Eat Responsibly this Season: Day 5

Would you drive your car with a Blind Fold on?   Just believing you "know the way"?

Silly but that's how I think we choose what to eat and drink each day.  

 Then We  "Cry when we can't fit into our Jeans".

I     A L W A Y S hated to keep track and count calories when "trying to lose weight".   Now I believe I know the truth why I always resisted. 

 It's because I'd have to FACE THE FACTS each day of what I really was eating.   

Oh, ya... I'd be the one to say "oh, Doctor,  I really don't eat much".  This Was TRUE.  But What I didn't say was that the Little I ate was WAY too many calories.  

Then I'd get all stupid feeling  and embarrassed when asked  "do you exercise and how often?".... YIKES! Lie's Lie's Lies'  to myself.  

Driving down the Road BLIND!   Just figuring I KNOW THE WAY.  

Well, That  has stopped this year on my "Journey to Health and Wellness".

Yes, Fall as started in the Air  - OH I love when the air becomes cool and crisp after a Hot dry Summer.

Oh how I always have loved the anticipated holiday festivities, decorations, parties....  Food!  Clipping recipes!  Planning meals 

Nothing better than my memories of baking pies with my Mom for Thanksgiving!  She is an amazing cook and hostess.  

Back to the subject.   Fall has started and the aroma and delightful "eye candy" of beautiful table's filled with fantastic culinary delights  are headed our way.

Below is an example of  MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE and eating responsible this holiday Season.

You could choose a "Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte" or  homemade "Pumpkin Pie".  

(IF you really wanted to celebrate the season with pumpkin).

Look at how irresponsible the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is compared to a Pie.  (see nutritional guide below)

Latte has NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE 

                 to feed "THE TEMPLE"

The  homemade  Pumpkin PIE is rich in vitamins, fiber and nutrition for LESS calories and sugar.

Latte 380  vs  Pie    280

YOU DO THE MATH!  on Calories alone... BUT don't forget the "nutrition" of what's going in your body!

So,  "Put your Big girl panties on and deal with it!"   

Count Calories, Sugars and Nutrition

They say "drink responsibly" during the holiday season... WELL  I say "eat responsibly"  or you'll wake up on December 31st this year with the SAME OL New Year Resolution.   

1 Corinthians 10:  

¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 

¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Salute!  to Your Health and Wellness 

I pray you ask the Lord to show you and guide your eating habits. God Bless you

Espresso, pumpkin, spices, steamed milk and sweetened whipped cream.

Short 8oz Tall 12oz Grande 16oz Venti 20oz  Nonfat milk Whole Milk 2% Milk Soy (United States) Soy (Canada)  No Whipped Cream Whipped Cream 

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (16 fl oz)

Calories 380	Calories from Fat 120
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g	20%
Saturated Fat 8g	40%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 50mg	17%
Sodium 220mg	10%
Total Carbohydrate 51g	18%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Sugars 49g
Protein 14g
Vitamin A 15% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 50% Iron 0%
Caffeine 150mg
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Now compare that to a Piece of Pumpkin Pie: Nutritional Information Libby's® Famous Pumpkin Pie Servings Per Recipe: 8 Amount Per Serving Calories: 283 Total Fat: 12.1g Cholesterol: 65mg Sodium: 357mg Total Carbs: 38.7g     Dietary Fiber: 2.7g Protein: 6.4g Libby's(R) Famous Pumpkin Pie Serving Size 1/8 of a recipe Servings Per Recipe 8 Amount Per Serving Calories 283 Calories from Fat 109 % Daily Value * Total Fat 12.1g 19 % Saturated Fat 4.7g 24 % Cholesterol 65mg 22 % Sodium 357mg 14 % ** Potassium 173mg 5 % Total Carbohydrates 38.7g 12 % Dietary Fiber 2.7g 11 % Protein 6.4g 13 % Sugars 25.8g Vitamin A 161 % Vitamin C 1 % Calcium 17 % Iron 12 % ** Thiamin 3 % ** Niacin 14 % ** Vitamin B6 4 % ** Magnesium 6 % ** Folate 12 %

Empty Words - Day 4

We say we want to be healthy.  We say we want to lose weight.  We say we want to just enjoy life. WE say, say say.  EMPTY WORDS?   Guess so if you're still struggling.

Words are empty if we are "fighing the battle of the bulge", if our cholesterol levels are elevated, we can't do 20 jumping jacks without passing out... We'd rather watch TV than go for a walk.... we seek sugary, salty snacks instead of Fresh Fruit and raw vegetables.

I want to be passionate!  I want my words to match my actions.  I want to walk the talk.  If not, then I'm a fraud.   I'm really telling myself lies.  Then I don't really want what I say I want.  OR, maybe I don't think I deserve it!  How sad is that?

Today, Lord  I pray that I stretch beyond myself to become that which I desire.  A person who reflects her words.  Fill my words with YOUR power!  

I'm thinking of the Italian Women who use to do my hair.  I knew her for several years before and after she had a baby.   She confided in me that her husband had lost interest in her after the baby was born.  With tear's in her eye's she said she thought that it was due to her weight.  She is a very beautiful women and yes she kept on the "baby" weight and was not in the best shape.

I knew that her self image did indeed contribute to the troubled marriage.  I don't believe her weight was the root of the problem, it was her self esteem.  She wasn't happy with herself, her looks.... 

How can we expect other's to love us when we don't love ourselves?

Anyway,  I suggested to her that regardless of how she believed her husband felt about her weight... she herself was unhappy when she looked into the mirror. She admitted she hated how she looked and felt.  

Yet, she was willing to be complacent about her weight.... live with it and pour herself into her baby for happiness.  When she saw the signs of her husband not paying attention to her, that's when it bothered her. 

I suggested that every morning (she had a nanny for the baby) she needed to get out and walk briskly for 1 hour.   30 minutes one direction, then turn around and walk back.  If she would say,  I'm walking to save my marriage... that would give her focus, determination and purpose.  How much did she want to save her marriage?  Was she really willing to put action to her words that she loves her husband and wants to save her marriage.  (again, I believe the marriage was troubled due to the fact her baby came 1st and her husband came 2nd.... it was clear when listening to her stories)

I haven't seen her since that time (I moved away) so I don't know what ever happened.  But, this story has stuck with me.

What was she willing to do to save her marriage?   

It is a shame that people are only willing to push themselves to exercise 

and eat better after the Doctor frightens them with some diagnosis.  

Yes, as a Nurse I've seen this time and time again.

What does it take to motivate us to "get in shape, get healthy"?  Why can't we just care enough about ourselves to do it for US?  Crazy but it sometimes takes a High School Reunion, or Wedding or a death sentence to motivate us.

That's why I have been stressing in my blogs.  WE ARE HIS TEMPLE.  

Christ wants to live in our hearts.  Geeze Louise.... CLEAN UP THE TEMPLE!   God created this amazing Temple for Him to live in and we trash it.  Fill it with Garbage.  Yes,  I'm not just talking about "garbage food" I'm talking about filling our MINDS with garbage, trash ..... Garbage that is rotting inside us.  


Our word's have to be empty, because there's no room in us for anything else, it's full of Garbage.

It's no wonder  there is  sleeping problems,  a lack energy, a lack joy.... various  unexplained aches and pains ... headaches.... allergies.  Yes, you heard me right.   


PHYSICAL ALIMENTS due to the Garbage we put in our mind and body.

Our Spirits are crying out to us to STOP IT!   Go to his WORD, Read it.... Talk with the LORD and start CLEANING HOUSE!

You can go on any Diet in the world to lose weight.... Go ahead... knock yourself out....

Do you know why diet's are not 100%  successful? 

BECAUSE you need to start the "diet" inside your soul first!  How many books do you pick up on diet's that tell you that!  

That's right....  

Here is another way to understand what I'm saying: 

How comfortable and enjoyable would your home be for guest if you only took care of the outside of your home?

You could have the most amazing looking home on the block but if the inside of your home is a wreck.... Yikes!   We LIVE inside our homes.  

We are so consumed with the EXTERNAL that we neglect the INTERNAL   

Our bodies are a reflection of our souls.

Ok,  another way to understand this..... you could get ready to go out to a party and look amazing,  all perfumed up, made up.... fabulous outfil on.... amazing.... but if your Breath STINKS because you ate toooo much garlic.... I don't care how beautiful you look... YOU STINK!  No one will recall you looked great, they'll remember your Bad Breath!

Ok,  sermon for today is almost over.

CLEAN inside your HOUSE!  Go to the Lord in Prayer, read his word and "detox your mind and Spirit".  

Then develop new habits of  what you put into your mind and spirit.  
Your Body will thank you.

Do you want to be healthy?  Do you seek wellness?  Do you want to lose weight and be active and strong?

Start by looking inside before you start fixing the outside. 

Be honest.  Is there someone that you wouldn't want to sit and share a meal with?  Someone in your life who has hurt you?

Unforgiveness, resentment, hatred..... take up space in our minds and bodies like a cancer.  They eat away at us morning , noon and night.   They manifest as headaches, backaches, joint pain..... allergies, colds, flu....  

If  we could take a picture of your back pain... you'd see the face of someone you're angry at

(hey, it maybe YOU that you're angry at... Maybe you have unforgivenss for yourself_)

Ok, don't believe me.  DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!  I'm telling you the truth  that 80% of all illness stem from unhealthy thoughts.

So,  you want to Lose weight.... you complain because "you just can seem to lose weight"...

LOSE yourself in Christ....  be cleanse and be filled with HIM.   

You'll drop the weight! You'll stop trying to satisfy yourself with FOOD.  You'll be satisfied in HIM.


  You'll be full of  love, laughter and a new zest for living if you put your relationship with Christ as Your first DESIRE.

If you don't believe me... ok.  Pick up the Bible and see what GOD Tell's you.   It's all there in Black and White.

1 Corinthians 14: 1  

Let love be your greatest Aim....

Salute!  To Your Health and Wellness

PS 

Don't forget

15 minutes of feeding your Spirit (praying)

15 minutes of feeding your Mind (reading God's word)

15 minutes of feeding your Body  (exercise)

Think before you Eat - Day 3

Day 3

Well, I'm still in the game.  No home run yesterday but.... "that's ok"... I'm still determined to WIN.


Wanting to "be healthy"  is about taking a serious look inside first.

Why to I make food choices that I do?
Why do I make excuses to not exercise?

This journey is NOT about a diet.  It's NOT about saying NO to foods I want...

It's about changing the "want"

It's about WANTING healthy foods.
It's about WANTING to BE healthy


It's about WANTING fresh Fruits and Vegetables
It's about WANTING thoughts directed towards giving life to your body
It's about WANTING to be Spiritually Whole and Well

This is really (when I think about it) about WANTING the Right Things for ME.

This Journey I'm on is to end the battle I have fought everyday for years....
The battle of trying to say NO to something I WANT only to end up feeling Guilty for not saying No.

This is about ending the battle of fighting myself each day about "having to exercise" and then NOT doing it because I really didn't WANT to.

This is about living in VICTORY!  This is about finding PEACE.

This about Living in the Moment and finding Peace.

I NEED TO BE PATIENT with ME.   I've had years and years of developing thought pattern's, habits, live style choices.

Changing Habits, Lifestyles and How I Think.... takes TIME, PATIENCE'S and a Commitment  to Wanting something Better for ME.

  It takes "one day at a time"   "baby steps".... (love, love, love the Movie "What about Bob")


It has never been easy to be patient, but it's probably harder now than at any time in history. 


In a world in which messages can be sent across the world instantly, in which seemingly everything is available for immediate purchase with a few clicks of the mouse, it's hard not to always expect instant gratification. 


But patience remains a valuable tool in life. 


We don't always get instant gratification, and some of the best things in life require years of hard work and waiting. 


Fortunately, patience is a virtue that can be cultivated and nurtured. 


Copied from:WikiHow.com



It DOES takes  changing how I see food and exercise (I'll deal with that discussion later).

What about YOU who is reading this....

Every time you look at food on the table, at a restaurant, at a store, on TV, in a magazine.... where ever, you  need to say out loud   " is this a healthy choice?" or "is this an unhealthy choice?".

then if it's NOT a healthy choice - SAY TO YOURSELF.... 

I don't need it, don't want it... it's not good for me!   

(make this a little Jingle type song you play in your head  (yes, I know I'm a bit crazy! but it works!)

You have to re-programing your mind on how you see food. Throw out the old paradigms.

If you still choose to eat something that isn't a healthy choice.  DO NOT then put it in your mouth and then say Ummmm, or say "oh, to die for", rolling your eye's like your having some amazing moment.
This tells your brain a message.  It says  "I LOVE this unhealthy crap" therefore "I desire this unhealthy crap".... Yikes!  ahhh the war inside your body between your mind, body and spirit.


Ok, let's say this AGAIN

When you eat... become aware of how your feeling when you reach for a food: "am I hungry?"
.... "am I really hungry with hunger pang's"  or   "am I eating because I'm bored" or  "am I seeking something to satisfy me" (that's a big one!) or   "am I frustrated" and trying to sooth oneself .....

ASK yourself if your not having hunger pangs  "WHY ARE YOU EATING".

You may still eat it but your starting to THINK before you EAT.   Your making eating more purposeful when you ask your self "WHY am I shoving that into my Mouth.

