Day 50 - Reaching the Midpoint

When I came to the spring today, I said, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to the journey on which I have come.' Genesis 40: 22

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It was DAY 50!

I've made it to the HALFWAY point of my 100-Day Journey to health and healing. The scale was my friend this morning, showing I've lost another two pounds, so my spirits were soaring. Of course, a friendly wake-up call helped too.

And a busy day it was, with no time to really celebrate, starting with my appointment with Dr. Ford. I'd scheduled it an hour earlier than usual, because I needed to get on the road for my trip.

He chose to check my neurological responses, so I stook with my eyes closed. And I wobbled. This showed that my right frontal lobe was underfiring, and my left cerebellum -- which controls balance and position -- is impaired.

Then I stood with feet together, focusing on Dr. Ford's nose, as he held a pen out to his side. Using only my peripheral vision, I was to touch the pen with my finger. He observed that whenever I tried to touch the pen, my jaw would move, because my brain was trying to get as much sensory input as it could.

Needless to say, I needed another therapy added to the routine. This time, we tried tone therapy, with different tones designed to stimulate different areas of the brain. So he hooked me up to the headphones, I attached the pulse monitor to my earlobe, and accessorized with the red-lensed glasses.

Ten minutes later Dr. Ford tested me again, and my responses were much better. In fact, I was very relaxed from the soothing tones and the breathing exercises. So I picked up my vitamins, filled up the gas tank, checked that my driving directions were at hand, handled a few last-minute errands, and got on the road.

I checked my cell phone one last time, making sure it was charged. (And that I hadn't missed any calls.)

At the LORD's command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. Numbers 33: 2

I tried not to text and drive. I really tried. Really? Well, kinda sorta. I had good intentions, anyway. And sometimes I actually pulled over, when I had something long and wordy to share. But I kept the conversation as simple as I could on my end, slowly, letter by letter, making sure I kept my eyes on the road, not worrying about typos for once in my life. And keeping my eyes open for the Highway Patrol.

It was kind of a guilty pleasure, I must admit. But it sure made the journey go more quickly, knowing I was sharing it with someone at the other end.

It sure made snacking in the car on almonds and peaches more pleasant, knowing I would get to my destination more quickly and be able to end the day with a real-life male-female conversation from the terrace as I took in the view overlooking the lake.

And enjoyed a long-awaited cup of decaffeinated coffee.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.Nehemiah 8: 10-12

 

Day 49 - Stepping Out in Big and Small Ways

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4: 12

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Nuts are good. They passed the test with flying colors and no flying pulse rate! So I headed to out this morning to purchase snack items for my trip. The options are limited still, but I need to know I have food available that I CAN eat, in case I'm faced with unsuitable options.

This is a conference I was going to. That means pre-planned menus. That means asking for special plates, special service, special unwanted attention. That means explaining to my friends and tablemates why I am doing this.

So my grocery list included canned roasted almonds, single serving bowls of diced peaches (in juice or water packed), a box of precooked bacon, and a bag of pork rinds. I would take some bottled water, too.

I ran errands all day, and meals were rather hit and miss. Until dinnertime. Because I had a date.

We had been talking and texting off and on during the day. I found I was smiling to myself a lot, and looking forward to each beep on the cell phone. Then it happened. He asked me out. We wanted to meet face-to-face before I headed out of town.

Was I really ready for this? Sure, teasing and flirting from a distance was one thing. Making it up close and personal was an entirely different story.

Was I really ready for this? It had been a quarter of a century since I'd been on a first date. Oh, why not! Get it over with. I needed to take this step someday, and so I took the plunge. I took a deep breath. I said 'Yes.'

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Luke 12: 40

 

We chose to meet in the park for a nature walk, although it was threatening to rain. Even after all the exchanges we'd engaged in before, it was a little awkward at first. But he put me at ease with friendly chat, and after a while we set out on the nature trail.

Thunder boomed. Lightning streaked across the darkening sky. He suggested we head back for the shelter, and we made it just in time, before the clouds released their pent-up torrents.

