How many times have you thought about your diet with dread? How many times have you woke up and thought, I just want to eat whatever I want today? This is what we like to call "stinkin thinkin." We dread the diet and the exercise because we have not made it part of who we are. We have not made the choice to live healthy a part of your everyday life. The diet has become like an extra curricular activity outside of our normal lives and routines.
A friend of mine always likes to say that being on a diet will never work because eventually you have to go off the diet. This is so very true. Many of us have started a new diet only to go off of it at some point. A diet is not truly living. It is no fun to starve yourself one day and then binge the next and then hate yourself the third day because you've gained another 5 pounds.
Living healthy has to come natural to your daily life and it has to be something that you make an important part of your life. You choose to live healthy not because society tells you to, or you are being forced to do so, but because it is the right thing to do! I don't even like to refer to it as dieting but rather choosing to live healthy. You can choose life or you can choose a candy bar - that's your decision to make. But whatever you decide don't do it because you feel defeated, make the choice on what the right thing is for your body and where God is leading you.
Last night the minister spoke on giving something up for God. I have chosen to give over my weight battle to God. I am not choosing to diet but rather to live a healthy lifestyle in the sight of the Lord. He gave me this body and I plan to use it for His purpose. I cannot be used if I can barely get off the couch from my weight and the health issues that keep me burdened down.
There have been many times during this process that I have wanted more than anything to go back to my old way of living. I had a really tough weekend with craving bad foods again. It was mostly mental on my part. Last night my family stopped at a local fast food place - one that has most of my favorites. It was very tempting to give in to my cravings "just this once." I almost caved in until I remembered that if I caved in just this once, and made an exception then I would be going back on everything I believe in right now. If I could make an exception that first time then it would be easier to make exceptions in the future. I am not depriving myself of these bad foods. Actually, I would be depriving myself of victory if I caved in.
I was really feeling sorry for myself and being quite pouty all weekend over being "stuck on this diet." My husband looked at me, after hearing me whine and complain, and said oh it won't hurt if you do it just this once. That's when it hit me that I'm not doing this because I "have to" I am doing this because it's the right thing to do. I am not stuck on this diet. I am not being forced into this. I am doing this because I choose life and health. My life is so much more valuable than any fast food meal. God has shown me the path to health and I cannot stray from that path. Satan tried to tempt Jesus with bread, he tempted Eve with forbidden fruit. How am I any different that he would not tempt me with the very foods I want?
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
It was never God's will for us to be unhealthy from the choices we make. Nor to be burdened down with health problems, poor self esteem and all of the issues that come along with weight problems. It is right to be healthy. It is right to want to live. It is right to lay aside your burdens to be able to work for the Lord. Don't let satan try to tell you otherwise. You are perfect and wonderfully made, after the image of a living God, and you should strive to stay that way.
Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Showing posts with label fruits and vegetables. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fruits and vegetables. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy!
My breakfast looked so pretty this morning I had to snap a pic. Like my snowman mug? Yeah I thought so lol.
Daniel Fast Recap - Days 7, 8, 9
Ok so I didn't get to post the updates last night like I thought I would. Thankfully I am in my very last week of college - minus one final exam in may - and I will be FREE! Hallelujah!
Anyway there wasn't anything major that happened over these last few days anyway. I did have one episode with my stomach on Monday (day 8), after going nearly 7 days with no problems, but it was not at all like it was in times past. I am doing much better today and I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I have had many times this week that I have felt the strong urge to overeat and eat things I shouldn't but I persevered and I fought the temptations. I am feeling so good and energetic now. I have been praying about this and I've decided that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not be updating daily anymore but I will keep you all up to date on how things are going. I just realized that I am feeling really good, my stomach is the best it's felt in a year, and I'm losing weight so why stop a good thing? After a month I will see how I am feeling and then I will take it one step at a time. God is with me in this and I know that my old habits are dying a little each day I do this. I am breaking chains that have held me down for over 15 years and I am seeing that there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to see my final, day 10, results!
