Fixing my Sweet Tooth While on Whole Life and Nike+ SportsWatch

Okay, yes I am a fitness and nutrition nut but even I have my vices.  I admit I have a sweet tooth and yes I indulge that weekly with something that wouldn't typically be on the healthy side of the nutrition scale, i.e. ice cream, donuts, ice cream, cake, ice cream.  You get the idea. 

So with the whole life challenge I basically can't have anything sweet at all so I have been finding some alternatives.  

Dates can be used to add in may things whether to add sweetness or act as a binder, such as protein/granola bars.  I have been having to find alternatives for some of my snacks in the morning since it usually consists of some type or processed protein bar.  So for snacks this past week I decided to make Bacon Wrapped Pecan Dates which are pictured below and I also made today Bacon Wrapped Cinnamon Pineapple.  I somehow find time to make these things in between running from job to job, but the best part is a lot of it is in the oven so I can multitask while they are cooking.

Bacon Wrapped Pecan Dates

 Bacon Wrapped Pecan Dates/Pineapple
12 dates
       (or fresh pineapple chunks)
Uncured bacon 
12 pecans (for dates)
cinnamon (optional)

For Dates:
1. preheat oven to 425F
2.  Remove pits from dates (the pits almost look like pecans).  To remove, just place a slit in the date and pull apart and replace with pecan.  You can leave the pecans out if you prefer.
3. Cut bacon in half (about 4in each piece)
4. Wrap/roll bacon around date or pineapple and secure with a toothpick.
5.  Place in the oven for 20-30min depending on your preference on how long you like the bacon to cook or look.  Keep an eye on it.
6.  For the pineapple with cinnamon.  I sprinkled cinnamon on the pineapple, as well as the bacon.

*Note:  for cholesterol friendly I used turkey bacon
Recipes from Practical Paleo cookbook

I usually reheat them in the microwave, but only for a couple seconds (at the most 20) because those suckers get hot.  I will say they are very sweet.  I can't even believe the health benefits of dates and all the vitamins and minerals they have in them.  And to think I just had these for the first time the other week.

I Never Win ANYTHING!!

I participated in the Nike Women's Half Marathon that took place in Washington D.C. back in April.  They have it twice a year, in D.C. and San Francisco (which is coming up) and this race is hard to get into because it it a lottery draw.  LUNA Bar is one of the races sponsors and I follow them on Facebook.  They were having a contest one day regarding nutrition.  They would choose 3 people out of the millions who asked a nutrition question regarding how to fuel your body for performance.  The prize...Nike+ SportWatch

I am a runner, as well as a CrossFitter, so I had to ask, 

T:  "What is a good carb, that is not a grain, that in conducive to run training?  I'm trying to find something besides sweet potatoes."

LB: "Regular potatoes are great as well also fruits and dairy products contain carbs."

Grains and dairy aren't big on the paleo diet, and although I don't follow it strictly I do try and stick to it as much as I can.  I usually have oatmeal twice a week because of run training.  Anyway.

I somehow got chosen as one of the winners for this.  I sent them my address and just receive the watch in the mail yesterday. They also sent me a full box of one of the new flavors, chocolate coconut almond, they are trying for their protein bar line.  Just the ingredients alone say Almond Joy to me.  I look forward to testing out the watch on my runs and trying these protein bars.  Will give you a review of the watch and bars later.

I also tried making a pumpkin pie protein shake recipe today.  It need some perfecting...thickness and will post the recipe soon.   And be on the lookout for a quick homemade ice cream recipe!

Midnight Run and My Whole Life

All sane workout junkies drive all night for an event right?  Well that's what I did on this past Friday night.  I started the day with coaching at 6am (waking up at 415am), jumped in with the 9am class to workout and then headed to my apartment to make sure I had everything packed before I headed to the second job at 130pm.  My main concern that day, besides making sure I had everything packed so I could leave straight from work to head to Charlotte was what in the world was I going to order from Sonic (milkshake or turtle molten cake sundae).  Now you're probably asking why this was a big decision and normally I only have things like that on a Sunday.

Whole Life Challenge at Midnight 
As of Saturday, Sept. 30th I started the Whole Life Challenge with my CrossFit gym.  It is a wellness challenge. I would normally call it a fitness challenge, but it incorporates stretching, lifestyle (distractions), exercise, etc.  This would be the last time I would be able to have a treat like that for the next 8 weeks, hence why there was a sundae on the way home!  

Tempting right?
M&M's, bananas, Great Harvest Bread Co. granola
bars, pro bar energy bars, pretzels, brownies,
larabars, and more.

This run was a way for me to see some old friends and meet some new ones.  That's one of the positives about the running community.  They stick together on runs, especially at night.  At the run they had a snack table to help keep us fueled for however many laps we were going to run.  There were M&Ms, tortilla chips, larabars, brownies, etc.  Of course I had to indulge a little before 12am rolled around.  
In Charlotte, there is a running/biking loop called the Booty Loop.  It is a 2.7 mile loop through Myers Park.  My goal of 4 laps, but I only ran 2, totaling 5.4 miles.  I could tell my body was not properly fueled, I was tired from being up all day (since 415am), and my legs were already sore from the previous days workout as well as that morning.

