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Idolizing Success

by De

Updated: January 12, 2020

FaithFueled Friday

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Idols

Chasing the impossible dream

Did you ever have to read the poem, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes? I loved it; I used to think of it when things would go wrong in business. It now has new meaning. I used to be an Entrepreneur I was so obsessed with the “Success” of my business; fulfilling my dream. At the time, I had two little girls 10 and 6 and one on the way. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones, but I was on a mission to put my business on a stable platform before I had my baby. My need to succeed placed on any other priority. I relentlessly pursued every opportunity right or wrong. Looking back I have realized; my business never would be successful because God was not in the equation. I did not commission Him to help me reach my goals. I took it on my shoulders to carry that burden and became weak. Spending wasted ours chasing money and success.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Idol

Flaws in the dream process

Now, the poem has new meaning. What happens to a dream deferred? It remains, it’s not going anywhere sometimes it needs to rest and placed for a later time. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? It all depends on where your heart is. My heart now belongs entirely to God any dream that doesn’t glorify him has shriveled and died. I have new ideas that I am finding out can incorporate some of the old thoughts but unless it’s foundation is placed in the Lord it’s on shaky grounds. Or fester like a sore and then run? It did rot, I thought about “What will people think?” “What about all that energy I put into it?,”What about others who can obtain their dreams?” at one point all sore points but I have now found contentment in God and those wounds have healed.

idol.

Gaining the focus I need

Does it stink like rotten meat? Not anymore that has been thrown away. There is a new dream, one that involves God who can make it better than anything I could have done on my own. Or crust and sugar over– like a syrupy sweet? The peace I have, the lack of angst, the new focus is so much more pleasing. I sit back and look at those who I used to run with towards the shiny gold medal. I see the error of our ways and rather than be sore or smell the agony of defeat, I feel contentment. That is so much sweeter than being in the rat race. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Not for me I have someone to help me carry that burden, someone to give my yoke to so that I can be free from burdens. Or does it explode? Only through his grace has my business taken on new heights. The delivery has changed, but it is far exceeding anything that I could have done on my own. All because I put my idol of “success” away and leaned and relied on God. Is there something that you are making a priority over God? Is there something that you’ve done a priority and want to give it over to him now? Either way, what were your results?

Philippians 3:12-14 (12) Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (13) Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But on thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Yep, it’s Insanity?

by De

Updated: January 12, 2020

5 Comments

Workout WednesdayInsanity

Recently I decided to try an Insanity Class. I am sure that you have seen the infomercials. A high-intensity cardio workout that is supposed to get you results. Also, the name alone is something to either be very cautious of or curious. I chose curiously; now I am not a BeachBody representative or distributor. They did not pay me nor do I get any commission from this post but I am exploring different forms of exercise on my weight loss journey and having a lot of fun trying new things. I was invited by a friend of mine to try this class. I went for three reasons:

1) I’ve been in another plateau for the last few months. (So annoying)

2) I was curious I wanted to see why some people just love to put their body through an insane amount of cardio for 45 minutes. I do not like cardio, but I need it to boost my metabolism and get this stubborn weight off. So, why not make it fun too and have some fun with my friend.

3) It was free. Yep, the first class, was free so what did I have to lose other than a few calories.

Before Insanity
So, I did it. I went, and it was, insane! (Yep pun intended) We started off with a warmup and instantly my body went into sweat mode. Not sure if the heat was up but those short 3-5 minutes which felt like 30-50 got me revved up. Then we would do five different moves that worked different areas for three sets. For example, one set would be five plyometric moves that we do for 30 seconds each; take a break for about 1 minute then another two lays down the same. At the end of the third set, we do something called a “power move,” which was some crazy hard (at least for me) move that we do for a minute. Take another break and then move onto something like Agility moves, or Strength, Core and Abs. These mini circuits lasted for about 45 minutes ending with a cool down and for me lots of praise thanking God that I didn’t throw up or pass out. Yes, you do the same thing repeatedly expecting different results. In this case, the result is a lot of huffing, puffing and sweat.

