Wealthy Living
I'm seeking wealth, aka, health!
A few years ago, I used to get sick a few times each year. It was almost guaranteed that I would have the flu or a cold a few times, and end up missing work and other events. Slowly it dawned on me - change must come! Though I wasn't in a hospital (and have never been admitted), I wasn't as healthy as I ought to be. And so a change began.
One of the first things I did was to limit my soda intake. Mind you, it wasn't a frequent occurrence, but often enough to notice. Following closely was fast food...the ones I'm referring to shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say they are the ones with the fried, oily foods and little to no good nutritional content. This wasn't enough, so I bought a smoothie blender and started making fruit smoothies for breakfast...seems that the only way I would eat fruit regularly. Something was wrong in my psyche that made it so difficult to consume fruits normally. Then I added vitamins to the mix (the general mix, not the smoothie mix). And then threw in some exercise here and there. This all happened over about 3 years.
Since last year and more so this year, I've been making an even more concerted effort to be healthy. One important reason was the very strong reminder that this body of mine is the temple of the Lord. I dare not treat it with contempt and disrespect. That's a work in progress (WIP...one of my favorite terms if you haven't guessed it). This is the Year of Seeking the Kingdom, so I must be prepared to be a part of this which I seek. It's not just about the mind but also the body and soul...they work together. I've therefore been trying to think of way to improve my lifestyle, and one way that came to me was wheat-fasting. What's that?
During Lent this year, I started fasting from wheat products - breads, crackers, cakes, cookies... If it had wheat, I wasn't eating it. This was inspired by a book I borrowed that was talking about ways to detox the body. Wheat often has gluten, and it seems this product can do a lot of damage to one's body. As difficult as it was, I survived...and felt good about it. So I thought - why not try this a few times for the year? So it came to pass that I decided that on the 4th Sunday of each month, I fast from wheat for one whole weak. I also needed to fast and pray for some other things happening in my life and with those around me, so it seemed the perfect match.
Benefits - this is the 2nd full week of this fast. It has forced me to be creative (somewhat) in what I eat, snacks included. Many a search was done on simple recipes for various things. I also expanded my smoothies, so in recent times, I've been including organic greens. I revived my version of polenta - adding corn and vegetarian cheese with a bit of coconut milk. It is also evident that my whole behaviour has changed and it's easier for me to go without the wheat-based products on a regular basis.
In all this, I try to maintain balance. I would not say that cake is horrible and should never be eatten again. Nor would I cease to buy breads and buns and all that jazz. What is happening is Le eating more of the right foods and making them more mainstream. The other things are the treats and less the norm. I'm also trying to exercise at least 3 times per week (actually aiming for 4...we'll see). It's dubbed OperationGetFit (and another name which shall remain un-typed). I try to do low-impact exercises that I find online (knee issues...still healing), walks, and non-meditative yoga here and there.
Then there's the mental health. I noticed that I needed to find balance in socialising/working/enjoying my quiet space. I therefore made a conscious effort to do so. Have not quite figured out the right proportions yet...soon though.
No doubt the spiritual growth has been one of the most important areas for me. It's why each year since 2013 has a theme. Its why I do introspection and make changes where needed. It's why I try to attend Bible study more often and have more quiet time and do devotions...it's how I became convicted of everything I've said above.
The conclusion of the matter: Living the best life possible requires a healthy body, at least as far as it depends on me. Going forward, it is my intention to live a balanced, healthy life. After all, healthy mind, body and soul are key to my wealth (it surely can't be my bank account)! Who doesn't want to be rich?!
A few years ago, I used to get sick a few times each year. It was almost guaranteed that I would have the flu or a cold a few times, and end up missing work and other events. Slowly it dawned on me - change must come! Though I wasn't in a hospital (and have never been admitted), I wasn't as healthy as I ought to be. And so a change began.
One of the first things I did was to limit my soda intake. Mind you, it wasn't a frequent occurrence, but often enough to notice. Following closely was fast food...the ones I'm referring to shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say they are the ones with the fried, oily foods and little to no good nutritional content. This wasn't enough, so I bought a smoothie blender and started making fruit smoothies for breakfast...seems that the only way I would eat fruit regularly. Something was wrong in my psyche that made it so difficult to consume fruits normally. Then I added vitamins to the mix (the general mix, not the smoothie mix). And then threw in some exercise here and there. This all happened over about 3 years.
Since last year and more so this year, I've been making an even more concerted effort to be healthy. One important reason was the very strong reminder that this body of mine is the temple of the Lord. I dare not treat it with contempt and disrespect. That's a work in progress (WIP...one of my favorite terms if you haven't guessed it). This is the Year of Seeking the Kingdom, so I must be prepared to be a part of this which I seek. It's not just about the mind but also the body and soul...they work together. I've therefore been trying to think of way to improve my lifestyle, and one way that came to me was wheat-fasting. What's that?
During Lent this year, I started fasting from wheat products - breads, crackers, cakes, cookies... If it had wheat, I wasn't eating it. This was inspired by a book I borrowed that was talking about ways to detox the body. Wheat often has gluten, and it seems this product can do a lot of damage to one's body. As difficult as it was, I survived...and felt good about it. So I thought - why not try this a few times for the year? So it came to pass that I decided that on the 4th Sunday of each month, I fast from wheat for one whole weak. I also needed to fast and pray for some other things happening in my life and with those around me, so it seemed the perfect match.
Benefits - this is the 2nd full week of this fast. It has forced me to be creative (somewhat) in what I eat, snacks included. Many a search was done on simple recipes for various things. I also expanded my smoothies, so in recent times, I've been including organic greens. I revived my version of polenta - adding corn and vegetarian cheese with a bit of coconut milk. It is also evident that my whole behaviour has changed and it's easier for me to go without the wheat-based products on a regular basis.
In all this, I try to maintain balance. I would not say that cake is horrible and should never be eatten again. Nor would I cease to buy breads and buns and all that jazz. What is happening is Le eating more of the right foods and making them more mainstream. The other things are the treats and less the norm. I'm also trying to exercise at least 3 times per week (actually aiming for 4...we'll see). It's dubbed OperationGetFit (and another name which shall remain un-typed). I try to do low-impact exercises that I find online (knee issues...still healing), walks, and non-meditative yoga here and there.
Then there's the mental health. I noticed that I needed to find balance in socialising/working/enjoying my quiet space. I therefore made a conscious effort to do so. Have not quite figured out the right proportions yet...soon though.
No doubt the spiritual growth has been one of the most important areas for me. It's why each year since 2013 has a theme. Its why I do introspection and make changes where needed. It's why I try to attend Bible study more often and have more quiet time and do devotions...it's how I became convicted of everything I've said above.
The conclusion of the matter: Living the best life possible requires a healthy body, at least as far as it depends on me. Going forward, it is my intention to live a balanced, healthy life. After all, healthy mind, body and soul are key to my wealth (it surely can't be my bank account)! Who doesn't want to be rich?!
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