side note

If you know you should only eat foods that bring you health then....

Why would you say

"oh, it's ok to eat Ice Cream if it's just a little scoop, it's the portion that's important"

Question: Is having a small scoop of ice cream like Bill C saying it wasn't really sex?

HA!

Day 19 - The war

Romans 7 - Struggling

¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.³For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

⁵Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

This was my epiphany! This past year a light clicked on.

It wasn't about the right "diet". It wasn't about right "exercise". It wasn't for lack of "knowledge" of diets and exercises. It wasn't for lack of "resources" (my exercise bike was a great clothes rack for years and my gym membership.... ouch! money down the drain with me not "finding time".)

It hit me - "why do I do what I know I shouldn't do, and why don't I do what I know I should do!?".

This is when I came to the honest appraisal of the problem. I struggle with NOT eating foods that I know are not healthy choices because of the following:

How I feel about food! It's to satisfy me, It's to comfort me... it's to spoil my lust for the pleasure of how it taste, feels in my mouth... and ultimately makes me feel like I'm PLEASING ME.

It's about ME! Something I can control and give myself and have instant gratification. Pleasing my desire to please me! Unfortunately, what please "me" wasn't the healthiest choice.

So, the "21 days to Health and Wellness" is to develop a NEW way of seeing oneself. To see myself as BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.

My walk needs to match my talk.

How can a Nurse who knows how the body works and how can a Christian who knows the power of Gods Word, and How can an Person with a degree in Science STRUGGLE with Health! Come on! Ridiculous!

The Scripture in Romans says it all. ⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

This was me reaching for a cookie. Forget that, it was worse. I would take the time and energy to make homemade fudge brownies....yet, all the time I was mixing and baking... I would saying in my head "I shouldn't make this cuz I'll eat most of it myself". But, my body seemed to be disengaged from my mind. I was at war!

Then I realized that I was at WAR with myself!!

First I didn't recognize the enemy... My habits, desires and my belief system about foods. Food was not the enemy - it was ME. I needed to re-teach myself - re-condition myself - develop Healthy MIND, SPIRIT, BODY Habits.

But, it gets better. How I viewed food and exercise was about doing "what pleased me"... I was pleasing the self serving me. Ok, in spiritual terms... I was pleasing the flesh, not the spirit. Ya know that darn flesh is lazy and lustful. The two L's.

I'm at the end of my "21 days" and I am victorious! I'm finding I have a new approach to Loving myself through Healthy Choices. I've developed (and am continuing to develop) the NEW me. The one that sees myself as 3 entities (No, not like the three faces of EVE, HA lol).

In summary:

I've reviewed my patterns of identifying food - Now I look at something and reinforce my new system of seeing food: It's either a Healthy or Unhealthy choice.

I've learned to develop the habit of putting myself in check (this is becoming natural). When I reach for something to eat I asked this question "am I hungry or am I wanting something to satisfy me". If I am hungry, no problem since I'm going to make a Healthy Choice in selecting something to eat. If I'm honest and know I'm looking for something to "satisfy" me... I then speak the WORD - this can be various scripture verse I know ... ie "only HE can satisfy my soul", "Greater is He that is in me than He that is in ... that food!". I draw strength from HIS WORD. I TELL myself "I want to exercise"! (even if I don't FEEL that, I SAY it)

I've developed a habits. Like standing in front of the pastry counter at Starbucks... I look at the items and repeat in my head (hopefully not out loud). "Those look terrible, full of lard, sugar, greasy .... Not a healthy choice"

My mantra "I don't need that, I don't want it and it's not good for me! I practice saying this when I look at foods in magazines, TV, stores... etc. It's now a way of life.

I've developed the thoughts in my head.... I love to exercise. Even though I use to drag myself my exercise machine. I reinforce the thoughts (despite the feelings) "I can't wait to exercise, It makes me feel so good!". When I first get on my exercise bike and the feelings of oh, man... maybe I'll just do 3 minutes. I say to myself (ignoring my feelings), "ahh, I love how I feel when I exercise".

Yes, I know it sounds crazy but IT WORKS! You MUST re-teach yourself! Develop new habits. Change your patterns.

