I have been doing Crossfit for a couple of months now. I get up at 4:45 most mornings and head to meet Crossfit Carl (my energetic, God-loving Paleolithic trainer). I get home at about 6:15 smoked and ready to start my day as mama, wife and marketing director. Self punishment is my friend!
I am now introducing this Paleo way of thinking/eating into my diet in order to see better results and feel better. It is very interesting and tough at times. It is basically how a caveman ate. Randall gets a kick out of it and texts me caveman comments all day long. I love that man.
I do not plan to be a fanatic and I do not plan to give up sugar for good, but for now I am trying to ween off of it in order to jump start my system and train myself to eat a little cleaner. I LOVE Crossfit and find myself doing things I never thought I could or would ever do. Eating better to maximize results from my hard work is a must. I can't wait to see how 2012 changes my health for the better. My goal is to say I did all I could to get off of my BP medicine...and looking a little leaner won't be half bad.
Here is the book description:
"Do you want to lose fat and stay young, all while avoiding cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and a host of other illnesses? The Paleolithic Solution incorporates the latest, cutting edge research from genetics, biochemistry and anthropology to help you look, feel and perform your best. Written by Robb Wolf, a research biochemist who traded in his lab coat and pocket protector for a whistle and a stopwatch to become one of the most sought after strength and conditioning coaches in the world. With Robb's unique perspective as both scientist and coach you will learn how simple nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes can radically change your appearance and health for the better"
Parenting a boy is sometimes overwhelming. Randall and I often find ourselves discussing the "what ifs" and "hows" of parenting a boy to ensure that he will turn out to be a decent, God-fearing man. Last week something really sad happened that affected my home church and it made me really think about it even more. We have this book and have read it once already and we plan to read it again, and again, and again...while we seek the Bible for hope and direction in raising our sweet Henry. No matter how well we do it, it is out of our control, but at least we can say we did our best. I know Jeff and Tracy did their very best with Zane and should be applauded for it. Here is the Description:
"With so much confusion about the role of men in our society, it's no wonder so many parents and teachers are at a loss about how to bring up boys. Our culture has vilified masculinity and, as a result, boys are suffering.
Parents, teachers, and others involved in shaping the character of boys have many questions: Are boys fundamentally different from girls? What role does competition play in a boy's development? What is a father's unique contribution to parenting a son? What about a mom's role? How can grandparents contribute to raising a healthy grandson? What's the best way to educate boys? etc. In Bringing Up Boys, Dr. James Dobson tackles these questions and offers advice and encouragement based on a firm foundation of biblical principles."
This is my new Bible Study book. I am going to LOVE this study. The "girls" in all 3 young adult SS classes at my church gather 1 night a month at someones home and recap the study and how it is touching them. I was finally able to join in this time and it was such a blessing. I hope Randall is home every first Tuesday of the month from now on so I can go! :) Learning the hearts of these "girls" and sharing life with committed believers is how it is suppose to be. Learning what my idols are with a fresh perspective is going to be great. If you are looking for a study this is it. It has great recipes and music suggestions for your group gatherings. We had the meal our chapter suggested and plan to do it again next time. So fun.
Here is the description:
"This distinctly relational study for women, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols by Kelly Minter, is part of the unique Living Room Series and is based the corresponding book. In this 8 session Bible study, Kelly invites women to become part of her group, where friends share time, dinner, music, recipes, musings, and most of all, their lives. She encourages women to make room for God by dethroning the functional gods that clutter and claim their lives"
This is a book I purchased for Randall and I to read along with the Bible this year. Randall is always so interested in the hows and whys of the Bible and I am always wanting to know the relationships and correlations of people and places. Randall is often in awe that I took Old and New Testament in college and still have to purchase books like this...true! Anyway, I think this will be a great addition to our library this year. I also love that it is written by a Union University professor!
Here is the description:
"The Bible may be the most bought book in the world, but it is also often the least read and least applied due to a basic lack of understanding and motivation on the part of readers. Read the Bible for Life aims to improve biblical literacy in the culture and the church by simultaneously moving readers toward greater skill in reading the Bible well and toward a deeper commitment to applying Scripture to everyday life.
Through a series of down-to-earth conversations with some of today's brightest scholars, author George Guthrie discusses the basic tools and attitudes needed to read the Bible more effectively. Chapters focus on the various types of literature in Scripture and how to read them well. For instance, how should we read a psalm differently than we read a parable? How should we read a story of the Old Testament differently than we read a letter from Paul? How can we engage these various parts of Scripture in a way that is truly life-changing? The book also discusses issues such as reading the Bible in context, choosing and reading a Bible translation, reading in times of sorrow or suffering, and reading the Bible with your family.
As we better understand how to read the Bible skillfully, we begin to see how every person of the Bible, every psalm, and every teaching fits into the Bible's powerful, overarching story, and we begin to realize our place in the story that God is still writing in the world."
Here is to taking it back old school this year and signing off a little earlier, winding down, and reading more this Winter. What will you be reading this Winter?
Abby
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