Where are we going?

The other day I was remembering an incident that happened with my parents a few years ago. My husband and I decided to take my parents on a little day trip to visit the family farm we used to visit so often when I was a child. It was a beautiful day and my parents were eager, as was I, to get out for a drive. When we reached the town where the farm was my dad instructed me where to turn. He told me turn right here and turn left there. Go straight turn right again etc. About 10 or 15 minutes passed with my dad giving me these instructions and then he turned to me and asked "Where are we going?" You see my dad had Alzheimer's and for the first part of the trip he was completely lucid, and then suddenly he lost his way. I smile every time I remember that day. My dad even had to laugh.

Lately I got to thinking about that story and I had to relate it to what I have been trying to do with changing this beaten down, overweight temple, I call my body. I have lost my way. My weight is holding at a 25 pound loss and it should be over 30 at this time. Now it is I asking myself "where are you going?" "Do you know where to turn, to get back on the right track?" "Do you have your goals set before you?" "Do you know how to achieve what you have set out to do?" I thought I knew the answers to those questions but lately I haven't seen the results that I want. When we couldn't find the farm that day we had to find help. I know I need to do the same thing to get back on track. Today at church I found out though Pastor Arndt using God's Word how to get back on the right road. He preached a sermon from Matthew 26:41 where Jesus asked his disciples to "watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak." Pastor said, "one of the keys to handling temptation is what we do before temptations comes."

TIP: For you and for me. Watch and pray so that we can be prepared to handle all of what life has in store for us tomorrow.

Iron Man

Acts 17:28 For in him we live and move and have our being.

Well this past weekend I certainly saw a lot of movement as our grand niece, Melissa, competed in the Iron Man competition. What an amazing girl she is. I have posted a picture of her after she just completed 2.5 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking (much of it uphill), and finally running 26 miles. How exciting and fun it was to be with other family members and cheer on this accomplished athlete. While we stood at the finish line we cheered on other competitors as well. Some were shouting, others ringing cow bells and still others clapping. It was a such an emotional and thrilling experience. My niece, Annie, turned to me and said "can you imagine what heaven will be like with our loved ones cheering us on as we approach the finish line." I thought that was a very good analogy. Isn't that what we are all here for, to cheer each other across that finish line into the arms of our loving Savior and friend, Jesus?

Embrace your family and friends, encourage them to keep going when they are too tired to go on. Cheer them on to finish the race. I Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. The prize Paul is speaking of is heaven. It is my prayer that you win the prize.

Notice the smile on Melissa's face. How did she manage to be doing so well after that grueling experience? Well first of all Melissa didn't just decide the day before to compete in the Iron Man she decided a year ago. She was committed to endure the pain of practice, practice, practice. She was self disciplined. No one would have thought she was weak if she would have said forget it I don't want to work this hard anymore. This was something she wanted to do and nothing was going to stop her. Certainly not pain or fatigue. What drive!

Well Melissa, your endurance is certainly an inspiration to me and my goal of honoring God by getting this body, God's Temple into shape. So what is your idea of an Iron Man? Maybe it is like mine, walking 3 miles, taking a shower and going for an evening bike ride. Not as grueling for sure but what can one expect from an older, out of shape gal. Whatever your idea of an Iron Man is lets get moving and complete the race!!!

By the way did I mention that she came in 14th in her age division? Go Melissa!!!!

My great accomplishment is that I moved another half pound closer to my goal making my total loss 24 1/2 and working towards my next goal of 25. It pales in comparison but races are won one step at a time.

TIP :To make yourself accountable, start keeping a food journal. My cousin Mary does this and she is proof that it works. Give it a try.

Restoring Honor

Hello,

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything on my blog and I thought I better get to it. The primary reason for my silence is that my weight has stayed the same since I last wrote. We did a little traveling and had some fun visiting with family. Believe me, being with my family it is a real challenge staying the same weight.

