JOYfilledWELLNESS

Stress

February 7, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Fitness, Journal Entry, Stress 2 Comments

It’s the number one reason why I seem to always let my health take a back sit. It’s a vicious cycle. Stress leads me to poor eating, poor fitness, and poor sleep – all of which cause me more stress. Depression is also mixed-up in the stress. I pray to stay rooted in Christ but I often fail. That is what disappoints me most.

I struggle with discerning if my lack of will is due to my flesh or actual ailments. Regardless of the cause, when I fail to eat properly and maintain a basic level of fitness, I fail to give a “Yes” to Him.

I strive to glorify God with all that I have been blessed with, including my body. I desire to maintain optimal health (that He wills me to have) to better fulfill my vocation.

I offer my failures to Him and humbly ask for the grace to move forward.

I will put my recent failures behind me and remain on Mod 3 this week.

May the Good Lord keep me in the race.

GO ALL OUT – ALL FOR!
I have NOT ARRIVED.
I am far from the finish line.
But I am on CHRIST’S TEAM.
His love ignites me.
…His power fuels me.
His mission compels me.
I AM COMMITTED to Christ
and to this race.

Quick & Easy

January 26, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Lunch, Semi-Homemade, Soup Leave a Comment

Here are two options that have helped me in a pinch—when no one in the home is up to cooking.

This is actually two meals. My family’s version of fast food is a Rotisserie Chicken from Costco. I make soup with the left overs, bones and all. Nothing goes to waste!

Here is another fast-food alternative, pre-made meatballs. These meatballs are not completely clean. They have some undesirable additives but they beat the alternative grain filled meals that I once served. Dragonfly still refuses to eat “human” food but I continue to place every meal in front of him in hopes that he will warm up to putting something new to his lips. In return, he gives me a smile and politely declines the offer.

Week 2

January 20, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: EPLifeFit, Work-outs Leave a Comment

I just completed my last work out for the week. I feel great. In fact, we all feel great. I’ve been working out with the entire family. The workouts take about 20 min from warm-up to cool-down. It’s the perfect length and rigor for everyone to follow.

We will attempt to test out of Module 2 on Monday. ALL FOR!

Day 1
10 Squats
30 sec Plank
10 push ups
1 min rest
3 rounds

Day 2
15 Body Rows
10 Lunges ea leg
1 min rest
3 rounds

Day 3
10 Pull-ups
15 Hollow Rocks
15 Supermans
1 min rest
3 rounds

Nut Allergies

January 15, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Allergies, Nut Allergy, Nuts 1 Comment

I suffered from many allergies as a child. Many of which have followed me into adulthood. I took myself off all medicine and shots when I was eleven years old. I was fed up with my adverse side affects to the medicine. I learned at a early age to listen to my body and find natural ways of coping with my chronic condition.

I have experienced several improvements in my health since the inception of my lifestyle overhaul. Just recently, I was able to eat raw almonds. This is a huge milestone. I’m not ready to say that I’m completely free from my nut allergies but I am excited about this small step in that direction.

I am also excited to try some recipes that require almond flour/meal.

I’ll continue to take baby steps.

these are the two forms of almonds that I have experimented with.

What do you eat?

January 13, 2012 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Clean Eating, Dinner, Lunch 5 Comments

It’s a question that I get a lot when others find out about my family’s lifestyle change. Here are a few pics of some of our latest dishes. They’re tasty, easy meals—nothing fancy.

rose made this dish on her dinner night. we loved it! savory and sweet.

i love soups during all times of the year. they’re perfect for meatless fridays. this is so yummy that papi, my 4 year old, eats it hot or cold.

here’s another friday meal, egg salad wraps. sometimes we use cucumbers to dip in the egg salad.

simple and cheap dinner that we usually have once a week. we generally make enough for left overs, lunch or snack. here we served it up with baked sweet potato and a simple salad with home made dressing. (this was the kid’s plate. dad and I serve ourselves more meat and greens.)

I used to make this salad with packaged seasoning and crunchy noodles. this version is a healthier option. we enjoy this for lunch, dinner, or snack. the kids miss the crunchy noodles but are happy to have the crunch of the slivered almonds.

taco night doesn’t look the same these days and we’re loving it. seasoned ground beef with diced peppers and avocado, served up with organic salsa. i prefer the lettuce shell but rose likes to turn it into taco salad.

dad needed a dish to take to a work party. i wanted to be sure that he had a hearty option. rose and i prepared this dish for dad in the mid-afternoon. we slow cooked it in our wanna-be dutch oven. it was ready six hours later, just in time for dad’s shift.

it was a hit and has become one of dad’s favorite. papi ate the leftovers for lunch the next day. it’s a bit spicy for me.

(next time i’ll remember to take an after picture.)

***
i’ve marked these meals in my new recipe book on pinterest and i’m sharing this post at the following parties.
pinning it down
pinterest to real life
***

***update***

here are the links to the recipes that i used or that inspired my dishes.

Apple Pork Chops

Sweet Potato Soup

Tacos

Spicy Shredded Pork (sans Dr. Pepper)

Deviled Eggs/Egg Salad

(I’ll post my dressing for the Oriental Salad when I take measurements, the next time I make it.)