To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3,1
Dear family in the Lord!
At times my life has been like the life of a conventional tomato.
Tomatoes in all their different kinds are to be considered an absolute everyday must-have food! Lycopene and antioxidant activity make these little mysteries (is it a fruit? does it belong on veggie tales??) your good friend when it comes to fighting free radicals in your body. The health benefits are more available and digestible if you cook with them. So start every veggie pan or pasta sauce with tomatoes and onions. Sauce away with tomatoes!
In Spiritual Spa#9 What would Jesus eat? I mentioned an important part of my personal history. I was part of a toxic christian fellowship for three years and that is now over three years ago. I was treated like a conventional tomato as described by Jillian Michaels in the much quoted book "Master your Metabolism".
A conventional tomato grows in overexploited, and with that nutrient scarce, soil to meet the needs of parsimonious consumers. What was the soil in my group? The members. Any relationship where the stronger party uses the weaker to meet their needs is abusive. Instead of leading our gaze to Jesus and nurture a personal relationship with Him the leaders led us to look at and obey them. A soil void of nutrients.
A conventional tomato is not being trusted to deal with natural problems like weed or insect infestation. The risk that during the process of fighting opposing elements it could be killed overrides the benefit that in this process of struggle it can grow more attached to the ground and absorb more nutrients, becoming a tomato with higher nutrient levels. How does that translate into my cult situation? The leaders established an atmosphere where the person that pointed out a problem with the leadership became the problem. To undermine a persons ability to discern or at least give feedback on felt dynamics weakens/injures their trust in their personal sense of reality. If we shared problems that occurred with friends or family, usually having to do with them expressing concern, often resulted in having to give up all contact with them. A plantation sprayed with toxic pesticides against any potential problem.
A conventional tomato gets plucked and shipped before it is ripe to not turn moldy at the grocery store. Because it was harvested before its time it gets sprayed with argon gas to make it turn red prematurely. We really need to get this. I am not the only one that has been forced to "pretend like everything is great". We do it to ourselves and maybe even our families. We think we need to portray like we have it all together when in reality we don't. My life in this cult was ruled by charade. The leadership gained the trust of the vulnerable "sheep" and combined with complete confusion managed to produce followers that didn't know right from wrong because those words were up to the leadership's definition. We had to pay for leaderships plans and expenses. We had to give our time and the lack thereof. Cut off relationships including family. Be obedient to the point of insanity. We did terribly unloving deeds in the name of righteousness and "God". We looked down on other Christians, because we were shining examples of obedience, dying to the flesh, speaking in tongues, prophesying and doing what needed to be done to further a kingdom. We pretended we had it all figured out and professed trust and testimonies and defended the leadership when attacked- even though or maybe because they convinced or coerced us to play a part in their aspirations of grandeur. And all that with a smirk. Sprayed with toxic gas to appear ripe.
Guess what, when it comes to buying tomatoes I go organic!! :)
My life after leaving the dangerous influence of that leadership has been much more compared to the life of an organic tomato. The new soil the Father in heaven planted me into was filled with generous and loving people that did everything they could to nourish my broken soul. I was entrusted with having a unique personality and design. In the manner of the play "The king's speech" I learned that God gave me a voice and it is a great adventure to figure out what He wants to say through me. One outcome of that journey is this blog. People covenanted with me rather than seeking to rule over me and that laid a healthy foundation for life-giving relationships including struggles. I have been given permission to grow organically, meaning there is no force or demand on how I am to turn out. That is freedom.
So, dear family in the Lord, let's go vote every time we go into the grocery store as we pay $1 more and invest into organic tomatoes. No one should be treated like a conventional tomato, not even a tomato.
Be blessed abundantly!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Spiritual Spa # 21 The Lie with the "I"
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1. Corinthians 12, 26
Dear family in the Lord!
I have had a hard time finding the words to this post. Since the beginning of February to be quite honest. I am now applying an expert's advice: If you have a writer's block- write about writer's block. So, what I basically want to tell you since over a month is "I hurt because people I care about hurt." It's not only sickness related, but that is definitely a good chunk of it. I am also grieving over choices people close to me make to isolate themselves or choose deception over going on a journey to seek truth. I am saddened by stories of families, including my own, being affected by sin of others. There. I find it quite a stumbling block being affected by the problems brought onto you through other people.
