vegetarian vs. flexitarian
I've been debating between these two ways of eating based on how clean my body feels from my fast and this flexitarian book im reading. I feel like i am taking control of my health for the first time since all of my weight gain since i moved to NY. I'm actually researching to see what are the best things to put in my body...all of the whole grains, nuts, beans, fruits, veggies...all of these plant based food is a new way of eating that i enjoy. im finding out how natural fruit mixed with other things such as yogurt and a little honey can be fulfilling as a "dessert". As I was doing my 1 mile walk to the gym in the freezing cold last night ,...i asked myself why do i want to explore being a vegetarian. Ultimately it comes down to health reasons..i like how my body feels ...i havent had any asthma problems since i eliminated meat products which i thought was an interesting benefit I had read. So do i want to be a vegetarian? No its too limited in the long term...if i go to a non-vegetarian restaurant they are not alot of choices to choose from. So what about flexitarian...seems like the best of both worlds..plant based with occasional meat. then i really pondered and thought seems interesting but for once i want to do some elimination from what i normal eat. thinking about things that hubby tole me to do that i wouldn't normally do ..this falls right in. cause steph eliminating food....what crime is this? i love party in my mouths of all types of food. But i realized food has become too important to me. Don't get me wrong i will always love food and eat a variety of it but right now i think i have an unhealthy relationship with it and i need to remove it and get to the core of why food plays such an important part of my life. so after bumming around the Internet and finding all types of forms of being a vegetarian I came across the term "Pescatarian". Basically I would eat plant based food and seafood. ..no other meats. I like that....i LOVE my seafood and this seems like a healthy way of eating because im still eating plant based food so thats my decision. For 2011 I'm committing myself to abstaining from meat except seafood. I also realized for special occasions or events i will allow myself a free day where i can indulge in desserts. I'm perfectly fine with that if overall I'm eating clean.
Sketchbook Project Finished
The theme i picked from a list of themes was "The Greatest Story Ever Told." So after several ideas i settled on my fav bible stories as the subject matter. i decided to not draw faces because i knew i would get caught up in the detail and not produce the amount necessary and not just be in my space. I was stressing because i only had a week to finish the sketchook then i ran across a blog where someone said they are perfrorated for a reason and most people tear out the pages that they didnt finish (cheaters! but then said what a great idea..i know terrible but i was on a deadline). alas is the final product.
i love this song
I first heard it at CityLight and i was a mess and i just heard it on Joel sunday and unknowingly just played when listening to christian music.
Mailing-Be a Risk Taker! Joshual 1:9
Joyce, one of my spiritual teachers who has been instrumental in my walk sends encouraging letters several times a year. Always one the first of the year (last couple of years she usually encloses magnets as well). When i came home from the gym (yay) i noticed there was a letter from her but not with my name but my hubby's. like a spoiled child i was wondering where is my letter? ill just open his and pretend its mine. as always joyce is right on time... it was titled ,"2011 the year to take Risks...God's way."
The letter is not speaking of thrill seeker risks but talking about God having great things in store for each of us and for us to experience these things we cant always play it safe and never get out of our comfort zone.Joyce goes on to say the number tool the devil uses to keep us where we are is fear, He wants us to be afraid ..afraid of making a mistake, afraid of looking silly, afraid of being judged, afraid of being laughed at, afraid of not doing what God has called us to do. Living in fear stops our progress . Joyce says each day we should intentionally asked the Lord, "God what do you want to do through me today?" And here's the key ...expect him to answer us. Once God speaks o us we cant expect that goal to happen by itself and we cant put it off due to our natural tendency of fear. we have to learn how to do it afraid because when God asks you to do something he will give us the opportunity and ability to do it and he will then take care of us when we do.
As i read more I thought this statement was so powerful and it reminded me of something J told me days ago:
Don't play it safe. Dont be afraid if change. Dont settle for living in your comfort zones. Be adventurous and so something you've never done before. Make a decision to boldly go for the things God's called you to do.
Get alone with God and see what He wants to do in you and through you in the coming season. Expect to hear from HIM and be prepared because its a risky thing to do --He just might call you out of your comfort zone.
The letter is not speaking of thrill seeker risks but talking about God having great things in store for each of us and for us to experience these things we cant always play it safe and never get out of our comfort zone.Joyce goes on to say the number tool the devil uses to keep us where we are is fear, He wants us to be afraid ..afraid of making a mistake, afraid of looking silly, afraid of being judged, afraid of being laughed at, afraid of not doing what God has called us to do. Living in fear stops our progress . Joyce says each day we should intentionally asked the Lord, "God what do you want to do through me today?" And here's the key ...expect him to answer us. Once God speaks o us we cant expect that goal to happen by itself and we cant put it off due to our natural tendency of fear. we have to learn how to do it afraid because when God asks you to do something he will give us the opportunity and ability to do it and he will then take care of us when we do.
