I Carry for…

Carry the Carry Forward Project is a Virtual 5k raising fund and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project is a fundraiser that is near and dear to my heart.

For the last ten years around Memorial Day, I think about my little cousin Alex who would be thirty-one years this year, but he was fatally wounded in combat.  Ten years ago in my Uncle received news that his oldest son Alex had died in Afghanistan. My entire family still grieves for this loss, especially my Uncle and his siblings. It has particularly haunted my Uncle for the past decade. We will never get over the loss. 

Wounded Soldiers

We all miss his radiating smile and dimples.  He was always eager to help and a caring big brother—a witty sense of humor and willingness to serve.  When Alex joined the army, it was no surprise.  He was proud to serve his country. Our family has endured many wounds.

My father, stepfather, aunts, uncles, grandfather, grandmother, and great grandfather all served the United States Military. The duty that soldiers possess for their country. I’ve always found admirable.  I look up to so many of these people in my family and am proud of their service for the freedom of our country. Its something they choose to do, which includes sacrifices.  Maybe because my father was a soldier and you look up to your father. My grandfather was a distinguished man that also set the example. I have the utmost respect for those who serve our country so that we can practice our freedoms.  

Wounded Warrior Project

This year I partnered with “Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to help further their extraordinary mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors! We’re bringing awareness to the WWP Carry Forward® 5K, delivered by CSX®,  a powerful and unifying experience that raises mission-critical funds for services and resources for wounded veterans. “This is an opportunity for me to support a cause I learned about two years ago actively. 

Last year, I raised funds through my Ms. Muscle and Fitness, where I made it two 6th place with your support. The funds raised during the voting period was to the Wounded Warrior Project.  This year I am doing things differently and putting “movement to this mission.” I am passionate about offering veterans services and tools for them to heal from service.  It is important to care for those who cared for us.

I carry forward

I was taught about sacrifice and allegiance for our country at a young age.  As an adult, I now have deep empathy and compassion for the families of the armed forces.  I partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to participate in a Virtual 5k to bring awareness and recognition to this organization serving our wounded veterans.

I am not a runner, but I do enjoy a run.  During COVID 19, I have running to be a great time to reflect.  This Virtual 5K was so much different because I was carrying for the people in my family that I have respected and admired. Their allegiances and servitude for the people of our country are admirable, considering the present state. Yet, they serve, and some of them die in honor like my cousin Alex.  Others come home wounded not only physically but some mentally, and that is equally debilitating, and their servitude goes unnoticed.  

Carry Forward is Unique

Running a 5k carrying weight is a humbling experience, and carrying my almost seventy-pound six-year-old as a representation of our fallen soldiers. I carried a weight to represent the responsibilities veterans carry while serving our country. As I ran, I was brought to tears thinking of the man Alex could have been. It’s a unique and powerful way to honor the brave and heroic women and men who serve our armed forces veterans. 

The experience was moving and reflective. I have never run a 5k and had that experience.  Its something that you have to do for yourself and you can.  I ended the race carrying Mimi to symbolize the responsibilities veterans c while serving our country. I carry for my family, my cousin Alex Hernandez, and other families of veterans of the United States. I encourage and invite you to do the same.

Right now, with coupon code FREEDOM, you can join this movement for FREE and participate in a Virtual 5k! 

To join, just click here and share who you are carrying for…let’s recognize these heroes and bring awareness to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

5 Ways to Detox your Skincare

Detox your skincare routine to improve so many aspects of your health from hormone imbalances, to the effect on your weight loss. Your skincare routine is probably one of the essential things in your wellness.

I have shared products that I use with my Amazon affiliate links that I do make a commission from please See My Full Disclosure Policy. 

Your skincare affects everything, including your weight loss.

Our toxic intake is sabotaging our weight loss efforts! What if I told you that your lotion is causing you to gain weight? What if I said to you that what you put on your body; or absorb from the environment that you live in will negate a “clean eating diet?”

If you’re washing your dishes with chemical-laden dish detergent, then eating or drinking out of those dishes is directly going into your bloodstream. Something that seems harmless such as your shampoo bottle ingredient labeled “fragrance,” can contain over 4,000 compounds of toxic chemicals. Why is this allowed you asked? Because beauty products and skincare are under-regulated in the United States.