One of the saddest attitudes I have run into, whether it be training or counseling related, goes like this: at the end of the day my actions only hurt myself. Like the gambler that thinks his addiction doesn't affect his family. Or the alcoholic that is convinced he has it all under control. Or the person that can't close the fridge when the tummy is filled. Or the feud started by one convincing but bitter person. Nobody lives in a vacuum. We all affect one another. Your choices affect more than just you.
Items we pay for in the store are overpriced because people steal. Food quality is a thing from the past because people are greedy. Poor kids in poor countries make our clothes for little wage because we want to be fashionable.
Paul describes the followers of Jesus Christ in his letter to the Corinthians as ONE person. One body. One head. One heart. We get the picture. Just like when you get a compliment for your hair your toes aren't like: "Would someone notice my purple shine- I keep this boat floating?!"
To be one means to stick together through good and bad and care about one another gently. So hands down, can we say if we see another part of the body at fault "Well, that is their own problem! Too bad they don't come to our church building!"?
Your choices affect every body including your own. That's incredible power. And here starts my problem with this peppy piece. What if you are sick and hurt? Am I blaming you? Are we to judge you, the ones that suffer because you do? No, no, and no. In the book of Job we learn that Job's friends got into a lot of trouble for thinking Job did something to deserve any of his misery. But he didn't- that wasn't the point and they missed it.
Switch from Pop, Diet Pop or sweetened drinks to "La Croix" water. You find it in the same isle as those catastrophic cans. Maybe you have been looking for a truly guilt free alternative. I believe "La Croix" water does the magic. It's bubbly and comes in fabulous flavors such as Coconut or Peach-Pear. They are completely sugar/sweetener and sodium free, flavored with natural flavors only and have 0 calories. It's not sweet, but in my humble opinion a refreshing treat.
With that said I release you back into march, hoping that you are inspired to look for these little (or maybe big) things that are up to you, but then again - not just you. There, it is said. Thanks to the expert!
Be blessed abundantly!
1. Corinthians 12, 26
Dear family in the Lord!
I have had a hard time finding the words to this post. Since the beginning of February to be quite honest. I am now applying an expert's advice: If you have a writer's block- write about writer's block. So, what I basically want to tell you since over a month is "I hurt because people I care about hurt." It's not only sickness related, but that is definitely a good chunk of it. I am also grieving over choices people close to me make to isolate themselves or choose deception over going on a journey to seek truth. I am saddened by stories of families, including my own, being affected by sin of others. There. I find it quite a stumbling block being affected by the problems brought onto you through other people.
One of the saddest attitudes I have run into, whether it be training or counseling related, goes like this: at the end of the day my actions only hurt myself. Like the gambler that thinks his addiction doesn't affect his family. Or the alcoholic that is convinced he has it all under control. Or the person that can't close the fridge when the tummy is filled. Or the feud started by one convincing but bitter person. Nobody lives in a vacuum. We all affect one another. Your choices affect more than just you.
Items we pay for in the store are overpriced because people steal. Food quality is a thing from the past because people are greedy. Poor kids in poor countries make our clothes for little wage because we want to be fashionable.
Paul describes the followers of Jesus Christ in his letter to the Corinthians as ONE person. One body. One head. One heart. We get the picture. Just like when you get a compliment for your hair your toes aren't like: "Would someone notice my purple shine- I keep this boat floating?!"
To be one means to stick together through good and bad and care about one another gently. So hands down, can we say if we see another part of the body at fault "Well, that is their own problem! Too bad they don't come to our church building!"?
Your choices affect every body including your own. That's incredible power. And here starts my problem with this peppy piece. What if you are sick and hurt? Am I blaming you? Are we to judge you, the ones that suffer because you do? No, no, and no. In the book of Job we learn that Job's friends got into a lot of trouble for thinking Job did something to deserve any of his misery. But he didn't- that wasn't the point and they missed it.
We can get callous though and omit to do our part, I'm referring to our own lives now. Especially amongst Christians I have come across the 'tude that "the kingdom is not eating and drinking" and we therefore need not worry about what we eat- but the negative effects of this ignorance are still showing and growing. We think it important to share the Gospel with a bumper sticker on our cars, but fail to realize that the only community to which our terrible eating habits are Good News is: the pharmaceutical industry.
Yes, there is grace. But there is also responsibility.