That's how we spent the rest of our date, sitting and talking and watching the rain, getting to know each other a little better. It was a relaxing, non-threatening, friendly time which I really enjoyed. It was a refreshing way to relax before tomorrow's long trip.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11: 29

Day 48 - Going NUTS, and with Good Reason

The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Numbers 17: 8

Monday, April 25, 2011

I had an appointment with Dr. Ford this morning, and I was in a great mood. I had opened the lines of communication with a man. In fact, he had started my day with a cheerful "good morning" text message. And if that wasn't special enough, I was down a jean size! Woohoo!

Dr. Ford had me put on my "rose colored glasses" again, and started me on my relaxation exercise. I tried to channel my inner leprechaun in the effort to create a rainbow which was supposed to drop gold coins into the waiting pot. I tried to think happy thoughts, as I reflected on the night before's phone call.

And the rainbow started to appear on the side of the screen.

The screen flashed, "Good effort. No coins yet." At least my effort was being recognized, if not rewarded.

I made definite progress, but still wasn't able to fully relax. It's actually harder than the diet. But a half a rainbow is better than none. And happy thoughts are better than bittersweet memories. It shows I'm looking forward instead of backward.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14

 

I was also looking forward to a five-day trip out of town, so Dr. Ford and I discussed snack options, settling on nuts as a good protein-rich choice. Tree nuts, that is. Almonds. Walnuts. Pecans. No peanuts or cashews, which are really legumes.

But almonds are great!

I learned that I can now use Truvia or Stevia as sweetener. Aspartame is hard on the nervous system, so it's a no-no. And I've been away from any form of processed sugar since my journey began. That makes this exciting news. A little sweetener can go a long way, to take the edge off the savory and add a flavor that isn't reliant upon fresh fruits.

After my appointment, I headed to the store to buy almonds and pecans. I knew that the sooner I tried them, the sooner I'd know if I could continue having them. And I was eager to find out.

I'll next introduce decaffeinated coffee, then bell peppers, followed by brown rice.

Hey, I just realized that my next appointment on Wednesday marks the half-way point on my 100-Day Journey to health and healing. I should be starting Vitamin B12 and D supplements at that time.

Today's menu: Breakfast - omelet with ham, onion, tomatoes, avocado and sharp cheddar cheese. Lunch - sandwich of ham, tomato, sharp cheddar on flaxseed meal bread (which is OK to eat because flaxseed is not a grain). Dinner - panfried chicken tenders, green beans with toasted sliced almonds, lemon, and caramelized onions.

Oh, so you want to know how it's going with HIM? Well, we've texted back and forth all day. I'm enjoying the attention, I'm learning how to flirt again. We talked for an hour before bedtime. Sweet dreams!

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3: 5

Day 47 - A Day of Resurrection, a Day of New Life

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) John 20: 1-9

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Today was EASTER SUNDAY! Today was a day of true resurrection and new beginnings.

After church services, celebrating the Lord Jesus' emergence from the tomb, his freedom from the chains of death, I came home to a brunch of scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes and cheese, sided with sliced peaches.

The afternoon was peaceful and joyful, as I prepared my share of a family meal, joyful that I could once again bring something to the table, that I now had enough choices in my diet that I could venture past my own private mealtime.

So I made devilled eggs, using the last of my homemade mayonnaise, a splash of red wine vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. They weren't as tangy as I used to make, but I could actually make something, take something, and enjoy something.

I also tossed a large salad, including everything I could now eat -- greens, celery, red onion, plum, hard boiled egg, crumbled bacon, and diced tomatoes. I left the dressing off, and brought my own on the side, so my family could add their own choice of dressing.

Out of the bountiful meal, I was able to eat my fill of eggs and salad, plus baked ham, steamed snow peas, and celery sticks. It was nice to gather at table with family and friends. It was a blessing to share such a celebratory meal.

Although I could not enjoy any dessert, I had something sweet on my plate to look forward to at home -- a phone call from a nice single man.

Yes, I was stepping into a new life, facing down an old fear. I was willing to open myself up to friendship, flirtation, laughter, and the possibility of loving someone again. Maybe not him, but someone, somewhere. This was the first step. I was nervous, but I was ready.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1: 3-8

Day 46 - You Say TOMATO, I Say DELICIOUS!

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Isaiah 3:10

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Today I added tomatoes to my diet. I love tomatoes. Especially fresh from the garden, bright red and dripping with sun-ripened juiciness.

