The Gratitude Boost

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Happy Monday and almost December!

Another year is almost gone…  I was sitting here thinking about Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.  I absolutely love these two holidays.  It’s the family, food, decorations and the general festive spirit that surrounds most of us.

We, of course, know that Thanksgiving is meant for giving thanks.  I think it’s safe to say that the people reading this know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  I like to think that the thanksgiving continues on beyond the official day.   I am SO thankful that God loved us enough to send us a Savior, whether we deserved it or not!

 I am guilty, on occasion, of the “woe is me” syndrome.  My body hurts, the work never ends, yada, yada,  yada.  Seriously?  All I have to do is look around me to be reminded of how thankful I should be!  No matter what, there is almost always someone who is worse off.  We have adults and children on the streets.  No food, no shelter and no hope.  We have veterans who are so traumatized by their experiences that they are on the streets with no job, no food, no shelter and no hope.

“In the US, nearly 30,000 people die by suicide each year, and the rate of attempted suicide is much higher—so much so that there is an estimated one attempted suicide per minute. Worldwide, suicide claims more deaths than accidents, homicides, and war combined. And many cases of suicide, particularly in the elderly, go completely undetected and unaccounted.”  Psychology Today

It is really easy to say “we can’t save them all”.  But what if we save, or even just help, one?  What if, just by showing them someone cares, we restore hope?  What if, by having hope restored, they can open their hearts to the salvation of Jesus Christ and they are saved eternally?

Maybe in our gratitude, we can pass on a kind word, a cup of coffee, a meal or a hug and leave a blessing with someone who desperately needed one at that particular time.  It has been my experience that no matter what we can give, it is returned in multiples.  Thank you, Lord!

 Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 The Gratitude Boost

The Daniel Plan

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. —Philippians 1:3 NLT

Paul’s thankfulness for his friends in Philippi is an excellent example for us to follow.

Gratefulness changes our mindset to see what’s good about others.

What might happen in your relationships if you thanked God for your family members when you woke up every morning, if you thanked God for your coworkers when you walked in the front door, if you thanked him for your friends and your neighbors as you drive home?

Don’t think first of what you want to get from them; think of what God is giving you through them already. Even people you aren’t naturally drawn to offer unexpected gifts.

Studies show that the more grateful you are, the happier you are. Positive thoughts about people will actually release beneficial chemicals in your brain. And your relationships will go much better if you go into them with an attitude of gratitude.

Using Gratitude to Change Your Brain

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Happy Monday and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sometimes, it is easy to forget how many things we have to be grateful for.  Not just the big things, but all of the little things too.

We all know we should be grateful for family, a home to live in and food on the table.  There are so many out there who have none of these things.    But, what about a beautiful, sunny day or a much needed rain?  What about coming through a hurricane with just surface damage?  Do you ever give thanks for being able to go to the grocery store, then making it home safely?  Or even the green lights when you are running late for an appointment?

How do you feel when you give and give to a person and never get a word of thanks from that person?  Do you sometimes feel like maybe you should just quit giving?  Do we sometimes ask and ask, but still forget to give thanks when we receive?

I have to wonder, how God feels when He gives and gives, but never receives a word of thanks.  What would we do if He just quit giving?  I am thankful we have a loving, forgiving God!

Father, thank you so much for being that loving Father, even when we don’t deserve it.  Open our hearts and minds and let us see all of the many things You have blessed us with and the blessings we receive through others.  Please forgive us when we try to blindly take on life all on our own and neglect involving you.  It’s only through You that we can successfully maneuver our daily lives, no matter how simple or how complex they may be.  Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

Using Gratitude to Change Your Brain

Daniel Amen, MD

More than just spending time with family and friends while sharing food, Thanksgiving is about gratitude. And though the holiday only comes once a year, expressing gratitude regularly is a brain-healthy practice that can change your brain and change your life all year long!

Scientific research reveals that being consistently grateful can have a positive effect on your health.

Did you know that practicing gratitude causes real changes in your brain that enhance brain function and make you feel better?

Your attitude really matters!