What we did this past week end brings me to posting something today. Bob, Nancy (my sister in-law) and myself went to Washington DC to the Glenn Beck rally "Restoring Honor" it was an amazing event. We went by bus Friday morning with 57 other people it took 12 hours and some pretty sore bottoms to get there but we made it!!! Saturday morning we left the hotel at 6:15 to walk 8 blocks to the Lincoln Memorial for the rally that was scheduled to start at 10:00 am. The picture above shows what we saw when we arrived . There was a sea of people from the Lincoln Memorial all the way down to the Washington Monument. People waving flags and some carrying crosses. My heart was filled with such hope knowing that there are so many like minded people from across our country. People who desire to return this nation back to its founding principals. People who have grown weary of the direction this country is going. People who have faith, honor and integrity. People who desire to make a difference not only in their personal lives but in the lives of others. Everyone was so kind and nice, they were willing to squeeze over so others would have a place to sit or stand. In the crowd that size and in that heat it is hard to imagine no one starting a riot but we did not see or hear any anger. We saw some who helped carry wheelchairs up steps and some who gave their seats so others could rest for awhile. Right near us there was a man who just returned from Iraq and his little girl. What a beautiful little sweetheart she was. So many friendly people in our immediate surroundings.

I am thanking God for Glenn Beck, Elvita King (MLK's neice) and others like them whose lives have been threated but still decide to speak their message of hope. I am reminded of a verse found in Esther 4:14 when Queen Esther was asked by Mordecai to speak with the king so that the Jews could be delivered. Queen Esther being a Jew herself, was fearful for her life and this is what Mordecai said to her "who knows but you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" It is an amazing story too lengthy to tell at this time but not too long for you to read on your own. Please do so, it is truly worth your while.

My point is that if Glenn Beck and Elvita King whose lives have been threatened for speaking the truth do that for us, what is stopping us from standing with them and speaking the truth to those in our circle of relatives and friends? At the rally we were asked to spread Faith, Hope and Charity starting with our families and friends. Another thing that Glenn said that truly had an impact on me was "that what our children gaze upon they become" he asked us to pray with the door open so that our children could see us. My friends what does your children and grand children gaze upon? I pray they see Faith, Hope and Charity in your life and mine. Remember you may be called for such a time as this!

I am going to get off my soap box now but before I do I beg you to watch Glenn Beck nightly on Fox Cable News at 5:00 pm he is an amazing man and truly worth your time. If you can't watch him at five record him and watch him when you can. Please do not let the opinions of others determine what you feel about what he says. Watch and then make up your own mind.

God Bless You,

Caroline

Good News

Hello Everyone,

Check out two new recipes in the entries below this one.

I also wanted to catch you up on my weight loss. I am at a 22 pound loss and working towards 25. It is a wonderful feeling. Hey, I think our Thanksgiving turkey weighted that last year!! I can't believe this turkey lost a turkey!! I couldn't have done it without your support and I thank you for that. I pray you are doing good in your attempts to get in shape as well. Please keep me informed as to your progress.

What has really helped me these past two weeks is that I increased the number of times I exercise. Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" goes in every morning. I now do her two mile walk on a regular basis and have recently added in the three mile. Guess what I can do the three mile without feeling like I am going to die. Next week my plan is to do the three mile twice a week and the two mile three times a week. I don't know you Leslie but I thank God I found you!!

TIP: Increase your exercising it does help but do it gradually so your body can adjust. Never lose site of your goal and stay focused.

Weigh yourself just once a week. Record it in a secret place and then say good bye to that number for you will never see it again.

Good for you Muffins

1 cup ground flaxseed

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup wheat bran

1 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 1/2 cups of shredded carrots

2 medium MacIntosh Apples cored and chopped

1/2 cup walnuts chopped

1/2 cup raisins

3/4 cup low fat milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix flour, flaxseed, bran, sugar and rest of dry ingredients together.

