Day 14

"So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Number our days.  Not like how I'm numbering the days in this blog, day 1, day 2, day.... But number our days by making them count for something bigger than ourselves.   I am realizing that this journey is so not even about food - although that is the catalyst God is using to work on my heart.  I am learning that this is a journey about obedience, trust, and endurance.  I am understanding that doing this plan for 30 days will only have good result if at the end of it I can present a heart of wisdom and obedience to Jesus.  Otherwise, it's just another diet.  Just another eating plan to create a "life change."  It isn't the plan that creates the life change.  It is submission to the One who created my life to begin with.  It's not about bargaining, like, "I can have extra (insert food item here) and just not have as much later and it will all even out."  That may sound good and even wise on one hand, but on the other hand it's just saying, "Well, I really want more than I need of this stuff, but if I sin by being a glutton, I'll just pray (or starve myself, or exercise)  harder later to make up for it."  Ouch.

Part of why other plans/diets/life change projects/ have failed is that all that consumed my thoughts was food.  What I could eat.  How many calories/points/carbs/sugar grams  does THAT food have and can I mix this food with that food and not destroy what I've started.  I felt like it was a constant throbbing in my head and inevitably I would get to the saturation point and give up.  So how, you may ask, is this time different?  I'm still thinking about details...is this nitrate free? Was this made with soy or some hidden sugar I'm unaware of?   Now, however, those details are just that - details.  In my heart,  I am consumed with "am I honoring God with my body? Am I choosing and believing that God is my portion - my enough?"

I want to make my days count for Him. NO. I CHOOSE to make my days count for Him.  That means that whether I am helping someone walk through a difficult time, telling someone about Jesus, or exercising self-control in what and how much I eat, I choose to do it all I do while walking around in this body with this thought in mind:
"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1Corinthians 6:20

Day 13

Tomorrow is the first day of school for my boys, so I'm gonna make this short and sweet and go to bed.

Today was a good day.  I ate on plan and I exercised.  I can't believe it's almost half way to the end of this part. It's almost payday and I am looking forward to trying some new recipes I've found.  My goal for this week is to incorporate more of the healthier meals for my family and not just have my own food and something different for them.

I made Thai Chicken last night and my husband liked it!  My man is a meat and potatoes all american eater, so for him to enjoy some new things was especially nice.  Don't get me wrong...he will try new things, and he actually likes some Asian cuisine, but he's the guy who will go to the ice cream store with 31 flavors and choose Vanilla.  He says he doesn't need spicy food because I am all the spice he needs.  Smart man. Think I'll keep him.

I finally got around to boiling more eggs tonight and I'm really glad I did.  Such good quick protein and easily portable.  They really are a life saver for me with our crazy schedule. I never thought I'd crave a boiled egg, but I have several times this week! What in the world is happening to me?  (enter twilight zone music here....) good night friends.

Day 12

Today was a hard day. After running like a mad woman yesterday from school to school and not properly fueling myself, I was feeling it today.  Thankfully, Pam texted me at just the right time asking how I was doing and i was honest with her about just being done in tired.  She promised to pray for me and a few minutes later, my boss emailed saying our 12:30 staff meeting was cancelled today.  I thought about it for half a second and decided to work from home today.  I actually took a nap after lunch and felt so much better when I woke up.

I am learning to listen to my body.  Before, when I got tired, I ate sugar.  I drank caffeine. I went through a drive through. For the last 12 days, when I get tired, I .....wait for it....rest.  What a concept.
Remember Isaiah 30:15? "In repentance and rest is your salvation..."  I believe the repentance part is happening everyday as I make different choices from my previous lifestyle.  Now that all the junk is leaving my system, I need to really listen to my body telling me what it needs on a daily basis.  I believe it is God speaking to me all day long and giving me wisdom that is only from Him.

I had a chat with one of my friends on Sunday and discovered he had done Whole30 himself several months ago.  It was good to pick his brain and get some good feedback from him on how he is doing now.  He still eats very healthy - in balance- and also gets to have treats occasionally.  What was an eye opener for me - although I suspected it might be so- is that he said once his month of Whole30 was over, his body didn't want to go back to the old food he had consumed.  He tried some of those things, but they actually made him sick.  While the thought of possibly never being able to have cheese again made me go into a weird kind of mourning, the thought that my body might actually be done with daily junk food was exciting.  Talking to him was very encouraging.

Tonight, I had a "catch up" date with a friend and shared with her about my new journey.  She is also on a journey (different from mine) and it was good to swap stories and see what God is doing in both of us. It is getting easier to explain where I'm at and sharing the scriptures that got me to this point is just reinforcing what God is teaching me.  And now, to bed. My body is telling me this day is done.

Day 11

Today was a crazy Monday.  9-11:30 orientation for Middle School with boy child, then 12-3 orientation for High School with man child.  Then grocery store, home to cook supper, then collapse.

