Held in Christ’s Love: Trust and Blessing

by admin Posted on April 24, 2012

My mind has been at peace lately. And as I write this I am reminded of the long winter that seems to have enveloped many of my past years, in which my mind was neither at rest nor knew this gentle stranger named peace. You know, its strange when we stop to acknowledge time; when we find ourselves thinking about the very moment we are in and realize that in that moment we are infinitely happy.

On my ride home from work today I experienced one such moment, and the happiness of this moment has continued to fill my soul with joy immeasurable. I’m happy to be working again. I feel blessed to have been chosen to work with such wonderfully caring individuals and with people who need to be loved and cared for. I feel grateful I was able to obtain the education necessary for me to enter into this line of work. I feel more than undeserving for the opportunities I have been given and for the loving-kindness, grace, and provisions God has bestowed upon me.

At this moment, everything seems to be falling into place in my life. It only took the act of me letting go of control and opening myself up to what God has in store for me. For so long, I tiredly labored to control even the most trivial aspects of my life- always preparing, wearily worrying, and planning my next moves. Yet, from the very beginning of my existence, God has known my hopes, my dreams, my yearnings, and my fears. He knew me before I was in my mother’s womb and He continues to know each hair on my head. Why I ever doubted His care or provision is beyond my current understanding, though I do acknowledge the reality that my pride and fear were tenured co-pilots of my life’s helm.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.”

I can attest to this. He does not leave me, nor does He ever forsake me. I am never without His guidance. And though my bank account may not overflow, nor my status, popularity, or material possessions ever compare to those who enjoy the fleeting riches of this life, I am without sadness or want because my heart is filled with the light of Christ and the ever-present joy He gives.

If I could ever give anyone trustworthy advice that works one hundred percent of the time, it would be to lay down your life, your whole life, at the foot of the cross. I have been a Christian since I was fifteen years old, and though I gave my heart to its rightful owner, I kept pieces of it for myself because I thought I could manage my heart better than He could. Actually, I think I thought I “needed” to manage my heart because nobody else would. How wrong I was!

I want to encourage you today to trust in God with everything you have. I believe Jesus when He says in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” My life has proven to be so much more difficult when I’ve held onto the things Jesus promised to handle for me. I am now learning to give everything over to Him, including my attempts to control my life’s circumstances. Today, in this place where my striving once sickly thrived,  I have found joy, peace, and comfort. My worry- now a mirage before me, continues to fade into the light of His perpetual love.

 

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Best Exercise: Inline Skating

by admin Posted on April 15, 2012

Everywhere I turn I hear people talking about running. Half-marathons, fun- runs, runs-for- causes: these seem to be all the rage for people in their mid- twenties and thirties. What used to be the dreaded “high school mile” has become the adrenaline- filled rush of adulthood. And why not? All you really need for running is a good pair of running shoes and the great outdoors. But what about those of us who physically are unable to run? What about those who suffer from knee problems or back pain? Truth be told, running is a high-impact sport. Injuries in long distance runners are common, and if one is not careful, continual strain on muscles and joints can lead to more severe injuries down the road.Rollerblading

Now I’m not advocating a ban on running. As a matter of fact, I am quite impressed with people who are able to run long distances. However, running isn’t for everyone. I know for myself, the impact running has on my lower back muscles is just too painful to bear. So what’s a girl like me to do? Enter inline skating! Did you know that inline skating provides a comparable cardiovascular workout to running and a better cardiovascular workout than cycling? Yep, its true!

Those who are confident in their skating abilities, should take a closer look at the benefits inline skating provides. Many studies indicate that inline skating provides more anaerobic benefits than running and cycling, and suggest its a better excercise for overall gains in stability and coordination. Inline skating is also the perfect exercise for building hip, thigh, and hamstring muscles. The same cannot be said for running or cycling. Lastly, inline skating is a low-impact form of exercise, which means it is great for people who have suffered from knee injuries or back pain such as myself.

