Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Daniel Plan




For the next 40 days I will be  joining
The Daniel Plan Small Group Study at my church. 
Here's how you can Get Started! 


Click Link!
Faith•Food•Fitness•Focus•Friends
 
The Daniel Plan is a groundbreaking, healthy lifestyle program 
where people get better together. With love as the motivation, 
it’s a story of abundance, not deprivation. 
 Relying on God’s power and the support and encouragement of friends, 
get ready to be transformed from the inside out.
The Daniel Plan emphasizes on five 'Fs':
Faith - Inspiration and teaching from Rick Warren!
Food - Healthy recipes that taste great!
Fitness - Movement tailored to you!
Focus - Help to develop your healthy habits!
Friends - Community is essential to your success!


This  6-week curriculum teaches
 how to incorporate healthy choices into your daily lifestyle.
I will post each week in the comment section below
 what I have learned and my progress .

                                                         40 Days to a Healthier Life!



I'm ready to change my life for the better ,
 & 
be the best I can be
 physically,emotionally & spiritually healthy!!!

5 comments :

  1. Monday 2-10 study for the Daniel plan was great we learned the lesson on FOOD and I was in charge of the 1st snack recipe for our study group. I made my recipe for Tarragon Chicken Salad With Sliced Almonds In Endive Leaves. Everyone enjoyed the snack and took the recipe card from my blog home with them . Best thing was nobody missed the no gluten & dairy ... (Pati's Recipes) We also learned to read labels (which that is not new to me I read labels on every product I purchase since I am GD Free) We learned that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . God says you are to be the care giver of your body. You can eat more food by choosing real quality foods.Avoid processed & refined products. Rule of thumb : If God made it , it's good for you . God designed whole foods to nourish & fuel our bodies. Avoid High Fructose corn syrup, trans fats / hydrogenated fats, & MSG. Start your day with protein, eat at regular intervals -B/L/D meals and a few snacks. Drink more water. 8-10 8oz glass daily. Avoid liquid sugar!!! (Soda, Juice, and artificial sugars) Through the Daniel Plan study guide we are challenged to do a 3-day meal plan. Yes you also have to MOVE!!!! Do some sort of exercise .I'm looking forward to next week study .
    For recipe :
    http://paticlark.wordpress.com/category/lunch/page/2/

    1 Cor 10:31
    So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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  2. Monday 2-17 study for the Daniel plan main topic of discussion today was on Fitness. Strengthening your Body! I did a jump start on today lesson and planned for a 20-30 minute walk before study group. The message from Pastor Rick today was the Bible tells us , in preparing ourselves, we have to PURIFY our hearts and we have to SANCTIFY our bodies. Purify=committing my thoughts life to God & Sanctify=dedicating my physical body to God's purpose. The Bible advises us to PROTECT our body.
    1Cor 3:17 "For God's temple is holy,and you are the temple."
    The Holy Spirit resides in you !!! So we are the caregivers to our body .
    Exercise!!! The trainer -Sean Foy informed us in the video that the best exercise is the one that you will actually DO!!! We learned some great tips to get us Moving:
    1. Meditate,Breathing, & stretching can significantly improve your health. Note: Every morning I start my day with Meditation. I'm starting up again on practicing Yoga.
    2. Schedule your exercise-Use a Journal.Note: I'm currently having some health issues going on so Walking and some Yoga poses is all I can do for the time being. My Blog is my personal journal so here I write all that I have learned and my progress on my Daniel Plan journey.
    3. Buddy system-Get a workout partner. Note: I walk with my husband and as soon as I'm feeling better my girlfriend Lana & I have agreed to plan each week to go to the gym & work out together.
    After the lesson a few members of this study group brought in some Healthy food to try. Everything was great. Some members got the recipes off The Daniel Plan website -https://www.danielplan.com My Favorite was the trail mix :

    DARK CHOCOLATE TRAIL MIX
    ½ cup raw unsalted almonds
    ½ cup raw unsalted walnuts
    ½ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
    2 ounces dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or more)
    1 cup raisins
    1 cup dried blueberries
    COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS. Store in an airtight container or bag. Serves 7 (2 ounces each)
    Our homework for the week is to change one thing from our livelihood with incorporating a good Diet & exercise regimen.
    We discussed what each one of us was planning. I chose I was going to stop eating after 8pm and incorporate more fruit & veggies .
    We always end in prayer with encouragement for each of us on our journey to a healthy lifestyle change. We also prayed for anyone like myself who needed personal healing.
    Progress: I haven't lost any weight on the scale, however I have to say Valentine's Day did put a damper on the week with yummy goodies...I will try harder this week . I also got my sister and hopefully my mom involved , it is nice to have support from love ones & friends to join in on this journey. Makes it all that more Fun!!!

