She Shares

This week in my little quiet time, I've really been looking at my motives.
What is the purpose of my reading, my doing, and my speaking?

In Mark, it says
"Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'

So I asked myself: What 'evils' are coming out of me?


Jealousy, Spite, Control.

Its so hard to put those words out there.


My desire for perfection is a disease.

It is constantly affecting all parts of my life.

Which leads to jealousy when I'm not doing it right and someone else is.

Then I try to control my surroundings to create an environment where I will be perfect.

And by whose standards?

Mine of course.

Its a real, nasty cycle that I create.

A place where I cannot be content with my flaws and imperfections.

Where I believe that I am failing those around me.

Where I know that its only a matter of time before those around me see how messy I am.

And then I am alone.


Loneliness.

That is what I fear.

Sitting alone
with nothing more than myself
the person who has pushed everyone away.

So what does that have to do with what Jesus said in Mark...
I believe that like the Pharisees, I am so concerned with rules and not looking within to solve the problem.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and telling them that it is in faith and love for GOd and others that we are glorifying God. Not through following a bunch of rules.
so .....
Where in my life am I not glorifying God?
There is no formula for perfection because I was bought at a price and accepted for my flaws.

SO STOP TRYING TO BE SOMETHING YOU AREN'T HANNAH!!

Confidence.


In those moments of loneliness, I must look in the mirror and face my ugliness.
Not try and cover it up, but accept it.

In that I will find my confidence.

A confidence on my faith in Christ can provide.

I need to stop looking at this 'ideal' I have created.


thank you for letting me share :)

Book Review: Naked Fitness

Next on my list was Naked Fitness by Andrea Metcalf

The title alone was intriguing enough. Was I going to see a bunch of nude photos?

No, I didn't (But don't do a Google search for Naked Fitness, don't okay...)

This was a different kind of book. I've been reading a lot on health and fitness and this book definitely fit the category.

It is a book about health and fitness, but it also includes a 'lifestyle plan.'

I think it was full of great tips and tricks. 

It included ways to workout in the store, while walking the dog, at your desk, etc.

I liked that it also included a fitness test.

Again this book didn't preach a diet, but a lifestyle change, which is what I really believe in. Its not about 'not eating this' or 'only eating this.' 

And although she has a plan in her book, I believe it is pretty flexible too. And it has great guidelines. 

She has 5 food groups:

Fibrous vegetables-unlimited quantities

Fruits 2-4 servings

Light Proteins- 3 servings

Calcium-rich proteins- 1-2 servings

Starches 0-3 servings

Beneficial Fats 1-3 servings.

I like this food chart because it says unlimited amounts of veggies. I've been so rigid with my Fitness Pal, that sometimes I don't log in because I just want to eat all day :)

But I do believe that you really can't have too many vegetables. Fibrous vegetables are full of nutrients and are always great when you need a little something to munch on.

WATER,WATER, WATER 

This of course is key. I realized that this week I really wasn't getting much water and always seemed to be hungry. I wasn't I was just thirsty.

Symptoms of dehydration:

fatigue, loss of appetite, flushed skin, heat intolerance, light headed, and dark urine with a strong odor.

I also learned that leptin is a key element in the regulation of body weight. It lets your body know when its full.

Ghrelin is the 'hunger hormone.'

Cortisol is produced with you are sleep deprived and cortisol has been linked with add to that fleshy region around your tummy.

Without a proper diet, these hormones get out of wack,  leading to weight gain.

I would give this book 3 out of 5 hearts

only because it was not what I was looking for, but would definitely recommended it to someone wanting to get their life back into a healthy state.

What should I read next?

Recipe: Granola

I have been really loving making granola. Its easy and super cheap...well I think it is. I have been finding new things to add into it. Here is a vegan granola recipe!!! I even make my own apple sauce by steaming apples and then pureeing them in the Vitamix. 2 apples yields about a cup.

Ingredients

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup coconut flakes (I like organic unsweetened)

1T cinnamon

2T cocoa

2T Coconut Sugar

1 Cup Applesauce

2T Honey

Optional:

1-2 apples peeled and chopped

Preheat oven to 400

Lightly spray pan with EVOO.

Combine dry ingredients.

Mix in applesauce.

Drizzle about 2 T of honey and stir in.

Mix in any fruit or nuts of choice.

Spread out onto pan.

Every 10-15 minutes, use a wooden spoon to move the granola about so it doesn't burn.

Enjoy alone, with milk, or over some yummy yogurt!

Lilly 9 months

So this is a month late because my computer needs more storage for all these pics :)

(10 months will be posted this week :)

Loves apples and blueberries, quinoa

Enjoys shredding napkins

Puts the bottom of water bottles in mouth (to help with teething)

Splashes in bath

Reaches for familiar people

Scooting forward

Likes sparkly things (oh boy ;)

Jabbers

Loves Nursery Rhymes

Likes to be sung to sleep with her lullaby

Top incisors and bottom incisors are swollen

Taken a little nap in crib

Has the pincer grip

Likes to eat Gerber puffs

Wears 12 month clothing

Sings along to "we're on our way to Granpa's farm"

My little girl is getting 'SOOOOOO BIG'!!

Workout: Things I'm Loving

Here are a few things that I have really been into lately.

I am really loving fitness and although running is my cardio of choice, I like to add weights in also.

Tone it Up

Karena and Katrina are the masterminds behind Tone it Up. It is not just a great place to find fun quick workouts that make ya sore, but you can also sign up for their meal plan. On top of that you are also supported by fellow Tone It Up Sisters. You can be encouraged thorugh twitter (#tiusisters) or through their app and Tone It Up community.

Kettle bell

I still don't own one, but I am desperate to try their exercises. They look so much fun. I am working my way towards the Cross fit craze, and this is where my passion is beginning.

I have become so desperate in wanting one that I have even looked into making my own.

Definitely not as cute as the ones in the store :)

Here are some of the exercises I've been wanting to try, and of course Tone It Up's version:

Source: whatsnewtablet.com via Carly on Pinterest

Source: apaperproposal.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Blogilates
And last but not least is Blogilates. Cassey Ho is the mastermind behind Blogilates. She does some hardcore Pilates videos that are about 10-15 minutes. But they are CRAAAAZY!!

Check out this one:

Her webpage also features some yummy, healthy recipes. This Red Velvet Pancake looks delish:

What are your favorite workout plans? Any fun playlists or tunes that you must listen to?

She Shares: On my heart

Last week I finished the Soul Detox by She Reads Truth.

I really love the devotionals on The YouVersion app.

I was never a devotional kind of gal, but I just can't get enough.

This week I've really be learning about how much I complain to God about not getting enough or comparing myself to others.

I've joined A Royal Daughter and doing the #prayerdare

I wanted to share today's prayer because I feel it sums up how I feel.

day two
Jesus, You said that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Please work within my heart so that my mouth speaks only pleasant words that are honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24). When I am tempted to gossip, remind me that my words might pierce another like a sword because of their recklessness (Proverbs 12:18). Give me a wise tongue for healing instead. #PrayerDare.


Proverbs 16:24 has been everywhere.

It's like a little birdie that keeps whispering these words to me.

I know I need to work on not comparing myself to others and know that no one is expecting perfection out of me.

I need to give this over to God because I hate holding on to things and I feel like I've written these words before.


How do you deal with having sweet words in moments of difficulty?

Fitness week 9

This week went by soooo fast! I'm so excited to start Tone It Up's Bride series. I'm not attending any weddings but I love the challenges.

2 miles every day; run it. Walk it. Bike it.

March is here!!

Here is my week in fitness:

Saturday: 100 Burpee Challenge by Blogilates

Sunday: 11 mile run

Monday: yoga, 2 mile walk

Tuesday: yoga, Cupid Cardio/ 7 miles

Wednesday: 4 mile run, Love Your Booty workout by Tone it up

Thursday: Skinnygirl workout, 3 mile walk and some digging outside

Friday: planned (yoga am and morning run with friend)

I have been doing lots of reading on health and fitness.

It's been great!

I've gone 'vegan' this week thanks to Skinny Bitch.

However, reading Real Food has made me want a cow.

A real, fat, grass eating cow.
That way I can eat 'real' milk and not this pasteurized crud that is sold in the supermarkets.


This week I also made Black Bean Quinoa Burgers and Granola. Both I need to tweak the recipes before posting them.

But they are super yummy.

Did you catch my blog interview with Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential.
If not, check here.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
It's March, National Nutrition Month, let's get out and move and fuel up with healthy foods!!