So now that I’ve sold you on inline skating, I bet you’re wondering which type of skates are best to buy. Well, when I consider purchasing skates I look at two things: comfort and speed. Comfort should be high on your list because lets face it, if the skates aren’t comfortable you’re not going to wear them. Skate speeds are variable depending on the size and hardness of the wheels and the wheel bearings. I would suggest testing out a few pairs of skates at Sports Authority or at your local skate or sports stores. A general rule of thumb is you get what you pay for with skates. I have had four pairs of skates in my life, and twice I have bought K2 skates. K2′s have always been the most comfortable skates in my opinion. If you are interested in my recommendation for what is on the market right now, I would have to go with K2 Celina 90 Custom Fit Boas. I recently picked up a pair online and I absolutely love them! They are fast enough for me to enjoy, and comfortable enough for long distances.

K2 Celena 90 Custom Fit Boa

One word to the wise, don’t leave home without your helmet and wrist guards. Its been a while since I’ve fallen, but I made the mistake of not wearing wrist guards when I was nineteen and fractured my wrist. Of course, I was trying my hand at aggressive skating and thought it would be cool to grind on a curb. Had I been wearing the wrist guards I owned at the time, I think I would have prevented injuring my wrist. Always err on the side of caution. Protect your head and wrists, and if you are just starting out, knee and elbow pads might just be your best friends for a while. Once you get the hang of skating you’ll be on your way to burning calories, enjoying the great outdoors, and having a blast!

Happy Skating!!

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10 Gas Saving Tips You Should Know About

by admin Posted on March 25, 2012

I have a 50- mile roundtrip drive to work, and am filling up my tank about once a week. At $4.00 a gallon, I’m paying roughly $275 dollars a month on gas, and sometimes more if I drive a lot on the weekends. This is more than my half of the rent payment! I’m not sure how people are going to afford rising gas and grocery bills these coming months. Since many of us have no choice but to pay these ridiculous amounts, I want to share a few tips on how we can get the most bang for our gas bucks.

10 Gas Saving Tips:

1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires reduce fuel economy by creating rolling resistance. Buy a tire gauge and check your tire pressure at least once a month.

2. Buy a proper gas cap. If you’re driving around without a gas cap or with one that is broken, fuel vapors are likely seeping from your tank. A properly sealed gas cap will remedy this situation.

3. Slllooooowwww down! For every 5mph you reduce your highway speed you will reduce fuel consumption by 7%.

4. Lose the load. For every extra 100 pounds of cargo you lose 1-2% in fuel efficiency.

5. Don’t idle. You get zero miles to the gallon when idling. If you’re sitting for more than thirty seconds you might as well just turn your engine off. Stay away from long drive- thru lines at fast food joints too!

6. Avoid tailgating. Braking and speeding up repeatedly wastes fuel. Try to maintain a constant speed and avoid jerky movements.

7. Park you car in the shade. The sun causes fuel to evaporate from your tank. In the Summer months the added heat also forces you to run your AC more often. You can avoid this by parking in shaded areas and by using a windshield shade.

8. Use your overdrive gear to decrease engine speed, save on gas, and to reduce engine wear. For most automatic cars this is the “D” gear. Some cars and trucks have an overdrive button.

9. Plan your fill- ups ahead of time. Check around to see who has the best deals on gas. Of course, don’t drive out of your way to get there. Be smart about it. You can check prices for your area at www.gasbuddy.com.

10. Roll down your windows when driving at lower speeds. You can conserve fuel by rolling your windows down instead of turning on your air conditioner. The same, however, cannot be said when driving at higher speeds due to wind drag. If tolerated, use your vents at higher speeds and keep your windows rolled up.

 

 

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Paraben- Free Daily Facial Moisturizer

by admin Posted on March 23, 2012

Over the years, I have tried a number of different name brand daily facial moisturizers and have been fairly disappointed with their results. Because I have sensitive skin, it is necessary I use a lotion that is not too oily, and not overly chemical-laden. Most of the lotions I have used  in the past have caused some minor irritation. Also, more recently, I have become concerned about the chemical makeup of facial products in general, and have been seeking out healthier and more natural alternatives.

