She's my LifterSister

Prayer
Dear Lord -- When I am broken and bent, I need You more than ever. I pray for Your comfort and peace in times of trouble. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Exercise
I received horrible news today. One way I've learned to deal with my disappointment, anger, and frustration is to work out with heavy weights. I was glad to have my friend over to strength train -- as well as talk -- with. She's my "LifterSister" - a friend who shares your interest in lifting weights, loves you like a sister, and provides an emotional lift when you're feeling low.

Bible Truth
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)

Healthy Eating
I'm afraid that one of my worst times for eating is when I am upset. Unlike some people who can't eat when they're angry or disappointed, I tend to eat and eat and eat. Tonight my victim was Black Jack Cherry Frozen Yogourt.

Take it where you can get it

Prayer
Dear Lord -- I pray that as I go about my day, You will continue to hold my hand and walk with me. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Exercise

Today, I worked at an elementary school where I had to provide yard supervision over the lunch hour. Instead of standing in a corner to watch the children, I decided to take a brisk walk around the perimeter...and around and around. It added up to a good cardio workout that I didn't expect. I'll take it where I can get it.

Bible Truth
Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea (Micah 7;18-19)

Healthy Eating
Tonight my kids were in the mood for McDonalds (who am I kidding...me too!) My husband and daughter both ordered a plain hamburger, my son a BigMac, and I went for my favourite Grilled Chicken Sandwich. I checked out the stats on our favourites and was pleasantly surprised that the grilled chicken did well in terms of low calories and fat -- relatively speaking, that is. The hamburger (as boring as it is) had the least amount of calories at 250 cal, with 9 grams of fat and 520 mg of sodium. My chicken had 350 cal, 9 gr fat and 820 mg sodium. The BigMac? Not so good -- 540 calories, 29 g of fat and 1040 mg of sodium. Eeep. I need to talk to my son about his choice. The most astonishing food on the menu? Angus Chipotle BBQ Bacon with a heart-stopping 800 calories, 39 grams of fat and 2020 mg of sodium. Yikes!

All or Nothing

Prayer
Dear Lord -- I pray that You pump me full of Your energy and lift my spirits when I am feeling low. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Exercise
Last week was a wash. I worked out on Monday but because of scheduling difficulties I couldn't get together with my friend to work out together the rest of the week. So instead of working out on my own, I did nothing. You'd think that I would know better. In fact, I do know better...it's just that knowing and doing are two different things. I'm back on track this week. I pray that I will keep up my healthy regime, with or without a partner.

Bible Truth
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in Him (1 John 4:16).

Healthy Eating
I'm sure you've heard of the term, "All or Nothing". That's how I feel about the last week. I didn't exercise, and because I was feeling sloth-like I bent the rules on eating. I chose unhealthy foods, and too many of them, too often. Today is a new day!

To Rest or Not to Rest

Prayer
Dear Father -- I thank You for Your faithfulness. Even when, especially when, I am so undeserving. You are gracious, and full of mercy.

Exercise
My friend came over today to workout, however, she was not feeling well. After two sets of squats, she had to sit down for fear she would get sick. It's essential to recognize when it's more important to stop exercising and give the body rest than to continue to work out for the sake of exercise. Hopefully, she will be on the mend later in the week and we can resume our strength training session together.

Bible Truth
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power (Nahum 1:3)

Healthy Eating
On occasion I get a craving for honey. I love to smear gobs of it on hot, buttered toast. Jordan S. Rubin claims that honey is one of the top healing foods. In his book, The Maker's Diet, he says, "Honey is one of the most powerful healing foods we have at our disposal. Generations of grandmothers prepared hot honey drinks to soothe sore throats, calm frayed nerves, and ensure a good night's sleep. Asthmatics often swear by honey's ability to help them breathe easier. Honey wipes out bacteria that cause diarrhea. And honey may eliminate such disease-causing bacteria as salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, and cholera."

In Everything Give Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. In thinking about all that I am thankful for I feel blessed to be a Canadian!

