Fun With A Mick's Up

As we begin a new year, let us be looking for the good in the bad.

Beauty among the scary

I hope you have many good memories of 2020. 

Although people will say it has been a strange year, and some may even say it’s been awful, our God is bigger than anything in 2020. 

I pray you are safe and healthy, with no worries of finances or food or shelter.

I first had the thought of writing this at the start of the pandemic lockdown.  I was enjoying the view from my home office window - the pink flowers on the tree in the Spring.

It was wonderful to watch the families enjoying the freshness of the new season, while walking and biking together down our street.  Our neighbor rode his wife's pink bike as his only mode of transportation, so he could go on a bike ride with his rambunctious little boy.  (I did notice in later weeks that they got a new bike or two.)

Real men ride their wives' pink bikes!

Before I knew it, the seasons were changing again.  We, as a family, got involved in home projects... or just spending time together in various ways.  The world had interesting things happening.  I got pulled into my work and other goings-on more than previously.  Our country was making major decisions.  Friends were needing extra prayer.  My daughter's senior year was well underway, as were her preparations for next year's move to college.

Sign of times changing

I noticed the pretty pink flowers were no longer there, and the green leaves were soon replaced with orange.  The birds were still playing among the branches, singing up a storm!  (I figured out I have become an amateur bird watcher.)

It wasn't long before we were spending more time shopping online for gifts to give out over the Christmas holiday! 

All this to say, time is going to move forward, whether or not we like our current situation, and especially even if we're not ready.  We need to remember to take time to see the beauty among the scary.  We need to keep a good attitude, looking for the good things that might be hidden under what seems to be only bad.  

One of the 5 Essentials is a healthy mindset.  

If things are going well for you, this might seem like a simple task, but it's still an important reminder. 

If you are going through really difficult times, I am so sorry!  I wish I could take them away for you.  Please share with me or someone near to you, and ask a prayer warrior to help you take these concerns to God.  Our Lord wants to spend time with you, His creation.  Do you know Him as your Father?  If so, remember you are His child.  Climb up on his lap, snuggle up in His arms, and cry your tears of sadness.  He wants to take care of you.  

If you do not know God as your Father, please consider praying to Him.  When you are ready, admit to Him that you are not perfect, and humble yourself enough to admit you have sinned.  Believe He has provided a way out of those sins and that life that is empty without Him, by offering to you His gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross as punishment for your sins, and His resurrection from the grave, to give us hope for life with Him in heaven.  Then claim that gift as your own.

It seems impossible to me to have a healthy mindset without God and a relationship with Christ.  I am praying you know Him.  If you want to know more, please contact me.

Have a 2021 that outshines your 2020 in more ways than you can imagine!  

Blessings!  

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P.S.

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Today on social media were a few posts good enough to share here.  Enjoy!

"As we look back on 2020 and prepare to start a new year, we are grateful that the Lord is faithful and completely trustworthy no matter the circumstances." - @uvalleyforge 

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. May your pages be filled with growth, love, and gratitude." - @accordochiropractic

"I still don't know what I'm wearing to the living room New Year's Eve.  I might not even go." - @CoastalVaMag

"Command those who are rich in this present world

not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,

which is so uncertain,

but to put their hope in God,

who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

1 Timothy 6:17 NIV

Why is a Ninja Turtle in the Mick’s up?

I know two little girls, who rescued a little Red Eared Slider, and took care of it like a pet. They researched online how to give “Freddie” the best chance at survival.

These little girls nurtured the turtle, by providing shelter, food, water… you know, the necessities… plus what his little heart might desire, like walks, swim time and lots of love and attention.

Even with all this care, the turtle was still skeptical, non-trusting, even scared.

In a way, that sounds like us.

God is a loving Father, and He adores us.

He blesses us with all our necessities, plus the desires of our hearts.

Even with all this care, we are still skeptical, non-trusting, even scared.

We try to do things on our own, trusting in our own abilities, instead of trusting the One who knows what we truly need for ultimate survival.

Is that where you are today?

Are you terrified, confused, trying to make sense of it all?

Stop.

There is a Rescuer.  
("Like a hero in a dream, Christ came, and He rescued me." from "Tell the World" by Lecrae)

There is a Comforter.

Look for His hand.  In it, you'll find peace, blessings, guidance.

Trust Him.  He knows what you need.

Tell Him you will trust Him.  Tell Him you will let Him take care of you.

Once you do, you can rest.  You can enjoy being His child.

"Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

Isaiah 49:13 (NIV) 

~

Happy Mick's up New Year

3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!!

How did you bring in the New Year?

It was fun to think of where around the globe it was turning 2013 at different hours throughout the day.  Even while I write this, it's still not 2013 where I am, and when it's completed and the first readers see it, the count-down will still be going in other parts of the world.


We look ahead, and the usual thing to do, of course, is to set goals for success and self-improvement.  I don't like to make New Year's Resolutions, because of a fear of failure, I think.  However, I do admit that I consider what habits I plan to change.  We all know, though, (don't we?) that a person is more likely to accomplish the goals, when they are written down. Maybe that should be my New Year's Resolution for 2013:  write down the goals!

However, not only is it good to look ahead.  It is also good to look back and see how we've grown.


This week, I have seen and heard several wonderful bits of advice for how to ring in the New Year.  As my 100th post in this Mick's up Life, what better way to celebrate than to be an encouragement for anyone wishing to make the most of the upcoming 365 days?!

Here are the tidbits I collected from some very wise sources:

• List out what God has done for you over the past year. Thank those who have been influential in your life. Forgive. ("How to End the Year" by Doug Phillips of  Vision Forum Ministries)
• Put on the right "clothing," as listed in Colossians 3:12-14: "... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... forgive... And over all these virtues put on love...." ("My New Wardrobe For 2013" by Rev. William Dillon II)
• Praise God for the history of His marvelous deeds. ("He Has Done Great Things" by Michaele Lavigne in Reflecting God: Devotions for Holy Living) 
• Keep focused on the big picture!  Don't let little stresses take your eyes off the real goal and what is truly important overall.  As Romans 15:13 says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  ("The Big Picture" by Joni Eareckson Tada)

"Reflect upon your present blessings,

of which every man has many - 

not on your past misfortunes,

of which all men have some."

(Charles Dickens)

Take some time right now to reflect, praise, and move forward!

Happy New Year!

Enjoy this song I was just introduced to today:
Happy New Year by Steven Curtis Chapman.  

"The God who made everything is making everything new."

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!"

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

~

We Mick's up Thanks Again

"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill…

there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings."

November 1623, Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony

“Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts


Remembering the 1st Thanksgiving

(Original Post Date 2011)

For those of us from the United States, this week is a celebration of Thanksgiving. It’s wonderful to think back to the origin, back to the Pilgrim times, when they endured so much hardship, but still found energy and reason to be thankful.

I am thankful for leaders with wisdom enough to remind us to be thankful: Henry Laurens, President of Continental Congress 1777; President George Washington, National Thanksgiving Proclamation 1795; President Abraham Lincoln, first annual National Day of Thanksgiving 1863, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people…” (Catherine Millard "Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day")

I am thankful, also, for a God we can trust to place us right where we need to be, even when we don’t see it. Squanto found that out, over his life, and we are thankful God placed him where he could help the Pilgrims. (Squanto--God's Special Indian a Thanksgiving Story)

Finally, I am thankful for creative artists who are able to get the point of the holiday across to us in a way we understand and remember:
“In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.’” (Linus Van Pelt – From a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving)

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Chronicles 29:12-14 (NIV)

~

Mick’s up With the Skinny

Some readers might view this blog’s purpose as an advertisement for one of the “next best” diet fads.

That certainly is not the case.

I have not been one to jump on the nearest bandwagon.  Ask my hubby.  Just yesterday we had a brief discussion in which he assured me that he knows I keep far, far away from anything cliché.  (In other words, I don’t choose the “popular” route, and I despise fads.)

Many people in my circle of acquaintances approach me proudly to tell of a recipe they like to use that has “low fat” this and “nonfat” that.  I actually take offense to those statements.  True.  I shouldn’t.  However, it feels like an insult, because never do I mention those phrases in my information.  The reason is:  They usually have nothing to do with my main objective for sharing what I’ve learned, but instead those phrases give the impression that “diet” and “weight loss” are the tactics involved.

Basically all the health information I share boils down to this: Healthy cells and spines allow the body to function at 100%.
 
Do you want to be and remain cancer-free?  Are you hoping to make your children’s lives as disease-free as possible?  Does your family health history scare you?

I don’t think the catwalk is where you’ll find the answers you need for true health.

You are beautiful just the way God made you!  Your family and friends want to celebrate life with you for a long, long time.  That alone should be enough of a reason to work at being 100% healthy.  Isn’t it?!