I’ve been working out for over ten months now, regularly and I’ve never felt so out of shape. It was challenging for me, and I burned 376 calories in my first class, which was a bummer because in my 20 minutes of strength training I usually burn about 355 calories. I felt like I put myself through a whole lot of work and even more sweat for nothing. Another thing about cardio is that it only burns calories while you’re doing it but Strength training continues for 24-48 hours after the 20-minute workout (at least for HIIT). Despite all of these downers, I would totally add this to my workout routine, why?

AfterInsanity

It was fun; I know that sounds sadistic, but it was. It was fun hanging out with other like-minded women and making crazy moves to some intense music and at the end being proud and thanking God that I made it through. Also, it switches things up for me. Strength training is great but despite what people say you need to do cardio to lean out and slim down. Why not, have fun while doing it. Working on plyometrics and agility is also a great well-rounded workout to add to strength training. Now, I don’t plan on becoming a cardio queen. I still prefer lifting heavy stuff, but I think I will continue to add some new cardio classes, moves to my weekly routine. Have you tried Insanity? Did you like it? Do you want to try?

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No Carb Cheesecake

by De

Updated: June 23, 2022

Crab Salad in Avocado

by De

Updated: June 23, 2022

What is this Carb Cycling thing I have heard about?

Have you ever heard of Carb Cycling? Carb cycling is basically intermittently switching from hi,low, no carbs (and I mean good carbs not pasta, bread etc. more like carrots, brown rice and sweet potatoes). By eating this way it allows your body to burn fat while conserving muscle. All this hard work I can’t afford to lose any muscle. So, say in a week Monday is low carb, Tuesday and Wednesday is No Carb, Thursday is Low Carbs and Friday is High Carbs and again it’s (Carrot, peas, brown rice and sweet potatoes) not a pizza, french fry and burger buffet. You still have to stay within a certain caloric intake but it’s just the type of calories you are consuming. I am not a fan of diets. I am all about lifestyle changes and this sounds complicated, I know and that is why I have avoided it for so long. After lots of research I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try and see the results are.

If it’s ain’t broke don’t fix it

Until now, I have been doing a heavy weight training routine and lots of HIIT a few girls in my accountability group are doing Carb Cycling and I have seen great results so I figured I would give it a try. I am in the second half of my weight loss journey. I can see the goal but still have a ways to get there. I figured that it wouldn’t hurt to try a new diet. So, like most things I jumped in and started researching and it became very intimidating. There are so many view points on it and I like my food to be simple. Anything complex and I just give up and reach for the yummiest thing I can find. Notice I didn’t say healthiest. I have come so far so why try something if it’s not broken. So, Carb Cycling eve came and I was on the verge of bailing. With a pep talk from my husband I created a week meal plan. I figured I won’t die in a week and trying something new never hurt. I never thought I could workout with 20 lbs weights or do push-ups or burpees and now those are a part of my routine.

Where do I begin?

So, I did it like all my other meal plans. I flipped to my Meal Plan page (You can download my meal planner here) in my Planner and started planning like I always do but a little bit differently. I usually eat mostly Produce and Protein and Complex Carbs after workouts and before noon. So, I excluded that. So, my meal plan looked like this for a Carb Cycle week:

CarbCycle Meal Plan

So not only did I try a new meal plan but I added a new meal to the menu. I didn’t want to go into total change meltdown but while scrolling on Pinterest I found this yummy recipe and it inspired my own. I basically took the idea and created my own ingredients and it turned out delicious and will be a regular on the meal plan. Have you heard of carb cycling before? What do you think? Could you do it?

Yum

Crab Salad in Avocado

Ingredients

1 Avocado
8 oz. Lump crab
1/2 cup Scallions,cut include whites
2 clovesGarlic minced
1/4 Onion minced
1/4 Red Peppers minced
1 Tbsp. Celery seeds
Salt and pepper
2 Tbsp. Cilantro
1-2 tbsp of rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. Greek yogurt, optional

Instructions

Pulse garlic, onion, peppers, scooped out avocado and Rice Vinegar
Mix in by hand lump crab, scallions,celery seeds, salt and pepper and greek yogurt
Put scoop in avocado
Chill and Serve

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://faithfueledmoms.com/crab-salad-avocado/