Honoring your temple is more than food and exercise.

When considering honoring your temple, people completely forget the mind, which is crucial. They also neglect the outside of the body other than their appearance. When you think of a healthy lifestyle or honoring your temple, you immediately associate it with your fitness and nutrition, but there is so much more.

Your Morning Routine is to blame

Just think about your daily hygiene routine.

Bathing: you use soap, lotion, deodorant, possibly shampoo and conditioner, and maybe even perfume or fragrance.

You brush your teeth with plastic toothbrush and toothpaste, which has small traces but still toxic chemicals. You may use the product to style your hair.

Even your Makeup can be affecting your weight loss.

Makeup? And you are putting all of these products on the most significant organ of your body or in your mouth.  The concept of skin absorption is not new; there are nicotine patches, birth control patches, even appetite suppressants.

That’s because the largest organ in our body is also the most vulnerable when it comes to toxic absorption. Some of these chemicals are having adverse effects on your weight loss efforts.

toxic intake

What is a toxin?

I think a precise definition of what I mean by toxin is needed too. Toxins can cover a broad range of things-there are internal toxins, which are normal standard bodily functions that God has designed in us to eliminate through our kidney and livers.

Then there are external toxins from pesticides, industrial chemicals, mercury, and so much more. These are the toxins that I am referring to.  These are the toxins that are building up in our bodies and leading our organs to become overworked, causing illness and weight gain.  These toxins are absorbed into our bloodstream through our skin, mouth, nose, and then stored in our fat cells.

How do toxins affect weight loss?

When we go to lose fat and weight, the stored toxins in the fat cells are released into our body and then causes our metabolism to slow down. Adverse effects of cellular structure happen too, which also causes illness’ such as cancer.

There have been hundreds of studies on the chemical toxins and the effects on your body during weight loss. The Obesity Review in 2003, researchers concluded that pesticides and Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs (from industrial pollution), poison our metabolism when they are released from the stored fat tissue.

What can I do to reduce my toxin intake?

I could go on and on about the adverse effects that we are doing to our body daily, but I encourage you to research for yourself.

You will be shocked at what is really in your lotions and body care products and what they are doing to your body slowly but surely.

Here are some recommendations on

Five ways to detox your skincare and reduce your toxic intake.

1. Reduce and minimize your toxic intake.

Easier said than done, right? Eat foods that minimally process, organic foods, drink filtered water (which is a post in the making about our water filters), foods that don’t contain “food additives,” foods that are free of hormonesantibiotics, artificial sweeteners, artificial food colors, or artificial flavorings that were not initially found in the food. Let’s take it back to nature what God provided before we modified it to look or taste more appealing. Eat Biblically Based!

2. Get rid of toxins through sweat!

Exercise regularly, the use of saunas healthily and safely. Pesticides and heavy metals can be excreted through your skin by sweating. Did you know that workers at Ground Zero after 9/11 were treated through sweating in saunas to eliminate the toxins that were absorbed while they were working?

3.Detox through food.

I have detoxed by eating foods after unwise choices. Usually, I do it for three days at a time. There are a variety of foods that can help you do this. Make sure you follow step 1 when choosing the types of foods. Cruciferous vegetables like: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, dandelion greens, cilantro, garlic, citrus peels and cocoa (definitely remember step 1 when choosing your cocoa) and drinking green tea can help detox your body.

4.Water.

Your body is designed by God to flush itself, and people fail to realize that water helps flush fat, which is where the toxins are stored, so it is a great way to detoxify your body.

5. Be conscious of the products that you use.

My family uses Giovanni for our shampoo and conditioner- its made of sulfite-free products and all-natural no synthetic chemicals. We use coconut oil for our lotion, Unrefined virgin coconut oil; that’s it. We use White Birch because of the ingredients, and it works well and doesn’t taste awful like other toothpaste.  Something that I have struggled with is finding a natural deodorant.  You apply your deodorant so close to your lymph nodes and with the high absorption rate and frequency of application. It is something that I am conscious I need to find, but I haven’t found one that works or irritate my skin, as of yet, but I am still searching.

