could be at the center of our galaxy. The gravitational pull created by this cluster of huge stars (along with gravity from dark matter) holds our galaxy together and keeps the outer rims (where we are) from flying off.

Moreover, heaven is a reunion with loved ones and friends. I personally believe you can have emotions and are still experiencing concsiousness there. Perhaps there are family and friends who welcome you ‘at the white pearly gates?’ I think it may be a different experience for each of us; nonetheless, beyond beautiful for all. ◆◆◆

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

God Will Always Be There…💞

Relationships may fail. Family may disappoint. But God will always be there. He is the one thing that is constant in our lives. No matter what you go through, he will be by your side. We may not even realize it, but he waits, patiently. He does not force his ways. God gives us free will to make decisions. Although he sees every outcome. He knows the route we will take. So he always sees the result. He is there to pick us up when we fall. He will hold us together when we are hurt. He will console us in times of trouble. God’s love will enfold you. Amid the pain, you will know, that God’s love will bring you through.


Recently I was having a little anxiety about all the tasks set before me. I kept thinking about my future and how it will be. I lost my dad a few years ago and my responsibilities have grown. I helped care for him before, and now I am still helping mom. I felt a lot of pressure. Life can be difficult and caring for others can make it harder. God whispered in my heart, “Keep on going. I will get you through. Work through these feelings.” I got up. Went about my day. Completed the difficult stuff and thanked him.


I also learned that being in God’s perfect will does not mean that life should be “perfect,” either, it may be difficult, but in the end, you won’t regret staying on his path. God can heal us, give us strength, and help us overcome. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent. God is Love.


You may wish for something, for example, and sometimes our wishes come true when we least expect it. I wrote an article before describing how prayers get answered. One way or the other, God will answer you. No prayer is unheard. Whether you are praying for deliverance from something, good health, or more finances, God hears you. His voice often comes to me directly after I make a request. I get especially strong feelings after just reading the Bible.


Having a relationship with God is like exercising a muscle, the more you practice having it, the stronger it gets. You can hear him clearer. You get instant feedback. There’s a reason your wish has not been met. Whether or not you understand is not what makes the difference. What makes the difference is whether you trust him enough and ask for his counsel. In due time, good things will happen to you. All things are possible God.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Tonight’s healthy meal!🍃🥕🐥

Today I made a single piece of chicken thigh. Yes, there’s fat on it. Don’t let the fat freak you out! You can see I surrounded it with veggies. A little healthy fat won’t kill you! It’s actually extremely healthy for you, contrary to popular belief. I seasoned it with thyme leaves, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and a little table salt. I have about one to two cups of peas and carrots surrounding it. I also added a half cup of water to the bottom of the pan while cooking and added “butter” flavored cooking spray to the bottom also. I baked it at 400 F for about 40-45 minutes. Cooking times can vary. You’ll have to check on it. I used a cake pan to keep it all together.😀 Butter has health benefits, so does meat and veggies are low carbs!!! I drizzled extra virgin olive oil over the veggies along with a little salt and pepper. I also have a cup of rice sprinkled with mini cubed potatoes and curry seasoning on the side. It’s a mini version of my ‘karee,’ dish, in other words, my tomato beef stew sauce that I like to put over my rice. Of course, this is a cup of brown rice—to have optimal health! Total calories: a low 502 (and I didn’t finish all the chicken) but this is not including drinks or condiments.

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Italian Sesame Twist (w/a heart!) 💕🥖💕

Last night I made a yummy Italian Sesame twist! Actually, many cultures enjoy making bread like this.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted it a little sweet or salty, so I divided it and used salt on one side and sugar on the other. I also want to share the recipe in case anyone is interested in making it.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups white all purpose flour (plain bread flour has a higher protein content but you can use all purpose too)

1 tblspn active dry yeast or 2 (1/4 oz) packets

2 tblspns white granulated sugar

1/2 tspn salt

1 cup warm milk

2 tblspn melted butter (salted or unsalted)

First, melt the butter in a pan. Heat the milk. They can both stay in their pans for now. Combine the flour, the yeast, and sugar in a separate bowl. Whisk them together. Then add in the salt. The salt helps strengthen the dough and stops it from collapsing during baking. Make sure you mix the flour and yeast in well with the sugar, then add the salt. Combine all together.

