Hey TVI:JWJ Readers,

I know that the current political climate in our country is intense. I know that America is facing an economic meltdown, and our way of life is being threatened on every hand, but please be encouraged. Problems will always come, but they will always be remedied. Your life is worth living, you are valuable, and you have purpose, so do NOT let anyone or any of your situations tell you anything different. I just felt that someone needed to hear this today, so I followed my inner voice and composed this blog. Stay strong!

Dear Young Ladies and Young Men,

On a daily basis there will always be people like cousins, other kids, and even people that you do not know that will try to persuade you to do things that you do not want to do. Most peer pressure may come from other kids at school. They may want you to smoke, drink, fight, ditch school, misbehave, or have sex. To that I say, “YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOU.” Never allow someone else to encourage you to do something that you do not want to do. Never allow someone to coax you into doing something where you have not thought about the consequences of the behavior that they want you to perform. I know that you may not hear this much anymore, but there are CONSEQUENCES for every action and word that you do or say. For example, if you start to smoke, you may become addicted, spend thousands of dollars per year to keep the habit going, and develop lung cancer. Just remember, enjoying life means enjoying your freedom, so please don’t choose things for your life that you may eventually become a slave to (drinking, smoking, sex) because those kinds of habits are hard but not impossible to break.

Lastly,

the people who encourage you to do or say things that may bring harm to you are NOT your real friends.

I know that it may be hard, but find new friends fast, if you are in with the wrong crowd. Your life is valuable and I don’t want you all to jeopardize your wonderful futures.

Remember that I love you and I am always praying for you.

If you have any questions or comments that you would like for me to address in a video, please log onto www.journeywithjudith.com. Go to the “Ask Judith” tab. Follow the instructions and enter your information and your question. Your questions will be delivered directly to me. Thanks for your continued support!

Hey JWJ Readers,

I think that this video has scared me straight. I’m not crazy about food, but I usually love to indulge in eating desserts. I have a question, other than Chromium, what can stop sugar cravings?

Dear Young Ladies and Young Men,

This week my letter to you all is simple.  No matter what life brings your way, NEVER stop dreaming.  Dreaming can increase your sense of hope and hope can give you the strength to work toward your goal(s).

Feel free to leave a comment and share one thing that you dream about.

As always, remember that I love you and that I am always praying for you.

Last week I was doing research for my doctoral level Public Health class when I spoke to a scientist who analyzes food and other items that could be harmful to the public.  He said that the fruits and vegetables from a well-known, one stop shop retailer, whose name begins with a “W” and ends with a “T” were quite dangerous. He told me that this retailer’s fruits and vegetables had six times more pesticides than other retailers who also sell fruits and vegetables.

Pesticides, as with so many other things in our environment, can cause cancer.  With that being said, it seems important to purchase our fruits, vegetables, and even meats from natural or organic stores. Preventive measures to protect our health can really go a long way.

So, where do you purchase your fruits and vegetables?  How well do you wash your fruits and vegetables?  Do you use a pesticide remover or do you simply rinse your fruits and vegetables and then consume them?

Please feel free to share your feelings or thoughts here on the site.  We have to continue the conversation about the quality of the foods that we eat because this conversation could save our lives.

Have you ever been in a situation or been faced with a problem, then later, you realized that you made the wrong decision?  After the decision was made, have you ever said, “Something told me not to do or say that?”

Consider the examples below.  Maybe you will see yourself in one of these examples:

Have you ever been in an unfamiliar area of town or out at night by yourself?  Suddenly you heard “something” say, “Don’t go down that street?”

Have you ever needed to catch a plane or train or be at an important meeting but “something” just kept getting in your way?

How many times have we all failed to listen to our inner-voices?  How many times have we been hurt by someone or something simply because we ignored our inner-voice or that voice we call “something”?

Well, I call my “something” God and as I get older, I find myself becoming more sensitive to his voice and his gentle way of telling me when to leave or stay in a friendship, relationship, an event, a job, etc.

So, I ask you all, what do you call your “something” and why?

Please feel free to leave a comment.  Remember your comments help others so please SHARE (smilie).

Dear Young Ladies and Young Men,

I know that I usually write a letter to you all about something that I think that you may need to know, but this week I would like to ask you all a question.

Lately, I have noticed many young girls and young men who behave in ways that will not benefit them in the future.  For example, I was driving past a junior high school the other day and noticed young girls fighting, cursing, and wearing very revealing clothes.  I also noticed young boys smoking, screaming, throwing objects at cars, and wearing sagging pants.  I do understand that we live in a society that suggests to young people that you can live life without consequences, but let me assure you that this notion is untrue.  I would just like to advise you all that there is always a consequence for any and everything you do.

So, my question is, while you are living and when you pass away, how do you want to be remembered?  What legacy (what will you be known for) do you want people to associate with your life?

Leave a comment and tell me what you want your legacy to be.

I was driving home one day and I had a lot on my mind.  I was feeling the pressure of needing to make a very important decision, but I did not have peace about the decision that I was about to make.  Life experience has taught me never to continue forward with a decision that I am still confused about.  As I was driving on the freeway, I glanced over and saw this marvelous sight. I grabbed my cell phone and took this picture (in a safe manner).  This scene gave me my answer, which was, “Don’t make the decision right now.”  Relax.  This photo gave me “hope” and I pray that it does the same for you.

Leave a comment and let me know how the scene of the sky makes you feel or if you feel anything at all.

Are you tired of having the same old boring lunch from the same old boring places? If so, check out a family owned business that I found.  I was driving past Berge’s Sandwiches one day and just had a feeling that this place would be a great place to eat. I am so happy that my intuition was not wrong!

Upon entering the establishment, the owner greeted my sister and I with a smile and told us that he has been in business for 40 years.  He was awesome!  He let us sample his tomato bisque soup and it was amazing.  He is reasonably priced, but leave those atm and credit cards at home because this small business owner does business the way he creates his soups and sandwiches……the old fashioned way.  He only accepts cash, but that is a small convenience to give up for such well-made high quality food. 

Oh yea, I had the pastrami reuben sandwich (pictured-above). The owner uses low fat pastrami and it tastes and digest very easily as it is cut very thinly.  If you are in the La Canada/Flintridge area, check this wonderful establishment out and tell them Journey With Judith sent you.

Location Information:  Berge’s Sandwiches, 1044 Foothill Blvd, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 (818) 790-2422.