Jonny Diaz sings a song that says it well: “More Beautiful You.”  Enjoy the video link below.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

~

Mick's up with Horses

You can lead a horse to water...

I am enjoying time with my parents, away from the every-day chores and monotony.

The expectations I had of these couple of weeks included journaling, catching up on reading, relaxing, exercising, and starting back up on blogging.

Well, what I did not expect was to have so many horses around to love.

My parents are boarding horses for the summer, in order to have animals around for the grandchildren during their visit.  Along with these horses came a pony and her 3-month-old baby.  Who can ignore a baby?!  We have been working at teaching this baby to enjoy being around humans and to trust them to handle her.  We've made progress!  I'm going to hate to leave her.

During this wonderful time in horse heaven, I was reminded of a popular cliche.  Because of the hot temperatures we've experienced, several times I witnessed someone leading a horse to water, thinking they're being helpful.  You know the rest, "but you can't make it drink."  It's true!  Those horses won't drink just because you take them to water!

It's the same with health and lifestyle information.

I can take people to the information, but I can't make them live it.

It's that way for all of us.  We have a wealth of information we want to share with others, but it's up to others to do something with it.

Those of you who have information to share, hang in there!  Be faithful.  Keep up the good work.  I know you're out there!  I've had several heartfelt conversations this summer with people wanting this healthy lifestyle stuff to "click" for their loved ones.  I also know of hearts heavy with the burden of bringing friends and loved ones into the Kingdom of God.  It hurts to know they don't want to be saved from an eternity of torture.  It would be so easy for them to escape that.  We can't make them accept that gift that is at their fingertips.  It has to be their choice.

To those of you at the other end of the information (the lead rope, so to speak), nobody can make you (drink) understand or want to do something with that "water."  Please know it's all in love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

  that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned,  

but whoever does not believe stands condemned already

because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

John 3:16-18 (NIV)

~

A Goal-setting Mick’s up

My husband and I are excited to start off the new year debt free!!  Whew!  What a load off our shoulders!

We have made many dumb decisions over the years, but with the help of family along the way and financial common-sense taught in settings like Financial Peace University, we dug ourselves out of the mess, and now we can have a fresh start, doing it all the RIGHT way.

It is a wonderful feeling to not be in debt:  no car payments, no business debt, no college debt, no credit card payments.  It is amazing how much stress we don’t even realize we are putting on our bodies, when we are under the weight of debt.

It’s the same with all areas of our lives.  Do you have dreams, goals, a mission in life?

God wants us to be successful.  Follow His guidance.  Seek His direction.  Write out goals and a mission statement to help you be more productive where God wants you to be, so you can bring glory to Him.

To be more successful at reaching our goals, Dave Ramsey gives us some goal-setting techniques:  set a time limit, make it specific, take ownership, make it measurable, put it in writing.  He also guides us in clarifying our dreams and missions.

If finances is an area of focus for you this year, start out with developing an emergency fund.  That is an extremely important first step! From there, work on a budget, maybe even learning along the way through a class, like Financial Peace University. 

Of course, Dave Ramsey isn’t the only resource out there, even though my husband and I found his M.O. to be the most effective. There are other resources, such as Larry Burkett’s Financial Matters renamed to Crown Ministries, as well as Kerry K. Taylor’s blog Squawkfox, where you can find budgeting tools and the free eBook Frugal Food and Fitness.

If workouts is an area of focus for you this year, try using a workout log, and remember to only do a short amount at a time.  (Don’t discourage yourself!)  Why not add nutrition to that focus?  It does, after all, work together with exercise to bring you fitness. 

Now, just add proper rest and a healthy nervous system, and you’ll find yourself heading toward overall wellness!

While the holiday memories are still fresh in your mind, why not make use of the Holiday Expense Tracking Worksheet and be a step ahead for planning next Christmas?

Well, one of the changes I’m making for 2012 is not posting daily.  I will be changing my schedule to one or two posts weekly, instead.  I truly enjoy sharing my research with Mick’s up Life readers, and I can still supply the same amount of information, while reaching goals in other areas of my life at the same time.  Let me know if there are certain days, topics, etc. that you prefer reading. 

Now, go set those goals!  Happy achieving!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

~

A Mick’s up of Candy Canes

During this Christmastide, it’s fun to look at the history of the songs and treats of the holiday season.

There are several renditions of the meaning behind the 12 Days of Christmas*, even though some party-poopers say there is no secret message. 

