PB & J Smoothie

PB & J Smoothie

This is about 300 calories. It's great for breakfast!

(I discovered this yummy smoothie while I worked in the juice bar at Earth Fare)

What ya need:

no sugar added frozen strawberries

sliced frozen bananas

skim milk

apple juice

natural peanut butter

blender

How ya make it:

I use a mason jar to make about a 12 oz smoothie but of course you can use any cup

Using the 10oz mark as the top, I fill it halfway w/ strawberries and halfway w/ bananas

I then fill it halfway w/ apple juice and halfway w/ skim milk

After I pour it into the blender, I drop about 1 tablespoon of peanut butter in

Then I blend it to smoothie goodness!

Ta-da!

Truth #2: The work is just (if not more) important than the results.

In the movie, Life as a House, George Monroe (played by Kevin Kline) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Without anyone's knowledge of his illness, he takes custody of his son, Sam (played by Hayden Christensen) for the summer. Sam is a rebellious, unenthusiastic, cynical young man and bitter and angry with his father. In hopes to repair their relationship, he recruits him to help finish building his dream house. Throughout the summer George and Sam slowly repair their relationship. At one point George shares with Sam about his own father, an alcoholic, abusive man, who killed George's mom and injured a young girl while driving drunk. Before finishing the house, George dies. In honor of his father, Sam, finishes the house and gives it away to the injured young girl now grown up with two kids of her own.

This story beautifully displays the very thing I'm learning right now. The work is just (if not more) important than the results. As I've been putting in all these hours of workouts and being mindful of what I eat and just everything involved in this journey, I have been thinking a lot about results....seeing the fruition of all my hard work. And really, this has been a huge theme in my life this past year. This month marks a year since I graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary. Since then I have been eagerly awaiting a fulfilling job, a title, a meaningful purpose for my life. I have struggled with finding purpose in the everyday life. I want so much to make a mark. To do something worthwhile. To have a job or title that reflects my education, my "status," my thousands of borrowed dollars that keep my husband and I from living comfortably. I want to be recognized, known, appreciated, admired. I want to see the fruition of all my hard work.

While watching Life as a House, the viewer is rooting for George to finish this house he's been working on on and off for decades. It's his dream house. He picked the exact spot with a beautiful view of the ocean. He designed it, selected all the materials, and started building it with his own two hands. This is his life's work. So much sweat and tears. He finally sets out to finish it...but he dies just a few short months, maybe weeks before its completed.

Abraham did not receive the Promise land, his offspring did. David did not build the temple, his son did. Paul did not experience Jesus’ return, even though he preached it and believed he would. More recently, Martin Luther King Jr. did not experience the fruition of his work and desire for civil unity, however his offspring and generations passed have. Why does God work like this? What does this mean for my life? How does this affect the work I do? My purpose?

A verse comes to mind...

...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. -Philippians 1:6

We hear this and think - Ok, there is hope. One day I'll get that job. One day my relationship will be mended. One day I'll be in better shape. Be recognized. Be able to trust more. Fear less. Be free of disease or depression. See my friend come to know the Lord. And so on and so on. God has begun this thing in me so I will see the results I'm hoping for. But that's not really what it says and it's definitely not we see throughout Scripture. I know without a doubt God's work in Paul transformed Paul. And God did complete his work in Paul. But the work God was doing through Paul wasn't complete. And Paul didn't see the completion...none of us have. The work God began in Paul continued after Paul. God is still using that work today in my life...and millions of others past, present, and future. And he will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ! It was the work that God did in Paul that transformed Paul, not results. It was the work of George and Sam that transformed them, not results. Put it another way - the transformation IS the results, not a house. In the end it was just a house. Wood, nails, and cement. Sam even gave the house away! The work was never about building the house, it was about building a relationship, a life worthwhile.

So, on my journey, both with my fitness track and my vocational track and everything in between, I'm learning to focus less on the results I desire so much and more on the work. The workouts and healthy eating will produce weightloss results. I've already seen them! But also, how is this work transforming me in other ways? What am I gaining that is so much more valuable than a trimmer waist? Discipline. Determination. Confidence. Joy. I'm learning to love myself and to more fully receive God's love.

*This is the 2nd in a series called Truth for Movers. It is a weekly series dedicated to discussing biblical truths that will hopefully provide encouragement for our journey and insight into our human struggle with body image. To find more posts in this series click here.

Highlights of my first month!

I hit the month mark a couple days ago so I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of my victories thus far!

• Exercised 19 out of 31 days
• Ate around 1400 calories daily
• Stuck with the plan after getting out of my routine a couple times
• Cut out caffeine
• Cut out sodas & sweet tea
• Lowered my blood pressure
• Drank approx. 30-40 oz of water a day
• Introduced more whole grains, veggies, and fruits into my diet
• LOST 10 lbs!!!!

Truth # 1: I am broken but my Creator is not.

The universe was empty.

Void.

Dark.

Heaven and earth had no name.

The universe was empty.

Empty.

Except for water. Water existed. It existed in the form of two gods: Apsu and Tiamut.

By now you know I am not describing the biblical creation story. The story of Apsu and Tiamut comes to us from the Babylonians. It is a mythical story that goes on to tell us of the creation of the universe. In short, this is how it goes:

Many gods are birthed and live within Tiamut’s being. They cause a ruckus and are plotted against by Apsu (Tiamut's husband). But before Apsu can destroy them, he is killed in his sleep by one of the gods. This god joins with another god and they have a son, Marduk. Marduk becomes the most powerful god in existence. He and Tiamut then battle because she is upset about her husband, Apsu, being killed. Marduk wins the battle, splitting Tiamut into two halves, and thus, of course, creating the world and everything in it - the sky and earth, day and night, plants and animals, and lastly creates man from the blood of Kingu, Tiamut’s second husband.

