When the day seems a little gloomy and things just don't seem to go the way you thought they would.

After my baptism on Sunday I have felt so blessed and so loved. As I walked through the hallways of the high school I teach at there were students that came up to me, gave me big hugs and congratulated me. I felt so blessed. I am so proud of the decision I made. I was flying high.

When I woke up on Tuesday morning I was feeling defeated.
I was feeling down.
What had come crashing down.
What was not allowing me to glorify God as I wanted to?
Fear
Confusion
Acceptance
Disappointment
As I began to get ready to take on the school day I didn't know why I was feeling this way. I suddenly felt so alone in a world where just yesterday I felt so loved and alive. What was going on?

One of my very special friends came to my desk around  7:15 to see if I wanted to pray with her.
I hesitated.
My mind was spinning in so many directions I didn't know if I could do it. As those words came out of my mouth she reminded me that prayer was just what I needed! It's like she knew that the enemy was coming at me and she came to help me defeat it! God is amazing and he does have perfect timing.

Even though the enemy will try to creep in all the time and take away your glory. Dig deep and pray. Don't give up...he is trying to ruin the beauty that you have.

Thank you God for the amazing people you put in my life that challenge me to glorify you and speak against the enemy!

"No weapons formed against you will prosper"

Isaiah 54:17

My Testimony:
Sunday April 28, 2013 I was baptized at South Ridge Community Church in Clinton, New Jersey. As I stepped into the water under the cross, my faith that I wrote was read for the entire church community to hear. Very close friends of mine and one student from where I teach stood up and shared such kind words and verses for me. I truly am a child of God who has been blessed in more ways that I can even imagine! I wanted to share my story with everyone who takes the time to read my blog <3

I was raised in a very loving home. My family supported me no matter what I was doing or what I was going through. I grew up going to church every Sunday but a personal faith was not a part of my life.

  

My road here has been a difficult one. I fell down so many times and He was right there to pick me up, even though I would not say His name. My first semester of college I suffered with severe depression and panic attacks. After coming home, I attended the University of Delaware the following year where I was able to succeed in both cheerleading and academics.  

When I was married in 2004 there were no references to God in our wedding ceremony.  I did not give this decision a second thought. My life seemed fine, why did I need Him?  

A few years later I experienced serious health issues. There were many months with no answers and I ultimately needed three surgeries. In retrospect, I see that those months of struggle were necessary to uncover an even bigger challenge in my life. I was diagnosed with an eating disorder which had become all-consuming.  I felt so alone. Through the support of family and a caring doctor I became determined to beat the illness, but still, I did not look to God.

A few months down the road to recovery, more obstacles came.  My husband and I separated. I was so lost. I sought church support, but it confused me even more with the guilt and shame of divorce.  I left the service in tears.

In April 2011, I was able to aid a student that suffered from sudden cardiac arrest.  I had a strong sense that God placed me there with her for a reason.  This was a turning point for me.   

I began attending Divorce Care and church at South Ridge Community Church in Clinton, New Jersey regularly. I was once again overwhelmed with tears, but this time they were different. This time I was opening my heart and listening to what God had been trying to tell me for many years. I was His daughter, and He was going to take care of me.

I wanted to learn more.  I began regularly seeking resources and relationships that could help answer the questions.  Things were starting to change for me. I was accepting God and the plans He had for me. Looking back now, He was always there even though I kept on ignoring Him.

I am so blessed today and I want to let everyone know how wonderful our God is. I am part of a fantastic Women's Bible study here at SRCC, still asking questions and growing my faith.  I also  began a blog I called "Faith, Food and Fitness--My Journey", volunteering with a nonprofit Christian health and wellness organization called FINDINGbalance and began a journey as a health and fitness coach.

God loves me and has an awesome plan for me! I can't wait to see what it is!

Five Minute Friday <3
I am linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and Five Minute Friday.
Here is today's prompt:
Friend.

Timer is set.
Ready.
Go...

I am so blessed to have the very best friends. I have friends from elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and so many more walks of my life.
Some friends come into your life for moments, and some friends come into your life forever. I have had all types of friends. My true friends showed me who they are when I went through some of the toughest times of my life. They supported, understood, and were there for me every step of the way. When I was at my lowest points they were there for me to lean on. They didn't have to say anything, they just let me know that they cared.
A friend is someone who doesn't judge you.
A friend is someone who will tell you when you have something in your teeth (a pin I found today on pinterest that made me laugh out loud)

Funny how your mind goes off on tangents when you are given a topic.
I am so excited to make new friends tomorrow at the (in)RL webcast.
I am headed to Mt. Laurel to my new friend Erin's house. I don't know Erin. We have only exchanged emails, but I know we are both passionate about the same things and are what I would call "like-minded friends". I love when you know that you will be friends with someone when you have never even met them. Blogging has done that for me. I have just touched the surface since I have just began, but I see a bright future filled with many blogging friends I will have for life!
<3 Veronica

Linking up with Holley Gerth and the God-sized Dreamers. I am coming a little late to the party here, but better late than never!

