War at the Dinner Table with the Homies

Whenever dinnertime approached my two favorite detectives were on the prowl. The young detective always boldly yet politely asked, “So, what are we eating today?” While the senior detective would often just wait to see what would be served. If he didn’t think it would appeal to his taste buds, he would suddenly not be very hungry. This lovable pair, my husband and son, are affectionately known as my “homies.”

Often considering many healthy foods flavorless or unattractive, my homies were always trying to snoop out what was cooking. I could easily predict which foods my son would campaign the hardest against eating. Eating vegetables was far from an easy achievement in my home. In fact, anything green was like exposure to a lethal dose of kryptonite to the homies. The dialogue between my son and I would often go like this:

“Do I have to eat all of it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what if I just take two more bites?”
“No, you must eat it all; it’s good for you.”
“But I don’t like it.”
“Eat it anyway.”

It often seemed like we were having food wars but positive changes to healthy eating were just around the corner.

Developing healthy eating habits is sometimes best achieved when change is implemented in baby steps.
Since green was not my family’s favorite food color I used creative cooking solutions. For example, the homies really enjoyed eating ground turkey burgers. Greens became “herbs” in my book. I would chop them up into small pieces and add them to my burger recipe. I also replaced lettuce on their burgers with spinach. Of course, this didn’t give them their complete daily-recommended supply of vegetables, but it was a baby step in the right direction. The best part is that the homies would eat the burgers without reservation and there was no complaining.

Learning about healthy food varieties and the health benefits can foster interest.
While vacationing one summer we learned about various kinds of apples and their nutritional properties. It was a wonderful educational experience. My son was so intrigued by all he learned that during our trips to the market for grocery he wanted to try new fruits. The Pink Lady apple was the most interesting of all to him. The name alone seemed to take on such personality that I often heard him chuckle over it. I believe in some child like way it may have stimulated his imagination and taken on a sort of animated characteristic that he found humorous. What a great way of bringing life to food that is good for the body.

Sharing in the dinner planning and preparation gives everyone value added input.
Occasionally my husband would roll up his sleeves and assist in the dinner preparation. This became a great opportunity for us to understand preferential differences and be creative with the cooking. I learned that he really enjoyed eating certain vegetables, but some he just preferred raw rather than cooked. We also wanted our son to feel involved. So sometimes we encouraged his help in the kitchen or would ask him what he would like for dinner. We discovered that he found helping out to be fun, and, interestingly enough, the child who was often concerned about what kryptonite dish might be served actually made health conscious suggestions.

Set a goal to take practical measures that improve or maintain good health. If eating healthy is challenging a few simple changes can provide the breakthrough to a pathway to better health.

Energy Suckers

You can’t see it, but you can feel it. Walk into a stadium and feel the excitement! Walk into the room of an angry spouse and feel the tension that can slice you as with a knife. It’s called energy—positive or negative. Whereas positive energy empowers, negative energy weakens. Guarding against negativity by being alert, non-absorbent and life-giving is important in preventing depression, loneliness, bitterness or hatred. These emotions or feelings are energy suckers.

Be aware of the source of the energy

Becoming cognizant of our “emotional temperature” is important. Sometimes I used to feel somewhat sad for no apparent reason. At least that’s what I thought until I remembered I had just had an annoying caller on the phone. I was at work. A patient was upset that he was unable to get an appointment when he wanted. I realized I was taking this situation personally. I did not know this young man and I had done my best to help him. In frustration, the patient lashed out at me. Even after I hung up the phone, it was as if dark clouds sailed across the sun. Being aware of energy draining situations or individuals is important in safe-guarding our well being. Some spiritual vampires are not only people. Exercising caution in what we watch on television, or what we listen to or sites we enter on the internet is important in protecting our inner being.

Refuse to accept the negative energy

Once you are aware of the source, you have a choice to be an absorbent of negative or positive energy. Many times, we absorb the wrong type of energy without realizing it. Dwelling on past mistakes, for example, is inadvertently choosing negative energy to store in the body. We gradually lose strength physically and spiritually, being vulnerable even to sickness.

Cling to a mantra

Speak life generating words by declaring out aloud that you will only allow positive energy to enter your life. One of my favorite mantras is to acknowledge and be happy for each day God has created: “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Despite the challenges that may come that day, I cling to my mantra. You are the only one that can allow negative energy to penetrate your spiritual membrane. Memorize and personalize biblical scriptures—words of life, to ward off negativity.