Now, make a “well” in the center of your combination. This is where you add the butter and milk. MAKE SURE THE MILK IS NOT TOO HOT OR COLD. You can do this by sprinkling the milk on your hand before you mix it in. If the milk is too hot or too cold the rising of the dough will take longer. Here are some pics:

Use a spoon to mix and combine. Scrape up the dough on the sides. Then place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and USE CLEAN HANDS TO KNEAD for about 10 minutes or until the dough comes together. Continue to knead the dough ball with hands until the dough is smooth and elastic. It does not have to be perfect, but it has to have some elasticity to it.

Brush a seperate bowl with Extra Virgin Olive oil, classic olive oil, or butter. Place the dough ball into the new bowl and cover with a tea towel for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The dough should double in size after 45 minutes. Get out your rolling pin and stretch. Cut the dough into three “ropes.” You can twist them with your hands, they do not have to be perfect, but just make sure they look like ropes!

Then, place down parchment paper and lightly grease the parchment, make a loose “braid” with the three ropes. Pinch the ends together and tuck. You can just roll the ropes with your hand, again. Crack an egg into a dish and brush the loaf with the egg. Sprinkle sesame seeds (I toasted my sesame seeds first. Just put them on high heat in a pan for a few minutes). Sprinkle salt or sugar on top, whichever you prefer.

Bake at 400 F for 20-25 minutes but check on it make sure to not burn. The bread is done once it is golden-brown!

You can see I added a heart to the top of it. You can make a separate heart with the rope and seal it down with toothpicks. I hope you enjoy it!😊🥖💕

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Southwestern Egg Rolls!🧀🌶🫓

I want to share my recipe before I forget. Although I don’t have the note paper I wrote my recipe on, I think I can share the ingredients and what to do because I remember and have done it before. So, here it goes…😊

Ingredients:

2 shredded chicken breast pieces, 4 oz. each (optional)

1 can of rinsed black beans (15 oz)

A bunch of Green onions, about 6-8 bulbs, just cut off the tips and slice thin

1 tspn kosher salt

1/2 tspn chili powder (optional, I don’t like food that is too spicy, so I just sprinkle some chili pepper seasoning over the egg rolls to give them a nice look!)

1/2 tspn black ground pepper

1/4 tspn cayenne

1/4 tspn cumin (optional)

Mexican style shredded cheese (8 oz. package)

1 white onion (chopped into small pieces)

2 cups frozen corn, thawed (optional)

1 16 oz. (Vegan) egg roll slices, try to use about twenty slices of dough

First, you want to add 1-2 tbspns of extra virgin olive oil to a pan and add the black beans (make sure to rinse the beans well first) and add onions (both scallions and white, rinsed and chopped first, of course) over medium to high heat and mix often for a few minutes. Also add the kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne to the mix (and cumin if you’ve included it). After the vegetables look colorful and bright you know they’re done. The onions will also soften a bit. Don’t overcook. They will also cook when they’re fried in the egg roll. Set the mixture aside in a plate so it can cool.

Here are a few pics!

I decided to add chicken, but I precooked it. So I just added it to the mixed combination after all of it cooled. See below.

Now you have the filling! You just have to roll…🫓

I like to add a little bit of flour to a clean surface then place down my dough roll, but this is optional. The Dough slice already has some flour on it!

You only need 1-2 tblspns of the filling to add to the center of your egg roll. One is good. You don’t want too much filling, then it will be hard to fold the egg roll. Dab each corner with water you can use a brush or your finger. This helps hold the roll together.

First, bring the scoop of filling a little closer towards you and begin to roll the dough slice away from you, then, midway into the roll, fold the sides in and continue to roll (away from you). Also dab the corner/end with water to help it stick! Keep fingers dry.

It takes a little time to get the folding right, but once you do it will be a piece of cake!

Now you can begin to fry!🥘

I used classic olive oil—2-4 cups. It’s a healthier choice than vegetable oil. Folded side down when you fry.

The frying should take no more than 2-3 minutes. At first a little extra. But your last batch should fry up really quickly. Be sure to watch and flip. Don’t move your pan around. Keep it in place for safety. Be careful. Keep heat on high.

Set them aside to cool!