Paraben-Free
Paraben- Free Facial Moisturizer

So far, the best facial moisturizer I have found is Olive Essence Facial Day Moisturizer. I like it because it is paraben- free and it really works. I apply it after I shower in the morning and after I wash my face at night. It is by far the best moisturizing product I have used on my face. Though it contains a few more ingredients than I would like, it trumps my more expensive Clinique lotion.

You can purchase Olive Essence Facial Day Moisturizer online at both Amazon and Homespacollection.com. It will run you about $20-$25 online. If you’re cheap like me though, and cannot conceive of dropping that kind of dough for lotion, you might want to check out Marshalls. I stumbled upon Olive Essence at Marshalls priced at $6. What a deal! While I was there, I also noticed Marshalls sells quite a few natural food, body, and cleaning products as well. You may just want to make a trip out there and see what you can pick up!

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Be Still and Know That I Am God

by admin Posted on March 20, 2012

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  -Psalm 46:10

praying woman outside
Be Still and Know

During my lunch break today, I was able to catch a sermon on a Christian radio station in my truck. The pastor’s sermon was a reminder for us to stop striving and to start trusting God with our lives. Psalm 46:10, which was the foundational verse for the sermon, ministered to my spirit as I quietly ate my lunch parked in the shadows of a few flowering trees.

How often, I thought to myself, have I tried to make things happen in my own life? How many times have I orchestrated situations just to obtain certain outcomes? How many times did I trust myself more than I trusted Jesus?

More times than I can remember.

And yet, Jesus promises us that He will carry our burdens for us. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and like any parent, He seeks to protect us from harm. We may not always understand God’s ways, but we can rest assured that His ways are the right ways.

So why then do we keep micromanaging everything in our lives? Can we not see that our continual attempts to gain control over our lives offers us no real security? Continual striving is an indication that we are not trusting God to do His work in our lives. Yet you say to yourself,  ”If I don’t take action in my life nobody will.” But do you know that it is very possible, that while your ways seem right to you, they can in fact end up being all wrong? We can be so upside down in our lives that dangerous paths looks pretty benign, if not entirely welcoming to us.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12

I’d like to encourage us all to start trusting God with our lives. We can start by identifying specific things we need help with. Maybe we need to trust God with a relationship that isn’t going well, or with a habit we need to kick. It should be fairly easy for us to come up with a few situations we need His help with. If nothing comes to mind immediately, ask yourself,  ”what am I spending time worrying about?” Chances are good that the things you are spending the most time worrying about are also the things you are trying to control. Once we identify these areas in our lives, we can then admit to God we are powerless, and that we need His help. After that, lets simply give our worries to Him, and just let go. We can stop trying to fix the broken areas of our lives. After all, Jesus is a much better carpenter than we will ever be.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21

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Minting Money For Heaven

by admin Posted on March 13, 2012
Quarter saying
Minting Money For Heaven

“It matters little whether we are rich or poor, prosperous or unfortunate in the world, providing we are minting money for Heaven, by the practice of patience, resignation, honesty and the love of God.” – Cardinal Vaughan

This timely quote appeared as a beacon of light glimmering the pages of my old and ragged devotional. Upon first reading, I chuckled at its applicability for my current financial state of affairs. It’s common knowledge students are notoriously light on pocket change, and for this rule I have been without exception. And while this has been true for me these past few years, I am now a working girl awaiting the full measure of my educational debt.

As such, if I am to be at all honest, the temptation to secure the highest paying job has struck me more than once.  After all, I can think of a very few who would fault me for believing I deserve a commensurate salary for the experience and education I possess. And yet, if I have learned anything from my time at the seminary it has been to rely on God for everything, including money. And might I mention, He owes me not.

If I truly believe God is my provider, it should follow that I readily rely on Him for my provisions. This does not mean I need not follow through on His leadings, or that I’m not required to work for a living, but it does mean that worrying about tommorow is futile. A few years ago I would have done all I could to find the highest paying job in my field, and would have quickly finagled my way into a substantial raise, not because I needed the money but because I found my security in stockpiling money in the bank. My seeming frugality at the time was really the result of my insecurities.

Today, I have an alltogether different view on work and salary. It has become more important for me to find out where God is leading me, rather than to allow money to dictate where I work. Some may consider this naive, especially since financially my position looks less then favorable on paper. However, God’s blessings and provisions cannot be counted or deduced through our own human mathematical equations. This is His blessing to us. He continually challenges us to trust in Him alone, and then gives us opportunities to do so.