"Take some time to play! Whatever energizes you. It can be related to your God-sized Dream in some way or totally different. Sometimes along the way to our dreams we just need a little time to play. It helps us keep going and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously."-Holley Gerth

Today is "Take your child to work day". I don't have any children, but many of my co-workers have brought their children with them today. It makes me think back to the days when I was a little girl.  I remember playing outside for hours with my brother and sister at home or my cousins when we were all dropped off by our parents for the weekend at Nanny and Pa's. Those were the days! I miss those days <3

Playing takes on a whole new meaning as an adult. If I had the energy of a child I would be outside running around playing in the backyard on the swing set, in the pool, jumping on trampoline or whatever I felt like doing that day.

My time to play as an adult lately has been doing my workouts:-) This hasn't just changed from my childhood, but it has changed for me in the past two years too. I always felt like I HAD to workout. If I didn't workout I would cut way down on my calories. I had such guilt and anxiety if I didn't workout. It was awful. It was a vicious cycle.

My happiness was determined by the scale.
I would put a number in my head that I "expected" to be that day.
If I stepped on it and the number was the number I had in my head...it wasn't low enough :-(
If it was higher, I was devastated.
If it was lower...it still wasn't low enough :-(
I don't know what I was expecting...but it seemed like it was a vicious cycle.

If I didn't workout I would barely eat. I was already cutting my calories enough, so to cut them even lower was contributing to my downward spiral.

I am so happy to be free and so happy for my chains to be broken.
Now my workouts are my time to play! I have been doing workouts from Beachbody called Turbo Fire and it is amazing! I can be totally free and have the time of my life while I am doing it. I cheered all the way through college and I feel like I am at cheer camp every time I workout with it!
I love my playtime! I cherish my playtime! My playtime is making me a healthy, happy person!
The person God has made me...the person he has great plans for!
I am hoping to motivate others to do the same <3

Beloved, 

I pray that all may go well with you 

and that you may be in good health,

as it goes well with your soul.

3 John 1:2

I have been thinking about this lately...

What do you do when when you need to breathe?

Breathing is something we don't think about on a daily basis, we just do it. The normal respiratory rate is 12 breaths per minute at rest.
Have you ever tried to just sit for one minute and breathe?
Try it.
Take one minute to actually breathe.
See what it feels like.
Don't think.
Just breathe.

Ready, Go...

It's hard. I know for me my mind wanders in all sorts of directions, and it's just one minute.
Where did your mind go?
Did it wander in many directions?
Were you able to clear your mind and think only about the breaths you were taking?

When I need to breathe I tend to do one of a few things. It really depends on what is happening in my life at that time. I tend to either need to clear my mind completely, set my mind straight or just not think at all. I breathe so differently for all three of them.  
Sometimes I need to breathe by just sitting still.
I might choose to lay down and concentrate on breathing in order to slow everything in my body and mind down.
Sometimes I need to really breathe and get my heart pumping.
If I am anxious and I can't sit still I'll need to go get a good workout in. I love how I feel after a good workout! My mind and body are fresh and I can truly breathe.
If I just need to chill out I'll go for a long walk and take deep breaths. I'll sit and read what I call a "good for me book" (that's all I read...books that are going to make me a better person).
When I need to set my mind straight I listen to Pandora Contemporary Christian music (this saves me when my mind is heading in a negative direction).

We all need to take time to just breathe. Whatever you need to accomplish through breathing, figure it out and do it! You will feel so much better:-)

<3 Veronica








    





ake some time to play. Do something creative. Snap a picture. Build a Pinterest board. Make a craft. Read a book. Bake a treat. Wrestle with your kids. Whatever energizes you. It can be related to your God-sized Dream in some way or totally different. Sometimes along the way to our dreams we just need a little time to play. It helps us keep going and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.

I woke up this morning feeling so blessed and wanting to share the love I feel!
When we are often surrounded by so much negativity it is so hard to be different. 
I know that sometimes it's easier to ignore it or walk away from it.
Are we ever going to make a change if we continue to do that?
Instead, it's challenging to say something positive and maybe call the person out on how negative they are being. They may not want to hear it, but they also may not know they are doing it. It comes natural or habit to so many.
I want to be the light that makes people realize how destructive they are being to themselves and others around them and how changing their attitude can change lives including their own <3
It is well known that it takes more muscles to frown then it does to smile. Turn that frown upside down and be a positive light for all those around you. 
I am taking the challenge. Do you think you can?

"The wise people will shine
like the brightness of the sky.
Those who teach others to live right
will shine like stars forever and ever."
Daniel 12:3
<3 Veornica

Today during our sermon the director of programming and media delivered a message about evil. With everything that has gone this past week I thought I would share. When evil is around us we may begin to have a sense of doubt and fear. He gave us five main points to think about to help us wrap our heads around it:

1--Evil is complex.

2--Evil gradually leads to destruction.

3--Evil impacts us.

4--Evil impacts others around us.

5--Evil is defeated. 

It is so hard to understand why evil is all around us. Personally, I let evil impact me by allowing ED to get in my head for so many years (ED is the name I used to identify my eating disorder). It destroyed my relationship with food and exercise taking it to the extreme which caused me to be so unhealthy. ED had such a stronghold on me I never thought I would escape. 

A great quote he shared spoke so loudly to me and that time of my life: 

"Sin will take you further than you want to go.

It will keep you longer than you want to stay.

And it will cost you more than you want to pay."

I never thought exercise and food could take me to such an extreme, such a low. I never thought I could be living it on and off for almost 10 years causing other health problems as well. Evil took over, I let it, and I lost myself. 