    1 Cor 6:19
    "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit...Therefore honor God with your bodies."

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  3. Monday 2-24 study for the Daniel plan we are on the 4th F which the discussion today was on FOCUS-Renewing of the Mind. We all started the discussion by sharing our success so far on the plan which mine was that I have lost 2 lbs but unfortunately I can't say it was due to the Daniel Plan, I have been battling a health issue which has limited my eating to a minimum. On a positive note my Faith is renewed, I'm making better Food choices & My Fitness is for the time being only walking on my good days. This study on Focus is a big one for me !!!! Negative thinking, Fear & worry that ME !!!! I'm used to beating myself up. Looking forward to changing the way my mind thinks the big word is TRANSFORM to positive and loving thoughts. We learned to set goals, set a date , get a buddy involved and let them know of your goals. We discussed being Stressed. Not good!!!! Chronic stress constricts blood to the brain which lowers overall brain function and prematurely age your brain according to Dr Amen. So the 1st step is to make a commitment,2nd be ruthless to distractions, 3rd Change is always a choice, 4th A goal is a dream with a deadline . Focus & motivation is the key . Always remember God will give you the strength you just have to change the way you think, Change your mind, transform you to a new person. We Have homework this week . We need to add a healthy veggie or fruit to our meals. Everyday we are to make a list of 3 things you are thankful for. The act of writing down your grateful thoughts helps you bring your attention to them to enhance your brain. People who express gratitude on a regular basis are healthier, more optimistic, make progress towards their goals & have a greater sense of well-being,and they are more helpful to others. I'm really going to work on this part of the Daniel plan the most ...We ended the study in prayer with committing our journey to health as an act of worship like the Bible says, we want to offer our bodies, our minds as a living sacrifice, accepted to you.
    Pastor Rick's Prayer: God we want nothing more than to be good stewards of our thoughts and feelings. We commit to living a more focused life & we want to begin by reading your word everyday.As we focus on you , help us focus on things that matter most in life and to not worry and rest. AMEN.

    Romans12:2
    "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."


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  4. Monday 3-3 study for the Daniel plan, we are almost to the end of this study, which is basically just an overview of the lifestyle plan that is your choice to take action and transform the "New You". Today study is on FRIENDS. A subject that is dear to my heart. My dear close friends are aware that I am doing the Daniel Plan and they like what I have to share from what I have learned from this study. I am so grateful for the few very close friends that have stuck by my side for the good & the bad and was there for me whenever I needed them the most. I can count them,they are special because each friend has given me such positive reinforcement & love ! That is exactly what this study was about . Encouraging & Support one Another . We all need support, we can't do it on our own. We learned that Life is Love. If you want permanent change in your life you must fill your life with LOVE.
    Key to any relationship : LOVE
    1. We must LISTEN to each other.
    2. Be willing to LEARN from each other.
    3. We need to be able to LEVEL with each other ,
    4. We need to LIBERATE each other.

    Fill yourself with Kindness. Forgiveness is a major key factor .
    Ephesians 4:32
    " Be Kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

    We learned to surround ourselves with good influences.
    Dr. Mark Hayman Quote:
    "Our social circle influence our health even more than our DNA. If your friends have healthy habits, we probably will too."

    That lesson also goes to children. If a child is eating their veggies & fruit for snacks then other children might follow their lead in healthy eating.

    We watched a video from Pastor Steve Willis from Huntington, West Virginia which was the #1 top rated cities for obesity which he is winning the FOOD FIGHT not only at his church but within community.
    He strongly feels that Community & Church support will help help us toward being healthy.
    We discussed how Our Church can help with involving healthy habits within our Church community.
    I recommended that when the monthly Esignal newsletter comes out maybe do a healthy topic via Daniel Plan on a monthly Health awareness. Ex Heart, Diabetes etc.
    There was great suggestions made by all -when they do their Wednesday dinner maybe incorporate a healthy meal or on Sunday also display a healthy snack along with those tasty(Sinful) donuts .
    Get the children involved @ Sunday school . Have each child bring a healthy snack.

    We enjoyed some healthy snacks at tonight study. We always end in prayer.

    We have homework !!!!
    Reach out to a buddy- My friend Lana is my workout buddy for me on this plan.
    We are to schedule a meeting day for our small group, which we decided to meet at the church next week to walk before our study. We are to bring salad items for salad bar next week which I signed up to bring radishes & pumpkin seeds.

    With the Daniel Plan I have made some new friends ! I am glad I took part in this study.

    Ecclesiastes 4:9
    "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."

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  5. Monday 3-10 well I made it to the end , the last study for the Daniel plan however the journey continues by exercises my faith in God, making changes in my food choices to more healthier eating, incorporating a fitness routine, renewing my mind & focus and counting on my friends for additional support. We all brought our healthy produce item for the salad bar and enjoyed our healthy meal while we reviewed all what we have learned on the Daniel plan. I have only lost 2lbs however I noticed I have reduced in inches on my waist and feel little more toned . I have Yoga to thank for that progress. I'm slowly cutting out caffeine and replacing with green juices & smoothies for my morning pick me up. I have learned to released negative thoughts and replacing with loving & positive feelings. I turn to this quote from the Daniel Plan :
    "If we focus on bringing in the good, enjoying the abundance of what God has given us, we will become stronger in body, mind and spirit."
    We learned to Forget the past and any doubts that fill our minds. Remember God's goodness yesterday, God's presence today, and God's promises for tomorrow.

    I'm really happy I participated in this study my reward of living with the Daniel Plan lifestyle is better physical health , more strength and energy, a sharper mind, deeper friendships, and stronger faith!!!!

    Remember Willpower is not enough ...we can't do it alone...
    Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

    Fulfilling your Purpose-Living the new lifestyle!
    2Cor 5:17
    "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten and everything is new"

    I am Daniel Strong !!!!!

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