Voila! You have yummy Southwestern egg rolls! Cooking time: at least two hours due to the three phases. Cutting vegetables, making the filling and frying! Average calories: 250 per egg roll.🫓🧀🌶

Enjoy!😊

About Zina 

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Yellow “Turmeric” Rice with Shredded Chicken recipe!🍛

Some cultures enjoy eating “yellow” rice, and I loved to eat it while growing up! Here is the recipe: first, you have to make the chicken in the crock pot. The nice thing about shredded crock pot chicken is it can be frozen and does not need to be thawed when you put it in. Add the 2 chicken breast pieces, dash it with salt and pepper (garlic is optional), add 1-2 tablespoons of butter. Also add 2 cups of water so the chicken does not stick. Here is a pic of step one:

Set it on high for for 2-4 hours. Sometimes two hours is plenty. If your cooking thermometer reads 165 or higher—it’s done! The chicken will be really hott! Give it at least 15 minutes to cool and then you can just start shredding it up! Here I added some more table salt and ground black pepper (just a dash!) and I also included thyme leaves.🌱 See pic below:

After that, you can start on the yellow rice!😃💛 Cook rice just like you would any other day: I am a big proponent of brown rice, but brown rice does not do good with yellow rice. So here I made long grain white rice, I think it is a little better for you than regular white, and I do not use a rice cooker.😅🤣

In case you have never made rice, you need one cup of water for each cup of rice. A little extra. So here I have two cups of rice, and at first I boiled the rice in 2.5 cups of water. As soon as I brought the rice and water to a boil, I reduced the heat to very low— BUT the rice has to boil before you lower it. After I lowered the heat to the lowest I could without turning it off. I covered the rice. It takes a sufficient amount of time, but once the rice sucks up ALL the water, it is done! At times this can happen, and the rice will still not be fully cooked. I taste the rice, if it is a little crunchy I know it’s not finished. So then I add a little more water, 1/2 to 1 cup, and boil it again. Then reduce heat. Same process. Until the rice sucks all the water up!

Now, for yellow rice the timing is important. Just after you’ve turned the heat off and the rice is done, add the other ingredients. 1 tspn turmeric, 1 tspn salt, and 1 tblspn butter. Mix it all together.

Voila! You have yellow rice!💛

Now, LAST BUT NOT LEAST—you have to add the raisin/almond topping! It is simple. You place a pan on the stove and add 1-2 tbspns of extra virgin olive oil to the pan. Heat it up.and then add 2 ‘heaping’ tablespoons of “slivered” almonds and 2 “heaping” tablespoons of raisins. I like to use jumbo mixed raisins! And it only takes a few minutes for them to cook!

Finally, add the topping to the rice, and create your ‘chicken and rice’ plate! All done!😃🍚👩‍🍳🐤

Enjoy!🍛

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

Homemade Whole Wheat Raisin Cookies!🍪👩‍🍳❤️‍🩹

Last night I made some yummy cookies. As you know, wheat is a much better alternative to white. Wheat bread and wheat rice are better for you in terms of balancing blood sugar. If you’re going to have a grain, it should be wheat or a darker color, such as Rye. Rye bread also is rich in B vitamins (1, 2, and 3).

I will post some pictures below. I also want to share the recipe in case anyone would like to make them. They came out to 25 cookies all together. What’s great about making a large batch of cookies is you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week and then freeze what you have not consumed for 1-3 months.. I like to put each cookie in its own plastic baggy.

Ingredients:

3/4-1cup of unsalted OR salted butter, and partially melt the butter in a pan

1/4 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of packed brown sugar

2 eggs

3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups of Whole Wheat flour (all purpose flour)

3/4-1 cup of raisins (I used mixed raisins of different kinds)

1/2 tspn of vanilla extract

1/2 tspn salt

1/2 tspn baking soda

AND, this recipe is so easy. STEP 1: basically MIX all ingredients together (in no particular order!). It is fun. Now, there may be excess flour that doesn’t want to mix in. So you will have to add about 1/2 cup to a full cup of water, a little at a time, to smoothen the mixture out.

You want the mixture to have a dough like form but to be smooth enough to scoop onto a cookie sheet. Use parchment paper for best results. Scrape up all the excess flour. You can scoop with a tablespoon, and set the cookies about 1-2 inches apart.

This should come out to 20-25 cookies.

Voila! You have Whole Wheat Raisin cookies! By the way, chopped walnuts would be great to add too but are not necessary. It’s optional. Some people like to add 1 cup of uncooked cooking oats. Oats are also great for helping to regulate blood sugar!

Bake at 375-400 F. You may have to go back and forth between the temperature. Check on them every 2 minutes. They only need 10-12 minutes. But cooking times will vary. When the outer rims are golden they are done. But don’t burn! Once you leave them to sit for at least an hour, they will continue to form.

Enjoy!🍪🍪👩‍🍳

About Zina

Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT

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