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Southwest Quinoa with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

by De

Updated: February 29, 2016

9 Comments

ostella bistro (1)

Are you looking for a recipe that is really easy? Very Tasty? Healthy and Fresh? This is it. I don’t even know where I got this recipe but over the years I have made it my own. I was raised in a faith that was vegetarian so a lot of our meals were plant based protein. One of my favorite meals from childhood is called Haystacks which is very similar to this but no quinoa and refried beans instead of black beans. I think one day playing around in the kitchen as you know I often do, this recipe was born. I started bringing it to functions for my potluck and everyone ask me the recipe. So, one day I sat down and wrote out exactly what I do but there are so many things that you can do with it, add to it.

This is a great meal to take for Potlucks because it’s great for people with food allergies, or preferences. Swap a few ingredients and it can be Vegan or Vegetarian. Quinoa is gluten free friendly too and it taste so good. Got lots of protein and iron too. I love making this all year long and it is really simple and easy. Everyone loves my Southwest Quinoa. Another great thing is it freezes AWESOME! Can’t go wrong. Top your salad, eat it with Tortilla chips, in corn or flour tortillas,casserole and even in Wontons with some cheese baked or fried its the best appetizer. Its also one of those recipes you can adapt. Sometimes I add green enchilada sauce or red enchilada sauce instead of the avocado cilantro dressing and it takes on another flavor. I am sure there are other ways I serve it but just can’t think of them at the moment but those are a few ideas. Its one of my families favorites. Let me know what your family thinks of it and other ways you end up serving it.

Yum

Southwest Quinoa with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients

Southwest Quinoa with Avocado Cilantro Dressing
1c. Dry black beans
1c of Tri colored quinoa
1 packet Goya Sazon
6 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 large onion or 1 medium diced
2 tbsp. Ground Cumin
1/2c. Sweet Corn (Cut from the cob or frozen)
1/2 Large Red Pepper diced
1/2 Large green pepper diced
1c. Cilantro (chopped)
1 tomatillo diced
1c Cherry or Grape tomatoes Diced
1 Serrano Pepper ribbed (unless you like spice) and minced
1/4c. Green onions chopped
4c. Chicken or Turkey Broth (Vegetable Stock or Water for Vegan Option)

Instructions

Directions
Place Black Beans, 2c. Broth, 1/4 onion, 3 garlic cloves, Sazon packet , Ground Cumin in pot. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer until beans are soft. Or, place beans in crock pot on hi for 4 hours.
Place 2c. Of Broth and Quinoa to boil then simmer until soft
Once beans are done place remaining ingredients in mixing bowl.
Add Corn, Peppers (Red, Green and Serrano), Cherry Tomatoes, Cilantro, Green Onion, and Quinoa
Mix and Serve (best if refrigerated overnight) in tortilla (corn/flour), on salad or with tortilla chips (great for potlucks)

Notes

Avocado Cilantro Dressing

1 Avocado 1 1/2c Cilantro chopped 1/4c White Wine Vinegar 1/2 lime 2 tbsp Ground Cumin 4 cloves garlic 5 oz. Greek Plain Yogurt (My favorite Latta Russian Kefir or Vegan Option Soy or Almond Greek Yogurt) 2 tbsp Olive oil Salt & Pepper

Directions 1. Cut Avocado and pit, juice lime 2. Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse till smooth and creamy 3. DONE!!

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes

https://faithfueledmoms.com/southwest-quinoa-with-avocado-cilantro-dressing/

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Idolizing Success

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Like this:

Yep, it’s Insanity?

Like this:

No Carb Cheesecake

Like this:

Crab Salad in Avocado

What is this Carb Cycling thing I have heard about?

If it’s ain’t broke don’t fix it

Where do I begin?

Like this:

Southwest Quinoa with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Like this:

Idolizing Success

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Share this:

Like this:

Yep, it’s Insanity?

Share this:

Like this:

No Carb Cheesecake

Share this:

Like this:

Crab Salad in Avocado

What is this Carb Cycling thing I have heard about?

If it’s ain’t broke don’t fix it

Where do I begin?

Share this:

Like this:

Southwest Quinoa with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Share this:

Like this: