Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism for your Temple

Hey Health-Nuts!

 I haven't updated you on my workout schedule and how that's all going because I've actually been really sick. I started off strong with my Zumba video (which some of you guys tried!), and then with the 60-minuet strength training DVD Slim and Lean, but then was kind of knocked out for a few days with an awful cold.

I am still recovering my voice, and my students tell me I sound like an old smoker, but hey!- I got through today's cardio workout without hacking all over, so I think I'm in pretty good shape.

I mentioned before that I have been off and on with Jillian Michaels; well, today I'm on. 

Check out her video:

I can safely say that I am drenched with sweat and feel pretty good after completing this. She also does some ab workouts, so you'll get that tummy toned up too.

My plans for the night: make a nice dinner and start on Romans again. I just finished Acts all the way through for the first time (can you believe it? I had never read it straight through!) I tweeted about this last week, but I totally think Acts would make a fantastic movie. Seriously; someone has to do it. I only wish there was a really good woman's role so I could play it.... Lydia maybe? Oh well :-)

Romans is a BEAST of a letter by the way! So it's a good one to start after a BEAST of a workout.

Your body is Christ's Temple, so treat it like the beautiful creation it is! Have a great night!

Eating like Daniel

Good afternoon fellow foodies, and non-foodies!

Today I had a request from Brother Erron Johnson for some "Daniel Fast recipes".
Allow me to explain:

My church is doing a 21-day fast which mirrors the fast which Daniel took in the Bible (in the book of Daniel Chapters 1 and 10). Basically, he eats only fruits, vegetables, and drinks only water. He does not use any sweeteners (honey or otherwise) or yeast (only unleavened bread), and consumes no alcohol or caffeine. His diet is basically a vegan diet that excludes any animal products, as well as what I mentioned before. He does this because he is in deep mourning and prayer because of instructions from God and visions he is exposed to (you can read your Bible if you want more information).

Now, to be honest, I am not partaking in this fast. Having a history with eating disorders in my too near past, I do not want to trigger any temptation to go back to old habits or fall into a relapse by limiting what I eat. I find that being even a little neurotic about my food gets me into trouble, which is why you'll never catch me posting anything about fat content or calorie counts on any of the meals I make. My goal is to be healthy, not to slip back into unhealthy behaviors. I'll be going on a different kind of fast for the next month, which you can read about on my other blog if you like.

I received a very clear message from the Lord to not restrict my own diet, but to reach out to help others who are fasting this month. I really think that the Sprit is calling me to use my cooking and writing skills to assist my church in a technologically creative way! (Why yes, the Holy Ghost is totally up to speed with social networking and internet; I never question that!)

That being said, I still would like to take on the challenge of posting some Daniel Fast recipes for the rest of my fasting Brothers and Sisters at Christ Temple Cathedral Church! It will be a fun practice for me at expanding my recipes and use of natural non-processed ingredients, and hopefully will be helpful to those who are taking this opportunity to fast and pray.

I'll begin my posting later this evening (after I try out a new recipe for dinner!) or tomorrow. For now, visit the Daniel Fast Website for any information or to browse their recipes.

See you soon!