Day 7 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad made with blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and chopped almonds. 1 large cup carrot juice.
Lunch - Steamed Red Potatoes and parsley, Green Beans sauteed in garlic and olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - 1 avocado topped with spicy mustard.
Snacks - Seedless grapes
Day 8 Menu:
Breakfast - Did not have breakfast
Lunch - Mushrooms, garlic cloves and sliced bell peppers sauteed in olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - Large bowl of corn with salt and pepper. Warm fruit salad (fried in the skillet) made from sliced bananas, raisins and toasted almonds.
Snacks - no snacks.
Day 9 Menu:
Breakfast - No Breakfast (Now that my blood sugar is more stable I am not as hungry as before)
Lunch - Bean Burritos made with vegetarian refried beans, onions, green onions, tomatoes, green chiles, and wrapped in large lettuce leaves.
Dinner - Split pea soup following this recipe. (This turned out totally delicious btw, and I don't even like split pea soup! My husband and children even ate it without complaint - but of course I had to toss some turkey bacon into theirs lol.)
Snacks - Trail mix made from walnuts, almonds and raisins. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Anyway there wasn't anything major that happened over these last few days anyway. I did have one episode with my stomach on Monday (day 8), after going nearly 7 days with no problems, but it was not at all like it was in times past. I am doing much better today and I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I have had many times this week that I have felt the strong urge to overeat and eat things I shouldn't but I persevered and I fought the temptations. I am feeling so good and energetic now. I have been praying about this and I've decided that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not be updating daily anymore but I will keep you all up to date on how things are going. I just realized that I am feeling really good, my stomach is the best it's felt in a year, and I'm losing weight so why stop a good thing? After a month I will see how I am feeling and then I will take it one step at a time. God is with me in this and I know that my old habits are dying a little each day I do this. I am breaking chains that have held me down for over 15 years and I am seeing that there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to see my final, day 10, results!
Day 7 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad made with blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and chopped almonds. 1 large cup carrot juice.
Lunch - Steamed Red Potatoes and parsley, Green Beans sauteed in garlic and olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - 1 avocado topped with spicy mustard.
Snacks - Seedless grapes
Day 8 Menu:
Breakfast - Did not have breakfast
Lunch - Mushrooms, garlic cloves and sliced bell peppers sauteed in olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - Large bowl of corn with salt and pepper. Warm fruit salad (fried in the skillet) made from sliced bananas, raisins and toasted almonds.
Snacks - no snacks.
Day 9 Menu:
Breakfast - No Breakfast (Now that my blood sugar is more stable I am not as hungry as before)
Lunch - Bean Burritos made with vegetarian refried beans, onions, green onions, tomatoes, green chiles, and wrapped in large lettuce leaves.
Dinner - Split pea soup following this recipe. (This turned out totally delicious btw, and I don't even like split pea soup! My husband and children even ate it without complaint - but of course I had to toss some turkey bacon into theirs lol.)
Snacks - Trail mix made from walnuts, almonds and raisins. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tasty Tuesday - Easy Hummus Dip
I want to apologize for not posting the Daniel Fast update and menu yesterday. I am in the final week of college and things are pretty hectic here. I will post an update and menus for days 7 and 8 later today.
Last week we had a recipe for roasted chickpeas. I bet you didn't realize this but there are lots of uses for those strange little bean things. Here's a yummy recipe for homemade hummus that uses chickpeas. I could eat this stuff all day long. I am especially liking that I'm allowed to eat it on the fast because it is made with all natural ingredients. Hummus dip is very versatile and can be made / eaten in any number of combinations. It is great with olives, sliced veggies, especially red peppers, or you could have this with chips, crackers, pita bread etc. I've even made sandwiches out of this stuff with whole grain bread and sliced cucumbers on top. That is a very refreshing change from lunch meat! If you don't know what hummus is then you are in for a treat. This recipe is non traditional hummus because it is made without tahini. You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.