God is love and the manifestation of this love is life—all that is good, all that is positive.

3 Ways to become physically and spiritually fit and healthy

Exercise had little value growing up in a Pentecostal church. In fact, the Bible clearly said it “profiteth little” they preached. Instead, spiritual matters were of importance not the body. Such belief was based on the scripture from the King James Version of the Bible which said, “bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (1 Timothy 4:8). Though there was some truth to their belief, it was not entirely so. They had failed to comprehend the English language fully, for the scripture did not say exercise was meaningless but rather in terms of benefit the spiritual by far outweighed the physical. As spiritual beings we are stuck in a physical body. And today some of us have stretched our birth suits to proportions of great size or simply neglected them. Being good stewards, however, involves caring for our bodies also. Understanding that the two worlds, physical and spiritual, parallel each other is to begin to recognize the degree of fitness required to exist in both.

Here are three ways to be fit and healthy both physically and spiritually:

1. Cardio:

It is important to exercise daily. The heart is a muscle that requires aerobic type of exercises. No or little exercise can result in cardiovascular diseases and obesity.

Spiritual Parallel: Prayer

No or little prayer will result in worldly obesity or an impure heart. We have been called to be distinct from the world in our desires, motives, and outlook of life: “But you are chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (I Peter 2:9 NCV). Jesus said of His followers, “They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world” (John 17:16 NCV).

This type of spiritual exercise must be done daily in order to accomplish spiritual fitness.
 
What exercise is to the body is what prayer is to the spirit being.

2.Weight bearing exercises:

The body has two main energy systems: aerobic and anaerobic. Whereas the efficiency of the aerobic system is affiliated with the heart, the anaerobic system is connected with the muscles, especially in activities such as weight training. Resistant training should be an integral part of our life. After the age of 25, we lose more than one-half pound of muscle every year. Imagine a house. Your body is like a house. Weight training helps to sustain the structure.

Spiritual Parallel: Adversity/ Hardship/ Struggles

Adversity builds spiritual muscle. The spiritual muscle that is built is called character: “We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4 NCV).

Adversity, then, is a stepping-stone to a higher level. It is progress in the making. But so many times this is not our outlook. We do not see the pressures in life or the weights we must bear in life as means of refining us in order to become better individuals. If we do not learn to confront the struggles in life by applying the Word of God and see them as opportunities to become stronger, we become flabby Christians.

Adversity the opportunity to discover the greatness within.

3.Stretching:

Stretching is a necessary component of fitness. It increases physical efficiency and performance. It improves muscular balance and postural awareness.

Spiritual Parallel: Faith

When we are challenged in life, our faith is also. We are stretched to surpass our present condition. God stretches us when we allow Him to dream through us. If we are able to accomplish a task all by ourselves, our faith is not stretched. Our faith is stretched when we look to God to achieve the dreams He births in us: With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20 NCV).

Dare to allow God to dream through you.
 

The Life of Frosted Flakes, Cookies and Soda

One morning while doing cardio I had a vision of sprinters running in a race. They were running fast; their muscles were pumped, working hard, and they moved like they were cutting through the wind. In each sprinter’s hand was a baton which was to be handed off to the next sprinter. With each hand off, the next sprinter seemingly ran equally as fast if not faster. I believe God wants all of us to run after Him in that way.

Our journey in life is about developing a renewed way of thinking.  Changing our thinking in favor of and with a hunger for God gives life. One of the things we constantly should strive for in life is change. We need change. I believe the need for change is spiritual. The desire for change allows us to accomplish what we otherwise would not have known was possible.

 Years ago my spouse became very ill. At the time we were like many other Christians that go to church every Sunday to hear the sermon and afterwards maybe fellowship with a few other believers before returning home to the normalcy of our own seemingly “safe” environment. We never stretched ourselves to develop a disciplined lifestyle that fostered constant communication with God through prayer, meditation and worship. We didn’t really understand that we should.

My husband’s illness became apparent when he collapsed at work and was rushed by an ambulance to the hospital. It was one of the scariest experiences I had ever had. The person I loved so dearly was at a place in life where we could only turn to God for help. Coincidentally I was preparing for a competition during this time. Of course I wanted to give up, walk away and devote all my focus to my husband. My trainer encouraged me to support my husband but not to give up on competing.