Why is there so much Evil?

How can we be stronger than evil? We can't do it alone. We need help, we need Him. It wasn't until I discovered my relationship with Christ that Evil was defeated. I am so proud to say that #5 is possible and I did it! Evil is defeated! It took me a while, but by the grace of God it happened! 

He is my source of freedom and continues to amaze me each and every day through blessings that were unimaginable a few years ago <3 Christ was stripped of his dignity by being naked so ours could be built up! He is awesome!!! Thank you Jesus for all that you do for us!

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, 

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

surely I will help you, 

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

<3 Veronica

Growing up competitive sports were a huge part of my life. It was who I was, it defined me.
I began as a competitive gymnast.
When I went to high school I became a competitive cheerleader.
When I went to college I was a competitive cheerleader too.
After college my cheerleading days were over. So was competing.
When I got my first teaching job I began coaching gymnastics. I was no longer competing but my girls were. It wasn't what I was used to, I missed competing.
A few years later I got into competing in half marathons and sprint triathlons. I felt as though I needed to set goals in my life. When I was younger they were all about fitness, so that felt most natural to me and that's where I focused. Somewhere along the way I lost my focus of what healthy competition was. That is when I struggled with an eating-disorder. My goal became a number on the scale. I weighed myself every day, usually 2-3 times each day. The goal was to be the lowest number I could be by means of exercising more and eating less. The competition was between me, the scale and ED (the name I gave to my eating disorder which is very common among those who have struggled with any type of eating disorder).

When I first began my road to recovery I questioned why I was going through this.
Why me?
Why did I have to suffer?
It wasn't until I began to search for the answers to these questions that I found God. He had them all. i began to realize what having faith in the Lord could do for me. The competition needed to end. My focus needed to shift from a number on the scale to focus on God's love for me. Some people might think that I would be "mad at God", not me, I am so blessed and so thankful to Him. All those years of struggling, He has brought me to where I am today!
Encouraging and motivating others to live the healthiest life they can, including myself of course <3

I found this shirt on pinterest today and loved it! It has made me realize how I can have the competition I love back in my life. I want to compete for my life. Compete for the best of me in all aspects listed on the shirt:

FAITH

WORK

HEALTH

DREAMS

RELATIONSHIPS

Now do not get me wrong, competition is good as long is it is healthy and it doesn't become destructive to who you are. That is where I got lost. God has helped me see that I can encourage, motivate and support others to compete for the best life they can live! That is awesome. God is amazing! I can only thank him for all that he has done for me.

<3 Veronica

Five Minute Friday--JUMP

Timer is set...GO!

When I first began my personal relationship with God I jumped right in!
I wanted to know everything.
I wanted to figure out why God would choose to save me. Choose me to pick up every time I fell.
I jumped, head first. Literally dove my head into the Bible, many Christian living books, Christian music and surrounded myself with Christian friends.
I am so happy that I took the biggest jump of my life :-)
I don't know where I would be if I didn't.
I truly do not want to think about it either.
This jump saved my life. It was a very scary jump, but I knew that it was the right one.
I knew that God would catch me and never let me hit the ground.

Jump for His love!
Jump into the arms of God!
Jump and trust that he will be there to catch you!
I did and I couldn't be happier!
This was the best jump of my life!
Thank you Lord for catching me!

God is awesome!!

<3 Veronica

Sometimes it is so hard to get yourself to the gym, get outside, or do a DVD at your house.
Other things come up, you get side tracked, or you are too tired.
I was doing Turbo Fire today and Chalene from Beachbody's puts it the best.
She says "I have energy because I workout!"

If you ever feel like you don't want to workout because you are tired remember that exercise fights fatigue and boosts energy :-)

Our body is a temple. God wants us to treat it that way! I never thought about my body like this until recently. I always worked out to try to stay thin :-( It's not at all about being thin.
It is what is on the inside that is most important!
We need to respect the body that God has given us.
Eating healthy.
Staying active.
Treating your body with kindness.
Talking to yourself with positive words.
Loving yourself from the inside out!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God?
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Every Wednesday morning I have the extreme fortune of spending time before school with fellow Christian teachers and students at our Fellowship of Christian Athlete (FCA) meetings. It is not strictly for athletes, but for any christian that wants to be with like-minded people and have fellowship together, before school, as Christians. We are all so blessed we have such a strong community together. All of our messages are created and presented by our students. They drive the message, they lead the lesson, and they are the inspiration for all of us in the room to go out and live a Christian life in a world that makes that so very difficult each and every day, especially in public school.

This morning one of our senior girls blessed us with the message that God loves you, no matter what! She shared a song by Matt Maher, Hold us Together. The chorus really struck my heart:

Love, will, hold us together

Make us a shelter

to weather the storm.

All I could think about all day was love, and the love that God has for each and every one of us. Her message brought me to tears. After finally being able to finish writing my Faith Story, being reminded by a 17 year old how strong God's love is for all of us was amazing. He will protect us.

At some point during her message she mentioned the world EVIL. 

I wrote it down.

EVIL.  

I stared at it.

EVIL. 

Then read it backwards, LIVE. 

God want's us to LIVE against EVIL

He shows this through LOVE.

Flip EVIL around and you get LIVE. 