Isaac Watts wrote many great hymns, after his dad challenged him to do better than the songs Isaac complained about at church, and one of those delights was Joy to the World.

Another wonderful Christmas carol is Silent Night.  My son has had fun learning the song this year in its original German.

The candy cane has a sweet story.  Whatever the version of the legend, let the candy cane be a reminder of what Christ has done for you.  The white symbolizes the purity of Christ.  The red stripes symbolize the punishment He went through, so that you don’t have to.  The peppermint is reminiscent of the hyssop, which stands for cleansing.

Let this be a Christmas season you’ll never forget.  If you haven’t ever done anything with the Truth of Christ for your own life, consider doing something now.  Admit that you haven’t lived a perfect life, haven’t followed all of God’s laws, won’t make it to heaven without help, need a savior.  Believe that Christ is that savior, that He came as a pure and perfect person not deserving of punishment, but taking on the consequence of your sin.  Claim that gift from God our Judge, that acquittal, that clean slate.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and with this new life, Happy Birthday!

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

*For fun, check out this Price Index for the 12 Days of Christmas.

~

Mick’s up Merry

Get the most out of your holiday.  Have fun, but also take care of yourself.  That way, you don’t have to take a vacation to recover from your vacation!

 
I read some great advice in an article, “The Holidays: The Most Important Time to Keep Yourself Well.”  Even though I’m all about avoiding sugar and other inflammatories as much as possible, I also say we need to plan for splurges.  The article puts it well:  “Have a blast and eat like it's your last meal for 3-4 meals (not days) over the Holidays (starting with the Christmas parties, right up until New Years).  Yet, remember it’s about God and others – both of whom want you to live a long and joyous life.  Continue to exercise, manage your peace, and make the other meals nutritious.”
 
So, with that said, let’s move on to the Central Nervous System and how you will take care of that during the holidays.  The Central Nervous System controls all function and healing in the body, which includes the immune system.  One great way to keep healthy this holiday season is by boosting your immune system.  If you have not been seeing a chiropractor, now would be a great time to start.  This one change in your lifestyle will be a wonderful boost to your immune system.

Here’s a great to-do list from the above-mentioned Holiday article:
- If you typically exercise four days per week, exercise five days per week! 
- If you get adjusted twice per month, visit your chiropractor three or four times during the month of December!
- If you typically “pig out” once a week, hold off and do it every two! -If you usually function on 6-8 hours of nightly sleep, give yourself 8-10 hours instead.

 

 

“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

 

 

~

Mick’s up with Peanuts



It's a Wonderful Movie - Blog

“The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven’t.” - William Arthur Ward

Yes, how true.  If we will just stop and be grateful for the things we’ve been blessed with, we might actually stop being so greedy.

Can you tell I am a bit frustrated with a conversation that happened in our house today?  Just when you think you’re raising your kidderz right, something like this hits you.  I can see we have a few more lessons to learn.

Why is it we allow ourselves to get so caught up in receiving gifts at Christmas time, that we push the purest and most valuable gift aside.  Does it get old after a while? I don’t think the true Christmas story can ever get old.  It’s been more than 2000 years, and like the bumper sticker I saw today says, Jesus is “still saving lives!”

Jesus Christ is the real reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday.  Sure, the gift-giving (and getting) is great… but what we are celebrating is even greater!

We all know what really happened that day long ago.  A wee little baby came into this world for you!  He’s your very own Savior!  No matter what you did over these years of your life, He loves you dearly.

I have an old tract from American Tract Society called “What Christmas Is All About.”  Highlighting Linus and his speech that answers that question of Charlie Brown’s, the tract states, “The Bible says that without Jesus, we are separated from God forever.  We can never be as perfect as He is.  Our sins, those bad things we do and say and think, go against what God wants for us… and like all bad things, our sins need to be punished.  So God sent Jesus to save us from that punishment.”

If you have never thanked God for that baby Jesus, who grew up to be your Knight in Shining Armor to rescue you from eternal torture, and if you have never allowed Jesus to be that Knight in Shining Armor for you, then what better way to celebrate this Christmas than to talk to Him right now.  Admit to God that you need to be rescued.  Believe that Jesus is that rescuer.  Claim the gift He has offered to you.

Yay!  Wooohooooo!  We’re celebrating with you! 

Forget about the list for Santa or wishlistr.   The freedom you’ll feel now is better than any gift anyone can give you for Christmas. 

