Sunday, February 28, 2010

Renew Your Mind

Find Scriptures that relate to your cause. Meditate on them, reading them over and over again. Write them down. Stick post-its all over your house, your car, your office! Get the Word down in your heart so that when you need these reminders from God's Word they will rise up and rescue you from yourself and the temptation that is in front of you at the time.

Call on the strength of Jesus to make the right choice. As a Christian we choose not to sin. We are dead to sin just as Jesus is dead to sin. Though the attack comes to us we have free will and choose not to accept it as a part of our lives any more. We choose to be set free! We are living in God's country now, Heaven bound, and not of this world!

Today is Sunday. Go to church today. Hear the message. It's just for you. It's just what you need. Thank God for His Word and those who preach it to us.

Romans 6:1-12 (See The Message)

Friday, February 26, 2010

Celebrate Recovery with a Song

I'm on the road to recovery
Step by step, day by dad
I'm on the road to recovery
Trusting God along the way
Trusting God all the way

I've got a friend I can talk to
Not alone any more
I've got faith I can walk to
And a feeling worth living for

There are times that I wonder
How I'll make it through the day
But I keep on, keep on believing
That my Savior can make a way

There are tears on my pillow
That won't dry on their own
Beyond my years
I've known sorrow
But today, I don't walk alone

I'm on the road to recovery
Step by step, day by day
I'm on the road to recovery
Trusting God along the way
Trusting God all the way!

Here's another song for your heart and lips,
walking by faith...

I walk by faith
Each step by faith
To live by faith
I put my trust in You

Every step I take
Is a step of faith
No weapon formed against me
Shall prosper
Every prayer I make
Is a prayer of faith
If my God is for me
Who can be against me?

The words above are taken from songs on the WORSHIP, A Key to Recovery CD by the Celebrate Recovery Band, produced by Celebrate Recovery Ministries at www.celebraterecovery.com

Thursday, February 25, 2010

A New Creature - A New Mind - A New You - And Victory

The new creature - you! The renewing - it begins in your mind! Why? Because that's where the battle is continually going on!

Become new in Christ Jesus! Renew your mind in the Word of God. Let God do the battle - it's His battle in the first place and secondly - He's already won! You have the victory! It's in Christ Jesus!

Yes, this as your foundation will see you through all that comes next!

You're on the road to recovery and
here's to your health!

References from the Bible: II Cor. 5:17, Romans 12:2, II Cor. 10:4-5, I Sam. 17:47, I Cor. 10:13, I Cor. 15:57

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Place to Begin

The best place to begin is with a Biblical foundation. Look at this from the Bible:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2

Are you ready to be transformed into a new person? Ready to be healed, healthy and whole again? Ready to have your best health ever? Renew your mind. Start transforming into that new person with the Word of God at your side. Read it daily and let God take over the control. Don't make Him co-pilot, make Him your pilot! Let Him drive your car and put the best fuel ever in you - the Word! Along with good food, plenty of water, some physical exercise and juicing for life you'll see the difference in you begin to develop for the better real soon!

Here's to your health!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Buried Emotions

Let it out. Let it all out. Keep no secrets from yourself or what you think are buried "treasures" - what no one will know. God knows. It's okay to have your emotions show to him. When stressed or afraid or angry, tell Him so. He already knows. He wants you to hear yourself say it and recognize it. It's not to be buried. Let this so-called buried or hidden emotion out and be set free!

Worry will make you sick. Crying can release the stress. Laughter is good medicine. Laughter and joy promote good health! Tears can be wonderfully healing and bring about a healthy release of pressure and stress put on your body. Why be one who suffers a heart attack or gets cancer at an early age? Why bring about pre-mature aging when you can make a choice for health and happiness?

Keeping anger inside you is a sure killer. It's okay to get angry but be sure to have a safe outlet for releasing it. Be forgiving. Unforgiveness is another slow and painful killer. Forgiveness sets you free.

Don't shorten you life in any of these ways. Seek help. Search out quality counselors and Christian friends that will support you through the trial. Learn to turn to God and allow Him to take on these emotions that trouble you and from Him release, repent and receive. Choose your life in Him!

Here's to your health!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Help, I'm Addicted!

Through recovery and our choices we soon may discover that we have addictions. They may not necessarily be illegal addictions but addictions non-the-less. Our society has taught us many things regarding addictions but our society has also taught us and even helped us along in some of those addictions. Here's one - chocolate! "A little bit is good for you" - so they say. Again I say you may want to research who "they" are and why "they" are telling you this. Here's another one, "A glass of wine a day is helpful or healthy or good for you! "Who are they? Why do they tell us this when it a known fact that these can become very addictive let alone be unhealthy for you - especially in excessive amounts but even in one glass or one bite they aren't good for the body! Have you given permission over to "they" to control your life?

I'm not against doctors but are "they" ruling over your life? Some of us are so overloaded with legal pills and medications that our body doesn't know which way to go to help its self. Here's another place to learn to read the labels! Or, learn to at least ask questions when your doctor is prescribing medications and then make a healthy decision - you might ask what is a natural source or means to better your health than a pill! Some of us have so many doctors for this and that that they can't and shouldn't be responsible for knowing everything about us. There's only One who has that control and that right! And it's not necessarily you although you do know your own body and should keep it healthy yourself by gaining understanding in your body and how it works and what works it! God knows you best!

Don't let yourself become addicted and if you already are... well, let's learn how to let go of those things that are ruling over us and causing us to have poor health habits and even poor health! Let's get on this road to recovery - do it today! We'll march on together.

Here's to your health!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Recovery and Choices

Recovery and choices they go hand-in-hand together. Do you want a recovery? Do you want better health? Do you want a healthy lifestyle? For real? Then your choices will line up for the good and you will have the stick-to-itiveness that is necessary to see the results! Make the commitment today. Choose to commit. Choose to have patience with yourself as you make the changes necessary for recovery. Choose to be kind to yourself (and to others, too, of course). Choose the right thing to do when you have the choice and then choose to do it right so that you get the right results. Choose to endure whatever comes your way and choose success. Choose health. Choose life. We're on our way!

Here's to your health!

Friday, February 19, 2010

New Again

Recovery bring anew and fresh lifestyle - our Biblical foundation tells us so:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - II Corinthians 5:17

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward in those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14

Amen.

Here's to your health!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Recovery

Many of us are ready for an overhaul - some of us a complete overhaul! When we make changes in our lifestyle we are on a road to recovery for better health and prosperity in our lives! Hallelujah! It's a new road with new challenges all for the better for us! I have to shout "hallelujah" again! Until you take that first step and create that first new habit in your life you won't understand my hallelujah but when you do, watch out - there's more to come and it's a good thing! Let's get started and/or stick to the program for removing all the yuck and get those nutrients that do a body good! We must first let go of the old to let in the new. When we do we will see our physical problems be removed and find more health than we knew existed in our human frame. We are on a new road - the road to recovery! Once we've recovered and created good healthy habits in our lives we will learn how to maintain but for now - let's get started on that road together!

Here's to your health!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Goal Setting Made Easy

Set some goals. It's easy as one, two, three... or A, B, C...

Set mini goals and you will have a travel plan. You will travel from point A to B and B to C and so on, until you reach your final destination. Set your goals out in writing. Also write down a statement of your own on why you want to reach this particular goal. Keep your goals and this statement with you or in a place for constant review. Date them as you reach each point and the final destination. Once you've reached your final goal set more mini goals to a new destination.

Let's say you want to eliminate the top five killer foods from your diet. You now have five mini goals - one for each killer food. Determine how long you want to take for eliminating each killer food - one week? One month? One day? You now have a travel plan from point A, the first killer food to point B, the second killer food, and so on. Write your statement. It may be something like, "I want to be in top notch physical condition so that I can better serve the Lord and live long in serving the Lord."

Now that's not hard. Talk to God about it and lean on Him as you travel - He'll see you through and you'll be happy to set another goal after reaching this one! Setting your mind to it is half the battle already won!

Here's to your health!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Get Started Now

Now is the time. Now is always the time. You are sitting in the now. And, now is the time to do something. Begin. Don't procrastinate. Don't delay what is important to you by getting caught up in the harried, busy doings of the day. Set priorities. Make a list if you must and start with your most important task or desire and get it done first. Keep focused. Find ways throughout your day that keep you on task. One could be this little blog and another aspiring and motivational encouragements like Just 4 You Today.com. Print them out, write in your own words things you hear and pick up on the media that excite you. Use Scripture since it doesn't return void but works in you to perform that which it's called to do! Life is a series of choices - get started now by choosing to begin your life of health! This is a choice that affects every day of your life from this day forward into all your future!

Here's to your health!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Set Some Goals

Most of us are use to doing this at the beginning of the year, setting goals or resolutions. Maybe you did. I did. I started the 60 Days to a Slimmer Waistline with Hallelujah Acres. We are a little more than half way since it was mid-January when we started and I'm on top of the world with a better, healthy me! Sometimes, however, about this time into the year we've forgotten our goals at the beginning of the year and they've gone by the wayside as our busy schedules have interfered.

If you've lost focus, now is the time to step up to the plate and re-evaluate the situation and reset some goals. Make them short term goals - simply a place to start and then in a month or two re-evaluate again. Starting small is as easy as choosing to have your pantry done at the end of this week and then the refrigerator the next week and on week three the counter tops and tabletops (that's if setting up your kitchen to be a healthy place is one of your goals). You could also choose to start by eliminating caffeine out of your diet this week or maybe for the next entire month and then the next week or month, eliminate another one of the killer foods. You don't have to do it all at once. How long did it take you to get where you are? It wasn't overnight now, was it? So, if necessary, take tiny baby steps. For others, your personality would be if you don't jump in 100% you'll never do it - so, go for it! Lay it all out and then jump in with a combination of two or three or all at one time! Just get started!

Here's to your health!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Back in the Kitchen

Our kitchen is like the food we eat, it tells us a lot about ourselves. It tells us how we care about ourselves, our families, spouse and children, and our extended family, friends and neighbors. This is a place of comfort, yes, but is it a place of health? It should be a clean, uncluttered environment that invites those who enter to enjoy a refreshing, healthy intake of food, conversation and life. Whatever is needed to revamp your kitchen whether it be the pantry and refrigerator that need a good cleaning out or the uncluttering of counter tops and table tops, it's time to do it and make it shine for your physical and emotional health as well as others who come to visit!

Here's to your health!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Grocery Shopping and the List

Don't you just love lists? I'm a write it down kind of person so I have lists for everything, everywhere but besides my "things to do" list, my grocery list is second in line. What's on your grocery list? Better yet, what should be on your grocery list? Good things! Good foods!

Again, let's keep it simple. But, let's also be adventurous! Don't be afraid to try something new. This is the time to begin trying new nutritious items and letting go of those old poor choices of the past. Begin in the fresh produce section of the store and write down all the fruits and vegetables you like then write down some you've heard of that sound interesting that you want to try. When you go to the store look around at all the vibrant colors of foods in the produce section - pick some up that you didn't have on your list and try those! Ask your grocer, they'll love to chat most times and be proud of their department.

As you make your list you can simply imagine walking through the store but here's a tip - avoid most items in the aisles as these are refined and processed foods that will have mile long lists of items on the label - some of which you can't pronounce and never heard of before - that will instantly tell you "don't buy it!" The best foods are located on the outskirts of the grocery store, as you will see. Unless it's something particularly likable and good for you then you want to avoid the temptation of foods in the aisles. Some grocery stores will have "healthy living" sections and that would be your second best spot to shop after the produce section. Remember to shop the farmers markets in your area or anywhere you can find fresh produce. Many health food stores are now carrying fresh, organic items along with their shelf items and vitamins.