 So, today when "think"  about a meal, snack, treat..... F O O D.  THINK!  

Am I really Hungry?

Is it time to re-fuel  my body?

Is this just a craving?

Why am I thinking about eating?

THEN.... move to


Am I choosing something full of vitamins, mineral, nutrition?


Is the food I'm wanting to choose a healthy choice ?


If I'm seeking something that isn't a healthy choice then let me turn to Jesus (he's with me) and ask if this food I Desire belongs in HIS TEMPLE.  
(if it just increases my blood sugar and or  increases my cholesterol without bringing any nutrition than  probably N O T ! ) Dahhhh. 

For Crying out loud   " T H I N K"   

It's surprising how automatic we  reach for something to shove in our mouths..... or even seek something out when we have a craving (drive 5 miles to the ice cream store)  like a  possessed being... driven by an outside force.

S T O P  the Insanity  (as that crazy women use to scream - She cracked me up... but she had something right).

Today make a commitment:   I WILL THINK BEFORE I EAT!

ASK these THREE Questions!

What's happening that I'm even thinking about eating?  
Is this a Healthy life giving Food that my Body Needs right now?
Am I choosing the right food, portion and time to eat?

This WILL change your world if you start eating purposefully.

John 4:34  

 ³⁴ Then Jesus explained: 

“My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, 

who sent me, and from finishing his work.

If you (talking to me too) find you're seeking food when your body has NO NEED for you to eat, than exam "YOURSELF" through His Eye's.  

What are you trying to satisfy?

A Song I love  came from the biblical story about  when Jesus talks with a Samaritan Women.   John 4: 1-42

"Like the Women at the well, I was seeking for these that could not satisfy.... and then I heard my Savior Speaking .... come to the WELL that never shall run dry.  Oh, Fill my Cup Lord..."

Today when your seeking to eat something 

Stop and Think 

Ask the three questions

Then Draw strength from the Lord to make the right Choice.

Salute!  To your Health and Wellness

PS

When your desiring to get healthy.... lower your BMI... Live LIFE Healthy and Well

then

It's not about a DIET or some crazy "lose 21 pounds in 21 day" program

It's about first cleaning HIS temple and the Re-modeling and Re-decorating HIS temple

to reflect HIM!  That is Living!

God Bless you

Winning the Game - Day 2

Ok, so you can still win a baseball game even though you don't hit a home run every time you get up to bat.

So, yesterday wasn't a "home run" type of day for me.  

 I GOT up,  Stood at the home plate.  

Took my best shots.... 

I'm in the game and still excited for another day - 

Stepping on the home plate again this morning.

I WILL WIN!  

(silly to use a sport's analogy since I'm not really a "sport" type gal... but it fit's perfect)

For I can do everything God ask me 

to with the help of Christ 

who gives me the strength and power.  

Philipians 4: 13

It's absolutely amazing the POWER in His word.   Why oh Why oh WHY do we try to find the strength inside our self?  What is the reluctance to find the strength in HIM!

 John 1

 ¹In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

Today I've set my Goal

15/15/15    

I think I'll make an appointment with myself! 

I WILL spend 15 minutes today in PRAYER  I'm needing to work on LISTENING!  Being Quiet.  Shutting UP.  Being Still.   Golly Geewhiz how do "they" do it.  The whole "empty your mind" and meditate thing.  My mind is always like the TV with PIP going on.   

9:45 am today  I have an appointment with me to do this!

15 minutes today need to be spent getting my HEART rate up!  10 minutes warm up, 15 minutes HR elevated, and 10 minutes cool down.

  Excellent web site for health info:  They have the calculator to figure Target Heart Rate.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/target-heart-rate/SM00083

  

Ok, 10 am today I have an appointment with ME to "get my HR up" and thus exercise my heart.  So at 10:10 I'll be starting my aerobics and I'll listen to some up beat Worship music!  "Two, Two... Two things in one"

Next:  15 minutes exercising my MIND.  Oh, freak... still trying to learn Italian.

Why do I try to learn another language when I have difficulty with my first language "English".  English was my worst class, worst grades... worst worst worst.  But, I've gotten this far (even graduated with a Bachelor degree - go figure).

I'll Listen to my Italian lesson's while stretching today at 10 am

There you have it.   MY GOALS for today.  
                             35 minutes today TAKE CARE OF ME! His TEMPLE!

Now Pick up the bat,  get into position..... get the Self talk going... see it in my Mind.... DO IT!  Start Swinging baby!   Cuz I'm a WINNER!

Salute!  To your health and wellness