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,

no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV)

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

~

Mick’s up with Emotional Toxins

We have learned that stress can come from all different areas, and it can affect our health.

We kind of touched on this with Mick’s up with Accountability, but let’s take a look at how the people we hang out with can be toxic.  Not only can they influence us in our eating patterns and our fitness, but they can also influence our attitude.

I’m sure you’ve heard about it.  A very popular topic that has been around is Toxic Friendships.

Like I’ve said before, I do believe that God wants us to be a blessing to everyone we encounter.  So, I’m not saying you should be selfish and think only of yourself and your own well-being.  However, it is important for you to stay as healthy as you can, so you can keep on efficiently doing work for God as long as possible.  You do not want to have to take time away from what God wants you to do, all because you didn’t take care of yourself to begin with, and then you have to concentrate on yourself more, so you can heal from being sick.

---

“Those who fail to take the time to be healthy

will ultimately have to take the time to be sick.”

(Dr. James Chappell)

---

You know all the warnings we give our kidderz about being careful in choosing the types of people they hang around.  Why should it be different for us?  We can be bombarded by emotional toxins (negativity, discouragement, pessimism, worry, fear, put-downs and verbal abuse, etc.), just as easily as chemical toxins. 


At the same time, true friendship can be a great antidote to what ails us.  What a blessing!

Be a friend to those who need a friend, but make sure your relationships remain healthy, so that you can remain healthy.

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

~

Why the Mick’s up of Thanks

"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill…

there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings."

November 1623, Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony

“Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts


Remembering the 1st Thanksgiving

 

For those of us from the United States, this week is a celebration of Thanksgiving.  It’s wonderful to think back to the origin, back to the Pilgrim times, when they endured so much hardship, but still found energy and reason to be thankful.

I am thankful for leaders with wisdom enough to remind us to be thankful:  Henry Laurens, President of Continental Congress 1777; President George Washington, National Thanksgiving Proclamation 1795; President Abraham Lincoln, first annual National Day of Thanksgiving 1863, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people…” (Catherine Millard "Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day")

I am thankful, also, for a God we can trust to place us right where we need to be, even when we don’t see it.  Squanto found that out, over his life, and we are thankful God placed him where he could help the Pilgrims. (Squanto--God's Special Indian a Thanksgiving Story)

Finally, I am thankful for creative artists who are able to get the point of the holiday across to us in a way we understand and remember:
“In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast.  They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food.  Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests.  Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land.  We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.’” (Linus Van Pelt – From a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving)

 

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Chronicles 29:12-14 (NIV)

~

Mick’s up Over the Hedge

“Hammy the Squirrel: What is that?
RJ: That, my friend, is a magical combination of corn flour, dehydrated cheese solids, BHA, BHT, and good old MSG; a.k.a., the chip, nacho cheese flavor.” - Over the Hedge

---

Do you every feel that way, when you get close to a bag of chips or other processed food?  Admit it.  We’ve all been there!

We all have something that is a big temptation to us and is really difficult to stay away from. You might feel like Hammy:

---

“RJ: Do you like this cookie?
Hammy the Squirrel: I like the cookie!
RJ: [Throws cookie away] Well this cookie's JUNK!
Hammy the Squirrel: I like a cookie...” - Over the Hedge

---

Yes, I’m telling you some of your favorite things, maybe a box of cookies, chips with ingredients similar to what R.J. listed out, cereal, bread, and soda are “junk!”


Beware!  Read the ingredient list on everything.  If you want to make a difference in your life and see a change in your figure and your health, keep all the ingredients simple.  Not only that, but be sure the ingredient lists don’t include sugar, artificial sweeteners, or the “usual” grains. (If you must have bread/grains, go for something like Ezekiel Bread or use alternatives almond meal/flour.) 


I only tell you this because I’ve been there. I know what’s out there and how easily we get attached to it.  It’s so much better on the other side of the hedge, though.  Stay away from the humans’ stuff (man food, aka fake food).  Stick with the real stuff (God food)… what we were meant to eat, when the world was created.

(Please don’t misunderstand me, thinking I’m saying go vegetarian.  I don’t have knowledge on that topic.  I still eat meat… plenty of it!  If you go vegetarian, then all I can say about it is: be sure you’ve done your research.)
 
Stay healthy, everyone!
 

“…you will eat the plants of the field…”

Genesis 3:18 (NIV)

Disclaimer:  I do not recommend reading all the quotes from “Over the Hedge.”  Sadly, they are not family-friendly.