On the second day of my husband’s hospitalization I stood in the hospital room holding his hand and prayed one simple prayer, “Lord, heal him and teach us how to always live healthy lives.” You see my husband’s illness was triggered by poor nutritional habits and lack of exercise. We were complete opposites in this area; he ate based on what he liked and what was conveniently available to him. I, on the other hand, ate based on the nutrients necessary for energy and maintaining muscle.   

 My husband struggled for months to recover. It was a very difficult time for us, but through his illness we learned lessons and made changes that led us on the path to healing.

Reducing Refined Sugars

He initiated change by decreasing his intake of food sources that contained refined sugars. Frosted Flakes, cookies and soda were his all time favorites. It was normal for him to buy a box of high-sugar cereal or a pack of cookies and consume them all in the same day. But then one day he realized those foods were not giving him life.

Eating fruits and vegetables

My husband’s health improved in a mere matter of months by eating fruits, vegetables, lean protein; drinking plenty of water and exercising. He did it all little by little and day by day.  

Putting God First

We learned together the importance of putting God first and having a disciplined life of prayer, meditation and worship. I had spent the first day at the hospital worrying and trying to be strong in my own strength. In truth what I was able to do was limited, but there were no limitations through Christ. In hindsight prayer and standing on God’s Word should have been my first course of action.

Don’t Quit

We learned to never give up on the desires God places in our hearts. One of the best pieces of advice I received during this time was when my trainer told me to continue with the competition preparation. We persevered through challenges and obstacles. My physical transformation became an inspiration to my husband. The transformation was also spiritual though. My trainer became a life coach in my opinion. God placed someone in my life that taught Kingdom principles, reminding me of God’s love for my family and the victory that we have in Christ Jesus who strengthens us. I walked away from the competition a winner because I sought change in my life that honored God.

 Are you prepared to hand over the baton? As believers we are called to spread the gospel through good works.  To be effective in accomplishing this task, we must be fit, spiritually and physically. Seeking  God daily through prayer, meditation and worship is important. He loves us and wants us to lean on Him. We are to honor God by taking care of our bodies and respecting the life he has given to us. 

Go Green: The Lane to Good Health Lesson #1

Go green, and I don’t mean in the context of climate change. I’m talking about eating green vegetables to promote health and weight loss.

1.Buy broccoli, kale, green beans, turnip greens, spinach, etc..When it comes to weight loss and optimum health, these foods receive four stars. They are a very good source of fiber which slows the absorption of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, thereby, preventing an increase in blood sugar level– an important concept in understanding weight loss and health maintenance. Fiber also aids in the elimination of waste from the body. Anybody serious about losing weight and being healthy eats their greens or should I say learn to eat their greens?

2.Reduce your carb portions on your plate.Add or replace them with your greens. Fill up on greens. 1 serving of starch=15 grams approximately; on the other hand, 1 serving of veggies= 5 grams approximately. By eating more greens, you are getting more food and less calories. What a great deal! The health and the weight loss benefits cannot be stressed enough here: eat your greens!

3.Reduce your meat servings. Add or replace them with your greens. Consume less meat by using it as a side dish rather than a main dish. If you won’t eat less meat for the sake of the planet, will you do it for yourself? Though meats are high in protein, they can be high in fat, so choose lean meat and skinless white meat poultry. Go green!

4.Eat low fat diary products moderately. The need for calcium is one of the reasons to eat diary products and research has shown even for weight loss. Calcium helps to increase the metabolism. But did you know greens are also an excellent source of calcium without the fat? And need I also say, then, what excellent rewards they contain for females in preventing osteoporosis? Go green!

5.Think green, think life. Greens are nourishing with tremendous amount of nutrients. If you can’t eat them raw, cook or steam them carefully in order to protect the life within them. Life is stored in them to give you life.

Stay tune next week for grocery shopping with LiveLiving. Don’t forget: Think green Think life!

 

 

 

Spiritual Muscles: Your Armor Against Stress

A few years ago there was an article featured in the NY Times stating that most heart attacks occured on Mondays. I thought about how we live in a day and time where the dynamics that can onset stress are vast. Many face concerns that range from issues regarding employment, finances, family, or even health to name a few. The thought of being impervious to stress seemingly becomes very welcoming. God, however, has designed our bodies in such a unique way, and, it is certainly amazing, that with care the body can buffet the storms of life. A muscular body, for example, aids in our defense to protect us from stress. The protection comes through muscle covering our arteries and allowing blood pressure to become regulated. But the Creator has not only equipped us with physical muscles but also spiritual muscles as well.

Someone mentioned development of spiritual muscles to me once. I became very interested in understanding this idea. Soon I realized that spiritual growth in many ways paralleled the training principles an athlete applied in physical development.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). An athlete conditions the body through mental discipline, focus and determination. In the spiritual sense, our spiritual muscles are formed by basing our thoughts on God’s word, staying in prayer and seeking Him constantly. It is then that so-called happenstances in our life will shift into accordance to God’s will rather than ours.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name (1 Peter 4:12-14, 16). An athlete’s physical progress comes with sacrifice and suffering. Likewise, it is through the challenges we face that growth and maturity are birth. There are times that we must build spiritual muscles in this type of environment, so that we develop character.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). An athlete aspires to achieve victory and believes that he will succeed. In times of stress we must flex our faith muscles and believe in God far beyond our current circumstances.

God has given us armor against stress. We need only to make the decision and then take action to get buff.

Using Imagery Guided by the Holy Spirit for Meditation

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the imagination is a powerful tool that God wants to use. Through the imagination we can experience God in a real way. In no other book is this more evident than in the Psalms written by David. Utilizing vivid imagery, words that create mental images that tap into our senses, we are able to share with David his numerous experiences with God. These imagery can also enhance our meditation. In Psalm 23, David uses pastoral images to convey the protection and sufficiency he feels in God. What if these pastoral imagery were replaced with our images?

Since I have never had any personal experiences with green pastures and shepherds, here is how my meditation of Psalm 23 would read:

The Lord is my Lifeguard
I have
Everything
I need.

He lets me rest in a hammock under coconut trees.
He leads me down to the turquoise tranquil sea.
He gives me new strength.

He leads me on paths that are right
For the good of his name.
If I find myself swimming in the
deep

I will not be afraid
Because you are with me.
Knowing your lighthouse and lifeline are there comforts me

You take care of me during seasons of recession in the midst of
Everyone, including my enemies.
You pour oil of blessing on my head.
I am filled with joy as a result
Like an overflowing fountain.

Surely your goodness and love
Like the warm sunshine and crisp fresh breeze
Will be with me all of my life.
And I will vacation in your beach house forever.

By meditating on God’s words consistently, we learn to stay in a “God-like mode”. We can also experience the same protection and confidence that David experienced in a God who fulfilled every need of his life. Not only was David’s needs met but also he encountered a sense of peace even in the midst of trouble. Allowing our minds to be guided by the Holy Spirit in the use of imagery can be a strong vehicle for enabling us to connect more fully with God through our senses.

Three Super Foods for Weight Loss

“Then God said, Look I have given all the plants that have grain for seeds and all the trees whose fruits have seeds in them. They will be your food for you (Gen. 1:29).

When I prepared for my first bodybuilding competition my trainer encouraged me daily to intake the proper foods and nutrients that would aid in weight loss while maintaining muscle. I was instructed to include vegetables and other key supplemental nutrients. Continually maintaining a food regimen that included these “super foods”, as I call them, helped me not only achieve my competition goals but also maintain a level of health and wellness that honors God. Along with weight loss, I discovered new sources of energy and an improved sense of well being.

Here are three “super foods” that can be very beneficial:

Sweet potato

Flush away the pounds with a rich source of fiber found in these types of potato.Their complex carbohydrate and fiber content allow a slow release of sugar into the bloodstream. While being easy to digest, sweet potatoes provide a feeling of satiety that last for hours. They contain all the right nutritional benefits to effectively lose weight.

Asparagus

Eat tall, tender, lean and green asparagus and you will enjoy a vegetable that is rich in protein and a good source of fiber. Like the sweet potato, asparagus provides a feeling of fullness that can help to avoid snacking in between meals.
 

Spirulina

Believed to be a Biblical super food. Spirulina is not a veggie, but it is truly a super food that has been in existence for quite some time. Loaded with vitamins, high quality protein, omega 3 fatty acids and iron, it is a blue green algae generally found as a dietary supplement. Interestingly enough, spirulina may have been the manna for the Israelites.

“Everyone knows they should eat their vegetables” a friend said to me. Or I think it is a fairly accurate statement to say many of us were encouraged by our parents to eat them. Often times though, we are unaware of the many life giving properties God stored in our foods like little golden nuggets. God has also given us what we need in his foods to lose weight and to maintain good health.

Discover your “super foods” and experience the life long benefits.