Saw this on my 1st lap and thought it was
a great inspiration to those running
that night and all other times of the day

I decided to take on the challenge of doing the performance level of the challenge.  The only thing that is different from the other levels (lifestyle and kickstart) is the restrictions on the nutrition.  The main thing I noticed right away compared to my normal diet is that I am not allowed to have honey or oatmeal.  I have oatmeal about twice a week because of run training, bread on Sundays as a cheat, and honey basically every day as part of my nightly treat and I add it to my green tea in the mornings.  

So the nutrition is still a work in progress because I realized how much stuff that I can have that is mixed into some food items.  A lot of marinades I can't have and it is hard to find things without those particular ingredients in them.  
Let me tell you, Saturday and Sunday were a complete struggle.  I felt bad going to my sister-in-laws Pure Romance party and having to take my own food.   And Sunday my body had gotten used to the carbs so I had to find something to eat that contained tons of carbs, my body was screaming.  But one of the positives about this challenge is the daily stretching.  I am looking forward to actually taking the time to stretch every day and increasing my flexibility, especially since it's something I should already do being a coach and an athlete.  Yes, I lack taking the time to stretch everyday like I should.

Midnight Run VII Group 

So throughout this challenge I will post some recipes and some exercises for each major muscle group.  This challenge will definitely be hard, but I am looking forward to it.  

Staying Disciplined

It is all about staying disciplined and looking at the long term benefits to our health.  We can't get distracted by what we want at the moment just to get off the path of our final destination.  Hebrews 12:1 helps

"Therefore, since we are surround by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us"

~Hebrews 12:1

This verse really emphasizes how we get distracted by what we want at that moment.  Our long term goal is to be closer to God, be with him in heaven, and to live a life that glorifies him.  Our other idols seem to be more appealing at the time than being a child of God.  God never promised that our paths would be easy when following him.  But we are not meant to walk on this path alone.  We are meant to help each other when we go astray and to enhance each others gifts as Christians.  Each person is meant to disciple for God in a different way; through teaching, singing, craftsmanship, etc.  We as a whole can worship God stronger than we ever could as an individual.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the 

testing of your Faith produces perseverance."

James 1:1-3

This is what is it like with athletics.  When we train are have something we are training for, whether it be a some sort of competition (race, CrossFit, endurance for a charity fund, etc) or just to become better at what we do as athletes.  Even those just beginning their fitness journey have goals.  There will always be set backs to those goals.  And sometimes those set backs come from things we temporarily want pleasures from; i.e. that juicy burger, ice cream or we just wake up and are not in the mood to train that day when on a training schedule or take a break while on vacation.  It is getting back on that regiment that is the hardest part.  We have work hard for to each that finish line, and while that work may sometimes get hard and overwhelming we know that reaching the finish line at the end will be well worth it.  

We train with others because they encourage us to keep going on bad days or days where we are not in the mood.  Just like on the midnight run.  I started out on my second lap by myself and the first lap, it was hard to keep running once I got away from the group.  I had a nice couple come up to me while on my second lap and stuck with me the rest of the time and it completely took my mind off the loop and I was completely interested in our conversation.  Or even in CrossFit when you are the first, middle, or last person done you are still being cheered on by those around you.  You are coached by those around you to help you get through the rest of the workout.  Our fellow Christians are there to help distract us from those temporary pleasures that Satan is tempting us with.  Once we get wrapped up in sin and how it makes us feel, it is hard to escape that feeling.

Just like staying focused on our ending life with God we know will be well worth it in the end to end up with him for the rest of our lives than to end up with Satan the rest of our lives.  Whether it is related to your faith or your athletes stay disciplined and keep your eyes on the ending prize, not letting your eyes stray to the left or to the right.

Staying Focused on the Right Thing

What is more important in your life?
Material/flesh desires or your relationship
with God?

We all have things we focus a lot on or stress out way too much about.  For me personally right now it is work and studying for my CSCS certification (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist).  Others wish that they were not alone and could find someone to fall in love with; I've been there too, many times.
When this starts to happen our focus slips away from our relationship with God, whether it be not going to him for the concern of our future in prayer or even feeling like you will never find that person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with.  

"Those who live according to the flesh

have their minds set on what the flesh desires;

but those who live in accordance with the Spirit

have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Romans 8:5

This verse refers to our personal desires of pleasure.
Let's start with the later one, feeling like you will never find the person you are meant to be with.  Admit it, no one wants to be alone the rest of their lives.  Even men want a wife and kid(s) one day.  Yes, I have my guilty pleasure show of watching "Say Yes to the Dress," and that one day I will be trying on dresses.  But where exactly does that longing feeling get us, only wanting that feeling and to find that person even more right?  It will never give us that fulfilling love that we receive and feel from God, and no one will ever love us as much as God will. I always try to remember whenever I am feeling really lonely and wish that I had a significant other, that the only person I need is God.  He loves us more than anyone ever will.

