Intermittent Fasting: Day 14

1/14/18

Today was such a weird day in so many ways. One way was that I did not plan to fast today and ended up fasting. I really saw that happening, at some point, the other way around. I had coffee this morning, went to church and then went grocery shopping. By the time I got home, got the kids fed and down for naps, it was 1:00. I needed to go to the school and get things done, so I grabbed a KIND bar on my way out. I realized I hadn't eaten and might as well fast the rest of the day, at least until dinner and just get the fasting day out of the way. So, I did. I was cooking and we were having friends over, so I did eat dinner. I'll share the new recipe I tried below. I also am planning to go to the gym early in the morning, so I decided I needed some sustenance in order to survive the fiasco of 'starting back to the gym' again. That's a whole other issue, but I do hate getting back to working out. I forget everything and feel lost and don't know what to do, yet I know it's a mistake to go to the gym without a plan. Not my favorite part of the process.

Yesterday someone rang the doorbell, and the next thing I know all three of the males in my house are running to the door with their wallets. (Yes, my husband, 7 year old and 4 year old all have a wallet and are literally taking their cash to the door.) I go to find out what's going on, and it's girls selling girl scout cookies!! It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. So, we have a new temptation in the house. I was grateful this isn't much of a temptation for me until I found out my hubby so thoughtfully bought my favorites, too…Lemonades. *sigh*

As we have been eating healthier, and a huge victory for me…less, I have noticed that my view of food has begun to shift. For so long I have seen food as the answer to things it was not meant to be. Things like peace, comfort, satisfaction, escape, a quick fix. Now I am seeing it more and more for what it is: fuel. In Mark 2, Jesus is explaining the purpose of the Sabbath to the Pharisees and He says "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." The Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus, by proving that He is not abiding by the law. However, by focusing on the checklist and the letter of the law, they are completely missing the point. I feel like I've been missing the point. My body was not made for food, but food was made to nourish and fuel my body. When I can plainly see it in that perspective, it enables me to put food in its rightful place and stop focusing on it too much. Food isn't the goal, it's the means. The more effective my means, the quicker and better able I will be to reach my goal: to serve and glorify God with my life. I know it seems simple, but it gives things a fresh new meaning to me.

Ok, recipe time. Ground Turkey and Bean Stew It is so good. It has green chiles and cilantro in it. My friend made sourdough bread and brought it, too. It was a delicious and delightful meal to share with family and friends. I also entered the ingredients into My Fitness Pal to create a recipe. It's 492 calories per serving and low in fat with a little less protein that carbs.