B.E.E. 90x Update: I Get It and You Can Too

Sometimes I am stubborn.  I assert my will without considering the consequences.  I ignore that tiny little voice . . . that polite, loving, and patient voice. 

Sorry God.

But I get it . . .  now. 

Almost at the end of B.E.E. 90x. 

Jeez.

Rather than be frustrated with myself, I am thankful. 

Thankful that due to how long it has taken me to “get it” --  to apply what I have learned and know . . . that just maybe . . . maybe sticking with the original plan I declared almost 90 days ago will last much longer into my future.

My family’s future.

Which I think is the whole point I started B.E.E. 90x back in January:

Remember, the B.E.E. 90x Challenge isn’t about outdoing someone . . . or striving to achieve perfection . . . or completing the goal precisely. 

It’s about taking 90 days unto the Lord.  It’s about setting an attainable goal.  A goal with a boundary.  A goal with a finite date.  Not something you attempt to do for an entire year.

That doesn’t mean you will quit after 90 days . . . but it makes your task doable . . . smaller . . . manageable. 

30 days makes a habit.  Perhaps after 90 days your habit will become a lifetime commitment.  You won’t even think of it as a New Year’s Resolution – which was/is the VERY LAST thing I wanted the B.E.E. 90x Challenge to be for me . . . for you. 

But as I have sought to put the B.E.E. 90x plan into action . . . time in the Bible, eating well, exercise . . . I have made good changes.

I have cried.  I have gotten angry.

But I have changed.

 

Like our school.  I’ve given up on the dream . . . the way that I envisioned.  We aren’t in the school room surrounded by our lovely workboxes.  We are in the kitchen.  At the kitchen table. 

Where I am. 

Because I cook.  I ferment.  I sprout.  I grind. 

This is where I am.  I’m learning to be a GAPS girl. 

B is for Bible.  I’ve learned that my morning Bible time . . . might happen in the morning . . . but if I have been up several times at night with one or more of the kids . . . it is OK if I sleep as long as I can. 

Therefore . . . I put up scripture in Naomi’s room.  The Hottie and I are trying to go to bed earlier to read our personal Bible’s before doing our night time devotional.

E is for Eating.  Just because I sprout, doesn’t mean we can eat our nutritionally viable grain if our bodies can’t handle it.  Just because my baby has only had breast milk . . . doesn’t mean her gut can handle my favorite beverage . . . raw milk.

I may have thought I knew a lot about whole foods . . . but I have more to learn. 

And I’m going to.  I’m enrolling in the Reversing Food Allergies Course tonight right after I finish writing this blog post.

(On a side note, if you have PCOS, seasonal allergies, a leaky gut, an inability to lose weight – even if you eat well and exercise, a child with autism or ADD . . . ADHD . . . please join me.  If you have eczema . . . arthritis . . . life doesn’t have to be a series of medications . . . doctors appointments . . . or filled with a longing for the food you’ve been told you can NEVER ever have again.)

That felt like a prescription commercial.  Sorry about that.  Kind of.  I just want you to know that there is hope.  Healing.  One more road to travel down.

You don’t have to do all of this alone.  I don’t have to learn all of this all by myself.

I really think there is hope.  I know that when my Redeemer returns for me . . . I will be changed in an instant.

But while I’m waiting, I really want to live a full life. 

I’ve seen a glimmer of that this week.

(Insert:  E is for Exercise) With the small changes I have made in the past 7 days, I have lost 3.4 pounds.  I have had energy to exercise, even when I was actually significantly sleep deprived.  

I have enjoyed my children . . . which to me – has been the best gift.

And many of those changes have been because of following the guidelines in the GAPS diet. 

If a change in my dog’s diet can make a drastic difference in her behavior . . . and I am more civilized . . . intelligent . . . and motivated . . . than a diet change for me . . . might have dramatic results. 

I picked up my manual from the library. 

Yes, that is my hand.  I wanted you to see that I do indeed do what I say I’m going to do. 

And now, I’m going to go register for my class (before the price goes up).

Because it is the next phase of B.E.E.’ing for me.

P.S. You can use the coupon code HEAL to receive $20 off . . .

B.E.E. 90x Challenge: Always True Giveaway

The espresso basket was tipped ever so precariously in the machine yesterday morning.  At first glance, the handle looked twisted correctly into place for the perfect brew. 

But it wasn’t.

Unfortunately, it was tilted.  The front of the basket was connected . . . but the rear dangled in midair exposing grounds . . . and eventually providing the channel for the overflow of liquid espresso.

Gritty puddles of hot espresso formed small ponds on the kitchen counter. 

A failed attempt. 

Rewind fifteen minutes.  I had asked the Hottie to make me a mocha (cocoa powder, raw honey, raw milk, and decaf espresso if you are wondering) with a voice filled with a yawn from a late night, fully knowing that he already had countless demands tugging at the elastic of his waist line.

I wanted his attention, too.  Thus, I asked for one of his amazing lattes.  There is just something about someone else making something for you. 

Fast forward to post-coffee flood.  As I cleaned up the black mess, I felt the heat of guilt creep into my cranium.  The poor man . . . he was already busy with three boys anxious to consume the Hottie’s every waking moment with superhero play.  And each second that ticked by that lacked his undivided attention, it was as if it turned our children’s voices into howling coyotes. 

Like a good martyr, I said, “Don’t worry about it.  I’ll clean it up.”

Inside my head I was thinking, “I shouldn’t have asked anyway.  Like we have time.  We have to get to church.  But still . . . he could have argued with me.  He should have said something like, ‘No, no, Jodi.  I want to bless you.  I know how much you love me to make you a coffee.  It’s no bother.’”

Instead, “Dadddyyyyyyyyyy, I’m still hungry.”

The mocha lay forgotten on the counter along with my heart.  Yes, I know I am being dramatic.  But this silly, stupid accident . . . .sent my selfish thoughts into a thick froth.  The kids voices sounded like the high shrill squeal of skim milk being steamed.

I wanted to snap.

Instead, Miss Naomi began crying . . . which was actually a welcome relief.  She is easy to appease.  Change her diaper, nurse her, cuddle.  Simple.  Easy. 

But as I sat in her room, I moped.  I sulked.  I brooded.

God, I’m sick of all this. 

• I’m tired of being fat.
• I’m tired of failing to memorize scripture.
• I don’t want to yell anymore.
• I’m tired of not taking a shower for days.
• I’m tired of never working out.
• I’m tired of wearing the same two outfits.
• I’m tired of not having our school days planned in advance.
• I’m tired of unfolded laundry lying around.
• I hate how grouchy I am.
• I’m tired of always feeling guilty.
• I’m tired of always being negative.
• I’m tired of all the things I keep failing to do. 

And then it hit me. 

I often think my problem is my children. 

But my list of “tired’s” wasn’t my children.  They all reflected myself.  Me. A certain me that didn’t include the Lord.

Saturday night, we attended the quarterly adult dinner hosted by my MIL and FIL.  As we sat around the painstakingly decorated and elegant table, each family member took turns asking a scripted question from The Conversation Cube.

This cube contained the types of questions that I always asked others . . . but that night I dreaded revealing the truth about my heart . . . my state of mind. 

A particular question was posed that has percolated through my thoughts ever since . . .

“What is your greatest accomplishment?”

I had a Bullwinkle moment.  “Dugh . . . jee . . . I don’t know.  Never.”

I know some of you might think I am being hard on myself. 

But I’m not.  A great accomplishment is something that happened as a result of the Lord.  Sure, I’ve given birth naturally 4 times, lived through a miscarriage, dealt with significant nursing issues, fought against PCOS and thyroid disease, climbed a 14,000 foot mountain, camped above tree-line, survived India transportation . . . but I desire an accomplishment that truly sustains itself for years to follow.

All I feel like these days is like a wind-up Cracker Jack toy.  I sputter around for 12 hours and then prematurely unwind before the day is through. 

However, my SIL (who is going to be featured soon for B.E.E. 90x) said that her recent weight loss was her biggest accomplishment. 

Folks . . . the gal lost over 90 pounds. 

90 pounds.

That is perseverance.  Anyone who has ever struggled with a significant weight problem understands the battle that my SIL fought.

In response, it was said to her that she had accomplished something H.U.G.E.  She had radically changed her habits. 

She made a life change.  Dying to her old patterns.  Refusing to stay the same.  Choosing something opposite of insanity. 

Like the sharp slap of steam being pushed through the frothing wand, I felt stirred. 

I have to change.  I don’t just want to.

I. Have. To. Change.

I can’t use my kids as an excuse anymore.  They are a blessing.  (Please tell strangers to stop saying that I have my hands full, because I am beginning to believe them.) 

I can’t use my lack of sleep.  I can’t use the dog ate my homework excuse (though Ruth does eat about anything and everything.)

If I want to be happy --  if I want to enjoy life – if I want to value my kids and have a good relationship with them – if I want to be the highlight of my husband’s day --  if I want to be a reflection of my amazing God --

I. Have. To. Change.

Time to get rid of the idols.   

Food.  Sleep.  The Blog.  Coffee.

What’s yours?

Banishment. 

I. Have. To.  Change. 

It won’t be easy.  It won’t be quick.  But it must happen.

My inclination is to be silent.  I’ll do this under my own power. 

Look where that has gotten me thus far.

No where. 

I’m worse off now than when I started B.E.E. 90x.  Worse.

That’s dumb.  That’s pride.  That’s idolatry in my life.

On Sunday my pastor said, “Life that is wrapped up in itself is a very small package.”

Hmmm. . . .

“Pride is the only disease that makes everybody sick but yourself.”

I don’t want to be that girl.

Ugh.

I hate change. 

But I have to change.  Five little verses have given me a benchmark.  Five promises.  (Thank you James MacDonald for pointing these out.) I may paint them on our walls.  And though I am a believer in Jesus Christ . . . in some ways, I feel like I am taking baby steps all over again. 

(I know – she matches well.) 

I have to fortify.  I have to grab hold of some solid truth so that I don’t despair.  I don’t want to sink into the pit I know all to well.  I’ve been there three times and I don’t wish to return as much as my body may desire to dwell there. 

And I’m going to cling to these verses. 

I’m going to work through them. 

I’m going to apply them.  Mainly because James MacDonald said so in his book, and I figured he should know.  I don’t have the time to go searching right now.  I need a quick application.  One to put into practice now.  Like a drive thru Starbucks.  Give me the drive thru Bible application, Lord.

1. It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.  (Deuteronomy 31:8)
2. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
4. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)
5. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.  (Isaiah 54:17)

I need to start believing God.  I need to start clinging to Him again.  I’m swimming in my coffee grounds because I’m not spending time with Him. 

Instead, I should use the time it takes to make my coffee to drink in His Word of a morning . . . or afternoon. 

I’ve got to be ready.  Prepared.  To make changes, I’ve got to believe God.  He is always true. 

It’s a powerful book.  As you can see . . . it’s been shaping my thoughts.  I want to be like a firmly planted tree.  (Psalm 1) Impossible to be uprooted.  Impossible to kill.  Because I know that no matter what . . . God is Always True.

By the way, you can win this book.  I’ve got an extra one to send to you, thanks to the great people working with Moody Publishers and C. Grant Company. 

• Leave me a comment. 
• Tweet about it and leave me a comment. 
• Put my blog button on your blog.
• Become my fan on Google Connect.

Giveaway ends February 27, 2011. 

It’s a good book.  I’ll send it anywhere mail can go.  Yes, shipping is being paid by me.  But a second copy of the book was given to me.

How has your B.E.E. 90x been?

B.E.E. 90x Challenge – Check In

How is your B.E.E. 90x Challenge going?

Last week was one that proved rather challenging for me.

The addition of Ruthie allowed me to revisit sleepless nights, interrupted afternoons, and the necessity of applying a watchful eye to survey what the bundle of red fur was refining her hunting skills upon.  

Mix that in with some throw-up and a few fevers . . . and you have a Granola Mom who is a bit remiss in practicing what she preaches.

But as Toby Mac would say,

We lose our way, we get back up again
It’s never too late to get back up again
And one day you gonna’ shine again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever

We lose our way, we get back up again
So get up, get up, you gonna’ shine again
It’s never too late to get back up again
You may be knocked down, but not out forever

Remember, the B.E.E. 90x Challenge isn’t about outdoing someone . . . or striving to achieve perfection . . . or completing the goal precisely. 

It’s about taking 90 days unto the Lord.  It’s about setting an attainable goal.  A goal with a boundary.  A goal with a finite date.  Not something you attempt to do for an entire year.

That doesn’t mean you will quit after 90 days . . . but it makes your task doable . . . smaller . . . manageable. 

30 days makes a habit.  Perhaps after 90 days your habit will become a lifetime commitment.  You won’t even think of it as a New Year’s Resolution – which was/is the VERY LAST thing I wanted the B.E.E. 90x Challenge to be for me . . . for you. 

Continue on your journey.  You just need to get back up again.  Like me. 

B is for Bible:  Still reading chronologically (out loud to the boys) through the Bible, in addition to Beth Moore’s Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study, and attempting to dive into the book of Ephesians . . . or maybe it’s Galatians with our home fellowship.  (Either way, I am allowing Kay Arthur’s study titled Free From Bondage God’s Way to guide me.  And the reason I don’t know  which book we are studying. . . I was babysitting the 1 million children in our basement.  I could ask the Hottie, who is our fearless leader, before I post this but he’s not on Twitter.)

And my heart?  It misses God.  I feel a wee bit too busy.  Sometimes I don’t show up to my coffee date with the Lord when I told Him that I would be there.  I know that makes Him sad.  It makes me sad.  And my children notice when I don’t have a Moses glow. 

E is for Eating:  We have had a lot of good food emerging from our kitchen, thanks to the Nourished Kitchen menu’s . . . but I have been eating past full and in-between.  I’ve come to falsely believe that to have fun, food has to be involved.  Food pretends to be my best friend . . . but it makes for a lousy confidant.  As soon as it is in my mouth, it spreads its lies on my hips. 

E is for Exercise:  Non-existent last week.  I’ll be honest.  I already gave you my paltry reason why.  I can’t change it.  But I can have a new goal: I will exercise three times this week.  That is a reasonable goal for all this is going on in this household.

What about you?  Fill me in!  I love your comments . . .

B.E.E. 90x Challenge: Belated Check-In

The Hottie is having a contest at work.  I got roped into it.  As a result, I have become a bit completive about it. 

So competitive that I secretly went to work out in the basement after Monday night Bible study . . . I know . . . real holy.

But he was upstairs running in place, while I was studying the Word of God.  Sitting.  You know, like Mary.  Jesus did say that was the better choice.

The Hottie was doing it on purpose.  He was being a Martha.  He wanted to win.

Honestly, we do have a healthy competition going on.

Why?  Whoever (in our household—not at his office) has the most steps at the end of the day, wins a massage that night.    And with the Arnica Lotion we are reviewing from Tropical Traditions right now – you bet I wanted a massage.  That stuff soothes the muscles. 

Note:  Whoever has the most steps at the end of the week at the Hottie’s office gets some money or something lame like that. 

I was excited until I reset my pedometer on accident last night.  Blast.

But I am back in the game.  After fuming at the pedometer for 12 hours, it is back on my hip.  I am walking in place as I type this. 

Gotta keep moving. 

Remember B.E.E. 90x is about setting REASONABLE goals that you will fulfill in 90 days.  And the prayer is that in those 90 days you will establish life long habits.  A habit to read your Bible daily.  A habit to eat wisely.  A habit to move your body.

And remember . . . there will be some giveaways at the end of the 90 days here at Granola Mom 4 God.  Leave a comment.  Make some changes.

Do something. 

B.E.E in the Bible:  This week’s chronological readings are as follows:

• Monday . . . . Genesis 12-15

• Tuesday . . . . Genesis 16-18

• Wednesday . . . . Genesis 19-21

• Thursday . . . . Genesis 22-24

• Friday . . . . Genesis 25-26

• Saturday . . . . Genesis 27-29

• Sunday . . . . Genesis 30-31

B.E.E. eating well:  Learn to make yogurt.  Cut out white flour and sugar.  Eat whole wheat.  Have a smoothie for your meal.   Eat ONLY when you are hungry.  Or take the Eat Fat Lose Fat Challenge.

B.E.E. exercising:  go on a walk, run in place, lift something heavy while you do squats.  Place a pedometer on your hip (they are cheap) and make sure to walk over 10,000 steps in one day.  I have been using Biggest Loser Boot Camp, Biggest Loser Yoga, Wholy Fit (which has been a huge blessing to do with my sons and is a GIVEAWAY ITEM), and P90x Kenpo X.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

B.E.E. 90x Challenge: Check-In

But He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 

My foot has held fast to His path;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

I have not departed from the command of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

Job 23:10-12

______________________

The B.E.E. 90x Challenge isn’t about outdoing someone . . . or striving to achieve perfection . . . or completing the goal precisely. 

It’s about taking 90 days unto the Lord.  It’s about setting an attainable goal.  A goal with a boundary.  A goal with a finite date.  Not something you attempt to do for an entire year.

That doesn’t mean you will quit after 90 days . . . but it makes your task doable . . . smaller . . . manageable. 

30 days makes a habit.  Perhaps after 90 days your habit will become a lifetime commitment.  You won’t even think of it as a New Year’s Resolution – which was/is the VERY LAST thing I wanted the B.E.E. 90x Challenge to be for me . . . for you. 

B for Bible . . . if you read my Daybook, you know that I had to reroute my reading plan.  I had to chart a new course due to only having so many hours in the day . . . I want quality not quantity with the Lord.  By all means, if the Lord has called you to reading the Bible in 90 days, I WANT YOU TO.  But after conversing with the Hottie . . . I know that I was setting myself up for failure.  The time that I do carve out with my Lord needs to be rich.  I need a few words that I can chew on throughout the day.  I also wanted to be in harmony with the Hottie . . . and he is reading through the Bible chronologically. 