Since I believe that the physical and the spiritual world are not separate, I am convinced that our invisible actions matter just as much as our visible. We reap what we sow, in the seen as in the unseen. That includes keeping our hearts transparent to our Father in heaven and having him clean up, letting him into every room of our "house" and fill it with his furniture, pictures and lamps. Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to ask for forgiveness? Do you need to break unhealthy soul ties? Are you refusing to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in an aspect? And it includes treating this physical temple we have been given with similar dedication.
Do you want to hear how I was freed of this heavy heart I carried around for a while? Jesus. I found myself worn down over weeks of waiting for some kind of relief, realizing that in this time of distress more than anything I need a savior. Jesus is enough. He is the King of kings. I can leave looking at the mere situations behind and put all my hope and trust in Him. Man, it is so simple to get distracted from this core of our faith.
From here I want to offer you a slight switch in your lifestyle that you could consider as "doing your part", as far as you can control it in the natural. (By the way, I am NOT sponsored by La Croix)
Switch from Pop, Diet Pop or sweetened drinks to "La Croix" water. You find it in the same isle as those catastrophic cans. Maybe you have been looking for a truly guilt free alternative. I believe "La Croix" water does the magic. It's bubbly and comes in fabulous flavors such as Coconut or Peach-Pear. They are completely sugar/sweetener and sodium free, flavored with natural flavors only and have 0 calories. It's not sweet, but in my humble opinion a refreshing treat.
With that said I release you back into march, hoping that you are inspired to look for these little (or maybe big) things that are up to you, but then again - not just you. There, it is said. Thanks to the expert!
Be blessed abundantly!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Spiritual Spa Video #1 "Chicken Spa"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Let me show you how simple it is to make your own baked chicken at home!
Let me show you how simple it is to make your own baked chicken at home!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Spiritual Spa #20 WHAT PERSONAL TRAINERS THINK ABOUT NOT-FIT PEOPLE
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” Titus 2 11+12
Dear family in the Lord!
Welcome in 2013! Let's get right into the good stuff!
Excuses, excuses. We all have them. We all fall short. Today I'm going to shock you with how the stereotypical Personal Trainer thinks. Don't worry- I'm here to encourage and not to tear down.
First of all, someone who becomes a Personal Trainer has a passion for physical fitness. Many have their own history of overcoming reasons to not be in good physical shape. They have a desire to see others getting "bit by the health bug", because they know you will also start to feel GREAT. To start looking at one health aspect of your life after the other and bringing chaos and omission to order and discipline. So when we hear excuses we like to challenge: Do they really pose impossible hindrances or are they just a shortcut to not feeling guilty for omitting? A Personal Trainer understands that something is holding you back. We have been there. But to listen to people lie to you, and more important to themselves, is probably the most frustrating part of being a Personal Trainer.
There are likely Personal Trainers out there who would use the insight they have and look down on people still in need of a lasting lifestyle change. That is how the world (not the kingdom of God) works. The dentist might look down on the cavity patient. The Postman might judge your front yard. The judge might judge and think to himself "what a bunch of lunatics out there".
Let's note that this is part of the fallen world we live in. To think that you would be judged when you enter a gym or join some kind of a workout setting is futile. You are always being judged. Face it and ask our Father in heaven to implant HIS judgement in your heart.
Next I'd like to address another severe issue. When I went through a continuos Ed class about Injury prevention I was shocked to find the room filled with 40 mid aged Personal Trainers, Gym owners or Group Exercise Instructors who were for the most part injured for a lifetime. The Instructor of the class had us introduce ourselves and speak about our injury history. Many of the impaired Fitness Professionals mentioned to have been "young and stupid"- they had worked their body beyond what it could take. Back, shoulder, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, neck, jaw, no part of the skeleton was left out. To be honest: That class made a lasting impact on me. It taught me to stay in tune with what my body wants, can handle and needs. I love my body. I don't think I need to beat it up or force it to look (or fall short) of what I think I'm expected to look like. I also like to encourage my clients that it is more important to consider what is realistic to achieve and maintain in YOUR life, rather than comparing your choices to others.
Let's note that to fall into the trap of trying to compete with everybody out there and be the fittest, best looking person ever is part of a fallen world we live in. Face it and ask our Father in heaven for forgiveness.