I hope to continually be reminded that I am only a steward, and not the owner, of all God has given me, and also that my provisions come from Him alone. This Biblical mindset frees me from the onslaught of worries that previously paralyzed me. Continually seeking God’s will in all areas of my life, including my career, allows me to pursue abundantly greater things. Trusting God with my whole life gives me the strength to mint money for Heaven.

 

 

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Lent: God Wants Our Hearts More Than Our Sacrifices

by admin Posted on March 6, 2012

I want to highlight two excerpts from the book Making the Most of Life by J.R. Miller, as they have prompted me to take a closer look at the times I make sacrifices to God in the hope of placating Him. When I read Miller’s convicting words, my mind immediately shifted to the sacrifices people are making during this season of Lent. (On a side note, how sad is it that as soon as I take a look into my own life I automatically shift to the sins of others? Still, this message is important for us all.) Admittedly, I have never formally celebrated Lent and have always shied away from the routine rituals created by men, so as not to lose sight of who it is I am truly worshipping.   Plain and simple, I want to make sure the sacrifices I make are prompted by God, and are not attempts on my part to place me in better standing with God.

Sacrifices for Lent
Giving Stuff Up for Lent?

Miller’s quotes:

“It is easier to offer God a few activities than to give him a heart. But the heart must be first, else even the largest gifts and services are not acceptable.”

“We cannot be God’s to-day and our own to-morrow. If we become his at all, in a sacrifice which he accepts, we are always his.”

I recently overheard a few people in conversation say to one another, “I have given up soda for Lent,” and “I have given up candy and watching television for Lent.” Yet, what does this really mean, giving up soda and television? What are these people substituting in place of their sacrifices, and to whom are these people sacrificing to? Surely when we give something up for God it should be because God has convicted us that our good pleasures have become our hearts’ idols. In other words, the stuff we enjoy has become the recipient of our worship rather than the rightful recipient who is our Holy God.

“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator– who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

I believe devout Christians who truly embrace the entire process of Lent, of which sacrifice is of but one part, posess hearts set heavenward and have deep desires for a closer union with Christ. However, for many, it seems that Lent has become an outward sign of one’s denominational affiliation. The sacrifices many people make during Lent are not held in secret, but rather have become topics of open discussion. Year after year the collective sacrifices of people who acknowledge Lent must number somewhere in the millions. I wonder, though, if they are living their lives for God the other days of the year. I wonder if they are neither hot nor cold, but rather lukewarm. Lastly, I wonder about the sadness God experiences when we give up a pleasure and yet do not offer Him our time in its place.

Just as in the Christian discipline of fasting, it is paramount we spend time in communion with God if we are going to acknowledge the full season of Lent. Contemplation of Christ’s sacrifice for us, joyful thanksgiving to God for His many undeserved blessings, rightful praise, and sincere obedience should be our means of worship. Our sacrifices should be between God and us alone. When fasting becomes the end goal, in and of itself, it does nothing to bring us into a more intimate communion with God. God does not need our sacrifices. What He truly wants is our hearts, through our obedience and our desire to die to ourselves and live unto Him alone. For all of us, death to self is a daily, if not minute by minute endeavor, by which we truly offer our love to God, just as Christ offered Himself in His ministry and death on a cross.

With this said, I am convicted of my desire to offer God only part of my life, the portion “I” am willing to give up. Lent is of short duration compared to the number of days in a  full year, and yet I am guilty of informing God of the things I am willing to sacrifice throughout the whole year. This should not be so. It is my hope that in this season of Lent, you and I would have the courage to ask ourselves why we are making sacrifices to God at this particular time, especially if our only reason is to either placate Him or because we have always participated in the sacrificing ritual portion of Lent. I cannot emphasize enough that God is not interested in our sacrifices. More than anything He wants a relationship with you and I. The joy of Lent is that the true Sacrifice has already been made by Christ Himself. There remains no need for us to cover over our sins, as He has already washed us white as snow.

“Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” -Psalm 51: 15-17.

 

 

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Dirty Dozen: Fruits and Vegetables You Should Buy Organic

by admin Posted on February 29, 2012

Let’s face it, buying organic isn’t always easy on your pocket book. Organic produce often costs more than its non- organic counterparts, especially at chain- grocery stores. So, what’s a girl… or boy… to do? Well, I have found that the smartest and most cost-effective way for me to include the healthiest possible produce in my diet, without emptying my pocket book, is to start with the dirty dozen and then go from there. The “dirty dozen” is a list of twelve fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amount, in count and type, of pesticides both internally and externally. Due to their exceedingly high pesticide residue counts, which result from big business farming practices, it is health- smart to buy these produce items organically. If you are able to go above and beyond this list and purchase all of your produce organically that is great. If not, try to at least focus on buying these specific produce items organically.

Organic Produce
Organic Produce

FYI: One study has indicated that by making this change you can reduce up to 80% of your produce-related  pesticide exposure. And remember, buying organic is not only good for you, it is also good for our environment!

The Dirty Dozen

1. Apples: According to a report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG),  98% of non-organic apples they tested contained pesticides. Washing apples vigorously only removes some of the pesticides.

2. Celery: Lovingly titled, the “dirtiest vegetable,” this fiber-filled veggie should always be bought organic. It is the number one dirty dozen veggie.

3. Strawberries: Multiple pesticides are often found on this delicious red gem. Your best bet is to buy them from a local organic grower in- season.

4. Peaches: These soft and fuzzy fruits have been treated with more pesticides than any other fruit, and because their skin is soft and porous pesticides seep into their flesh.

5. Spinach:I hope Popeye was eating organic! Washing this veggie does not remove all of its pesticides, which in past years has led to Bluto getting the upper hand.

Organic Spinach
I should have eaten organic spinach

6. Nectarines (imported): You could peel a nectarine’s skin to reduce its pesticide residue, but why would you want to do that? If you throw out its skin you also throw out  its nutrients . Your best bet is to buy this tasty fruit organic.

7. Grapes (imported): Stick with domestic organic grapes. I love love love grapes as I do most fruit. However, I typically don’t buy a ton of grapes because they are high on the glycemic index and can be pretty expensive. If you do have some organic grapes on hand try freezing them for a tasty treat that will last a while.

8. Sweet Bell Peppers: Up to 70 percent of sweet bell peppers tested by EWG contained pesticides. Buy organic, or better yet, grow your own! Bell peppers can be grown in pots or container gardens if green space is limited.

9. Potatoes: Don’t peel your potatoes to get rid of pesticides. Most of a potato’s nutrients is found in its skin. Trader Joe’s often has good deals on organic sweet potatoes. Buy them when they are nice and orange to get a heaping amount of beta caroteen. Just an FYI: Sweet potatoes are lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes. They are also healthier for you steamed as opposed to baked.

10. Blueberries (domestic): I have been buying frozen organic blueberries from Trader Joe’s for a while now. They are a savory addition to my morning portion of brown rice farina. If you can get them from Alaska they are even better yet!

11. Lettuce: This veggie is likely to contain a lot of pesticides even after washing. Bummer for me because I eat lettuce just about everyday. The good news is that I have found that Trader Joe’s and many farmers markets have pretty good deals on organic lettuce.

12. Kale/ Collard Greens: I think Whole Foods has the best kale… at least in my opinion. I haven’t cooked many collard greens, but I did grow them one year in a raised bed and found they were fairly easy to tend to.

Want to find out what pesticides are on your food? Check out whatsonmyfood.org. You can also get a free PDF from EWG that lists the dirty dozen, as well as the clean fifteen to keep you better informed as you plan your grocery shopping trips.

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Hot and Cold Gluten- Free Vegetable Salad

by admin Posted on February 24, 2012

I have been busy this week whipping up healthy dinners, and I have the kitchen mess to prove it! Tonight’s dinner was a gluten- free hot and cold salad. One of the best parts of making a healthy salad is that the ingredient possibilities are endless. Plus, because the ingredients are so good for you, you need not feel guilty about eating a little bit extra.

Gluten free vegetable salad
Gluten-free salad

One of my new favorite ways to make a salad are to combine cooked and uncooked foods. For this delicious gluten- free hot and cold vegetable salad I started with a heaping amount of green leaf lettuce. After washing and chopping the lettuce I added an easy homemade salad dressing of freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with extra virgin olive oil. While that marinated in a large bowl, I steamed some cut sweet potatoes and cauliflower. In a separate frying pan I added chopped yellow onions and fresh garlic to about half of a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and quite a bit of turmeric. When the onions and garlic had grilled up nicely I then added the sweet potatoes and cauliflower into the frying pan and mixed them all together. After a few minutes of cooking I sprinkled some crumbled gluten- free tortilla chips into the pan.

When everything was cooked I filled two good sized bowls with my already dressed lettuce and then added the cooked ingredients on top. Viola! The total time it took me to make the salad including prep time was about 30minutes. I also have some leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch!

Ingredients:

1 head of any type of lettuce- I used green leaf

1 head of cauliflower

2 sweet potatoes cut any way you like

Half of a yellow onion chopped

As much chopped fresh garlic as you want

Some added spices: I used turmeric

A few gluten-free corn chips

Salad Dressing:

1 fresh squeezed lemon

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

my messy kitchen after cooking
My messy kitchen!

 

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Gluten Free

by admin Posted on February 20, 2012

It has been about a week since I last posted about the beginning stages of my candida diet. After much research, I have decided to commit myself to a sort of cross between a gluten- free and candida diet. The candida diet is more restrictive than a gluten- free diet, and one of the biggest differences between the two is sugar intake. Yeast feeds on sugar and so sugar is pretty much prohibited on the candida diet. No sugar… yikes! On Valentine’s Day my roommate brought home some gluten free snacks from Andrea’s in Chesterfield, sabotaging my candida diet! Of course it was all her fault and I take no responsibility for eating the sugary treats!Gluten Free Diet

On a serious note, one of the most alarming parts of my food elimination process has been the realization that I am a serious sugar- addict. I love sweet snacks! I do have control over the amount I eat, but I have become so used to eating some sort of candy everyday that when I don’t have some I ruminate about the sweetness I am missing out on. Since evening is my usual sweet- snack eating time, I have found myself craving sugar everyday about an hour or so after dinner. There is an upside though. My cravings have inspired me to find some alternatives to processed treats.

For the past week I have spent a good amount of time experimenting with food combinations in my very tiny kitchen (making many messes along the way!). One of my favorite snacks so far is sweet potato chips baked with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. I also tried my hand at a batch of baked kale chips. They were pretty good, however, my friend Carly tells me they are much better when made in a dehydrator. The kale chips are a great snack for those on the candida diet. Sweet potato chips are more for the gluten-free folks.

On top of my treat making endeavors, I have also been whipping up some great entrees. I think my favorite thus far has been my homemade cabbage rolls made with kosher ground turkey, chopped yellow onions, brown wild rice, cage- free eggs, and garlic. I have also been adding turmeric to nearly everything I’ve been cooking. Tumeric is a great addition to scrambled eggs and is super nutritious. Speaking of eggs, I made my first hard boiled egg ever. Truthfully, I am not a huge fan of hard boiled eggs, but my roommate thinks they are tasty. More for her!

Along with whipping up new meals, I’ve been drinking quite a bit of Pau D’Arco tea purchased from Whole Foods. I think it tastes like marshmallows, which of course helps with my sugar cravings. Drinking tea is a great way to increase water intake. I have also increased my overall water intake by drinking distilled water. No more soda pop or energy drinks for me! Also, no more aspartame. This goes for food and drinks.

Lastly, I have started taking a multivitamin. After doing my research I decided to go with NeuroPower by Synergy. I bought them online at vitacost and found them to be fairly reasonably priced for what they are. These vitamins were recommended in the book The Candida Cure and have gotten positive reviews by people who have taken them. Many of reviewers stated they noticed an increase in their energy levels after taking them for a short while. I hope the same goes for me. I may be starting a new job soon and could use a boost in my energy level!

P.S. I also cut our dairy.

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