Amongst many things I have a part time job that I love and I’m sure you all will hear more about in future postings. This has more to do with schedule. Sometimes I work afternoons and sometimes mornings. I already know what my schedule is going to be a week in advance but for some reason I’m hustling around the kitchen like a chicken with my head cut off right before I have to head out the door to work trying to figure out what I am going to take. I usually take boiled eggs and some kind of complex carb to get me through my shift but it seems here lately I haven’t made the time to boil and peel the eggs so I am left with grabbing something not the best for me or nothing at all, which is also not the best for be because I know I am going to get hungry at one point or another.
So of course what do I do, I run to the grocery store a few doors down or I don’t eat. Good news is the store is more of a healthy good choices store for the most part, bad thing is even though the chips are “better” for me, it’s not when I eat the whole bag.
The other night I had an event to go to and didn’t eat dinner before I left. I remember thinking to myself, I’ll be fine. The business that was displaying their product was a local, ice cream, chocolate, fudge, caramel corn delisciousness place and because I hadn’t eaten anything since earlier that day, I at more sugar that evening than I had eaten the whole month before. THEN on the way home because I am STILL hungry, I stopped for a double cheeseburger and fries at 9:00 at night. Yes, face palm here would be appropriate!
I don’t think that I am alone in this but I am really hoping to break this permission granting habit! The one where I tell myself, It’s okay, you don’t do it all the time, or It’s okay you are really hungry and you need to get something in you besides sugar, or it’s okay, you’ll workout harder tomorrow to burn off the calories. Does any of this hit home for anyone besides me?
As I mentioned in my last post, “Is what I am putting in my mouth/body worthy of me?” I think part of the answer to the question is to be really honest and ask “am I worth the time and effort to plan ahead?”
The answer to this is, Yes, Yes I am and so are you.
Do I value myself, my goals, my health, my Lord enough to plan ahead?”
I can honestly say that I have even heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “do you really want to do that” in certain moments of me giving myself permission and I have answered him with a yes I do. Then when the consequences hit, guilt and shame want to set in and I say to myself, tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll do better. Tomorrow, I’ll listen Lord.
So, I have now come to a reset. A reset of consistency, in my eating, in my walking, in my writing, and especially in my time with God. I didn’t realize how far I had gently drifted from what the plan was six months ago. I picture being on a floatie in the ocean, just relaxing, eyes closed, warm sun hitting my body, and I open my eyes to look around and see that I am dangerously too far from the shore. Luckily, this time I didn’t drift that far for which I am grateful but I did drift none the less.
How grateful that every morning His mercy is new and I get a new start with a clean slate and so do you.
So if you might be feeling like this yourself, my encouragement is STOP IT and START OVER. It’s okay!!
Sit with Him awhile, make a new plan or revise the old one! Find a friend or two that will encourage you or even reach out to me!
It’s a new day, you are amazing and are worth it!
One thing I wanted to start doing is adding a recipe and a scripture to this blog.
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
I was tempted to write “dessert”
Recipe: (copied from my Pinterest board by Prepare and Serve)
Coffee chia seed pudding
1/2 cup brewed coffee cooled (espresso or strong coffee preferred)
1/2 cup unsweetened milk of choice
1/4 cup chia seeds
1-2 tsp maple syrup (adjust to taste)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
pinch of cinnamon optional
Instructions: in a jar or mixing bowl , combine the coffee, milk, syrup, vanilla, salt and stir well until everything is blended. Add the chia seeds to the mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure there are no clumps. Let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes then stir again. This second stir keeps the seeds from settling at the bottom. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but overnight works best. In the morning give it a final stir and you can add any favorite toppings like coconut cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or shaved chocolate.
This is a delicious plan ahead meal that takes little time and is yummy!
Blessings to you all!
MaryEllen (Just ME)