Shred carrots, chop apples and add these along with milk and eggs to dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in vanilla.

Add nuts and raisins. Blending in well but do not over mix

Pour into paper lined cupcake pans and bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes

Makes 24 muffins

Each muffin is only 94 calories has only 2 grams of fat and 1 gram of fiber

They freeze very well.

Who says you have no time for breakfast?

Grab one of these on your way out the door with a banana and you have yourself a good healthy breakfast.

They also make a great pick me up snack in the middle of the day with a cup of coffee or tea

Asparagus Salad

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup cooked wild rice

1/2 of a red onion sliced

1 pound of asparagus

1 red bell pepper

1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley

2 stalks of celery

1 oz of silvered almonds

Cook brown rice and wild rice in separate pans. Allow to cool

Cut off approximately 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of each spear of asparagus and discard.

Cut the remaining section of each spear into 2 inch pieces

Place in a glass bowl with enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl. Cover with waxed paper and cook on high in microwave 4 to 5 minutes or until tender but yet still firm. Cool

Chop remaining vegetables.

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and pour on the following dressing.

Dressing

1/3 cup of red or white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 teaspoon of granulated sugar

Mix together and pour on salad.

Let set 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature before serving or can be kept in refrigerator and served the next day.

I have used 1/4 cup Brianna's Blush Wine Dressing on this salad and it tastes very good

Great summer salad!

This recipe serves 8 people has just 145 calories per serving and 2 1/2 grams of fiber

Great way to get in those veggies and makes a great side dish to grilled chicken, fish or steak

TOO MANY ROOMS

Last week in the middle of the night I woke up with this thought on my heart and have decided to share it with you now. I became aware that my body (God's Temple) had too many rooms. It was as if God whispered in my ear. You need to strive harder to rid your body of all this excess space that has been created by the sin of over eating and lack of exercise. I added a wrap around porch with an overhang in the front. It really needs to go. The place is starting to look run down with age. It needs to be freshened up. I must never forget that my body is God's dwelling place

I Corinthians 6:19 & 20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. I know I have shared this verse with you before, but I needed to be reminded of it myself. God must be tired of being crowded out of His space by sin. Yes, I am trying to remodel this temple, but every once in a while I get off track. The whole problem appeasing myself with the thought that it's only once in a while, is that sometimes those every once in a whiles come too close together. Making it a habit. I figured out this morning that I am seven pounds off my goal of losing one pound a week in a year. It is because of those "its okay once in a while." The good news is that God stands ready to forgive me from my failings. As He will you too upon the asking. He will pick us up and we can start fresh. Not tomorrow but NOW!!!

What I want to hear when I reach my final goal is that God will whisper in my ear again and say "I love what you've done with the place."

More good news for me is that I am now just 1/2 pound away from losing 20 pounds.

TIP: Healthy choices need to become just as natural as brushing your teeth. Build those good habits one at a time. Don't forget to drink at least 4 to 6, 8 ounce glasses of water a day. Eat foods that rid your body of water naturally (see previous blog tips) . Exercise on a regular basis and above all don't give up!!!

Please let me know how you are doing.

Visit my daughter Susan's blog as well, www.thewhatsfordinnermom.blogspot.com she has some wonderful inspirational entries and great recipes along with some neat projects.

BERRY CRUMBLE

Fast and Easy to prepare making it a great summer dessert.

2 cups of fresh strawberries

2 cups of fresh raspberries

1 cup quick oatmeal

2 tablespoons of Smart Balance

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 cup sugar

Spray a 9x12" pan with Pam

Cut strawberries in quarters

Mix in raspberries

Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar from the 1/4 cup

Mix oats, smart balance , rest of the sugar and vanilla together

Sprinkle on berries

Bake in a 350 oven for 35 minutes

This makes 12 servings with only 96 calories a serving and 2 fibers, 8 grams of sugar and no sodium.