As i read more I thought this statement was so powerful and it reminded me of something J told me days ago:
Don't play it safe. Dont be afraid if change. Dont settle for living in your comfort zones. Be adventurous and so something you've never done before. Make a decision to boldly go for the things God's called you to do.
Get alone with God and see what He wants to do in you and through you in the coming season. Expect to hear from HIM and be prepared because its a risky thing to do --He just might call you out of your comfort zone.
Revisting
Last night for some reason I went to my old church website from MD (the last church I was a member before i went on the search for another church home because i no longer felt fed there). I think i was longing for how i felt about church once i got involved ..it felt like i belonged.
I was still pretty shy and reserved so i still didnt have any group of friends there but i cant remembering caring much about that (being in the company of some acquaintances was fine with me). i wanted to get involved and the ministry that spoke to me most was ushering. I remember how much love i felt when i first entered the sanctuary doors for the first time and i wanted to give that away. I remembered how good it was to use some of my natural talents (that im so glad to see you warm embrace and smile, ushering someone to their seat, maintaining order). i remember what it was like to be in anticipation of the messages God had given my woman and man of God to speak because God was speaking truth in every message and when a message didnt apply to me it was so good anyway. i remembering actually arriving early for church in anticipation of getting in worship and being with other believers.
my church in NY i loved (yes past tense) for different reasons ..the true worship (which was awesome), laid back casual food for thought, bare essentials of a sanctaury. after my pastor took a sabbatical something changed in the church (everything changed...the worship was off (literally) the messages from guest speakers were decent and slowly i stopped going.) i think i wrote in my blog before how different the church felt when the pastor returned. i no longer wanted this church to be home so slowly surely i stopped going and was determined to find another church despite my husband talking about keeping my commitment to this church since i joined. im a person who is faithful to the end but i dont believe in staying somewhere where you are no longer fed because i've committed. so once again i am thinking about looking for another church home.
It's funny looking at my old church website and how much its a distant memory. It doesnt feel like I was once a member mainly because it doesnt seem to fit who i am today. Even the pastors look so different (literally)..the male pastor got hair plugs and he's slimmer. lol. But as i was looking at various pics and how the church has really evolved i was reminded of a fast that we used to do every January which was always a wonderful time with each other and individual time with God. The first and last time i fasted was with them. i think im at place where i really need to figure some things out..one on one time with God..i need to figure out next steps with the church, certification, opening myself up to more, the departure of robin at the end of the month which is going to effect me deeper that i realize. i just know i need to be in preparation, expectation, prayer all around. i need one on one time with God so i'm going to participate in the fast. The month long fast starts out with no meats, no sweets, no soda, no coffee, no caffeine or decaf and apparently added a line sometime today that i didnt see until 3 no eating between 6 and 6. i think this will be good for me to deny my body (lawd knows i dont do that now) and focus on him. You know all of my churches have been instrumental in not only my spiritual growth but what was ahead of me for lack of a better word.....1. new life (home truly) 2. new life 3. victory 4. citylight (rediscover life).
I was still pretty shy and reserved so i still didnt have any group of friends there but i cant remembering caring much about that (being in the company of some acquaintances was fine with me). i wanted to get involved and the ministry that spoke to me most was ushering. I remember how much love i felt when i first entered the sanctuary doors for the first time and i wanted to give that away. I remembered how good it was to use some of my natural talents (that im so glad to see you warm embrace and smile, ushering someone to their seat, maintaining order). i remember what it was like to be in anticipation of the messages God had given my woman and man of God to speak because God was speaking truth in every message and when a message didnt apply to me it was so good anyway. i remembering actually arriving early for church in anticipation of getting in worship and being with other believers.
my church in NY i loved (yes past tense) for different reasons ..the true worship (which was awesome), laid back casual food for thought, bare essentials of a sanctaury. after my pastor took a sabbatical something changed in the church (everything changed...the worship was off (literally) the messages from guest speakers were decent and slowly i stopped going.) i think i wrote in my blog before how different the church felt when the pastor returned. i no longer wanted this church to be home so slowly surely i stopped going and was determined to find another church despite my husband talking about keeping my commitment to this church since i joined. im a person who is faithful to the end but i dont believe in staying somewhere where you are no longer fed because i've committed. so once again i am thinking about looking for another church home.
