Question? - 11/16/11

Who did you help lead to Christ today, this month, this year?

Heart Healthy Grocery List

Heart Healthy Foods: Shopping list 

Take this list with you the next time you go food shopping. Keep in mind these tips for a healthy heart:

1. Eat less saturated and trans fat. Stay away from fatty meats, fried foods, cakes, and cookies.
2. Cut down on sodium (salt). Look for the low-sodium or “no salt added” brands of canned soups, vegetables, snack foods, and lunch meats.
3. Get more fiber. Fiber is in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Vegetables and Fruits

Choose vegetables and fruits in different colors. Buy them in season to save money.

• Fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach
• Leafy greens for salads
• Canned vegetables low in sodium (salt)
• Frozen vegetables without added butter or sauces
• Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, pears, and peaches
• Canned fruit in 100% juice, not syrup
• Dried fruit
• Frozen berries without added sugar

Milk and Milk Products

Look for fat-free or low-fat milk products.

• Fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
• Cheese (3 grams of fat or less per serving)
• Fat-free or low-fat yogurt

Breads, Cereals, and Grains

Look for whole-wheat or whole-grain as the first ingredient listed on the label.

• 100% whole-wheat bread
• Whole-grain breakfast cereals such as oatmeal
• Grains such as brown rice, barley, and bulgur
• Whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta
• Popcorn

Meat, Beans, Eggs, and Nuts

Choose lean cuts of meat and other foods with protein.

• Seafood
• Chicken and turkey breast without skin
• Beef: round, sirloin, tenderloin, extra lean ground beef
• Pork: leg, shoulder, tenderloin
• Beans, lentils, dried peas
• Eggs and egg substitutes
• Nuts and seeds

Fats and Oils

Cut back on saturated fat and look for products with no trans fats.

• Margarine and spreads (soft, tub, or liquid) with no trans fats
• Vegetable oil (canola, olive, peanut, or sesame oil)
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Light or fat-free salad dressing and mayonnaise

The original article and more information can be access by clicking on the link below: http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=2

The World's Fastest Workout Video

Do you only have five minutes to workout? This is the perfect video for you. This exercise routine has been shown to increase your metabolism for 12-24 hours. I personally do this exercise and I feel energetic and less stressed every time!

Editor's note: Before beginning any new exercise regimen, always consult with your physician.

Reduce stress in your life

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

It is incredible how many people, Christian people, are stressed. From work, kids, ministry, your social life, it is easy to see why our lives are so hectic. We are an extremely busy society. 

It is important to know that stress is not just a term we use to explain how we feel. Stress is a very important factor on health. According to WebMd.com, "When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy." If stress occurs too often or lasts for long periods at a time, your body is at risks of several adverse affects. For example, recurrent stress can result in headaches, suppressed immune system, muscle and back aches, and insomnia. 

Although it is impossible to avoid stress, we have the power over reducing and managing stress. Here are some tips to do so:

• Pray daily. Get in touch with God. You'll find that He will give you direction to ensure you are in His Will. The path that God chooses for your life/His Will is always less stressful than whatever path you decide for yourself. There is nothing better than that!
• Read your bible daily. The word says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Roman 10:17. Frequently reading the Word will fill you with instruction and encouragement on how to handle life's situations.
• Get organized. A well organized life will result in less frustration and ultimately less stress. For example, having your clothes picked out and ironed, the kids backpacks ready and by the front door, or breakfast planned the night before will make mornings easy on everyone. For tips on how to organize your home and life, go to: http://www.organizedclutter.info/.
• Get enough rest. Depending upon your sleep requirements, every person needs 6-8 hours of sleep per night. Receiving adequate amounts of sleep every night can reduce stress and increase immune function. Within two hours of going to sleep, reduce the amount of beverages you consume, especially coffee or sugary drinks. Within one hour of going to sleep, shut off the television. Your brain needs to wind down and the television bombards your mind with ideas and emotions that makes it extremely difficult to relax. Establish an actual bed time and waking time. Your body operates at its maximum potential when you have a predictable sleeping schedule. Of course, we can't control everything in our lives so a slight deviation every now and then is fine.
• Enlist help for daily activities from your spouse, family and/or friends. Even on the small stuff. For some reason we, especially women, have the idea that we can do it all because we will do it best. This is a prescription for a very stressful life. Join a carpool group for transporting your kids to school or after-school activities. Alternate "cooking days" with your spouse. Delegate small responsibilities to your children...it'll make them more responsible. 
• Get your finances in order. Did my mentioning of the word "finances" increase your heart rate by 5-10 beats per minutes? Finances can be a huge stressor. So how do most of us handle it? Ignore it! This is absolutely the worst thing you can do. Ignoring your finances only makes it worse. There is not a better feeling than being financially free. Set aside a day to tackle your finances. Gather all of your bills and statements. Find ways to reduce your spending. Set aside some money for an emergency fund. You'll be surprised at how much $20 per paycheck can grow your emergency fund. You won't be as stressed when that alternator blows or you need dental work because you have the money in your account. Read some online blogs or "how-to" books to increase your knowledge in finances. Some helpful links are: http://www.getrichslowly.org/ or http://www.moolanomy/.com
• Cut out the "busy work" and only do the necessities. When you have your hands in too many activities, you're bound to make a lot of mistakes or let someone down. How stressful is that?! As the famous saying goes, "Don't be a jack of all trades, and master of none." You'll become more productive and a result, more confident, when you do one thing or two things very well. Most kids are overwhelmingly energetic and they like to be in a lot of different activities. Unfortunately this may be at your expense. Are your kids in club scouts, baseball, basketball, and math club but its overwhelming you? Choose one or two extracurricular activities, alternate activities with the season or only engage in the activities that your child is most passionate about. Let your child/children participate in baseball in the spring and football in the fall. 

How do you reduce stress? Please share your comments below!

Inspirational Quote: 10/24/11

Don't just survive...THRIVE!

Increase Water Intake...Improve Your Skin.

Water Intake

Most physicians will agree...an adequate intake of water is essential to overall health and wellness. Water purifies the body in and out.  Want an undeniable glow? Increase your water intake! Want to improve the tone and texture of your skin? Increase your water intake! Okay...okay....you get the point. LOL!

Another reason why drinking enough water is so important is because water aids in the removal of waste from our body. Not only does water remove waste but it helps carry the vitamins and minerals we ingest (through food, drinks or supplements) throughout our body and ultimately your SKIN!!!

So how much is enough? It depends. What type of climate do you live in? Do you exercise regularly? Visit the following website for an estimate on the amount of water to drink:

http://www.espring.com/English/WAC/WaterCalculator.aspx?pgid=125

After determining how much water you should consume each day, divide the amount over 10-12 hours.

(Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication. Also, be careful of drinking too much water. Especially if you have kidney or adrenal problems.)

*Information displayed on Total Life Prosperity is intended for informational purposes only. As always, consult your physician before implementing any new regimen.

Divine Health Confession

Heavenly Father, I thank you for blessing me with divine health. Your Word says in 3 John 1:2 that above all things you wish that I prosper and be in good Health even as my soul prospers. I declare today that I am prospering in every aspect of my life. I declare that I am in good health. I declare that my soul is prosperous. 

I resist anything that is contrary to what the Word says I am. I rebuke any plan of the enemy that seeks to destroy my mind and/or my body. Father I believe that Christ has bore my sins in His own body on the tree, that I, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness, by who stripes I was healed (1 Peter 2:24).

I am not praying for healing in the future but I am emphatically stating right now that I AM HEALED! Father I pray that if there be any doubt within me, you would remove it now. Oh God help my unbelief. Even though I may physically feel pain, I remain steadfast that I am healed. I will not let the physical realm override what was already given to me in the spiritual realm...DIVINE HEALTH.

I do not just pray for my myself. I life my family and friends in prayer for divine health and long life. Your Word says that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. According to the rights given unto me through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I speak divine health right now! It is these things that I ask in your son, Jesus', name. Amen.