Things I did right today:  I packed a lunchbox with healthy snacks.  Cherry tomatoes, carrots, grapes, almonds, my big water bottle.  We actually got out of the first orientation a little early so I was able to   get a baked potato with clarified butter in me at home before I went to part 2. Thank You Lord for microwaves.

Side note: Cherry tomatoes when you're really hungry taste sweet like candy.  I love the way they almost crunch and pop in your mouth.  Can't believe I just said that.

Things I did wrong today: I did not pack enough protein and I did not drink enough water so I was crazy hungry before dinner. I had a handful of grapes while I made dinner then drank some water and waited for everything to be ready.  I made homemade spaghetti sauce with Whole 30 ingredients and spaghetti squash and it was soooo good! I really was craving cheese and some garlic bread, but I stuck with the squash and sauce.  I could've eaten a ton of that good stuff, but I only had one good sized serving (since it was my whole meal).

Tomorrow I need to boil some more eggs so I'll have quick protein to go.  Don't wanna get caught in that hunger to the point of craving bad stuff place again.  As my friend Wade would say, that's "no bueno!"


God is being so gracious.  In my times of craving today, He reminded me of His word.  The lunch box I took today has this written inside the lid - "You are an overcomer!"  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13.  it helps to have scripture handy when I'm feeling weak.

Now it's 10pm and I'm outa gas, so happy Monday!

day 10

It's Sunday evening and I am sitting in a quiet basement thinking over the events of the day.  The sermon this morning was "The goodness of God."  It's not hard to look at my life and see God's goodness in it - even in the hardest of times.  So today, my blog entry will be an exercise in gratefulness.  I hope it inspires you to be grateful for all the blessings in your life.

Today, I am grateful for:

My relationship with Jesus -the greatest blessing of all.

The Word of God.  It has been a source of comfort, strength, discipline and encouragement throughout my lifetime.  Its words are not always easy, but always true.

My husband of 24 years.  God was good to give me a man who loves me unconditionally and who is my best friend.

My 3 children.  Having them in my life has shown me how much God really does love me and what it looks like to be a child of His.

My faith family at Blue Ridge Community Church.  God has used them to love me, support me, lead me and do life with me and my family.  So beyond grateful.

I could go on all night, but I will only add one more:

God has been good to me by showing me how I needed to change my mind, my heart and my body for Him.  He lovingly disciplined me through His word and I was able to see where I had been giving God all my life--except this part.  How good He is to show my fault and my need and then be the answer to both.  I am learning so much about myself and about God's love for me through this experience. There have been some hard moments in the last 10 days, but God has walked with me through every one of them.

God is good.

Day 9

The worship team dinner went well tonight.  I made a baked chicken cacciatore and it turned out well.  I served it over pasta and threw some cheese on top for good measure.  I also made some roasted zucchini, and a big salad (sans cheese).  I was able to eat everything but the cheese and the pasta (I kept some of the chicken and veggies out for myself so I wouldn't have to worry about the no no's).  It took a long time to make everything, but I'm pleased that I was able to serve a healthy dish and people liked it. I love to cook and I'm enjoying that part of this thing - learning and making new dishes and not feeling like I'm sacrificing flavor or the enjoyment of it.

Here's the recipe for the chicken dish

boneless, skinless chicken breast (around 4 for a family of 5 like mine)
red, yellow, orange bell peppers (or whatever color you have;0)
1 onion
minced garlic (to taste)
EVOO
2 cans diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 can tomato paste
Italian spices

lay chicken out on a baking sheet
drizzle with olive oil
sprinkle with salt, pepper, and italian spices

Bake at 375 for 45 min to 1 hr until chicken is cooked through

While chicken is baking, sauté chopped onion, 1 tsp or so mince garlic in some olive oil
when onions are translucent, add chopped peppers and cook for about 10 min.

Add 2 cans tomatoes w/juice, 1 can tomato paste and then fill the paste can with water and add to mixture.  Add a palm full of italian spices and stir, then simmer for 20 min.

When Chicken is done, pull it out and smother it with the tomato goop.  You can also add some cheese on top (if you can eat cheese).

Serve over your favorite pasta or spaghetti squash

And now some food for your soul.  This is what I've been clinging to the last couple days:

"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.  Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will.  And I know that I will not be put to shame." Isaiah 50:7

Day 8

So it's day 8 but really it's day 1 of week 2!   Things I discovered today:

1. Choosing what to eat was easier.  I didn't even question myself.  I just got what I needed out of the fridge and ate it.  No big deal.

2.  My friends love me.  Okay, so I already knew that but it was so nice to see people and hug them and them whisper in my ear, "I'm praying for you!"  And then someone even brought me fresh eggs from their chickens, and cucumbers from their garden.  Thank you Lord for providing such good things for me.  It encourages me to move forward and stay the course.

3.  I have more energy now.  I still fall out at bedtime but during the day I have way more stamina to do what I need to do.

I am cooking for the worship team tomorrow but I have a plan.  I am actually cooking something I can eat (for the most part).  I'm going to make an italian chicken dish but I will make one without cheese for myself.  I'll let you know how it goes.  It sounds good in my head;-)