are you listening?

I wanted to jot this down

When I'm having a time talking with the Lord.... I'm multi tasking!

Well, true.

As I'm giving him praise, talking to him... I get distracted and have to pull myself back.

I guess it would be different if he were standing next to me. Because that would be rude to be talking yet looking elsewhere.

I know I hate when I'm talking to my loved one and they are looking like they aren't paying attention. Even more rude, when they want to respond.... I walk away or start talking again. Not giving them a chance to "engage" in a conversation. Just a one way talk.

I've been thinking about how much I love the Lord and wonder ... well, no not wonder.

I know that I do this to God.

I talk... want him to listen... but then seldom give a moment of silence and time to HEAR Him. (I'm not talking about time with the Word-Bible). I'm talking about throughout the day... little conversations with the Lord. (such precious moments of engaging Him in my daily life).

I'm rambling.... bye

wake up

8:00 am

An expression and request - W A K E U P

It's time to wake up

Be honest

Take responsibility

Look behind only long enough to pull out and go forward (like driving)

Lazy?

Self Destructive?

Apathetic?

Fear????

what?

WHAT IS IT????

9:00 am

************************ Jumping Cartwheels (as if I could without VERTIGO)

I needed that Kick in the butt -

I threw on my workout clothes (simple to do) and exercised/stretched for 30++ minutes YES YES YES

I remind myself (self dialog is important) I feel SOOOO GOOD when I take care of me!

Maybe it's the years of taking care of others that makes it a difficult task to take care of me. Well, it's not really a ""difficult task"... maybe it's the Italian/Sicilian "sacrifice" junk. Oh, I'm not saying sacrifice for loved ones and for doing the right things is wrong. BUT, when ....

well, As I've said in my Blog - "my body is the temple of GOD" so for me to not take care of HIS temple is WRONG.

I know it's his temple when illness or injury affects HIS temple and I remind GOD.... I am your's, this is your temple .... fix it/heal it...

So, I better take it seriously when I look in the mirror and see how I'M taking care of his TEMPLE!

FEED my Spirit is 1st priority of the day

FEED my Body is #2 (food/exercise)

FEED my Mind is right there with One and Two

I'll get it sooner or later..... hopefully sooner!

CONFESS what I want to BE (SAY it out loud so I can really HEAR what I'm saying)

WALK the Walk of what I TALK (ACT on it! MOVE THAT BUTT)

TODAY IS and WILL CONTINUE TO BE A VICTORIOUS DAY -

Psalm 37:5

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

Dear Lord,

Today, I ask you to infuse your word into my mind and heart and may it bear fruit.

May I see with the Eye's of Jesus Life around me.

May I feel and experience Life around me with the heart of Jesus.

May I reach out with Your arms to love those around me and be a blessing today.

May I reflect you today!

In Jesus Name

AMEN

SALUTE!!!! Now Sing !!!

Bread!

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:

he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

There you go!

It occurred to me the other day.

If I became more concerned and focused on feeding

my Spirit than my body - "how healthy would that be"

So the past few mornings I've woken up - attempted to open my tired eye's and put a big fat fake smile on my face (fake until it becomes the real thing), and say to my self. Ummmm what'll I feed my spirit this morning! Instead of.... ummmm what'll I have for breakfast! ouch!

It's been an amazing few days with this in mind.

Again, as I have said. It's not for lack of knowledge that we fail. It's a lack of self control

Self Control is a fruit of the Spirit

So walk in the Spirit and produce "self control"

Walk in the Spirit, Walk in Faith... Walk, Walk, Walk... not talk, talk, talk.

ok, compromise by: Talking while you Walk

"now that's Italian"

Salute!

ps don't forget to drink your 64oz of Water kissed with a lemon

don't forget to love your self as Christ loves you so you can love those around you

don't forget to make healthy choices

don't forget, to not forget.... ahhh Ginko Biloba

Just a secondary thought as a Sicilian/American

Jesus is the Bread of life and He turned water into

Wine as his first Miracle while at a Wedding.

I'm sticking with HIM! (I think he'd laugh at that too)

ouch!

That's a me!

It might make a great movie "Death by Girl Scout Cookies"

It's like I fell off the wagon - I even ate the cookies that I don't like! What is that about!! That's what I've been trying to figure out these past few months.

In fact, the other morning I was listening to Joyce Meyers on TV. Wow, discussing the very essence of what I've been blogging about "HABITS".

One of the very important things I've discovered during the "21 day journey" is that my success during the 21 days was my daily blogging.

It seem to set my focus for the day

It seemed to center my thoughts

It encouraged me

It strengthened me

It motivated me

When I was without my ability to blog... I became apathetic, distracted... and back to the ol habits. I KNEW what I should do.... but "threw it to the wind... no, I threw it in my mouth... and sat on my big ... you know what"

So, I believe the truth is this

Healthy Choices are a product of Healthy Habits

HABITS are nothing more than repetitive pattern

21 days was only the beginning developing a rhythm and pattern

ahh all the years to re-do

ok, lets think about how when you were a child how were "sweets" present to you?

As you were introduced to your first birthday C A K E !!! Ummm says your parent as they shoved the spoon full of cake & frosting - SUGAR- into your mouth!

Come on! We were set up for failure from the beginning.

Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving... all about indulging in sweets! Like the "forbidden fruit!" If your good you can have a piece of candy, If your hurt... here's some ice cream, if your sad.... I'll make you a NICE piece of .... what is that about!!!!!!!

and the "Come on over for some coffee and C A K E!"

yikes!

I think it'll take more than 21 days to change HOW I see food, HOW I see exercise

HOW I see ME.

I seriously doubt 200 years ago any one had to "Think" about getting enough exercise!

If you could time travel to the 1900's and tell people that some day they'll have to find the time to exercise everyday! oh, ridiculous!

oh my Golly, Gosh all mighty. We are a lazy, self serving, indulgent, self gratifying society. THATS why there are a bazillion adds for weight loss and a bazillion TV shows and commercials about food! How messed up is that!

In social settings these past 2 weeks I found myself - ohhhh all messed up. Like Peer pressure! No, more like... ol habits. Falling in to my ol ways of seeing food "satisfying me", eating to be "politically correct".

Ok, enough

Get it together and

Well,

"Walk in the Spirit" - Yes, that is a ACTION! Walk Walk Walk...

I CAN not do this on my own.

Here's a story:

I once went to a party for ladies, ya know the "mary kay" thing. Well, I joked around about all the steps to cleanse, tone, moisturize your face.... all the process and all the products you need. I said out loud to the lady presenting the products... "wow, by the time I get to the 6th step of facial care..... It'll be morning". ha ha

but the truth is.... I'm doing it ! 3 steps every morning and every night! Why, because I'm desperate to avoid the knife! My real age isn't the date on my drivers license... it's in the mirror!

I think nothing of taking 3 steps every morning and every night to keep my skin from resembling an alligator!

So, again.... what about my arteries, heart, kidneys... etc.... what steps am I taking to keep them youthful!

What steps do I take daily to keep my heart free of bitterness, envy, resentment, unforgiveness... etc...

What steps do I take daily to feed my spirit, body and mind healthy FOODS.

No amount of Channel or Prada can cover up being unhealthy.

There is no fabulous outfit or jewelry that can cover up the fact that I'm OUT OF SHAPE - evident by my unhealthy choices!

I'm not a believer of "twiggy" figures. I'm a true believer in the temple of God reflecting the gifts of the spirit. And one of those gifts is "self control".

Wow, am I slapping myself silly tonight.

Ahh, I'll have another glass of wine and go to bed

Salute!

ps

kind of funny I just noticed it's the 21st day of February... ahhh 2 1

ya know 21 days!

Day 21 - Habits

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Still working on Walking in the Spirit so I can make healthy Choices with GOD's STRENGTH.

Eating the wrong foods is a BAD HABIT!

Day 20 - Who are you

Psalm 19:14

¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.

Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

Psalm 63:5

⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you

Today I will FILL my Mouth with words of Praise and I WILL BE SATISFIED !

"Like the women at the well, I was seeking, for things that could not satisfy..." (a song)

Day 20

I want my new habit to include this:

When I wake in the morning as I first open my eyes, I then place a smile on my face, I take a deep cleansing breath (taking in "Life") and then fill my heart with "thanksgiving" by S A Y I N G words of thankfulness and Praise to the Lord.

There you have it: Smiling, Speaking, breathing - "the joy of living".

We are what we are in our heart. This is scriptural and even scientific. (I'll post the scientific findings later)

TODAY: I choose to be healthy, Spiritually, Physically , Mentally

SIDE NOTE:

The Who Switched Off My Brain book by Dr. Caroline Leaf - discusses: 87% to 95% of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life. What we think about affects us physically and emotionally. It's an epidemic of toxic emotions. *************************************************** Emotions grow in the heart. But, the seeds of our emotions come from our thoughts. Our words fortify our thoughts and make them strong. WE ARE OUR THOUGHTS. SOOOO, your "mouth" is really a product of what is in your mind and heart. Filling our mouths with FOOD will never satisfy our souls. Filling our mouths with "Praise and Thankfulness" will satisfy our souls. Therefore, remove seeking FOOD to satisfy. We can then eat food to FEED our bodies! The Word of God to FEED our Souls! I've had an event that has filled me with disgust, anger and bitterness. I KNOW what I must do. I know that I can choose to allow this event to rob me of God's Joy and Blessings. BUT I CHOOSE to take it to the LORD and ask for him to put my thoughts in check. When I put my "thoughts" in check and see if they are TRUE, LOVELY, of GOOD REPORT... Forgiving, understanding... then and only then my HEART will receive those thoughts and be feed HEALTHY thoughts. The only one that is being truly being hurt with these negative thoughts is ME! And I know that my actions (if I don't go to the Lord and ask him to help me with these thoughts) will not glorify God. Back to the essence of todays thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... No amount of Channel or Prada can cover up an an ugly heart. When the mouth speaks - they are exposed for WHO THEY REALLY ARE. What is in your heart is WHO you are. What comes out of your mouth tells everyone Who you are. So this morning when I awoke.... I opened my eyes, smiled, took a deep cleaning breath and spoke "words of thanksgiving and praise". I felt my heart was heavy - It caused me to seek feeding my soul before feeding my body. THEN I sought to FEED MY SOUL - This must be my primary desire! Then I sought to Feed my body with a healthy choice. Then I sought to Feed my body with exercise "oxygen is food for the body" Then I sought to Feed my mind with "Positive thoughts and knowledge" A newer version of me! Luke 5:37 37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. I've sought the Lord in this "21 day journey" to create in me a New heart, New Mind, New Body... so that it can be filled with a new wine! (the last supper where Christ said as he took the wine... "this do in remembrance of me") Salute! To your health and Wellness This morning I listened to Joyce Meyers (great teacher) She said "you can be pitiful or powerful" your choice - How can I ever feel sorry for myself when I serve a Mighty God of Love?

side note

If you know you should only eat foods that bring you health then....

Why would you say

"oh, it's ok to eat Ice Cream if it's just a little scoop, it's the portion that's important"

Question: Is having a small scoop of ice cream like Bill C saying it wasn't really sex?

HA!

Day 19 - The war

Romans 7 - Struggling

¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.³For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

⁵Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. ⁸Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

This was my epiphany! This past year a light clicked on.

It wasn't about the right "diet". It wasn't about right "exercise". It wasn't for lack of "knowledge" of diets and exercises. It wasn't for lack of "resources" (my exercise bike was a great clothes rack for years and my gym membership.... ouch! money down the drain with me not "finding time".)

It hit me - "why do I do what I know I shouldn't do, and why don't I do what I know I should do!?".

This is when I came to the honest appraisal of the problem. I struggle with NOT eating foods that I know are not healthy choices because of the following:

How I feel about food! It's to satisfy me, It's to comfort me... it's to spoil my lust for the pleasure of how it taste, feels in my mouth... and ultimately makes me feel like I'm PLEASING ME.

It's about ME! Something I can control and give myself and have instant gratification. Pleasing my desire to please me! Unfortunately, what please "me" wasn't the healthiest choice.

So, the "21 days to Health and Wellness" is to develop a NEW way of seeing oneself. To see myself as BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.

My walk needs to match my talk.

How can a Nurse who knows how the body works and how can a Christian who knows the power of Gods Word, and How can an Person with a degree in Science STRUGGLE with Health! Come on! Ridiculous!

The Scripture in Romans says it all. ⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

This was me reaching for a cookie. Forget that, it was worse. I would take the time and energy to make homemade fudge brownies....yet, all the time I was mixing and baking... I would saying in my head "I shouldn't make this cuz I'll eat most of it myself". But, my body seemed to be disengaged from my mind. I was at war!