But seek first his kingdom and righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:33

If we look at society today, we see a lot of people spending more time working than almost anything else.  It can tear apart families, social lives, and even take us away from our relationship with God.  I have been guilty of this so many times, including now.    I have days where I wake up at 4:15am and work until 8:30pm. I can't remember how many times, countless, I have gotten home at night from working all day and all I want to do is just sit on my couch and relax.  I don't want to think about anything at all, so reading is the last thing on my mind.  I usually end up spending most of my time prepping everything I need for the next day.  But then I go to bed wishing I had more time to read my Bible and spend just that alone time with God.  It always gives me clarity for situations, and sometimes it even feels like a slap in the face.

"No one can serve two masters.  Either you

wil hate the one and love the other, or you will be 

devoted to the one and despise the other.  You 

cannot serve both God and money."

Matthew 6:24

So how exactly do we fix this so that we are spending time with God?  Start out small, whether it is making it a goal to go to church at least once a week, reading a Bible verse once a day (there's an app for that), or listening to a sermon on your computer while cooking or on your phone while I'm driving. For me personally, one of the things I do is write down in a journal my prayers.  It holds me accountable for spending time with God.  Even when I read my Bible I have a study plans and take notes as I go along.  This is my interpretation of what I'm reading.  Remember that when we place our worries with the Lord, he will take care of them.  It might not be right away, but he has the perfect time for everything.  The good and the bad.

I remember several years back when I got injured and I was so upset that I couldn't run, when running at the time was all I wanted to do.  I was doing really well in the races that I was participating in, always placing in my age group.  When I got injured I realized how much running races had taken over my life and had made me lose sight of my relationship with God.  I believe still to this day that God had it planned for me to get injured so that I could refocus my life on him.

Trying to make something beautiful out of a bad
situation.  My knee injury several years back.

Just as in the Bible, the people of Israel would stray from God and they would be handed over to another nation.  It is only when they were in trouble that they would turn to God and God would send someone to deliver them.  When they had that leader they were strong in worshiping the Lord.  Find that leader for yourself, not just God alone as your leader, but a friend to do a Bible study with and tell each other your interpretations of what you read.  Stay focused on God and your stress and worries will be taken from you.

I will live you with two verses.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans."

Provers 16:3

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each

day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:34

Jeremiah 29:11

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper

you and not to harm you, plans to five you hope and a future.'"

--Jeremiah 29:11

-The Individual

I believe that this verse can be one of the most misinterpreted verses in the Bible.  Now before you stop reading this post, let me explain.

You didn't hear a lot about the verse Jeremiah 29:11 until Soul Surfer came out.  This was a movie about Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a surfing accident and her faith was very strong in God.  She struggled, as many of us do, when we go through trailing times about our faith in God and if he is really there for us and why he would puts us through such things.  This verse was specifically quoted in the movie when she was trying to figure out her purpose.

Now back to why I think the verse is misused.  We solely pick out this verse for when we are going through a hard time.  Yes, I have done it too.  But if you take a look at the story behind the verse it is about the people of Jerusalem being carried and in exile in Babylon by King Nebuchadenezzer.  It was a letter sent to King Nebuchadenezzer that this verse is written in.  

The Lord in this letter is telling his people to not get discouraged about being in exile.  Settle in the land as if it was your own and not that they are exiled in.  He tells them to seek peace and prosperity because if the city prospers, so will they.  After seventy years in Bablyon God will fulfill the promise that he has made to his people.  So this verse isn't about the individual it is about the people.  He has put his people of Jerusalem in exile in Babylon for a reason.  He has a plan for them while they are there.  They might have not been very prosperous while living in Jerusalem, so he has sent them to Bablyon for a greater purpose.  

"'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will

listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with 

all your heart.  I will be found in you,' declares the Lord, ' and will bring 

you back from captivity."

Jeremiah 29:12-14 (not all of 14)

I am not saying by any means not to quote this verse when you are going through hard times, but use this verse also for motivation, encouragement when you are going through good times as well.  We often only quote these verses when we feel as if God has left us.  We know he has a purpose for our lives, but we often forget to praise him when things are going well also.  God puts you in places in your life for a reason, the joy in that position might not last forever or where you are at might not last forever but at some point where you are or were brings you happiness.  Praise God for that because he has a purpose for you being there.  No matter the joy that where you are at in your life brings, never put it before God.

The Whole

Now I want to look at this verse regarding the whole since I just went through the individual.  There are so many things going on in this country right now.  

In regards to politics...(could get a little touchy for others)

There are many people who are unhappy with the presidency (Obama), and of course there are those that are, and how things have been handled, policies that have been put in place, etc.  If you look at these couple verses as a whole you see that God is talking about a group of people, not the individual.  He put the whole people into exile for 70, yes that's right seventy years.  But in that time he told the people to embrace the situation they were in and build from it, as we should.  I mean heck, we could go through more bad presidents and crisis with other countries (North Korea, Russian, Ukraine) before we end up with a good one or in a better situation.  So on that note, embrace the situation we as a country are in right now whether we like it or not, settle in it and develop as a people from it the best we can.