Good Morning!

The summer is flying by. I've had a lot going on hence my absence and will be back soon! The Lord has been SO GOOD to me, during my peaks AND valleys. How dare I let a "challenge" silence me!?Have a fabulously blessed day!

Fitness: Inside and Out

"Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with the people, not for them. Liberation is like a childbirth, and a painful one. The person who emerges is a new person: no longer either oppressor or oppressed, but a person in the process of achieving freedom. It is only the oppressed who, by freeing themselves, can free their oppressors.” - Paulo Freire

The above photo and quote was shared over 25 times on Facebook from Paula Hannah’s wall. (You ROCK Paula!) I shared it on my personal page as well. Not only were the “before” and “after” photos inspiring, but the words in the left image spoke to a place that, unfortunately, I personally dwelled in for a long time.

Rejection

Bitterness

Unforgiveness

Shame

I can go really deep on this blog to demonstrate my point, but I will say this: Dealing with the root of rejection, in turn sprouted bitterness, unforgiveness and shame. It popped up in various areas of my life, both internally and externally. It showed up in my disposition when I perceived ANY form of rejection. Holding on to bitterness was a barrier to developing meaningful relationships. Unforgiveness, in short, was my emotional prison. Shame was the fuzzy cloud that I walked in if that makes sense. Even after I gave my life to Christ I still carried a lot of these labels.

Let me tell you, GOD is a healer and restorer! This is not a catchy phrase. YOU have to be REAL with yourself and real with God. He sees all anyway so why try to hide?

God dealt with me over time in layers. When I believed that I was healed from one area of my life, He brought another one before me to confront. All of these offenses were interconnected and had hardened my heart over time. I also asked God for forgiveness and prayed for the people that I have hurt in the past as well.

I love the themes on the right side of the photo!

Empowered

Renewed

Rebirth

Planted

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

I can BE spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially healthy!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am a NEW creature in Christ.

Regardless of the lies spoken over my life.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

I can not continue to dwell on the world’s negative thought processes.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night. ³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

Where are you planted?

Apple Pecan Salad

So I was inspired by a healthy salad at a fast food restaurant!

I love the mandarin chicken salad at Wendy’s! When my brother went to pick one up for me when I was in Virginia the other week, he came back with an apple pecan salad instead. I was disappointed to find out that it was not on the menu there. I believe that it is discontinued. Anyhow I tried the apple pecan chicken salad and loved it! I grabbed it for lunch twice when I returned home and then decided to pick up items to make my own at home, with or without the chicken. Here is the recipe for a single serving:

Bowl of Spring mix salad greens

¼ to ½ chopped apple

Glazed pecans (about two tablespoons)

Craisins (about two tablespoons)

Crumbled Bleu cheese

Raspberry Pomegranate dressing

Enjoy!

Note: Beware of caloric intake from the glazed pecans, craisins and cheese. In other words, go lightly.

Unlock Your Greatness

May 13 – A giant never starts out being a giant; it grows into one.

What things can you stop early before they get out of control?

May 14 – [do you feel less of a man/woman based on how much money you make?]

I am a man/woman who has a lot to offer. My value is not based on how much money I make.

May 15 – It took a while but I love myself. <3

These questions and quotes were pulled out of David Carruthers’ book titled “Unlock Your Greatness Daily Reminders for a Year of Empowerment”. He is also the author of “Kill Your Giants”.

Like King David in the Bible, we have to confront and eliminate the giants in our lives. Also when things are tough and our backs are against the wall, we have to encourage ourselves. Check out his website via http://www.therealdavecarruthers.com.



App for Losing

I have NEVER counted calories. I admit I had a horrible diet which consisted of a lot of sweets such as late night ice cream binges and Pepsi. A slice of leftover chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and a cup of coffee for breakfast was normal for me.  I never considered my daily caloric intake at all. When I was in my late teens, early 20s it wasn’t an issue. (Insert chuckle here!) Decades ago I used to smirk at people that diligently counted their calories.  

I don’t have to tell you that over the long term, this type of eating is detrimental to your health in a myriad of ways. I’ve encountered medical issues that I am sure was not enhanced by my former diet.

You know how WE know that something is not right, but we ignore the signs? I am not proud to say that THAT is how I was about certain aspects of my health. The obvious issues I addressed quickly but the issues that were self-imposed, I didn’t acknowledge it as such.

^“19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, ²⁰ for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 16:19-20

Ok. Wake-up call yet again. This scripture calls for a closer examination of what I was putting into my body. I can’t just eat whatever I want, whenever I want, just because. How can I truly honor God if I am always tired or sick? It is easy to say “Oh I don’t abuse my body with drugs and alcohol.” but what is the heavy sugar intake doing? What does a lack of a balanced diet do? What does a NO EXERCISE lifestyle do over the long run?

I came across a video where a woman described her weight lost journey. In addition to exercise, she mentioned an app called “Lose It”. Immediately I went to my ipad and downloaded the app. This app helps you keep track of what you eat and your exercise. It is very user friendly. It was the last day of the month so I decided to eat what I would eat normally. I logged everything in from a normal day, snacks, the whole nine. It was alarming to me to see the amount of calories I consumed from junk food. The very next day I kicked Pepsi cold turkey.

My husband downloaded the app as well and we use it to encourage each other.

Have I seen results? Yes, I lost a couple of pounds. I am far from where I would like to be but it is not a discouragement. This lifestyle change is a process. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Faith is taking the first step when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

He is Risen!!

Have a blessed Resurrection Day...

Focus - Interview with Alishia Louis

Alishia Louis is a single mother of two, a motivational empowerment speaker, entrepreneur and author of two books, Woman Will Thou Be Made Whole?: Healing from the Wounds of Divorce and The Woman You've Empowered me to Be!: Staying on the Path of Emotional Healing & Freedom.  She is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Empowered Women Ministries. She graciously took time out of her busy schedule for this interview.

FF: Describe your Christian Journey in three words.

         Alishia: Incredible        Liberating           Real

FF: Your first book, “Woman, will thou be made whole?: Healing from the wounds of divorce” spoke to me directly although I have not gone through a divorce. You candidly addressed rejection and brokenness. Can you share something with the reader who is broken but does not realize it?

Alishia: I think once a person reads that type of material and begins to connect with it, she then realizes she’s broken. Acceptance is the next step, however. I think a lot or people (men and women) know in their heart that they are fragmented emotionally, but don’t want to accept it. Until you accept that you are broken, healing and emotional healthy living will only be something you look at from afar; never able to touch it for yourself.

FF: What has being a parent taught you about yourself?

Alishia: Ah! Wow. It has taught me that I better get myself right! (smile) Because God shows us who we really are beneath the skin through the behaviors of our children.

FF: Reality TV thrives off of exhibiting toxic relationships between women. How do we reach the women who watch these shows and believe that they are examples of sisterhood?  

Alishia: We reach them by teaching them their value in Christ Jesus. He really is the only one who can open the eyes of the blind, literally. We reach them by introducing God’s genuine love to them. Once a woman experiences God’s genuine love, and the value He has placed on her worth, she does not and will not allow anything or anyone to taint it with emotional toxins.

FF: What was your inspiration for “The Woman You’ve Empowered Me to Be!”?

Alishia: My inspiration was the mirror I looked in as I realized I was 5 months pregnant, had an existing child that was less than a year old, and I was getting ready to be a divorced single mother of two. The question was, “How did I get myself here.” The answer lied within me—deep soul searching. After looking in the mirror, and seeing myself. I had no other choice but to turn to God to me with “me”.

FF: Can you tell us about the Empowered Woman of the Year Award Ceremony and Dinner?

Alishia: Inspired by my own journey: The Purpose of the Empowered Women of the Year Award Ceremony is to honor single mothers who have overcome extreme hardship and have accomplished a level of success in areas of Education, Entrepreneurship, Home Ownership, Career Success & Health. Proceeds from this event go to support our efforts to build a transitional living housing facility in Kent County for single mothers and their children.

FF: What’s next for you?

Alishia: Well Natasha, I sure could use a good night’s sleep and a trip to Jamaica! But we shall see what the Lord shall say. I’m all His!

 FF: God bless you!

For more information about Empowered Women Ministries, visit:
http://www.empoweredwomenministries.org