So I have been inspired and motivated to plant a garden. That would help with all the vegetables I'm now eating, and will likely be eating from now on.

Especially tomatoes! (Which really are technically a fruit.)

The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51: 3

 

It's been a long time since I've planted a garden. I used to plant tomato sets each year, choosing big beefsteaks for sandwich toppers and small pop-in-your-mouth cherry and grape varieties for juicy little bites of summertime.

Then life turned upside down with my husband's death and I had no desire to plant anything. There was no room for the care such new life would need. I was consumed with grief. The following  year, as I started to emerge from mourning, I considered planting tomatoes again, but was too tired, too broken still.

For the following two years, I chose to purchase my tomatoes instead of grow them. My house was on the market, and I did not want to spend the time and energy in growing tomatoes, only to have the house sell and leave them behind.

Ah yes, I know it was only an excuse. But I've set aside excuses and reclaimed my home. I've chosen to reclaim my life, and my health. I've made new choices, forward-moving decisions. I've become growth-focused. And what could be more growth-focused than to garden? To nurture something tiny and hidden, and trust that new life, abundance, and blessings will follow?

Right now I've only made the decision. I will share my gardening experiences when they actually come about.

I had a simple meal of bacon and eggs for breakfast. Oh yes, with chopped TOMATOES!

For lunch out with a friend, I chose a chef salad. After picking out the carrots, croutons and cheese (remember, I backed off on that for a bit), I was left with a huge bowl full of greens, turkey, bacon, ham, onions, and TOMATOES!

Dinner had been cooking in the crock pot all afternoon -- roast beef with onions and celery, sided with green beans and TOMATOES!

I had to take my pulse test with each meal, with this new food, checking for negative responses. And I didn't mind the inconvenience at all. Yes, I love tomatoes that much.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18: 21

 

Day 45 - What's so GOOD about Good Friday?

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. "Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15

Friday, April 22, 2011

Today is Good Friday, the day of Christ's death on the cross.

I've wondered through the years why such a sad day, such a time of devastation and tragedy, of humiliation and cruel death, would be called good.

What's so good about it?

Is it good because we know the outcome is wonderful -- His Easter resurrection? Is it good because, like castor oil and liver, it's something unpleasant that is actually beneficial to us? Is it good because putting a "happy face" on it makes it more palatable, easier to push through to the better time ahead?

Maybe part of these, perhaps all of these. But I think there's more to it than that.

As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" ' For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23: 26-43

As I've pondered and wondered, I've meditated on this, off an on through the years. I am not a biblical scholar, I have no training in theology. So I go with what I do know, the meaning of words. So for me, Good Friday's name goes back to the beginning -- that first word -- GOOD. And the context of that one word, as found in the Word itself.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1: 1-4

What does "good" mean in this particular context? Sure, it means something nice, beneficial, pleasant. But look at who's saying it's good. God himself. So in this context, which I also apply to Good Friday, "good" means "pleasing to God."

Now, you wonder, what can be pleasing to God, when His own son is humiliated, shamed, beaten, and put to death? How can He be pleased by that?

And the answer is found in another application of the word "good." The concept of "obedience."

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Philippians 2: 5-8

Think about it for a moment. Think about it from a parent's perspective, who is teaching his child obedience. The father leaves his child in the care of a babysitter, or a family member, and tells the child, "Behave. Do what you're told. Be good." In other words, follow through on expectations. Be obedient.

Jesus did just that. Obedient to death -- death on a cross -- knowing it was expected of him, and pleasing to his Father.

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19: 38-42

I, too, have been following a path of obedience. I hope that my obedience -- to the needs of my body, as dictated by Dr. Ford, as led by God -- is pleasing to my heavenly Father. I pray that He looks upon this journey, and says, "It is good."

Su

Day 44 - No Need to Hold the Mayo

" 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. " 'I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.'" Exekiel 16: 8-13

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Tonight I tried something different. I've been getting tired of the same-old same-old salad dressing routine of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but my senses were ready for a difference in flavor and texture.

I knew I could now eat eggs, and olive oil has never been a problem.