Then I realized that I was at WAR with myself!!

First I didn't recognize the enemy... My habits, desires and my belief system about foods. Food was not the enemy - it was ME. I needed to re-teach myself - re-condition myself - develop Healthy MIND, SPIRIT, BODY Habits.

But, it gets better. How I viewed food and exercise was about doing "what pleased me"... I was pleasing the self serving me. Ok, in spiritual terms... I was pleasing the flesh, not the spirit. Ya know that darn flesh is lazy and lustful. The two L's.

I'm at the end of my "21 days" and I am victorious! I'm finding I have a new approach to Loving myself through Healthy Choices. I've developed (and am continuing to develop) the NEW me. The one that sees myself as 3 entities (No, not like the three faces of EVE, HA lol).

In summary:

I've reviewed my patterns of identifying food - Now I look at something and reinforce my new system of seeing food: It's either a Healthy or Unhealthy choice.

I've learned to develop the habit of putting myself in check (this is becoming natural). When I reach for something to eat I asked this question "am I hungry or am I wanting something to satisfy me". If I am hungry, no problem since I'm going to make a Healthy Choice in selecting something to eat. If I'm honest and know I'm looking for something to "satisfy" me... I then speak the WORD - this can be various scripture verse I know ... ie "only HE can satisfy my soul", "Greater is He that is in me than He that is in ... that food!". I draw strength from HIS WORD. I TELL myself "I want to exercise"! (even if I don't FEEL that, I SAY it)

I've developed a habits. Like standing in front of the pastry counter at Starbucks... I look at the items and repeat in my head (hopefully not out loud). "Those look terrible, full of lard, sugar, greasy .... Not a healthy choice"

My mantra "I don't need that, I don't want it and it's not good for me! I practice saying this when I look at foods in magazines, TV, stores... etc. It's now a way of life.

I've developed the thoughts in my head.... I love to exercise. Even though I use to drag myself my exercise machine. I reinforce the thoughts (despite the feelings) "I can't wait to exercise, It makes me feel so good!". When I first get on my exercise bike and the feelings of oh, man... maybe I'll just do 3 minutes. I say to myself (ignoring my feelings), "ahh, I love how I feel when I exercise".

Yes, I know it sounds crazy but IT WORKS! You MUST re-teach yourself! Develop new habits. Change your patterns.

It takes 21 days! New habits! This is the Truth I tell you. It's truly liberating. The war is won... but I'll keep my defenses up... knowing the enemy is "near".

Stop being at war with yourself. Defeat the enemy (the flesh) and strengthen the winner in you!

Seek God's strength, desire to Please the Lord with your life. Desire to take care of YOU!

Feed your MIND, SPIRIT and BODY today with Healthy choices!

Salute! To your Health and Wellness

TWO DAYS to go

I'll then go back and revise my blog - any suggestions???? I'm planning this being a book.

Day 18 - Detox

Psalm 51:10 (King James Version)

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me

"21 days to Health and Wellness" is passionate about expressing

that we are Body, Soul and Spirit.

Balance brings wholeness.

It occurs to me that if a home was built with NO foundation, It would be a set up for frustration and failure. A Spiritual life style is the foundation of a persons life.

No matter how much time is spent on taking care of our home... furnishing, decorating, CLEANING, fixing/repairing, it would be a futile and endless task if it had a poor foundation.

Without a sure foundation the walls would not support the roof properly, the walls would crack. When a storm hit the home, "oh my" the work to keep the house standing.

Ok, so I don't know construction and should use a different analogy... but you get the point I'm sure.

This is what I believe to be as the core issue that can creates illness and even some diseases. A poor foundation. Neglect of a Healthy Spiritual Lifestyle.

Building our lives with focus on "our bodies, assets (Personal, relationships, work)" but neglecting our Spiritual life... failure!

Foundation of a home (Spirit)

Walls of a home (Body)

Roof of a home (Mind)

Ok, you got the picture

WE are BODY, MIND and SPIRIT!

OK, now to the "detox" thing...

"Detox" diets. The rage of health guru's... I believe because they want to blame something other than poor lifestyle choices and find a "quick fix". Ok, I've do believe that our bodies are "bombarded by environmental toxins". But, look.... we have a fabulous system created by an amazing higher Being - GOD, designed lungs, liver, kidneys lymph system that is for that purpose. It'll do it's job IF, and I said IF you choose to live a healthy lifestyle. I don't say this lightly.

