Still At It

My journey this year continues.  It's just my blogging that hasn't.  We're fixing that right now.

After my YouVersion Bible study, I didn't find another online program that spoke to me.  I have been attending Sunday Bible study at church, but we missed a few weeks of that.  Fortunately, it's been easy to pick up and get back into the Word right away.  Matthew is a pretty interesting book.

I began walking about three times per week during our unseasonably warm spring.  I lost 5.5 lbs and felt more energetic.  Unfortunately, I didn't keep it up when the pollen hit, then some stormy weather which knocked out the pollen.  So last weekend I started again.  "I think I can, I think I can."

Being still, now there's a challenge.  These first four months have been a struggle in many ways.  An international visitor, auto issues affecting transport for all of us, and an out of town emergency have kept me very un-still on the outside.  And while "as a man thinketh, so is he," it's really tough to remain physically calm amid the rushing and doing, no matter how calm I am in spirit.  My knee, my back, my head. Aspirin, please.

We've made conscious decisions to not be that family that rushes around at the last minute, or that over schedules ourselves or our kids.  So when un-still events bubble up, it is unusual, though not impossible, for us to regroup on the fly.  We get through it, and use those teachable moments, and breathe deeply.  And I have to say that we strive diligently to avoid the surprises, but others' unsung schedule adjustments lately have really put wrenches in our cogs.

So my goal through the end of the school year is to remain still in spirit, and get through my work assignment without further incident (which shall remain unspecified).  April and May are hectic times, so there won't be any more added to the schedule that exists already (annual exams, final exams, one leaving for Europe, etc.).  By us, anyway.  And understand that is the key to calm.

Walking.  Stillness.  Readiness.  It's still a journey.

New Portion Control Tool - Easy Peasy

Okay, it's been a loooong while since I've posted.  Mea culpa.  But I just had to share this new everyday tool to help with portion control!

Ziploc has a new bag that will allow you to easily package individual portions together inside a larger freezer bag.  Called "Perfect Portions," these versatile bags let you slip your hand inside to grasp, say, a single chicken breast, and pull it inside the bag without getting your hand yucky, or messing another utensil.  This would be great for lean burgers, chops, and big cooking days when swiftness is key.

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21-Day Bible Reading Plan -- Done!

I embarked this year on a journey to spend more time in the Word, and turned to the 21-Day Plan for Busy Women: A Rich and Satisfying Life to kick-start my efforts.

This plan was easy to do, because I received an email every morning reminding me to click and do.  I personally needed that.  The passages were interesting, and pulled from stories I'd long forgotten, or never even realized.  A different perspective.  They were short enough to hold my attention and didn't offer too much to cloud the point.  But, as far as a Bible study goes, I found it lacking.  There were only passages to read and the same list of questions at the end of each day's reading.  It would have been nice to have a more pertinent question tossed in now and then.

Still, I would recommend this for the purpose I did it.  It addresses how God used/uses women to His purpose, and provides them with a rich and satisfying life.  (But Delilah -- really?!)


As far as kick-starting my efforts this year, we'll have to see.  I've made the commitment and I need to follow through.  A daily email would sure help.  I think I'll check out the other programs at YouVersion.

Healthy Steps Portion Control Tools

Have you seen the latest tools by Healthy Steps? This line of tools will help you regain control of your eating. They're GREAT for portion control, and can help you achieve and maintain healthy eating. They've been featured on Dr. Oz and other shows.

The Jokari 229505 Serving Ladle has inside markings show you proper portions for gravy, sauce or soup. So no more, "Just a little more," to sabotage your new plan for a healthy you.  Now just $11.14, and qualifies for FREE shipping wyb $25.



The Jokari 229476 Pasta Basket folds up to fit into a drawer; it fits over the edge of your water pot, and four can fit in one pot at the same time! The markings indicate a proper pasta portion, so no more guessing. And the hole in the handle? A perfect spaghetti portion! This item is now just $12.47, and also qualifies for FREE shipping wyb $25.



And my favorite, the Jokari 229482 Dressing Lid is a great time-saver if you use dressings or condiments regularly. Replace the top of your salad dressing bottle with this. Squeeze the dressing up into the cap, then remove the top and pour, for a perfect 2 Tablespoon serving. This item is now just $9.06, and also qualifies for FREE shipping why $25.

These three together total $32.67 shipped. And you'll eat healthier when you use them. What a way to start your new year!

The Daniel Fast

Have you heard of the Daniel Fast?  This is a 21-day, plant-based partial fast, which eliminates all meat and animal products, sweets, and no wine -- just water and fruit or veg juice (water from plants).  Based on Daniel 10.

Daniel took this fast not just to keep his body cleansed (in which he took great care throughout his life), but also to focus on the really important work of God that he was doing.  His devotion to keeping himself pure helped prepare him to receive God's word to prophesy. 

This is what true fasting is about -- the spiritual work going on.  Without the distractions of food, feeding our wordly selves, we are free to concentrate on our spiritual selves.  And, some folks like to use the discomfort of fasting as a form of atonement, as much as our pitiful sacrifice could make a difference.

Over at The Daniel Fast, this statement sums it up:  "Biblical fasting was always about restricting food and always for the purpose of drawing closer to the Lord, observing spiritual laws, or seeking God in prayer."

I was reminded of this fast, which I've known about for years, actually, when I visited Jamie at Like A Bubbling Brook.   If you'd like to see this fast put to work, follow her through it.

Have you done the Daniel Fast?  How did it impact your life?

Daily Bible Reading -- 10 Days In

Sometimes it's easy to let a Bible reading program slip to the back burner.  I've done it before.  But I'm 10 days in and still daily reading the Word as part of the YouVersion "21-Day Plan for Busy Women" plan.

This Bible study/reading plan focuses on women in the Bible, and offers snippets into their lives and how God worked through and in them.  Pretty interesting.  I never thought of Delilah that way before.  Or Abigail.  (That King David, though, huh?  Wow.)

What I'm getting out of it:  A different perspective on how God uses us through daily living, to do His will, and to strengthen us.  He provides our Daily Bread, our "outs" in tough situations, and our joys.  He uses women differently than men, because of our roles in our societies through time.  Think about it; you know it's true.  Deborah, Esther, Mary, Priscilla.  Each to her own use, each according to her capability.

What I'm not getting out of it:  The intimacy of a small group Bible study.  Yes, there's the option of online community, and tools to be held accountable for my study.  Eh.  I like the personal contact, conversation and insight (not to mention coffee and cookies) of traditional studies.  But right now, this plan works for me, since I can't find a group to meet with regularly due to my fluctuating schedule.

This reading plan is helping me grow in my faith, and helping me realize there's more to trusting God than I thought.  It's about turning over our resources to do His work.  All of our resources.  It's a mindset that everything we do is for Him.  All the time, talent and treasure IS His, and we need to put those to use for Him.

I encourage all of you to find a Bible reading plan, and stick to it!  The value of just getting into God's Word is immeasurable.  If you don't have a Bible, and would like one, please Let Me Know!  I'll get you one.

Working Out a New Way

Since January 1, I've been getting a little bit of exercise each day.  Whether it's walking 2 miles with my husband around the neighborhood, or walking to the park and playing with a bunch of 11 year olds, I've felt good about the aerobic workout, and the muscle stretching.

Today I took down the outside Christmas lights.  I couldn't ignore the beautiful day -- record-setting temps in the 60s on the 5th of January!  So I went out and climbed, reached, stretched, wound, wound, wound, and bent.  I'm exhausted!  I was out there an hour and a half, moving constantly.  THAT was a workout.  And I am so, so glad that this chore didn't need to be done in 20-degrees of blowing cold this year!


When I consider every chore an opportunity to get exercise, it changes my mindset.  The drudgery is replaced by excitement.  The slowness of the task is replaced by accomplishment!  And I feel my muscles working, feel the air going in and out.  My cheeks get rosy in a good way.

Because I'm getting exercise, I'm eating less, and craving less.  I'm able to concentrate better, keep moving longer into the evening, and sleep more soundly.  I'm not sure I've lost any weight yet, though.  And it will happen.  It's only been 5 days.


The warm weather sure helps!  I like to walk, and that works for me.  Still, my new "chore workout" holds a lot of promise.