You can vary it by using blueberries, peaches or rhubarb

Another Bird Lesson

A few weeks ago Bob came into the house and told me there was a bird trapped in our garage. I could hear it frantically chirping and flying around. When I went out to investigate the problem. I just couldn't understand how this little bird could not see a way to freedom with a huge garage door opening clearly in view. Here was the fresh outdoors and blue sky just a few feet away and the little bird could not find it. He just kept flying up in an attempt to get out. He was depending on what came natural to him. When I checked in my bird book I recognized this bird as a little Chickadee. The bird book said that the Chickadee is very friendly and some have been known to actually eat from a persons hand. Bob got on a ladder with some seed in one hand and a butterfly net in the other hand. The little Chickadee came closer and closer to Bob, but when he tried to snare it in the net so he could set it free, the frightened bird would just fly away. After several attempts at this we decided if we just left it alone it would find its own way out. We came back into the house for about 15 minutes but it remained trapped. We tried the same tactics as before without success. I kept trying to think of a way for the bird to see the opening and a way out. Finally I thought of a broom. If we could get the bird to land on the broom and bring it down a foot or two he would be able to see the blue sky and the way out of its problem. Finally it worked! The little Chickadee landed on the straw end of the broom . Bob carefully lowered it until the chickadee saw the natural light and flew towards it, releasing itself from the prison of our garage. I tucked this little story into my memory bank and God just brought it back to me. He reminded me of how much we as a people are just like that little bird. We feel trapped and don't know how to get out of our mess. God has provided a way for us, but we are too caught up in our problem, and our own inadequate solutions, that we don't see the blue sky waiting for us. We keep doing the same thing over and over looking for a way out. If God had hair surely I must sometimes make Him want to pull it out. However, he doesn't get impatient with me or you. He just waits patiently for us to see the blue sky and smell the fresh outdoors and move towards it and be released from our prison. Sometimes we make our own prison by trapping ourselves in an unfit body making the same foolish mistakes and expecting different results. Sometimes we get trapped just because we live in a sinful world. Either way we get trapped but you know what? We don't have to stay there. God always has a way out.

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Friends we should not get trapped in a prison, be it one of our own making or one that it caused by living in a sinful world. God's desire is for us to be free. He knows the way out. We just have to ask him and then open our eyes to see His way to freedom.

TIP: Did you know there are many foods that are natural diuretics? Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, asparagus, celery, artichoke, tomato, cucumber, parsley and tea are just a few of them. Excess water in the body can cause bloating and added pounds. Eat these sources of natural diuretics and not only will you lose that excess water you will be eating more healthy and your whole body will function better. On a side note I am now at an 18 pound loss and going for 20. Please let me know how you are doing. One of my followers has informed me of a 9 pound loss and she has only been at it for two a months. Go girl!!!

3,500

3,500 is the number of calories in one pound. If it is your goal like it is mine to lose one pound a week. Do the math, you will need to decrease the amount of food you eat by 500 calories a day. Now if you couple that with exercise you can burn off some of that 500 calories. Walking and biking at a moderate speed for one hour will burn off 200 to 220 calories. Walking briskly will burn off 300 calories. To be healthy it is best to eat less and exercise moderately.

Buy a book that lists the number of calories in the food that you like to eat and then you will be able to see if these foods are the best choices for you. I have been on so many diets, at one time I could tell you by memory how many calories were in foods because I used to count them. You can kind of tell by instinct what you should and should not eat. If it looks really good and your conscious is saying better not than you probably shouldn't.

Here are some tips:In order to cut down on those calories I find an age old idea is just to simply take less and eat slower. Sounds simple and logical and it is. Why is it so hard?

When having salad your best choices for dressing are never the creamy ones, always chose vinaigrettes, or an Italian. Have your dressing on the side and dip your fork in it and then put on your salad. If you can stand the taste of those low fat dressings I suppose that would be best.Myself I have a strong dislike for them.

Watch those salad toppings. Too much cheese and croûtons can be bad choices.