Unfortunately, we will never be completely toxin-free, not in the world that we have tainted from God’s original creation. But we can reduce our exposure and rid ourselves as much as possible.  This will help with not only weight loss but also with our complete health and help us to honor our temples.

Have you ever considered your body care products to be toxic? What are some things that you have done to reduce your toxin intake?

 

 

 

What is Pea Protein Powder?

I am a #NOWWellness Influencer. I have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases, and I am compensated for my post. All my opinions are my own. My full disclosure policy

Pea protein powder fuels my post workouts. Over the years, I have tried so many protein powders and shared them with you.  I have written several posts over the years for protein powder. I’ve gone from having it daily to eliminating it altogether. I am always coming back to add it to my diet because it’s a convenient way to get clean protein.

My Criteria for Choosing a Plant-based Protein

  1. What’s in it?
  2. How does it taste?
  3. Can I bake and make pancakes with it?

Pea Protein Powder is a High-Quality Plant-Based Protein Powder

I also want it to be a high-quality source of protein. Pea protein is considered a highly bioavailable protein meaning your body quickly absorbs and uses pea protein as a fuel source. Pea Protein is a plant-based protein that is a high source of protein that is easily applied and absorbed by the body.  There are many types of plant-based protein.  I find pea protein to be a superior source when looking for a plant-based protein.

Why not Whey Protein Powder?

I don’t do Whey Protein at all, mostly because it has milk in it, and I am lactose intolerant. My husband drinks Whey Protein and has also fallen in love with the taste of NOW® Sports Whey Chocolate Isolate.  Whey protein is also a highly bioavailable protein and has higher absorption than pea protein, especially if you drink an isolate.  I prefer Pea Protein because I digest it better than Whey because of the dairy content. Whey is great for some people, and others, we have a great option like NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder that comes in different flavors. My husband says  Whey Protein tastes better than others he has tried.

My first experience with NOW® Sports Pea Protein Powder

Last summer at Empower Summer Camp, I was introduced to NOW® Sports Vanilla Toffee Pea Protein, and I became addicted.  We had fun making smoothie bowls my first time, and the taste is fantastic. I am not a huge chocolate fan. I enjoy a brownie from time to time, but vanilla is my go-to in protein powders. Check out my everyday post-workout shake below. They have other flavors too.  Pick your choice of Creamy Vanilla or Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee, or unflavored and make it your own.

Clean Pea Protein Powder

I pretty much trust all NOW products because they are CERTIFIED (you know I love me a cert)! NOW has provided natural health products and supplements since 1968.  They’re not one of these new companies that are popping up on Instagram with the claim of all “natural” ingredients or the naturalistic fallacy.  NOW’s testing is why they have been a leader in producing products for health and wellness. The label is entirely transparent; there is no questioning what is in the bottle.  I trust them for my family’s needs.

What’s in Pea Protein Powder?

NOW Sports Pea Protein passed my high standards for quality protein, but why NOW Sports Pea Protein? Two reasons. It has quality ingredients and 4,400 mg of branched chain amino acids and over 2,200 mg of arginine.Pea Protein has become the go-to plant-based protein because of all of the things I have said above:

  • It’s very clean; It’s just protein, nothing else.  It does have branched chain amino acids and is a complete protein profile, which is why it needs no fillers, unlike dairy-based products.
  • It does not have an overpowering taste, any smart smell, and no bad aftertaste.
  • High Source of quality Protein some people find it hard to find high quality and clean plant-based protein.  Usually, plant-based protein is not enough for dietary needs.
  • Helps maintain healthy weight when people think of losing weight; they first grab veggies, not protein, but protein is an excellent way to maintain healthy body weight.  If you get .7-1 gram per the amount you weigh in protein a day, you will build muscle faster that will help you burn fat faster.  Weight x .8= Amount of Protein you should eat a day. Another reason that proteins help you feel less hungry. Studies have shown that Pea Protein is equal to dairy-based protein in suppressing hunger.

Why do I recommend Pea Protein Powder?

