A Little Lighter

So I decided today's post is going to be a little lighter. I'm going to post a great spring recipe. Super easy, super quick, super healthy and super good! I make brown rice with garlic and cilantro as the side and put the chicken and salsa over top of the rice to serve. Try it and let me know what you think! (I didn't create the recipe, just changed it a bit)

Salsa (recipe below) 
1/4 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil 
4 chicken breast, skinned
salt and pepper to taste


Salsa Recipe: (I double this recipe because I like more salsa with the chicken!) 


1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 T. finely chopped cilantro
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. salt


Directions: 
Combine salsa and water in a small bowl and set aside. 
In a large skillet, sautee garlic over medium heat for 1 or 2 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and cook on each side for 4 minutes. 
Add salsa, salt and pepper to the skillet. Turn heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken is tender. 


Nutrition per serving (without rice) 524 calories, 9.24 grams of fat, 48 grams of protein

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

I had two revelations this past week as my travel anxiety reared its ugly head. I know that satan is our enemy, but there are two ways that I am attacked, through anxiety and food! Food, I can't avoid to live. Anxiety, specifically travel anxiety, I can avoid if I so desire...just don't go on trips. For many years, aside from travelling back and forth from Akron/Cleveland/Youngstown, I did avoid trips. Who wants to have panic attacks when they are travelling on vacation? Then after God spoke to me at a retreat (I'll include this story in a different blog), I realized that I needed to push through the anxiety. Yeah, I've asked for miraculous healing from my anxiety, and maybe one day, it will come, but until then I just have to fully rely on God when I make trips. Once I forced myself to go that first time, God did deliver me on that particular trip (and a few trips after) from my anxiety. I would have bits of panic here and there when travelling short distances but haven't gone on a trip over 2 hours in a number of years. 

This weekend was different. Jason's entire family was getting together in southern Ohio for Easter, and it was time to buck up and travel. I would love to tell you that I had no anxiety at all the entire trip, but I can't. What I can tell you is that with the help of a loving family and God's strength, we went and conquered. I had probably about 3 minor attacks while we were gone, but I am stronger because of it and know with full confidence that sometimes God gives us these obstacles so we have to rely on Him, so that we have to talk to Him. When we aren't challenged we "forget" about God and the role He plays in our lives. When He gives us the big things over and over again, it helps us remember Him in the small things. This weekend, I know He became greater and I became less, and I pray that He continues to do so in the little things too.

" ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

If I hadn't gone of the trip, I would've missed these faces! God is good and now we have great Szari family memories! 

Holidays

So this weekend was Easter. Most importantly, it was about Jesus being resurrected, but there is something else that comes with every holiday, FOOD! So how do you stay healthy and not "fall off the wagon." I think it is important to remember that yes, you do have to eat, but everything doesn't have to revolve around food. Its fun to eat together, but more importantly, it's fun to be together!

It is great to take a break and eat "junk," but it is also great to be healthy and stay strong. During holidays, eat, but don't overeat. Enjoy the things you enjoy, but don't make yourself sick! And remember healthy alternatives. It's not all about food, it's about being together.

God Does Not Belong In A Box!

I'm done putting God in a box. From now on, I'm going to try to pray astronomical prayers. Things that do not even seem possible. Why? Because every time I give God a specific request He far surpasses all I can imagine. I asked God to help me lose 20 lbs. then He helps me lose 110 ! I asked God to help me raise $1000 for the Pregnancy Help Center. We've now raised $2125. I'm done putting Him in a box. I'm just asking Him for His best, which is far better than mine!

Getting Motivated

Sometimes it is difficult to get motivated. It is sunny outside (maybe not warm) but definitely sunny. I need to go for a run but sometimes it is hard to get motivated. So what motivates? Knowing how good I will feel when I'm done. Not only will I physically feel better, but running outside really clears my mind! I used to be one of those people that said I would only run if someone was chasing me, but after seeing my husband and brother finish the Peace Race I decided to try running. I ran one time one mile and I was hooked! Yeah, sometimes I do not feel like finishing and I do skip days of working out, but today, I'm motivating myself. I'm going for a run! Doesn't mean YOU have to go for a run, but maybe just get off the couch, do a couple squats and get your heart rate going!