Remember that a serving of meat should never be bigger than a deck of cards. I am not talking about those huge Old Maid decks ladies just the standard decks.

Watch those liquid calories. I just read that a Long Island Ice Tea has 400 calories!!! Most table wines have only 100 but even those can add up. Water or regular ice tea are better choices. They clock in at zero. A 12 0z can of regular pop has 150. If you are a diet pop person, that isn't always your best choice either. I am going to be doing some research on those artificial sweeteners and I will follow up in another entry.

Confession time!!! We had a very big weekend. We had a graduation party and a wedding on Saturday. I did well with food choices on that day. Sunday we had a family gathering at our daughters. We celebrated Fathers Day, and four birthdays! I didn't do well on Sunday. So much good food, it was hard to tear myself away from the buffet table. Does anyone have a plan to keep under control at a buffet table filled with good food? It so enjoyable to sit around the table with your family and their company and a good meal. I need to find a little less enjoyment in the meal and a little more with family.

I guess what we all need to remember is found in I Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. It all comes back to taking care of our bodies and making sure that we are bringing glory to God in all that we eat, drink and do. Take care ladies and make it a great week. I am praying for you to be less of a person. Just a little joke.

Looking for tips. If you have any please help me out and put them on the comment line or email them to me

caroline_11469@att.net

BE STILL

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. Last week Bob and I went to the show to see "The Karate Kid" There was a great line in the movie spoken by Jackie Chan, who played Mr. Han to Jaden Smith, who played the Dre Parker. Mr. Han was trying to train Dre and he told him he needed to be still. Dre responded by saying "You mean, do nothing?" Mr Han replied, "being still and doing nothing are two different things." Indeed they are! I looked up being still in the dictionary and as an adjective it means: Motionless, quiet,inactive. Not disturbed by agitation or noise; calm, and tranquil. In this world we are surrounded by noise. Our pastors wife, Elise, said at one time, the noises of the world drown out the voice of God. Being still and knowing who God is, is a learned thing. Once it is accomplished it brings with it an entirely different attitude of life. It is knowing that everything in life may not work according to what we planned but we have a God who is in control and he works everything out for our good. God has a plan for each of our lives and in order to get direction we need to read our Bible and learn God's character. He can not and will not act outside of his character. Along with being still, one can have a peace that passes all human understanding.

Being still is where I learned I wanted to write this blog. It was how I was convicted to care for this body "God's Temple".

Being still is also an adverb and it means: always, ever, and continually.

We need to be still in God as both an adjective and as a adverb.

Just as a side note:

Yesterday I went visit four grave sites with my two cousins, we cleaned off the graves of my beloved Aunt Mille, Uncle Charlie, Grandma Pero and Grandpa Pero. I know they are no longer there and visiting a grave site is not a thing that I do. I have always felt that these people are no longer there so why should I bother. Our bodies are simply a shell that God had blessed us with to use while we are here on earth. However, I learned from my cousins that it simply shows respect for our loved ones life. Their life did matter to me. They were used by God to mold and shape my life, they were a part of who I am. So now you may catch me at the grave site of other loved ones who have influenced my life.

I have given you a few things to ponder ladies. I pray you will feel the peace of God as you experience some quiet still moments with Him. You know what is really neat? God has a great desire to spent that time with you. Imagine that "The God of the Universe" wants to spend time with you and me.

TIP: I purchased a new exercise DVD It is by Leslie Sansone and can be purchased through Amazon or in stores I am sure. She does an in home walking program a 1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile and a 4 mile. I have accomplished the one mile and moved on to the 2 mile. I tried the 3 mile but thought I was going to die! She makes the time go by fast and uses a exercise stretchy band along with the walk. I know it feels great to walk outside but sometimes the weather is rainy or too hot. This takes away those problems and keeps you on task. It is also fun! It is kind of marching in place with a little kick to it and I mean that literally. Start with "Walk Away the Pounds Express" ( 1 mile easy walk/ 2 mile brisk walk) Please let me know what you think and how you are doing!! Guess what I am down another 1 1/2 pounds. Just passed the 15 pound mark and looking for 20 YEAH!!

ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Losing weight can be a real roller coaster ride, except not as thrilling. I am sure you have experienced the ups and downs of weight loss before. Right in the middle of doing everything right you can step on the scale and have no weight loss or even worse gain weight. I am not an expert so I don't have any scientific answers I just know that it happens to me too. I had hoped to be able to write today and tell you I was down another pound making it a total of 15 pounds that I had lost but I can't. Last week I got on the scale in the middle of the week and wow I had lost another pound I was so happy! When I stepped on the scale this morning I hadn't lost a single ounce. What happened? I just don't know. I feel it must have something to do with water retention. The point is I know I am not alone with this problem. However, what we can't do when this happens is give up. We need to hang in there and keep going.

Sometimes when this happens it because we didn't stick with it. This can make us feel defeated. Well, don't be. Keep on task. Every time you slip up on your journey, you have two choices. To keep walking backward, which will take you further away or to accept your mistakes, forgive yourself and move on. Don't wait until the next day, the next week, or the next month to try again. Get up out of that pit and start NOW to exchange those bad habits for good ones. Don't expect perfection, we are not perfect. If we were I wouldn't be writing this blog and you wouldn't be reading it.

When I stopped to think about it I realized that weight is gravity defying it goes up so easily but getting it down is very difficult. We don't need anymore weight to get rid of so lets keep on track ladies!

Say along with Paul in Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Tips: Eat slower, you will be less likely to overeat and you will enjoy your meal more.

Go outside, enjoy God's creation do some gardening or go for a walk it

will rejuvenate your spirit.,

REFINED

Are you living a refined life? I have been! However, I am trying to cut back a little on how much refined foods that I eat. Refined sugar and refined flour. Did you know that eating a diet high in refined foods can lead to undernourishment. Now, how in the world could I possibly be undernourished? Well this is because refined foods are processed so much that they are virtually devoid of vitamins and minerals. Refined foods are typically high in fat and calories and eating them as the bulk of the diet causes the overall calorie count to rise. Refined sugars enter the body quickly, thats how I won the pie eating contest (just kidding) Anyway this can spike the blood sugar, causing the body to feel instantly energized. Unfortunately, the energy received from refined sugar is short-lived and will cause a sudden energy drop shortly afterwards. When the energy level drops suddenly it causes the body to crave more sugar. Thus the Merry go round. Its enough to make you dizzy!

Refined flours have been milled so much that nearly all the nutritional value has been lost. They enter the blood stream as quickly as refined sugars, causing the same spike and drop in energy levels. Around and around you go again!

While doing this little bit of research I found out that refined produce also exists they include canned fruits and vegetables. They have been cooked to the point that most of the vitamins, fiber and minerals have been lost, Better to choose fresh fruits and vegetables or flash frozen.

I looked up the meaning of refine in the dictionary and found that to refine means to become pure, free from dross. What is dross? It scum that is thrown off from molten metal. This tells me we need to be rid of scum. Scum reminds me of sin in our lives. I John 1:9 tells us If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will purify us from all unrighteousness. I don't know about you but that is the kind of refinement and purity I am looking for.

Keep plugging away ladies and limit those refined products.

New habit exchange: That one dessert a day I was allowing myself has turned into a once a week treat. Now every evening I have chosen to have a piece of fruit with a tasteless diet cookie. I will give you the recipe for it at a later date. They really aren't too bad and they are high in fiber. Hooray! My weight loss is up to 14 pounds working toward that 15 pound short goal!

VEGETARIAN CHILI

I found this great recipe for chili. It makes a large pot but I heard it freezes well. I have some in the freezer but haven't defrosted it yet to try it out. The calorie count is low only 280 per bowl. It is very satisfying and with all those beans it has to be high in fiber. I never realized how much salt is in canned beans. I would guess that is the reason they have you drain and rinse them.