It became an easy decision.  It will also give us great opportunities for conversation.  We will grow closer as a result of fellowshipping over the same text.  Perhaps he will even join me for coffee a few times, especially since I made some vanilla syrup for our lattes (thanks Kristen).

This weeks readings are as follows:

• Monday . . . . Job 24-28
• Tuesday . . . . Job 29-31
• Wednesday . . . . Job 32-34
• Thursday . . . . Job 35-37
• Friday . . . . Job 38-39
• Saturday . . . . Job 40-42
• Sunday . . . . Genesis 12-15

E is for Eating . . . Still abiding by the general guidelines of Eat Fat Lose Fat and reiterated by Kim who is hosting the Eat Fat Lose Fat Challenge.

• Eat three meals a day, trying to avoid snacks unless you are pregnant, nursing or have health challenges
• Consume coconut oil 15-20 minutes before each meal (I use Tropical Traditions)
• Eat a serving of a high calcium food at each meal (bone broth, raw milk, whole milk yogurt or kefir, coconut milk tonic)
• Eat a serving of fermented food (beverage, veggie, yogurt) at least once/day. The goal is to eat one at every meal.  And I promise that I will finally give you my water kefir soda recipe in the near future! 
• The Eat Fat Lose Fat plan focuses on a lower carbohydrate menu but NOT an avoidance of all carbohydrates. God made carbs . . . so we can’t neglect them. 

E is for Exercising . . . You could find me moving to Leslie Sansone Walking DVD, Wii Biggest Loser, and Biggest Loser Yoga.  Soon . . . I’m going to be telling you about Wholy Fit with a fabulous giveaway at the end of the 90 days! 

How did your first week go?  Any successes?  Any points for prayer?

My Daybook (7)

FOR TODAY:  Thursday, January 6, 2011
Outside my window...  it is snowing.  I love how snowflakes flutter down like a feather. 

I am thinking... that it is amazing that I actually have had an hour to sit and do whatever I wanted to.  For the most part, everyone has taken a rest time this afternoon.  Ahh . . . it makes me feel at peace to have some quiet.  

I am thankful for...  Melanie who sent me YUMMY chocolates!  I have limited myself to one a day since I am participating in my own B.E.E. 90x Challenge.

IMPORTANT AMMENDMENT regarding the B.E.E. 90x Challenge in my life:  I set a completely unrealistic goal for myself.  I am only going to serve as a Mentor for the Bible in 90 Days, not read the 12 pages a day.  I ended up in tears feeling utterly defeated the first day . . . as I collapsed into bed at 11:30 PM. 

Plus, the Hottie ever so sweetly asked me to read through the Bible Chronologically with him this year.  I couldn’t resist his sweet smile and batting eyes. 

(They are looking at Asher’s Christmas present, the Action Bible.) 

Back to Melanie . . . she is a constant source of encouragement to me AND the voice of reason often.  Sometimes instead of leaving me visible comments for you all to see . . . she writes me precious emails full of wisdom and practicality.  I need that.  I am too much of a visionary and dreamer.

From the learning rooms... Sigh.  Life is full of learning.  We are doing the bare minimum right now.  Using some gift cards that I received for Christmas, I had a date with Target.  We need more organization for me to function in the cold school room.  Did I say cold?  Ahem.  Hottie.  Ahem. 

From the kitchen...  I’m making lamb tonight!  And I may even try some beats.  Our meals have gotten easier and harder at the same time.  I have been receiving the Nourished Kitchen meal plans and it has helped me to think ahead. 

I am creating... milk.

I am going... to organize the schoolroom and set up an ancient computer for the boys.

I am reading…  The Bible, The Year of Living Biblically, Creative Correction

I am hoping... that Naomi’s adjustment will help her sleep and relax.  I am also praying that the Cranial Sacral therapy Gabe received and will receive will alleviate the discomfort he feels in his face from his fall.  

I am hearing... trucks in the highway and little boys playing in the basement.

Around the house...  I need a maid.  But I did actually clean my bathroom with my new E-Cloth yesterday.

One of my favorite things... my new espresso machine.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  take care of my kids, lower my expectations, implement Tell Your Time, creatively find a way to bless my husband, write some reviews, hang Naomi’s clothes, and exercise.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Is that not the largest marshmallow you have ever seen?