I love the end of the year and a time to stop and look back over the past months. Usually I reflect like this the week after Christmas. Today I went to a lunch and learn about healthier holidays, so it’s got my wheels rolling earlier this year. When I’m taking a realistic look at myself I know that many things I’ve learned about better health are ideas in my head and not actions in my life. I can talk it all day long, but am I living it.

Well, my postive spin on this is that some ideas are seeds planted for another time. I won’t beat myself up because my exercise isn’t consistent or I keep craving my trusty Dove chocolate bars for comfort. Not the best way to go, but improvement happens a little at a time. My “to do list” for the holidays will include “seeds of change” that are small steps for a better mind, body and soul. I was given a calendar today with simple suggestions for each day during December.

“Get Moving.”

“Drink more water.”

‘Fresh air and sunshine each day.”

“Eat a colorful fruits and veggies.”

These simple tips reminded me of a speaker I recently heard from Los Angeles. He was an 82-year-old physician who emphasized disease prevention in his practice when it wasn’t the “in” thing to do. He was a man a head of his time. When I heard him I had no ideas he was in his eighties. Oh that I could be that sharp and fit when I’m his age. Simple steps, one day at at time, are the seeds I’m planting on this cold December day. Just these steps can make a powerful difference when done more consistently. 15 minutes of movement or sunshine. 8 cups of water. 9-12 different deep dark colored fruits and vegetables. Well that one is alittle harder, but a worthy goal, too.

I’m listening to Pandora.com, as I write. That’s part of my soul care. I just started using it regularly this week. I need music. It touches my soul as few things do. and clarifies my thinking.

“How can I stop singing Your praise. How can I ever say enough. How amazing is your love. How can I keep from shouting your name. I am I know I am loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing. I can sing cause you pick me up . I can sing with the Angels around the Throne.   I can sing….. I can sing…. I can and will sing.

 It’s Mrch the first soon and I’m just now getting these thoughts out of my drafts to post.   Oh well, sidetracks happen. 

(Lyrics from “See the Morning” by Chris Tomlin)

I just made a hummus recipe from my friend, Stacy. It was easy, tasty and healthy.   Great for holiday gathering.  Here’s the recipe.   Enjoy.

1 can chick peas

1 small bunch of parsley

3 green onions 2-3 cloves of garlic

2 Tbsp tahini

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt

dash cayenne pepper

Place parsley, onions and garlic into food processor, chop well. Add chick peas and remaining ingredients and puree. ( Stacy added 1 tbsp of olive oil.) I save the liquid from the chickpeas and add as need when mixture is too thick.

Pita chips are also easy to make. Slice the whole wheat pita bread into triangles. Separate layers and place on a cook sheet light ly coated with olive oil. Place in a 250 degree oven. Turn after 10 minutes and continue cooking and turning until crisp. I sprayed mine with Inland Sea Water to give a salty taste. They’re cheaper than the little bag of pita chips at the store.

I’m wondering what to do with this blog.   I wrote an article about my favorite breakfast with the Juice Plus Complete.  Then I was wondering if I should leave out the part about where to order it, if you’re interested.  The Juice Plus foods have been a safety net under my family for 12 years, so it’s hard not to want to share how to get them.  Sharing good tips and purchases is a part of life.  Hope you don’t mind me throwing them in from time to time.  I feel this blog can be a meeting place for us to share our good finds from food to scriptures to songs and more….   I love to connect people and ideas and talents and needs.  I love to share what I’ve been given,  I hope you will share with me, too.

A quick breakfast idea that can be easy to make and packed with nutrition is a smoothie. My favorite is the Juice Plus Complete which is a balanced protein carbohydrate powder made with chickpeas, sea veggie plus 17 fruits, vegetables and grains.