Lastly let's look at the M word. Motivation. Coming to the conviction that you need to work out doesn't mean the work is done. I love how I feel after working out. I love getting stronger or challenging my strength. Trainers, Gym owners or Instructors realize though that the hardest part about working out is to actually show up. Getting up an hour earlier, not directly heading home after work, leaving the comfort of your house after dinner... It is absolutely understandable that all the above pose potential stumbling blocks to your success. Let me fill you in on a secret: That can be the reason for choosing a fitness related career! Did you ever notice that hair stylists have great hair, chefs might be chubby, or law enforcement officers have a hard time being "off duty"? It's because they love what they do and become what they do. Does this mean that every Fitness Professional must look ripped and super fit? No, it does not. But does it mean we think twice about eating dessert, having a pizza or skipping a planned work out? Probably yes.
Let's note that we all are subject to lacking motivation to do what we know we are called to do because it is part of the fallen world we live in. Face it and ask for the diligence to do every good work.
You might have noticed that neither the Personal Trainer nor everybody else is perfect or has it all figured out. We all are in need of first salvation and then redemption. I hope the post today reminded you that we are surrounded by darkness but can't use this an excuse to not take care of our bodies and seek health. Into the darkness shines a LIGHT and the darkness was not able to defeat this LIGHT. This light that wants to penetrate every aspect of our lives is called Jesus Christ. To live like Paul writes to Titus in the quoted verses, a wholesome lifestyle of godliness, we need his spirit- the Holy Spirit. Ask and you shall receive!
Be blessed abundantly!
Dear family in the Lord!
Welcome in 2013! Let's get right into the good stuff!
Excuses, excuses. We all have them. We all fall short. Today I'm going to shock you with how the stereotypical Personal Trainer thinks. Don't worry- I'm here to encourage and not to tear down.
First of all, someone who becomes a Personal Trainer has a passion for physical fitness. Many have their own history of overcoming reasons to not be in good physical shape. They have a desire to see others getting "bit by the health bug", because they know you will also start to feel GREAT. To start looking at one health aspect of your life after the other and bringing chaos and omission to order and discipline. So when we hear excuses we like to challenge: Do they really pose impossible hindrances or are they just a shortcut to not feeling guilty for omitting? A Personal Trainer understands that something is holding you back. We have been there. But to listen to people lie to you, and more important to themselves, is probably the most frustrating part of being a Personal Trainer.
There are likely Personal Trainers out there who would use the insight they have and look down on people still in need of a lasting lifestyle change. That is how the world (not the kingdom of God) works. The dentist might look down on the cavity patient. The Postman might judge your front yard. The judge might judge and think to himself "what a bunch of lunatics out there".
Let's note that this is part of the fallen world we live in. To think that you would be judged when you enter a gym or join some kind of a workout setting is futile. You are always being judged. Face it and ask our Father in heaven to implant HIS judgement in your heart.
Next I'd like to address another severe issue. When I went through a continuos Ed class about Injury prevention I was shocked to find the room filled with 40 mid aged Personal Trainers, Gym owners or Group Exercise Instructors who were for the most part injured for a lifetime. The Instructor of the class had us introduce ourselves and speak about our injury history. Many of the impaired Fitness Professionals mentioned to have been "young and stupid"- they had worked their body beyond what it could take. Back, shoulder, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, neck, jaw, no part of the skeleton was left out. To be honest: That class made a lasting impact on me. It taught me to stay in tune with what my body wants, can handle and needs. I love my body. I don't think I need to beat it up or force it to look (or fall short) of what I think I'm expected to look like. I also like to encourage my clients that it is more important to consider what is realistic to achieve and maintain in YOUR life, rather than comparing your choices to others.
Let's note that to fall into the trap of trying to compete with everybody out there and be the fittest, best looking person ever is part of a fallen world we live in. Face it and ask our Father in heaven for forgiveness.
Lastly let's look at the M word. Motivation. Coming to the conviction that you need to work out doesn't mean the work is done. I love how I feel after working out. I love getting stronger or challenging my strength. Trainers, Gym owners or Instructors realize though that the hardest part about working out is to actually show up. Getting up an hour earlier, not directly heading home after work, leaving the comfort of your house after dinner... It is absolutely understandable that all the above pose potential stumbling blocks to your success. Let me fill you in on a secret: That can be the reason for choosing a fitness related career! Did you ever notice that hair stylists have great hair, chefs might be chubby, or law enforcement officers have a hard time being "off duty"? It's because they love what they do and become what they do. Does this mean that every Fitness Professional must look ripped and super fit? No, it does not. But does it mean we think twice about eating dessert, having a pizza or skipping a planned work out? Probably yes.