Many myths like this one existed in the Ancient Near East, but this one is especially important. It’s called the Enuma Elish. This myth was believed and recognized to be the story of the origin of the universe in Mesopotamia long before the biblical creation story was known. Centuries. It was celebrated and re-enacted annually. It was passed down generation to generation. It was the genesis of their gods, their humanity, their life and culture. Many creation stories existed before the biblical story. These myths, like the 7-tablet, thousand lined Babylonian epic described above, defined their religious life and worship and defined the gods they worshiped.

Some have said that the story in Genesis is only a retelling of this Babylonian myth. Even though the content is very different, there is no doubt that the two have very similar language, phrasing, and even ordering. However, others say it is because of these similarities that make the biblical creation story all the more powerful and meaningful.

The creation story we find in the Bible was spoken before it was written. Mothers and fathers told this story to their children and grandparents to their grandchildren. This story reflected the current beliefs and ideas about the universe at the time in the Ancient Near East...beliefs and ideas that were influenced by the Enuma Elish. However, it uses these ideas to tell a new story about creation. A story about a different God. About One God. About a God who needs no other to create. A God who doesn’t rely on human needs like food, sex, and sleep. A God who speaks things into existence instead of battles them into existence. A God who gives humanity companionship, not chains. A God who doesn’t demand worship, but just is worshiped. Worshiped by rocks and plants. A God who has no beginning or end but just IS. A God who is Creator but also Deliverer and Provider. You see, this story that was shared over campfires and meals was drastically different than anything the people at this time had heard before. Can you imagine hearing this story of creation after hearing the stories of Mesopotamia your whole life. The biblical story isn’t a scientific account of creation. These people had no interest or knowledge of scientific concepts. Its purpose was to show us who God is, the Creator of the world, but also the God of the Jewish people. Because it uses elements of older myths and beliefs of the culture but tells a different story it points us to the character of God. It’s setting up the scene for us. It’s inviting us to know the God of a much greater story. The story of redemption.

In Genesis 2 we read that this perfect God creates humanity. He creates humanity in his image. You know the story. In the end we fail. We rebel. We break the covenant. And because of this humanity is broken.

Imperfect.

Ashamed.

Skeptical.

We are in need of something to hide our imperfection.

To hide our shame.

Our skepticism.

We need redemption. Grace. We need to be covered. And our perfect Creator covers us. He covers us with garments of animal skins. Garments that this perfect, all-knowing, blameless, unblemished, loving God fashions himself.

And He continues to cover us.

With grace.

And blood.

This is the Creator of my body. This is the God that I need.

To cover me.

Cover my imperfection.

My shame.

My skepticism.

I am broken and imperfect but my Creator is not.

*This is the 1st in a series called Truth for Movers. It is a weekly series dedicated to discussing biblical truths that will hopefully provide encouragement for our journey and insight into our human struggle with body image. To find more posts in this series (in the future) click here.

7lbs lighter

This isn't a major milestone but I'm feeling good this morning. I'm proud of the 7lbs I've lost this far! I'm happier, healthier and more energized. Yay!!!

Not sure if it's even noticeable but wanted to include a picture just in case it is...and because I'm just feeling more comfortable in my body! :)

Isn't the best photo. My digital camera isn't working

so I had to use my laptop photobooth.

monday morning inspiration

Since last Wednesday I have been in Nashville visiting my sister and her family. Just got back last night. While I was there I didn't have any intentional workouts. I think I definitely burned some calories painting both my niece and nephew's bedrooms. It was hard work - vaulted ceilings are not easy to paint! I was also just moving a whole lot more than my typical week at home. It's hard to be still or lazy with an 18 month old and a 3 yr old! They kept me on my toes! So I do feel good about the fact that I was on the move. However, I have been discouraged about getting out of my routine. It actually started before I went to Nashville. I have shared that I've been dealing with a muscle spasm which has kept me from working out regularly. My diet has been okay. For the most part I've stuck with my calorie limit I've set for myself - I've been trying to stick to 1400-1500 calories a day. However, the food I've been eating hasn't been the greatest. I haven't been eating balanced meals. Yesterday I actually had a hamburger and french fries (kid's meal) from Wendy's while I was on the road back to B'ham. Yuck! The sad part was that it was 3pm and it was the first thing I'd had to eat all day. For dinner I had yogurt and granola. The total calories I had for the day was only about 800 calories but good nutrition was lacking.

So I have a lot to be discouraged about. But I'm feeling inspired this morning. There is a blog I go to often for inspiration and motivation. It is actually what inspired me to do this blog in the first place so I wanted to share it with you! It is pretty amazing what she's accomplished. A couple months ago she shared some honest struggles that I totally resonated with...

http://amerrylife.com/2010/11/08/confessions-and-a-challenge/

not this time

The past few days have been a bit difficult. I haven't been able to exercise as frequently because I have a horrible muscle spasm in my neck that is causing extreme pain in my shoulder down arm to my hand. The doctor gave me muscle relaxers but I hate the way they make me feel - dizzy and so weak. If any of you have any suggestions let me know! I'm wondering if I should see some kind of specialist but don't know who!

I'm trying not to let this get me down. In the past when I've had something interrupt my routine or plan I get frustrated. I feel like I've failed and just want to give up all together. But not this time! Still eating healthy and still motivated to move. I know keeping my arm still all the time isn't good either....so my plan this week is to maybe exercise every other day...or do shorter workouts.