Click here to read more about hummus and tahini.
Hummus
1 can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained.
1/4 cup olive oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I prefer the stronger taste and it is more natural - not processed.)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin (add more or less to taste. I always end up adding more.)
In a food processor or blender add all ingredients and blend until creamy. You may need to add a drop or two more of oil or lemon if your dip is too thick. This recipe is really not hard to mess up and you can really play around with this a lot to get it to your own personal liking.
Serve with some fresh sliced veggies and enjoy this good for you "diet" food!
Last week we had a recipe for roasted chickpeas. I bet you didn't realize this but there are lots of uses for those strange little bean things. Here's a yummy recipe for homemade hummus that uses chickpeas. I could eat this stuff all day long. I am especially liking that I'm allowed to eat it on the fast because it is made with all natural ingredients. Hummus dip is very versatile and can be made / eaten in any number of combinations. It is great with olives, sliced veggies, especially red peppers, or you could have this with chips, crackers, pita bread etc. I've even made sandwiches out of this stuff with whole grain bread and sliced cucumbers on top. That is a very refreshing change from lunch meat! If you don't know what hummus is then you are in for a treat. This recipe is non traditional hummus because it is made without tahini. You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.
Click here to read more about hummus and tahini.
Hummus
1 can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained.
1/4 cup olive oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I prefer the stronger taste and it is more natural - not processed.)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin (add more or less to taste. I always end up adding more.)
In a food processor or blender add all ingredients and blend until creamy. You may need to add a drop or two more of oil or lemon if your dip is too thick. This recipe is really not hard to mess up and you can really play around with this a lot to get it to your own personal liking.
Serve with some fresh sliced veggies and enjoy this good for you "diet" food!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Daniel Fast Day 5 - Menu, Recap & This can't be a diet!
From Yesterday:
I am amazed at how well I am starting to feel and only 5 days into this new way of living. I am eating some very amazing tasting foods and my body is starting to feel "alive." I feel like I'm starting to come out of this mental fog. I've eaten some pretty fabulous tasting foods over the last few days that leave me mentally wondering "Am I cheating, and if I'm not then this just can't be health food!" From homemade hummus, to fresh fruit salads to wonderful smoothies I just feel like I'm eating gourmet foods all the time lol. I will admit that it does take a little more work and prep time to make all of these foods. At 10:30 the other night I was up chopping veggies and making hummus in the food processor (Thank you Lord for this awesome tool btw!). I don't mind though because I no longer feel as tired and sluggish. Usually I'm already about dead by 10:30 at night but now I am finding I am staying up well past midnight and am very clear headed.
Speaking of the added prep time and work, I realized that this is actually starting to make me appreciate my food more. When I lovingly take the time to make a meal from start to scratch that doesn't come from a box it makes me feel more in tune to the way God intends for me to live. Apples don't come from a jar and potatoes don't come from a box. They come from the earth and were designed by God's own hand for the loving purpose of caring for our bodies. When I actually have to chop the apples, feel them in my hands, and see all of their little seeds inside that have the potential to grow an entire tree it makes me appreciate all that more the beauty God has given to us in life. There is beauty in life and food, be it natural or spiritual, helps to sustain that life. The fruits and vegetables that God designed specifically for us to live by is absolute proof of His love for us - His love for me! Food should be enjoyed and appreciated. God gave it for us to enjoy, to live, and to grow. Food should not be handed to you in a greasy paper bag through a window and then shoveled in your mouth at the speed of lightning leaving you feeling empty and unsatisfied. I am thanking God for this process. It is about so much more than "being on a diet" or getting healthy. It is a new way of living and appreciating life, beauty and the world God created.
Day 5 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad (again) made from sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, almonds and cinnamon. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Sliced red and green peppers. Celery Sticks. Home made Hummus.
Dinner - Baked potato with salt, pepper and chives. Large bowl of watermelon chunks.