Let's note that we all are subject to lacking motivation to do what we know we are called to do because it is part of the fallen world we live in. Face it and ask for the diligence to do every good work.
You might have noticed that neither the Personal Trainer nor everybody else is perfect or has it all figured out. We all are in need of first salvation and then redemption. I hope the post today reminded you that we are surrounded by darkness but can't use this an excuse to not take care of our bodies and seek health. Into the darkness shines a LIGHT and the darkness was not able to defeat this LIGHT. This light that wants to penetrate every aspect of our lives is called Jesus Christ. To live like Paul writes to Titus in the quoted verses, a wholesome lifestyle of godliness, we need his spirit- the Holy Spirit. Ask and you shall receive!
Be blessed abundantly!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Spiritual Spa #19 Tickle me Jesus! (The fight between Cookie Monster vs. Veggie Tales)
The Lord sustains the weak on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.
Psalm 41, 3
Dear family in the Lord!
What a promise! Especially in these days were everybody seems to believe that "it's going around".
In the spirit of "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good" let's think about how we can avoid catching "it". This season offers you all sorts of sweet treats and baked goodies, paired with the desire to huddle at home. As much as I love all of the above I want to share a new thought with you.
What happens when you eat a sweet treat? Your body reacts to the sugar! Usually you interpret that reaction as positive and stimulating. There you have your pattern. You're hooked. You want more. Society tells you it makes you human to tick this way. -For my salty tooth audience that was about to zone out reading this I want to point out that the simple carbs in chips and crackers have the same effect on your body, so keep those peepers engaged- Now what about if you were hooked to a food that did more than stimulate you- it would first of all sustain and saturate you?
You are what you eat and you crave what you eat- hence: you crave what you are. Sobering, huh?
Reminds me of the story in the Gospel where Jesus asks his followers to eat his flesh and drink his blood. We talked about that in Spa #10 Offensive Cuisine. People were very entertained by Jesus. He fed them, he excited them by performing miracles of healing and other sorts. He stimulated them to stick around. Like putting marshmallows in a salad. But when he told them that they need to get also sustained and saturated by him, most of them took off. Sobering, huh? God wants to go deep with us. We decide if we let God tickle us, if we allow him to stimulate us or if we let him touch and mold us, if we allow him to sustain us. Sniffing Jesus means just sniffing. Eating Jesus means becoming Jesus.
Can we come alongside God to sustain us on the sickbed? Maybe we can even do our part and avoid ending up on the sickbed altogether? The key is truly acknowledging and honoring your immune system as a force that can work for you or can be weakened by your choices.
Here some reminders on how to
STAY STRONG or GET BETTER
by merely natural means:
1) Sugar intake. You've heard this before. Limit/ avoid sugar intake to not add stress to your challenged immune system.
2) Eat saturating foods. Dark green leafy veggies such as kale, spinach, broccoli to boost Vitamin C intake.
3) Drink loads of water! Dehydration is a direct consequence from suffering from allergies and linked to sinus, ear and throat sickness.
4) Garlic, onions and Coconut oil. Add these good friends of mine to your dishes to boost your immune system.
5) Winter Power Fruit: Pomegranate! So worth to dig and chew through this sweat/sour treat!
6) Rest is a weapon. Get the amount of sleep you need.
7) Praise God for his providence through the wisdom of nature!
8) Get out there! Go for a walk, take in that sun when it comes around. There's no age tag attached to snow- so play in it and absorb that Vitamin D childlike!
I hope you were inspired to taking matters of health into your own hands, which includes, but is not limited to, lifting your health up to the Father above!
Be blessed abundantly!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Spiritual Spa #18 A Union made in Heaven
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
"Reason that in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe"
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1, 1-5 + 14
Dear family in the Lord Jesus!
When we use the word "word" we think of it as a means to express a thought or a feeling. In the greek original for the quoted verses John used "logos" for what we translate with "word" which has an even deeper level of meaning . "Logos" according to webster-merriam.com means:
"Reason that in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe"
Many Christians refer to the Bible as the "Word of God", when the Bible it self refers to a real, living Person as the Word of God: Jesus Christ.
Why is this difference important? Jesus came to establish the possibility of relationship between people who's hearts had wandered far away from their creator, but they had a bunch of written words they some what lived by. In other words, he did not come to establish a relationship with people and a text, but with people and a real, living Person. God Himself.