As I said before, I have been drinking the same protein shake daily for over a year with the same enthusiasm. No, seriously, it tastes so good. It’s really creamy, and BCAAs are great for when I am trying to grow for my fitness competitions.  I am not a fan of meal replacement shakes, but I am a huge fan of the convenience of quality Protein Shakes for snacks and post-workout fuel. I sometimes work out as late as 11 at night. It just works. Some people get up at crazy early hours and exercise, and some of us stay up late to crazy hours and workout. Pick your crazy, but don’t judge. The last thing I want to do is eat. I usually Shake, Chug, and pass out, so when I eliminated Protein Shakes from my life, it made post-workout meals a chore.

It’s not gritty, and it tastes AMAZING, and some Pea Protein I have tried are gritty. Light but filling because it is 25g of protein. Shake, and some nut butter and I am ready to go.

Pancakes, Cookies, Donuts, and Muffins

Yes, yes, and yes, it has passed the baking test, and because the powder is so refined, everything is light and fluffy. I also love that NOW has a variety of flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Toffee Vanilla, and Unflavored.  Unflavored is excellent because you can use it to make savory items.  It is so good.  I made “You’d think they Could be Ritz” Protein Crackers. They resembled those buttery crackers mm mm. <Recipe to come>

I haven’t had a protein that I have completely loved until now.  I really am ending the search and found something that is affordable, delicious, actually truly clean with no fillers, and something that I would recommend to my clients, friends, and family with the confidence they will like it, and it’s good for them. If you want to give NOW Foods, a try take 20% off your purchase with coupon code “FAITHFUELED.”

Do you have a particular protein you love?

 

Encouraged by “Grace looks amazing on you”

Grace looks amazing on you is a 100 day devotional with personal stories, scriptures, and reflections of God’s grace. Such an excellent book for encouragement.

I received the Grace looks Amazing on your 100 Day Devotional for free to review and post. Although, I received the devotional as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy

Searching for Amazing Grace amongst Anxiety

Anxiety has risen high in the last two weeks for me, and when fear creeps in, that is a sure sign that I am not intimately concerning Christ. I’m doing it on my own, and I am not that strong in the gym and especially mentally.  That is what has appealed so much to me in Christ is peace.  Peace from the worry, what if’s, racing thoughts, problematic outcomes, the world is ending scenarios that can plague my dark mind.  But where there is light, there can be no darkness, and that is how I know that I am not leaning on Christ.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Grace looks amazing on you, not self-reliance.

Because I want to be in control, I want to understand, and I want to know the end of all this, but it’s not for me to know.  I am to abide and trust in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

Every day I wakeup a sinner saved by grace and; Without God, my sinful nature will always take over my second nature, and here we are now.  I am all over the place with my moods, either enthusiastic or utterly incapable of functioning.  I need Jesus!

 

You can find amazing grace through prayer.

Prayer is an immediate peace provider for me. Its the ultimate remedy for my anxious thoughts, but I also need time in the Word. I was learning more about the heroic story of Jesus how He died for me because He loved me like no other.  

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God revealing His amazing grace

Right now, with my Online Bible Study group, which was a thing that a group of friends and I did before COVID began.  We are almost a year into studying the Word together online.  In late February, throughs God’s urging, we decided to explore the book of Hebrews.  As we slowly navigate through Hebrews, I am deeply reminded of God’s divine plan from the beginning of existence. His love and His amazing grace.

Grace looks Amazing on you 100 Day Devotional Book

I am also reading a devotional that I received as a gift from Amy Sieffert called grace looks amazing on you; it is a breath of fresh air. Every morning I am reminded that despite my hot mess, I am His masterpiece. His love is unconditional, and that is something that I need to hear these days as anxious thoughts tell me differently.  This devotional is so relatable as Amy shares her failures and God’s redemption through it all. I often think of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus as my redemption, but I am being redeemed in Christ every day.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Grace looks amazing on you as a daily devotion.

Each day begins with a Scripture and a personal incident Amy where she was able to see the grace of God.  As a mother of three unpredictable girls, it’s kind of refreshing to see Amy’s take on the struggles of motherhood and that we’re not alone in our insecurities and mishaps.  It has been such a blessing to get deeply study God’s Word through Hebrews, and to have this grace Looks amazing on you devotional every morning. It is a 100-day devotional.