When thinking of the cost of eating with your new lifestyle choices, remember that when you eat right today by making good, healthy choices in your shopping experience, you could be saving yourself from poor health tomorrow. Purchase good, quality foods for your health. Life is a matter of choice!

Here's to your health!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

More to Setting Up Your Kitchen

Kitchen tools... some kitchen tools you need, some you don't. Get rid of the clutter and those spurs of the moment gadgets you bought that you don't use! Keep it simple in your kitchen just as you do life. Most of us have too many pots and pans or other items in our kitchens. Keep only your stainless steel or glass pots or replace your old ones with new as soon as it's possible - with very little cooking you won't need too many. I find a small, medium, and large soup pot are all that are necessary and my large soup pot has a colander and steamer with it for making pasta and steaming vegetables! For added luxury I also have a cast-iron skillet and a wok!

Your basic needs are simple. Here are items you will need in your new kitchen:

Juicer, food processor, blend or Vita Mix, food dehydrator, cutting boards, colander, air tight storage containers, a salad spinner (they're wonderful!), and a flour mill or "coffee" grinder (used for seeds and nuts).*

Unclutter the drawers as well as the cupboards and counter tops! You will need some good sharp knives and scissors, measuring cups and spoons, a hand grater, potato masher (for avocados and potatoes), melon ball spoon, and fruit and vegetable peeler. Spatulas, funnels and a garlic press are also needed. As you go along you may find some small luxury items you like to use too, but start with these. I for one love my tomato corer and although I use a knife and/or spoon to dice or carve out my avocado, my Mother likes her avocado tool.

Are we having fun yet? Tomorrow we'll go grocery shopping!

Here's to your health!

* These items can be purchased through Your Best 4 Health (928-970-3764) or through Hallelujah Acres, www.hacres.com (referral #DXW).

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Let's Set Up Your Kitchen

I've mentioned several times that we need to get the wrong foods out of the house and out of our desk drawers at the office or even out of the car - let's begin with our kitchens! So often our kitchen is a cluttered mess and we don't even know what we do have in there! And we know that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house because most times that's where all the family gathers around to eat and for some reason not just to eat but in preparation of the meal and for comfort - it's a comfortable place to be with one another! Why that is I don't know - it just is. So, here we go... changing out our pantry and refrigerator!

I found it necessary when I did this to pull everything out of my pantry first. Take an inventory of what you have and put it back in organized. Then keep it that way - it doesn't always work when there are more hands in the cupboard than yours, but it's a start. You may have to put it on your Fall and Spring cleaning "things to do" list or even more often. When you do this, take those bags and boxes that are open and put them into plastic containers to hold their freshness. Anything you find that you know is bad food toss out! Your pantry should be stocked with herbs and spices, vinegars and oils, nuts and seeds, dried and prepared legumes (beans, all kinds of beans, chick peas, lentils, and split peas), whole grain flours and meals (whole-wheat, barley, millet, oat, rye, etc., and some pancake or whole grain waffle mixes are okay, too), and whole grains like couscous, quinoa, bulgur, and rice (Basmati, brown and wild rice). This is a good start in the pantry.

For the refrigerator begin the same way - empty it out and clean it! Keep your condiments simple. Remember, these are used to enhance the flavor in foods and it is always better to use live herbs. Read your labels very carefully on your condiments. You can also learn to make your own condiments like ketchup and mayonnaises as well as your salad dressings. Fill it with fresh, raw vegetables and fruits. If you are a milk drinker, try a new experience, switch to oat milk, rice milk, or almond milk (make it fresh!) instead of cow milk.

We're off to a good start - more tomorrow - here's to your health!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Alleviate Stress

Your are what you eat "they say." I've found it to be true myself, haven't you? I can explode on food and feel totally out of it or I find I can have a more relaxed feeling when I choose the proper food during my times of stress or with my everyday lifestyle. What's the difference? What I eat and when I eat! Let's look today at some foods we eat that will either aggravate stress or alleviate it.