When you bring your attention to the things in your life for which you are grateful, your brain actually works better. Brain imaging studies show that negative thought patterns change the brain in a negative way, but conversely, practicing gratitude literally helps you have a brain to be grateful for.

If you want your brain to work better, practice being grateful for the good things in your life. Here is an exercise to use:

Every day, write down five things for which you are grateful.

The act of writing helps to solidify them in your brain.

In my experience, when depressed patients do this exercise every day they get better faster. Research from University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that when people did this exercise they noticed a significant positive difference in their level of happiness in just 3 weeks.

Other researchers have found that people who express gratitude on a regular basis are healthier, more optimistic, make more progress toward their goals, have a greater sense of well-being, and are more helpful to others.

Spending time each day thinking of things for which you are grateful is an important part of a brain-healthy lifestyle.

Another simple practice that I highly recommend you do is focus EVERY DAY on your motivation for being healthy. Think about these things:

Why do you care about having a healthy life?

Why do you want a stronger mind and a more powerful brain?

Is your motivation to look great? … To have a lot of energy? … Is it to live a long time? … Or is it to be a role model for someone you love?

These may seem like such basic questions.

But if you don’t know the answers to these questions or don’t keep the answers in front of you every day, no amount of great information will keep you on track with the constant exposure to unhealthy options all around you. Understanding why you care is one of the most important things you should know.

If I Were Your Enemy: Top 10 Favorite Strategies (Excerpts from “Fervent” by Priscilla Shirer)

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Happy Monday and God bless you!  It’s a great day to be thankful for all we have.

Have you ever felt like you were being beaten down one side and then the other?  Just about the time one fire is put out, another explodes?  Have you felt beaten down until you think you will break?  Well… don’t!  The “enemy” (we all know who I’m talking about) is alive, well and on the prowl!

On the bright side, he wouldn’t be messing with us if we didn’t have him worried.  The devil wants us on his team and will try anything to try to break us down.   Guess what though?  We KNOW how the story ends!  Our God is bigger, stronger and more powerful than the enemy will ever be!

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.”

 

“Prayer is the portal that brings the power of heaven down to earth. It is kryptonite to the enemy and to all his ploys against you.”   Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer – Priscilla Shirer

 

If I Were Your Enemy: Top 10 Favorite Strategies (Excerpts from “Fervent” by Priscilla Shirer)

 

1.Your Passion – Getting It Back When It’s Gone

If I Were Your Enemy, I’d seek to dim your passion, dull your interest in spiritual things, dampen your belief in God’s ability and His personal concern for you, and convince you that the hope you’ve lost is never coming back – and was probably just a lie to begin with.

 2. Your Focus – Fighting The Real Enemy

If I were your enemy, I’d disguise myself and manipulate your perspectives so that you’d focus on the wrong culprit – your husband, your friend, your hurt, your finances, anything or anyone except me.  Because when you zero in on the most convenient, obvious places to strike back against your problems, you get the impression you are fighting for something.  Even though all you’re really doing is just … fighting.  For nothing.

 3. Your Identity – Remembering Who You Are

If I were your enemy, I’d devalue your strength and magnify your insecurities until they dominate how you see your self, disabling and disarming you from fighting back, from being free, from being who God  has created you to be.  I’d work hard to ensure that you never realize what God has given you so you’ll doubt the power of God within you.

4. Your Family- Fortifying The Lives of Those You Love

If I were your enemy, I’d seek to disintegrate your family and destroy every member of it.  I’d want to tear away at your trust and unity and turn everyone’s love inward on themselves.  I would make sure your family didn’t look anything like it’s supposed to.  Because then people would look at your Christian marriage , your Christian kids, and see you’re no different, no stronger than anybody else – that God, underneath it all, doesn’t change anything.

 5. Your Past – Ending the Reign of Guilt, Shame and Regret

If I were your Enemy, I’d constantly remind you of your past mistakes and poor choices.  I’d want to keep you burdened by shame and guilt, in hopes that you will feel incapacitated by your many failings and see no point in even trying again.  I’d work to convince you that you’ve had your chance and blown it – that your God may be able to forgive some people for some things, but not you … not for this.

6. Your Fears – Confronting Your Worries, Claiming Your Calling

If I were your enemy, I’d magnify your fears, making them appear insurmountable intimidating you with enough worries until avoiding them becomes your driving motivation.  I would use anxiety to cripple you, to paralyze you, leaving you indecisive, clinging to safety and sameness, always on the defensive because of what might happen.  When you hear the word faith, all I’d want you to hear is “unnecessary risk.”

 7. Your Purity – Staying Strong In Your Most Susceptible Places

If I were your enemy, I’d tempt you toward certain sins, making you believe they are basically (even biologically) unavoidable.  I’d study your tendencies and proclivities till I learned the precise conditions that make you the most likely to indulge them.  And then I’d strike right there.  Again and again.  Wear you down.  Because if I can’t separate you from God forever, I can at least set you at odds with Him for the time being.

 8. Your Pressures – Reclaiming Peace, Rest, and Contentment

If I were your enemy, I’d make everything seem urgent, as if it’s all yours to handle.  I’d bog down your calendar with so many expectations you couldn’t tell the difference between what’s important and what’s not.  Going and doing, guilty for ever saying no, trying to control it all, but just being controlled by it all instead …  If I could keep you busy enough, you’d be too overwhelmed to even realize how much work you’re actually saving me.

 9. The Hurts – Turning Bitterness To Forgiveness

If I were your enemy, I’d use every opportunity to bring old wounds to mind, as well as the people, events, and circumstances that caused them.  I’d try to ensure that your heart was hardened with anger and bitterness. Shackled through unforgiveness.

 10. Your Relationships – Uniting In A Common Cause

If I were your enemy, I’d work to create division between you and other Christians, between groups of Christians, anyone with the potential for uniting in battle against me and my plans.  I’d keep you operating individually, not seeing your need for the church or tying yourself too closely to its mission.  Strength in numbers and unity of purpose … I would not allow things like these to go unchecked. 

Your Help Makes Me Great

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Happy Monday, my friends!

One of my many favorite songs is Great is Thy Faithfulness.

It always reminds me of just how faithful God has been in my life.  No matter how stubborn I may be, no matter how discouraged I may get, He is there.  Those of you who have traveled this journey with me these past few years, know how discouraged I became sometimes!

Maybe, it takes those ups and downs to make you realize just how blessed you are.  I know on my down days, He is there.  On my up days, He is there!  His faithfulness is always there!

There may be many definitions of success, but I believe the minute we stepped into this journey, we took the first step to success.  Every little baby step thereafter is a success.

We have grown in knowledge, courage and strength.  We have gained an inner peace and that is only because of God’s faithfulness.  We are, and hopefully always will be, a work in progress.  And God will remain faithful every day.  Will you?

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.”

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

Your Help Makes Me Great

The Daniel Plan

Your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. —Psalm 18:35-36 NIV

In Psalm 18, David gives us a vivid picture of God meeting us where we are and providing what we need.

David is a warrior, and he’s grateful that God arms him with strength (verse 32), makes his feet sure-footed like a deer’s (verse 33), sustains him, and clears the path for him to march on.

When he says, “your help has made me great,” the word “help” could equally be translated as “gentleness” or “humility.” Imagine God humbling himself, bending down to our level so that he can give the help we need. Imagine him sweeping the rocks out of our path so that we don’t turn an ankle as we step forward.

As we’re trying to make changes on The Daniel Plan, we can easily feel stuck on what looks like a steep and rocky path. We feel we’ve gone only one mile in a twenty-five mile hike. Yet David says God will clear the path so that we don’t hurt ourselves and that he’ll be our support through the whole distance, each and every mile.

Food for Thought: Right now, God is sweeping rocks out of your path and bending down to help you persevere on the hike to the summit of his grace.

AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS

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Happy Monday!

We finished the session of the DVD last week on “Friends”.  I don’t know if you all know how very much I value your friendship and your support.

When Pastor Tom asked me, nearly four years ago now, if I would do a weekly email, I thought I would probably do it for the 6 weeks and by that time, you would all be ready to toss me out by the ear.  And yet, here we are.

Our small group, the On and On’rs, keeps going on and on.  We have created such a bond and a deep, abiding friendship.  For me, that extends throughout this online group too.  I love each and every one of you and even if I don’t get to see some of you often, you are my rocks, my inspiration and motivation in this journey, second only to Jesus Christ.

On that note, since we are talking about friends, I am taking a walk down memory lane.  This is the very first article in my very first email that I saved.  God bless you all!

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS

I am thankful for the support of my friends and family who have visited this past month.  Despite eating out much more than normal and cooking more, I am down 9 pounds and feel great!

Thank you, Lord!

Lois

By By Rick Warren

But if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. Then the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from every sin. If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:7-8 NCV)

In Christian fellowship people should experience authenticity.
Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing.

It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.

Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking and superficial politeness, but shallow conversation.

People wear masks, keep their guards up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real friendship.

It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic fellowship. The Bible says, “If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other.… If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” (1 John 1:7–8, NCV).

The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. We tend to use darkness to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures and flaws. But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are.

Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection and being hurt again.

Why would anyone take such a risk?

Because it’s the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed” ( James 5:16a, Msg).

5 Ways to Have a Healthy and Happy Relationship with Food

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Happy Monday!  It is always so good to connect with you all again every week!

The article that follows is a very important one.  The relationship we share with food, affects almost every part of our life in some way.  Read that sentence again.  Have you ever actually thought about how food affects us?

As we all know, it affects how we look.  Not just our weight, but our skin, our hair, our nails and our teeth.

  It affects our energy levels.  Anyone ever indulged, and maybe overindulged in a heavy, rich and delicious meal and then all you wanted to do was take a nap?

If you have paid any attention to The Daniel Plan, you know how it affects our health.  There are a ridiculous number of food allergies.  Many that we don’t even realize are affecting us.  Msg, gluten and sugar, oh my!   Add to the allergies blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and a host of other diseases that food causes or affects!

There is another food affect that doesn’t get the attention that it should.  Food obsession.  When we reach a point that food controls your life, whether by not being able to control how much you eat, or by becoming obsessed with not eating, the food has taken over your life.  If something has taken over your life, it becomes an idol.  If it becomes an idol, our focus is no longer on God and if our focus isn’t on God, all is lost.

One of the most important aspects of TDP is that we can’t do it alone, but we can do it with God.

So… should you have that cookie?  Your goals and your conscience will have to determine that.  But if you do, don’t give up and go on a binge.   Don’t condemn yourself.  Make a u-turn and do better the next time.  One time is a slip up, consistent times is a choice.

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

5 Ways to Have a Healthy and Happy Relationship with Food

Michele Lian –  Source: Food Matters

Should you have that cookie, or shouldn’t you?

Your best friend’s birthday party is coming up next week and you should be excited, but…the only thing you can think about is how you’re going to stop yourself from losing control at the buffet line. Sandra from work stopped eating carbs and lost 10 pounds last month—should you jump on the carb-free bandwagon too? All the diet confusion and resulting anxiety is driving you bonkers. All you want to do is eat in a way that helps you lose weight, feel balanced and get healthier.

So, what do you do?

Here are 5 strategies that will get you there if you start putting them into action right now:

Know That Mistakes Are Not Permanent

You don’t need to compensate for eating behavior that you consider ‘bad’, like picking a burger over a salad for lunch or caving in to that extra-large cookie, with habits like starvation, over-exercising, food restriction or purging, all of which don’t benefit you physically or emotionally in any way. Instead of beating yourself up and falling into a negative, downward spiral, get into the habit of practicing self-compassion by acknowledging why you slipped up and get back on track as quickly as you can. No mistake is permanent and you have what it takes to do what it takes to succeed.

Have A Bounce-Back Strategy in Place

If feelings of fear, anxiety or anger stemming from food and eating are holding you back from being with the people you love, something’s not right. You’re human—it’s not possible to be 100% perfect 24/7 and there’s no shame in experiencing the occasional bout of overeating, which often happens at social events. What’s more important is that you give yourself permission to make mistakes now and then, and have a strategy in place that not only minimize the chances of these mistakes happening, but also helps you bounce back into your healthy zone when they do happen. If you mess up with one meal, acknowledge it without judgment and move on quickly by deciding how you’re going to make your next meal a more nutritious one.

Pick Solutions That Empower You

Turning to food when you’ve had a bad day can soothe you temporarily, but if you’ve been doing it for a while now, you’d know that it can have not-so-great effects on your physical appearance, health and well-being. Rather than depend on food for comfort, try focusing your attention on healthier and more productive ways of dealing with the difficult situations that life throws your way: Talk to a friend you trust, work off all that pent-up energy in a kickboxing class or just go for a mind-clearing walk. Pick a solution that offers you the same reward that the food otherwise would, whether it’s stress relief, feeling good about yourself or wanting more control over a situation where you feel helpless.

Know How Food Affects Your Health and Fitness

When it comes to weight loss, a calorie is just a calorie so it doesn’t matter what you eat, right? Not quite. The energy you get from say, a salad, is very different from that from a Twinkie, and can affect whether you lose your excess weight and keep it off in the long-term, say health experts. Arming yourself with science-backed information like this will allow you to choose the best food options, and tweak what and how you eat as your lifestyle, circumstances and health situation changes throughout your life.

Focus on Living a Rich, Fulfilling Life

People who have a healthy and happy relationship with food see it as a source of both fuel and pleasure. What you’ll never find them doing is over-thinking food. This means that they pay just enough attention to the every-day tasks involved in putting their meals together, like shopping for their groceries, deciding which restaurant to head to or where to buy their take-out. They’re too busy exploring and enjoying every other aspect of living to spend more time than necessary thinking.

Five Choices That Will Transform Your Life

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Happy Monday! Again.  I believe my enthusiasm overcame my sense of time last week while I was out of town, but maybe someone needed to hear that on Thursday!

This article pretty well sums up what I would like for a picture of my personal daily life to look like.  Take note of the third word in each of the five statements.  God gave us choices.  As stewards of all that He gave us, we CHOOSE how our life moves on each day.

Sometimes, bad things happen that we wouldn’t have chosen but how we react to those situations is a choice.    We CHOOSE every day how we are going to handle a situation, be it good or bad.

I can look around at family and friends and see many scenarios.  Each choice can be life changing.

  1. CHOOSE to do all you can to be healthier.  We all have health situations that affect us to some degree, at some point in time.  These situations have to be dealt with on physical, mental, emotional and Spiritual levels.  Had we known, maybe some of it could have been prevented, but maybe not.  What we can CHOOSE though, is what we do from there on out.  We know by now that what we put in our bodies can affect our health.  No matter what point we start at, we can make a difference in how we feel.
  2. CHOOSE to love. No matter what we are going through, it is easier to go through it with the support of people you care about and trust, and that care about you.  Relationships are give and take, not one sided.  Sometimes, we just need someone to really hear us.  And sometimes the other person just needs to be heard.  Be an ear and be a shoulder to lean on.  Open your ears and close your mouth.  This will lead to closer and deeper relationships.
  3. CHOOSE to trust God, no matter what.  It is so easy to elevate ourselves in knowledge above the All- Knowing God.  He’s got it and He can handle it without our help.  Talk to Him about it.  He listens and his shoulders can carry whatever you have.
  4. CHOOSE what you think about.  I can’t even count the times that I have said something like “I can’t help it, it’s all I can think about.”  Well, yes, you can.  Not on your own, but with the help of a loving and compassionate God, who is waiting to hear from us, we can CHOOSE to think of “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable”. (Philippians 4:8) This might take some practice, but what a difference it could make!
  5. CHOOSE to make Jesus your Savior.  You have already done this you say?  On this one, I think He wants more than just a choice.  I think He wants a daily walk with you, a true relationship.  Relationships require communication.  We can begin with studying the Word.  Deepen that relationship with prayer, with a love and desire for God and a love for all of God’s creation.  He gave it to us to enjoy and to care for.  This relationship is what brings all of the components together.

    In this world there will be trouble, but we can choose how we will react and deal with it.  Have you transformed your life yet?  If not, are you ready?

    Pray Unceasingly!!

    In His light,

           Lois

Five Choices That Will Transform Your Life

By Rick Warren
“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GT).

We learned yesterday that, ultimately, your identity is based on your choices. Here are five winning choices you can make that will help determine your destiny:

1. I can choose to get healthier. Instead of bemoaning the fact that you don’t have an Olympic body, find ways to increase your energy, lower your stress, get more sleep, and have more power. Psalm 119:73 says, “You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands” (NLT). Improving the controllable factors in your life helps you reduce the impact of the uncontrollable factors.

2. I can choose to deepen relationships. The fear of rejection prevents connection, and the only way to get rid of fear is to do the thing you fear the most. Learn communication skills, replace bad relationships, reach out, and risk connecting with someone. “Let love be your highest goal!” (1 Corinthians 14:1a NLT).

3. I can choose to trust God no matter what happens. “I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him” (Psalm 34:1 GNT). When you get to the point in your life where you can say, “I praise the Lord no matter what happens,” that is a confidence that you won’t find anywhere in Hollywood, on Capitol Hill, or on Wall Street. That is a confidence built on a relationship with God!

4. I can choose what I think about. Throughout the 20th century, scientists believed the adult brain could not be changed. When a Nobel Prize winner proved that you can rewire your brain, science finally caught up to the Bible: “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2b NLT). Your self is created by your memories, and your memories are created by your mental habits. Feed your brain with truth: God’s Word.

5. I can choose Jesus as my Savior. I’m not just talking about Jesus saving you from your sins. I’m talking about letting Jesus be your Savior every day. Letting Jesus save you gives you the power to follow through on the choices you make. “Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 GNT).

You get to choose how much God blesses your life; he is just waiting on you to use your wild card. It is never too late to change. When you make these five winning choices, God gives you a winning hand.

Designed for a Body

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Happy Monday! It is a brand new day and a brand new start.

Wow! In four little paragraphs this article covers our Wednesday night Bible Study (Genesis), and three Daniel Plan Essentials: Food, Fitness and Focus!

We were created by God in His image. Focus on that for a minute. Our bodies are temples of God. Every time we abuse it, every time we criticize it and every time we neglect it, we are abusing, criticizing and neglecting the temple of God. He created us for love and fellowship. Are we living up to that in our daily walk? Are we truly focusing on what God created us to be or are we focusing on a self-made image that we created?

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

Designed for a Body

The Daniel Plan

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7

From the beginning of the world, you were designed to have a body. Your body wasn’t an afterthought tacked on to your soul.

The Bible says that when God formed the first human being, he made him from the physical stuff of the earth and breathed God’s own Spirit or Breath into him to make him a living being.  Adam, the first man, was embodied from day one.

Treasure your body. God does. You are a wondrous body-mind-spirit person. He designed you to need plant food to nourish the cells of your body, water to hydrate those cells, exercise to make your muscles and internal organs work well.

Needs aren’t negative; he designed you to have them. Instead of focusing on the aspects of your body that frustrate you, try celebrating what God made

. Thank God for your body—your body is you.

Food for Thought: Your body is a wondrous treasure designed by God himself.

6 Reasons Why Exercise Makes You Happy

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Happy Monday!

Sometimes, we have those days that we would just like to close our eyes and forget that section on Fitness!  After all, it requires a little time and a little effort.  So… why do you suppose so many will do whatever is necessary to squeeze in an hour here and there?

I know, for me, it energizes me, it loosens my body up to prevent stiffness and pain and it gives me a sense of accomplishment.  I hadn’t really thought about my happiness level increasing, but I am happy!  These four things are more than enough to motivate me to make time.

And do you know what the very best exercise for you to do is?  It is really simple. It’s the one that you will do!

 For some, like me, it is the gym and water exercise.  I love them!  For others, it may be pickleball, golf, running, tennis, a walk around the block or maybe, depending on your situation, it is chair exercise.  It has to fit your ability, your endurance and the one you will do.

Try starting the morning out with some stretches, then take it from there.  Just move!  See if you don’t feel better and feel happier!

(Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.)

Pray Unceasingly!!

