Work Out Wednesday!

With a benefit show coming up, some interviews in the works for new featured artists, and a few writing projects I'm feeling busy but so very happy and thankful!  All that to say this entry will be brief but as promised, I'm posting a short word of encouragement to all who may be trying to get fit and eat healthier! 

If I could choose something that might encourage any of you out there who are getting on the scales every day, or trying to eat better, or exercising more that you have in the past, it would be  to say don't beat yourself up when you make a mistake and eat something you shouldn't, or skip a workout.  It's a process.  I think changing over completely to a new way of eating -going "cold turkey", if you will, makes the challenge, well, too challenging.  For me, I set reasonable goals.  I knew I could go meatless 4 days last week but also knew I would really miss meat if I cut it out all together.  
2 days of fish and 1 day of either beef or chicken seemed something I could do.  The result is I don't feel like a failure.  Even so, there was a day I was supposed to be "meatless" but was invited by a friend to eat at a restaurant.  None  of the meat free options there seemed appetizing, so I opted for chicken.  I didn't mope or give up because I had veered off the chosen diet path, I just told myself I did the best I could given the situation, and moved on.
Over all, I still feel the week was successful.  I didn't lose any more weight, but I didn't gain either.  I exercised most days and enjoyed some incredible meat free meals!
I am determined!
Here is a link to another fabulous recipe.  Meat free!  My son and I ate this and thought it was absolutely amazing!!!!
Enjoy!

http://ohsheglows.com/2014/01/20/cauli-power-fettuccine-alfredo-veg

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

http://www.tangibleinspirations.com/

Work Out Wednesday!                               Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully  and wonderfully made.
                                                                                                                                                                  

Most of my blog entries have been about what God is teaching me, my spiritual experiences, and His intense love for us.  I'll continue to write those posts, but since taking care of our bodies is important to Him, and is healthy for us,  today is the start of "Work Out Wednesday" blog entries: all about my diet and exercise plan for life.  Each week I'll post a favorite healthy recipe, a link I've visited, or book I've read that I think is worth your while.  Though it's been a while since I've eaten processed foods, I decided to ramp up my diet and launch into "clean eating".   There are variations of the clean eating diet.  Some claim vegan is the way to go (sorry, that's not me).  Others advocate organic only meats in small quantities.  Then there is the whole "fat" debate: Some fat, no fat, don't worry about the fat....I'm pretty sure I've read or heard about every combination out there that would be considered clean.  Throughout the spectrum of clean eating plans, though, eating less meat and more of a plant based diet, seems to be key.  Without wanting to sound too much like a fanatic, I would like to recommend the documentary "Forks Over Knives", to those of you who are curious about the benefits of a plant based diet.  You don't necessarily have to agree with everything you hear in the film.  It was for me, however, convincing enough.  It is not the only source I've used for my research.  A quick search on-line will lead you to hundreds of research articles and books by scientists, medical doctors, PhDs, and lay people who have changed over to clean eating and miraculously improved their health.  The diet I've chosen is moderately easy to follow:  four meatless days, two fish days, one lean beef or chicken day. Minimal dairy is allowed. (I've yet to find a dairy free cheese that is worth eating, and low fat yogurt is allowable.)  The other food item I'm giving up is flour.  I just purchased some flour-less, truly "whole wheat" bread.  (Delicious!)  So far I'm not experiencing hunger pangs and the meals are incredibly satisfying.  Finally, I intend to get some kind of exercise every day.  Walks are great- but at least three times a week I'll be choosing one of my many exercise DVDs and working out for 30 minutes in addition to my walk.  Though it might sound radical, I am serious about committing to this diet and exercise regime because I know it will be good for me.  
Feel free to comment below or email me at:  tijanet@tangibleinspirations.com with your own experiences and ideas.  Hopefully I can be an encouragement to anyone out there who would like to eat well and get into better physical condition!

To start, here is an incredible meatless recipe I tried last night with my son.  (Loved it!)  We used plain organic yogurt instead of sour cream, organic regular cheese instead of non-dairy, and skipped the chips.
Here is the link-lots of other great recipes there as well!
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/12/13/naughty-nice-vegan-enchilada-casserole/

 Some more interesting tidbits:

http://www.forksoverknives.com/

 http://battlebuddydiet.com/
 (I'm reading this book!)