The biggest offenders of aggravated stress in our lives are very common and well known: sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Our body under stress is usually looking for a quick fix, also known as "cravings." Sugar will provide you with some quick energy, but soon let you down, as will caffeine and alcohol. Too much? Watch out, the downer comes at an expensive health cost and if any of these are used in excess you may have a real problem.

Foods that alleviate stress would be clean, fresh vitamin-packed vegetables and fruits. Beans rich in vitamin B6 can be a good source of a "mood" lifter also. Instead of sugar for maintaining stable blood sugar levels try whole grain bread. Whole grains slowly release carbs for a body under stress needing a fuel injection. Yes, carbohydrates are essential. Like anything else just don't overdue it. Then there's pure refreshing water. Yes, water! Every process in your body requires water or it can't function. For peak performance you don't want to be dehydrated but rather filled to capacity and overflowing in health! Alleviate fatigue and sluggishness and stress by drinking your 8 - eight ounce glasses of water per day.

Here's to your health!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Mood & Food Managment

We must learn to recognize the difference between our true hunger and our cravings for unhealthy foods. Sometimes our hunger is simply mental and not a physical need. I suggest that over some time you take and write down what you eat on a daily basis. Also write when you eat, how you feel when you eat (before and after - even during), and see if there is a pattern to your unhealthy eating habits. Knowing what triggers your eating will help you to deal with any problems.

Start looking elsewhere for comfort than turning to foods! Instead you can find comfort in a call to a good friend or supportive family member, read a good book or the Good Book, and pray! In creating these new habits you will find better comfort and soon find them as a way of life - a healthy life!

Begin this change in lifestyle by not keeping any unhealthy foods around - not at home or at the office or in your car! Nothing taste as good as good health will feel!

Tomorrow we'll look at some foods that are stress aggravators and others that help alleviate stress.

Here's to your health!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Stop Stewing

"Controlling your food intake is just one of the many means to calm your nerves. Here are six simple ways to keep the jitters at bay:

1. Create Order: Keep your home - and your mind - as uncluttered as possible.
2. Just Say NO: Politely but firmly decline requests for your time or effort that aren't in alignment with your priorities.
3. Work it Out: Regular exercise offers a host of health benefits, one of which is to help pump up the production of endorphins, your brain's feel-good neurotransmitters.
4. Draw Social Security: Maintain the healthy relationships in your life to help you navigate the tough times and fully enjoy the good.
5. Split Your Sides: Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones (such as cortisol and epinephrine) and humor in general can make stressful situations less threatening and more positive.
6. Think Positive: Remember, your thoughts become your actions, so choose a positive thought pattern."

Note: Today's information was taken from the September/October 2009 issue of Clean Eating, Stop Stewing, page 79.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Keep Your Composure

When we overuse our bodies and subject them to unending stress what can we do? When we've stressed our body and mind completely beyond what it can handle what is the answer? Problems. We need to learn to put our priorities into perspective and learn what's important to us and then learn an anointed word, "no." Often times we say "yes" to our boss, our friends, the children and our spouse when we know it's going to overload us. So why not be honest and say "no" with an explanation of when it can be done or why it doesn't need to be done. Even our boss should understand when they know there are only so many hours in a day.

Like I've said as we've talked about stress, it's unavoidable at times. What we must learn is how to handle it, especially when it's out of control. The consequences can take a toll on our body with sickness, disease, depression or other side affects that we really don't want.

When you are ready to explode, keep your composure and release it by breathing deeply, counting to ten (or one hundred!) or talk to the Shepherd. All will help. They give you time to think first before acting out your stress and frustration which usually causes the problem. When talking to the Shepherd you will learn His voice and when you hear it you will know what to do.