~

Why Mick’s Calories?

Since I missed a post yesterday, due to my computer being held hostage by a 13-year-old’s LAN party, I am combining my exercise day with my nutrition day into one topic:  Calories.

Most of us have gotten used to the formula: 
calories in < calories out = lower weight

I don’t know about you, but I was never good at counting calories.  It was way too time-consuming for me.  I was so happy to find out it isn’t necessary!

“Playing the calorie counting game doesn’t work.  It overlooks and ignores the impact stress and diet have on your hormones,” says nutrition and fitness expert Dr. Len Lopez, creator of The Work Horse Trainer.  “The reason people aren’t efficiently burning stored body fat has nothing to do with the amount of calories they ate or burned, and more to do with what regulates their metabolism.”  Dr. Lopez goes on to explain that our metabolism is controlled mostly by hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, insulin, and glucagon.  He offers a Calorie Burning Test and lists out ways to Stay in Your Fat-Burning Zone.


As we see in Mick’s up Exercising, we can decrease cortisol by following interval training or surge types of exercise, whereas some longer duration exercise may actually increase that stress hormone.  Exercise is obviously good for increased breathing (as Dr. Lopez suggests is good for decreasing the stress, cortisol, and adrenaline), and this style of exercise improves metabolism.

Eating the right foods also improves metabolism.  Eating a breakfast such as eggs cooked in coconut oil can be beneficial (and yummy!).  Dr. Lopez states:  “Take a look at your diet. You cannot skip meals or eat refined, junk food.  It causes your blood sugar to drop and stimulates your adrenals to make additional cortisol and adrenaline.  Make sure you eat breakfast and it includes good protein and fats.  A predominately high carb breakfast, like cereal or bagels, will throw your blood sugar off for most of the day.  Good protein and fats at each meal will help reduce the surge of insulin and will stimulate the production of glucagon, which aids in the breakdown of fats.”

Also concentrating on another hormone called leptin instead of calories will help you understand weight-loss resistance and how to find success by getting past the calories in/calories out thinking. 

Just like we can be a new creation through faith in Christ and the amazing love of God, we can feel like a new person when we live simpler, healthier lives.  Plus, we can forget about the “old” way of thinking in terms of calories, and consider the “new” way of thinking in terms of allowing our bodies to process hormones properly, the way they were meant to.  Who doesn’t want simpler?

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

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Mick’s up Kids and Birthdays

Yay!  Celebrating kidderz is fun! 

We have had fun, wishing my son a happy birthday.

What’s the best birthday present we can give our kidderz?  I think the gift of healthy living is a wonderful thing:  teaching them what to avoid and what to include, in order to see many more healthy birthdays to come.

Are we perfect?  No.  Do we splurge with food once in a while?  Of course.

As my husband and I felt the regret this morning from eating sugar and breads last night, he made a great statement (and I told him I have to share it):  “Ice cream cake will kill ya!”

I’m heading to sleep right now, to recover from the effects of our splurges (messed up sinuses, fatigue, low back pain, etc… all because we enjoyed a few helpings of toxins, like carbs/sugars, which cause inflammation).  Was it worth it?  In all honesty… I think so… shhhhh… don’t tell anyone!

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours…”

Luke 15:32 (NIV)

Remember:  You are loved.  You are special to God, your Creator.

Imagine:  All heaven celebrates, when you choose to be reborn!

Don’t miss out on a glorious eternity!

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Mick’s in a Reboot

Do you need a reboot?

There are days like that, aren’t there?

A great video by Educhiro helps you visualize just how the nervous system is like a network of signals in a computer.

If our bodies are similar to a computer, then doesn’t that only make sense that we need a reboot once in a while, just like a computer does?

Your brain is sending messages to the rest of your body, so you can function.  If you need to reboot that system, then that means there is a stress interfering with the messages and function.

Your spine is protecting your spinal cord, which is helping deliver the messages.  If stress has caused the spine to put pressure on any of the nerves, then there is an interference.  An interference means there is a decrease in function of the part of the body those stressed nerves are going to.

A chiropractor will help you reboot, in this situation.  A specific, gentle movement of the spine by the doctor will take the pressure off the nerves, and your system will have a reboot. 

Now, doesn’t that feel so much better?  You have clear data passageways.  The messages from the brain now have a proper path to travel, so your body can do its work more easily. 

You’re ready for a fresh start!

Don’t forget to clear out the interference between you and the Source of life, too!

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

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