So I headed to the computer to look up recipes for home-made MAYONNAISE! There were several, but this is the one I chose...

Home-Made Olive Oil Mayonnaise

2 egg yolks (save the whites to scramble with a whole egg for breakfast)
1 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar (red wine vinegar for me, thanks)
Pinch of white or black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredient except the oil in a medium bowl, and stir well. Next, whisk in the oil -- a few drops at a time -- making sure it is well-integrated into the egg yolk mixture. Once you've whisked a third of the oil in, you can start adding it in a steady stream, as long as you are whisking steadily and quickly. (You may want to stabilize the bowl by placing a towel beneath it, and a friend to trade off whisking duties with is also helpful.)

Voila! Mayonnaise! Add additional seasoning at this point if you want. The mayonnaise should be light and fluffy, but if it doesn't fluff up enough, it's still tasty and a great salad dressing on its own. It will be yellower than commercial mayonnaise.

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

This mayonnaise can also be made in a blender, which is helpful to keep your arm from getting tired. I whisked it this time, but will probably try the food processor when I next make it.

For dinner, I fixed pork chops braised in red onions and celery. I added chopped nectarines and a can of cherries packed in water. I even threw in the water for extra flavor, and cooked it down to a demiglaze. The side dish? Steamed broccoli topped with my freshly made mayonnaise, of course! It was quite a tasty dinner, if I do say so myself.

 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.' Genesis 27: 7

Day 43 - Oh, What a Day!

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5: 21-24

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

No cheese for me today! Not after yesterday's episode, anyway. I still have a bit of a stomache ache, so kept my breakfast to something easily digestible -- a couple scrambled eggs and some peach slices.

At our meeting, Dr. Ford explained that it was the milk solids in the soft cheese that upset my system, and recommended that I go more slowly with the cheese in the future, limiting myself to the parmesan, extra-sharp cheddar, and romano varieties.

Good advice.

Funny thing is, I'm really not much of a cheese eater anyway. A good salad doesn't need it to be complete. Scrambled eggs are fine without it. Steamed veggies are delicious on their own.

However, it's a key ingredient in a grilled cheese sandwich. But guess what? I can't eat that. It's a requirement for pizza...but I can't eat that either. It's necessary to use in macaroni and cheese too... but no mac and cheese for me.

And now I'm a bit more hesitant about adding new foods in. Will I have another reaction? Another disappointment? I surely don't want to undo all my hard work so far. I don't want to take any more backward steps. I only want to move forward, learn from my lessons, and learn what I can and cannot eat. For the time being, or for the rest of my life.

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5: 13-14

After an intense morning conducting out-of-town interviews for some pending writing projects, I ran home for a late lunch. Three slices of bacon and an apricot-peach smoothie filled my noontime nutritional requirements.

I felt better by dinnertime, and enjoyed a tasty meal of chopped steak and caramelized red onions, served with fresh green beans which had been cooked down with bacon and onion.

Day 42 - Going for the Gold

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5: 22-24

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

It was another day to try another new food. This time I was going for the gold -- cheesy gold, that is. I was meeting a friend for lunch at a local eatery, famous for cheese-laden dishes. I'd already pored over the menu online, so I knew what I could and could not have.

Breakfast was a fried egg, a couple crisp bacon slices, and half a fresh plum.

But lunch was another meal -- another adventure -- altogether. I figured the safest bet for me was a diner classic, the bacon cheeseburger -- no bun, no tomatoes, no pickles. I could have the red onion slices and lettuce. And I ordered a side salad with oil and vinegar to mix my own dressing.

I was immediately faced with a dilemma. No hard cheeses available. No extra-sharp cheddar. Not even sharp cheddar. Just a jack blend. But what's an adventure for? I went ahead and ordered, took my pulse, and set in to sample the delicious-looking bistro fare.

My pulse was fine, so I rested easy for the remainder of the afternoon. I was not allergic to cheese, and I was feeling victorious.

So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold." Exodus 32: 31

That sense of victory was hard-fought but easily lost after all. I may not have had an allergic reaction, but I did have a digestive one. So my pleasure faded into abdominal discomfort for the remainder of the afternoon.

I now understood Dr. Ford's caution about HARD cheese versus SOFT cheese. Yes, I understood full well, the wisdom of his words.

It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. "Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, 'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.' God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Job 28: 15-24

My appetite was a bit off, but I still enjoyed a delicious dinner of leftover chicken breast with a sprinkling of cheese, atop a salad of lettuce, green onions, avocado, chopped plum, snow peas, bacon and celery. If you've been reading along, then  you know the dressing by now -- olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Su

Day 41 - Say CHEESE! Please?

He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk. Judges 5: 25

Monday, April 18, 2011

Eggs are in. Cheese was hopefully next. I needed to check with Dr. Ford at our appointment today though, so my breakfast is bacon and eggs.

I've finished the probiotics now, but Dr. Ford suggests I take a round of them once or twice a year to keep my digestive system functional. This has been part of the problem -- an impaired digestive system has kept my body from properly absorbing and utilizing the handful of vitamins and minerals I'd been swallowing each morning. It didn't matter how many I took, my body didn't process them, so they were doing me no good at all.

My immune system is still touchy, but the leg cramps continue to lessen. So the magnesium I've been taking for a while is being properly absorbed, now that my digestive system is healing.

Vitamins B12 and D should increase my energy level, so Dr. Ford has ordered those for me to start on next week.

After the vitamin therapy, he will begin the process of fixing my adrenal glands. But they're working quite a bit better than they were at the first, a great improvement within a little over a month's time. This will probably lead to further healing, including alleviation of long-term hormonal issues. "Most of the time they'll take care of themselves," Dr. Ford advised. That's terrific news for me. I hate taking pills, I hate the thought of adding unnecessary chemicals to my system.

He also shared that the healing is progressing well, that my body is doing what it's supposed to do, and will continue to improve, even a year from now. What a relief! But he stressed the importance of maintaining my health for the long term, truly accepting it as a new lifestyle.

I wonder, though. Will that lifestyle ever again include CHOCOLATE?

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. Proverbs 13: 19

OK, back to the cheese question. Yes, Dr. Ford gave his permission for me to try hard cheese -- parmesan, romano, or extra-sharp cheddar. Again, I have to do the pulse test to check for a reaction within a two-hour window.

Lunch was leftovers from last night, but for dinner I tiptoed into the cheese world, with a sprinkling of grated extra-sharp cheddar over some baked chicken breast, sided with steamed vegetables and a salad.

In spite of the fear of dashed hopes, all was good. My pulse rate was stable. Cheese passed the test.

Now, for the real test. Lunch tomorrow at a restaurant famous for the cheesy goodness of its menu options.

Su

Day 40 - ZIPPETY-DOO-DAH!

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Had a simple and quick breakfast of peach slices and a hard boiled egg -- yeah, eggs! -- before going to church. And when I came home I was inspired to try on some of the dresses hanging in my closet.

Some of these were purchased during my "make-over" period with the Greatest Loser, when we literally shed our old clothes and put on something new, something pretty, a tangible reminder of how far we'd already come. Some were purchased as incentives. None had ever been worn.

ZIPPETY-DOO-DAH! They zipped up! They fit! They looked good! And I felt great!

My body has definitely been changing. Though the pounds are still there, the inches are melting away. I am encouraged to continue on this journey, encouraged by visible results, and determined to make permanent lifestyle changes that will maintain my health and well being once the internal healing is accomplished.

I realize that I may have regained the weight once lost, but the experience of the Greatest Loser increased my confidence in setting and meeting goals. It enforced a self discipline that I now need. It put me on a track that ultimately led to this part of the journey. And it gave me a taste of what I could look like and how I could feel, how much I could accomplish with a defined plan, where I could ultimately end up in a life of health and happiness.

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5: 13

It was truly a Sabbath day, a joyful day. I thanked God for His blessings, His continued healing, His hand upon my life in so many ways. It was a day of rest and relaxation, watching movies and taking a much-needed breather from the work week. No shopping, no chores, just an easy day at home.

I had scrambled eggs with bacon and a side salad for lunch. Dinner was stir-fried steak strips with lime juice, celery and onions, accompanied by a pot of fresh green beans cooked down with bacon and onions.

Tomorrow I see Dr. Ford again. I have proven that my system can handle eggs, and now I can choose the next ingredient in my still-limited diet.