You Had A Bad Day

So today is a bad day. Lots of different reasons for this. A lot of things bombarding me. Definitely feel attacked. On days like today, I remember why I gained all that weight 5+ years ago, because my coping mechanism was food. How did I lose weight then instead of overeating to cope? For me, it helped that the doctor eliminated so many different types of food from my diet so that I would feel healthy again. Its hard to cope with stress by eating when you can't eat junk food or fast food! The real answer is God. I learned that He has given us His coping mechanism. So on days like today, instead of running to McDonald's or chocolate, I run to Him, as fast as I possibly can. Ok, so that isn't 100% true. Sometimes I cry hysterically and freak out, realize that is a mistake, and then run to Him. Maybe if He really becomes greater and I really become less, there will be less freak outs and more running. That's all for now. Just wanted to be real.

We are healed

Healing is something I have prayed for myself and for other people throughout my life. I believe that God heals. He ALWAYS heals. Most people hesitate to say that God heals in all situations, but I believe it to be true (at least for believers). Then why do people die or suffer their entire lives with disease? Because God does not always heal in the way that WE think is the right way. God always heals, just not always in the ways we expect. We think of healing as a miraculous sign or an instant cure for pain and suffering. But sometimes God's healing looks different than ours.

For a long time I was sick. Not with a deadly disease or something that would take my life directly, but sick none the less. There were days where I would not even get out of  bed because of anxiety or depression. When that lifted, then it moved to physical stomach sickness. I remember being in the shower and begging God to please make it better. Take it away. And He healed me, but not immediately and not in the way I thought He would. I wanted instant gratification, instant healing. Instead, God took me through a process. A process of medication, tests, doctors and frustration. Through this time, He was healing me spiritually. He was breaking me so that He would become greater and I would become less. After much frustration and many years, I am healed. Yes, sometimes I feel slightly anxious, other days down in the dumps and others my stomach does not feel so great, but ultimately, God healed me.

A dear friend of ours, Pat, passed away from cancer. On a visit she made to Cleveland to get treatment we went to lunch and she shared something with me that I will never forget. I can still picture where we were sitting outside at the Cheesecake Factory. As she ate her rather bland soup (because of her nausea) she said, "I know God will heal me. Maybe not in the way that I want or that I find to be the best answer for my family,  but I do know He is not finished with me yet. He will heal me whether it is on this earth or in heaven." God used Pat at that time to show me that He had already healed me many many years ago. 

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

Tell satan to go to hell

I posted my first blog last night. I was nervous about it. Though I often share my emotions, this is difficult. Then why am I doing it? Well, has God ever told you to do something and you just couldn't refuse? I really don't feel like I have a choice in the matter, so I'm putting myself out there. Since I posted that blog last night the enemy has been on a rampage. I've realized over the last few years that sometimes you just have to tell satan to go to hell. 

Struggling with health, weight loss issues and life in general can be like a roller coaster. We feel like we are doing great one day and the next failing miserably. But there is excellent news, it does not matter how many times you fail, God is there to pick you up again. And He gives us instructions on how to do better! 

^"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 5:6-10

So when the enemy attacks, don't run away, turn around, look him in the face and tell him to go to hell. 

How Did You Do It?? Well, I'm a food addict.

So many people ask me this question. How did you do it? Some may not even realize what I did (well, I didn't do it, but we'll get into that soon). I lost 110 lbs. Yes, I will say my starting weight. In January 2008, I weighed 285 lbs. When I got married in May of 2005 I weighed between 195-205 lbs., I can't remember exactly. So instead of answering how I lost all of the weight, I will start with how I gained all the weight.

The easiest answer, I ate. Obviously. But that is not the question we should ask people who gain almost 100 lbs. in six months. Aside from health reasons, people gain weight from eating and not exercising. But WHY, when you gain that much weight in that short amount of time, are you eating and not exercising? A lot of times, its because the person is a food addict. I was a food addict. There are so many levels to addiction and I am certainly not an expert. I only know what I've learned from my father, watching intervention and my own experience (and some others close to me). For me, I was trying to ignore feelings. That's funny because I am an open book, but a lot happened in a short time (almost all good things), but through counseling I realized that even if a bunch of really awesome things happen all at once, it can overwhelm us. These events can cause us to become depressed and anxious because we aren't sure how to deal with them.
It is difficult to admit when you have an addiction. Food addiction is such a hush, hush topic. It is embarrassing. I was a food addict and still struggle with it now. But here is the AWESOME news. God has delivered me from the stronghold of food addiction. He has set me free and it is now my responsibility, with His help and control, to live in this freedom. Not only has He delivered me from this food addiction, but has helped me to lose over 100 lbs.

"He must become greater, I must become less." John 3:30

I will continue to post about this journey I have been on and how God has helped me through it. I may also share recipes and encouragement about eating gluten free (or may start a separate blog for that). If you want to send me anything personally, please let me know and I will get you my email address.