Wellness: The Journey of 1,000 MILES . . .

The well-known proverb points out, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  Simple, but profound.  The path toward wellness is no exception.
Most who know me personally have loved me through thick and "thin."  The lightest I have ever been as an adult was as a college freshman.  My weight has been an up-and-down struggle over the years, such that I have virtually every size of clothing in boxes in my garage.  I could make excuses, but that serves no helpful purpose.  Once again, I have taken a first step on a journey.  I am grateful to report that I've already lost 12 pounds.  This time, though, my journey is not just a weight loss journey.  It is a journey toward wellness.  I am integrating significantly more raw foods into my diet and stepping away from certain other foods.  Of course, you know to check with your doctor before beginning any particular nutrition plan.  So why this? And why on this blog?

---

As pastors, the lives we lead can make it difficult to make wise nutritional choices.  We are entertaining out of town guests late at night after church.  Every time the church gathers, there is food.  Normally the choices on the Homecoming table are not what your nutritionist would approve.  We eat on the go.  Thankfully, there are more and more choices for eating wise on the go.  We may not have time to blend up our own smoothies or pack a lunch ourselves.  But we may find that investing an extra 3 minutes here or there could extend our lives.  
Many resources out there try to use guilt to coax people down this road.  That doesn't work for me.  But to some degree, I am putting this here as one part of my own accountability.  I hope you will follow me on this journey toward wellness and help me celebrate my own progress.  I would be happy to celebrate yours.  As pastors, we can set an example not just in spiritual health but also in physical health.  I plan to have several posts on this blog with ideas on how busy pastors get and stay fit and pursue wellness.  On a spiritual level, it boils down to body stewardship and bearing kingdom fruit.  On a personal level, it's just a smart thing to do.

#diet #nutrition #raw #food #pastor #church #body #fit #weight #loss #health #healthy #BMI #ministry

Recipe

The salad pictured above is very good:
Green Leaf Lettuce
Fresh spinach
Mandarin oranges
Sliced strawberries
Raisins
Slivered Almonds