Change the I to an O, you get LOVE. 

LOVE is stronger than EVIL. 

"God demonstrated 

his own love for us: 

While we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

<3 Veronica

Today I am joining the lovely God-sized dreamers! We are given a prompt and then link up with Holley Gerth :-)

Here was the prompt:
The most important part of any God-sized dream is the Giver of it. Set aside a particular time this week to be with Him–to pray, journal, take a walk or simply sit quietly and listen.

My brain has been going in circles the last few weeks. I have made the decision to declare my love for Jesus Christ by being baptized on April 28th. It is a huge step of faith for me.

Now to write My Faith Story. This has been so hard for me. My story is being read during the service at which I am baptized and I feel as if there is so much to tell.  I have told my faith story to small groups before, but have never written it down.

As I sit and try to write it is apparent to me that every little detail plays a role in who I am today.

I don't want to leave anything out.

Today I have chosen to list all the times that God picked me up when I was down.
I have set aside time, just to be with Him.
To thank Him for leading me to where I am today; being a God-sized dreamer.


In the past, I turned my head to the mention of God.
I thought nothing of His name or what He had done for me.
I never thought I needed Him.

Through depression and anxiety my first year of college.
Through battling with my weight through four years of college cheering.
To getting my first job and battling my weight again.
Through my marriage ceremony during which I shunned Him with no mention of His name.

Through months of not knowing what was wrong with my throat causing me to have three different surgeries on my vocal cords.

To admitting to having anorexia and over-exercising out loud to family, friends and doctors.
Through my separation, depression and anxiety.
Through my divorce.
Through finally being "in recovery" form an eating disorder.

All the years of pain and heartache that I suffered, He was forever by my side.
Faithful and true to me. The woman who wanted nothing to do with Him.

Until finally, I continued to go to a place that I felt safe and comfortable and the tears would flow of joy because I opened my heart to God's voice. He was talking to me and I was finally listening.

I am forever grateful to the Lord for never giving up on me.

When I say never, I mean never.

I have not written in a few days and I am a little late with "Five Minute Friday" but I wanted to make sure I got it in. So...

Here.

So here it is, Sunday afternoon and I haven't yet gotten to the prompt from Friday. I was beating myself up inside for neglecting what I have committed myself to writing on my blog. Then I realized that I am not going to get anywhere by doing that. Instead, I need to sit down, no matter what day it is and commit to the prompt and never let it happen again.

Here I sit on the couch listening to the birds chirping.

What a lovely noise during spring time.
I am here because this is where the Lord has brought me, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. Who ever would have thought I would be in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.

Not me. I had no idea where I was going, but I know the Lord does. I know wherever here is, is where he wants me to be.

Sometimes we want to question it, and sometimes we are so ecstatic that the "here" is where we wanted to be.
Here, I am happy.
Here, I am blessed.
Here, I know I belong.
Here, I know I am loved.
Here, I am comfortable.
Here, I know that He is with me.
Here, I know he has guided me.
Here.

Stop.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and all the other fruit of the spirit are characteristics of the Holy Spirit that we have within us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. And we can release them if we do it on purpose. Make a choice to let the good things God has placed in your spirit flow through your soul and body so others may be blessed and God will be glorified. -From Joyce Meyers Bible

Walk by Faith, live by the fruit of the spirits. The fruits are all flowing through my soul and my body and I have made it a goal to spread the word to others. By living a Christian life I know that others can see me shine with all of the fruits of the spirit and will hopefully join me in my walk of Faith.

My life has changed so much since I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and have made the choice to give my life to Him. I am declaring this through baptism on April 28th. It is only a few weeks away and I anxiously await this opportunity. I am so blessed with the fruits of the spirit and now I can publicly share it with my church community<3

This journey of Faith, Food and Fitness is just the beginning. It's my foundation to build on. I can only imagine the lives I can touch. I know that it may take a while, but I also know it is going to happen. On his time with patience.

My Race. My Jouney. My eye is on the prize.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

As Christians we have to run the race that God has planned for us. There are so many distractions and temptations in this crazy world, but you must keep your eye on the prize. We need to make God our #1 priority in life and everything else will begin to fall into place.

This makes me ponder why I do the things I do?
I do it for Him. I do it to get the "crown that will last forever". I do it because God wants me too.

This journey has reinforced to me how important it is to have all 3 components in my life to stay balanced; Faith, Food and Fitness. God wants us to take care of our bodies in order to not be disqualified from the prize. Studying the word, prayer, eating clean and working out. That is the race I am running. Feeling great about it and staying on track.

<3 Veronica



Wonder Woman <3

I am linking up with Holley Gerth and the God-Sized Dreamers today! 
This weeks prompt was: It's time to have a little talk with the fear in your life. Write a letter that starts out, "Dear Chihuahua of Fear, I have some things I'd like to say to you..." 

Dear Chihuahua of Fear,
I have some things that I'd like to say to you...

I wish you didn't exist. I wish I never "bought" into you.

Before I had you I could dance on the edge of a cliff and not think twice.
Before I noticed you, I felt like I was wonder woman! (she is so cool)
Before I let fear into the door I never let anything or anyone hold me back.