Yes, we learn about God through the Bible and I don't want to miss reading the Bible. But without the Holy Spirit reading the Bible is like watching a football game for me. It is too complicated or too simple- I'm not sure, but anyway I'm not too interested to find out.
I have studied theology and I have spent different seasons of my live amongst all sorts of christian people- I have seen and practiced first hand utilizing Bible verses to justify my unloving behavior, worse, having totally missed the heart of God, but finding a Bible story to back up my ignorance. But I cannot abuse God. What do I mean by that? I cannot, knowing that God is real and guides me and other people, do something opposite from what I feel Him do, and say into his face "You tell me to do this another way!" I cannot live in relationship with someone and tell them into their face that what they ask me to do I am going to ignore or twist or add on to- to please my own various motives. The other person won't let me, not if we are in a serious and loving relationship.
Praise to God for that!
As always I ask you, what does this have to do with Nutrition? A LOT!
I want to compare the relationship of us and God to us and food. When we think of food we think "Yummy, comforting, meeting a bodily need". When food has a so much deeper level of meaning. To narrow it down: Food is energy and nourishment. And as that it is a controlling principle in the universe. Food can give you a stomach ache or it can leave you feel saturated. It can give you a quick and short lived rush or it can sustain and please you for hours. Just because food is in our reach doesn't mean we are to eat it. Just because some foods don't appeal to us doesn't mean we are not to eat them. Someone else might be eating a certain way and amount, that doesn't mean the way and amount you eat has to look the same way.
With all this I am saying that we need to establish a serious and loving relationship with food.
I have clients that hate food or to eat. They think they have weight issues because of food. I look at it differently. Weight issues come from an unhealthy relationship with food. Food was not created to solve your problems, so it won't. With that attitude it will only add to your list of problems. Food is not your enemy, so that rather than analyzing what and how much you eat, you have to eat on the go and eat what is available. Food is like your spouse. It needs you to take time for it and love it the right way and for what it is. It can't be blamed for what it isn't. So just like when you get into a serious and committed relationship with a real and living person you must struggle through issues to grow and love stronger, in the same way it can work with food. Let's talk about how a healthy food relationship can look like!
5 Tips To A More Thriving Relationship With Food
1. Thankfulness!
Be thankful to our creator every time you eat. A joyful heart is more protected from despair or over eating.
2. Listen carefully!
a) Listen to your stomach as to when to eat. Only eat when you are hungry. You might feel famished or sluggish, be prepared to have a snack (like a string cheese and an apple in your purse) to carry you over. The thumb rule is to eat every 2-4 hours, if needed. But again I say, listen carefully! If you eat out of your normal routine and come home, don't eat a second dinner just because it is tempting you.
b) Listen to your cravings. They can be very informative! What are they telling you? Do you crave something sweet or salty? Don't go for the cheap fix (like chips or cookies). Both cravings can be a sign of mineral deficiency, so make sure your salt is more than just sodium and your sugar more than just a visit at the dentist. Buy real salt, like Pink Himalayan Salt (Trader Joes e.g.), and SUCANAT (e.g. Coborns) and season and bake with that. Instead of ice cream make a home made fresh and frozen fruit smoothie with a little home made heavy whipping cream. No added sugar needed and worth the extra mile!
3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
If you truly consume the food you buy and put into your fridge you get a lot for your money. How much food do you throw out because it got bad? Stay on top of your fridge's inner life, same with fresh fruits and veggies. Bananas can be frozen and veggies can end up in a hearty soup with those chicken left overs. When you start eating what you pay for you realize it is worth spending a little extra and going organic. Also, respect food enough to know that it has an effect on you. If you eat unbalanced and processed foods you put yourself at risk of getting sick. Eat, knowing that food can work for you or against you.
4. Don't seek your own
Food will be there for you when you need it. Don't stuff yourself or use it to comfort you beyond what it is created to do. If you want to learn to eat only what you need, you might benefit from filling your plate 1x and put 10% less on the plate. This will teach your stomach to be satisfied with one portion and not being stuffed. If you are sad, stressed out or lonely pay attention to these symptoms and find the root. Your father in heaven wants you to come to Him with everything on your heart.
