May 29, 2013 - Restaurant Ally

I have been thinking a lot about planting and what is displayed after planting. Some plants immediately take to their new homes and their leaves and colors quickly display their connection. However, within a few days, others quickly begin to fade, drop leaves and wither. Their environment is not conducive to bringing forth life. I wonder how many times we actually offset healthy habits by going out to eat too often, reasoning that "its been a bad day and I'll work out twice as long," or perhaps attending too many social gatherings. While each of these are not destruction in singular situations, consistent eating out can often be the beginning of an unhealthy journey. Please be mindful that dishes at your favorite places usually contain increased amounts of sugar and salt. Then, when we begin to swell or thicken around the middle and our "leaves" convey that something is not right, usually a transplant situation has to occur and that halts the process for a season and places us back at square zero. To me, that is an unproductive repeat behavior and if I'm repeating behavior - I want it to count. How about you? My encouragement would be to limit the number of times you eat out, or attend social gatherings without packing. Once a week, for a season, could be plenty. Remember, no one is going to select and prepare your best health foods as you will. (well unless they love you dearly and are health conscious too) This is the season where we normally start grabbing yogurts, ice cream, and quick meals coupled with some fun outside lounging and long conversations. Be mindful of your calories. Chick-fil-a has started listing the calories on their menu. I was shocked when I got a tea the other day that the chicken club sandwich was almost 800 calories. Check it out. Too many of those "bad boys" and your season of displaying well could be short. I am including a passage from Psalm 1 this morning as an encouragement that we should be PLANTED by places that allow us to produce life. Restaurant Ally five days a week is not good soil. Perhaps consider a transplant (new mindset on eating out) and see if the display of your healthy self is better. I am checking that in my own life recently and thought I would share. Love you BIG, PK Psalm 1 1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight anddesire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.(A) 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].