Then you showed up. 
Nagging me with that annoying bark of yours. Just to let me know you were there.
Guess what though...wonder woman is back! She has God on her side and no one is stopping us!
The dreams are visions, the dreams are in the making, the dreams keep growing and growing. 
I"m kicking you to the curb! (sorry, but I never liked Chihuahua's anyway)

<3 Veronica

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power,

of love and self-discipline."

2Timothy 1:7

Faith.

The first word in the title of my blog. One word, but something that I will always make bigger than that.

On Sunday morning pastor Josh at Carlisle BIC once again touched my heart and really got me thinking with his sermon based solely around Faith. He shared a touching story of a family that never lost faith as their young son was taken to heaven after suffering from a very rare brain tumor. There was not a dry eye in the auditorium. They never lost faith. They knew it was not the end and that they will one day be reunited. So hard. That little boy has touched so many lives as an angel from heaven.

Every day I am working to build my faith, my belief in God. Mary Magdalene had the most unbelievable faith. She constantly looked for Jesus. Something drew her to him and caused her to have a deep love and affection for Him. She was the first to see Jesus and report it to the disciples, not matter what she never lost hope. Mary Magdalene is a true woman of faith.

I know what has drawn me to Him and why I constantly look for and love Him, because he's awesome!
The stronger my faith gets, the better the balance between food and fitness becomes for me. I continually look for and ask for God's guidance and support and I know He will never let me down.
I know it will never be easy, but I know I have God on my side and nothing is better than that!
He lifted me up all those times I fell even before I looked for him and let him know how much I loved him...that's one incredible God!


I am growing in my faith <3 It feels awesome!

<3 Veronica

Two angels, one life saved!

Two years ago on April 5th, God placed me in the hallways of NHHS during cheerleading tryouts to safe the life of a girl that at that time I did not even know. Heather Skillman went into sudden cardiac arrest while running the mile. My years of training went into auto pilot as I ran to her side and without even thinking and immediately started CPR. With scared teenagers all around me I held it together as I kept going and saying to her "please don't quit on me, please don't quit on me". When the AED arrived I stepped away so others could take over. I was in shock, I had no idea what had just happened...

Heather was taken in a medevac minutes later. Still fighting for her life.

Weeks later a young girl walked up to me in the hallway and stood in front of me. I looked at her, she looked at me. I hadn't had her in class before, but why did I know this girl. Then she said "It's Heather!" It was her, the same girl that I found face down in the halls upstairs just weeks before that. She was back in school and ready to go! 

I am so proud of the woman she has become today. Heather is finishing up her freshman year at the University of Vermont! She is an inspiration to so many. She was faced with death and will let nothing stop her now! 

God may have placed me there for her, but he placed her there for me too. To this day I refer to Heather as my little angel♥ Love her!

Five Minute Friday.
The timer is set.

After.

What are we doing after dinner?
What are we doing after we go to church?

Those were such common questions I distinctly remember asking as a child. Those were the thoughts that first jumped into my mind after spending quite a few days with my two favorite nephews!

Why are we so worried about what we are doing after?
Why can't we live in the moment?

I think of after...and I think of next...and I think of the future. But the present is where I want to be right now. Enjoying every moment now and letting "after" be the next moment to enjoy.

Yes I am a dreamer and a goal setter, but life is too short to always be worrying about or thinking about the after. I want to live in the now:-)

Dessert is my favorite treat after dinner. I broke that habit during my reset, but I am looking forward to a treat after dinner tonight. We are taking Mark's niece and nephew to the Turkey Hill Experience. I know what I will be doing after dinner...yup...having a little bit of Turkey Hill Ice Cream Yes, just a little bit, because I don't want my stomach to hurt. Too much too soon might not be a good idea since I haven't had dairy in over 3 weeks now :-)

Live in the now.
Worry about the after when it is the now!

I have wanted a bread machine for months! My women's bible study group and I read Ann Voskamp's "one thousand gifts". A few different evenings we watched a video she made to go along with her book study. She always had loaves of fresh bread. (She was no joke though, she didn't need a machine!) Ann is such an admirable woman. Not because she can make fresh bread, but because she is such a strong woman of faith and is affecting the lives of so many. Definitely a book I would recommend reading. She writes so eloquently you feel like she is sitting next to you telling you a story! 

So my treat to myself for finishing the RESET was a bread machine! I wanted to be able to make my own clean-eating bread. First two attempts...not so good...Veronica 0-Bread Machine 2. Don't get me wrong, they were both edible, but not something I would want to bring to your house to have along with dinner. The first one looked "normal" but was had a little bit of a flour taste to it. The second one looked like a meteor hit it in the middle, but tasted much better :-) But it still is not right. 

Balance. 

Bread is no different than life. 

Once I find that balance my bread will be better! 

Everything in life has a perfect balance of ingredients. 

It is up to you to make that choice and find your ingredients to make that perfect loaf of bread.

Your Life.

"He who supplies seed to the sower 

and bread for food will supply 

and multiply your seed for sowing 

and increase the harvest of your righteousness."

 2 Corinthians 9:10

Every day I strive to be closer to God. Every day I take the time to listen to Him, he multiplies my happiness and guides me to do his will. Every day my relationship with the Lord grows more and more. 

Like my bread I continue to go on this journey to find the perfect balance of faith, food and fitness for me. 

I will get there. 

On his time.

Oh yes, I will get there! 

  Veronica

The bread machine and I will face off again tomorrow morning! Stay tuned...

I am trying something new again. I am a day late on it, but I had the most awful headache and body ache yesterday and the last thing I wanted to do was open up a computer. I am joining one of absolute favorite bloggers and an amazing group of women for "Tuesday Link-up". It goes along with her book "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" that I am slowly working my way through. Each Tuesday she poses a question and then you link up your blog post along with all of the other amazing women doing the same!
Here is this weeks:
Why is your dream worth pursuing, fighting for and seeing through no matter what happens?

The first thing to pop in my head is that my dream is worth pursuing and fighting for because it is My Dream! Not my parents, my friends, or my boyfriends. It is mine and I am going to make it happen!


Since I am joining this party late, I guess it would be a good idea to let you know what exactly My Dream is. My dream is to help others through their struggles with Food and Exercise and to reclaim their life with a healthy balance. I do not want to not see others go through what I went through. I want to be that person that will guide them so they do not feel alone. 

Why is My Dream worth pursuing? Here are a few reasons. Because...

• He has placed it on my heart. For years I have ignored His calling, but it wasn't until this past year I started to listen. I started to actually take the time with the Lord to hear him speak to my heart.
• I want to fulfill what He has asked me to.
• I want to show others how awesome God is and what he has done for me...and continues to do!
• I want others to feel as free as I am from the shackles placed on them by food.
• I have an amazing support system right in the palm of my hand!
• I have struggled through my struggles to do this. I would not have said that years ago, but I know now why I went through what I have in my life...

I will fight, I will pursue, because it is My Dream. I will never let Him down!

 

"Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before Him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people,
the sheep of his pasture."
-Psalm 100: 2-3


He has risen!
I had the opportunity to attend Easter service at South Ridge Community Church yesterday in Annandale, NJ. This is the church that I go to when I am at home. I was so touched by our pastor Nathan's service, as many in attendance were.

To be honest, this was the first year that I personally reflected on the entire Easter weekend. As a new Christian, in years past it was truly just another holiday that family would gather together with food and festivities.

This year was different.

This year I took time with the Lord to thank him for all that he did for me.
For you.
For everyone who is broken.


Nathan had us take personal time to reflect on our brokenness.
With a small bit of ash placed in both palms. (All come from dust, and to dust all return. Ecclesiastes 3:20)
Then water poured over to wash it away. (You are washed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11)


I thought about every bit of my past that was broken, and every bit of my brokenness now. My thoughts especially settled on the battle I fought with an eating disorder. With only 1 day left on my reset I have really been focused on that piece of me and all that was taken from me during that time. Sunday's service was another opportunity for me to start fresh, another chance to break away from my past battles with food and fitness. I am well on my travels of my new journey! Stronger in my faith every day of the journey.

Cleansed from the inside out and the outside in.

A perfect song for the Easter season!
Matt Maher-Christ is Risen

Today I am trying something new. I will be linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker  for what she calls Five-Minute Friday. Her rules are to write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. You just write. Today's topic is BROKEN.

So here goes my first try at this:-)

So many people in this world are broken. Today Jesus died on the cross for us because we are all broken. I was broken. I don't feel like I am anymore, but for some time I was. What He did for us today allowed me to pick up my pieces and put them back together. Although they were put back together in a new formation. 

Thank you Lord for all that you have done for me to pick up my broken pieces of what were my past and create a new life for myself.  A new life for even those around me. 

When you are broken those around you might crack and feel broken too. When my broken pieces were picked up because of what Jesus did for us today, people around me felt better. People around me were not walking on egg shells anymore. I was put back together and so were many of my relationships that broke along with me.

Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me. For everyone. For those that are broken and needed to be fixed. You are amazing!

Veronica

"Fix your thoughts

on what is

true and

honorable and

right.

Think about things that are

pure and

lovely and

admirable.

Think about things that are

excellent and
 worthy of praise."

                  Philippians 4:8

I am blessed. I feel at peace.

Doing the reset has truly given me a restored sense of balance with Food, Fitness and Faith. It is exactly what I have been searching for the past few years. The combination of food, supplements, simple yoga, walking and water have been wonderful. I couldn't thank one of my best friends Lauren for introducing it to me. She knew where my head was at and knew I would learn so much from it.

To me, the most important thing I have gained is a closer relationship with God.
I have finally created my prayer time My time alone with the Lord.
He has given me so much wisdom and a helped guide me to a brand new perspective on food.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lovely in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

 Veronica

Tomorrow starts day 15. My last week on the ultimate RESET! Woohoo, I can't believe the end is almost here. This journey has been exactly what I needed. I broke some old habits and created some new ones too. I feel like I have made so much progress already, but can't wait to share the results of the goals that I set with all of you when I am done in 7 more days:-)

Now for what God really placed on my heart today. Yes I have been thinking about the future after the reset because I know I have to have a plan, but this verse from 2 Corinthians really made me think about my past. It made me think of why I am here today and what has truly brought me to the beginning of a brand new lifelong journey of Faith, Fitness and Food.

"Therefore, since we have this ministry,

as we have received mercy, we do not give up.

Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things,

not walking in deceit or distorting God's message,

 but in God's sight we commend ourselves

to every person's conscience by an open display of the truth."

2 Corinthians 4:1-2



I have nothing to hide. I wear my heart on my sleeve. (or my wrist if you know me)

I would never be here today without the help of the Lord.

I am so blessed and so fortunate to be alive and able to share this journey with you. Every day I thank the Lord for all that he has given me and all that he has for me in my future. I am not afraid to tell anyone that I am here because God loves me. I am recovered from my eating disorder because God loves me. I am sharing my journey because God loves me.

I have made the choice to never walk away from Him.

He didn't walk away from me.

I am seeing this to the end.

The journey between Faith, Food and Fitness will never end.

It is a lifelong journey in which I will continue to honor God and all he has done for me.

I love this song and hope you take a few minutes to listen to it <3 Veronica

Ten Thousand Reasons

I love this song and wanted to share it...

 

“You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forever more.”
Psalm 16:11



As you travel down the path of life you will come upon many forks that will lead you in different directions. It is so hard to know which path to choose. Over the past two years of being recovered from an eating disorder I have not been able to figure out which path to go down.

I took a few steps one way, but turned around and went back. It just didn't feel right.
I took a few steps another way, but again I turned around and went back. Something seemed to be missing.
I was determined to figure it out. I was determined to find the path that would help lead me to find balance between food and fitness.

I finally found it. I found the path that led me to God.
God reminded me that my body is a gift from Him. It is my responsibility to honor Him.

I am unique.
I am special.
I am loved.
I am sacred
I belong to Him.

We each have the responsibility to honor God by taking care of our body. God is here to hold you accountable for what you eat or how much you exercise to stay healthy. He wants to see each and every one of us life our happiest, healthiest life he has planned for us.

When you come to the fork and have a path to choose, choose the path that leads you to God. He will guide you and show you the way to go.
Ask Him.
Trust Him.
I am so glad I did.

<3 Veronica

When do you like to go to the grocery store?

Is there a certain day of the week you like to go?

Do you like to go early in the morning, late at night, or in the middle of the day?

Do you go with a list of things to buy or do you just wing it?

Are you a coupon clipper?
Do you check out the weekly circular?

Is there a particular store you like to go to or do you shop around?

I actually enjoy going to the grocery store. I know, call me crazy, but I do. There are two things I have learned through the years of grocery shopping. One that I must do and one I definitely can not do.

I must go in with a list. If I don't make a list, I will never remember what I need. Even when I have a list I forget things and end up going back again later in the week.

On the other hand, one thing I know that I CAN NOT do is go to the grocery store when I am hungry. When I go and I am hungry everything in site looks good and so many more items end up in my cart. There goes my list and my plan right out the door. I"m sure you have done this before.

I thought about my lists at the grocery store when I was reading this verse from Psalm 32:8 today.

"I will instruct you

and show you the way to go; 

with my eye on you, 

I will give counsel."

God always has his eye on you. When you are fighting a craving or reaching for something you know you shouldn't really have in the house, pray for strength from the Lord and he will help you out. Remember, you are never alone, he is always there to help. It may not be easy, but you will be thankful for it later. 

"No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. 

Later on, however, it yields the fruit

of peace and righteousness

to those who have been trained by it."

Hebrews 12:11

<3 Veronica

"Beloved, I pray that in all respects

you may prosper and be in good health,

just as your soul prospers."

3 John 1:2

Here was tonight's dinner--sweet potato and red pepper soup with roasted asparagus...delicious!! I have had some really great meals along this journey. Meals that I will definitely add into my "bag of tricks".


When I read the verse from 3 John this morning, it brought me back to when I finally began my true road to recovering from my eating disorder. From the day I was able to admit that I had an eating disorder I was determined to beat it and determined to recover. I was not going to live my life prisoner to an eating disorder for any longer! As the first year went by I was moving in the right direction and taking the right steps. I was "in recovery" and I wanted to be RECOVERED.

I had the support of my family, friends and therapist but something was missing. There was a piece of the puzzle that I hadn't yet found. It wasn't until I opened up my soul to God that RECOVERY truly kicked in. I began going to South Ridge and for months I listened to Beautiful by Mercy Me every morning on my way to work. I was making that connection and trusting the Lord. I was on my way to "be in good health" because my soul was prospering and God was by my side every step of the way. I am now RECOVERED, and am in such a wonderful place in my life.

This journey on the Beachbody 21 day RESET is bringing me even closer to optimum health and it is so comforting to know I am not alone. I have such wonderful friends and family supporting me along the way, and I know that God is always with me. He is always with you too, all you need to do is ask. Having God with me has without a doubt helped me through these first 9 days. I am becoming the person that I am truly meant to be:-) I want to help others do the same, and be the person that they are truly meant to be.

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1

Be sure to listen to the song and definitely check out my reset page. Email me if you have any questions too. 

<3 Veronica



"The wise people will shine

like the brightness of the sky.

Those who teach others to live right

will shine like stars forever and ever."

Daniel 12:3

I want to teach every where I go.
I want to make a difference in the lives of others.
I want to help people live the best life they are meant to live.

We all have the opportunity to learn every single day. You can learn from anyone! A few months ago I can remember my nephew Braden teaching me about filaments in light bulb. Seriously, I had no idea what the things in light bulbs were called. I will never forget it now and I learned it from my 6 year old nephew! Love it. You don't have to be in school to learn, and you don't have to be a teacher to teach.  

Today is day 8, the first day of the second week. It was hard...this is what I was surrounded with all day...

As the day went on I was tempted...but I learned that I don't have to eat it just because it is there. It's so hard to say no to things especially when they are right there in front of your face. You can smell them; practically taste them! I don't know about you, but once I start I have a hard time stopping.

I shared with Mark this morning how hard I thought it was going to be and he reminded me of what I said the other day about going in with a plan and sticking to it. Oh yeah, I got this, I can do it. Every time I was tempted I reminded myself of my plan and took some time away.

After a few years in recovery from my eating disorder, I honestly wondered it I would ever be able to have a healthy relationship with food. Guess what? I can and I WILL for the rest of my life! As Mark told me "You're more impressive than you thought you were!" Thanks Mark!

The original thinking for doing this is to learn more about myself and my patterns and habits. I am now going to be fully invested in showing (teaching) others that they can do it to! Yes it's hard. I am not one who will sugar coat anything. It's hard, but it CAN be done and you will feel so good about it when it is over! I do:-)

I read this today:

"Physical fitness is not the result of a single decision that is made 'once and for all.' Physical fitness results from thousands of decisions that are made day after day, week after week, and year after year." Physical fitness is not just about working out, it is also about nutrition and faith. The life long journey is a combination of faith, food and fitness. The decisions you make in all facets of life will affect you.

<3 Veronica
Just remember, don't beat yourself up if you don't make the best decision, learn from it and move forward! See...you can even learn from yourself!!

"Life is a series of choices between the bad, 

the good, and the best.

Everything depends on how we choose."

Vance Havner--retired minister, author

 So I say to you, ask,

and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find; knock,

and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives,

and he who seeks finds,

and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10

Everyone interprets a verse or a quote differently. When I read this verse from Luke I instantly thought of all the opportunity that lies ahead of me, and all of the doors that closed behind me. I am ready for new challenges and new adventures in life. I would have never thought I would be writing a blog about Faith, Food and Fitness. So many doors have been opened to me in the past two years, but none of that would have been possible without doors closing behind me.

I'm sure we are all familiar with the saying; when one door closes, another one opens. I have experienced this all throughout my life. Sometimes you don't want the door to close but it does. Life at that moment and for a time after that may seem like it is falling apart. It's when you finally realize that the door closed for a reason...because there is a better opportunity ahead of you! When you are ready, the next door will open.

Struggling with anorexia and over-exercising is a door I am so glad has been closed, locked, and the key has been thrown away! Although I have been recovered for over two years, it was not until I started the Ultimate RESET that I truly faced some of the habits I formed through my recovery. I am so thankful that one of my best friends Lauren approached me with this opportunity.

Today is the last day of week 1--RECLAIM and I start week 2 tomorrow. 7 days down and 14 more to go! I feel really good already and have picked up some really great recipe ideas and working through breaking some habits. I am looking forward to what the next 2 weeks bring. I will be keeping you posted:-)



So think clearly and exercise self-control.
Look forward to the special blessings
that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:13

Easier said than done. You can say that again. We are all faced with this on a daily basis. 

       

       Everyone is going out for lunch...do you go or eat what you packed?

       "Harry" is moving, we are having a party for her...food and drinks everywhere...ugh:(

       It's Carmen's birthday, let's celebrate with cake...every day this week!

       Happy hour...everyone is going...

       

Ever been in one of those scenarios before?? I'm sure we can all relate. It's in those times that you need to decide what your goal for that day is or was when you woke up. Did you plan to go to the gym and workout after work or have your dinner already planned? Is it worth going? It might be, and that's absolutely okay! Believe me I am one who doesn't like to miss out on much, especially with family and friends. You just have to practice self-control. If you do decide to go, have a plan ahead of time and stick to it:-) 

Remember that "life is a gift--health must be earned". 

(anonymous)

Webster defines self control as "restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions or desires." 

You, therefore, my child, be strong

in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

Day 5 of my Ultimate RESET:-) 

Sometimes it is just so hard to be strong.

Sometimes you just want to give up.

Sometimes you just want to cave.

When I was first in recovery I was caving for years because I thought well I deprived myself for so long I need to make up for it. I would cave and tell myself I just won't do it the next time. Then the next time came, and I did it again. I couldn't find the strength inside of me to not indulge over and over again. I'm sure so many people know what that feels like. The "I"ll start tomorrow" line and tomorrow never comes. No way am I beating myself up for that at all, but I have just realized that I can't do that all the time. To be honest, it became a habit; cave, tell myself I will not do it the next time, and the next time do it again. That is honestly the biggest reason I chose to do Beachbody's Ultimate Reset. Five days in and I have been faced so many times with wondering if it was a habit or was I truly hungry. I think it is hard to know until you really have to think about it. I am sitting here wanting so badly to get up and eat something sweet and believe me there is candy and chocolate everywhere in this house! I am so used to having something sweet after dinner. Mom loves to put candy out in bowls. 

She was awesome today when I asked if she could hide the jellybeans until the kids get here. I don't even like jelly beans that much, but I will eat them because they are there staring at me. 

Learn your habits and know your body.
It takes 21 days to make or break a habit, "healthy" or "unhealthy".

You can do it!

"For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:34