10.23.2013

Loving Fall

This morning I crawled out of bed at five am to meet some friends to run. (thanks Angie and Kea!) The weather was perfect running weather. Cold enough to feel great when working up a sweat and not so cold that my throat starting hurting. Anybody know what I mean? Summer is my favorite season, but the older I get the more I appreciate fall. The crispness of the early mornings, the vibrancy of colors in nature, and of course the bounty of fall flavors. Here are some things that I have been enjoying lately:
the perfect shirt...soft and comfortable. 
by Bella Dahl

This sheperd's pie. Have I mentioned I have been eating Paleo? I really owe a whole post on it, but the jist is I just completed the 30 day Paleo challenge at our Crossfit gym. Everyone put fifty dollars into the pot and the winner took home the cash. The winner was rewarded based on percentage body fat lost. I lost three percent body fat, and 10 pounds. I was very happy with the results as I have been "meaning" to lose that last ten pounds of baby weight for let's see, Holden is 15 months old :) I also won the cash! Definitely a win-win. Everyone has asked, "will you keep doing Paleo?" YES. The great thing about Paleo is that it really is a lifestyle change, not a diet. I will probably take the 80/20 approach to just maintain and enjoy the benefits of how it makes you feel. I have more energy, sleep better, and am mostly just more balanced throughout the day. I think what I learned the most the past month is how much sugar I was ingesting was UNHEALTHY. I had sugar almost after every meal... maybe it was just a couple of Reese cups, a cookie, or a brownie, but it added up. Really one might call it a sugar addiction :) Does this mean I will not enjoy desserts now, ummm no...but everyday not so much. Now it is more of a "treat".  The biggest challenge is meal planning for our family dinner. This veggie pie recipe is what James says, "Is one of the only good things you have made so far". So there you go, give it a try!

Reading Domino, Holiday edition:

pictures taken a couple of weeks ago of the boys by my favorite, Catherine Mayo:



and last but not least, Hearing the Voice of God Bible Study by Mark Virkler. 

It is a really practical and easy to remember the four keys:
1. God's voice in your heart often sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts.
2. Become still so you can sense God's flow of thoughts and emotions within.
3. As you pray, fix the eyes of your heart on Jesus, seeing in the spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God
4. Journaling, the writing out of your prayers and God's answers brings great freedom in hearing God's voice 
Here is the link to the PDF that explains this in more detail and gives the scriptural foundations. 
Our homework this week was to "practice", and I had some really fruitful time with Jesus. 
I think the hardest part for me was getting STILL and quieting my mind. The neat thing was though, once I did, it didn't take long for him to begin speaking. He was ready and waiting, all I had to do was ask. 









4 comments:

Angie said...

We really enjoyed your company and enthusiasm this morning. I am hoping you will join us more often, you are a "machine" and so motivational. I am seriously wanting to try a little something different and Paleo might be my ticket! Although I need a post about it :) AND...The photos are gorgeous, what a beautiful family you have!! xo

Caroline Bobo said...

Gorgeous photos of the boys and y'all!!! Yay for losing 10lbs. and winning the cash! yea!! So proud of you! I know that is not easy!!

Nancy said...

Those pictures are wonderful!!

Molly Hargather said...

beautiful photos!!