In His light,

Lois

 

6 Reasons Why Exercise Makes You Happy

Source:  MindBodyGreen

Sure, you know exercise is good for you. It keeps your weight in check, makes you stronger, and keeps you feeling youthful and staying active into old age.

But did you know that exercise can also make you a happier person? It’s true.

When you work out and stay active on a regular basis, it’s not just a coincidence that you feel less stressed out, less anxious, and generally happier.

Here are 6 reasons why exercise makes you happy:

1. It releases happy chemicals into your brain.

Dopamine, a chemical that plays a role in happiness, is a neurotransmitter in the brain that’s necessary for feelings of pleasure and happiness.

Some studies suggest that as we age, we’re constantly losing our stores of dopamine, which is why we need to constantly seek out experiences that release dopamine.
The best way to increase your brain’s dopamine production? Exercise. So run, lift, jump, play — and get happy.

2. It makes you less stressed out.

Not only will working out ease stress in the short term by helping you sweat out the day’s worries, regular exercise will help you become less stressed out in the long term as well.

That’s because when you exercise, you’re actually subjecting yourself to a low-level form of stress by raising your heart rate and triggering a burst of hormonal changes. When you subject yourself to the stress of exercise enough, your body will eventually get better at handling the rest of life’s stressors.

And less stress equals a happier, healthier life.

3. It energizes you.

You no doubt have days when you just feel too tired to exercise, when working out is the last thing in the world you want to do.

But no matter how exhausted you are from a long day at work, taking care of your family or recovering from a busy weekend, do your best to muster up all the willpower you have and still work out, because more likely than not, you’ll feel more energized after your workout than you did before it.

So the next time you force yourself to get off the couch and get into workout mode, you’ll most likely feel more energized throughout the rest of the day. And more energy equals greater happiness.

4. It boosts your confidence.

When you don’t feel good about your body or how you look, it’s all too easy to have low self-esteem. And that can have a negative effect on all areas of your life including your relationships, your career, and your goals and aspirations.

But when you start to exercise and see your body transform, that can quickly change. Because exercise will not only make you like how you look, it will also make you feel stronger, more independent, and more confident. There’s nothing like a boost in confidence to increase overall happiness.

5. It eases anxiety.

If you suffer from anxiety, exercise may be a simple cure.

Because recent studies on the effects of exercise show that in people suffering from anxiety, the immediate mood boost from exercise is followed by longer-term relief, similar to that offered by meditation and talk therapy.

So next time you’re feeling anxious, try a hard workout — you’ll feel happier for days on end.

6. It fights insomnia.

Trouble sleeping? Skip the sleeping pill and try exercising instead.

Staying active and exercising on a regular basis has been shown to improve sleeping problems of insomniacs and people with sleeping disorders. And not only can regular exercise significantly improve your sleep quality, it can also give you that pep that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning and do things.

And that equals greater happiness, every time.  Exercise, and be happy.

The next time you’re feeling down, stressed or anxious, get off the couch and get some exercise instead.  Because you’ll not only feel more confident, energized, and calm — you’ll be a healthier and happier person for life.

Winter Is Coming – Boost Your Immunity With These 6 Foods

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Happy Fall Y’all!!

I really, really dislike taking drugs.  Neither am I a fan of vaccinations.  I haven’t had a flu shot in many, many years.  Nor have I had the flu.  This is a very personal decision, based on the way my body reacts to various medications.  There are a couple of minor things that I have to do, but I am determined to avoid as much as possible.  That being said, enter The Daniel Plan!

As you read this list, you might notice that, along with having antibacterial, immune boosting properties, these foods are also Daniel Plan compliant.  (Remember that although honey is really good for you, it is still a form of sugar, so use in moderation.)

 I use all of these on a regular basis, most of them daily.  There are so many delicious things that you can use these things in.  Teas, smoothies, curries, casseroles, sauteeing, stir fries and the list goes on and on!

Along with these basic things, in Florida, we will soon be coming into the winter vegetable season!  That always excites me!  I really love tossing a good variety of diced vegetables with just a little olive oil and roasting them.  If you change up just a couple of those vegetables, you can change the entire personality of the dish.  I never thought I would be a fan of sweet potatoes or butternut squash, but both are wonderful in a vegetable roast.  Have you ever roasted a fresh, raw beet?  That was a real surprise when I found out I loved that too.  I never thought I would get beyond pickled beets.

Are you wondering why I am going on and on about food?  It’s because the right food is really good for you and helps build your immunity!  Feel free to experiment with what you love and then really get adventurous with some you’ve never tried.  You CAN eat delicious food that is healthy and pays you back with a stronger immunity, clearer mind and healthier digestive system.

Don’t think that because I have just talked about vegetables, that I think you shouldn’t eat anything else.  Round out your menu with a good healthy protein.  That can be fish, poultry, good quality beef or even beans.  There are so many possibilities to suit every taste.  Fruits make amazing desserts and you can do so much with them too!

Stay healthy, happy experimenting and bon appetit!

Pray Unceasingly!!  * Pray for all of the victims and families of the Las Vegas shooting.

In His light,

Lois

Winter Is Coming – Boost Your Immunity With These 6 Foods

Dr. Frank Lipman – Source:  Be Well

As winter approaches, many folks demand an antibiotic at first sneeze. Not only does this add to the epidemic of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, but antibiotics don’t kill viruses anyway — they kill bacterial infections, so taking them for viral ills like colds and flu is truly a waste, and a potentially life-threatening one at that.

Instead of popping pills, pop good food, herbs, and spices instead. Minimize the need for antibiotics by lacing your diet with foods that have naturally antibiotic properties. Doing so will not only boost overall health but will also help strengthen immunity, balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut, and give you a better shot at fighting off superbugs should they come knocking.

Here are a few of the delicious ones that are easy to work into your diet:

1. Extra-virgin Coconut Oil
A tasty antimicrobial and antifungal food, extra-virgin coconut oil (EVCO) contains the all-powerful lauric acid. The body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which helps smack down certain types of viruses and pathogenic bacteria. Try adding EVCO to smoothies for antimicrobial effects and delicious tropical flavor. In addition, it’s also great for brain health, so dig in. To cook with EVCO, go with a moderate heat (up to the smoke point of about 350 degrees), and always buy organic and unprocessed versions to avoid chemical solvents, preservatives, and additives.

2. Garlic
Chopped, crushed or sliced, raw garlic is a powerful, pungent, and delicious medicinal food with known antiviral, antifungal and antibiotic properties that have helped mankind fend off flu and cold viruses for thousands of years. To get the best of what garlic has to offer, crush a few cloves and let them sit out for 10 to 15 minutes to aid the release of additional health-boosting chemical compounds.

3. Ginger
Fresh raw ginger is another good-for-you food that has an antibiotic effect on foodborne pathogens. While not a cure-all, some fresh ginger eaten before meals can offer an extra layer of protection from foodborne illnesses like salmonella and listeria. That can be a lifesaver, particularly when traveling and eating questionable or unusual foods, or dealing with indigestion.

4. Honey
Roman soldiers used to slather honey on battle wounds to prevent infection, and it’s thought to have been used as far back as the Stone Age as both a food and a medicine — it’s one sweet and delicious medicinal food that’s stood the test of time! Known for its ability to fight back against some 60 species of bacteria as well as various fungi and viruses, honey is also loaded with health-supportive antioxidants — just one more reason we’re sweet on the stuff. Just make sure it’s raw and don’t use too much!

5. Turmeric
Turmeric is the multi-tasking superhero of spices. This well-known anti-inflammatory has powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor properties. In short, turmeric fights for your health on multiple levels. Moreover, this tasty yellow spice boosts mitochondrial health, reducing the number of free radicals produced by aging or dying mitochondria. Not a fan of curries? Then add a curcumin supplement to boost benefits.

6. Fermented Foods
While not antibiotics per se, fermented foods deliver plenty of health-boosting protection to help make you more resilient and better able to repel viral and bacterial pathogens. When you eat fermented foods, you’re fortifying your gut with probiotics — good bacteria that boost the health of the belly, protecting it against the organisms that can make you sick. They help balance gut bacteria and stomach acids, release enzymes to ease and improve digestion, and make it easier for your body to extract and absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat.