Healthy

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.--1st Corinthians 6:19-20

Confession:  I absolutely love food.  I can completely justify the craving of that fourth.. or fifth mini kit-kat due to whatever may be driving me nuts that day.  I'm also a sucker for coca-cola and for those deliciously amazing homemade cinnamon rolls that I (unfortunately) know exactly what's in them.  

But do you know what I don't like even more than the fact that I know how much confectioner's sugar and butter goes into that delectable icing?  The feeling I have when my hips decide to impersonate a cupcake.  The feeling when certain angles in a photo are not forgiving, or that double chin that you know is not present in real life decides to plan a sneak attack when you least expect it.  And to top it all off, your face has decided to pay a tribute to those infamous "connect the dot" coloring pages that kept you busy when you were waiting for your food to come at a restaurant when you were a kid.   

Oh, and before I go any further, I need to hear this just as much as the next person.  No high horse or soapbox here.  

The truth about soda.  This time, I'm hitting home with my weakness - coke.  While I don't keep it in the house, there is a Sonic less than five minutes away from my house, and it's almost like an internal clock that goes off once happy hour commences.  The truth is, it's comprised of: carbonated water, sugar, caffeine, phosphoric acid (it's also used as a rust remover... still sound appealing?), caramel (for color) and natural flavorings.  And for the hard part: Carbs: 39 grams (keeping in mind some experts say that we should allot about 280-something per day), Sodium: 50 milligrams, and a whopping 140 calories.  Holy crap, right?  I about thought the same thing. 

So what can I do to quit the habit to become healthier?  I personally love the taste of Crystal Light's sugar free lemonade.  The good news, it's only 5 calories per pouch.  Can I get an "amen"?  Now granted, there is no caffeine in these pouches.  Ginseng, various fruits (within moderation), and vitamin B12 can help with the caffeine withdraws.  I know there are other things such as coffees and teas that are similar, but since I do not prefer either, I have to come up with other alternatives.  

Speaking of alternatives, here is a great website that just scratches the surface: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/NU00585

Some of the things you will never find in my fridge:

• buttermilk/whole milk
• full-fat cheese
• heavy whipping cream
• mayo
• cream cheese
• butter
• full-fat dressings
• non-lean ground beef
• chicken with skin attached
• hot dogs/sausages
• pre-made dips  

These are the things that you can find in my fridge, baring in mind that they are healthy within moderation: 

• whole grain bread (gluten free in the freezer for friends who are gluten intolerant)
• low-fat, low-sugar yogurt
• skim milk
• egg whites
• various fruits (blackberries, strawberries, apples, oranges, etc.)
• various veggies (the rule of thumb is the darker green in color, the better)
• soy or fat-free cheese
• margarine substitute spread 
• fat-free vinegarette based dressings 
• hummus (I absolutely love the red-pepper kind) 
• "Naked" juice (for more info, www.nakedjuice.com)

The point of this post is not to tell you to drastically change your diet, unless that's what you desire/need.  It's about being healthy.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Everyone is tempted to dive into that ice cream container or drive the less than ten-minute drive to the nearest fast-food joint or restaurant, myself included.  

Don't give up on your goal.  You can do it.  I'm doing it right there with you.