My Core.

This morning as I sit here, I'm pondering so much that God has done and is doing in my life.

The top one is my sore legs, arms and abs. I have been working out at least 4 times a week and well my body is screaming at me because of this.

I actually am really enjoying working out and feeling very healthy. However I would not be truthful if I didn't admit how much harder working out at 29 is versus when I was in High School.

I have had 3 children, and a surgery. What I'm learning thru getting my body back to a healthy weight is that my Core is going to determine how far I go.

After my surgery a few years ago, my core became weaker. When I refer to my core it's my heart. If my heart in my body is not strong my workout its going to be pretty difficult. If my heart is not strong and pumping blood thru my body and giving life and energy I can't run 1/4 mile let a lone 2-3 miles.

I believe it's the same with our walk with the Lord, if we aren't pumping life in and out it's not going to to guard us or keep us safe from harm. If we don't know to build up our heart muscle, the Holy Spirit will not be able to be at work within us. Sometimes we need to make our heart stronger so it can be broken for the things that breaks his.

So many times we see our faith as an outward behavior modification program.

We feel that if we stop swearing,lusting,indulging, gossiping(put in your choice word)in behaviors not glorifying to God then we will be the happy good and faithful Christian.

However we should see our faith as a heart transplant an internal heart transformation, and live from the inside out, and not the outside in. Trying to make our heart obey what were doing. Your heart is only going to be what you feed it. If your feeding your heart and soul with the word, and prayer and relationship, then God will change you from the inside out. A natural reflection will be shown. God gave us the Holy Spirit to give us freedom to be a christian and not just act like one!

Just like after my surgery I waited a long time to strengthen my body and work out again and it was much harder. The longer you wait to allow God to work in your heart the harder it's going to be to build and strengthen your trust and relationship.

So today I'm reminded to allow God to not just strengthen my core as I work out, but to also strengthen my core, my heart, his heartbeat.

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame." Song of Solomon 8:6

Hootenanny & Chewy Granola Bars

Yummy!!!

I ran across the recipe for Hootenanny's the other day and thought I would try it. We had for dinner last night and the kids loved it!! That is a huge score if the kids approve!

Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter

1 Cup Milk

6 Eggs

1 Cup flour

Dash of Salt

Cinnamon

Additional toppings.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees . While preheating place the butter in a 9 x 13 pan WHIlE the oven is preheating. In a blender or mixer mix together eggs & milk; add flour and a small dash of salt and blend again. Pour the mixture into the pan with the melted butter. sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake 15 - 20 minutes.

This will RISE really big but won't run over the pan I promise.

Cut into squares and serve like a pancake. Add syrup, jelly, fruit, powdered sugar, cool whip!

We added Cool whip and cut up strawberries and served with turkey bacon.

Now for the Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter or (sunbutter)

1/3 Cup Honey

1/4 cup coconut oil (or other oil of your choice)

1 Cup Oats

1 Cup total of any combination of sesame seeds, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts.

In a medium sized pan, melt together peanut butter, honey, and oil.

Remove from heat and one cup of oats. Choose your favorite combo of sesame seeds, coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts, to equal a total of ONE CUP.

Pour in and stir well.

Stir well, then spread mixture into 8x8 or 9x4 pan.

Chill for several hours, then cut into bars.

I wrap into individual plastic wrap for a quick grab and run.

They are chewy and if you add chocolate they melt quickly! Not a good outdoor snack. I keep in fridge in a basket.

The Punctuation of Life ~ Charlotte Gambill

I have listend to this 100 times. I mean it really! This message is 9 minutes but is soo good, and uplifting to me.

Biggest Loser.

My husband and i have joined a group to get rid of our "baby phat".

3 kids in 7 years has done so damage to our body. We do eat healthy just don't exercise like we should. This group is teams of 2 people, we each paid $40 to get in to the "game". What i love is this group is more about making our bodies healthy rather than just loosing weight. We have rules to follow etc. We will weigh in every two weeks.

We don't have the luxury of a gym right now, and we have three kids so most of our exercising is going to be done in our home. So here is what i'm asking my friends...

What workout dvd will kick our butts... i mean will seriously have us crawling into bed at night ?

I have heard The 30 day shred is HARD, and i have heard biggest loser boot camp is hard, and some P90X or something... what do you think ?

Any advice...