Finally, I always loved this part of Daniel's story, where he and his men declined the "kings food and wine" and instead chose a diet of veggies and water.  Result: After 10 days they looked healthier than the men who ate the king's assigned diet!  Check it out!
Daniel 1:12-16

Back to main page:  http://tangibleinspirations.com/

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.                                                                                  

                                                                                               Below: Scene from a walk last year

Getting Fit

I will never be a fanatic about fitness, but I do enjoy the way I feel when I am in shape.  Lately I've noticed the results of a winter with very little exercise.  My strength has decreased, and my energy level is lower than it was not too many months ago in the fall of last year-when I was exercising regularly.  Last week, when Spring broke through for a tease, I decided to start my daily walks again.  What I remembered as I began my exercise regimen, which included not only the walks, but weight training and the dreaded crunches, was how refreshing exercise can be for the soul.  A two mile walk gives me time to talk to God, thanking Him for the beauty of His creation all around me.  While feebly trying to complete my light weight training and sit-ups, I am reminded of how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"- and that this body is a gift and I need to take care of it.  Exercise, then, can be a form of worship, which makes it, instead of something I dread, something quite enjoyable!  After just a few short workouts scattered over the last 7 days, my body is already responding positively to the increase in physical activity, and my soul is being refreshed as I gain more energy and stamina.  Like a well oiled machine, our spiritual and physical health seem to be at their best when we are doing what we were designed to do....move!  What a wonderful creator we have, who gave us the need and the desire to be physically active.  I try to get some type of exercise in daily, but I know in this fast paced life, there are some days it's just not going to happen.  Below is a list of how I assure myself I will at least get some activity each day.

1) Park far away.  

   When I am running errands, I park as far as I can from the store.  The walk does me good!

2) Elevators and escalators are not an option for me.

3) When I'm going up the stairs, sometimes I do it twice, even if I don't have to. (You can laugh if   

     you want!)

4)  When I let the dog out, I go out too- just to walk around the yard a few times.  Casey, my wheaten 

      terrier, is always happy to have the company!

These are just a few ideas.  Do you have any?  Happy moving!  
©2014 Janet Carol Davis

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/7-Bible-Verses-to-Motivate-You-to-Exercise.aspx?p=5#e78jSZQRYW2EEGHO.99

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/7-Bible-Verses-to-Motivate-You-to-Exercise.aspx?p=5#e78jSZQRYW2EEGHO.99

Turn It Around


After a weekend business trip, I looked over at the refrigerator and saw a letter from the utilities company I had clipped there on Friday.  I remembered it had said I should set up an appointment for my inside water meter to be checked.  Picking up the letter I found the number and called.  The representative on the other end seemed very polite and while she was checking for an appointment time, she calmly informed me that she was going to put me on hold for a moment while she dispatched a message to the workers in the field that day to cancel turning my water off.  My response was something like, "What? Did you say they were going to turn off my water?"  (I was sure I had misheard)  But the kind, (yet now defensive sounding) voice replied, "Yes, if we can't get an appointment within a certain time period we have to turn the water off until our workers can get in the home."  It was only the Holy Spirit-it had to be- that kept me calm.  I almost laughed, in fact.  Had I forgotten to pay my water bill sometime and didn't know it?   She assured me that all my bills had been paid in a timely manner and my only offense was that I hadn't called to make the appointment.   She agreed that it was extreme to turn off the water without giving the customer more notice than what I had received.  Thankfully, the crisis was averted, my water service went uninterrupted, and the appointment was made.
At another time in my life, I might have let something like this upset me.  It seemed so unfair.  Following up with that letter only a few days after I received it did not seem unreasonable to me.  I could have really let the conversation with the lady from the water company ruin my day.  But I didn't.  I sensed the defensive tone in the voice of the representative, and knew she most likely had to deal with angry customers frequently.  She was probably waiting for me to say something unkind in my frustration, but instead my response was: "You know, let's count it a blessing that I happened to pick today to call you, because I called you just in time to stop them from turning off my water.  Thanks for listening and for taking care of that for me.  You've been wonderful."  The strident defensive tone in her voice changed immediately to one of relief.  I could practically hear her smiling when she said, "Really?  Oh wow, okay, let's do that.  Thank you!"
Life's little inconveniences, fair or not, can set off tempers and frustrate us to the point of saying things we regret, but if we keep things in perspective, the "little inconveniences" are just that- little.  God loves us and wants us to always be joyful.  Knowing myself and my tendencies in the past, it is nothing short of a miracle when He works in me to take a potentially bad situation, and turn it around to a blessing.  If I keep my heart and mind focused on Him and what is important, He gives me the ability to accept the day-to-day annoyances with grace, and in the process, allows me to pass that grace to someone else.                                                                                                                                               ©2014Janet Davis

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Back to main site:  http://tangibleinspirations.com/

Encouragement

Is there something you are thinking about doing that may take you out of your comfortable day-to-day routine?  Do you sense a calling on your heart to take part in something and you may not even know why?  Experience has taught me that when this happens I must talk to my awesome God about it.  I ask for wisdom to know what to do and how to go about it.  I ask for closed doors if I make the wrong choice, as well as peace when I make the right decision.  Even so, it can be a little scary to try something new.  Faith goes hand in hand with risk taking, so often the hardest thing for us is to actually take the first step and do what we are being led to do!  Thankfully God wants what is best for us and He promises us if we trust Him He will help us find our way.  One common theme I've noticed throughout my conversations with people concerning creativity is that of trusting God without necessarily knowing why.   Some get answers as their journey progresses, some do not.  But if they are doing the "thing" that God is leading them to do, they are at peace.  I want to encourage you to talk to God about the yearning in your heart you may have.  Go to Him-trust Him-love Him.   If you are following Him, the desire you have to walk down a different path, or that idea that settles in on you at night and is still with you when morning comes, may very well be from Him!                                                                                                                                                       ©2014 Janet Carol Davis                                                                                     
James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 30:21  
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 

Psam 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.  Though He may stumble, He will not fall, for the Lord upholds Him with His hand.

John 16:13a

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. 

Back to main site:  http://tangibleinspirations.com/ 

Getting To Know God     (cont'd)

There is no secret to knowing God.  We simply need to go to Him. 

In some of my conversations on this topic people have said they don’t feel worthy to speak with God.  More than once I've heard someone express how he or she can’t possibly believe that our great God would want to take time out of His day to listen to us.   For those of you who think that way I want you to hear this:  In God’s eyes you are precious.  You are significant.  We are valuable to Him-so much so that He sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins.  Do you think He would have done that if we had no value?  His love for us is intense.  Each day you don’t go to Him you are losing out on time spent with the one who loves you more than anyone else.  Read John 3 and be reminded of how much He loves you.  The great God of today is the same God from the Old Testament who said through the prophet Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) 

I have experienced those feelings of insignificance – the guilt and the unworthiness, but the more I spend time with Him, and get to know Him, the more amazed I am at how much He loves me and desires for me to have a life that is full and free.  Free of guilt, and free to be the person He created me to be.    The more you go to Him the more you will realize these truths for yourself.  Remember-He is already there- where ever you are.  He longs to spend time with you.  If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is in you and will help you.  Ask Him to open your heart and mind as you begin your time with God.  Feel free to tell Him everything!  He already knows what makes you happy, sad, mad.  He already knows your worries, dreams, and desires.  Read the Psalms and you will see that the writers there did not hold back. They praised their creator but they also expressed disappointment and even downright complained to God at times!  God didn’t ignore the psalmists, and He won’t ignore you.                                                             ©2014Janet Davis

Psalm 139- Read it!  It's all about how He knows us inside and out and is with us always!

Matthew 10:29-31 
“²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. ³⁰ He even counts every hair on your head! ³¹ So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”  

John 3: 16
"For God loved the world so much, He sent His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life!"

Back to main site:http://tangibleinspirations.com/

 Getting To Know God (continued)

 Step 2

Once you have carved out time to spend with God, the next step is simple.  Start talking.  That's right.  Begin a conversation with Him.  It may feel awkward at first, but you will get used to it.  Understand there is no special way to do this.  There are no specific words you have to use.  The beautiful thing about our great God is He is already there- where ever you are, eager to listen to you, and speak to you through the Holy Spirit.  You can talk out loud or in your thoughts, quietly.  He hears you.  He longs for you to come to Him, and pour your heart out to Him.  If you don't know what to say, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.  He knows you inside and out and knows what you need. 

 Once you begin the conversation with God, be sure you take time to allow Him to speak to you as well.  Grab a Bible and read.  The Bible is full of history, life stories, parables, and poetry about God's amazing plan to draw us to Him.  Reading it will teach you about God's character, His power, and His intense love for us.  I believe it is God's word, and that it has survived the centuries because it is supernatural.  The Holy Spirit can use it to speak to you in unexpected and amazing ways!  Even a passage I've read several times might be used to teach me something new!  If you want to get to know God, read His word.

I want to make it clear here that conversing with God is not always a huge event.  Sometimes He speaks with a burning bush, and sometimes in a still small voice.  But I also want to say that it seems as Christians, we tend to underestimate how much He desires to communicate with us, and how often He tries.  He tells us in His word if we seek Him earnestly we will find Him.  My prayer is that you will make time and start a conversation with God.  Worship, sing, complain to Him, (He can handle it!) cry, laugh, praise Him, however you feel led.  If you spend time with Him, you will be blessed, and will desire to fellowship with Him again.  I promise you will not regret it.                                                                         ©2014Janet Davis

Romans 8:26-27

²⁶ In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don’t know what we should pray for. But the Spirit Himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words. ²⁷ God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God’s people just as God wants Him to pray.

James4:8a

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

back to main site: http://tangibleinspirations.com/