It takes 21 days! New habits! This is the Truth I tell you. It's truly liberating. The war is won... but I'll keep my defenses up... knowing the enemy is "near".

Stop being at war with yourself. Defeat the enemy (the flesh) and strengthen the winner in you!

Seek God's strength, desire to Please the Lord with your life. Desire to take care of YOU!

Feed your MIND, SPIRIT and BODY today with Healthy choices!

Salute! To your Health and Wellness

TWO DAYS to go

I'll then go back and revise my blog - any suggestions???? I'm planning this being a book.

Day 18 - Detox

Psalm 51:10 (King James Version)

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me

"21 days to Health and Wellness" is passionate about expressing

that we are Body, Soul and Spirit.

Balance brings wholeness.

It occurs to me that if a home was built with NO foundation, It would be a set up for frustration and failure. A Spiritual life style is the foundation of a persons life.

No matter how much time is spent on taking care of our home... furnishing, decorating, CLEANING, fixing/repairing, it would be a futile and endless task if it had a poor foundation.

Without a sure foundation the walls would not support the roof properly, the walls would crack. When a storm hit the home, "oh my" the work to keep the house standing.

Ok, so I don't know construction and should use a different analogy... but you get the point I'm sure.

This is what I believe to be as the core issue that can creates illness and even some diseases. A poor foundation. Neglect of a Healthy Spiritual Lifestyle.

Building our lives with focus on "our bodies, assets (Personal, relationships, work)" but neglecting our Spiritual life... failure!

Foundation of a home (Spirit)

Walls of a home (Body)

Roof of a home (Mind)

Ok, you got the picture

WE are BODY, MIND and SPIRIT!

OK, now to the "detox" thing...

"Detox" diets. The rage of health guru's... I believe because they want to blame something other than poor lifestyle choices and find a "quick fix". Ok, I've do believe that our bodies are "bombarded by environmental toxins". But, look.... we have a fabulous system created by an amazing higher Being - GOD, designed lungs, liver, kidneys lymph system that is for that purpose. It'll do it's job IF, and I said IF you choose to live a healthy lifestyle. I don't say this lightly.

You can tell I'm not a believer in THE "detox diets". However, I am a believer in cleansing ourselves, body, mind and spirit.

Which brings me to say this. If you, me... we spend as much time thinking about detoxing our minds and spirits as we do our bodies.... we'd be on the right path to "Health and Wellness".

PHYSICAL:

Let's hear from the Mayo Clinic ....

www.mayoclinic.com/health/detox-diets/AN01334

Question

Detox diets: Do they offer any health benefits?

Do detox diets offer any health benefits?

Answer

from Michael Picco, M.D.

Detoxification, or detox, diets are touted by many as a way to remove "toxins" from the body. This practice stems from the belief that the food you consume contains a range of harmful substances, which accumulate in your body, causing fatigue, headaches, nausea and even disease. But there's no evidence that this is true or that detox diets have any health benefits. Also, in some cases, detox diets can have harmful side effects.

Detox diets vary. But the basic premise is to temporarily give up certain foods that are thought to contain "toxins," such as meat, sugar, certain grains, dairy products and caffeine. Detox diets typically start with fasting followed by a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruit and fruit juices, and water. In addition, some detox diets advocate using herbal laxatives, antioxidants and colon cleansing (enemas) to help "clean" out the intestine and liver. The duration of such regimens often ranges from seven to 10 days.

Some people report they feel better, "lighter," and more focused and energetic during and after detox diets. This may be due to their belief that they are doing something good for their bodies. But it may also be due to eating little — if anything — for several days. Calorie restriction can lead to heightened feelings of psychological well-being.

There is no evidence, however, that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body. Most ingested toxins are efficiently and effectively removed by the kidneys and liver and excreted in urine and stool.

Early side effects of fasting include headaches. Prolonged fasting or severe calorie restriction can result in anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heartbeat. Before going on a fast or detox diet, talk to your doctor.

The best diet is one based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and unsaturated fats. Add regular exercise and stress reduction techniques, and you have a solid foundation for good health.