5. Love and delight!
I love food! How about you start lighting a candle during ever meal? I love steamed broccoli with a home made sour cream and cheese sauce! I love my fruity whip cream smoothies! I celebrate steaks and garlic with home made sweet potato fries! I love avocado and salad! Think about the foods you really love and look for ways to prepare them in a healthy way. Get your produce in every day and find ways that get you excited! There is nothing wrong with a sliced up apple and a spoon of natural peanut butter!
6. Make room for food
If you burn energy you need to eat energy. If you eat more energy than you burn, you will get overweight. That does not mean to go fat free or low fat. It means to always maintain an active lifestyle that includes some sort of daily exercise. Counting calories can be very misleading and a true joy kill. If you stay active with purposefully looking for ways to weekly burn extra stored energy (like exercise classes) you will stay on top of your intake matching your energy need.
These were a few ideas to get the fire burning between you and your food! If you need some more ideas on eating healthy, I have posted about a lot of topics, besides that the web is FULL of great ideas!
If you know that your relationship with food needs more than a push in the right direction, seek help! I know people that overcame food addictions with asking the Holy Spirit to tell them when to eat and what. Or people that received healing in the bottomless wounded parts of their hearts and because of that were able to sustain a happy and healthy relationship with food, myself included.
I wish you all the best for your personal, serious and loving relationship with food and also with our Father in heaven!
Be blessed abundantly!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Spiritual Spa #17 Getting back on track
The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees. Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment for I trust your commands. Psalm 119, 64-66
Dear family in the Lord!
Coming home from being away for a while is both bitter and sweet. Saying goodbye to loved ones, participating in their lives from a distance and finding back into the swing of things can be challenging. What is sweet about coming home? Well... How about you can try to find out who "you" were before you left and if "you" then and now still match up? You get to think about which aspect of your life is worthy of picking up again and which is not.
A downside to being away for an extended time is that you might realize that your ability to uphold a certain lifestyle is bound to a place, or maybe even the influence and inspiration of certain friends. In other words, I have to admit that I gave up quickly on my frequent and intense workout routine- even though I carried all the knowledge I needed to keep me exercising on my own. Being exposed to various different foods, or simply not being able to find the power health foods I am used to eat, I even adjusted more to the rather callous ways people ate around me.
Well, and now I am back home and I got to say that I want to find my way to get back on track. Not so easy! But since my clients often express such a desire I am certain it will be worth looking at "getting back on track" a little closer.
You don't have to leave the country to lose a good habit- for many people any kind of change can bring about a loss of commitment to what they know to be good for them. Like a move. Or a pregnancy. A job change. A wedding. A death. A child taking of to college. A season change. An illness or injury. We are human and as that, as we say in german, animals of habit. If there is a change we might feel a need to go back to what we feel will make us happy or protect us- before we got the revelation that led to changing our destructive ways. In crisis many go back to eating junk food- even though they know better. They cease to exercise or even go for a walk, because they feel like "treating" themselves to being a coach potato. I like to call that "going back to Egypt" in reference to the people of Israel wanting to go back to slavery rather than obeying the Lord in the desert and making the tough way through the waste land with trust.
SO! If you are convicted right now that you fell of the band wagon, stop and think! What happened? What distracted you from living the way you know is good? If we aren't following what we know to be true, who is to blame if we're ending up in an undesired place?
Do you want to get back on track?
I do!
So here is my plan to get back on track. I have got to start somewhere. The first Spin class I taught after a month, to be honest, threw me off a little. I guess I can't expect to pick up right where I left off. So, if you are planning to become fit and you are new to Group Exercise I'd recommend you take it easy in your first classes. It isn't terrible if you experience nausea or become dizzy, but some people get quickly discouraged by those kinds of reactions. Taking time to let your heart rate recover and lots of water should get you through a class. There is no shame in stepping in out while others are following the program. Everyone starts at one point! If Group Exercise or joining a Gym is way too far in the future for you, start walking! Go out there, change your pace, take deep breaths, enjoy the weather. That is a healthy way of getting/ staying in motion.
About getting back into healthy nutrition, again, you got to start somewhere! One thing I noticed being around my mom a lot- I never felt hungry. I rather felt full at most times, but that didn't stop her from making more food and, yes, me having some more. That is a very fruitful setting for gaining weight, consuming more energy than you use up. Besides that I wasn't performing much exercises like I usually do, so here goes some muscles also... (Do you wonder by now if my trip was even worth going :) Yes, it was!!)
