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.  

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

I've known it all my life
I made it, I made it.
I used to dream about,
the life I'm living now
I know that there's no doubt.
I made it, I made it!

Today, I felt accomplished. I finished my take-home final for my Research class, and I made a cheat-sheet for my Apraxia of Speech test. I feel like I am now ready to conquer my MSD test. I feel like my dreams are really coming true, life is finally making sense. I had the opportunity to reevaluate my life with God, to look at the struggles I have endured and the triumphs I have experienced, and it's a great feeling to know that I owe everything to God for getting me through these past five years of my life. I also love the quote below. It's going up on my cork board:

To be yourself in a world that is constantly
trying to make you something else
is the greatest accomplishment.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Another thing I've learned since I was a child, the golden rule:
treat others the way you want to be treated.
My philosophy reflects Audrey Hepburn's quote:

“For beautiful eyes,
look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips,
speak only words of kindness;
and for poise,
walk with the knowledge
that you are never alone.”
-Audrey Hepburn

Earlier, I was a little bummed because I wasn't able to go home two days earlier than I wanted ... actually, it was more like 38 hours and some change. I was being completely impatient like a little girl, it was quite entertaining to listen to myself. Then, this quote popped up:

"Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee;
All things pass;
God never changes.
Patients attains all that it strives for.
He who has God finds he lacks nothing.
God alone suffices."
-Mother Teresa of Avila

Nothing is impossible with God.

Much love,
klc

1st Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

God has to have humor in my regard. Not only did He convince me that a milk chocolate brown snuggie was necessary to live in this bipolar icebox/furnace I call my apartment, but... well. Here's the story...

For the past seven weeks, I have been working on an annotated bibliography notebook. Basically, I researched eleven subjects and wrote eighty critiques. And the Lord said, "that is enough, my child." :) Anyways, my professor draaaags out the last tidbit of our unit today, stands up, and writes on the board giving us instructions for our take home final: one page, double spaced, reference at the top, critique over "worthy" journal article. BAAAH. For those of you who know me, you'll appreciate this next part. I wanted to throw my laptop at her and then politely ask for the hours I invested study over this last weekend. As much as I love the idea of not taking another one of her tests that I probably would have failed (said in a satire tone), I wish she would have given us more than a two day warning. I can only hope that my class tomorrow does not pull the same wool off my eyes, because my laundry is not done, I have food that has been planned to be eaten over these next three days, and I have not finished the movie, "Funny Face" with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.

I chose the picture above for an array of reasons.
1. I love reading outside next to a tree with the wind gently blowing. The NSU campus has many trees for this lovely endeavor.
2. Barefoot. And, for those of you who don't believe, college turns you into a hippie. Hence, the flip flops. I am addicted to flip flops as much as the next person, and I would much rather slip into a pair of those then taking the time to "tie a pair of ten-eez".
3. She has taken a lot of time out of her day to read and finish that book. She's determined, anxious to finish and see how the end turns out. When she finally finishes it, there's a since of accomplishment.

That's exactly how I feel right now. I feel like I'm on the last page of the last chapter of a really good book (currently for me, it's Pride & Prejudice), and I am anxious to experience the results. In a way, it reminds me of cooking. A few days ago, I made the most delicious homemade artichoke spinach dip and fried bowtie pasta used for dipping. It was an awful experience trying to wait for this wonderfulness. I could smell the bubbly goodness outside of my apartment. Maybe this is how God views us our lives. In a way, He can't wait to see the finished product, but He is so excited to see the fun "middle". He wants to see us succeed andget to taste the "goodness" that comes from working hard. That's why I really like 1st Corinthians 15:58. It's a given that life is going to stink... okay, flat out suck, sometimes. We know that life is going to be hard, we're going to want to give up. But, the great thing about God is that He will always bless us in return when the effort we put forth in our lives is not in vain.

How awesome-possum is that?
I'm pretty sure I can be patient
and wait three more days
until my two weeks of freedom. :)

Lord, thank you for showing me this verse today; I really needed a laugh and some encouragement. Thank you for helping me accomplish my goal and kick booty on this "final". I love you, Lord, with all of my heart, soul, and mind.


much love,
klc

Unconventional

Rule One: Love Jesus.
Rule Two: Love yourself.

Growing up, I have been taught to love others just as Christ loved me. I've learned to put others before me, and exert this never-ending, genuine, and pure love for others. I have learned to give rather than receive. For my entire life, I feel that my selfish ways have not been parallel to love - but rather other ways that one may become selfish. I was watching Julia Robert's new movie trailer: "Eat Pray Love", and it was a spiritual, but in a good way, experience to just simply take in what the movie offered in those two minutes and thirty-one seconds. I can't remember verbatim, but she said, "I had a hunger for life, and I lost it." Story of my life. I feel that God is here, He's always been here with me, and He is teaching me in unmeasurable ways about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. He taught me that it's important to have a hunger for His word. But I still feel empty in some aspects.

Therefore, I have decided to bring back the goal I had whenever the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on January 1st, 2010. I have decided that once my finals are completed in nine days at 9:51 a.m., I am going to invest in this book by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am going to soak in as much as possible from God's word and this book. But, I only have two rules: One, to love Jesus. And two, to love myself.
That first part I have down pact. I love Jesus with everything I have, but I feel like the other part of the bargain is to love myself. For the longest time I have picked at my body, soul, and mind constantly. I would stand in front of a mirror and constantly scrutinize the belly that I have (we all have one), the thighs as big as thunder, and the bum that seems to be saddened by it all. I've scrutinized my mind: You're not smart enough, what are you doing in grad school? Why aren't you going from one support nest (i.e. parents) to the other (i.e. husband). I've belittled my soul: why aren't you constantly seeking God instead of your own mind? You can't do it all alone.

I feel like I have lost the love for myself. I feel ugly inside and out, and I know this the furthest from the truth as I can go, but I need to believe myself when I look in the mirror.

I'm not sure how this adventure is going to turn out, and I might cheat my way into it a little earlier (like in the next five minutes of leaving my apartment...) but either way, I'm going to do what I said I was going to do when New Years Day came. I am going to read this book and continue reading one book a month. Along the way, I am going to (attempt) to jot down my thoughts on how this specific book, "Eat Pray Love", has worked out so far.

I just have one goal: Love myself completely.

Much love.