You can tell I'm not a believer in THE "detox diets". However, I am a believer in cleansing ourselves, body, mind and spirit.

Which brings me to say this. If you, me... we spend as much time thinking about detoxing our minds and spirits as we do our bodies.... we'd be on the right path to "Health and Wellness".

PHYSICAL:

Let's hear from the Mayo Clinic ....

www.mayoclinic.com/health/detox-diets/AN01334

Question

Detox diets: Do they offer any health benefits?

Do detox diets offer any health benefits?

Answer

from Michael Picco, M.D.

Detoxification, or detox, diets are touted by many as a way to remove "toxins" from the body. This practice stems from the belief that the food you consume contains a range of harmful substances, which accumulate in your body, causing fatigue, headaches, nausea and even disease. But there's no evidence that this is true or that detox diets have any health benefits. Also, in some cases, detox diets can have harmful side effects.

Detox diets vary. But the basic premise is to temporarily give up certain foods that are thought to contain "toxins," such as meat, sugar, certain grains, dairy products and caffeine. Detox diets typically start with fasting followed by a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruit and fruit juices, and water. In addition, some detox diets advocate using herbal laxatives, antioxidants and colon cleansing (enemas) to help "clean" out the intestine and liver. The duration of such regimens often ranges from seven to 10 days.

Some people report they feel better, "lighter," and more focused and energetic during and after detox diets. This may be due to their belief that they are doing something good for their bodies. But it may also be due to eating little — if anything — for several days. Calorie restriction can lead to heightened feelings of psychological well-being.

There is no evidence, however, that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body. Most ingested toxins are efficiently and effectively removed by the kidneys and liver and excreted in urine and stool.

Early side effects of fasting include headaches. Prolonged fasting or severe calorie restriction can result in anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heartbeat. Before going on a fast or detox diet, talk to your doctor.

The best diet is one based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and unsaturated fats. Add regular exercise and stress reduction techniques, and you have a solid foundation for good health.

******************

You see the mention of "stress reduction techniques? This is the worlds way of saying "spiritual life". There you have it... what I believe and why. Healthy FOODs are to naturally detox your bodies along with exercise. Exercise and Healthy foods for our MINDS and SPIRITS on a daily basis.

So, I do believe in detoxification of our bodies.... just naturally, the way God intended.

MIND:

Now, I've mentioned in my blog and an author Caroline Leaf. Fantastic book on detoxing the mind. Title "Who switched off my brain" GOOD reading. She talks about how to "detox" your mind.

Again... let's talk foundation of our lives. The foundation for which we build our character, morals, decisions, focus, goals etc....

Our Spirit - this is who we really are. Made in His image. But, do we reflect that image to others? I hope I more like Him than Me.

Just a thought.

SPIRIT:

Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

My prayer and I hope your prayer.

Does a heart need to be "detoxed"? Ask God and Yourself too!:

un forgiveness, envy, resentment? These can cause Heart Disease!! There is a considerable amount of scientific research to support this.

So I will stop and do this.... close my eyes and take a deep cleansing breath then ask myself... WHO would I not want to sit next to and eat a meal with? Ahhhh, My "feelings" towards that person is Toxic "junk" stored in my heart. Ouch.

Only a "work out with God" can release us from un forgiveness, envy and or resentments. Who really is the one hurt by holding on to this junk? It's like the build up of "toxins" that these so called diets talk about. But THIS IS REAL. No, pill or drink or special diet can rid you of this kind of "junk" in your heart. It cloggs and constipates your ability to love...to laugh, to be patient and tolerant... to enjoy a relationship with others and with GOD.

Wow, no judgement and believe me I'm talking to me toooooo! That's the essence of this "21 day to Health and Wellness". It's for me... sharing with you what I'm learning.

15/15/15 - that's 15 minutes of physical exercise to detox your Body every day

that's 15 minutes of mental exercise to detox your Brain every day

that's 15 minutes of spiritual exercise to detox your Spirit every day

45 minutes of taking care of YOU! Ahh the beautiful you, inside and out!

Detoxing the spirit today by opening up the Bible (God's ability to speak to you) and prayerfully (speaking to him) CLEANSE (detox) your heart today. Yes, 15 minutes!

Our body and mind will thank us.

Salute! To your Health and Wellness