1 can of vegetarian refried beans

1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can of light red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can of dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes

1/2 can of water

2 cups of celery

1 small red bell pepper (diced)

1 small yellow pepper (diced)

1 medium red onion (diced)

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

1 1/2 Tablespoons of ground cumin

2 cloves of fresh garlic crushed

3 Tablespoons of chili powder

Pepper to taste

Pour oil in a large dutch oven and saute' all the vegetables until tender.

Add tomatoes, beans and spices and cook for 3 to 4 hours

This makes 12 bowls of chili

RUN THE RACE

Last night Bob and I were at our granddaughters track meet. It reminded me of this verse from

I Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Paul is writing this to remind us that winning takes purpose and discipline. As I sat and watched from the stands I saw Brooke run with determination and purpose. Not yesterday but on other days I have seen her run 2 miles and then immediately run across the track and cheer her friend on. What a lesson we can all learn from Brooke. We can do this ladies and not use all the energy it takes to win a race. We can exchange bad habits for good ones. Stick to it and cheer each other on. I don't know about you but I am sick and tired of living out of this broken down body. I need to get it back to what God designed it to be.

As our 3 year old grandson R.J. shouts from the stand LETS GO GIRLS!!!

Just a reminder we are running our race like the tortoise and the hare. Slow but sure.

Tip: How about removing any fast food from your diet. Life gets pretty busy and sometimes I am out at lunch time. A week or so ago it happened that it was past lunch time and I still had a few errands to run. Usually I would do a drive-thru somewhere and grab a burger and a coke. I resisted doing that but that didn't help the hunger problem. What to do? I stopped at a grocery store and bought a banana. It held me over until I could get home and have something better for me and it worked out great. It was God's Fast Food!

Bird Brain

I spend my quiet time at our breakfast nook table in the morning. Every once in awhile I glance out the window at a tree in our yard. On that tree hangs a bird feeder. One day as I watched the birds eating it came to my mind that I have never seen an overweight bird. They eat just what they need to keep flying. I got to thinking does that make my brain even less than of a BIRD BRAIN? You see it all comes back to the free will thing. God gives me a free will to eat whatever I want. I need to take a lesson from the birds to only eat what I need. To do what God put me on earth to do. The good news is found in Luke 12: 6 & 7 Sparrows have little value in this world but God is aware of them. He knows when one falls to the ground. We are of more value to Him than a sparrow is. He is very aware of us. He loves us and cares deeply for us that is why He sent his only Son, Jesus to die so that we can live. We need to ask for forgiveness for our bad food choices and start over. So now ladies we need to have a BIRD BRAIN and eat only what we need. More good news is found in Philippians 4:8 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Weekly Tip: Start another habit exchange by exchanging your couch time with a little exercise time at least three days a week. I started out exercising just 10 minutes per session and kept adding time week after week. Now I exercise four times a week for 30 to 40 minutes. Of course you should ask your doctor what exercise is good for you. My good news is that I lost another two pounds this week. Making my total loss 12 pounds now. Don't forget I have been at this since January 11th. Slow but sure! Guess what no one has even noticed my loss but thats okay because God knows what I have lost and what I have gained in Him! Keep going and please post a comment so I know how you are doing. Just click the word comment after this paragraph and post a message.

Eat those vegetables!!!

Hi Ladies,

I thought to encourage you to eat more vegetables I would give you a fast and simple recipe for making CABBAGE SOUP it is just under 50 calories a bowl and gives you two of your five servings of vegetables per cup. You will need the following. 1 Large 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes (I use Dei Fratelli because there is no puree in them making it lower in calories) You can use whole tomatoes and crush them yourself. 3 cups of beef broth you can use canned or bouillon cubes and water. 16 ounces of water, 3 cups of chopped fresh cabbage, 2 stalks of chopped celery, 2 whole carrots chopped, 1 cup of chopped onion, 1 green pepper chopped, one or two gloves of garlic diced, 3 tablespoons of sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Put all together in a large pot and simmer until vegetables are cooked. If it seems to thick you can add more water.

