Day 49 - Small steps and a shield

Making lifestyle changes is different from a 'diet' It is more of a making a series of small steps, or changes. Today 'felt' disappointing, but I've learned not to rely on emotion, and set about checking how many small changes I've made thus far in my journey of healthy eating.I came up with these:

• Use rice protein – organic in smoothies and puddings
• add Spirulena to diet (there are actually bars out there that are tasty - like Greens Plus
• take digestive enzymes
• Examine what foods I eat - ask if they provide nutrition
• Try to switch to organic and natural whenever possible (raw or blanched instead of canned)
• Rebounder 15-20 minutes
• Use sauna for detox cleansing
• Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Avoid all forms of corn syrup
• Drink more water
• Drink glass of warm lemon water in morning (1/2-1 tsp. lemon juice)
• Stay away from hormone added meat and dairy
• Switch to sprouted grains as much as possible
• add more greens to diet - I really like swiss chard
• eat more vegetables
• eat more chicken and turkey and less red meat
• prepare for success when in car (bring boiled eggs, veggies, nuts to snack on)
• use stairs instead of elevators
• clean the cupboards and remove unhealthy food
• organize spice cabinet and toss outdated items
• journal my daily food and exercise 

I thought wow - I have made a number of valuable changes and am encouraged to add to the list.

Feelings changed to those of Luke 1:49 when Mary said, "the Mighty One has done great things for me." Not even so much that He enabled me to accomplish those small steps, but more so seeing what God has done encourages me that He will continue to be faithful and help me accomplish all the changes that need to be made.  This is my repeat (oh, maybe ten-thousandth time) to apply the lesson of not listening to emotion but look at facts.

The fact is that Magen - God my shield - lifts up my countenance.  Psalm 3:3 says "but you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head."  Other verses refer to the shield as a shield of victory or the shield of faith.  Imagine that - God IS my shield and that shield is not just in front of me like pictures I've seen, but around me.  There is a story in the Bible where one soldier was shot with an arrow that got to the only little space that was between his shield and his armor.  Sometimes I am a lot like that soldier, because I have a choice to accept and apply God's protection and help, or to leave openings for the enemy.  Looking at the truth of God's Word - at Magen's desire to protect me from all sides - always encourages me.  Just like looking at what God has done.

Breakfast:  Pasty filling and 1 egg.  One-third of grapefruit not shown.
Mid-afternoon snack not shown - another third of grapefruit and mixed seeds and nuts (sunflower, pumpkin, walnuts)

Dinner:  "Taco" salad - Greens topped with chopped buffalo fillet seasoned with cumin and salt. Dressing is sour cream thinned with rice milk.