Changing your mood - to caffiene fix or not

Coffee nerves” or “coffee jitters” can occur after 150 mg (1 cup) are ingested, while physiological and psychological dependence can occur at 300 mg/day (just 2 cups of coffee).  Taken from an article hacres.com.     (The other scientific stuff is here if you want to read it.  I wanted to focus on the deeper cause.)

We grab "substances" to change our state... we have had and bad day, stressed out, eaten too much junk, etc.... and our body are crying out for a change.  Do you grab food or stimulants or depressive agents to get thru?  If so, let me challenge you a bit...

We should not be DEPENDENT on anything other than God.  Something to think about... this convicted me to stop caffeinated soda, tea,  and coffee back in the day - because I was dependant on this to function or to feel good in the morning or to get thru something.  Nothing should have a daily hold on my life to make me better, that what God is for.  If I have to have a substance (that can go for alcohol, drugs, stimulants and even sugar and foods) to feel better, then my heart needs a check.  I try now to pray first then deal with it. (For me I would run first, well some would say that was good, and compared to a lot of other behavior that is, but that is my 2nd action. My first should always be prayer.

Did I feel like I was giving up something? No, because I learned it was not good for me.  So how could I feel deprived when it is a toxin?  Would I want to put a poison in my body?

All things are permissible, but NOT all things are beneficial (I Corinthians 10:23).  I know now this is NOT beneficial to my health - spiritually or physically.

Dr Caroline Leaf is a Christian Neuro-scientist and talks about your brain and how your thoughts can create an atmosphere of growth or decay in your body.  So the positiveness  and empowerment of prayer over your thoughts and action, can create the first changes in the chemistry of the body and mind.

For some it is a struggle to give up things that change our brain chemistry. I did it and my husband did it, so I know you can by God's grace. Phil. 4:13 say YOU can do all things thru HIM who gives you strenght. How can you fail with that on your side.

Go forth and conquer!

Do you have any energy left to Workout?

Do you have any energy left to Workout?  This is a common problem ... we are so tired by the time we get to our workouts, it is all we can do to drag ourselves up and get it done or we consign to not doing it at all.  Granted you need downtime about once a week, but the rest of the time it is healthy to get that movement in.

Wouldn't it be great to have the energy to work out ... like the feeling  of "wow i am going to have to work out I have all thie every". part of this is our SAD diet we are on.  We you start to detox your body and eat whole, fresh foods ... your energy gets to the point you have to work out.  That is a much more fun place to be, than having to muster up your willpower.

One more great reason to keep your food like how God wanted us to eat it.  You don't need to spend money on bars that are mostly processed junk anyway.  Whole food energy snacks - are green smoothies (which are especially great for recovery with no fat at this point), coconut water, celery and dates. If you want some higher fat options: almond butter, honey with cinnamon or coconut flakes, or soak some chia seeds in water for a few minutes (at least 10 minutes) add a 1/2 lemon squezzed and raw honey or stevia.

So now you can get up and move!!!!!!!!!

Honey Mustard Dressing Variation

OK my husband told me I had to type this one out....

This went over a salad bed of greens, topped with lightly sauted (coconut oil) asparagus with shredded carrots,mixed with tarragon, mustard. (I will type this out later, I orginally made these carrots as a raw dish, but wasn't crazy about the flavor, so I decdied to saute just a bit, turned it from ok to Yummy.) Grind the fresh black pepper on top.  This dressing would go well on any salad.

Dressing - about a cup, it is not thick like the store kind since it doesnt have fillers. 
1 part raw apple cider vinegar
1 part grapeseed oil (want the neutral flavor)
1 part raw honey
2 parts water
1/8 c. or 2 TBLS of mustard powder (start with this then add to your preference)
1/4 tsp of garlic powder
pinch of sea salt

Mix all together in a small blender (i used the Tribest).  Adjust to preferences.

Zina’s Healthier Ranch – Yummy

OK, I had a request for recipes thru the holidays ... so we will start with a dressing, since that is a great topping for a great salad.  Green Salads are a key foundation to your eating plan.  This is a dressing I made for our DEC 2010 Holiday Appetizer EDU-tainment Dinner.

Zina’s Healthier Ranch – Yummy

·        ½ c Veganaise   (grape seed oil mayo, no dairy, gluten, soy, animal products)

·        1 cup water

·        1 tablespoon Onion powder (better than the granules -gives it that smoky flavor)

·        1 teaspoon garlic powder

·        1 teaspoon parsley

·        ½ teaspoon dill

·        ½ teaspoon paprika

Add all to blender. Blend until smooth. The flavor is good, but for some this might be thin for a dressing, but if to thin for a dip add a tablespoon of psyillum husk or chia seeds. And let set for a few minutes to thicken.

Re-think your lip care

Love that cracked feeling on your lips?  uhhh, not so much... so we reach for some lip balm, and feel that temporary relief.

Lip mostiure or should I say lack of, mostly comes from a state of dehydration - too many cokes and coffee's and no high water content foods or just good ole fashion water.

The best way to help your lips is chug some water.  Then if you need some extra support after a long day in the sun or cold winter day - choose something with OUT pertroleum or mineral oil.  Find a base of coco butter, olive oil, etc...

Want the quick version?  use olive oil or coconut oil right out of your pantry.