This is a very hearty and satisfying soup. ENJOY!!!

Tuesday, May 11th

We have a scripture verse written on the wall in our breakfast nook (part of a lovely birthday surprise from my family) it reads "There you and your families will feast in the presence of the Lord and rejoice in all you have accomplished because the Lord your God has blessed you"

Deu. 12:7

I believe the there this verse is talking about is heaven but anytime our family gets together we have a feast. Remember Mothers Day was just a couple of days ago. How hard is it not to eat too much when there is so much delicious food to choose from. No shock to anyone that knows me. I did eat more than I should have but not as much as I could have. Even when I eat too much I am always hungry around four hours later. I guess I never outgrew my days as an infant. Such was the case later Sunday evening. However, in order not to eat a full meal, I fixed myself and Bob a snack plate, which consisted of the following: Cut carrots, cucumbers and also some strawberries. We had that with a few crackers and a wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese. Oh I almost forgot a small amount of peanuts as well. It was better than eating a full meal and very satisfying. Surprise! On my weekly weigh in the scale showed a 1/2 pound weight loss. Off my goal of losing a pound a week but better than a gain.

I have another tip for you. Did you know you are supposed to have at least five 1/2 cup servings of vegetables a day? If you aren't used to having that many, start by increasing your intake a couple of servings a week, until you work your way up to five servings. Make that one of the things on your list that you want to change and check it off. Remember it takes 21 days to make it a habit. What I am trying to accomplish is to make small changes in my eating habits a little at a time so it becomes a part of my life style. I have tried losing weight fast and it ALWAYS returns and brings friends with it. This is an experiment and I would love to have you join me. Please keep me posted and let me know how you're doing and tell me what works for you.

May your love for Jesus lead you to a feast in heaven at God's bountiful table!

The reason for this blog comes from the title "Temple Reconstruction" I Corinthians6:19, 20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. God put this title and this verse on my heart at least six years ago. I thought about writing a book along with my husband on this topic but life got in the way and we dropped the idea. I would like to say that our weight stayed dropped as well but it didn't. I have been up and down the scale faster than the "William Tell Overture". Our daughter Susan started a blog a few months ago www.thewhatsfordinnermom.blogspot.com She has some great thoughts and some great recipes as well. Keep in mind Susan is a runner and does not have a weight problem. Susan is the is the one who inspired me to start a blog to help overweight, older women like myself to set some new habits and lose weight. It is my prayer that together with the help of God we can reconstruct our temple to be pleasing in His sight. After all how can we serve him well with a run down vessel. The only way to start reconstruction is with a plan and a goal in mind. First we have to ask God's forgiveness for abusing his creation and ask for his help to make it into what he intended it to be healthy, functional and useful.

I started my reconstruction on Monday, January 11th. I missed my first start date of January 1st. Then I went for the first Monday in January and missed that mark as well. I think it may be Biblical to start a new way of eating on a Monday. It has got to be in the Bible somewhere I am sure. I committed to losing one pound a week for one year. I did very well for the first 9 weeks but since then I have met with some obstacles. I have lost a total of 10 pounds now and I need to get back on track.

I am hoping to log in once a week or so and give you tips as to what is working for me. I am also hoping to get some feedback from others as to what works for them.

My first tip is to change some bad habits one or two at a time. I have heard it said that it takes 21 days to change a habit. I started making a list of all my bad eating habits and how they could be replaced. Such as drinking 6 glasses of water a day instead of drinking one or two glasses of Coke. Having the sweet tooth that I do. I allowed myself just one thing sweet a day.

Won't you please join me. I know your out there ladies, I have SEEN you.