******************

You see the mention of "stress reduction techniques? This is the worlds way of saying "spiritual life". There you have it... what I believe and why. Healthy FOODs are to naturally detox your bodies along with exercise. Exercise and Healthy foods for our MINDS and SPIRITS on a daily basis.

So, I do believe in detoxification of our bodies.... just naturally, the way God intended.

MIND:

Now, I've mentioned in my blog and an author Caroline Leaf. Fantastic book on detoxing the mind. Title "Who switched off my brain" GOOD reading. She talks about how to "detox" your mind.

Again... let's talk foundation of our lives. The foundation for which we build our character, morals, decisions, focus, goals etc....

Our Spirit - this is who we really are. Made in His image. But, do we reflect that image to others? I hope I more like Him than Me.

Just a thought.

SPIRIT:

Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

My prayer and I hope your prayer.

Does a heart need to be "detoxed"? Ask God and Yourself too!:

un forgiveness, envy, resentment? These can cause Heart Disease!! There is a considerable amount of scientific research to support this.

So I will stop and do this.... close my eyes and take a deep cleansing breath then ask myself... WHO would I not want to sit next to and eat a meal with? Ahhhh, My "feelings" towards that person is Toxic "junk" stored in my heart. Ouch.

Only a "work out with God" can release us from un forgiveness, envy and or resentments. Who really is the one hurt by holding on to this junk? It's like the build up of "toxins" that these so called diets talk about. But THIS IS REAL. No, pill or drink or special diet can rid you of this kind of "junk" in your heart. It cloggs and constipates your ability to love...to laugh, to be patient and tolerant... to enjoy a relationship with others and with GOD.

Wow, no judgement and believe me I'm talking to me toooooo! That's the essence of this "21 day to Health and Wellness". It's for me... sharing with you what I'm learning.

15/15/15 - that's 15 minutes of physical exercise to detox your Body every day

that's 15 minutes of mental exercise to detox your Brain every day

that's 15 minutes of spiritual exercise to detox your Spirit every day

45 minutes of taking care of YOU! Ahh the beautiful you, inside and out!

Detoxing the spirit today by opening up the Bible (God's ability to speak to you) and prayerfully (speaking to him) CLEANSE (detox) your heart today. Yes, 15 minutes!

Our body and mind will thank us.

Salute! To your Health and Wellness

No computer access past week. Ooops!

Day 17 - Passion

Socrates Demonstrating Desire

Burning desire for wisdom Story of a young man who came to Socrates and asked him how he could gain wisdom. Socrates told the young man to come with him and they walked together into a near by lake. When the water had got to be about 4 feet deep, Socrates suddenly grabbed the young man and pushed his head under the water and held him there. The young man thought it was a joke at first and did not resist. But as he was held under the water longer and longer, he became frantic and struggled desperately to get free but could not. He began to panic and try with all his might as his lungs burned to get air. Socrates then lifted him out of the water and said to him. When you desire wisdom with the same intensity that you had to breath then nothing will stop you from getting it Spiritual: Pray for Passion - Seek Passion! Passion for living a life for the GOD who gave you life. Passion for doing God's will, NOT your own but HIS. Passion in in everything you do. DO with with excitement, flavor, love..... with all of your being. When you truly want something - YOU WILL HAVE IT - If you seek it with Passion. MENTAL: Good reading is Bob Greene The Best life Diet - Interesting information and theory's towards eating and living healthy. PHYSICAL: It's up to you to have the "passion" to physically be the best, eat the best. MAKE time to take care of you. It's difficult for people to love someone who doesn't love themselves. This is not a-scriptural. You must love what the Lord gave you - He loves you. He made you beautiful! Love everything about yourself that GOD made. Even if you don't like your nose, legs.... feet, Appreciate that you have a NOSE, TWO legs and TWO FEET. Take what GOD gave you and love it by taking care of it! THE beauty lies within you!!!! THAT is what shines. CHANGE what you can, ACCEPT what you can't change and SMILE, SING and SHINE today. REMEMBER: 15/15/15 15 minutes of each: Spiritual, Mental, Physical exercise today 8 glasses of 8 oz water with a Kiss of Lemon and a pinch of Cayenne pepper Smile, laugh and hug someone DO IT FOR LIFE! SALUTE! To your Health and Wellness