It's funny looking at my old church website and how much its a distant memory. It doesnt feel like I was once a member mainly because it doesnt seem to fit who i am today. Even the pastors look so different (literally)..the male pastor got hair plugs and he's slimmer. lol. But as i was looking at various pics and how the church has really evolved i was reminded of a fast that we used to do every January which was always a wonderful time with each other and individual time with God. The first and last time i fasted was with them. i think im at place where i really need to figure some things out..one on one time with God..i need to figure out next steps with the church, certification, opening myself up to more, the departure of robin at the end of the month which is going to effect me deeper that i realize. i just know i need to be in preparation, expectation, prayer all around. i need one on one time with God so i'm going to participate in the fast. The month long fast starts out with no meats, no sweets, no soda, no coffee, no caffeine or decaf and apparently added a line sometime today that i didnt see until 3 no eating between 6 and 6. i think this will be good for me to deny my body (lawd knows i dont do that now) and focus on him. You know all of my churches have been instrumental in not only my spiritual growth but what was ahead of me for lack of a better word.....1. new life (home truly) 2. new life 3. victory 4. citylight (rediscover life).
Taking it all Back
I would like to start out my first entry of this year with something my brother in law Ryan posted on his fb page and a text I received from my hubby's best friend West. It's nothing new and something we have heard before but i think it serves as a good reminder.
Ryan post:
Can I be real? Stop letting your mind play tricks on you to think you had to wait for the ball to drop to become the "New" you. The evolution of self can and should be achieved with a new thought, in a new moment, not necessarily with a New year. Celebrate life everyday and realize that the day you decided to truly make a change is the day you genuinely have changed. Much Love. Happy New Years.
That type of statement is so true so why do we say this to ourselves every year..its a new year and now it will be different because its a fresh start? Fresh starts happen everyday. In yesterday's post I said God's grace is renewing everyday so at anytime you can be a new you. Starting over in the new year always seems enticing but is it longstanding?Are we ready to make the change? As we all know it doesn't happen with a flip of a switch thats its a new year but a flip off the switch inside ourselves that i can no longer function like this. There's something inside of us that stands up. So personally i think we should forget about new years resolutions, new year of reinventing me but instead see it as a new year to see God show himself strong in us, in our lives, and those around us.
Hubby's best friend West text:
Happy New Year! i hope 2011 gives you more than what 2010 did...then again, instead of waiting to get something from 2011, u might want to take it instead.
What I like about what West said was the aggressive not passive way about how to act in this year. I think each year we should be growing stronger in the Lord. Each year strongholds should be removed and we realize who our Lord is and not our issues that we are dealing with. Am I saying its easy? no. its a process.... sometimes it takes years, sometimes months, sometimes days..it all depends on the issue but one day you will get up again. One day you realize i'm going to take back what is mine. So when i read West's text I was reminded one one of my fav songs years back by Tye Tribett song called I Want It all back. So after many changes on the title I came across the new name of my blog walking in the fullness of God. Because its time for me to step out more & more into living for God, trying new experiences, opening myself up to new opportunities because God has given us all of the land...its time to possess it. It's time to take back everything!!!
It's Not Over!!!!
Ryan post:
Can I be real? Stop letting your mind play tricks on you to think you had to wait for the ball to drop to become the "New" you. The evolution of self can and should be achieved with a new thought, in a new moment, not necessarily with a New year. Celebrate life everyday and realize that the day you decided to truly make a change is the day you genuinely have changed. Much Love. Happy New Years.
That type of statement is so true so why do we say this to ourselves every year..its a new year and now it will be different because its a fresh start? Fresh starts happen everyday. In yesterday's post I said God's grace is renewing everyday so at anytime you can be a new you. Starting over in the new year always seems enticing but is it longstanding?Are we ready to make the change? As we all know it doesn't happen with a flip of a switch thats its a new year but a flip off the switch inside ourselves that i can no longer function like this. There's something inside of us that stands up. So personally i think we should forget about new years resolutions, new year of reinventing me but instead see it as a new year to see God show himself strong in us, in our lives, and those around us.
Hubby's best friend West text:
Happy New Year! i hope 2011 gives you more than what 2010 did...then again, instead of waiting to get something from 2011, u might want to take it instead.
What I like about what West said was the aggressive not passive way about how to act in this year. I think each year we should be growing stronger in the Lord. Each year strongholds should be removed and we realize who our Lord is and not our issues that we are dealing with. Am I saying its easy? no. its a process.... sometimes it takes years, sometimes months, sometimes days..it all depends on the issue but one day you will get up again. One day you realize i'm going to take back what is mine. So when i read West's text I was reminded one one of my fav songs years back by Tye Tribett song called I Want It all back. So after many changes on the title I came across the new name of my blog walking in the fullness of God. Because its time for me to step out more & more into living for God, trying new experiences, opening myself up to new opportunities because God has given us all of the land...its time to possess it. It's time to take back everything!!!
It's Not Over!!!!
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