What shall it be? I wonder...shall it be tomatoes? Brown rice? Maybe some cheese? Ah, yes. Cheese. That's what I'll choose next.

They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert." 2 Samuel 17: 28-29

Day 39 - Incredible, Edible Eggs!

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11: 11-13

Saturday, April 16, 2011

It was a new day, a new phase within my 100-Day-Journey. It was a new stepping out.

So far, I have been adhering to the strict discipline of Dr. Ford's monthlong purification diet. So far, I have only had to obey, to follow orders, to do as I was told. So far, the only choice I've had is to follow or not follow, to adhere or break the rules.

But now I was faced with a choice.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34: 8-13

Today was the first day of reintroducing foods. And so I made my choice. And the winner was ... EGGS!

Although I didn't think of it earlier in the day, this was a fitting choice, with eggs representing new life.

"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life." Acts 5: 20

I also want to add cheese and dairy, but decided to wait until I consult with Dr. Ford on Monday. I have a lunch date on Tuesday and it would make meal choices much easier if I could have cheese at this particular restaurant.

In the meantime, I started the day with a leftover chicken breast and a fresh plum, postponing the potential negative reaction to this favorite and long-missed food until lunchtime.

So midday came, and I sat down to test my pulse. Then I dug into a plateful of scrambled eggs with bacon, and a salad on the side. 30 minutes later I took my pulse, and again at 60 and 90 minutes. There was no discernable difference.

It was a victory! I could eat eggs! I passed the test and I could eat eggs! Thank you Lord, I could eat eggs!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4: 4

Day 38 - Back to the Present

So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished." Ezra 5: 16

Friday, April 15, 2011

Today is a day to make note of.

It's DAY 30 - the last day - of the initial purification diet. The pruning. The struggle to weed out and wean myself from all irritants to my system. And tomorrow I can start introducing selected foods back into the menu.

Every three or four days I can try another pre-approved item. I'll need to check my pulse before eating, then 30, 60 and 90 minutes after, to gauge if I have a reaction. An elevated pulse rate would be the first sign of an allergic response, so if my heart rate remains about the same through the two hours, I can add it into the menu mix, double checking with the pulse check each time I eat it in the next few days. Just to be on the safe side.

Tomorrow I will try something I have sorely missed. Surprisingly, it's not anything sweet and gooey, nor is it crunchy and crispy. It's not freshly baked or highly caloric. It's high in protein, and self-contained in its solitary shell. I shall celebrate the next stage of my journey by consuming an egg.

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed. Nahum 1: 15

Two days ago I met with Dr. Ford, and he agreed that it was time to begin an exercise routine. First he explained what had gone wrong with my earlier venture, and I was amazed and enlighted at the same time.

It seems that I was actually harming myself by trying to better myself. My internal systems were overworked already, my metabolism was so impaired, that the extra strain of the intense exercise worked against me. With the proper nutritional training -- which I am now receiving from Dr. Ford -- I should be able to work out as little as 20 minutes a day, three times a week.

Forget my fancy-schmancy exercise bike. Put away my mini trampoline, my aerobic steps, my hand weights. Get rid of the yoga ball and pilates tapes.

Instead, he asked me to trade it all in for one piece of equipment approximately the size of my purse, although a bit heavier.

He introduced me to the kettle bell, a ball-shaped weight with a handle to grip. The exercise is simple. I only need to grasp the bell and swing it upward, pivoting from my hips with my legs spread, knees slightly bent. Besides trying to contain my laughter, the hardest part is the breathing.

It seems I don't know how to breathe. At least not properly. So begins a new phase of healing. But I'll share more about that tomorrow, as it's a topic to address on its own.

"How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." Daniel 10: 17

In the meantime, Dr. Ford noted that my adrenal glands are still overworked, which may be contributing to my afternoon fatigue. I'm low in minerals, and he compared my sitting blood pressure (118/72) and standing (110/68), so we'll be working on regulating that as well.

I also filled out a new metabolic assessment form, which, when compared to the previous paperwork, was "one of the better ones I've seen in a while," Dr. Ford informed me. Physiologically, things are changing for the better.

That's definitely good news!

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15: 30