Detox

I typed out the entire diet plan and forgot to press POST. Very frustrated at myself at this time. But it is too late to do it all over again. I will try again tomorrow. In the mean time pray my memory for detail gets better.

Trying to get Healthy

Trying? Yes, as the title to this blog is Journey, so is almost every aspect of our lives a journey and today, I am focusing on Healthy Habits.
Many of you may not know that last Aug. Jayden and Xavier's brother, Zaachi was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma and needed a home. Marc and I took him in and we began chemo and he underwent two surgeries. One to replace his femur bone and one to remove the cancer from his lungs. The leg surgery was in Nov. of 2008 and he is still in physical therapy three times a week. This summer my kids lost their mother in a violent tragedy and Zaachi's father is awaiting trial for this.
I must say that when I needed it most I was not practicing healthy habits, which could explain my near emotional crash. It was frustrating to try because many times there either was no time or there was no strength. But usually if I made a plan it would get changed out of necessity or emergency. This, even though, unavoidable was frustrating at times. I did go to church and that was life to me, to sing and surender all I was. This wa one of the only habits that got me through. Don't get me wrong, I did pray but it was not in a routine manner. God got us through but now that life is starting to take on some routine I am enjoying the daily discipline that bring such joy.
So, all that to say I am trying to eat more healthy. I now have the time to plan a healthy meal and go to the gym. I have gained about 20 pounds in the last year or so. My goal is lose 40 and here is my plan. I am going on a detox for the first 12 days of Feb. (in hope to be more thin on Valentines Day), then I am gonna have a wonderful Valentines Day and then continue to focus on mainly Fruit, Veggies and lean meats while working out till my Best Friends Baby Shower on the 27th of Feb. I hope to have lost at least 15 pound at that point and then continue into March and lose 25 by the time we go to Disney on Zaachi's Make-A-Wish. So, I am gonna blog in order to keep myself accountable and record what works and doesn't for me.

I welcome any healthy tips or recipes and if anyone would like to join me in this endeavor, we can get healthy together. I have been struggling with pain in my joints for a few months now. I read today that gluten can contribute to swelling. So, I am gonna try to avoid most wheat products and see if that helps.

I want to share a recipes with you I created the other night,
Soup Mix
4 Chicken leg quarters
12 cup of water
1 Yellow onion
3 cloves of garlic
5 carrots diced
over 1/2 a bunch of celery

Fresh Mix
4 tomatoes
1 small red onion
1/2 yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic
handful of celentro
1/2 a lime squeezed
one jalapeno
salt, pepper to taste

Slow cook chicken till it comes off the bone easily. Strain broth and put pulled chicken back in broth. Dice up carrots, onion, celery and put in. Also, mince the garlic and brown it slightly in another pan with a dab of olive oil, then put it in. Simmer till veggies are tender.

When that is simmering dice up all the other veggies in a separate bowl. When the soup is ready pour a bowl of soup and then add 2 tlble spoon or so of the fresh uncooked veggies and it gives a spicy and healthy fresh bite.

I also skimmed the fat off the top of my broth to make it less fattening.

Enjoy!

Gentleness

Today, I didn't go to the YMCA, but I felt to handle my situation with gentleness. A soft answer can really turn away wrath. So many times in my life, especial during curtain times of the month, I would/and do feel overwhelmed, angry and sad. Sometimes with don't even connect to where or why we feel this way, but those emotions are definitely evident. In those times, one of the things I need the most is my husband wrap me in his arms and let me bury my head in his chest for a few tears. It serves as a release for me, time to allow myself to feel. Plus, knowing that someone may not understand but they care enough to just lend a shoulder instead of telling me how irrational I may be behaving or feeling.
Today, was a day for me to do this for someone else, to love them enough to look past what they are doing and just hold them. Instead of speaking harsh, when you may be completely justified to do so, just answer softly and kindly. We never could truly understand what someone may be going through but we don't need to really.

What now?

In the last few years I have had tremendous changes in my life. It seems like I am bracing myself for what is next. Well, today it was loving someone so deeply that they are inseparable from my mind, heart and spirit. Loving them enough to hurt them if that makes any sense at all. For instance, disciplining a child hurts. They don't always realize, but it is often harder on the parent to follow through than to allow them to have their own way. I remember a song by Janet Pascal that talked of this concerning our walk with God. Sometimes we think that He is keeping us from something or taking things away when in actuality he is saving us.

I did something hard today to someone I love and let's just say that they are not happy with my decision, but I will continue to do my best to do what is best for them because, I love them. They may go out and completely go against what I have tried to protect them from and get really hurt. I fear this for I know I will need to be there to pick up the pieces. There is no win for me unfortunately it will hurt either way. They will be mad or they will be hurt. What will tomorrow bring? I don't know, but if asked the question, What now? I would say, Prayer. Only God knows the heart of man, only he can give me what I have need of for the upcoming challenges of this day. I will cling! I started going to the YMCA. God provided a miracle for me to even be able to be a member and I have been tring to take better care of this body so that I can be more fruitful in his work. I put Mag in the nursery and then I walk the track and pray, sing, think. I fight fear of doing or saying the wrong things when it comes to those God has placed in my life and heart, but tonight my yoke is on Him. I will wake and do all I know to do, stand. I will trust that as I seek him he will show me the way to handle the matter at hand.

So, What now? What now for you? How will I or you respond to what is given to us tomorrow, good or bad. Ask yourself, What now?