Prayer
Dear Lord -- I thank You for Your wonderful bounty. I thank You for Your beautiful land. I thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. You truly are an awesome God. There is none like You. Thank You for loving me.

Exercise
I am thankful that I have the physical stamina to enjoy a bicyle ride with my kids and sister-in-law, followed by a hike in the woods with my dog. I am thankful that my lungs, heart and muscles all work as God intended. I am thankful that I have health...the best wealth.

Bible Truth
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Healthy Eating
I am thankful for the abundance of food that I have to eat. I am thankful for the senses I have to enjoy this food. I am thankful that my husband is a great cook (and baker) who really likes to do it.

The Evils of Wheat

Prayer
Dear Lord -- Thank You for Your daily sunshine. I love waking up to blue skies that last all day. I can only imagine what heaven will be like when You are the only Light that shines.

Exercise
You know you've worked out hard when...

I wanted to call my girlfriend on the phone and scream, "Owwww". When I told her this, she said that she would've known exactly what I was referring to. We had done butt and leg exercises the day before. These exercises included the squat, the lunge, and the romanian deadlift. Such names should hint to the pain in our rear ends the day after. Butt (pun intended) I am hoping for a more rounded backside because of it!

Bible Truth
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Healthy Eating
Does anyone else feel as frustrated as I do at the conflicting information that saturates all media? Just when I think I'm getting a pretty good handle on what constitutes healthy eating, an article like the one from Macleans comes out. This article called, On the evils of wheat, goes to lengths to convince the average Canadian that eating wheat leads to weight gain. When I asked a nutritionist today, she shuddered and explained how disgusted she felt at the misinformation that this article spreads. Who do I believe? Who would you believe?

Salsa Kicks

Prayer
Dear Lord -- I pray that I will never forget that You love me unconditionally. Your love is deep and everlasting. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Exercise

Today, another banner autumn day in Canada, begged me to get outdoors. The temperature soared to a high of 17 degrees, so I donned shorts once again and invited my parents for a bike ride from Peterborough to Lakefield on the Rotary Greenway Trail. Each way is a one-hour bike ride. My parents are in their 70s! If you've ever wondered where I got my inspiration to exercise, now you know.

Bible Truth
The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

Healthy Eating
I grew up on meat, potatoes, and veggies at every meal. I still love my meat and potatoes, although veggies have returned to my plate mostly in raw form. And I've changed from gravy or butter on my potatoes to slathering them with salsa. Salsa is a healthy choice made from tomato paste, diced tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions, vinegar, salt, and garlic powder. What a kick to a plain potato!

Birthday treats

Prayer

Dear Father -- Thank You for another glorious year to celebrate life. I feel so special and loved. You surround me with family and friends and I am forever grateful.

Exercise

Today I not only got to workout with my girlfriend -- and we did some heavy leg work -- but my kids treated me to a walk through Medd's Mountain. Although it was muddy, I was elated to wear shorts in October and spend an hour taking in the autumn sites and sounds with my two children. What a treat!

Bible Truth

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).

Healthy Eating

My husband asked me what I would like for dinner tonight...anything I wanted he would make for me. My decision? Easy...steak! He makes the best steaks, that would be a meal in and of themselves, but then he adds yorkshire pudding. I feel so spoiled.

Trent Sanctuary Walk

Prayer
Dear God -- I pray that You will teach me Your ways and that I may hear Your voice each day. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Exercise

Is there any better exercise than a hike through the autumn woods? With your daughter? For 2 hours? What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. My daughter and I walked all three trails at the Trent University Wildlife Santuary Nature Area. Beauty in nature, beauty in my child....a beautiful afternoon.

Bible Truth

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Healthy Eating
I discovered a blog that offers interesting posts on healthy eating, with colourful photos and how-to tips by a registered holistic nutritionist. It is a new blog called, Real Food Matters, that introduces different topics by way of the alphabet. You haven't missed much -- Karen's at "c is for cabbage" -- so venture over and join me in this journey of learning.