Speak Life

Day 8

Good morning!! We are starting our second week of positivity, I hope you are getting in the swing of things, and I encourage those who haven’t done the forgiveness challenge to give it a try. We are focusing on positive thoughts, WORDS and actions so let’s look at the tongue. The tongue is such a tricky thing that can easily take us out of our positive mindset or can cause negative actions.(Read James 3:1-12)

Take a pause and tame your tongue

The same small tongue that we use to say how great God is, can be the same little thing we use to curse those around us. Reflect. What kind of words come out of your mouth? Are you uplifting or are you tearing down? Are you speaking things that you would be embarrassed if the person you are speaking about found out? Are you speaking things that you would be embarrassed if children repeated? Are you keeping a positive mind but a negative mouth? Is profanity a regular thing for you? “Don’t use foul or abusive language” Eph. 4:29. A lot to reflect and all of this can be difficult to control. However a great question to ask is, do you pause before you speak? I know personally this has been one of the difficult things to change over the years however over prayer and time, it is possible to improve. 

Today I encourage you to start being more aware of the words you are speak. Take a pause and tame your tongue. Have a blessed positive day! -Monica

Banana bread

Hello Journey Mates!

It's late in the evening and I had some super ripe bananas that were turning dark... So in an effort to not be wasteful. I whipped up some banana bread mix and made some muffins! Then I thought "I should share this recipe" so here you are!! The recipe is below! It's quick simple and tasty!! 

Enjoy!! XOXO

 

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Instructions

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan or a muffin pan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour for loaf or 25-35 minutes for muffins. Allow 15/20 minutes to Cool. Remove. Serve.

Size: Makes one loaf or 11 muffins :)
*Walnuts are optional 

Finish Strong

Hello Journey Mates,

As the month of September winds down, I wanted to encourage everyone to stay focused with your fitness goals. The summer is officially over and many of us are looking forward to the holiday season! We will spend precious time with family and friends that we hold dear, and while we're creating all of those lasting memories many of us will be stuffing our faces with all of the homemade goodies!

While it's wonderful to gather with our loved ones, we must acknowledge the fact that all of those extra goodies will lead to extra pounds if we're not careful. Every year many of us eat until our hearts are more than content; pies, cakes, baked macaroni & cheese and everything in between.

Then, just like a vapor the holiday season is over and spring will knock at our doors, and we'll answer, but with an additional 5-10 pounds...

This season do something different! CHANGE!!!

Let's purpose to stay on track with our fitness goals, Let's choose to cook and eat a little healthier. When spring knocks at our doors, not only we will open them with joy, but we won't have any feelings of regret because we need to lose weight, due to our extra yummy holiday season.

Here are a few tips to help keep you on track :)

1. Set Goals: Setting specific goals to accomplish specific eating and exercise habits are an important first step because they establish the direction and outcomes you want.
2. Select Activities: Plan specific activities and fitness programs that you will engage in throughout the rest of the year to keep yourself fit. Plan to take walks during lunch or small breaks, park at the end of the parking lot at the grocery store, schedule workout/fitness times for yourself throughout the week .
3. Plan Meals: Plan your meals and find ways to modify your existing recipes to make them healthier! Small changes have huge results. Use less sugar, salt or butter. Drink water instead of soda, snack on fruit instead of chips, or bake or broil meats instead of frying them etc.

If you make the smallest of changes, I can guarantee that you'll have an outcome that is reward worthy; a healthier you! Spring 2012 can be spent thinking about how wonderful the summer will be and what you'll be wearing to the beach!