I blend a cup of soy milk with 1/4 c. frozen or fresh mixed berries, a banana, 1/4 c. ground golden flaxseed, 1/8 c. walnuts, a scoop of Dutch Chocolate and water to desired consistency. The French Vanilla Complete can be used with a variety of fruits or veggies for a power packed breakfast or “pick me up” snack. These drinks give me plenty of energy and sound nutrition to tackle the day. When my children were at home I usually offer whole wheat toast or bran muffins with the smoothie.

When my daughter and I were on the trail we made a simple chocolate drink for breakfast with the Complete mix, soy powder and water.  After pouring the mixture in our plastic bottle we could shake up a quick healthy meal.  Nutrition on the trail was a challenge and this drink provided antioxidants, proteins and carbs  we needed  for repair and energy.  It’s light weight and compact.

To read more about Juice Plus Complete or place an order, visit my website at www.BrownJP.com

Last night I went to a gathering for a friend moving to Japan to teach English.  The differences of our two cultures is fascinating, but one part stuck out for me personally.  I’m a former sugarholic and Japan doesn’t eat sweets.  How can that be? 

Sweets are such a part of our culture, especially growing up in the South.  My grandmother served pound cake for breakfast to my dad’s new bride to try and fatten her up. I spent many an hour under my Uncle David’s drill in his dentist office.  Sugar treats   were  and  still  are used to reward  good behavior, celebrate achievements  or lighten the  ”blues”.   I love the holidays , but I hate wearing them the rest of the winter.

I’ve heard that the average American child eats 3/4  a pound of  sugar a day and that adds up to 5 pounds a week.  It is  hidden in many of our processed foods, yogurt, fruit drinks   and colas.  Cavities and weight gain are only part of the problem.  The immune system is less effective after eating sweets.  Diabetes is a growing problem for all ages. The list can go on and on.

Maybe a move to Japan would be helpful, but not likely.  I’ll need to continue to look for ways to stay on the band wagon here and continue to repair the damage I’ve already done to my body.  Check out my Juice Plus web site link to hear some of the talks that are helping  me move toward  optimum health.   Juice Plus fruit , vegetable and berry capsules  have been a valuable foundation to my health plan , along with adding more raw fruits  and vegetables, water,  whole grains, and of course, decreasing the sugar.

How often the negative or half full thoughts out weigh the positive ones.  I want to be purposeful  this month to remember things and people  I’m thankful for.  Did you know that fear and thankfulness can’t both be in the brain at the same time.  We’re told over and over in the Word to be thankful in all things.  There can always be something to be thankful for, if I’ll stop and take the time to look for it.  Some days are easier to do this than others, but the search is well worth the time.  Who wants to live a life full of fear and discontentment.  I don’t.  I’ve done  it before and it’s such a waste.  I’m thankful for the beauty of the leaves in the fall.  I’m thankful for His abundant provision for a need for something so simple as pumpkins and gourds for a gathering for only $10.(Thank you, Frankie) I’m thankful for the smiles and zeal for life of my grandson, Wynn.  I’m thankful for a quick turn around in an argument.  I’m thankful for a surprise $100 bonus check. I’m thankful for a den full of Covenant College students laughing and enjoying one another.  I’m thankful for music that speaks to my soul like “Untitled Song” by Chris Rice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T-VfypD8j4

Late April this year my daughter, Addy, asked me to hike with her on the Appalachian Trail.  I excitedly jumped on the idea because I’m always looking for ways to spend time with my children as they get older and move away.  A week with just the two of us sounded fun and challenging.   Then the questions started coming to in…”Do you have any idea how hard this will be?” Aren’t you afraid to be on the trail with two women?” How on earth will you be able to carry all you need on your back?” ” Can you carry a gun?” ” Do you even own a backpack?”   No, I don’t own a backpack or any other backpacking gear.   No, I didn’t  have any idea how hard it was going to be.  I was too excited and for now that was all that mattered.

Hello blogosphere.

My children have finally convinced me that I have so many valuable things to say that I should start a blog. What can I say? They are proud of me. I am going to be feeling out this process slowly and any help or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing with you the lessons I have learned about nutrition, hiking, and faith.

 

-Amy