Snacks - 5 walnut halves, PURE® Raw Chocolate Vegan Brownie Bar (I will be talking about this in a later post.)
I am amazed at how well I am starting to feel and only 5 days into this new way of living. I am eating some very amazing tasting foods and my body is starting to feel "alive." I feel like I'm starting to come out of this mental fog. I've eaten some pretty fabulous tasting foods over the last few days that leave me mentally wondering "Am I cheating, and if I'm not then this just can't be health food!" From homemade hummus, to fresh fruit salads to wonderful smoothies I just feel like I'm eating gourmet foods all the time lol. I will admit that it does take a little more work and prep time to make all of these foods. At 10:30 the other night I was up chopping veggies and making hummus in the food processor (Thank you Lord for this awesome tool btw!). I don't mind though because I no longer feel as tired and sluggish. Usually I'm already about dead by 10:30 at night but now I am finding I am staying up well past midnight and am very clear headed.
Speaking of the added prep time and work, I realized that this is actually starting to make me appreciate my food more. When I lovingly take the time to make a meal from start to scratch that doesn't come from a box it makes me feel more in tune to the way God intends for me to live. Apples don't come from a jar and potatoes don't come from a box. They come from the earth and were designed by God's own hand for the loving purpose of caring for our bodies. When I actually have to chop the apples, feel them in my hands, and see all of their little seeds inside that have the potential to grow an entire tree it makes me appreciate all that more the beauty God has given to us in life. There is beauty in life and food, be it natural or spiritual, helps to sustain that life. The fruits and vegetables that God designed specifically for us to live by is absolute proof of His love for us - His love for me! Food should be enjoyed and appreciated. God gave it for us to enjoy, to live, and to grow. Food should not be handed to you in a greasy paper bag through a window and then shoveled in your mouth at the speed of lightning leaving you feeling empty and unsatisfied. I am thanking God for this process. It is about so much more than "being on a diet" or getting healthy. It is a new way of living and appreciating life, beauty and the world God created.
Day 5 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad (again) made from sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, almonds and cinnamon. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Sliced red and green peppers. Celery Sticks. Home made Hummus.
Dinner - Baked potato with salt, pepper and chives. Large bowl of watermelon chunks.
Snacks - 5 walnut halves, PURE® Raw Chocolate Vegan Brownie Bar (I will be talking about this in a later post.)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday 13 - New foods I've tried recently or will try soon
I'm following a Daniel Fast (Daniel ch. 1 in the bible.) For more information on the fast reread some of my previous posts!
1. Dried Figs - Discovered that I really love these.
2. 100% Carrot Juice - Bolthouse Farms brand is the best.
3. White Asparagus - Haven't tried yet.
4. Butter crunch lettuce - Pretty good but I think I prefer darker greens.
5. Beets - Tried when I was a kid. Made me gag. Going to attempt to try them again.
6. Eggplant - I've cooked this before but it's never turned out right. It's always too soft and watery. I'm going to try this one again hopefully with success this time.
7. Dried Prunes - Ick!
8. Homemade veggie burgers following this recipe. - Haven't tried this yet but I plan to maybe try this tomorrow night.
9. Tossed salad with olive oil as dressing. - I had never done this before but now that I have I am a complete convert. I think I'm going to buy a cruet and start making my own dressings. Yum!
10. Artichoke hearts - Bought a jar of these but they scare me. How do you eat them anyway?
11. Split pea soup without meat - I usually can't stomach this soup without turkey bacon, turkey ham or some other kind of meat in it. I found a simple looking vegetarian recipe that I want to try.
12. Fresh pineapple - I've only ever tried the canned stuff. Every year for Christmas we get a fresh pineapple in a fruit basket from my husband's boss. The pineapple always goes bad before I get a chance to try it - plus it intimidates me a bit. So I want to tackle this spiked fruit once and for all lol.
13. Roasted Garlic Cloves - Tried this once before. Don't remember how it turned out but it seems like it was bad. I would like to try this again.
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