A start to get back on track could be:
- Limit treats during the day to just one
- Have 5 planned meals/ snacks throughout the
day, no "opportunity crime"
- Make one meal a colorful salad with olive oil and
cheese as dressing
- Don't overeat! It is actually quite pleasant to not
feel stuffed.
- go for a walk instead of dessert
- Drop Soda intake (to none)
- Limit alcohol intake
- Listen to your body as you plan a meal
- Eat what your body needs for nourishment!
- Be thankful for the wonderful times!
You can do it. Just start somewhere. If you don't start- no one will do that for you.
Thinking about the quoted Psalm and our health I want to wrap this Post up with a prayer: There are general truths all around us and we would do good to learn those and live by those! Lord Jesus, teach us to be good and faithful stewards of our own body for your glory! Thank you that your creation is filled with your love! (But what were you thinking by creating wood ticks!? And spiders!? And mosquitos???) Amen.
Be blessed abundantly!
A downside to being away for an extended time is that you might realize that your ability to uphold a certain lifestyle is bound to a place, or maybe even the influence and inspiration of certain friends. In other words, I have to admit that I gave up quickly on my frequent and intense workout routine- even though I carried all the knowledge I needed to keep me exercising on my own. Being exposed to various different foods, or simply not being able to find the power health foods I am used to eat, I even adjusted more to the rather callous ways people ate around me.
Well, and now I am back home and I got to say that I want to find my way to get back on track. Not so easy! But since my clients often express such a desire I am certain it will be worth looking at "getting back on track" a little closer.
You don't have to leave the country to lose a good habit- for many people any kind of change can bring about a loss of commitment to what they know to be good for them. Like a move. Or a pregnancy. A job change. A wedding. A death. A child taking of to college. A season change. An illness or injury. We are human and as that, as we say in german, animals of habit. If there is a change we might feel a need to go back to what we feel will make us happy or protect us- before we got the revelation that led to changing our destructive ways. In crisis many go back to eating junk food- even though they know better. They cease to exercise or even go for a walk, because they feel like "treating" themselves to being a coach potato. I like to call that "going back to Egypt" in reference to the people of Israel wanting to go back to slavery rather than obeying the Lord in the desert and making the tough way through the waste land with trust.
SO! If you are convicted right now that you fell of the band wagon, stop and think! What happened? What distracted you from living the way you know is good? If we aren't following what we know to be true, who is to blame if we're ending up in an undesired place?
Do you want to get back on track?
I do!
So here is my plan to get back on track. I have got to start somewhere. The first Spin class I taught after a month, to be honest, threw me off a little. I guess I can't expect to pick up right where I left off. So, if you are planning to become fit and you are new to Group Exercise I'd recommend you take it easy in your first classes. It isn't terrible if you experience nausea or become dizzy, but some people get quickly discouraged by those kinds of reactions. Taking time to let your heart rate recover and lots of water should get you through a class. There is no shame in stepping in out while others are following the program. Everyone starts at one point! If Group Exercise or joining a Gym is way too far in the future for you, start walking! Go out there, change your pace, take deep breaths, enjoy the weather. That is a healthy way of getting/ staying in motion.
About getting back into healthy nutrition, again, you got to start somewhere! One thing I noticed being around my mom a lot- I never felt hungry. I rather felt full at most times, but that didn't stop her from making more food and, yes, me having some more. That is a very fruitful setting for gaining weight, consuming more energy than you use up. Besides that I wasn't performing much exercises like I usually do, so here goes some muscles also... (Do you wonder by now if my trip was even worth going :) Yes, it was!!)
A start to get back on track could be:
- Limit treats during the day to just one
- Have 5 planned meals/ snacks throughout the
day, no "opportunity crime"
- Make one meal a colorful salad with olive oil and
cheese as dressing
- Don't overeat! It is actually quite pleasant to not
feel stuffed.
- go for a walk instead of dessert
- Drop Soda intake (to none)
- Limit alcohol intake
- Listen to your body as you plan a meal
- Eat what your body needs for nourishment!
- Be thankful for the wonderful times!
You can do it. Just start somewhere. If you don't start- no one will do that for you.
Thinking about the quoted Psalm and our health I want to wrap this Post up with a prayer: There are general truths all around us and we would do good to learn those and live by those! Lord Jesus, teach us to be good and faithful stewards of our own body for your glory! Thank you that your creation is filled with your love! (But what were you thinking by creating wood ticks!? And spiders!? And mosquitos???) Amen.
Be blessed abundantly!
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