This is an excellent gift for the woman in your life that needs to be reminded that although she is flawed, she is ultimately loved by Him. I am not a medical or mental doctor, but I do believe in the power of God, but I want to say it does not replace a mental health specialist if you need to speak to someone.  I was in therapy for many years for my anxiety and have gotten many tools to help cope.  

We need to invest in our mental health.

We have to honor our temples inside and out, especially now, and if you need help in any area. Spirit, mind, and body, I want to encourage you to seek them out.

Amy Sieffert has a giveaway for her book happening until 5/10/20, so enter to win. Make sure you come through here and get the opportunity to see God’s amazing grace through Amy’s eyes and encouragement through her book.

Is there a favorite devotional you have when you are anxious?

 

Self Care is Biblical

 

Today’s guest blogger is Michelle Hartgraves from Faith, Coffee and Miles.  She is amazing wife, mother and fitness enthusiast with a heart for God.  I am grateful for her contribution to FaithFueled Moms and her valued input on how we must take care of ourselves.  Check out her thoughts: 

Imagine what happens when you neglect to give your home the necessary attention it needs,  soon it would be in total disarray, dishes piling up, mountains of laundry needing to be done, etc. Now think about what happens to your physical home (your body, your temple) when it is neglected or your attention is elsewhere; frustration, impatience, weight gain, health problems, spiritual emptiness, and depression are all factors that come into play.

Strengthening our bodies to nurture ourselves physically

Proverbs 31:17  “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Physical activity is great stress relief. Physical activity also reduces our risks for and complications of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes, and much more. When we work out, it sweats out our toxins, and helps us become stronger physically. Regular exercise strengthens our immune systems and can give us more energy to get our tasks done.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

When we work out it raises our serotonin levels, which are feel good chemicals flooding your system. It can help us cope with stress, lowers our cortisol levels which can cause weight gain, and gets our mind off what is troubling us at the moment. As if there wasn’t enough stress in life, I have a preteen and a teen so running or working out is my sanity saver. It helps me refocus and re-evaluate. Did you know that when we exercise, we build muscle and stamina, but we also release a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) which also helps boost the feeling of happiness and effects memory. We feel not only physically stronger but mentally stronger. We have more energy to be in the moment and enjoy our kids, to enjoy daily life and feel better about ourselves.

Nurturing our minds and well-being

Mark 6:31 “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while…”

The Bible speaks about rest several time, beginning with the creation week. The Ten Commandments made resting on the Sabbath a requirement of the Law. Even Jesus rested in his ministry. God desires rest for us because it does not come naturally to us. 

Sleep/Rest  it plays a part with rebalancing hormone function. Sleep influences our body’s hormone response and insulin sensitivity and is necessary to heal and detox. It helps restore the Nervous system, manage stress, is good for our immune system and adrenal glands, and even lowers cortisol levels.  Some things you can do to improve sleep is to sleep in a completely dark room, follow a regular routine for meals and sleep, and include relaxing herbal teas in your nighttime routine. Try to limit starches at bed time and aim for at least 7 hours if you can, or allow yourself to take a nap if you need it. Most importantly of all, listen to your body.

There are several things you can do to give your mind a break. Make time for your self by going for a leisurely walk solo, read a book you have been meaning to read for a while, or fill the tub with Epsom salts or bubble bath. Do what makes you feel rested and rejuvenated. For the Christian, the ultimate rest is found in Christ. He invites all who are “weary and burdened” to come to Him and cast our cares on Him (Matthew 11:28; 1 Peter 5:7). It is only in Him that we can find complete rest—from the cares of the world, from the burdens that weigh us down. Journal or write down reassuring Bible verses to memorize or look back on during times of stress or when you feel discouraged.

You are just as important as all of the things and people you constantly give your energy, love, and time to.  Give yourself the gift of you – the gift of making self-care a priority, to take care of your overall well-being. After all, how much more of an impact can we make in other’s lives, in our home, and in the world for God if we have the stamina and energy to do it.  We can better take care of others if we take care of ourselves.

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

Do you believe self care is important? Do you practice self care?

 Meet Michelle

I am a Pastor’s wive, mother of three, Navy Veteran, Certified Health Coach, blogger and avid runner. Running is my sanity saver and I am fueled by God’s word and coffee!

 

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