Encouragement

This is something that has been on my mind a lot recently, and it keeps popping up every where I look so I had to share it here. Been working through the book of Hebrews with some dear friends, and came across the following verse: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." - Hebrews 3:13. When reading this and discussing it later with Dave, it hit me that one of the key ways the enemy tries to attack us is by making us feel like we're "alone." Have you ever noticed that? And have you ever noticed that the "alone" feeling seems magnified when we're in the throes of a trial? Perhaps it's because we DO need to encourage each other daily! When left to our own devices (and left alone with our own thoughts), we tend to stray, to wander, to lose our focus. But, when we encourage each other (and allow others to encourage us), we walk closer to the truth. And notice the key thing we're supposed to do - we're to ENCOURAGE each other, daily. Not just talk with each other, not just vent - encourage. The Amplified version of the Bible goes on and says we should warn, admonish, urge, and encourage one another to guard against " . . . the fraudulence, the strategem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him." (his sin, meaning our own sin). Part of God's plan for our sanctification is that we live our lives with other people, encouraging each other lest our hearts (which are, as Jeremiah says, above all, deceitful) become hard and we are deceived by sin. One commentator I read (David Guzik) points out - we do an awesome job of judging and criticizing each other, but how good are we at seriously encouraging each other - and receiving it from others? That's my "life lesson" right now -- I need to encourage others, and I need to be encouraged daily . . .

South Beach Conclusion

Today ends my 2 week introduction to the South Beach diet, so I thought I'd post a little something. No, this doesn't mean the diet ends today - just means I'll be going back to a more normal way of eating (can't say that I'll be having eggs for breakfast any time soon). Here's what I've learned:
- My belly is still there. I did loose some weight, but the belly (which Michael, my youngest, enjoys playing with -- always sweet!) is still there. On to phase two of my plan - returning to sit-ups and working out in earnest.
- While I figured out how to improve my energy level and get rid of the nausea (drink lots of water, eat more snacks), I'm still very drained. Hoping that goes away once I return some carbs to my diet!
- Didn't find too many outstanding veggie recipes, but did find a fun recipe blog(Kaitlyn's Kitchen)and am more willing to cook with fresh veggies now. I also learned that I just need to eat more veggies at meals, rather than skimping on that so I can fit more noodles!
- I think my cravings have improved. I don't find myself "needing" a cookie in the afternoon - I'm ok with grabbing another kind of snack. That is probably my biggest victory!
- I'm drinking more caffeine (not good), but I'm liking cheese again. Why is this amazing? Because both used to upset my stomach, and now they don't. Weird, but I'll take it!

So, that ends my South Beach saga for now . . . I'll let you know if I learn anything else new in the future!

South Beach Update

I'm on Day 5, and here's my status on my goals:
To Eliminate the post-baby belly: I've lost several pounds already, and I can tell it's from my waist because my pants fit differently. But, oddly enough, the baby belly is still intact. Hmm. If that doesn't go away, I'm DEFINITELY not going to eat like this for the rest of my life!
To Learn New Recipes: We made a really good Orange Roughy (it's a fish- I didn't know either!) last night with ginger and green onions. I also like the cilantro mayo used for turkey and ham roll-ups (you roll up ham/turkey in lettuce - also very good). I found a recipe on another blog for Pinto Bean Salad with Avocado, Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Cilantro (although we used Garbanzo beans). I loved it, but Dave didn't care for it, so my taste buds may be a little off! I also found I like sauteed cabbage, and I'm remembering omelets are also quite tasty. Oh, and poached eggs are nowhere near as bad as the name sounds! So, there are a few . . .

Here are some of my thoughts on the experience, in no particular order:
- Felt really nauseous the first few days. Not as bad today. Honestly thought I may be pregnant . . . Not sure if this is the way other people feel, but definitely not a "perk" as far as I'm concernd!
- I'm grumpy when I don't get enough food, and I don't ever really feel full eating this way. But that, too, has gotten better as the days have gone by.
- I really, really, really don't like ricotta cheese. There's a "dessert" with ricotta, vanilla extract, and splenda . . . even typing it makes me feel slightly nauseous again!
- I don't realize all the places I tend to "sneak" in a snack here and there, so this is definitely opening my eyes to that (like when I stop by the foodstore for milk - apparently I always get something when I do that because I almost did it without thinking!).

That's all for now . . . my brain is a bit mushy, too, so that's all I can remember! I'll let you know how the next week goes!

Hair cut

I decided to "take the plunge" and let a stylist do whatever she wanted with my hair! It took me 5 minutes to do this morning - easiest cut I've ever had, and way more fun. I'm getting brave in my "old age," I guess! So, here's the end product:

South Beach Diet

Yes, I have decided to go on a diet. I swore I would never go on a "diet," per say - that I would just eat healthy and exercise, and be happy with myself as I am. But, two babies does a number on your body - both in terms of it's shape, and in what you ingest! So, I have decided to tackle a diet for two reason: (1) to see if I can get rid of my "baby belly"; and (2) to re-train myself on how to eat healthy (and not need a cookie every afternoon!). I picked the South Beach diet because it seemed the least "diet-ish" (I love food and abhore the idea of drinking a shake in place of food for a meal; and I know how obsessed I become with things so counting calories would become a new religion for me!). Also, since one of my goals is to retrain my eating habits, I picked a diet that would introduce me to some new recipes involving something I'm awful at cooking - vegetables! And, I picked it because my mom and dad already did it, they had the book, and they seemed to like it (so, built in support system)! So, enter "THE DIET."
Yesterday, the boys and I spent 2 hours at Wal-Mart (woohoo!) collecting veggies I had never bought in my life, and fish (also something I've never learned how to cook, so I'm excited!). Then, last night, I stayed up until 11:30 cutting up veggies and getting salads and side dishes as prepared as I could (since one of the complaints I've read about this diet is it is time consuming). I'm using the menu recommended in the book because I'm lazy, and because I'm a rule follower and I couldn't figure out how to follow the rules without cooking explicitly what the author said. You should see our fridge - we've never had this many veggies in there in my life!!! But, I'm excited to give this a real shot, so I'm in full-force "rule-following mode"!
It is now afternoon on day #1 and I haven't had any trouble sticking to it (!). I'm a bit hungry right now, but I think it's just because I'm craving my afternoon sweets. One weird thing I've noticed is that things taste better, or at least stronger. Weird, I know. I don't think I'll have much trouble committing to the first 2 weeks - it doesn't sound like much fun, but I know I can do it (I tend to be stubborn that way). The challenging part, I think, will come in figuring out how to change my lifestyle to fit in with what I'm learning. But, we'll "worry" about that day when it comes. For now, day 1 is well underway and I'm excited to cook salmon for the first time tonight!

Friends and moving

So, for those of you who know me, you know that several of our closest friends have moved over the past year and a half. Dave and I used to be in the military (for those of you who don't know), so I thought we were used to the whole "friends moving" thing. I even remember telling more than one person, when saddened by the departure of a friend, that friends come in and out of our lives and the ones we are meant to remain friends with won't go away simply because their address has changed. And I do still firmly believe that. But, can I just tell you that it sucks to be on the "staying here" end of all these moves! At least when you're the one moving, you have the excitement of starting over in a new place and making new friends because you'll be out exploring new places (for those of you who have moved recently, I'm sure you'd disagree . . . and, when I was the one moving, I would side with you. But, since this is my blog, I'm talking about this from my perspective right now :-)). But, when you're the one staying put - it just sucks! I know, I know - I can get out there and meet new people, and I still have many dear friends who are still here. But the process of making friends is always such a daunting task!
Ok, so, when faced with an issue like this, I like to make lists. It's my way of controlling my environment (I know, I know - I'm working through this, really!). So, here is my list of good things that come from friends moving:
(1) You get to know neighbors you never knew you had.
(2) You become "chatty" with the people in the check-out line at the food store again (lesson learned, though - people aren't as chatty at Wal-Mart!).
(3) You learn new computer applications, in an attempt to stay in touch with friends who have moved (Facebook, anyone?!).
(4) You reconnect with your husband (poor Dave!).
(5) You rediscover library story times . . . all of them.
(6) You explore new ways to get to know people (Yahoo! Groups is kind of a cool thing!).
(7) You read more books.
(8) You make lists.

So, I guess this whole "friends moving" thing isn't so bad after all . . . Hey, any reason for me to have to make more lists is a good reason to me! And to those friends of mine who are actually reading this -- I miss you guys!!!

Update and Change

Hello! Yes, I have decided to attempt this blogging thing once again, in case I have friends out there who are actually reading this thing. With more and more people moving far away, I thought this may actually be a good way to keep people up-to-date on our lives . . . Hence the title change! For those of you who know me, I tend to ramble. I've taken out the "spiritual" part of the title because I want to be able to post any thoughts I have and any updates on our lives . . . maybe then I'll actually use this! So, here goes . . . !