From Rev. George Malkmus, "Stress is a very real threat to our physical and emotional health. It is perhaps one of the greatest challenges in mastering oneself -- to balance that eternal tension between the ambitions of the mind with the limitations of the body." We must learn to relieve ourselves of stress and get clear peace we need as well as having the rest we need.

Here's to your health!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Let's Talk Stress

Stress is something we all have at times or most times in our lives. What is important is how we handle the choices that bring stress. Yes, we choose. Those "things" that happen in life allow us to choose a positive or negative response. Stress is simply the response to those "things" that are happening to us in life. You see it's not so much what's happening as it is how you respond or handle the situation or circumstance. We can't control all the stress in life, but we can control how we react to it. Our choice will either weaken or strengthen our body.

A negative response through our actions and/or words or both will bring the greatest detriment to the body. When we are continually responding with a negative we will find that it can bring upon us sickness and disease and even cause premature death to us. On the other hand, when we choose to respond with a positive action and words we find that life isn't so bad to us after all and this can strengthen our body. In coping with day-to-day stress, especially the negative, we must find an outlet or source for our inner peace. This is where we can then turn for that positive response to our situation or circumstance. But remember, too, that even positive stress takes a toll on our body and we need to release it in a positive way. An example would be walking into a the office expecting to get to work early with the quiet and everyone's already there hiding in the dark popping out with "Surprise!" That not being what you expected may be a positive but also has to have a place of release and peace.

There is a Source for both! Hallelujah! We go back to our biblical foundation for this. Our Source as a Christian is found in Jesus. His peace passes all understanding and we need to call on His name when we need to release our stress.

Here's to your health!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Emotional Health

It is said for a person to be in good emotional health they need to be in control of their thoughts, feeling, and behaviors having positive results in life. It is also said that when the physical body is not nourished properly, it often affects our emotional and psychological health. We don't usually think of our food having anything to do with our emotional imbalance but it does. Could it be that we need to feed our body the right food - living foods - for it to function properly? Know this, that when we provide the body with high-quality fuel we help assure proper function of our body. An unhealthy body is the home of an unhealthy mind, but as you detoxify your body, freeing it of the toxins and other bad "stuff", you will also free your mind up and have a clear head. So, today remember this, that your brain is affected by a bad diet! That's right so eat healthy today - make healthy choices to keep your body in balance!

Here's to you health!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

No Greater Health than God's Way

These are the 7 Steps to Inner and Outer Beauty by Stormie Omartian in her book Greater Health God's Way:

Peaceful Living
Pure Food
Proper Exercise
Plenty of Water
Prayer and Fasting
Fresh Air and Sunshine
Perfect Rest

This book will help you develop the structure you need to become healthy - mentally, physically, and spiritually. Her book is a "must read" as it is powerfully packed with information teaching healthy living from a biblical perspective - it's your best 4 health!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Ensure Sound Sleep

The following steps to ensure sound sleep have been taken from Greater Health God's Way, 7 Steps to Inner and Outer Beauty, by Stormie Omartian, Chapter Seven, Step Seven: Perfect Rest:

1. Go to bed early.
2. Take mini-breaks during the day and rest totally for ten minutes.
3. Take frequent "breathers." (Deep breathing exercises)
4. Increase your exercising.
5. Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
6. Eat food the way God made it.
7. Take a warm bath to relax.
8. Drink herb teas. (Do not drink stimulants)
9. Have a body massage or foot rub.
10. Fast and pray
11. Take short naps.
12. Keep you sleeping room dark and quiet.
13. Buy a good mattress.
14. See that you have good ventilation.
15. Live in peace.
16. Allow a half an hour to unwind.
17. Have a nighttime ritual.
18. Remember the prayer closet (if you do wake up in the night).
19. Check all of the 7 steps to greater health regularly (these will be listed tomorrow).
20. Don't wear restrictive clothing.
21. Under no circumstances drink alcohol, coffee, tea, or soft drinks and then take tranquilizers or sleeping pills.

Here's to your health!